Journaling is Joyful and Brings Enjoyment

Journaling is Joyful and Brings Enjoyment

2014-08-14 12:26:47

An enjoyable life is what I seek.

Infused with joy, not happiness. 

HAPPINESS VS. JOY

Happiness is short-term and is fleeting. It changes with the wind. Happiness depends on people and circumstances. Happiness is shallow. You cannot always be happy. You can sure try, but it just isn't possible. 

Joy is long-term, God given, and isn't dependent on anyone or anything. Joy runs deeper and can be found anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. Joy is found only in God, His Word, and in His blessings. Joy can be found in any storm. Joy is independent of people and circumstances, but is dependent on the Lord and His blessings. Joy is always possible. And, joy lasts and is lasting. 

Whenever someone tells me they are happy or seek happiness, I cringe. They want a shallow, short-term, dependent emotion. I feel sad for them and wish they wanted and sought more. They seek the lesser, for happiness is so much lesser. 

Hence, I seek an enjoyable life. 

JOY AND JOURNALING

Let's face it. People and circumstances are part of this life. So, how can we see past them? How can we seek more than happiness? Is it possible and achievable?

The truth is unless you know God and believe in Him and follow the Bible, you will not know joy. Happiness is of the flesh. Joy is of the Spirit. Happiness is human. Joy is spiritual. 

If you know God, and are in His Word each day and pray to Him, you can then know joy.

I also believe joy and gratitude to hand-in-hand. You cannot know joy unless you count your blessings.

If you count your blessings, meaning you look for your blessings in each moment throughout your day, you can know joy. As a matter of fact, I do not think we can ever know the fullness of joy, and live an enjoyable life, unless you count the blessings of each moment.

How can you count the blessings of each moment? Particularly because we have to work, do household chores, run errands, and exercise, how can we find the time to count the blessings of each moment throughout the day? This can only be accomplished through journaling. 

Joy is found through knowing God. Knowing God allows us to see all of His blessings, if we stop and take note. We must do so of all the moments of each of our days.

JOY AND JOURNALING 

Why should we journal? Journaling brings enjoyment. Moreover, joy comes through journaling. 

We stop and take note of at least the three most memorable parts of our day, each and every day. Moments that stood out, whether for the good or bad, are moments we should take note of and journal about so we can find the blessings of each moment. 

Joy is found through being open to be blessed and through looking for the blessings. We become cognizant of our blessings only when we search for and look for them in our lives and in each moment. Journaling helps us do this. 

Count your blessings each day in your journal.

#Journaling #Diary #Blessings #Gratitude #Thanksgiving #Journal #Journalkeeping #JournalingStuff #BlessingsOfTurningForty 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC August 2014. Norfolk Botanical Garden.)

Prayer Journal and 40 (08.15.2014a)

Prayer Journal and 40 (08.15.2014a)

2014-08-15 12:39:56, Fri.

BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY

It didn't go as we planned. But, it sure went how God did--and what a blessing. 

B and I slept in today and took our time getting started. We had breakfast at one of our favorite diners, then headed home. When we got home, we discovered the lawn people were here and had our driveway blocked. With how our house is situated, it meant we had time to kill because we couldn't pull in the driveway and it would be a pain for all involved to make them move. So, we went for a drive. We explored our city a little more. 

I love looking at houses as we drive by. It's when I wish walls could talk and cannot help but wish I knew their story. We found the older wealthy side of town, which the houses make me drool. But, they make me appreciate what I've got. The truth is even if I had 'll the money in the world, I wouldn't want one of those homes or a fancy car. I would want a simpler house out West and the vehicles we have now. 

This is a wonderful realization, once again, that I'm joyful. I don't need a fancy home or vehicle to make me feel fulfilled. Money cannot buy joy and the lack of it cannot steal joy. I'm content with the life I've got. Sure, I wish for more and different at times, but would that increase my joy? No. Being content where I am and with what and who I have increases my joy. 

We also drove down to the water's edge and went to a place where we've seen aquatic turtles before, along with all sorts of birds. We only saw two turtles, but did see three different types of seagulls and a white egret. Glories of God. Wonder. Beauty. (Things money and prestige cannot buy.)

