Thanks.....

My Thought for this Day.......No matter the weight you are under, give thanks. With this giving will come a rebirth of strength. Truly each syllable of thanksgiving draws the heart away from the burdens of life and into the light of a brand new day. Rejoice, for surely this is the Day that the Lord has made.

Connection......

My Thought for this Day.......In Houston spending time with wonderful friends, thus this thought. The human connection is beyond price. It tethers us with something that is more precious than gold. This is love. Never turn lose of the hands that want to hold you and the hearts that want to love you. We are merely as strong as our chain of connections.

Circumstances.....

My Thought for this Day.....Do you judge people by their inner circumstances, or their outer circumstances? I think at times, if not all the time, we can't see past the houses and the cars and the clothes to really see the souls. This is the American Dream gone awry. We the people are now we the possessions.

Forgive.....

My Thought for this Day......Sometimes it's hard to forgive.....and rightly so. You've been terribly wronged, hurt, and maybe even shamed. But when you've worked the steps, cleared your path, cleaned your windshield with a million tears, and the time is right, forgive. It's for you. It will restore your faith...in yourself. It is brave and glorious and mighty.

Bubbles.......

My Thought for this Day......Sometimes I envision us all in bubbles. Spheres of iridescent lights that float on waves of human emotion. Our bubbles are filled with the whims of the universe, or truthfully, they are filled with what at this moment, in this exact time period carries each and every one of us to our destinies. Here's the depth, the gut, the atmosphere of out bubbles.......our ability to simply float. And with this floating comes either resentment, strength, sadness, usefulness, ignorance or self knowledge of 'oh the places we will go'. So, to only keep your eyes on other's bubbles,...to envy, covet, grasp that which is not ours, is to miss the wonderful prisms of life that is your bubble. Think about this....and think deeply....you can't have or possess someone's else's bubble. You only have yours. So the key, the lesson, the life, is to float within your sphere, knowing that whatever it is, it is truly meant for you. And in that knowledge, in those sparkling prisms of life, you find your core. What more could you ask for...for indeed, if you don't know yourself, your journey hasn't even begun.

Simple.....

My Thought for this Day.....I believe that at times it's easy to live a pseudo life...not by choice or even realization, but by chance. Life becomes so complicated and filled to the brim, that we simply slip into the whirlpool and never emerge. And this action is sad. And it is lonely. And it becomes such our reality that we don't realize it until we are caught up in the vortex of chaotic busyness and we lose sight of simple. Fight for your simple.

You.......

My Thought for this Day......What transforms you into a better version of yourself? If you can't answer that, then you have some work to do. Delve into this. With today's whirlwind world, you owe it to yourself to answer my question, and then indulge. How exquisite to be a better you.

Pause........

My Thought for this Day........In today's world we pause many things. We can set our ovens or crock pots, or dishwashers to stand ready and come on at an appointed time. We can pause our televisions when we want to leave the room or do a quick chore. We seemingly are in control of time. But in reality we are not. Time marches on whether we like it or not. Monday passes to Tuesday and January passes to February and 2017 will pass to 2018. The world spins, your days, months and years end, and at some unknown point your time is gone. Don't live on pause thinking you have forever. Don't while away your time being sure tomorrow will come. Don't ever ever ever think that you are assured of a second chance to mend that fence, lend that hand, or say those words. How very sad that we often spend our time storing up earthly treasures, but allow those we love to be paused for another day. If you have someone in your life whom you have pushed until the elusive tomorrow, please think about today. Make that call, reach out that hand, live as if your time is up.

Puzzle......

My Thought for this Day.......Life is a puzzle. Some days you work on the outside edges. Some days you work on the middle. But all days you must work to make sure all pieces fit right. And most importantly, if a piece refuses to conform, don't force it. You'll ruin the 'meant to be' vista of your life.

Shadows.....

My Thought for this Day.......There are many shadows in life. And to dwell in some is heartbreaking and tough, and to dwell in others is a blessing and joyous. The shadows of grief, envy, anger and resentment are dark and steal your soul. The shadows of a friend's love, a family unit, the Cross, are life changing and expand your heart to near bursting. Realize when you are under the dark shadows, that soon, with time and work, and effort, you will relax under the gracious shadows of love.

Mighty.......

My Thought for this Day......When the sun arises on your life today, I hope you stand in its rays and gaze upon your life with arms wide open and face turned upward. Sometimes it's too easy to slump in the shadows of doubt, fear and grief. Some days there is no comfort in the brightness of a new day. But at the end of your trial, you will step out from under the limbs of uncertainly and know that you are stronger than you ever imagined. And though this knowledge in no way takes away the grief, it surely will dull the pain. Be mighty!

Easter.....

My Thought for this Day....Receive the Grace that is yours. He is Risen. And because of this, you are free to embrace the infinite Joy of our Lord. No limits. Walk your path and know that your stones will be rolled away just as His was. Arise and Be Glad. The Glory of God surrounds you even in darkness. And it is Eternal. Peace to you on this, our day of Victory.

Enough......

