A mighty sword exudes the strength of steel, Slices, dices, and then heals the soul. Armor deflects impending missiles, Protects the heart from vicious daggers.
A babbling brook meanders its course, Rocks and pebbles dissolve ongoing tensions. Unveiling a clarity, pure, and transforming, Hurts and resentments evaporate with the morning dew.
Artist Credit: lakeandriverstudio.com Aqua Turquoise Abstract Painting, Atlantis
Dirt and grime wash away, Emotional wounds from yesteryear. Tranquility of the dancing bubbles, Streams to new levels of consciousness.
The gentle murmur of a soothing hymn, Echo a cascade of emotions like a waterfall. Renewed tingling senses, Daring to navigate a new direction.
The Spirit of Aquamarine, Inhales and exhales a cleansing breath. Frosty blues with a whisper of white, The stone radiates a glimmer of sheer delight.
The gaze of another’s perspective. Rejuvenate a harmonious synergy, Humming, cooing, and wooing, A symbiotic relationship rekindles.
Vibrantly red in color with the sweetness of sugar, strawberries have been around for centuries. Ancient Romans believed the fruit to be a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love. This led to rituals associating strawberries with love and fertility.
The Heart Chakra
A sacred fruit to some, symbolizes the heart, as in the heart chakra, the energy center of love and compassion. It represents purity, abundance, and the sweetness of life. Indulging in strawberries can be a mindful practice that invites us to savor each bite as we thank God for the blessings in our lives.
Sensuality
Image Credit: gypsygirlgourmet.blogspot.com
Chocolate-dipped strawberries add a hint of passion and sensuality to its characteristics. Often thought of as an aphrodisiac, chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins and “feel good” hormones, which can tingle the senses. This Valentine’s treat symbolizes desire and indulgence and is a thoughtful gift for a special person in your life.
Eating together is considered a sacred act in tantric and spiritual traditions. It symbolizes a union. A sharing of nourishment at a physical and spiritual level. Thus, eating strawberries with a loved one can deepen emotional connection.
Fresh and Sassy
Whether strawberries are picked in a garden or bought from the grocery store, they are fresh and sassy. They are versatile, too! They can adorn a beautiful platter of cheese and crackers by slicing them thinly, fanning them, and keeping the stem intact. Dipping them in chocolate and poking them on sticks can resemble a vase of flowers. Dicing them and placing them in a glass bowl, whisper, “Use me as a topping.” For salads, for ice creams, for whatever you can dream.
The next time you reach for a strawberry, pause. Take it in. Allow yourself to fully experience the lusciousness this fruit provides.
The color.
The taste.
The love.
Share God’s Love
May the next strawberry you eat connect your soul profoundly and meaningfully to God, to love, and to others. Go and savor the heart-shaped fruit and experience the simple beauty of nature.
I heard on the radio today that February 7-14 is National Marriage Week.
First, let’s give a shout-out to married folks! Hip, hip, hooray!
Another cheer for those who hope to marry someday! Hip, hip, hooray!
MARRIAGE
This week, we celebrate marriage. The timeless institution is a beacon of love, commitment, and companionship. Marriage is more than a legal contract or societal norm. It’s a sacred bond forged in sharing experiences, trials, and triumphs.
Marriage is a journey of…
Growth.
Compromise.
Unconditional Love.
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
It enriches the lives of both partners and communicates in the language of love. Love is the shared moments that speak volumes without a single word spoken.
The giggles.
The gestures.
The glances.
The long embrace.
The cuddles.
The dancing in the kitchen.
It is the “I have your back” confidence. The confidence that when it gets tough and life throws a curveball, there is someone to lean on.
RECENT RESEARCH
Marriage plays a significant role in determining a person’s overall happiness throughout their lifetime.
Brad Wilcox, Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia
Brad Cox’s research offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of marital bliss. His studies delve into the factors contributing to long-lasting happiness within relationships, highlighting:
Mutual Respect.
Communication.
Emotional Intimacy.
FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE ANOTHER PATH
Worth and happiness are not defined by marital status. Clearly, marriage makes sense to some and not to others. Each person’s journey is unique. Marriage may not be the right choice for everyone. Therefore, we must respect and honor the diversity of human relationships in all shapes and sizes.
