Happy

With – Five Minute Friday

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              – With – Five Minute Friday –

A perfect word to think about: With.

The first thing that popped to mind when I thought of that word this morning was how to start each new day with, hopefully, a bit more peace. How? Before getting up, have time with God.

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Why? Along with your pillow, He’s the very first one with you and your thoughts each and every morning. He already knows those first thoughts you are having about the day ahead. Many times we wake up with worries or joys, fears, stress, and concerns for others and/or yourself. Often we may wake up with a list of things to do that seem to have no end in sight. Let Him know your concerns, even if it’s just a few of these, before facing your day. Or maybe  just a simple time thanking Him for the new day ahead.

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Now sure, it’s not like every morning before your foot hits the floor you have all the time and energy in the world. Maybe you are one who’s mornings find it hard to even find your brain until that coffee cup is in your hand.

 

 

But think about it,  what better way to begin the day than to spend at least a little bit of your time with God before your feet touches that floor, and before you face the word.

I just know that sometimes thanking God for this cozy bed I’m on, the worm house I’m in, before asking Him, “Lord, please help me know what I’m doing today,” can sure make that very first step start as a bit more noticeable peace-filled day. And we all can use that more often than not.

So let’s all remember that, even before that sun comes up, that God’s right there, along with your pillow, and knows all your thoughts. Have time with Him.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

 

 

 

Burden – Five Minute Friday

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               – Burden – Five Minute Friday –

It’s  been a while since I’ve taken part of the Five Minute Friday. Incase you don’t know, it’s a fun challenge I take, being part of a group of writers where we are given one word each Friday morning. However, we have to try our darnedest not to spend more than five minutes, writing what ever we want to with that word somehow included.

So, on your mark . . . get set . . . GO !

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First question – Have you ever had  to give a helping hand that took tons of your time, effort, thoughts, and muscle? Admit it. It can be one bit of a burden. I bet tons of examples pop up of burdens that have come your way, right?

Next question – Have you ever had to deal with one extra large burden that also made you smile?

A few years back I did a few cleaning jobs at a retirement center. One was helping an older man’s apartment stay clean. I kept busy putting extra this-and-that’s in it’s right spot here-and-there, along with keeping those counters and carpet spotless. One dear, older man I was glad to help.

After a few years, he had to move to another retirement place close-by. One problem: I was the only one he had locally who could help him move. No way can I share all that needed to be done, especially on moving day. From 8am to 11:00pm, I gave it my all. It’s impossible to explain how tired I was when my head finally hit my pillow.

All day, as I was working – almost literally, my tail off  – I was wondering if I just might be in that man’s situation when I get older. That caused one of my favorite verses come to mind off and on all day.  — Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I could have title it all a burden, especially that one sure tiring day. But that ‘burden’ caused me to smile more than frown, making it feel far less less of a burden than I could have.  Through it all, I knew I wasn’t alone. God rolled up His sleeves right along with me as I rolled up mine, being I felt He was working right next to me. He sure gave that boost I needed. The best timing of a few things occurred, the perfect person showed up at the perfect time, and that last item I had to load in my car barely fit, but it did ! More encouraging things that occurred would take forever to write.

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When my bed hit that pillow I sure was fried, but I knew all the work was worth it. Better yet, I knew God was right there with me thinking ‘Mission accomplished.’

 

 

 

 

Okay, so maybe the rough draft took a bit more than five minutes, but well worth all the remembering. (I wont’ say how long fixing that rough draft took.)

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

Someday – Song #30

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                    – Someday -Song #30 –

 

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Do you ever think ‘Someday I’ll . . . ‘ or “Someday we should . . . ‘ or ‘Someday I might  . . . ‘ followed by a hope? Let this song I chose encourage you with your own ‘Someday’ you’re hoping.

Being this is the second to last song I’m sharing, it was harder to choose. There are still many others songs I wanted to pass along but decided to choose one with hope.

 

With all that’s going on all around us right now, I occasionally wish the world around us could just, as the song says, stop trying to find another mistake, and just start over again. But we can’t. Maybe, someday, we’ll figure all this out. Maybe, someday, people will agree to disagree yet still keep peace between one another, trying to find a way to make things better while carrying a ‘Love’ flag as this song shows.