My Thought for this Day........This morning I sip a hot cup of coffee and gaze out the window at the fresh green of spring. I see Mama Cat strolling up to the porch from the barn to check out her food bowl. I hear the birds trill and watch them sweep toward the feeders that are kept full for them. I'm joined here on the couch by Laramie, who is waiting for me to go throw the ball for her. Life at this moment is simple. The Brannan Farm has seen days of stress and strife, dark days of trouble and worry, but with every fiber of my being I know that our scales have always been tipped to the side of joy and security. We are blessed with the power of love, and unity and solidarity. I know our future will not always be golden, but on this Day, this Good Friday, I'm assured we are loved by the mighty hand of God. And that is enough.

Wealth......

My Thought for this Day......My thought today is a wish. I hope you have someone who is willing to push you higher. To hold you up when the days are cold and raw. To be your person. A good buddy is better than silver or gold. They can't be spent; they are wealth beyond measure.

Learn.......

My Thought for this Day......If every day is not a learning day for you, then you're living life wrong. Pay attention to your moments. There are those that are deeply enriched and educational. Don't live life blind and deaf. Live with all your senses engaged and your mind keenly aware. How sad to allow yourself to merely skim the water that is deep and rich and full of lessons. Be a student.....always.

Honor.......

My Thought for this Day.....What do you consider an honor? Not a stand on the stage to tremendous clapping honor, but a simple honor. Have you ever thought of that? I considered it an honor to have been with my mom as she drew her last breath, and to have been with our children as they drew their first. I consider it an honor to share a wonderful conversation with a really good friend. I consider it an honor to slowly sink into a fantastic book. I consider it an honor to hold the chubby, precious hand of our grandchild, and know without a doubt I am loved. I consider many things an honor. Do you? What?

Clutter.......

My Thought for this Day......Is your mind full of clutter? Emotions held on to for way too long. Old thoughts that still rumble around with no clear purpose. Grudges that take up valuable space. If so, then it's time to check expiration dates. Throw out that which is not safe to use. You'll be amazed how little it means to you, yet how much it is costing you.

Pain.......

My Thought for this Day.......Though I have not walked your particular path, nor felt your exact pain, I sit with you in silence. I sit with empathy and compassion and prayer. For just as rejoicing and joy are elements of a complete life, so are grief and worry. Be tender with yourself today, even as you are mighty. And know you are not alone.

You......

My Thought for this Day.....You can stand in the glory of the sunshine that is your life, or dance in the rain from the thunderheads above you. Either way, you must live. It's not the circumstances that define you, but the way in which you react to them.

Faults.....

My Thought for this Day......Be smart enough to keep yourself out of situations that prompt negative feelings. We all have trigger points. We all are weak in some areas. We all at some time give in to self destructive thoughts, emotions, patterns. What is a weakness for you deflates self esteem, beings on depression, envy, greed, self pity. Avoid those settings. Be honest enough to admit there are fault lines in your mountain of life. And if you say there aren't any, then you are either superhuman or delusional. And should be applauded or pitied. Find your cracks. And then do the work. Make yourself stronger than you can imagine. You are that important.

It's ok..........

My Thought for this Day.... Today, I wanna say, it okay. It's okay to be scared, sad, mad. It's okay to find not one morsel nor tidbit of comfort in your circumstances. I have always thought that we have been given ALL emotions to feel...not just the happy, strong ones. We are to cry and vent and yes raise a living, yet angry fist to the Heavens and ask,"why"? As a matter of fact, there have been times, when it has been a blessing that I live in the country because my God and I have had loud conversations in my back yard. We ask why and no immediate answer comes. We ask for help and nothing appears. We seek solutions in desperation and are blinded still by the darkness that surrounds us. IT IS OKAY. It is human. It is us. I'm not going to sit here and say...... hang in there, it will get better. Not because it won't, but because that's not what you want to hear right now. And this morning, I want to comfort, not confront. I have hurting friends whom I am reaching out to in my attempt to help carry their load of worry, and fear and weariness. This I can do. This I will do. So, if today my thought isn't for you, doesn't touch you, then please tuck it away and rejoice. Maybe your are on the golden brick path. Maybe good things are pouring down from a generous heaven. And if that is you, I am truly happy for you. But if not, then please know in my mind, in my heart, in my very soul, I know it is okay to have those moments of fear and trepidation and aloneness. But also I know you are not alone, because I am standing in your gap. For what it's worth, I am holding your hand,wiping your tears and praying your prayers. Today, this is my truth.

Walk........

My Thought for this Day.......Today, whether your steps are tiny and timid, or bold with swagger, take them with the belief that when you get where you are going, your purpose begins. You have entered your portal. Your poem is to be written, your story read, your task to be completed. Pick up that baton and lead your parade. Someone is watching. Be fierce in life.

Provenance.......

My Thought for this Day.....We all are born with a provenance. We are a branch of our familial tree. Some seem more blessed than others, some more damaged. But the fact is, you can not change your provenance; it is what it is. Here's what you can do. Sift through your past, build on the bright, erase the dull, pass on what is the best of you. You can never go back, but most assuredly you can stride forth with kindness and worth and generosity. Your past is unchangeable. Your provenance set. Yet your future is clay to be molded, art to be painted, a book to be written. And it will come with your signature. Be the Remington, the Picasso, the Harper Lee all of your days that stretch before you.

Today.........

My Thought for this Day.....Today I will understand that the passing of time is a steady process. I can neither rush it nor slow it down. What I can do, if I am to live this gift of life to the fullest, is to know that living in today is holy. The past is gone and tomorrow is untouchable. But today surrounds me with a pulsing spirit. Today is life.