CONCLUSION – LOVE IS LOVE
There is no doubt that love permeates through the air in February. Everywhere you go, you see hearts. Today, I saw raspberries in a clear plastic heart-shaped container at Target.
This week is the perfect opportunity to cherish the love you have in your life. Embrace love. Show affection. We all love someone. A parent. A child. A spouse. A friend. Go ahead and celebrate love this week with a simple gesture. Remember that love unites us together in the fabric of life. And the sacrament of marriage binds us to God and our partner for all the days of our lives.
Many of us are familiar with the 1993 film, “Groundhog Day,” starring the famous comedian Bill Murray. In this flick, he plays a weatherman sent on assignment to Punxsutawney, PA, to cover the annual Groundhog Day event. Does the groundhog see his shadow for six more weeks of winter, or does he not indicate spring will arrive shortly.
Groundhog Day,
“is a tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year starting in the 16th century. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.”
Wikipedia
The movie begins with the clock turning 6 a.m. and the alarm playing “I Got You Babe,” a Sonny and Cher certified Gold hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Bill, who plays Phil Connors, wakes in his hotel room, only to repeat this segment many times in the movies. Finally, Phil realizes he is caught up in a time loop, with the same day playing over and over.
In psychological terms, he experiences a personal transformation. Phil’s character matures from an arrogant, self-centered one to a more authentic human being who genuinely cares for others. His pursuit of love offers comic relief to the often awkwardness of dating.
Lessons Learned
Lesson #1: Be Open to Personal Growth
Phil has an incredible opportunity to reflect on his day, reassess, and make changes for the next day. He learns to be kinder and compassionate by listening more and seeing life through other perspectives.
Lesson #2. Embrace the Present
The endless loop Phil finds himself in allows him to live in the moment. He learns to find joy in simple pleasures
Lesson #3. Find Purpose
Phil falls in love with one of his colleagues, and in his pursuit of “winner her over,” he realizes that love gives purpose and fulfillment to his life.
Reflection
This movie provides an opportunity for all of us to pause. To Pause and reflect on how we would live our lives differently if we knew what was coming next. How often do we say to ourselves, “If only I’d known?”
This movie serves as a reminder to live life fully. To be our best selves. Not mediocre selves, but our best!
What does your best look like? And, would your best be the best for someone else?
Living my best self taught me to think more and talk less. I have learned that my words matter. My actions matter. My intentions matter. I want to make this place a better place and impact lives. The lives of friends, family, and strangers. I want us to come together as one. One people. One God. One love.
There is no doubt that Christmas time is a time of wonder and awe.
And what possibly could be more miraculous and wondrous than the Miracle of Birth? Today’s post begins with two special ladies from the New Testament who give birth to two extraordinary baby boys.
Elizabeth and Mary. Both mothers conceive according to God’s divine plan. We will explore each one separately.
The Miracle of Birth – The Backstory of Elizabeth
Let me set the stage.
Artist Credit: Of Knowledge Painting by Kd Neeley
Mary and Elizabeth are cousins and are pregnant at the same time. Elizabeth is an older, more mature woman married to Zechariah, a priest. Elizabeth was barren, and she and her husband longed for a child, yet they knew time was running out.
Why were children so important in Biblical Times?
At that time, children were a sign of God’s favor. Since Zechariah was a priest, it is easy to imagine people talking behind their backs about them being childless. How could a priest not have children? They must have been the talk of the town. Until…
Gabriel.
The Angel who pays a visit to Zechariah.
Elizabeth & Son, John the Baptist
Gabriel not only tells Zechariah that Elizabeth will bear a child, but his name will be John, and that the baby would grow to be a man who would prepare the way for the Lord.
Just like Sarah laughed in disbelief when God told her she would have a baby in her old age, Zechariah doubted this message from God. Because Zechariah doubted, he could not talk until the baby was born. God silenced him.
Little did Zechariah know at the time that John would be the voice calling in the wilderness.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:2
The Voice of God
Have you ever heard a voice calling in the wilderness? Or God speak to you directly? Or witness a profound moment in which it felt God intervened on your behalf?
Once, I was in my car heading west on Route 1 from Hoboken to Maplewood, NJ. There was traffic, and a car stopped abruptly in front of me. There was no time to react. Yet, I felt an unnatural force stop my car from hitting the car in front of me. I remember thanking my guardian angel to this day.
