PERSONAL JOURNALING BLOG POST (12.17.2014)

PERSONAL JOURNALING BLOG POST (12.17.2014)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS BLOG POST

A PERSONAL JOURNALING (12.17.2014a.): IMPORTANT QUESTIONS--IT'S TIME TO COMMIT

B STILLNESS AND BREATH (12.17.2014b.)

C PERSONAL JOURNALING (12.17.2014c.): YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF "THOSE" DAYS

D BLOG TO BOOK (12.17.2014d.)

E PERSONAL JOURNALING: YESTERDAY'S SAGA PART 2 (12.17.2014e.)

F PERSONAL JOURNALING BLOG POST (12.17.2014f): THE REALIZATION

G END OF YEAR JOURNALING FOR 2014 (A JOURNALING HOW-TO AND PROMPT OR EXERCISE) (12.17.2014)

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PERSONAL JOURNALING (12.17.2014a.): IMPORTANT QUESTIONS--IT'S TIME TO COMMIT

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: IT'S TIME TO COMMIT

I have stopped and asked myself a very important question. What do I want to do every day for the rest of my life? I figured out that answer.

Then, I asked myself another question: How do I want to write professionally right now? I figured out that answer.

Then, I asked myself another question: How do I want to write professionally for the rest of my life? I figured out that answer.

Finally, I asked myself this: If I could write anything at all for the rest of my life, the most ideal writing, what would it be? I figured out that answer as well.

The answer to each was this: Journaling.

Plain and simple.

So what have I done most days since I was eight years old or so (32 years)? I have journaled. Furthermore, what have I done off and on all day long for about thirteen years? I've journaled. And, what have I done more so daily of since July--and more than any other period of time in my life? I have journaled.

Journaling is my way of life.

Blessings Journaling has been my focus for several months he now as well.

So, why have I bothered with anything else?

I am a journalkeeper.

So... This is me, making the commitment... Once and for all. I am a journalkeeper. Period. Any questions? (I just asked myself that question, no one else.)

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STILLNESS AND BREATH (12.17.2014b.)

It's 38 degrees and we have thick fog here with some sun rays breaking through the low lying clouds on the ground.

Everything is still right now.

Sure. The dishwasher is making a racket. Harry's tank is trickling in sound. I hear the rush hour of cars driving down our busy street.

Life is in process. It is unfolding all around.

But, in this moment, everything stills. For, I am focusing on this present moment.

Life is always in a rush, without fail. Noise is always trying to break through and interrupt. It screams for attention, like a tantrum of a child. But, I can look past and have this moment. For, I will it. I choose it.

This moment, I cannot control. But, I can control how I react to it.

I choose stillness, even while there is noise.

I choose a time with God, time journaling, time to be still and breathe--just breathe. Slowly breathe. Breathe in stillness. Breathe in this moment to its fullest.

Stillness and breath.

Stillness and journaling as I focus on this present moment. Remembering Your Present. My present, even with and through the noise. Even in a busy life of changes coming. Even with the stress of a demented beagle and a cat living with, and who will die from breast and lung cancer. Claiming this moment, through the noise, to be still, breathe, and be fully present.

Remembering this present moment. Not allowing it to just slip by. Choosing to be still, so I can live, so I can breathe through all the noise. Cuckoo clock. Traffic. Dishwasher. Dementia. Cancer. Preparing. Planning. Retiring. Moving. Starting anew.

Stillness and breath.

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PERSONAL JOURNALING (12.17.2014c.): YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF "THOSE" DAYS

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday, 849 a.m.

I still sit on my sofa, in my pajamas, slowing sipping on my room temperature coffee, snuggled with beagle, listening to the noise of our furnace running, as I journal.

YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF "THOSE" DAYS

Fill in any colorful adjective there in "those." It was a day where everything that could go wrong did. It was one of those, "You can't make this stuff up" days for me.

It was an emotionally charged day.

The day started with a possible goodbye to a life. (Ugh. The tears are welling up as I type this.) On September 21, 2014, an old lady feral, dear, declawed cat adopted B (my husband) and I and has thoroughly stolen our hearts. (Yep. Lady Kara is a thief. A thief of hearts.)

A few weeks ago, we learned she had a mass on her kitty breast. They did a biopsy. Declared it cancer. So, B and I have a cat with breast cancer.