It's in the beauty and glory of God's creation I find joy and the most contentment. It's in nature we can see the world through Pre-Fall eyes. We see the creative and loving side of God, the playful and deep side l, through nature and God's critters. 

This is what I want for my next forty plus years. More beauty, critter spotting, wonder, and sights of His creation. More of His glory. 

Life doesn't get any better or sweeter. 

To think, we would have missed all of that if the lawn guy wasn't here. 

Sure, at first, we sighed. Of course the lawn guy was blocking our way. How inconvenient. But, as quickly as those thoughts arose, B and I pushed them back. It gave us time to go and see what God wanted to share with us. It gave us time to explore and see new sights. It gave us time to hang out together and with the Lord.

We could have been upset and ranted and raved. But, we didn't. We know, and knew, God had something else in mind. We drove. We explored. We went to the water and enjoyed the bigger sky, the critters, and time to do nothing and just be. Glory. 

Critters and seeing the beauty of God's creation has always been high on my list. These are the moments when I have been, and am, the most me. Busyness and the world don't barge in and get in the way in these moments. Life at its purest and simplest is found in these times.

This is why I want a back porch in the house in which we retire and buy. I want to watch the birds, watch sunrises and sunsets, observe lightning storms. Drink coffee, have a meal, journal, read. These are some of my most memorable moments of the last forty years and I want to continue this with the next forty plus years.

Life simply doesn't get any better. 

Time with God and my best friend, observing the glory and wonder of God is the ideal life. Just being. No expectations. Simplicity. 

More isn't better. Less is. (Except when talking about the glory of God.)

Things don't make us joyful. God does. Moments doing nothing but hanging out with God are the best. This is enjoying life. This is living life to its fullest. 

Sure. I wish I had a kiddo. More than words can express. But, God has said no or not yet. (B and I both are infertile. Not just one. Both.)

I cannot help but think these moments might be sweeter with a kiddo. But, the truth is if I cannot enjoy my time fully with God alone, no one and nothing else could compare. 

I forever want more of Him, less of me.

THE BLESSING

The truth is it's been an honor to live the last forty years with the Lord. What a blessing. This is abundant living. It's being with Him, no matter when, where, with whom, or how. This is THE blessing of blessings. 

How fortunate it is we can be with God in the here and now, no matter the past. 

Living forty years with Him has been a supreme blessing. 

SUN AND CLOUDS

My last forty years have been full of sun and clouds. The good times and the not so good times. 

I've experienced more challenges than I can possibly count. I haven't had it easy. It has hardly been fair. God has trusted me with much.

I've messed up. I've made mistakes and stupid choices. I'm my own worst enemy at times. 

However, life means sunshine and clouds. Nothing remains stagnate. Things change. Except for God. He alone never changes. He is consistent. He alone is a rock and is steady. He is my strength.

Thank God.

Sun and clouds exist to point us to the Light, to the one and true God. 

BLESSINGS, GRATITUDE, AND THANKSGIVING

About a year ago, I found a way of life I wanted to start living. I started to live in this way, and have at times since, but I haven't been consistent. I want to live the following verses. 

 My life verses for the next forty years are:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

16 Rejoice always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

I want to live these verses, and look for and enjoy His glory for the next four plus decades. This is life at its best. 

 #PRAYERJOURNALING #JOURNAL #JOURNALING #MEMOIR #THEBLESSINGOFTURNINGFORTY #40 #BIBLE 

August 2014 Vacation

August 2014 Vacation

2014-08-14 14:21:08

WHAT I'VE DONE FOR VACATION

1 Historic Jamestown

2 The Virginia Living Museum (like a zoo)

3 Shirley and Berkeley Plantations

4 The Naval Boat tour of the Norfolk Naval Station. The Nauticus Museum. The U.S.S. Wisconsin.

5 Norfolk Botanical Garden

6 The Great Dismal Swamp

7 Drove around town and explored areas we haven't been before

8 Took it easy. Got back into journaling. 

This is why I took about 3,200 photos.

Most of the photos you see for the next year at least will be from this vacation. 

I had some unforgettable moments. They were glory sightings and were times of great blessing. I will journal a great deal more about each of these things in the days to come, but I will say this: saw wild turtles and dolphins, discovered a new type of bird in my backyard I have never seen before, and was inspired by flowers. 