Lots of confusion, yes. Lots of uncertainty, yes. There is, however, nothing on this earth more certain than knowing God will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake those who cling to Him. Maybe, someday, more people will believe in God, and allow Him to put an end to all our doubts with what’s going on around us. I wish someday, somehow, all would put Him first, follow Him, and basically start everything around us all over again.

What do you wish would be better? What is your wish for your ‘Someday’?

Note – Being I have been doing one song each day this month, tomorrow will be my last. Look forward to seeing you then.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

Happy – Song #27

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                      – Happy – Song #27 –

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Happy  – One simple word, yet one word that can mean so much. Quick, think of a few things that bring a smile to your face. You should be able to think of at least a few.

This should have been one of the first songs I shared. Why? The smiling face and I go hand-in-hand.

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I don’t dare tell you how many things I’ve collected that prove how I’ve turned THE smiling face into my own personal logo.

These are just a fraction of all I have.

 

 

Time to play the perfect song that perfectly fits what I’m covering. Click below.

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say, but trials may cause you to be happy. Of course the main reason for my happiness is that God chose me to be one of His. That’s far above all other reasons. But the second reason I give to being happy might make me sound crazy but . . . my brain illness I had almost twenty-eight years ago has made me happy.    click here and read a bit more what I was going through.  

I believe the specific brain injury challenge I’ve endured has caused me to truly treasure the simple parts in life. I appreciate more the basic things that I come across. I look at those extra special people, places or thing an eye distance away a bit longer. I hold the value of life a bit deeper, my desire to help people in need has grown, and I look at the bright side of things when ever possible. Along with this, there is another reason.

My illness encouraged me to agree that avoiding unneeded anger is a must. Life is too precious to wast with barking back and forth. Sad that, while growing up, I witness my parents relationship showing a bit too much anger and not enough happiness. I witnessed how things can get worse when the complaining spirit begins to grow, and getting mad shows no real worthwhile benefit for anyone. Witnessing that, plus my illness, had me glue to Bible verses such as…  Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

A few lines in this song perfectly share another reason.  ‘Come, bad-news, talking this and that . . .Give me all you’ve got, holding nothing back . . .I should probably warn ya I’ll be just fine . . . No offence to you, don’t waste your time.   God’s carried me through so much, and I know that, even though tears may still show up, He’ll be carrying me from the start.

True, life can be at times incredibly challenging. You may be confronted with difficulties that squash all the happiness out of you as setbacks and failures tag along everywhere you go. In short, being happy simply doesn’t seem possible. I get that. I still have my ups & downs, and my grinding of teeth from frustration every now and then.

Ask yourself if there is something you should do. Or better yet, NOT do. Don’t put the key to happiness in someone else’s pocket. Instead, do as the song says, and …clap along if you know what happiness is to you. 

One more picture: my house key.

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After all, I am one who’s always happy to be home.

 

 

 

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

Jump Shout Boogie – Song #19

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          – Jump Shout Boogie – Song #19 –

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I know what you’re asking. Why in the world am I choosing this old song – Jump Shout Boogie – from Barry Manilow?  Let me first ask you a question. Did any of you ever get together with a few friends when you were in your early teens, creating a dance to go with a certain song ? A few girlfriends and I sure did, and with Barry Manilow being extremely  popular in the 80’s, creating a dance to one of his popular songs was a must.

 

 

My friends and I were serious about this dance, and even performed it in front of family. I can picture us four walking into the house, nervous, ready to give it our all. Whenever this song comes on I can’t help but grin, instantly picturing us dancing more than thirty-five years ago.

It’s a must this song is on my iPod as I run. “She must love that song she’s hearing being she’s mouthing the words,” people driving by probably think. “But how come her arms are moving kinda weird?” If I gave into temptation, they would also be thinking, “Why in the world is she punching the side of her head. Looks like she’s pretending to knock herself out.” Okay, maybe I do tilt my head just a hair when those words pop up, but that’s all, I promise.

Do you recall dancing with certain friends to certain songs? Oh, come on, I bet you do. Let’s have fun and share what songs they were.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.