APPRECIATION SHABBAT: From Meh to Amazing

Meh = uninspiring; unexceptional.

Amazing = wonderful, cool; great.

Gratitude = appreciation, gratefulness, thankfulness; positive reception.

I mentioned in an earlier post this week, that “happiness is a choice”: an actual decision (aka, a series of small choices made every day) towards fulfillment of your goal to live a happy life.

What we end up as, is a confirmation of every choice we have ever made – and we are constantly one choice away from change: we just have to decide to take that step forward towards the change we want.

I woke up this morning thinking that come Spring 2023, I want to be back to exercising every day. I want to have a toned body again (I am smart enough to understand that I’ll never look 20 – or even 30 – again; but I can be a toner 66 😉). I want a healthier skin color; I as telling Chrystal the other day, “I haven’t been outside much this year, and I’m starting to look {ghostly} – my skin is so pale”: and it’s true! Building “community” (network of friends across three counties) has not left me much time to be outside, soaking up the sunrays and strengthening my muscles. I need to get back to that in 2023.

So, that is my goal looking towards the New Year, should Elohim grant me another 12 months of Life.

As well as honing spiritual fortitude, a strong Friends community, and a healthy body structure … it is also necessary to absorb gratitude into our daily life.

Gratitude causes a shift in perspective: instead of languishing in a state of “meh”, you shake off the gray funk and reroute your thoughts to take steps in active decisions that will focus on the changes you want to see manifest in your life.

Shifting your awareness isn’t that hard, once you set your mind to do it.

So, while drinking my first cup of coffee this morning, I heard birds chirping at the birdfeeder – and glancing towards the front livingroom window I noticed the bright yellow leaves of the ornamental maple in the front of my home … and all the bright colors of my immediate surroundings inside my home: my thoughts were filled with appreciation. I like color in my small corner of the world 😊

Walking from the livingroom to the kitchen to rinse the coffee cup before refilling it, my peripheral vision caught sight of the rolled exercise mat laying against the bag holding my latest knitting project in progress; I felt my lazy bone being prodded to unroll it and get busy using it. I was home – now was a good time to kickstart afore mentioned {goal}. So, that’s what I did. I skipped the second cup of coffee which would have sidelined the prod … I set the coffee cup on the end table, unrolled the mat and did some quick sets of glute exercises. It felt good!

Then, feeling inspired to “go the extra mile” – literally as well as figuratively – I gave Chrystal a jingle and asked if she’d like to go for a walk with me: she would … so, we did 😊

Right off the bat, we saw a white egret; that was a good sign. White Egrets are known to represent blessing and prosperity (conformation of Chrystal’s prayer request). White Egrets are also symbolic of gratitude and contentment (thank You, Yeshua, for this Shabbat confirmation).

I also got a text from another friend, reminding me that there are angels around me. I don’t need reminding … but it was a friendly reminder from a loving friend, that I am not alone even when it appears so, to myself at times – or to strangers who see me out and about solo lobo. I texted him back that I appreciate his agape love, and I appreciate his brotherly friendship: Elohim is faithful to keep Christian companions in my new life, that encourages me always with positive vibes.

And when I parked at home, the evergreen tree across the way seemed to be signaling a “Victory!” sign 😉 

Matthew Ward – ‘Trust in You’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDhvVCTdGmk)

There was so much to be grateful for this Shabbat: a hot cup of coffee; bright color to boost the day’s mood; a body still agile enough to ‘work’, so it continues to work for me; friendship that gives – and generates – a smile; conversation that keeps the ‘lonelies’ at bay; nature that awes and soothes the spirit; a cozy home: my day was oozing with thankfulness.

L’chiam! To Life! Happy Shabbat 😊

With just a prod from my peripheral vision, my “ordinary” day of {just me, today; nowhere to go, no one to see} suddenly went from meh to great 😊

“GOALS ~2023 Kickstart” Post, earlier today: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/goals-2023-kickstart.html

WHO IS THIS NEW ME?