I also know I'm forgetting several other memories, but they will come as I journal, look at the pictures, reflect, and talk with B about them. Hubby will remember things I don't or see them in a different way. This will help me remember and capture it on the page. 

It was one of the best vacations I've ever had. And I blame my journaling for this. I looked at everything through a journalkeeper's eyes, so I looked deeper into the moments and counted my blessings. 

So, as you can tell, my photography is with my cell phone, so the photos are good, but not great. And, I'm okay with that. Photos are meant to capture a memory, not perfection. 

It was rather nice doing the touristy things around home. We get so busy with the daily grind we forget to go see and experience the things near our house. In fact, there are a few things we didn't do I wish we could have. 

We were busy, but it was worthwhile and was certainly memorable.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC. August 2014. The Virginia Living Museum.)

Blessings Journal and Counting My Blessings

Blessings Journal and Counting My Blessings (2014-08-05 08:25:51, Tuesday--Aug. 5)

I am thankful and grateful for:

1 Life. God has allowed me to live for almost four decades. Why? He has a purpose for me. What is His purpose for me? It's to bring Him glory through only the way I can. He has equipped me and made me the way I am because it is how He wants to be glorified through me. Glory means to see God, His character and nature, and His works (what He is doing). It's proof He exists. 

2 The next four+ decades to bring Him more glory and live His purpose.

3 Today. He has a purpose for me to fulfill His purpose and bring Him glory today. It is a gift. I get to spend today the best way possible, it's through hanging out with Him and showing Christ through me, how I act and behave and respond, what I say, what I think, my emotions, and in and through my journaling.

4 Yesterday, I am thankful for starting a new blog on journaling.

5 Yesterday, I am grateful for starting a new journaling and blog post series for the next thirteen months or so of: "The Blessing of Turning Forty: The Decades Journaling Project and Memoir."

6 Yesterday, August 04, I am blessed because I realized how as much as I try to ignore it,forget about, or try something new or different, God keeps bringing me back to counting my blessings. Thank You, Lord. 

7 How I learned a long time ago how blessings are not just for the good things in life. A blessing is found in every moment of every day, whether it is a good, tough, or indifferent moment. 

8 My good health.

9 My critters: Zack Beagle, Sinan Maine Coon Orange fluffy cat, Shelly and Harry RES aquatic turtles (Red Earred Slider). 

10 Clean turtle tanks and cat boxes.

11 Vacation coming up.

12 My family while growing up.

13 How the sun rises and sets each day, and so does the moon.

14 For my life experience. 

15 How I can help use my life experience to help others as they live their own. 

16 My faith and salvation. I have no idea how anyone lives a single day, never mind hour, without faith.

17 My journal and journaling. Now, 18 Yesterday, and 19 in the future.

20 Snuggling Beagles.

21 The sound of the water filter in Harry's turtle tank, in our family room, as I sit on our couch. The sound is so relaxing.

22 Journaling as I sit on our extra comfy couch.

23 My Amazon Kindle Fire + the internet so I can journal as I sit on our comfy couch.

24 Cats who curl up on chair and look like a fox. 

25 Doctors and medicine.

26 A new day.

27 Penzu for my online journal and journaling.

28 My hubby, B.

29 My marriage.

30 That B is my best friend.

31 How B understands, or at least tries to, how important journaling is to me and he does what he can to give me the time and tools I need to journal. 

32 Coffee.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Counting of Blessings

I am thankful, Lord for...

Prayer journal anything that comes to mind.

Lord, I'm thankful for...

Question About Counting Your Blessings

Question About Counting Your Blessings

What can you do to offer more thanks throughout your day today?

Tomorrow?

A couple of thoughts to prayer journal about and ponder.

(I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject, by the way.)

Giving Thanks and Counting Our Blessings

Giving Thanks and Counting Our Blessings

Counting of Blessings and Morning Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for this day. What an opportunity. It is Your day, not mine. I look forward to seeking You and searching all around to see Your glory.

Thank You for this week and time with You.

Abba, You are my all, my Everything. I am nothing without You.

Guide me, Lord. Help me to stay in the middle of Your will.

Use me. All I want to do is bring you as much glory as possible.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.)

