The Gift of the Rear View Mirror

I took this on a near a little church on Long Island, NY. The future is wide through that front window.

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of the Rear View Mirror

When you drive, you know there is a mirror. 

To see things behind, as they grow near.

The mirror says, “Objects in the rear view mirror are closer than they appear.”

You must be watchful so that the car does not draw too near.

Can you drive exclusively with a rear view mirror?

No, you can’t. 

Why can’t you drive solely with that mirror?

Because that mirror represents what is behind.

To really drive, to go far, to get to a particular place. 

You must look forward and strive for safety and drive at a safe pace. 

You learn as you drive to watch those both in front and behind. 

While the rear view mirror is important to keep yourself safe. 

Exclusively looking behind, not forward can be quite unsafe. 

How does the rear view mirror represent life?

Well, dear reader, it serves as a reminder to never lose sight of what is behind. 

But also, you can’t exclusively focus on what was. 

You must look ahead to get to your new and higher cause.

To become a better person, to forgive, to love, to grow.

Never forget to look behind so that you will not run into the past.

But also, look forward and let the rear view mirror teach you about your past.

How to be better, how to forgive, how to pray.

How to improve, How to move, how to be better and better each day. 

That rear view mirror is small because you do need to see what is behind you to navigate with ease. 

The windshield is broad and gives you an unencumbered view of what is ahead, what is safe and what is best for you. 

Today I spoke with a dear friend who I have served within various churches over many years. I was telling him about how life has been quite interesting this year for our clan of folks. He talked about one day we will look at this time in our lives through the lens of the rear view mirror. What did he mean? Well, the past is like a rear view mirror, if you focus on it too much… Well, you never really move on and learn from it. Not only that, you hang on to it and sometimes you develop a sense of unforgiveness. We all do things that we regret. We all are the recipients of things that we would love to forget. If we live there, if we navigate our car from there we will not only not be safe but we will not be able to travel to new and better places. When researching the little mirror that is important in driving, I gleaned that this little mirror helps you see what is behind without having to turn your head. What happens when you turn your head completely when driving? Well, it’s dangerous. It could lead to a wreck. The rear view mirror helps you to look for any potential dangers that are behind. Those little mirrors give you a better vision. To keep the idea going, this little contraption provides fewer blind spots, and safety! When that mac truck of all of your past mistakes comes barreling at you, this little mirror can save your life. You can be better, live better, drive your life better. When the light is low and you can’t see very well, that little mirror helps you see better in the darkness. In the words of Benjamin Dover, “It is okay to look back at the past, just don’t stare.” Let your past teach you, let your past help you to forgive. Let your past help you to drive to a better, more beautiful destination. 

Thank you Jack for the talk.

You can find his books on Amazon

Parables for a Purposeful Walk

Jack Worrill

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

The Case of the Missing Moo-Cow Bell

The Case of the Missing Bumbly Wumbly Bee

The Case of the Missing Wellies

The Case of the Missing Honk Honk

The Case of the Missing Ornaments

Clean it Up! Wash it Up!

Coming soon!

Appalachian Allegory : A Southern Novel

The Gift of It's Okay to be Tired

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I took this in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Those mountains... Wow... and people climb them!

Climb Every Mountain from the Sound of Music... I love singing this song.

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

“I saw a quote that said, 'I know I am going to get through it. It’s just, sometimes I get tired of going through it.' And I felt that.”

It is okay to feel tired.

It is okay to raise your hands in frustration.

It is okay to say, “At the moment, I just don’t care.”

These emotions, these feelings, they are all a part of the human condition.

To think that life is truly perfect is an idea that deserves great suspicion. 

We are told that if we walk a certain path, our lives will never really see any grey. 

I am here to tell you dear readers, life sometimes subsists in the grey. 

It does not mean that you do not have hope for another day. 

Rather, you must find those promises in the realm of grey. 

As the quote states above, we all know we are going to get through it.

Of that we can be sure. 

But also, it is okay to be tired when you are going through it of that you can be sure. 

Take a seat, rub your temples, say a little prayer. 

When you are in the tired moment, don't despair.

Look around you and survey the grey.

Find the bits of color that pop in the midst of the grey.

Take those colors, file them away in your head.

You may need them again when the next situation presents itself. 

You see life is a wonderful, gritty, dirty and many splendored thing.

