* Reminders

As I was reading my devotionals the other morning, the author talked about all the things she sees in nature as she takes her daily walk. She sometimes stops and takes a picture of them to help remind her of just how blessed she is to be a child of God. It made me think about my recent trip to the beach. I got up early to go walk on the beach right after the sun came up. There was a cloudy haze over the sky and everything looked so peaceful. I took a picture to share with my friends and told them that I felt renewed each time I come to the ocean. The devotional also made me think about the bigger picture in that I know the sun will come up every morning, just like God will always be there for me. And the ocean is so vast I cannot even see all of it, just like God’s unending love for me. They are reminders.

Then I thought, what other things have I missed by not stopping to look at or think about them? I must admit that retirement has helped me to slow down a lot and I do take more time to savor moments but that won’t bring back all the moments I missed over the years because I was always busy and in a hurry. Being a wife, raising two boys and working full time was a challenge even though I did stay at home with my boys for six years when they were younger. Those days at home with them were moments I still relish. They are both reminders of how much my life has been blessed.

I’ve been reminded lately for several reasons of just how precious the gift of life is so don’t let these moments pass you by. Each day brings us the opportunity to be reminded of the goodness of God and the beauty of life. Our job is to stop and reflect, if only for a minute. Maybe even take a picture so we can look back and say, “Thanks, God”.

Blessings, Cindy J

* The Purple Journal

I do love a pretty journal. Over the years I have collected and written in many of them. Writing in a journal has gotten me through numerous life struggles and situations. When I’m no longer here, I hope it will be part of the legacy I leave for my children and grandchildren.

On a recent trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, my husband and I walked around Biltmore Village and perused all the little specialty shops. My favorite was one that specialized in paper and custom pens along with leather journals. I saw the most beautiful Italian leather purple journal. I didn’t really need another journal but it just spoke to me. Of course, I bought it and decided I would save it for something special I wanted to write about.

In January of this year, my third granddaughter was born almost two months premature. As I thought about all she was going through and the struggles she was facing, I remembered the purple journal and knew it was meant for her. This was where I could write her story and tell it through her Nana’s eyes. It has been a joy to fill the pages with my prayers, thoughts, and wishes for her as she grows. I pray it will one day help her to see what a strong, beautiful little girl she is and how much she has encouraged me.

Dear Sarah Elise, this post is for you. Love, Nana

Blessings, Cindy J

* Keep Moving Forward

Retired professional football player Deon Sanders was recently on a talk show and explained why he thinks some people survive trauma and others do not. He said it’s because they quit moving forward. He said our gut reaction when we experience pain or fear is to stop. That’s the worst thing we can do because when we stop moving, we become a target. I think there’s a lot of truth in what he said and I know I’ve experienced the same reaction at times in my life. When you hear the words, “You have cancer,” your body goes into shock, you panic and everything stops. You freeze and time seems to stand still.

So how do we move forward when things are bad? My primary way of dealing with adversity is through prayer and my faith but I also think it is important to take action. I am a reader and information is what I seek when faced with the unknown. I’ve always felt that information is powerful and, in this case, gives you the knowledge you need to help fight and ask questions. It also keeps you from being inactive because you are moving forward and participating in trying to solve the problem. Sure, you might fall down but that’s not what matters. It’s the getting back up that’s important.

NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow said, “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” She was kicked by cancer and ultimately lost her life. However, the money her foundation has raised for cancer research is still going strong. I’ve likewise been kicked by life, cancer, and heart issues to name a few and even though I stumble a lot, I’m doing my best to move forward. Sometimes I’m a bit slow, but I’m moving. So, I just want to encourage you by saying, please don’t stop. Keep moving forward.

Blessings, Cindy J

* Roots

I always thought I had strong roots; especially where my faith was concerned. As a child, I grew up going to church and learning about Jesus. I loved going to church; it was who our family was and what we did. Our social life revolved around church activities and I never really questioned my commitment to God. Be that as it may, I must admit that I didn’t truly have a desire to be more like Jesus until my oldest son was born. I wanted to give him solid roots; for him to be brought up in a church family around people who loved the Lord. I also knew it meant working on my own roots.

My roots in the faith have needed “repotting” from time to time as I’ve faced challenges and just life in general but since 2009, I’ve really learned the meaning of digging down deep and being firmly planted in my faith. God has used cancer to help strengthen my roots and build a deeper relationship with Him.

Have you ever noticed that the trees that tend to survive a hurricane are the ones who have other trees all around them? Their roots are stronger because they bind together and they weather the storm better because they lean on each other to remain strong. What helps you strengthen your roots? For me, it’s my faith and the support of my family and friends. If you’re in the midst of a storm, I encourage you to find a way to strengthen your roots. Strong roots are what sustain you and help you remain on solid ground long after the storm is over.

Blessings, Cindy J

* Flourishing

“We can never know the joy of flourishing without experiencing the despair of languishing.” – Gretchen Saffles, Author of The Well-Watered Woman

Today has been a relatively good day. Would I say I’m flourishing? Not yet; but I can say that I am improving and that things are getting better. I suffered a heart attack in early February and have definitely had a lot of days of languishing. Recovery has been slow and I’m not one to be quiet and patient. I want to fix my problems and keep on moving forward. However, my body has told me to rest and recover (so have my doctors and my husband). Languishing is like being in a holding pattern and it’s hard.

When I read this quote by Gretchen Saffles, I understood exactly what she was talking about. We all have many seasons of ups and downs in our life but I think it’s during the seasons when we are down or languishing that we truly learn the most about ourselves. In order to appreciate how blessed we are, sometimes we have to experience trials that take us to unhappy places. I don’t like it; no one does. However, it does make me more aware of what others are going through and I can empathize with them because I DO understand.