We needed to get her weight up (she was malnourished when she found us--horrendously so) and thyroid under control before they did surgery. Then, she ended up being bulimic, where everything she ate, she purged. So, she has been on an anti-nausea medicine. She finally started gaining weight.

Yesterday, I took Kara to the vet for two surgeries: dental and mass removal. But, first, they would do blood work and X-rays to see if cancer had spread.

Her cancer has metastasized. It is now in her lungs. The bottom part of her lungs.

Ouch. Kick to gut and in the teeth.

We have an incredible vet (and vet team). I cannot underscore that enough. (Thank God for him and the team.) The doc, who has seen Kara every three to four weeks since September said he barely recognized her. She is at a healthy weight and was less angry with them when they worked on her. She was feral and is an old lady, so she can be moody. But, she purred and loved on them for the first time. (She has become a constant lover and purrer, let me add.) He said other than the cancer spreading, she is in incredible health and has a high quality of life. (To God be the glory!) She is a whole different cat, living a life she has never had. One of love and affection. Spoiled, in the best sense of the word.

It could be days, weeks, or months. Don't know.

But, where the lung cancer is, it's in the best spot for her to live longer.

B and I will keep a close eye on her. We will not allow her to suffer. We are now offering her palliative care. We are her hospice, trying to make her as comfortable as possible.

That being said, she is still a terror on four paws. She is like any other normal cat. Today. (Please, Lord...)

So... There was that yesterday. There was more as well. 

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BLOG TO BOOK (12.17.2014d.)

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday, 1035 a.m.

This blog is, and will be, jammed pack with all sorts of jewels, if you would only take the time to mine for them. Also, keep in mind that what might jump out at you from this blog in this moment might change in the next moment. Therefore, it's important to read as much of possible of this blog and journal about what does jump out at you.

That being said, I do not know about you, but sometimes I get a great deal out of reading something in a blog post, but I get far more out of it if I read it in a book. Therefore, I will turn this blog into several different books:

1 This blog in its entirety.

2 "JOURNALING STUFF: AN ENORMOUS RESOURCE ON HOW TO JOURNAL"

3 My spiritual memoir

4 Topical books

5 Seasonal books

I hope you will get more out of this blog, but far more importantly, out of journaling because of this plan of blog posts to book formats.

So, stay tuned. There will be a great deal more to come. 

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PERSONAL JOURNALING: YESTERDAY'S SAGA PART 2 (12.17.2014e.)

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday, 1125 a.m.

In a previous Personal Journaling blog post and journaling entry I wrote today, I talked about how yesterday was one of "those" days, how "you can't make this up," and how yesterday had several things that went wrong. Well, the saga continues in this journaling entry.

Yesterday, after more things went wrong than what I care to share (it's highly personal, after all), I finally (bold, underline, caps, italicized of 'finally', let me add) was able to sit down, have a moment and write. Thank God! What sweet satisfaction I had as I sat down with my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch 1st generation, and with my favorite journaling and writing online program. My favorite journaling program is:

http://penzu.com

Penzu is where I do all of my journaling and writing. All of it. For two years. All of it. I have over 6,715 journal entries, notes, and writings prior to December 11, 2014. I have since added 166 since and will add a great deal more.

Well, yesterday, I opened it, in desperation to runaway for a while to my journal and get some writing down, in an effort to still my emotional and draining, heart-wrenching day. I opened it and it was different. It changed. Without warning.

Was it my tablet? Tried to re-boot. Still changed. Tried a hard restart. Still changed.

It was missing most of the features I have come to depend on. What?!? (There may have been some cursing in my head. Drat.)

Opened it on my laptop. Same. So, not a problem with tablet or laptop. Penzu changed. Upgraded. The features I needed were not there (and still aren't as I type this the next day) B, my husband, called and got a frantic wife on the phone as I tried to figure out now what? What if Penzu was changing to something inferior? Oh, dear. Worry, Anxiety. Everything I am not, was not, supposed to do. But, that was why I journaled. So, I could settle my worry and anxiety--and I could not use it in the way I was accustomed. More worry and anxiety. (Ahh!)

There is NOT a program or app out there with all of the features of Penzu. Let me add.