The alarm clock was incessantly buzzing on schedule this morning, and I staggered towards it mumbling, “Is it 8 AM already?”

I did something last night that I’d never done before: I left the house at 8 PM … and didn’t get back home until after midnight. A friend was canning tuna and asked me to come help and keep him company – so, I did 😉

Pints of tuna waiting for their turn in the Pressure Cooker Water Bath ... I chopped; David packed & cooked.

I showed up at his place, laughingly saying, “Well aren’t you special; I don’t do this sort of thing for just anyone.” And I don’t. But David is a good, and faithful friend; and we’ve known each other since we were kids. He’s the big brother I never had. I really had fun last night sitting outside, listening to the coyotes howling and yipping in the surrounding hills, and visiting in the cool nighttime: I haven’t done that with anyone in a long time. I’m glad he thought to call me – I’m glad I answered the call 😊

The geese were noisily flying overhead this morning while I was dressing. It made me smile, because it heralded the changing of the seasons – visually noticing the changing is kinda “ify” in Washington State, and it really depends on where you live. Washington State is called the “Evergreen State” for a reason.

So, I like to thumb my nose at all the greenery around me, and infuse my immediate space with lots of color.

I was going to be wearing my reddish jeggings today, so I paired them with my primrose hued cut-sleeve blouse. By the time I finished dinking around with makeup, and slipped my feet into flat-soled shoes – and placed lipstick and lipgloss in my purse … I walked out of the house in a blaze of pink: even the tint of the perfume I spritzed on, was pink colored 😉

I’m getting girlie in my “old age”; hahaha

And strangely, I don’t seem to mind.

Who is this new me???

Glittery Fuchsia for eyelid color & Purple for 'liner'; Auburn Eyebrow Gel, & 'Burgundy' Mascara.

Until this year, I never wore so much pink! But my hair is a lot grayer this year, so the color pink (even in overabundance; LOL) isn’t so overwhelming.

I left the carport later than anticipated, so I skipped the long-way-route, and stuck to Ocean Beach Highway. I wanted to arrive at my destination at time; I had armchair detective deductions to contemplate with my selective Sleuth Sisters 😉

The drive to Graysriver was pretty uneventful, until I started over the KM mountain and a speed demon with a burr under his saddle, wanted to tangle with me.

Immature ass-rider all the way over the KM

MPO is that the driver was a demonrat – a hypocrite with an over-inflated ego.

I was still shaking my head when I arrived at Ramona’s. On schedule ... and everyone was talking about canning tuna, there, too: apparently, this is a "thing" I am only now at 65, finding out about. Hmmm

I really enjoy these get-together’s and I will miss them sorely over the Winter months, but the KM gets unstable (serious slide dangers), and Graysriver floods. So, October will be the last month I can safely travel that way until March of 2023 ☹

I like how we have bonded, and genuinely care for each other. I appreciate the inclusion, and I am thankful Elohim has brought us together to share our time on Earth, for as long as we can 😊

SHABBAT ~ The Beauty of Shabbat

For me, the beauty of Shabbat is the outpouring of the love that makes it so special 😊

I love Elohim with all my life, heart, and soul; no competition allowed – hands down, Elohim wins.

I love Yeshua with all my life, heart, and soul (Yeshua is equal to Elohim; they are in fact, One); Yeshua is also, in fact, my Husband 😉

I loved Bob with everything earthly possible; I love Bob still: and while Bob walked this Earth with me 3¼ years ago, and Bob knew I loved him above everyone and everything else on earth … Bob also knew that he stood 2^nd place in line to Yeshua. And Bob was okay with that.

Elohim, Yeshua, and Bob taught me what love is all about.

Elohim, Yeshua, and Bob loved me deeply: and I, in turn, learned to love deeply, too.

I am grateful for their love. That unconditional love grew me up; and carried me through the truly heart-rending times of my life to date.

