Category Archives: Faith

My Own Worst Enemy

There are songs written and movies produced which revolve around us being our own worst enemy, but what does that mean, exactly?

What would cause that perception to be created or that point to be driven home?  What sets one up to be one’s own worst enemy? Just think about that phrase for a moment, “I am my own worst enemy.”

Is being your own worst enemy a problem, or an opportunity?  What would you do if you knew there was a way for you to be your own best friend instead? Read More

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Love Lives On

Three little sisters appeared upon our front porch 17 years ago. Their momma, Yin, was attentive, loving and managed to keep them together and safe. Their papa, Scruffy, was a “cat-about-the- hood” yet stayed close by his family and was extremely protective.

Shortly after appearing in our lives their momma was struck and killed by a car at the end of our driveway. My own mother, Leah, also died by automobile. I had an immediate, visceral connection with these motherless kittens.

Since Scruffy was not the least bit interested in giving up his cat-abouting-the-hood-adventures and becoming an indoor cat, he granted us permission to take in his children to care for them. And care for them we did.

The three sisters, Izzie, Maisie and Tigger lived well-loved, peaceful, safe lives along with several other formerly feral cats we brought off the streets and into our home. Shadow, being one of them, our “rough necking, rumble with our dogs” cat. Shadow was challenged by health issues later in his life. Maisie, one of the sisters, stuck by his side. She was with him day and night throughout his treatments making sure he knew he was loved and in good company. Read More

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All Good Dogs…

Have you noticed lately, more and more of our animal companions are being called back home, leaving this earth plane and crossing over the rainbow bridge?

While it is comforting to know our loved ones, who are restored to perfect health, will be waiting for us on the grassy meadow, it can be heartbreaking and grief inducing, for those of us who are left behind.

I have found it comforting to take time to reflect on a life well lived, a friendship, nay, a love, which has been cultivated and cherished. It does both souls good to remember your loved one(s) in a written eulogy. This cathartic act of expression helps to ground me as I slog through my period of grief. Read More

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Wave of Awakenings

Now is the time for all good women to step up, step forward, carry the lanterns of light and initiate change.

We are a collective of women from past generations who have bound together to bring forth the light.

We are gathering en masse to assist through this dark period.

It is NOT as dark as the darkness of past – and it holds great possibility and hope but we must march – we are marching and we know we will make a difference –

The question is – will you? Read More

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What’s In Your Bag?

As the holiday season rapidly approaches you may find yourself wondering what sort of mixed bag you’ll be receiving.

Can you guess what I am referring to when I say “mixed bag?”

Many are bracing themselves, others are waiting with open arms while others have no thoughts whatsoever on the matter.

The contents of the bags which I refer to may dictate how your holidays pan out. Will they be a delight or a disaster? Read More

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Lessons My Father Taught Me

I hope you will enjoy a Free Bird Times news article I wrote about my Dad, ‘Woody’ in June of 2007.
Although he passed in 2018, he continues to impart his wisdom.
May your Dad, wherever he may be, continue to inspire, support and love you.

 

It’s no coincidence June 17th is not only Father’s Day, but Eat Your Vegetables Day as well. If it weren’t for fathers, or mothers, for that matter, telling us we could not leave the table until we ate our vegetables, imagine all the bushels and bunches of vegetables that may have gone to waste.

It might surprise those who know me to hear me say I do not intend to expound upon the healthy benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, despite that being one of the lessons my father taught me’. What I prefer to touch upon is something my father has been teaching me my entire life, and the one which has impacted me on the deepest level … the lesson of positive thinking and living. Read More

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Cross That Bridge

Levels of stress, anxiety, worry, sadness and anger among women worldwide are at a 10-year high, according to a new report.

In one of the largest studies on women’s well-being, analytics firm Gallup and medical tech company Hologic, Inc. teamed up to survey over 66,000 women in 122 countries around the world.

Study authors found 43% of respondents said they experienced worry in 2021, 41% reported feeling stress, 32% reported feeling sadness, and 26% reported feeling anger.*

Can you relate to the results of that study? Do you find your levels of stress have increased over the past couple of years and if so, do you find your levels of worry have also increased? An increase of stress or worry certainly increases your chances of feeling sad or angry. These feelings can manifest into depression, rage and even physical ailments.

What’s a woman (or person) to do?

Read More

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Collective Sigh of Relief

The events of these past 16 months have tested our patience, resilience and faith.
The effects of the pandemic brought out the best in many and the worst in many.

Many rose to the occasion and achieved their personal best to make a challenging period of time more rewarding and beneficial for themselves and others while many contributed to the angst, frustration and negative newness of it all.

Family and friends suffered losses – of businesses, livelihoods, health and most of all loved ones. We as a collective suffered more deaths as a result of this pandemic than deaths during World War II.

As we approach Memorial Day, “the day of honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces,” I believe it is also fitting to honor those who have lost their lives during the pandemic. I am not alone in my beliefs. Read More

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Return If Possible

While reading tributes for a friend’s daughter who recently passed away (and crying my eyes out as I did) I came across this sentence “I wish RIP meant Return If Possible.” That sentence got me to thinking.

The first thought I had was how comforting is that? I am used to seeing Rest In Peace, or Rest In Power but never Return If Possible.

How many of us would want our deceased loved ones to return if possible?

Then I got to thinking, well, they can, and they do. Return that is. We simply need to trust in that process and their ability to do so, and see it for what it is worth. Read More

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