Thankful Thursday

“Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They already know what you truly want to become.” Steve Jobs

Time....it flies fast. Hard to believe it's thursday already or that my oldest is 16 and my youngest is in middle school. 
Time...we're only given so much of it. I want to use whatever time I have to listen to my heart...and follow it's lead. That means silencing the voices that try to discourage...or tell me something I want is impossible....or list reasons why something can't be attained.

I'm listening only to those people who believe like me....that nothing is impossible....and that everyone has the right to try for their dreams. This week I'm thankful for.....

-book sales of dancing softly have been wild. Someone bought 15 to give away; someone else took 6 plus 6 of my first book to sell in a quaint little shop in the country. She read my 1st book and wants to promote them. Woo hoo. And everyday I've been selling a few  online and off.
-encountered this older woman...amazing gentle and kind. It still jolts me when I encounter someone like that. I won't ever forget her or the way she made me feel. And I'll pay forward her kindness to me.
-The circle of giving. Some people this week told me I'm their hero...a mentor...someone they look up to....that also really humbled me and in turn there are those people I look up to....who mentor me....who shine Light in my life. I love that whatever we give out comes back to us.
-My city. It's the best....I love it. I love everything about it. It was actually listed as one of the best places to live. I'm grateful for living here.
-Grace.I don't fully get it except that it's something that holds me up like salt would in the Dead Sea..it keeps me afloat and never lets me sink.

Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Cami at thankful Thursday 

Gratitude can turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. - William Arthur Ward

I woke up late....15 before 7 a.m......My youngest had to be at school for the music program. She told me it's okay...she could miss it...but I knew how much she loves going. Ten minutes later...the two of us...in in the dark and fog drove to the school. Before she left...she hugged me and thanked me over and over. Her happy sweet face will stay in my head all day.



Gratitude....it makes everything easy....and the feelings that come b/c of it....they're worth more than anything. This week I'm grateful for.... 

-S and D.....for all their support, encouragement and wisdom. They popped into my world at a time I needed them and they've become great friends.
-Things are slowly.....real slowly....super slowly.....beginning to turn around in my favor with this guy who took my manuscript.
-A young woman in prison....she's being held b/c she's in the country illegally. Her story is sad. By the time I left her, she pinky swore she'd hold onto hope....and I promised I'd see her every week until she's released. Sharing hope....seeing it come back in someone's eyes means more to me than anything. It humbles me.
-Autumn....best season of the whole year.
-Life.....hard to believe that once I wanted to give up on it. Now....I'm so grateful for all of it....but mostly that He's in my world flipping on the switch each day to new experiences....new friendships....new opportunities.  

Thankful Thursday

Linking with Cami at Thankful Thursday 

"I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it. Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute. " Maya Angelou 

Gratitude is like the grease that makes everything run more smoothly. It's the lubricant that opens doors....gives peace....takes away angst. I've spent most of the week realizing just how much He has given me...the amazing friendships..incredible relationship with my kids and family.....open doors to share my heart with others....all the creature comforts I need.....and mostly....Hope and Faith. I feel tremendous amounts of gratitude for things like....

-my older sister who shares her heart and cares soooo much. I love our talks...the common ground we share and the hope and encouragement we give to each other.
-My closest and best friend R with whom I can tell anything and everything. And I do and she does with me. Even our families are tight...our kids call each other cousins. Growing up with no family....and having my sister in another city...I love that.
-I know I keep bringing up about the kindness of the 2 lawyers but their kindness to me....leaves me stunned.
-For those wonderful amazing buds and editors who listen to me go on about my upcoming novel....and offer constant encouragment and support.
-Mostly I'm grateful for His presence...all those pitch dark days and nights when I thought I couldn't make...He shone His light....and more than that....He gave me joy in despair...peace in chaoes....hope in the bleak......

Thankful Thursday

Linking with Cami at Thankful Thursday

"You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force" Publilius Syrus

I've spent so much time this week rereading and editing my soon to be released novel, Dancing Softly. It got me thinking a lot about the power of kindness....how it's an amazing force that can change someone's mood or behaviour or even outlook on life. 

Thinking about the kindness of friends and strangers over the years humbles me. I'm grateful for all them....here online...in my everyday life....in the past and now in the present.... I'm thankful for.....

-the lawyers who are helping me and have showed me constant kindness that I wish I could repay somehow.....
-N....for going to bat for me and doing something so amazing....something that there was no way I could have done for myself. She happened into my world at a time when I really needed her.
-the bank manager who gave me $100 when I had no money. He did more than that...He gave me my dignity and left me with hope...
-the many emails from bloggy friends who always pump me with encouragement and make me smile.
-Mostly...for Him...who whispers in my heart to never give up...to always hold on....that when things are hard or dark...it won't last forever and the assurance that He's forever in my corner.

