Part One “He that has light within his own clear breast may sit in the center, and enjoy bright day: But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts benighted walks under the mid-day sun; Himself his own dungeon.” John Milton The old man shifted, hearing in his half-sleep the clink of chains. Pain shot up from his hips as he moved. His back hurt, too, and he knew if he walked, his feet would scream at him. It seemed everything hurt these days. The man next to him moved, too, and ... View the Post
How to Find Joy in the Snow — Three Strategies that Will Help You Stay Sane
We love snow and spent the first fifteen years of our married life in the snow country of British Columbia, Canada. Dan likes it so much that he doesn't mind shoveling it! And then, several years later, we spent a year and a half in Portland, Oregon where it only rained. We went on excursions to Mt. Hood to play in the snow, but that just wasn't the same as having it available right out your door. When we moved to Ekalaka, Montana, we arrived between two storm systems. They already had two ... View the Post
Courage, Dear Heart. How We Can Face the Future Without Fear.
Fear demoralizes, immobilizes and defeats a person. Many people live in fear these days. Yet there is a way to face the future with courage, peace and hope. When Lucy Pevensie journeyed with her brother, cousin, and Prince Caspian aboard the ship the Dawn Treader, she became frightened when the ship got stuck at the Dark Island where their worst fears were realized. As the darkness increased, and the men pulled at the oars frantically to leave the island, ... View the Post
Ten Seconds of Sheer Terror — Life Lessons From A Sneaker Wave
Ten seconds between life and death. It’s not very long, yet I learned important life lessons from a sneaker wave on the Oregon coast recently. Dan and I were visiting the beach to celebrate my birthday. The first morning, sunshine filtered through early morning mist on the beach. Sea gulls called their mournful cries over the sand, and the boom of the waves lured us to the water’s edge to see what we could see. I couldn’t wait to wet my toes in the salty water and feel the sea breeze lift ... View the Post
Turning Lead to Gold — 3 Strategies to Make It Work
The secret of turning lead to gold is part of the legends that make up folk lore and stories we tell children around campfires. But what if it really worked? The person who discovered this may well become another Warren Buffett or Bill Gates. It can be done, but at what cost? Turning lead to gold is one thing, but turning sorrows and troubles to joy exceeds that by far. Even better, turning evil to good is the best thing that could possibly be done on planet earth. Can it be done? How? It ... View the Post
Cotton Candy Promises — Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Succeed With New Years Resolutions
There it lies, this brand new year, like an empty page, a new beginning, a fresh start. We often make resolutions and set goals for ourselves. We want to fill those blank pages and start on a new adventure. Every year, I dutifully record my goals. Some of them I achieve, but others I do not. These promises I make to myself become like cotton candy -- sweet to my mouth, but soon evaporated and gone, leaving me with a bitter taste. And I have a feeling I'm not alone. How can I accomplish my ... View the Post