Counting My Blessings for My Marriage

When my husband, B and I married, we didn't do the traditional marriage vows. However, we sure thought of them and still do to this day. The part "for better and for worse" part, along with the "love keeps no record of wrongs" and "love bears all" parts in 1 Corinthians 13 meant and mean something to us.

Words have meaning. Each word does.

We dissected the traditional wedding vows and the love verses to make sure we would live by them before we ever got married. And, we still reflect on them today. 'Are we living them?' is a question we constantly ask ourselves.

B and I made a vow to one another and to God. We know our marriage is a reflection of our relationship with the Lord.

We take our marriage seriously. It's not something that's flippant.

When we go through the hard times in life, which there are plenty, we cling to one another and to God. We do not allow division between us--B and I and God. We know that it takes all three to make this thing called life work, plus our marriage.

The little stuff in life, we keep little. We do not make a mountain out of a molehill. (Sorry to use a cliche. But, again, words have meaning--and this best illustrates the point I'm trying to make.) We have gone through so much in a few years past a decade--and we've learned to take things in stride. It does not help anything, or make things easier, to throw a fit, fight, and have division in our marriage when life sends us a challenge. (How ridiculous is that?)

Our challenges grow us.

Marriage is meant to help carry one another's burdens and that sure makes things easier and more meaningful.

We have a good marriage because it's something we work on. We make it worth the effort. We refuse to hold the past against one another and to try to make the best of our situation, one another, our faith, and our marriage today.

In our marriage, there is a word we try to never use. "I." Rather, it's "We." Marriage cannot ever be self-serving. It has to be we-centered. and, by golly, God better be the first in the equation on both parts.

Marriage takes on a whole new level when you live in this manner: "Always give thanks--no matter what." Always give thanks, even for the challenges. Always give thanks to one another. Always give thanks how life is a journey meant to be shared together. Always give thanks--for God is the reason for everything. It is, after all, all about Him--and not about us.

God, thank You for helping us center our marriage on You, not on each other, and surely not on circumstances or emotion.

Lord, thank You for all the bends in the road, the life challenges You've sent our way over the last few weeks, never mind the last two years. To YOU be the glory in all of it. It's all about You and Your perfect plan.

(Top image credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014.)

Why A Year of Always Giving Thanks and Counting of Blessings

Why A Year of Always Giving Thanks?
Giving thanks is a way to give God glory and praise.
Giving thanks is acknowledging God for who He is and what He has done in our lives--and in the lives all around us. Giving thanks is looking around to see God and His workmanship. It's always being open and searching for His glory.
Giving thanks is something we can do at all times, even as we do other things.
Giving thanks when you are having a tough moment or day tends to make your day a little brighter. It's recognizing He is the most important, powerful, faithful, and loving One in our lives.
Why always give thanks? So we can remember what God has done and we can continually give Him credit for it if we write it down to remember.
Giving thanks takes the focus off of self or circumstances and puts our gaze on Who and what really matters.
Why give thanks always? There's too much to lose otherwise.

COUNTING OF MY BLESSINGS
235 A new day
236 The Word of God to read and soak in, slowly and sweetly, so I can get as much out of it as possible.
237 Christian authors--non-fiction and fiction
238 Another day to do Bible reading and study
239 God getting my husband and I through another bend in the road last week.
240 God speaking to us (B and me)
241 God guiding B and me
242 God's love--it's faithful, never-ending, deep, unconditional
243 God's guidance
244 "Believing God" by Beth Moore
245 The radio/sermon series by Dr. David Jeremiah on worshiping God and knowing Him.
246 My new personal Bible study, "Seeking God: A Godly Vision Bible Study Journey"
247 Using B as much as You do, Lord. Thank You so much.
248 Lord, thank You for putting up with my mood swings as I try to deal with the bends in the road that seem to keep hitting
249 For telling me when to draw back from writing so I can focus on You and the reading, study, and implementation of your Word... So I can ruminate on it and soak it all in over time and not rush through it.
250 My new Bible reading in a year plan. M'Cheyne, round--whatever
251 The heart you've given my husband, Lord.
252 I know You will get someone close to me a new job--and thank You in advance.
253 Thank You for the job that individual in #252 has had the job they have had.
254 Possibilities and opportunities
255 Seeing You
256 For teaching me how to seek You

Counting My Blessings

Day 17 Counting of Blessings

224 Beth Moore and her writing--allowing God to use her and her team.
225 Beth Moore Bible studies
226 "Believing God" by Beth Moore, which I started yesterday
227 The upcoming summer study by Beth Moore, "Children of the Day," which I will also take part in, even as I finish up "Believing God."
228 For God to speak to me as clearly as He did yesterday.
229 For God to speak to me as clearly as He did today.
230 For a profound revelation God gave me in the middle of the night.
231 Bojangles grilled chicken bites
232 A loved one had a safe trip
233 For our friends, M, T, I, and N. They are supreme blessings in our lives.
234 Zack had dementia earlier today and is better now.