Hubby talked with me as he drove home from work. He did not follow everything I was trying to tell him. So, I opened Penzu up on my computer and THEN, after over an hour and a half of panic, then a pop-up window appeared. It said they were in the process of making changes. Great. That would have been nice to know a couple of weeks ago, never mind today so I didn't have a nuclear meltdown in my head and heart. (Ugh!)

And, the pop-up said, not a direct quote, but my paraphrase: "You can use the classic version of Penzu," and to hang in there while they added the rest of the features.

Phew.

Whew--and the like.

Where was that before? Where was the warning?

They EXPECT me to pay on time or they cut off my PRO version and move me to the FREE version. But, they did not warn me that there could be a service disruption--when I depend on Penzu for my livelihood (professionally), never mind for my journaling and my sanity. So, pardon me while I am annoyed. They should pay me money or give me a coupon or a couple of month's FREE PRO because of how they are putting me on hold while I wait.

Aggravating.

That being said, IF they would have warned me even three days prior, preferable a couple of weeks before, this would not have been an issue. I could be very patient with them. Even though they expect my money immediately and FAIL to provide me what I pay for immediately--there will be a lag in-between services. That's not right.

But, I will give them this: They have kept classic as a possibility. The new look, I like a great deal more--IF they give me all the features the old one has. And, I will also give them this: They have THE BEST journaling program out there. Period. Hands-down. Without fail.

So, prior to yesterday, I would rate 100 stars out of 10.

Yesterday, 1 or 2 out of 10.

Today, 8 out of 10 as I wait...

Hoping the new version will be a 200 out of 10.

Everyone, use Penzu, even in spite of what I am saying here. I cannot recommend them enough.

I have used Penzu since November 2012 and have NEVER had one issue until yesterday. Their error was lack of advanced warning. But, if they are upgrading and improving, I will gladly wait. I am making due with the new version. If I need, I go to the Classic version, then switch back to the new.

Yesterday was not when I needed this.

I had flashbacks of when I lost ten years of handwritten journaling thanks to movers losing my/our stuff--thanks to this drama/saga yesterday. I still hurt from this. Ouch.

I turned to Penzu because of the moving fiasco.

Then, Penzu showed themselves as unreliable. Temporarily. I think they will make up for it. But, again, advanced warning would have been nice.

It's rather funny. I've dealt with rape, witchcraft, suicide, death, murder, divorce, Columbine, the Aurora Movie Theatre massacre, etc., in my life and in my family, but those, I have dealt with and they hurt only mildly now. The pain is a companion. But, losing ten years of journaling, and journals I have lost, that is what haunts me today and hurts me deeply.

Yesterday stirred up the loss of my journals and journaling ( past and present)...

BUT...

As I had the panic yesterday, and then was relieved later by the pop-up, I had a realization.

See the next Personal Journaling entry.

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PERSONAL JOURNALING BLOG POST (12.17.2014f): THE REALIZATION

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday, 1216 p.m.

THE REALIZATION AND A-HA MOMENT

I have always loved light bulb moments and the moments when the light comes on and I holler out, literally or in my head at least, "A-ha!" Something finally sank in. I finally got something. Comprehension has been grasped.

Last night, I had one of those moments.

Then again, the end of year, beginning of another year, turning forty, retiring, moving, holidays have really made me reflective. It's opened my eyes to something:

I am not supposed to do anything but journal and help coach others with their journaling. Period. End of story. Questions? (Question is for me, by the way. Not you as you read this.)

What matters most to me, apart from the obvious (God and hubby)? Journaling does. And, journaling has for thirty-two years. Journaling has been there for me when no one has been or could be. Journaling is how I communicate with God the best. Journaling is how I write the best and is the most fulfilling.

Why do I keep fighting it and running away from it? Talk about fruitless efforts.

I am highly qualified to teach/coach others to journal.

And, I can turn my journaling into works to inspire others to journal and/or live life more fully, intentionally, and joyfully.

If there was anything I could do 24/7/365 for the rest of my life, it would be journaling.

Needless to say, that's what I am going to do.

Journaling is a way of life.

Welcome to a new chapter in my life... Better late than never.

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END OF YEAR JOURNALING FOR 2014 (A JOURNALING HOW-TO AND PROMPT OR EXERCISE) (12.17.2014)

Written December 17, 2014, Wednesday, 1255 p.m.

We have fourteen days left in 2014.