We have to take the good, the bad, and the ugly with all that it brings. 

It is okay to feel tired. Say it again.

Take that moment of rest, you deserve it, my friend.  

Today in our little corner of the south it is quite grey and windy (I love the British English spelling of grey.) There are a few pops of color still left as fall begins to wane. I spent the morning with a few little old ladies and gentlemen who are both hilarious and sources of great wisdom. Some have kids that are really “going through it” at the moment. Then, they themselves have many health elements that cause them to feel they are going through it. Each time I speak with someone they are going through it these days. What do we do? Well, as I mentioned above, raise those hands and just let it out. You may not have a long time to do so, but even a moment of catharsis is something. I was recently conversing with my Pastor friends about life, the universe and everything. He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Go and read the Psalms out loud. You will see that David did indeed, go through it.” He went through times of absolute despair asking God why He had abandoned him. He then went to the top of the mountain and saw the splendor that comes with overcoming a desperate situation. It seemed that there were times that he completely lost his faith. He never stopped expressing his feelings. He asked God to save him, please don’t leave him, and please help him not to feel alone. He was (in Psalm 6) worn out from his groaning, his weeping, etc..  Shortly before that in Psalm 4 David talked about how his heart was glad and his soul rejoiced. He was going to sleep peacefully because of God’s goodness. Why read the Psalms? Well, David experienced the human condition that all of us experience. Joy, sadness, anger, despair. Will this situation ever change? I have had those thoughts a lot recently. I did feel guilty because I felt I had a lack of faith. But then, after reading the musings of David. I felt human. Have those moments of tiredness. Look around you in the grey and see the bits of color that God has placed in your path. The beauty of taking that moment and breathing is that you can realize I may have these feelings, but I don't have to stay here in this place. In a previous musing, I wrote about climbing to the mountain top and seeing the glorious splendor of the view. You can’t get there without starting in the valley. You just cannot. When you see that next mountain on the horizon you will be stronger, you will have more bits of color in the grey when you reach the valley to scale to newer and better heights. I leave you with a quote by Andy Rooney, “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth happens when you are climbing it.”

Sources: Psalm 1-10 KJV

My Books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

The Case of the Missing Moo Cow Bell

The Case of the Missing Bumbly Wumbly Bee

The Case of the Missing Wellies

The Case of the Missing Honk Honk

The Case of the Missing Ornaments

Clean it Up! Wash it Up!

Coming Soon:

Appalachian Allegory

The Gift of Zippers

One of my husband's zippers is taking pictures.... 

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Zippers

“May you always be the one that finds light in the little things.”

Unknown

Zippers are such small unnoticed things.

We take advantage of the joy this little device can bring.

When it is cold you can make yourself a little warmer...by just zipping up your coat! 

It provides instant warmth. 

Zippers on the flip side can bring relief when you are too warm.  

Just unzip the thing!

What zippers are there in our life that we just don’t see?

What small bit of warmth or cooling can this minute contraption bring into your reality.

Find your zipper, whether that is to be zipped up or zipped down.

Find it, recognize that the effect can be profound.

This morning was very “cool” in the South. Particularly at this time of year in late November.  My mom calls it “Blackberry Winter”.  Almost like a fool’s fall.  So as my husband and I embarked on our morning walk I grabbed 2 jackets for us to wear.  As we began our ramble I went to zip up my coat and gasp!  The zipper was missing.  The missing zipper on this coat made a huge difference during our walk.  The draft kept blowing up, I tried to close the coat with my hands to no avail.  My fate was sealed.  It was going to be a cool morning walk.  While in the grand scheme of things this is so small this planted a seed of thought in my mind.  What do we need to zip up in our life?  When we get busy do we neglect to zip up or unzip those small acts that make a difference in our daily lives?  When I say small, I mean really small.  Think about zippers.  They keep things from spilling out.  They zip up sleeping bags when you need it on that very cold night.  Thank goodness they are not buttons!  Buttons split very easily.  Just a little history about zippers.  They were invented basically out of necessity. Initially they were invented by the inventor of the sewing machine.  His name was Elias Howe, he called it the “Automatic Continuous Clothing Closure” however he did not really market this invention because he was too busy marketing his sewing machines.  Several years later, the idea was improved upon by a couple of folks but the zipper never really took off until the B.F. Goodrich company started putting them on their work boots.  They called those boots “Zippers” and the name was forever cemented in history.  After boots came pants, shirts, etc. All of the modern uses of the zipper that we see in today’s times.  Now, back to what zippers, what tiny little closures that keep us together in life can we glean from this idea?  I know someone whose zipper is making her bed.  If her bed is unmade she feels positively not great.  She feels that in the act of making her bed she sets the tone for her entire day.  I know another person who is going through some difficulty. In order to keep her from losing it she picks one small activity or portion of her day that gives her a glimmer of joy.  For others it could be the simple act of having a consistent routine or a tidy workspace.  And if you have a day where you just can’t stay zipped up that is ok because you can just sit back and zip it up again tomorrow.  In the most beautiful words of Winnie the Pooh: “You must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”.  Wise words indeed. 