Thankful Thursday

Linking with Cami at Thankful Thursday 

“Life is a lot more fragile than we think so we should treat others in a way that leaves no regrets...fairly, and if possible, sincerely.” Haruki Murakami

My friend died this week. He had lung cancer. He never even smoked. He was a guy who didn't talk much, but when he did....you listened. The most defining thing about him - He loved God. 

His death is a reminder that life is unpredictable and fragile. My friend lived with a sense of purpose and destiny. He made a difference....an impact on others. It makes me look at myself and what I'm doing with this gift of life I've been given. I'm too much of a fighter.....too intense for my own good. I talk too much....other times, not enough. I want to use my life to touch others....but sometimes I think I'm way too self-centred.  Still....I'm grateful for a lot, things like....

Grace - it gives me inner strength when I feel hopelessly weak
Grace- it pumps me with courage when everything in me is thinking I can't.....
Grace....it helps me forgive when someone hurts me...
Grace...it fills me with incredible peace so 'no worries' becomes a resounding motto.
Grace....the love that broke through and turned my life around. 

Thankful Thursday

Linking with Cami at Thankful Thursday

"You’re shaking … so am I. It’s because of Jerusalem, isn’t it? One doesn’t go to Jerusalem, one returns to it. That’s one of its mysteries” Eli Wiesel 

The first time I went to visit my sister in Israel, I remember when the plane began to descend, the emotions running in my veins. We could all see the fields of trees below....growing.... prospering...the land rich with fruit and vegetation and HOPE.

A man sitting a few rows back pulled out a harmonica and began playing Hativkah, Israel's national anthem. The word itself means...The Hope. In that moment, every Jew on that plane regardless of life experience was bonded together by an overwhelming realization of God and the promise and hope fulfilled. A Jewish homeland...a sovereign nation where no Jew would ever be turned away from. Today...I'm grateful for.....

-Going from no hope to knowing hope. 
-The touch of the power of His gentleness....It's what turned my life around. 
-Contentment and peace that replaced all the restlessness and angst. 
-Family....community...purpose.....
-Mostly.....that I'm finally home and living with hope everyday. I know that no matter what happens....He's there...in my corner so the end of a thing will always be awesome.  

Thankful Thursday

תקווה Hope!  The two-thousand-year-old Jewish hope - To be a free people in their own land, was never lost….It was fulfilled by the promise….

Promises....they mean a lot. When someone makes a promise it immediately clicks in my head that it's guaranteed....a definite.... something to count on. I'm careful never to promise my girls anything I can't make good on....When I do...they wait for it....they expect it. This week I'm thankful for....

-My youngest for her keeping her promise and showing me I can totally trust what she says.
-My oldest said she'd reread one of my manuscripts. She not only did that, but she did some editing as well. I value her opinion and am grateful for her input. 
-the little things like being out in woods... on the trails...feeding the birds....seeing the small animals...breathing in the beauty....
-Someone's smile....always makes me feel good.  
-And mostly....for all His amazing promises - for bringing good out of the bad....opening up ways where there didn't seem to be any...and always being there in my world making everything shine. 

Thankful Thursday

Linking with Cami at Thankful Thursday

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked...if I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? But the the good Samaritan reversed the question...if I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him? " Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I've always told my girls....there are more good people than bad in the world. Sometimes that doesn't see to be true....but than someone happens into my life and confirms that it really is.  

I'm grateful for those who shine light...hope and compassion in my world...especially in this situation with the preacher man who took what doesn't belong to him....and who, using faith, is promoting himself as someone he's definitely not. I've learned that it's living the truth with kindness that speaks the loudest. I'm grateful for....


-The lawyers....I'm humbled by their kindness. Yesterday they said they're behind me 100% and are worried for my safety and they'll do whatever I want. They've been love in action....and their kindness feels like God's hugs to me.
-Roger....I was introduced to him b/c of his knowledge of the film and writing industry. His constant support, wisdom and friendship reminds me there really are more good guys than bad. Rog...if you're reading this....thank-you. You're the absolute best and preacher man was a definite incidental bridge that connected me with you. Thanks for being in my corner. 
-S....she's become a mentor and friend.....an older woman who shines light and love and wisdom. She' helped me stay focus through this whole thing. Her words, her heart have shown me that kindness is the truest form of wisdom. 
-R...M...and K...who have told me if this goes to court they're there...They'll do whatever I need. They've listened to my rants...and always directed me to look up and trust Him with the final outcome. 
-And mostly for Him...I think He knew this would happen. And if He knew....then He's in it and if He's in it...the ending is going to be totally awesome. It doesn't matter that the winds are whipping around....I'm standing on the rock....and that rock is gonna smash this thing wide open into something amazingly beautiful. I know that b/c He promised...and His promises are right on true.