Stop and let that sink in. This year is about to come to a close.

So, here is a question: How do you want to close this year? (Journal your answer.)

You have fourteen days to end this year on a glorious note, regardless of what has happened the other 351 days. So, end 2014 well.

MY PERSONAL END OF YEAR JOURNALING THOUGHTS: COUNTING MY BLESSINGS FOR 2014

How do I want to end 2014?

For me, it is far more important how I am on the inside than what I do. Being matters far more than doing. If I am well on the inside, the outer will follow naturally. Plus, the outer is only temporary. The outer is fickle and doesn't last. The inside stuff lasts and is eternal.

However, with that being said... How do I want to end 2014? I want to go as deeply as possible in my journaling and capture who I am now, what I stand for, what really matters to me, all of my blessings on the page. This is a thing of doing. It is also a thing of being.

I want to count as many blessings as possible between now and December 31, 2014.

This to me is the very best way to end the year and 2014.

IT'S YOUR TURN

Journal about how you want to end 2014.

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STORIES OF BLESSINGS ON NOVEMBER 30, 2014, PART 3

STORIES OF BLESSINGS ON NOVEMBER 30, 2014, PART 3

TOPICS IN THIS BLOG POST:

1 BLESSINGS THOUGHTS AND TIPS

2 MY NANOWRIMO WRITING PROGRESS

3  ANOTHER PERSONAL REFLECTION OF 2014 AND MY LIFE OF BLESSING

4 THE BLESSING OF NOW

5 SOME OF MY 2014 BLESSINGS COUNTED LIST

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1 BLESSINGS THOUGHTS AND TIPS

Beware of busyness. It will blind you to your blessings. It gets your focus off of what really matters, your blessings.

Slow down at least, but even better, be still. It increases your chances of seeing your blessings so you can count them. 

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2 MY NANOWRIMO WRITING PROGRESS

Written 2014-11-30 15:08:10, Sunday

So far, I have 48,552 words of 50,000 due today by eleven o'clock this evening. 

I have a Denver Broncos versus the Kansas City Chiefs Game to watch tonight, but it is the late game and I hope to get this writing goal accomplished well before that time. Then, during the game, I plan on counting my blessings and writing them on my Blessings Counted List in my Penzu online journal. 

I still cannot believe I have written 10,552 words or so since yesterday morning for the National Novel Writing Month of November 2014. Granted, I am not writing a novel, but am writing a non-fiction, but it is still a writing challenge and I have accomplished more than I imagined. I thought it was a long shot, but now realize that I can do this. 

I can and will win NaNoWriMo for the first time since 2010. (Yay! High five.)

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3 ANOTHER PERSONAL REFLECTION OF 2014 AND MY LIFE OF BLESSING

Written 2014-11-30 15:12:58, Sunday

I have come to realize this year how much I have taken for granted and have overlooked.

BUSYNESS 

Busyness tends to drown out everything in its path and it sure diminishes our reception of blessings. We are far more likely to miss our blessings if we are busy than when we are still. 

Nothing good has ever come from busyness. 

Few things in this life require our immediate response. So, quite being so busy and stop rushing. You will live a better quality of life, and one with more meaning, because you will slow down enough to see the blessings in your life and then you can count them. 

I tend to fall into the busyness trap. The year of 2014 is more proof of this. Ugh. I should know better. This was a lesson I learned long ago. How many times am I going to have to learn it? And, how many times am I going to have to learn it the hard way? 

Busyness is like traveling in a car and looking out the window. the faster we travel, the less we are able to see. Everything grows fuzzy. It is the same with busyness and blessings (and counting our blessings). The busier we are, the more fuzzy our blessings become and are easy to overlook.

GETTING SIDETRACKED

The year 2014, much like the previous six years, were years which marked one quality in my life, one habit, I must break. It is getting sidetracked for the next exciting thing. Getting sidetracked keeps my eyes and focus off of my blessings and puts them on other things. 

Getting sidetracked shows inability to finish something.

It shows a lack of commitment. 

It shows a lack of discipline. 

This keeps happening with working out, the way I eat, my writing, and my counting my blessings. It is a cycle I keep repeating. It is a lesson I keep learning, but it hasn't stuck.

How many books have I written?

How many blogs have I had?

