I have to reblog this! What wisdom the bible gives us! You can get no better wisdom than from the words found in the Bible. Thank you for this post. Wisdom is better than riches as stated in Proverbs 8:11: For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
The love of my life was unexpected. He came into my life before I was a Christian (although I was a believer). He was an obnoxious merchant mariner who pursued me with a passion that won my respect and my heart eventually. We had a very happy time together. Looking back it was as if, he was spending the last six months of his life with me and loving every minute. He was my beloved, but he had his fair share of issues…not where our love was concerned, but it affected our life. This young man was highly educated, with a genius level IQ, but was in the middle of a divorce from a girl he never loved and had spent his younger years experimenting with drugs. I was naïve enough to think that my goodness would be enough. He died tragically at Christmas by drowning at age 31. My life would never be the same, but I am so grateful for the love we enjoyed during that time. That was over 21 years ago and I carry him with me still.
As a bonafide Christian, you will want your life to go as God would will it. That doesn’t mean you won’t make plans, but you will have to remember that if it is God’s will your plans may come to pass. With that said, there is a saying “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it!” So think about what you might pray for. Is it something you want or need?
I prayed that God would send me a spouse that was a Christian, who didn’t have a drug problem, and wasn’t in the middle of a divorce. Well, that prayer was answered, but my life didn’t go as planned! Oh, we had the perfect wedding; we later adopted two children from Russia and had our own biological daughter. However, we experienced something that would send my husband to jail and place incredible strain on keeping the vow we took for better or for worse. Our adoption was challenging as we endured attachment issues with our older children. They have grown up but remain elusive. Our youngest daughter has had to grow up without having her father around for most of her life. He visits us when he can, but we are parted still by probation. Why stick around, you ask? Faith and a sacred vow.
The world and people will fail you, but faith and Jesus will be the truth you cling to.
The two stories I have related above have shown that the world and people will fail you. Absolutely without a doubt that is true, but so is the other half of the sentence…faith and Jesus will be the truth you cling to. I have found that if it was not for my faith and my savior, I would have had nothing to cling to. Every time the world and people fail me (and there have been many times), my faith and Jesus have been there for me. Yes, the road is rough, but I have 2 unfailing constants in my life.
(This photo is from Pinterest. I have tried to find out who to give the credit to. I would like to attribute this to the appropriate individual. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Please email me and or leave a post on this picture should you know the original source.)
Today I’d like to highlight a post of a fellow friend and author, Tracy Wolfe. She has written this wonderful post from the heart and I must say it was one that rang true in my life. I, too, was a believer, but didn’t go to church a lot as a kid. My biblical knowledge was very surface, I was laughed at when I prayed in Sunday School class and it affected how I felt as a believer. I never felt quite good enough. I was embarrassed that my parents didn’t take me to church. All the other kids in the neighborhood went. My friend’s mom called me a heathen. Tracy has written her thoughts and experiences so well that I could identify with her post!
Today I am putting a personal spin on some truths that I have found to be true in my life. I’m not going to do a list, but I’ll express how I’ve personally experienced truth in my life:
What are your personal encounters with truth? Let me know, I’d love to hear how truth presented itself to you! Truth leaves you with a clean conscience!
Living and loving truth everyday,
Mickey
Last week, I posted only one blog. I felt the need to tweak some of the things I am doing. I found that people really enjoy my Tuesday Truths and Wednesday’s Wisdom posts. When I posted my blog on Prince Friday, it got some extra attention. I had taken the liberty to break free from the editorial calendar to share from the heart! It was a good feeling too.
My Twitter account is growing quickly. I’ve grown to enjoy tweeting and promoting others and their content. It is reciprocated and thus my twitter following increases! It just takes time.
I read an interesting post from Shannon Thompson about blogging. She wrote: Knowing when to change your focus and energy is going to help you keep your momentum up while also maintaining your voice. It’s always okay to try something new. In fact, I encourage it.
So my change began on Friday when I wrote about Prince, his influence on my life, appreciating his accomplishments, and remembering him through the legacy of his music. Breaking out of my schedule allowed me to feel free. I had been writing according to my calendar, but I give myself permission to go off schedule when there is something I want to share!
I want to stay short and sweet with my posts as I know time is fleeting and when I write, I want my audience to know that I will offer maximum value as concisely as I can!
As I see what my audience tunes in to, I will tweak accordingly! Change can be fun and invigorating for the spirit! What kind of change would you like to see? I’d love to hear from you!
Taking each day at a time,
Mickey
Watching the news for the last 24 hours, I have relived memories of my young adulthood and how Prince’s music played through a large part of it. I have very happy memories that are associated with his songs. I’d say definitely the party, cruising, nightclub scenes since they all involved Prince’s music.
I have listened to the story behind the icon that was Prince and I can tell you that he is a guy I’d like to know more about. Sure I knew the music, but the man that made the music is just as interesting. In my young years, I was too busy partying like it was 1999 to know and appreciate his genius.