I pray you never have to go through a season of languishing but if you do just remember to embrace the joy of flourishing when it’s over! Don’t just survive; thrive!

Blessings, Cindy J

* One Percent

A young man by the name of Parker Byrd is a baseball player for East Carolina University; my alma mater (Go Pirates!) His dream was to play baseball at the collegiate level and it was all about to come true when a boating accident resulted in an injury to his leg and the leg had to be amputated. He could easily have given up his dream and quit; but he didn’t. He suffered through many surgeries but this spring, a year later than expected, he wore the purple and gold and walked onto the field to bat in a game for the Pirates. Quitting was not an option for him. His motto is that every day he strives to be “one percent “better than he was the day before. What an amazing young man! His story has encouraged me.

I’ll admit that some days it is much easier to just give up, be discouraged and sit when you are faced with adversity. Or is it? I can promise you that nothing good comes from doing that. You don’t get better without putting forth some effort. Is it hard? Absolutely! It’s in the process of putting forth the effort that you realize that you’re a lot stronger than you think you are. And really, one percent is an attainable goal for everybody. My challenge to you is this… don’t let the negative things that happen rule your life. Accept them for what they are, have a goal for dealing with it and then make progress towards it; one percent at a time. Just ask Parker Byrd; he’ll tell you it’s worth it.

Blessings, Cindy J

* My Life is a Country Music Song

Back in 2009 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I thought that my life could not get any worse. I mean, cancer; it’s the diagnosis we all dread, right? I now call cancer the “gift that keeps on giving” because I’ve had so many things go wrong with my health due to the after effects of the very treatments that saved my life. I am very grateful to still be here with my family so I’m not complaining but almost 14 years later, I’m just ready for a break! A friend of mine told me that I needed to write a book on overcoming adversity and I said that I think I needed to write a country music song instead!

I mean seriously; I faced chemo for my cancer that I thought would surely result in me dying some days because I felt so bad. Radiation caused scar tissue that left me with ongoing pain in my chest along with damage to my esophagus. The surgery to fix my esophagus was one of the most difficult recoveries I’ve ever been through. Then there’s all the trouble with my eyes that was caused by the steroids I was given during treatments and subsequently thinking I might even lose my eyesight. Did I mention I now have neuropathy in my feet? Not sure, but it probably contributed to a fall I took last summer where I fractured my shoulder and had to have it replaced. Wait, there’s one more thing. I had a heart attack in February and am still recovering from that event.

Death, pain, blindness, surgeries, broken bones, heart attack; yep, that’s a country music song! You know another big component of country music songs? God and the hope and strength only He can provide. Country music is about real life and how we get through it with things like family, friends, and faith. So, I guess I’ll find me a catchy tune and head to Nashville.

*This post is dedicated to my friend Ruth. Thanks for your ongoing encouragement!

Blessings, Cindy J

* Comfort

*I wrote the first paragraph of this post this past summer before all the recent health events I’ve been through. It reminded me of how we have both good and bad times in our life and that there’s always a way to find comfort even in the worst of life’s circumstances.

Comfort; it comes at the most unexpected times and usually when you need it most. Today I found comfort in a morning yoga class on a dock over the water. The instructor encouraged us to ground ourselves to the dock with our bare feet and extend our roots all the way down to the core of the Earth. I felt tall, proud, and comforted. After lunch, I came out to the beach and dug my toes in the surf and sand. I found comfort in that shifting stability.

Now I am writing in my journal and releasing my thoughts. I have found comfort today and it allows me to be open to the peace I long for that only God can provide. Where do you find comfort? Search for it and embrace it every chance you get. It is what sustains you on the days when there seems to be no comfort in sight. I’m having a lot of those days right now but I look back at what I wrote this summer and realize I always have the power within to borrow from that strength and find my comfort for today!

Blessings, Cindy J

* The Beauty of Sea Glass

My sister recently returned from a cruise to the Bahamas and while there visited a beach in Haiti. The beaches of Haiti are known for their sea glass and I asked her to bring back a piece if she found any. She did and it reminded me of a poem I had written a while back about how being in the turmoil of the ocean is what ends up making sea glass so beautiful. My hope for you is that you don’t miss the beauty that’s found at the end of a long, hard-fought struggle.

Sea Glass

Ugly, jagged broken glass goes into the ocean

It tumbles and tosses along the sandy bottom

Rising to the surface, it’s pulled back down again

It struggles and then gives itself up to the sea

At last, the ocean deposits it on the shore

Beautiful, smooth, and molded

Sea glass; deep lasting beauty.

Blessings, Cindy J

* The Struggle Bus

In exercise class one day, I shared that I was on the struggle bus and having a hard time. A fellow class participant piped up and said, “Well just be glad you’re on it and not under it.” I found humor in her logic and was grateful that at least I was indeed on the bus. Lately, I’ve felt like that struggle bus has completely run over me and left me on the side of the road. It’s been hard picking myself up and climbing back onto the bus. But I’m trying!

Here’s the thing about the struggle bus; other people are on there with you. Their struggle may not be the same as yours but nonetheless they are dealing with something that causes them anxiety, grief, or pain. It’s important to acknowledge that you’re on the struggle bus and dealing with something hard but it’s equally important to acknowledge the people riding along with you. By reaching out to them, it makes the journey seem a little less scary and stressful.

As I’ve quoted before from Robin Roberts, she says “everybody’s got something.” My something may seem harder than yours right now but it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we reach out to each other, be kind to one another and give each other a hand to help them stay on the bus until they reach their destination. No one can predict when we’ll get off this struggle bus and back into a quieter journey. But I bet you’ll be stronger if you just hang on for the ride and learn from the experience.

Blessings, Cindy J