What I keep forgetting is how if I am not satisfied with what I have now, I will never be satisfied with anything. Because what I have now is already mine. If I don't claim them, I can lose them. If I don't find satisfaction in what I have now, I will not, and should not, be trusted with anything more. It si the same with the blessings in my life. 

What I keep forgetting is this:

Counting my blessings will keep me from getting busy and from getting sidetracked. It will give me discipline and will show my commitment. It will help me to be content with what I have now. Counting my blessings is the answer to all of these problems and dilemmas. Counting my blessings is the answer--period. 

Counting my blessings helps me to focus on what really matters--not on the superfluous stuff. It helps me to appreciate what I have now. 

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4 THE BLESSING OF NOW

Written 2014-11-30 15:33:33, Sunday

Now. 

Now is what I have.

I do not have anything more or anything less.

Now is what I have.

Now is what I possess. It is mine. 

Everything and everyone I have now are part of my life today. They are now. And, now is a blessing. 

How is now a blessing? Re-read everything I just read. That is the answer. 

If I do not see now as a blessing, then I do not have the capacity to appreciate anything else. For, the now is in my possession and is mine--now and int he present. 

What do we teach children? They are to value and take care of their possessions. This is a lesson taught early. 

So, why is it that we do not value and take care of our possession of now? 

Why do we overlook the now?

Why do we take it for granted?

Why do we fill the now with so many meaningless and shallow things? 

How is it we have gotten this so wrong?

How is it we want more? We think more is the answer. We do not stop and see how if we do not appreciate the now, then we cannot appreciate the more or the future. The now is what we already possess and if we do not have the skill to appreciate the now, we also do not have the skill set to appreciate the more or the future. 

The now is how we can build our skill set of living a life of gratitude versus a life of ingratitude. The now is when we can learn to slow down and not be so busy. The now is where we can learn the discipline to not get sidetracked and finish what we start. The now is our greatest advantage. 

In the now, we should survey all of the abundant blessings we have in our lives. This alone should be our priority. Counting our blessings forces us to live in the now and appreciate what brought us to this point and what we have in our lives and possession today. 

Let us face it. Life can change as fast as a snap of our fingers. If we do not appreciate the now, and haven't fully lived in the now, then we are not fully equipped to handle what is to come. We do not have the skill set to do so. 

So, develop your skill set of counting your blessings now so you can appreciate what you have now. 

Count your blessings today. Appreciate your life as it is. Develop this skill. And, review your blessings from time to time so your blessings can multiply. and, count someone else's blessings and the blessings they bring your life. 

Counting our blessings of the now prepares us to receive a multiplication of blessings in the future. if we do not collect the blessings of the now, our blessings will not multiply because we overlook them or take them for granted. 

Count your blessings of the now. It is sacred. 

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5 SOME OF MY 2014 BLESSINGS COUNTED LIST

Written 2014-11-30 15:46:24, Sunday

Every year is a year of blessing. I may have missed the blessings or may have overlooked them, but it still does not change the fact that every year is a year of blessing. The year 2014 is no exception. 

While it has been a tough year, it has been one of blessing. 

I cannot believe all of the lessons I have learned this year. Many have been through the storms and challenges of life, but many have also been because I kept my eyes open at times and searched for the blessings to count. 

I am thankful for answers.

I am thankful for events that have stretched me, challenged me, and forced me to look at things differently and make choices I never in my life would have thought I would have to make. 

I am grateful for the feral cat who adopted my husband and I. Lady Kara has been a true blessing.

I am thankful, or so grateful, for my deeper commitment to journal (prayer journal) and keep every journaling entry in my online journal.

I am grateful for direction. What was once so foggy and murky has started to clear and my husband and I can see the journey we are to take. 

I am grateful for learning, though it was the hard way, how critical it is to count my blessings, be a Blessings Counter, and live a life of gratitude instead a life of ingratitude. 

I am blessed to learn that counting my blessings is a lifestyle and is a way of life. 

I am blessed to count as many blessings as I have in November.

I am also blessed because I think I just wrote over 50,000 words and think I just won NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) for my blog turned book: "STORIES OF BLESSING: A BOOK OF GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING." 

Above all, I am blessed to have grown so much in my faith this year.

To the Blessings Giver be all glory, honor, and praise. 