Last night, I saw him play the most spectacular guitar solo in a performance of George Harrison’s song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I was spellbound. Then there the ambiance of Purple Rain and his mesmerizing guitar solo – what a performer! I learned that he could not read music, but played all kinds of musical instruments. He would also produce his own work as well as play and sing every single instrument or part on the song. Talk about a wow factor! Last night I found out there was a reason why he became known as a symbol for a while. I had no clue way back then!
I have also heard about his party/concerts at his home/studio in Paisley Park. I sure wish I’d lived in his town! The locals they have interviewed spoke about them with such a personal fondness that I was envious to have not been a part of such an experience.
Prince was a kind person who helped others. He was a private person and everyone respected that. He knew loss and heartache. He had no pretense about him. Behind the star was a very relatable genius who was down to earth. I am sure that is why everyone loved him all the more.
I heard he was writing his memoir. I hope to read it someday. I am sure that I’ll be all the better for it.
It is bittersweet to lose our icons (or anyone we care about) sooner that we would expect. We want to reverse time and make it not be true. We want to savor the times that we had with them and relive those days in our minds, hoping that if we think about it hard enough we will somehow travel back in time and just stay there.
His music will carry us through. We will remember and although we won’t bring him back, let’s listen to his music and transport ourselves and celebrate the life experience we enjoyed with this fine musician called Prince!
Partying like it’s 1999 in my little red “Mustang” (Corvette),
Mickey
A mole becomes a tumour which turns cancerous; A bridge collapses, hundreds die, one political party calls the other treacherous. A finger bleeds while chopping vegetables and blood soaks the tissu…
Source: Negligence and HIM
This is a repost from an earlier Thursday post for you. Mentors are so helpful in advancing your writing career! Enjoy. See you on Monday.
On my journey in this world that is writing, I have made it a point to share with you, my fellow writers, the resources that have encouraged me and made me work smarter. This week I wanted to share two of my “go to” resources: Carol Tice and Linda Formichelli.
Carol Tice and Linda Formichelli have been two very helpful and informative resources on my journey as a writer. You see, lots of research goes into building your skills that will give your writing value and in turn, build an audience. These ladies both are committed to sharing the knowledge and encouragement aspiring writers need. I have found that I keep their blogs and websites saved so that I can refer to them regularly as I progress in the writing craft.
Carol’s site “Make A Living Writing” gives valuable advice on pitching; sites that pay for articles by type. For instance: essays, lifestyle and general interest, tech, and writing too! Her advice on content mills keeps me grounded on developing my skill and going for quality. I appreciate that! Carol offers many free things in addition to reasonably priced access to resources in the Freelance Writer’s Den. This week I purchased “How to Be a Well-Paid Freelance Blogger” and reserved my copy of “Small Blog, Big Income.” I also will get access to the live call around launch day for this new promotion. Carol will be available to answer Q&A’s on blog-monetizing questions. I am sure this will be a valuable session!
Linda’s book “The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Your Freelance Writing” is a go-to-book that you will find useful as your career develops. She is noted for “The Renegade Writer” blog which was voted as one of the Top 10 blogs for Writers by the website “Write to Done.” It was also awarded by Writers Digest as one of the 101 Best websites for Writers. Linda suggests making your blog one that is consistent and offers valuable content. She features her most popular posts on a daily basis so you should go check it out. You can learn a lot from Linda!
My reflection for today is the truth: Music is what feeling sound like.
Before Grooveshark was shut down, I had found it to be the perfect site that I could catalog my life’s music with. I miss my folders! Each day I could go to the site and according to what part of the past I wanted to visit, I could pick and play!
There was the high school years, cruising songs, my romance folder was the place I could go to reminisce with my feelings that associated to one of various boyfriends. Sometimes I’d just arrange my folders to play chronologically by boyfriend and it would encompass most folders! I’d happily listen to my life’s songs by whatever nostalgic trip I wished to take each day.
Freshman year of high school could be songs from the Eagles, Queen, SuperTramp, Dan Fogleberg. Sophomore Year and First Love would be songs from the Beatles, John Lennon, The Climax Blues Band, REO Speedwagon, Kenny Loggins. Junior and Senior Years would be Huey Lewis and the News, Rick Springfield, Journey, U2, and Styx. I remember keeping the top 10’s in my diaries (yes, I still have those!)
Jumping into the College Years, the Night Club years, and beyond: Dexies Midnight Runner, Go West, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Thompson Twins, Culture Club, Scritti Politti, Aha, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Guns & Roses, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Night Ranger, and Bryan Adams, Toto, 38 Special, and Extreme.
My tragic romance collection English Dan and John Ford Coley, Ozzy Osborne, Lita Ford, Vanessa Williams, Seal, Sheryl Crow. This is a true remembrance of my shortest, but happiest relationship with Mike, whom I dated for only six months before he died tragically. It is a true testimony to quality of time vs. quantity of time.
I must tell you that I have not chosen songs from terrible romances! Ha! (Luckily that’d be only one!)
I sure do miss Grooveshark! Maybe I’ll find another site to build my life stories with music. It takes me back in time and makes me glad I was there to experience the music with my life adventures.
Have you made a life list of your favorite songs? Go ahead and do it! I call it Mental Time Travelling!
Making the most of everyday!
Mickey
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