Go with the Flow, Etc.

 

So many times we try to make things happen, to do it our way, to force things to be the way we think they should be.

The truth is, there may be one or more possibilities out there that are better than anything we could ever imagine.

For example, the first few years of our marriage, Greg and I lived in rented apartments. We wanted a house of our own, but we didn't know if that would even be possible anytime soon.

Then, one day, when Greg and I were traveling, we took a wrong turn and went down a street where we'd never been before. Not far down that road, we saw a house that we really liked. It was a Cape Cod in a rather run-down condition, but we decided that with some work, it could become the house of our dreams.

Before

We were, however, concerned that we couldn't afford it, but after some creative financing, the pretty diamond-in-the-rough, fixer-upper house became ours. 

After

We really enjoyed fixing it up and having it the way we wanted it to be. We lived there happily for several years.*

We sold that house, and we bought two other houses to renovate. We sold those, and we're currently living in an old (1901) house that we're also renovating.

That "wrong turn" that we took those many years ago turned out to be a right turn for us! 

One day, I went shopping for a package of ink pens, but when I looked for them, I couldn't find the ones I'd been using. I even went to several stores, looking for that particular brand of pen. When I still couldn't locate the pens, I finally resigned myself to buy another brand.

When I got home, I tried out one of the new pens, and to my great surprise, it was actually better than the type that I'd been using for years! The new one was smooth and didn't skip at all. I couldn't believe that I'd become so attached to the old pens, that in reality, they weren't doing a very good job!

Also, just recently, I lost a small, natural stone that I was wearing as a pendant. I wore it a lot, and I miss it, but I feel confident that I'll find another one just as nice, if not better than that one.

Rather than trying to make things happen, just go with flow,** and notice how much smoother everything goes. We just need to have a positive attitude, to do the best we can, and to know with God's help that everything will turn out for the best.

Also, at the same time, I think we need to keep in mind that it's good to have nice things in our lives, but instead of counting on material things to keep us happy, it's far more important to cultivate good qualities in ourselves, like kindness, compassion, love (for ourselves, as well as others), (and being positive!), etc. So, "things" should just be sidelines.

Something kind we can do is to support small business, especially right now.

When Greg and I can't find things we need from small businesses locally or from small businesses when we're traveling, we seek out small businesses online, like the ones on eBay and Etsy, which are reputable companies. You can find some nice things for reasonable prices from good online vendors.

After buying something from these online sellers, it can make us feel good to get something we needed and wanted and at the same time, to know that we've helped someone else.

Many of these vendors are so appreciative that they send little hand-written notes that say something like, "Thank you for supporting my small business," "Thank you! xoxo, Karen," and also-

One person even sent me "Bible" passages, and offered to pray for anyone who needed prayers.

We are all one, and we need to love and support each other now, as never before.

Memorial Day-In Honor of Our Heroes

*Although we loved our pretty house, we gradually found out that it was actually haunted! For more information, please see my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind," in which I describe in words and pictures our encounters with the supernatural, there, as well as other places. Just click the widget above which will take you to my book which is on Amazon Kindle. Also, you might enjoy my memoir, "Down Memory Lane." For more information, and to buy this memoir which is in both paperback and Kindle, please see the widget above.

**This flow doesn't just pertain to things, it also can include people, careers, as well as infinite other possibilities for one's life. (For example, I just happened to be on an outing one day when I ran into a man who told me about a job opening, and because of that chance meeting, I ended up getting my first teaching job!)

Positive thought: "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." -Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, June 12, 2022, Becky

We Are Powerful!

 

We can affect our environment for good or for bad because we are more powerful than we realize.

Not long ago, one night around midnight, Greg said that he noticed a vehicle across the street from where we live, acting strangely. The vehicle's horn blew off and on for about a minute, and its lights went off and on at the same time. And the really strange thing is that no one was near there at that time.

Something similar like that happened to our own car about four years ago. It was also late at night.

The only explanation Greg could come up with was that four years ago, and also, just recently, he had gotten acupuncture treatments for his back. Apparently, the needles had caused an energy release which affected the electrical systems of the nearby vehicles. That's pretty powerful energy!

Also, to further show how we can affect things around us, Greg told me that he had heard about a woman who had moved many miles away from the house in which she had lived, and that somehow during the move, her beloved cat had accidentally gotten left behind. She missed her cat so much that she started praying about it daily, while she looked at its picture.

Miraculously, some days later, her cat showed up at her new house! This just illustrates again how powerful our minds, our energy fields really are!

This power can be used for good or for bad. It can be positive or negative. (If we are deliberately using our power for the bad, we are building up some very bad karma for ourselves!)

Instead of  dwelling on what is, we need to focus on a positive outcome. Just imagine how wonderful it would be, to transform our lives, one positive thought at a time!

If we'd just start imagining the Earth as a place of love, peace, and harmony, our powerful thoughts could positively transform our world and the people in it. Sounds like a plan!

Small Business Feature-

Papa Taso's Diner 

Our usual restaurant in Wytheville, Virginia was closed for renovation, so we talked with several people, including those at the welcome center, and we decided to try the recommended Papa Taso's Diner for lunch, and we weren't disappointed. It's a Greek restaurant with seafood and more. It's in an old building that used to be a service station. Check it out online for yourself!

This was what I had for lunch at Papa Taso's. Yum!

Positive Thought: "Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from negativity." -Anonymous

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 29, 2022, Becky

Positively Frightening Experiences

 

Twice, during the past few months, we have had two very rare (thankfully!) frightening experiences!

During the first incident, which was on a cold night in January, two men from the sheriff's department came to our door. One of the men said that while in pursuit of a fugitive, they had to drive across our property, and they hoped that they hadn't damaged our yard. (We discovered later that they hadn't done any damage since the ground was so frozen.)

He went on to say that they had gotten one fugitive, but they were still looking for another one. He told us not to worry, though, since the escapee was more like a jack rabbit than a lion. (That was good to know!)

Thankfully, that incident turned out great since they did eventually catch the other man.

Then, more recently, another night, we heard several police sirens on the main road that goes in front of our house. About the same time, we suddenly saw a helicopter hovering overhead with its search lights flashing around our property, as well as our neighbor's. We wondered what on earth was going on! All of that was quite unnerving.

However, one thing that made us feel much better, more secure, was that a police car was parked in our neighbor's large driveway.

Finally, a couple of hours later, another police car, with lights flashing and sirens going, zoomed past our house toward another town. Then, the helicopter which had been hovering over and near our house, and the police car stationed next door, both left. Apparently, thankfully, it was all over.

Later, our neighbor told us that he had gotten footage on his surveillance camera of a couple in his garden. He later learned that they had stolen a vehicle which they had abandoned when the police had started pursuing them.

Because of the good work of the police, the couple was captured. 

Thankfully, our frightening experiences turned out positively!

We really appreciate those brave, heroic men and women who are protecting us citizens from harm. Thanks so much for your service!

Small Business Feature-

We love going to the Blackbird Bakery in Bristol, Virginia. They have a variety of baked goods, ice cream, and drinks. 

Blackbird Bakery Goodies

Also, just a short distance away, on another street, is their Blackbird on the Fly which is a drive-thru restaurant.

FYI: www.blackbirdbakerybristol.com

Great Mother's Day gift idea: a gift certificate for Blackbird Bakery!

Mother's Day this year is Sunday, May 8.

Honoring My Beautiful Mother, Jean

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere.

Be sure and check out my latest book, "Down Memory Lane" on Amazon. To order, just click on the widget above. Thank you!

Positive Thought: "My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place-police, firefighters and members of our armed forces."- Sidney Shelton

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 15, 2022, Becky