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STORIES OF BLESSINGS ON NOVEMBER 29, 2014, PART 5

STORIES OF BLESSINGS ON NOVEMBER 29, 2014, PART 5

TOPICS IN THIS BLOG POST:

1 BLESSINGS COUNTING EXERCISE FOR 2014 (AKA THE END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE)

2 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW, AND WHAT IF AND 2014: AN END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE

3 MY END OF YEAR BLESSINGS
4 END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE: ANOTHER EXERCISE

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1 END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE (THE BLESSINGS OF 2014)

Written 2014-11-29 20:33:15, Saturday

BLESSINGS COUNTING EXERCISE FOR 2014 (AKA THE END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE)

What blessings have you had in 2014? List as many as you can, as fast as you can, for the next ten minutes. Keep writing. Do not stop. Count every blessing that comes to mind, even if it is a repeat blessing. Be thorough. Write as many as you can, as fast as you can and do not censor yourself. No matter how goofy or petty they seem, get them down on the page. 

Repeat that exercise at least twice a day until the end of the year. 

Make sure to count a minimum of forty (40) blessings per day.

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2 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW, AND WHAT IF AND 2014: AN END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE

Written 2014-11-29 20:40:45, Saturday

Ask who, what, where, when, why, how, and what if questions of 2014 to help you remember what has happened in the year 2014 and all of the blessings you have had throughout the year. Ask the questions, then answer them. This should help stir up several blessings you can count you have not counted--or remind you of ones you have already counted. Count them again. 

For instance, who was in your life in January 2014? What memories did you make with them or have of them? 

Or... What did you do in February 2014?

Be thorough. Ask yourself as many questions as you can. This will stir up memories, which will then help you find blessings to count. Then, answer each question and this will stir up more memories and will give you more blessings to count. 

Count as many blessings as you possibly can, as fast as you can. 

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3 MY END OF YEAR BLESSINGS

The year 2014 has been one of change. It has been one of challenge, one of heartbreak, and one tough year. To make it worse, it was the same for my husband, B. To make things better, it was the same for my husband, B. 

Is it one I wish I could have skipped or pressed fast-forward through? 

Well, that is a good question, particularly with the lastest round of challenges which happened today. 

No. I would not have wanted to skip this year, no matter how tough it has been. For, I said earlier, it was a year of change. It was a year of growth. 

Huh. Something just came to me.

Back in November 2013, I dedicated myself to wanting to count my blessings and devote 2014 to making sure I learn how to do so. I wanted 2014 to be a year of blessing, for I determined to count my blessings. 

Earlier today, and even this evening, I wrote how I would count my blessings, then not, count them, then not, and so on and so on all year long. I even said I did a rather lousy job of counting my blessings, needless to say. It was a half-hearted attempt at best. Sure, at times, I really tried. But, at other times, not so much. 

So, what came to me? This year, of 2014, has indeed been a year of blessing. It has been one of change and growth. I have learned how strong my faith is and how often times the biggest blessings I receive are during a time least expected and during the most painful and challenging times. 

I also learned tonight how I do not ever want to miss the opportunity of counting my blessings. I never want to miss a blessing. This is a shame to have happen.

This year of 2014 meant plenty of times I have missed my blessings and did not count them and get them down on the page so I would not forget them.

Consequently, I have learned the importance of counting my blessings and what is at stake if I do not: a missing of a blessing. It is tragic when the latter happens. I do not want to miss any blessings--ever. 

If there is one thing I have learned this year it is how life changes quickly and can be quite challenging at best at times. If I am counting my blessings, I can handle the challenges so much better and easier. And, I am able to find even more blessings to count in the process. 

This year of 2014 has helped me to see how important it is to count my blessings--and to get them down on the page to remember. After all, when life gets tough, the larger the blessing Iist I have to read and remember, the better. 

2014 was a year of blessing--and every year hereafter will be as well. I choose to focus on my blessings and count them. I do not ever want to miss a blessing. This life is hard enough without doing that. 

So, yes. 2014 has indeed been a year of blessing. 

More than I thought or realized.

It was certainly a year of learning about blessings and the counting thereof. 

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4 END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE: ANOTHER EXERCISE

Written 2014-11-29 21:17:47, Saturday

Grab your calendar and go through every day, every event, and find at least three blessings from each. (From the ones you can remember, that is.)

