I like to say my thanks to a person I know has shown me kindness. Sometimes a simple thanks is not always enough, so I my send them a note or give them a simple gift. The gift does not have to be expensive it could be as simple as a coffee and a sinfully good pastry. Yum.
Mostly, I bring them up in my prayers and ask the Lord for a special blessing for them.
When I think back on acts of kindness in my life, I remember that person or the act itself because I may not know who did what for me. When I remember, I smile, and I give thanks for that moment.
It was my day off, and I was just hanging out watching the morning news when things started looking wavy. I blinked several times, but nothing went back to normal.
I was petrified.
Long story short, I had a retina problem that had to get fixed. Again, what did that mean? Was I going blind?
No.
They fixed me up, and now I am better. Several appointments and follow-ups later, my eyes are good and getting stronger.
After a lot of prayers and walking by faith, I can say thank the Lord
Pray and read my Bible. Exercise, then jump into the shower. Get ready for work if it is a week day.
Yes, my life is as dull as dish water, but little or no events are all good to me. Moving on autopilot is okay too.
After work, I return home to play with my puppies. So much energy, yikes!!!
They help me to relax after a long, hard day at work.
Another habit I am trying to cultivate is taking time to be mindful and just shut every thought down and sit quietly, taking deep breaths. It also helps me to relax.
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
To have a sustainable lifestyle, I believe it is best to begin with me.
Life is so fleeting. As the Bible says, it is like a flower that blooms and then withers away; it is, at best, very brief.
Nevertheless, a sustainable life should be a life well lived.
Exercising to maintain a healthy body and eating right is important.
Taking time out of my schedule can be difficult, but if I work at it, chipping away even 10 minutes in the morning with mobility stretches, then in the evening, some cardio or weight training it all adds up. Little increments every day make a big difference.
I try to eat right by adding vegetables into my meals, even at breakfast. Mostly, I drink more water every day. Water is so important for the body. It helps to flush all the toxins out of the body, helping to keep the body health.
I try to get a good night’s sleep, but that is a challenge at times. But I am working on it. When I get less than six hours, it becomes hard to concentrate at work and to pay attention. My responses are not as sharp as they should be.
I try to learn something all the time. I love learning it works my brain, so I read and take art courses online.
Finally, I spend time with the Lord every day. In quiet time, I read His word and get my instructions for the day from him. He is my counselor, where I pour out my thoughts and all that is in my heart. He speaks to me deep in my soul, and He sustains me throughout the day. He is my guide and protector. Without Him, a sustainable life is impossible for me.
What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
My sister makes a great creme brulee. So good.
I love the presentation in a cute ramenkin container with the top slightly charred from the mini torch. I could see her firing up the torch, then putting it over the surface of the custard with the sugar just waiting to be singed. It is cool to see the sugar bubble up from the heat and hear the slight crackling sound of the crust carmelizing and hardening.
Then, when the top is solid, I take a dessert spoon and break the hardened top. It is like breaking a thin surface of ice.
I press down past the broken chars of sweet caramel and dip into the rich creamy custard.
I lift it to my mouth and devour it morsel. As the rich cream hits my tongue, the smoothness of the sweet velvety cream coupled with a hard bit of caramel top is joyful.
She does a good job with the custard because it is not eggy tasting but smooth, like creamy fresh homemade vanilla ice cream but not vanilla ice cream but with the same richness.
This is one of my favorite desserts. Unfortunately, that sister of mine has not made it in years.
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
My Mom used to make Mac and Cheese pie on special occasions. Mom and Dad were not too fond of pasta but they knew the kids love it.
I try to duplicate her recipe, but it does not turn out the same. It was as if she had this touch for such a simple dish. I know it is just mac and cheese, but it tasted so different from any other I have ever tried.
I remember seeing her measure out everything just right. Then she would put it all together.
Then bam!
Presto!
It would be so nice and yummy.
She continued to make it when I was an adult. I would sit and eat it thinking about those long summer days playing outside in the playground, then coming home to such a nice snack.
Mac and Cheese pie my Mom’s way, reminds me of those hot, lazy days of summer.
Our eyes meet across the playground. He was the popular kid, and I was, well, I was just me. The fastest kid in grade one track and field with no other claim to fame.
He was tall with an engaging smile. He lifted one hand and ran his fingers through his hair.
I gushed at the gesture. My heart began to pound hard and fast in my chest. I could hardly breathe. He finally noticed me.
Then, as I stood on the merry go round, he approached and pushed it hard. Around and around I went so fast my head began to spin and my stomach felt like it was about to give up my lunch. I was sick, but I held on for my safety, I needed to look like a cool kid. All the while, I wanted the world to stop turning.
As his face became a blur in the movement, I heard a shout.Our teacher approached and told him off. She stopped the merry go round allowing me to gratefully stagger off. With my head still whirling, I searched for him and spotted him in the edge of the playground with a big smirk on his face.
I sighed, collected myself with as much dignity i could muster, and plotted my revenge.
It came swiftly the next day.
As he ran past me onto the baseball field, I tripped him, making him fly forward face down on the green.
“Oops,” I cried. “Sorry. Did that hurt?
Tears streamed down his face, a face I once thought was so cute. Now, he looked like a little boy crying for his Mommy. It was my turn to smirk.
We moved later that year, and I never saw him again.
I did a European tour after my graduation as a gift from my parents.
It was wonderful.
I loved a lot of places but Italy was great. Next time, I would love to go to the Amalfi coast. It looks so romantic with the clear blue waters, stone structured dwellings, and beautiful coastal views.
I try to be positive in most situations. At first, I may jump to speak, but ninety percent of the times I hang back to wait for the right words or the right moment.
Trying to be positive is hard when things don’t go the right way or the way I think is correct.
When I am confronted with a dire situation, I tend to think it out and pray it out. It helps. At First I may cry.
But smiling and laughing is so much better than crying. Crying only messes up my makeup. It does nothing for my look. 😊
jemfinds - Hello World 2.0 