Similarly, once, I was traveling from Hoboken to Stamford, CT. It was in a blizzard. As I was rounding a corner in Tarrytown, several cars spun out and collided. My car spun out, too. But my car landed in a small ditch. Sure, I was rattled. But I was safe. My car was safe. And I was able to drive the rest of the way home. Once again, my guardian angel was watching over me.
God and his army of angels tend to show up when you least expect them. I’d love to hear about your experiences with God.
In the next post, we will continue this theme of The Miracle of Birth. We will further explore the mothers who gave birth to two religious leaders who changed the world.
To faith-based people, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of their savior, Jesus.
Most of us are familiar with the significant elements of the Christmas Story, or as some might say, the Nativity Story. Like baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the manger. Then came the shepherds and the wise men.
The Bible definitely doesn’t wrap stories up with neat bows. They are often confusing and void of details. Yet, the Bible has withstood through the ages as the most significant piece of literature of all time.
Why?
Because its words pierce the heart and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to each one of us uniquely. And maybe the Bible was written just for you and me!
The Miracle of Motherhood
Before we can appreciate and fully understand the meaning of Jesus’ birth, we need a refresher on noteworthy mothers in the Bible. We begin today’s post with the miracle of motherhood.
In the Bible, several women give birth to baby boys, who become some of the greatest leaders in the Bible. These Old Testament women faced infertility and were initially unable to conceive. Some were even past child-bearing age! Yet, through God’s divine plan, each went on to experience the miracle of birth.
Sarah & Son, Isaac
There is Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who becomes pregnant and gives birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1).
Rebecca & Twins, Esau & Jacob
Interestingly, next is Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, who gives birth to twins Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:25-26).
Rachel & Son, Joseph
After Rebecca comes Rachel, Jacob’s wife. Jacob is the man who married Leah by mistake (wearing a veil in the bridal tent) and then has to work seven more years for his Uncle Laban’s approval to marry his true love, Rachel. Rachel becomes the mother of Joseph (Genesis 30:22).
Manoah’s Wife & Son, Samson
Then, there is the unnamed woman who is Manoah’s wife. She conceives and gives birth to Samson.
Hannah & Son, Samuel
Next is Hannah, who cries out to God and finally has Samuel. After weaning, she presents Samuel to Eli, the Priest, who then raises Samuel in the house of God (1 Samuel 1:20).
Each of these women was deeply spiritual. They each cried out and prayed fervently for a child. Some, for decades. Sarah even laughed when God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. She waited more than fourteen years for the prophecy to come to fruition.
The Miracle of Surrender
These women who become mothers teach us that God controls even the minute details of our lives. Even though the Bible may be devoid of details, there is nothing in this world that God does not know. There is a plan for you and for me.
How do we ensure we are doing what God wants us to do? For me, the first step is surrender.
We need to let go and let God.
When we give ourselves to God, we open ourselves to new possibilities. New doors to open and go through. You will only know what is on the other side of the door if you open it.
Reflecting on a point of surrender in my life, a pivotal moment stands out – back in 2015. Faced with a failed job search in the tri-state area, I turned to prayer. “God, I surrender and will go where you lead.”
The Miracle of a Dream Come True
I expanded my job search nationwide, leading to a surprising job offer in Arkansas. Little did I know what God had in store for me. My dream of teaching academic courses was fulfilled a few short years later. Only God knew of that dream, and it came true!
How do these biblical stories relate to you and your life’s journey? Has there been a time in your life that you surrendered to God? I’d love to hear about it.
As we close, may this Christmas be a time for you to be open to the possibilities of what might lie ahead.
A Thanksgiving Mindset – Part 2 focused on a simple message.
Transformation and Introspection.
Image Credit: @ Bohu _ Allure
To recap, we discussed developing gratitude, improving ourselves through self-assessment tools, learning and understanding healthy relationships, and practicing mindfulness.
Let’s continue with Transformation.
This morning, a good friend of mine posted this to her Facebook page:
“If you fail, never give up because fail means ‘FirstAttempt In Learning.’ The end is not the end. In fact, the end means ‘EffortNever Dies.’ If you get no as an answer, no means ‘Next Opportunity.’ Changeyour mindset!”