Also, go through your journaling and do the same.

And, your Bible studies and sermon notes.

Your emails are another source of other blessings to count. 

Our lives are full of blessings we didn't count at the time, but can after the fact. 

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STORIES OF BLESSING FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SATURDAY, PART 2

STORIES OF BLESSING FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SATURDAY, PART 2

TOPICS IN THIS BLOG POST:

1 MY ONE WORD FOR 2014 AND 2015

2 MY WRITING

3 ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR MYSELF: NANOWRIMO 2014

4 MY REFLECTION (AND ANALYZING) OF COUNTING MY BLESSINGS FROM NOVEMBER 2013 TO NOVEMBER 29, 2014

5 MY WRITING: THE METAMORPHOSIS

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MY ONE WORD FOR 2014 AND 2015

Written 2014-11-29 13:49:26, Saturday

ONE WORD

One Word is a word you choose to focus on for an entire year to focus your life, who you want to be, what you want to accomplish, and in an effort to increase your faith and bring you closer to the Lord and His Word, the Holy Bible. 

It is meant to help us to get focus off of self and put back where our focus should remain: on God and the Bible. 

One Word is meant to be about character and how we want to live a life of a strong, growing, abundant, and sustainable faith. 

One Word is not about doing.

It is not about focus on things or others.

It is shifting focus of our every effort, thought, behavior, feeling, dream/vision, situation, relationship, to Jesus Christ and the Bible. This is the underlying reason to decide on one word to focus everything on for an entire year. 

One Word is the word God reveals to us. It is not what we want it to be or hope it would be. It is what God wants us to focus on. And, if God issues us a challenge, it is harder than we can imagine and it takes God to help us accomplish the feat because it is not anything we could accomplish on our own. 

MY ONE WORD LIFE

Several years ago, I learned how to focus on one word for my year. The one word is so I can increase my faith and grow closer to the Lord. This is the main purpose. It gives laser-point focus for what I want to do, how I want to live, and my focus for the year. It lets me know what to focus on and what to let go because it does not fit into my one word. 

Give it a try. It is a really useful too, particularly when it is focused on every day all year long. It is not particularly helpful or meaningful if it is forgotten (as I have learned several times over). 

My one word for 2014 was BLESSING.

I may have counted one thousand two hundred thirty-eight blessings so far, in just November 2014 alone, but it does not mean I focused on this One Word for all of 2014. Sadly. Needless to say, I have learned a great deal of what to do and what not to do that I hope to apply to next year. 

I believe BLESSING is my word for 2015 as well, but it is far more than that. It is my LIFE'S ONE WORD. 

My 24 x 365 Blessings Challenge is my way of trying to live the One Word of BLESSING and see how it can transform me and my life. 

I hope to be able to actually accomplish all of this. I cannot imagine how this will grow my faith and bring me deeper in the Word of God, the Holy Bible. I look forward to the journey. 

HOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ONE WORD FOR 2015?

So, how about you? What is your One Word for 2015?

2014 ONE WORD

Did you have one word you were focusing on for 2014? If so, how did it go?

If not, and even if you did, what one word would you use to describe 2014? 

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ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR MYSELF: NANOWRIMO 2014

Written 2014-11-29 14:21:29, Saturday

I am probably a crazy person. Actually, there is no question about it. I am indeed crazy and a little masochistic. I evidently enjoy torturing myself, if I stop and think about it. 

However, it is in the best sense possible and is for the best reason possible. 

Since the year 2009, I have tried to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month of November), where there is a challenge to write a book of fifty thousand words (yes, that is 50,000) in one month. 

I have won two of the six years (2009 and 2010).

This year of 2014 has yet to be determined. 

However, I have not won three of those years (2011, 2012, and 2013). 

I have tried to write over six books for this year's National Novel Writing Month and have fallen flat on my face with each attempt. I sigh as I admit to this. I frown as my head starts to pound as I feel disappointed with myself. 

Well, as of thirty minutes ago, I have decided to take this blog and turn it into a blog book for National Novel Writing Month of November 2014. I have a total of 39,000 words so far. Consequently, I need to write 11,000 words at least today and tomorrow in order to "Win" NaNoWriMo 2014. 

Hence, I am going to write like a madwoman about Stories of Blessings and counting my/our blessings. I will even share more of my Blessings Counted List. 