Source:wonderpolis.org/zippers

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

The Case of the Missing Moo-Cow Bell

The Case of the Missing Bumbly Wumbly Bee

The Case of the Missing Wellies

The Case of the Missing Honk Honk 

The Case of the Missing Ornaments

Clean it Up! Wash it Up!

Coming soon:

Appalachian Allegory

The Gift of a Blustery Rainy Day

 

Photo Credit: My husband

Positive  Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of a Blustery Rainy Day

 

"Without rain, there is no life."

Jerry Yang

 

Most people look at rainy days as a source of gloom. 

A rainy day means there is no sunshine high in the sky.

The day gives way to gray colors, wetness, and blustery trees.

The wind swirls and swirls, and the rain washes the dirt away.

Rainy days don’t have to be dark or even sad.

The rain provides much needed water for humans and plants.

The birds, the bugs, and all the outdoor animals need those rainy days to sustain them.

Instead of looking at a rainy day as a hindrance, look at the day as an opportunity for hope. 

After the rain passes, the air is clear, the sun comes out while the rain clouds dissipate, and a glorious sky is painted in beauty and grace. 

Learn to love the rainy days, and sometimes splash in the puddles. 

Bring a little joy into your life; alleviate your troubles.

 

A little edition to this musing... Last night, and this morning we have had January thunderstorms. This is a little out of character for the south. We are used to those rumbles in the Spring and Summer but the Winter? Not so much. These storms brought to mind the concept once again of knowing that rain is necessary to water and grow things in nature. How much more does this apply to life? While it would be wonderful to walk through in perfection with no real growth... well, that is simply not possible. Once again I am reminded that we must have the rain to water us to grow into a better person. What we have planted and how it germinates, that is up to us. You may ask, "Is it really?" I would wager that yes, it indeed is. Over and over again I have come in contact with Corrie Ten Boom quotes. She was the lady who hid folks during the holocaust. Even though she was not Jewish, she did so because of her love of humanity. She lost her whole family during World War II. Yet she soldiered on. Sure there were times she had an attitude but she never stopped. I wish I had an ounce of her strength. This quote really was poignant to me: "If God sends us strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." Wow. If rain boots are needed. Through prayer, etc.. God will provide. We may have to get our feet a little wet to get there but He is waiting. I hope that we can see the blessing of rain.. God bless your day friends.