Author Unknown
Growth Mindset
For transformation to occur, we have to change our mindset.A growth mindset sees challenges as opportunities for learning and development, much like the cycles of planting, nurturing, and harvesting in nature. It stems from the belief that we can do better. We can improve. We can become better people. Why? Because there is no limit on learning. We can improve ourselves by shifting our thinking and reactions and being proactive.
Proactive to more intentional awareness. Thinking before we speak. Choosing our words more carefully. Learning the art of “pause.” Listening more and speaking less. Observing nonverbal communication in dialogue.
If we actively practice healthy communication, we will eventually, transform into something different than we were or even currently are.
Fixed Mindset
Shifting from a growth mindset to a fixed mindset, the fixed mindset perceives the world as black and white. It is, or it isn’t. Growth is stifled, like a dormant seed unwilling to sprout. Those who seem stuck might be fixated on something they can’t get past. It is overwhelming. Whatever the “it” is. One way of becoming “unstuck” is by talking. Talking it out with a trustworthy friend. Or by seeking professional help. We can’t fix a problem that isn’t ours. What we can do is to do something ourselves. Accept the situation and learn from it. What can we do differently next time? What can we learn from it?
“With a fixed mindset, it can be hard to find motivation to work through perceived weaknesses because the ability to change may seem as hopeless as changing your eye color. In contrast, with a growth mindset, you’ll see your perceived weakness as a challenge that can be motivating — and even fun — to overcome.”
Mia Primeu, Stanford Today, November 10, 2023.
Thanksgiving to Transformation
Thanksgiving is the perfect canvas for cultivating a transformation mindset. Instead of focusing solely on what’s on the table, we can shift our attention to what we are grateful for—the love of family, the support of friends, and the opportunities surrounding us. A transformational mindset encourages us to foster a sense of appreciation for the present moment and provide grace (tons of it, perhaps) to those who surround us. As we sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, we can view the past year’s challenges not as obstacles but as stepping stones for personal and collective growth.
Let’s not think only of ourselves but others.
Pondering the transformation process begins with recognizing past experiences of ourselves and others, understanding reactions to life’s circumstances, and what we can do to make a positive mark on the people who mean the most to us and the world at large.
When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel.
Judges 5:4-5
Deborah, a prophetess, and a judge led Israel to victory over their enemies. She lived in a time when Israel felt oppressed by the Canaanites, who had 900 iron chariots and a cruel king named Jabin. The Israelites cried out to the Lord for help, and he answered them through Deborah.
10,000 Men.
Deborah summoned Barak, a military leader, and told him to gather 10,000 men from two tribes of Israel. Then, instructed them to go to Mount Tabor. There, the Lord would deliver Jabin’s army into their hands. Barak agreed, but only on one condition: Deborah had to go with him. Deborah accepted but warned him that the honor of defeating Jabin’s general, Sisera, would go to a woman.
Milk. Tent Peg.
The Lord panicked Sisera and his chariots, and they fled before Barak’s army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and ran on foot to the tent of Jael, a woman who was friendly with Jabin. Jael welcomed him into her tent, gave him milk, and covered him with a blanket. Sisera, exhausted from the heat and the fight, fell asleep. Then Jael took a tent peg and a hammer and drove the peg through his temple, killing him.
Deborah’s prophecy was fulfilled: a woman had killed Sisera. Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord for giving them victory over their enemies. The land had peace for 40 years.
Lessons Learned
As the Dog Days of Summer officially end, let us learn lessons from Deborah’s story and how it applies to our lives.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Action. #2. Be the First to Do Something Different. [But, please don’t drive a peg through someone’s head.] #3. Practice Teamwork.
Female. Leader. Brave.
Deborah was a fearless leader, the only female judge in Israel. She proved that God could use anyone to carry out a mission. Her keen business skills demanded her to act collaboratively. Jael, a Kenite woman, and Barak, a military leader, have different skill sets. Deborah acted swiftly. She took the initiative. Fear did not stop her.
The next time we hear about an earthquake, remember the Story of Deborah.
Be faithful. Trust in God. Praise God for Blessings.
Take a Deep Breath.
Let’s breathe in strategy and action and exhale fear and delay.
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I and Thou Reflections 