I want to see how much I can get written to help inspire you to count your own blessings. 

It is actually the perfect time of year for me to approach this endeavor--and is perfect for you to take up the torch of counting your blessings. 

I hope the writing I share with you will inspire you. 

I also hope the writing I share with you will help you to see how blessed you truly are, even though you may have thought the exact opposite. 

So, am I crazy? You bet. But, it is in a good way. 

I want to share with you the Blessings Giver and help you to become a Blessings Counter.

I issue you this challenge:

If you were to do anything for the rest of your life, and make one goal, and have one vision, may it be this:

Be a Blessings Counter.

I guarantee you and your life will transform into something completely unimaginable to you now. And, it will be for the absolute best. You will learn how life is good--because the Blessings Giver is so good. Our lives in each and every moment are overflowing with abundant blessings. 

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MY REFLECTION (AND ANALYZING) OF COUNTING MY BLESSINGS FROM NOVEMBER 2013 TO NOVEMBER 29, 2014

Written 2014-11-29 14:34:24, Saturday

Back on November Sixth of 2013, I decided out of desperation to try to become a Blessings Counter. 

Yes. It was out of desperation alone.

I had to count my blessings, for I had no other option. I was out of options. My life had just been dealt one of the largest challenges I ever had to endure. It was quite painful and it has only been recently that the pain from that time has become a friend and not an enemy. The pain is a companion now and is not something that causes me to suffer. 

Yes. Time does not ever heal a wound, contrary to what some say. Time teaches us to bear with the pain patiently. Time brings us to the point of when we realize the pain is not an enemy. It is always there and will always be most likely. At times, it will be worse than at others. But, the pain will always be at least a shadow, a scar.

Therefore, when pain can become a companion, it is quite helpful and is a reminder of growth. 

I tried to count my blessings for a while and did really good with it, but counting them hurt. It reminded me of how unblessed I really was in areas I wanted nothing more than to be blessed in. Needless to say, I stopped. (Looking back now, I see that was a grave mistake.)

Then, in April, there was another quite painful thing that happened. Stack it on top of the October 2013 pain and that meant the pain was magnified. It was additional pain on top of already experienced deep pain. Pain stacked feels more than pain doubled. It is pain added on top of pain. How do you count blessings through this? 

I made the mistake of not trusting that counting my blessings, even if I repeated them from before, was the very thing that would help heal me and get me through. It was the very thing that would help my dreams to become bigger and more impossible. The bigger and more impossible dreams that are dreamt prove there is a Blessings Giver. For, on my own, on our own, these things would never have been able to happen. It has taken the Blessings Giver. 

Then, things got even more stressful when my husband, B, and I realized we would have to let go of several of our dreams and visions of our future. We had to let go of our hopes and dreaming for a better life. We had to realize it may not have been what the Blessings Giver had in mind at all. Maybe the Blessings Giver wanted us to have less so we could offer more. 

I counted my blessings again. 

Then, we got more bad news.

I stopped counting my blessings again.

More bad news. Worse than before.

Stopped counting my blessings. 

Then, things started to look up and I stopped counting my blessings again. Not like I did before. But, I still lessened the counting of blessings. 

I am starting to learn this loud and clear: I MUST count my blessings day and night, regardless of what has happened, or hasn't happened, regardless of how busy I am or not, regardless of whether I am in pain or having great joy.

Blessings are given by a Blessings Giver and are dependent on no one and nothing. 

So, blessings are always given. Freely by the Blessings Giver. And, I should always give thanks, regardless. For blessings are in every moment without fail--and I do not want to waste one moment. 

I will count my blessings--and do The 34 x 365 Blessings Challenge and count 1,000 blessings per month for thirteen months and then maybe do it every month for the rest of my life.

Who couldn't use more blessings?

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MY WRITING: THE METAMORPHOSIS

Written 2014-11-29 19:04:37, Saturday

I keep fighting counting my blessings and sharing my stories of blessing--with the hopes of hearing yours. 

So, I will stop fighting it and will count away. 

I will spend the rest of my life searching for blessings from the Blessings Giver and counting them.

This is the purpose of my writing.

It is to help people to learn how to count their blessings and how each moment, no matter what, is full of many blessings. we just need to search for them, count them, and remember them. This adds to the sweetness and joy of life.