Counting My Blessings

Counting My Blessings

Day 16, Part 2 Counting My Blessings

I am thankful, Lord, for...
212 The Spring
213 Spring flowers
214 The color purple, violet, lilac, plum, and all the shades in between
215 A mind to use so I can be mindfulness about counting my blessings
216 Mindfulness
217 This day
218 Coffee
219 Time with You, Lord
220 Reading a good book
221 Inspiration
222 Helping me, Father, through this life-change-on-a-dime-moment over the last week
223 Words of comfort and inspiration found in the Bible, the Word of God

Keep Calm and...

AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?

AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?

April 23, 2014, Wednesday, 829 a.m.

HOW DO I/WE OFFER THANKS EACH DAY FOR A YEAR (AND MORE) ANYWAY?

How am I supposed to live 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 every day, all day and night long, moment by moment? This is the question.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 / New Living Translation (NLT)

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Please look up this verse at this link. Every version says it a little differently. Read this link for a fuller understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

http://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20Thessalonians%205:18

Philippians 4:6 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

-- GW: Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

And, look this up as well for all English translations of Philippians 4:6:

http://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Philippians%204:6

How do we, and how will I, live these verses every day and night, in each moment, for at least a year (if not for the rest of our lives, as those verses instruct)? Simply. We just start.

Yep. Just begin.

Try to count at least three blessings, and things you thank God for, each and every day. Do this for the rest of your life.

That’s it.

It isn’t any more complicated or profound than that.

It’s okay to repeat things you are thankful for, if you really are grateful for it when you write it down.

I also advise looking around, where you are, and you’ll see things you are thankful for, or what you see will trigger something or someone else you’re grateful for and you can then write it down.

Also, as you go throughout your day, expect God to reveal His glory to you. He will pour on the blessings, as He always has. You just need to be open to see them and receive them. Intentionality is the key. Write them down as you see ways in which God is present, and working, in your life, around your life, and through your life--and through the lives of others.

You have the potential for writing hundreds down each day if you carry your gratitude journal with you everywhere you go--and watch, wait, and listen to God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

God has divine appointments set up for you to see Him working and to bless you through His work and glory. Keep these appointments all day and night long. Don’t miss out.

Also, if you don’t know what to thank God for, go through your gratitude journal. Seeing your list will remind you of things you are thankful for today and will stir up new ones.

Look around. Listen. His glory, and work, is all around. You just need to be open and be intentional.

Day 15 When God Blesses

Day 15 When God Blesses

We should never be surprised by God. He is God. He can do what He wants, when He wants to do it, how He wants to do it. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He is God.

But, aren't there times when He acts and we sure don't expect it? And, He acts in a way we should know to expect, but we are still taken aback? 

And, then there are the times God blesses your socks off, in extraordinary ways, you know you don't deserve at all. But, because of His grace and love, He does it anyway. That's what happened to me yesterday.

Lord, I am thankful for:

198 How You answer prayers I didn't even know I had.

199 How You remind me You are still in control.

200 For opening my heart and mind up to remember, and perhaps learn in a whole new and deeper way, how I am utterly, totally dependent on You--not on people, self, circumstances. You. And You alone.

201 The reminder You are the only One whose promises are guaranteed.

202 I do not deserve one blessing, yet You so profoundly and profusely bless me every day all day long, even when I feel kicked.

203 How turning to You alone is the only answer, for You are the Answer. 

204 The sun still rises each morning.

205 The sun still sets each evening.

206 You can still use battered and bruised people who are hardly eloquent or wise.

207 How You love me.

208 A new vision

209 Your vision

210 Another new beginning

211 You are God. There is none like You. 

(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014)