Today was the first day we had rain in the deep South in three weeks. That is quite unusual in the land of pop-up thunderstorms, they even come in the fall. Everything seemed a bit dreary and dusty because of the lack of rain. As the rain started to fall, it was almost as if the trees, the grass, and even the birds were suddenly renewed. Add in the changing leaves dancing through the sky as the wind blew, and it was almost like a perfect picture.  Birds danced in our bird bath, and the trees became a very verdant, freshly washed green, yellow, orange and red. The leaves also fell like rain as the wind blew. It was like a postcard. It only rained for a few hours, and the sky started to clear right around sunset. As the gray clouds passed, the sun painted the most beautiful rainbow sky I believe I have ever beheld in my life. Even the sun gave a nod of thanks to the passing rain through the painted sky.   All of these glorious occurrences came from just a few hours of rain. If you were to think of songs that were written about rain, what comes to mind?  The song "Listen to the Rhythm of Falling Rain" comes to mind. Chopin wrote piano pieces about rain (I played one of them in college, some refer to the piece as the "Raindrop Prelude") and Beethoven wrote symphonies that were about rain. There are portions of our country that are in dire need of rain, the Western United States comes to mind.  We all need rain in our lives.  Recently, I read that there is a term for people who love rain.  Pluviophile is the term used to describe this person.Interesting, right?  How does rain apply to our lives?  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote in one stanza of his poem Rainy Days, "Into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and dreary." Right here, right now, I want us to look at a rainy day not as dark and dreary but as a chance to renew ourselves and grow.  We would not be clean or grow if it did not rain and we did not have that opportunity to wash and water. Without the rain, we would not have the life giving water that we all need to simply survive. Without rain, our dams would not run, and what would happen?  Some people would not have electricity. Rain is not an impediment but rather a blessing. Apply a little rain to your life by learning something new.  Water someone else’s garden of life by doing something kind for them. Talk to someone who believes very differently than you do to give yourself a breath of fresh air. As we have discussed in other writings, we are in a time where a lot of people are hyper focused on what we don’t have in common. Let us focus on what we do have in common. As always, too much rain is not a helpful occurrence, and in some cases flooding occurs, which can be detrimental. So have just enough rain to build your soul and the souls of others. So if you encounter rain, do as you would on a rainy day. Put on your fuzzy socks, put your feet up with a cup of hot chocolate, perhaps a good book, and a cozy blanket, and contemplate all of life’s blessings. Rain also helps us slow down in our fast-paced lives. We all need this activity from time to time. When my kids were little, they would lay on our driveway during a summer storm and just enjoy the rain. We are at the bottom of a hill that takes care of a lot of the drainage for our neighborhood. As they lay enjoying the rain, they would wave their arms much like you make a snow angel. The rain cascaded over them, and they smiled the smile of children who had not a care in the world. It was a great joy for my husband and myself to watch. Take a little time and enjoy the rain.

Source: allpoetry.com

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

The Case of the Missing Moo-Cow Bell

The Case of the Missing Bumbly Wumbly Bee

The Case of the Missing Wellies

The Case of the Missing Honk Honk

The Case of the Missing Ornaments

Clean it Up! Wash it Up!

Coming soon!

Appalachian Allegory: A Southern Novel

Buy me a coffee… pretty please… actually it would be a proper cuppa in my case. Thank you for reading! 

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Positive Pensées

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A Tribute to our Veterans

 Positive Pensées

Kathy King

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

Joseph Campbell

A Tribute to a Veteran

A veteran, a warrior with a servant’s heart. 

A protector, an attendant to a greater cause. 

A cause that understands that it is not just about self. 

A knowing that they are all part of something larger than self. 

A mindset of knowing that one day they may have to be brave. 

When all around them rage and have much to say.

Much to say about the cause of liberty. 

Some mock it, some spit on the very flag that has the blood of warriors in which we cleave.

The principles this country was founded on so that we could be free. 

Some know this with every beat of their heart. 

They have seen battle, they have known loss and it has broken their heart. 

When times are difficult and they have to answer the call. 

They go forth for the cause of freedom and liberty for all. 

A veteran is a person who sometimes is forgotten.

Their sacrifice, their time away from family, is not even in most people’s periphery. 

Ask yourself, if the time came where you were called to serve, could you do it?

The sacrifice, the long stints away from the comfort of American life. 

It is quite a tall order for that kind of sacrifice. 

Could you charge into the fray when the enemy's guns are blaring?

The drums of war beat even as we speak, the world is in a bit of chaos. 

There may be a time we have a need. 

To have that lion hearted warrior leave all that he or she knows and face the daunting idea of battle, that is true bravery that shows. 

Thank a veteran, tell them that you appreciate their willingness to sacrifice. So that you, the American citizen, can enjoy peace without great fear of sacrifice. 