Celebrating this Shabbat with a Spirit of Gratitude for Elohim's blessings.

Every time I meet with my friends they inquire if I’ve heard from my daughter and grandchildren yet; and my answer is always – “Not yet.” My friends know the whole story (most of them have gone through my heartaches with me over the decades; their hearts hurt with mine).

Since Bob’s graduation to life in the Celestial City beyond the clouds, God has graciously blessed me with friendships (old, and new) that have wrapped their love around me and adopted me into their personal family nucleus.

Today’s Earlier Post – MEMORIES & GOOD FRIENDS: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/04/memories-good-friends.html

I am thankful, & filled with gratitude.

And I am in touch with all of them nearly every day of the week 😊

Monday is about the only free-floating day … and I use that day to do laundry; because laundry is an all-day event 😉 The rest of the stuff like dusting, mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, ect., can be done after I’ve spent time with my friends because I can portion those things out over the weekdays.

One friend I’ve come to cherish, is my BIL Rick. I’ve only known Rick for about three years. Bob left my life in December of 2018 … and my sister Iris, and her husband Rick, entered my life in February of 2019. That was a true blessing: and I’d been waiting for connection with Iris for 55 years: Elohim was faithful.

On the right side - Iris, Iris's mother, Rick in the back.

Iris’s spirit stepped off Earth in September 2019; but Rick and I remain in contact. The other day, Rick sent me some genealogical information about my bio-father and his siblings – things I did not know.

Full Names of my birth father's siblings ...

A specific kindness to me concerning my mother.

Rick did not have to do this. My bio-father was not kind in any way, shape, or form to my sister Iris: and I am sure there was bitterness towards my mother. But I loved Iris as soon as I was aware of her existence (I learned about my sister when I was 10 yo, by overhearing the adults talking). And Rick is motivated by that love to connect as ‘family’ – we both loved Iris. And Rick is being kind to me as family members should be.

Familial kindness just for the sake of familial binding is a new experience for me.

Bob was the only person in my entire life, who ever truly loved me, just because I suck air.

But over these past three years of Solo Loboing, and allowing myself time and space needed for my heart to heal, Elohim has created a ‘community family’ for me; by surrounding me by old friends, sending me new friends, and forging strong Church ties, as well. “Family” in a Christian’s life doesn’t always include natural DNA: Yeshua taught that the Church is our Family (Matthew 12:46 & 50), and that a friend sticks closer than a brother (or sister, mother, daughter, ect.,).

Another 'family' branch - and one I admit I was reluctant to renew. But Elohim had other plans ...

Imperials – ‘Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g7DTw3row0)

2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 8/Thursday Bible Study Post:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/04/2-corinthians-chapter-8thursday-bible.html) 

Life teaches that people, even Christian people, will be fickle and faithless: it’s human nature that people give into … people will get hurt, and people will continue to hurt people; but Yeshua will always be a true and faithful Friend 😊

Selah – ‘Oh The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B605gdrqmk)

I am thankful, & filled with gratitude.

Yeshua has anointed my head with joy; laugh-lines are the result ;-)

I am thankful also that Elohim has specifically set 24 hours aside to rest our bodies and spirit – and to refresh our souls with His great outpouring of love towards those of us who are called out of the world’s chaos, and given kinship status with His Son, Yeshua, Who is also the Bridegroom of The Church (His Bride).

That rest – that love … is the beauty of Shabbat.

Joshua Aaron – Hu Yavo (hoo-YA-voh) – ‘He Will Come’ song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utmqvg2qtDw 

As Shabbat unfolds, I get my Gratitude’s List out, and give Ehad Eloheinu praise for all that He has done for me 😊

The wine I selected for this Shabbat is a wine I saw in Albertson’s last time I was there – it is a combination of red wine and chocolate: a dream wine for women 😉

Perfect ending for a pretty perfect day 😊

Selah – ‘You Are My Hiding Place’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iukRJ9Wnr6A)