It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood; who strive valiantly; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worse, if he falls, at least falls while daring greatly. Theodore Roosevelt
Philippians 3:13-14
I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own yet; but one thing I do, it is my one aspiration; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
This morning, as I write this I am listening to K-Love music. I am also contemplating the way people have become apathetic of others. This week a young adult and young teenager broke into my apartment secure building through the laundry room and tried to break into the cash machine we use to put money on our laundry cards. They didn’t get in, because of the heroine of my building. She heard the noises and went out and tried to help. The consequence is that the would be robbers have made some people angry. The management have now installed cameras in the hallway and the laundry room now. And the heroine and I have been checking all the doors and windows around midnight to make sure they are locked up. Community is important. It is sad to me that we have to do this. I’m thankful that I live in a great apartment building with a few stand up tenants and management who are willing to keep each other safe. The last few months I have been thinking about what I could do to step up in connecting with my community. I live in apartment with 184 units in the ghetto part of town. Crime is everywhere. And why not stand up and lookout for each other.
The last couple of weeks I have been enjoying morning tea with my neighbor and now friend. I interviewed her for my blog and stay tuned because I will post it within the next two weeks. She is a wise lady. She belly dances. She has chronic illness, differently than I, but she struggles like I do. Like we all do who are spoonies. I like learning from others. I like sharing inspirational stories of men and women who are enjoying their life in spite of pain. It fits in with my two focus words for this year, identity and enjoy. I’m utterly amazed how God works, whenever I pick a focus word I know that it is the right word because things start happening. For instance, books on the subject start showing up, songs about the word I start hearing.
This weeks I had no doctor appointments, unlike last week when I had several. It sometimes feels like all I ever do is go to the doctor, get CT scans, and fighting with Linncare over trach supplies. I have been reading a lot too. What else is new, right?
Spring is here, the sun is shining and I am happy. This morning I bought some herbs so that can use them. For me, watching something grow brings a sense of well-being to my soul I have always loved playing in the dirt. I love how dirt feels in my hands. I love that dirt makes things grow and plants get their nourishment from the dirt. I purchases catnip for my cat, and for me, Italian Large leaf basil, Lemon Thyme, Greek oregano, and chives. This weekend I will be planting. I’m excited. It’s the small moments that I am learning to enjoy. Simple things, to make my soul thrive.
Another positive note, Summer from Wellness Works NW and I are starting up our weekly food journal mailings to each other. We both are making wellness our priority and we used to do this until it become overwhelming for my friend who is battling some illness symptoms. I’m glad and thankful she is ready to start up again. It’s never too late to start. That is my firm belief. As we begin the month of April we are starting again. In a couple of weeks I will be starting up my physical therapy and that will help me achieve my wellness goals even further.
Until next week, I hope you have a chance to breathe, feel the sun in your hair and face. Be still and know that God is God.
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