Our family has a “whole camp full of soldiers” in the words of Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. You are probably thinking, “What is this lady talking about?” Pride and Prejudice was a book written quite a long time ago by Jane Austen. It was set in England. The young girls were entranced by all the red coats that they encountered in their little village.  I can hear my son now…  “Mom, why are you talking about English soldiers?”.....  But I digress. I wrote all of this to share that yes, many of my children (5 to be exact) chose to enter into the military and serve the United States of America. To be quite honest, it can be a lot on a Mama’s heart to know that the only thing that you can do for your child thousands of miles away is pray.. It is a bit much at times. I pray each and every day for all of our men and women who have served or are still serving. If you are not familiar, they raise their right hand and vow to protect this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. They give an oath and end it with, “So help me God.” That is a true and weighty statement. To know this as a mother makes me proud, scared, honored, etc..  I feel the same sentiment about those who have gone before. If you have never read the book “Band of Brothers” or actually watched the series. I highly recommend doing so. That was selfless sacrifice. There are other books as well that come to mind about other soldiers who have served in more modern times that I have read. Each time I finish one of these books,  I can’t help but think, could I do that? I am not sure if I could. That is why I ask that each of us say a prayer of thanks for our veterans. They well and truly deserve it. I leave you all with this quote: “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right.” Peter Marshall

 

The Gift of Dreaming

I was playing around this afternoon with this song... to warm up. Dream the impossible!

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Dreaming

“You are never too old to set another goal and dream another dream.”

C.S. Lewis

Do you dare to dream?

You hear leaders say to you, “Dream!”

Do you really take their advice?

To dream means to leave the realm of what is possible and to venture into what may be impossible.  

But what are we if we do not dream?

To imagine? To ponder a better life for both ourselves and others around us. 

Dream, imagine, take the chance! 

Some dreams are admittedly silly, some dreams are serious. 

But what are your dreams for your future and do you still try to attain it?

To stop dreaming is a hopeless place. 

Dreams have kept many a person from feeling dismay. 

So don’t stop dreaming even if you are feeling blue. 

That dream, that hope could give you the boost of confidence and respite.

Dare to dream! Grasp for the stars! Pray for it, do the work.

You can do it, know your worth.

Many songs have been written about dreaming through time.  The dictionary defines a dream as a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal.  Do you dare to dream?  Or has your life become devoid of dreams?  Think about the songs about dreams.  Dream a Little Dream of Me, To Dream the Impossible Dream. Sweet Dreams, Dream Weaver, Wildest Dreams.  Having seen a few of these titles one could wager that dreams are quite important.  What happens when we stop dreaming?  We lose hope.  Our hope gives us expectations and desires for things in the future.  Hope is the pathway that helps our dreams come true.  Now, dreams don’t just come to fruition.  There is also hard work and discipline that is mixed in as well.  But if we don’t have that goal (even if it is small) or that dream to work towards, how will we not become stagnant?   Dreams help us grow, dreams help us have vision, dreams help us to keep going even when the going gets tough. Also, in our time of instant gratification realize that dreams do not always come to fruition as quickly as we would like.  Sometimes those dreams, that hard work, takes months and even years to yield fruit.  Even then, keep dreaming.  Stay focused, keep that vision in your mind and keep on the path of that dream. The quote that I shared earlier I have shared before. It always speaks to me each and every time. It is so important for the human spirit to dream. When I was younger I used to wish that I could play the piano like certain folks, draw like certain people (I cannot draw a stick figure)....I dreamed I was as beautiful as some of the other gals that were at my school. As I have gotten older I realized that each person has their gifts. There is no reason to want another person’s dreams and talents, we all have our own. As a pianist I can appreciate how each pianist’s personality is reflected in their playing. Some of the playing is soft, beautiful and contemplative. Other's playing is so technically correct that Franz Liszt would blush. To those who do not know, Franz Liszt wrote some very technically difficult finger patterns in his pieces. He had famously very large hands with long fingers. Then there are those pianists whose soul is laid bare when they play. They may not be one hundred percent technically accurate, but you know that piece is from the very essence of everything that they are. Then there is the combination of all that commands the room as soon as their fingers touch the keyboard. After making this realization, I thought why would I want someone else’s talent/dream? That is what makes music the speech of angels. What does all of this have to do with dreams? Well, paint that picture, write that book, take up that new hobby, minister to that friend, share your passion with others. Share your dreams. This morning when I was working with some little old ladies they were all talking about how they wished we could have a “Good News Network” that we could watch every single day. They didn’t want to completely ignore what was going on in the world by any means. They just wanted some good news. One little lady said that she believes that there are more good people, good dreamers, and good souls in the world than those who report the news would lead us to believe. That dreamer may be you!  I leave you all with this quote: “Dare to dream, then decide to do.” Annette White

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

Clean it Up! Wash it Up!

Coming soon!

The Case of the Missing Ornaments

Appalachian Allegory