Valentine's Day in Florida

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. May your heart be filled with joy and peace as you appreciate all that you have in this life.  That, despite the secular world in which we live and the materialistic society that bombards our senses on a daily basis.  We're here in south Florida experiencing a cold front that to us Canadians is more like a crisp spring day that would have us enjoying the outdoors.

Since my last post, I've been making efforts to 'sit behind myself' to observe what's happening in my daily life.  The purpose of this is to avoid getting caught up in the drama that my mind creates literally several times a day. By simply watching, there is no need to get pulled into the chaos.

Let me share with you an example of how I'm trying to let God help plan my day and direct my steps. Last Monday I had scheduled a massage for my back so I diligently went to the pool early, and built in time to make a small delivery downtown. I arrived for 11:00 only to learn they didn't have me on the schedule. Rather than getting into a lengthy discussion, we simply agreed I would come back the next day. In checking the calendar when I got home, I had put the time at 10:30!  Had I made a fuss, imagine how embarrassed I might have felt.  Instead, I was able to calmly reshuffle the cards for the day and carry on. Definitely not something I would have done in the past, in my efforts to control the universe!  The more I let go, life actually becomes a little more exciting as I anticipate other surprises that come up without me being anxious about whether any activity will fit in my planning.

In becoming more observant of my own life, I am also being given the gift of being open and aware of the needs of others. How often do we rush through our days, barely glancing at the people we meet or pass at the mall or in the hallways of life?  Something I'm challenging myself to do,  and I invite you to consider, is using the framework of Lent to, rather than give something up, do something small for someone else during each of the 40 days. When does it start you ask?  This coming Wednesday, the 18th of February marks Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent.

There is a growing trend to do good for others, often in those random and anonymous moments. Part of the magic in my mind is when you don't know who or how someone will benefit. Simply basking in the knowledge that you have improved someone's day is like the warmth of the sunshine in your soul.  Part of the fun is trying to think of unique little ideas. Apparently web sites have sprouted up around the globe challenging people to get involved and sign up. Me, I prefer most often to do my own thing without having to account to a third party about what I've done.  What I do like about such challenges is the way the concept is brought to the forefront of one's thinking and encourages deliberate thought and action. By committing to 40 days of a manageable and reasonable activity, it can easily become part of one's routine that will continue over time. If only 200 people agree to make the effort, in 40 days 8000 good deeds or acts of kindness will have been shared and who knows what the ripple effect of that will be.

We arrived here in Florida late on Wednesday without incident other than the elderly man behind us coughing all the way from Washington to Fort Myers. Is it any wonder I developed a scratchy throat and cough around dinner time yesterday. Mike and I were trying to figure out how many times we've made this trip to visit Martha and Denis but the answer remains elusive. All we know is that we have lots of fun, fit in with their everyday plans and have the freedom to do what we'd like. The difference for me this year is the heightened sense of how much that was important to me in the past has become  immaterial.  I would, in past years, yearn to get to the beach as quickly as possible, sit in the sun as much as possible and shop for clothing deals wherever possible. So far this year? Nada.  I'm quite content to just be, enjoy the relatively warm weather, read a little bit, walk a little bit and visit a little bit. Does that come with the slowing down of one's metabolism or have I truly shifted my entire way of thinking and being?  Who knows but I'm liking it.

His is going to be a short post as my brain seems to have taken a time out and maybe the Holy Spirit as well. Before I start writing, I've mentioned before that I pray and the words simply come tumbling out without much of an effort. Today I will sign off early and wish you strength and stamina to get through the next few weeks of snow and sub zero temperatures.

I'm not sure how to add pictures from the web using my IPad so here is my post sans photos until I figure it out!

Take care, until next time, God Bless,
And hugs
Liz

"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive."