It's All Write With Kristi – Kristi's Life Morsels

For a prompt that was given at a recent writers group meeting I attended we were asked to reflect on “The Good Life’ and what that looks like for us as individuals.

I don’t think that I have really ever spent much time thinking about this saying for myself. So, it caused me to actually do a lot of reflecting.

When I think of ‘the good life’ in general, I often think anyone that basically lives perfectly, without any issues or concerns! Money is flowing, everyone is healthy, great success, and very happy people. But when I started to think of who I know personally that actually is living ‘the good life’ not many people came to mind.

As humans, who has everything aligned completely perfect at all times? How often do any of us go without something rising up in our life that has to be dealt with? Maybe it’s a dental appointment for a toothache, some type of home repair, taking a pet to the vet to see what they need, getting an unexpected bill that wasn’t budgeted for, someone is hospitalized, and the list goes on.

In my self-reflection I went back more to that cliche of ‘life is what you make it,’ so I guess if anyone wants the ‘good’ life…it’s a matter of making it good despite all the things that surround us.

When life surrounds me with great things and people who love me…I can feel good no matter what is happening in this world. But when I feel surrounded with difficulty, or all alone in my circumstance…it’s then that I pray to the God I believe in and try to feel his peace surround me – if I allow it to. That is my choice.

I may not have everything I want in this life, but I can stop to appreciate the things I do have.
A place to live, shelter, food, clothing, family, friends, fans/Ac, heat in the winter, and so forth. Other things I can appreciate looking at…like the trees, the green grass, the water flowing in the park, stores I love to shop at, great coffee, nature, etc.

We all most likely have unaccomplished goals, but we can feel good about our lives before we attain all of our goals if we keep our focus on what we learn to appreciate.

Even the most handsome or pretty person in the world – has issues that will reveal themself if you spend any amount of time with them. I have found that I can have a great makeup day, but a bad hair day. I can be running late and still enjoy my commute to where I am going. I may need to get in better shape and can feel down about what numbers I may read on the scale…but can get excited about finding a better health & exercise plan.  I may not be able to afford the 80 books on my wish list but can enjoy the 758 books I have at home. (You get my point)

The good life is taking a better perspective. Perhaps being content where you are at…and finding patience in the midst of waiting for things to happen or go another way. Contentment isn’t perfect…but the state of ease in the middle of feeling overtaken by things beyond our control.

If would be great if we all started moving away from mindsets that prevent us from feeling good about our lives.

As a Christian I do see that God has been good to me, but I may not always feel it or see it that way.  I may even wonder why things happen. I need to allow myself to see it from the right point of view.

Our dogs recently mated and ended up with a liter of unexpected puppies. Two of the pups ended up staying with us. The dad wasn’t that happy with this, but he is adjusting. What is funny is in the midst of the extreme heat we’ve dealt with this summer I caught him laying about 2 feet away from one of the pups…both in front of the huge turbo fan we have blowing in the hallway. This spoke to me on how even in the midst of him not loving this new reality…he still was able to find contentment in front of that fan. Maybe he realizes his little cute corgi boy isn’t so bad after all.

The good life just might be our state of mind on the day to day, with not everything going our way, but remembering one thing every night that went right that day. The good life might not present to us continual flourishing moments but thriving in the midst of our hardships.

Maybe if we think about our lives and what is good, we can see our life as a good life. When we focus on what is meaningful to us and the loving relationships we are blessed to have. The good life we have is a life worth living, that each of us have a purpose to be here, that we all make a difference each day if we choose to. Maybe the world is full of frowns as people pass us by, but we can be that smile with a hello to make it a better place. In a world of bad things and mean people – we all can be one of the good ones that make it a ‘better’ or more good life for others!

You may not have ever thought about it, but after today you may. The things I saw through my back porch door window on the day to day. Who wonders what happens within the park, the people you will see walking by or the kids at play? It goes a little deeper & beyond, and it changes from day to day.

Some people have a simple backyard with flowers and a fire pit. Then there’s others like me, who get to view the lives of many happenings through the window beyond my fence.

There are many tall trees within the park in which are a cover to provide shade, but they don’t stop the sun from shining through at the peak moments of the day.

People walk winter spring snow and sunshine. I see joggers jogging, and pet owners walking their dogs. I see kids on scooters riding through, or maybe a skateboard or two. I hear the balls bouncing and look up to see people of all ages playing basketball in the courts. Then as I look through the field, I see tennis players. I can hear the splashes of the pool and sense the enjoyment with their laughter.

I always loved how benches were placed so sporadic, yet far enough apart…where people could enjoy sitting by themselves, have a conversation, maybe even read a book.

I see the mothers on the benches as they watch their kids at play, making friendships over conversation about what they’re doing later today. The children don’t want their play time to end and keep asking for ‘just five more minutes’ as mom and dad say “yes, OK,” for the seventh time.

You see the book reader intently reading a real great fiction story, or as they turn the pages they may be gaining new knowledge of something that they didn’t know before. There’s a statue at the fountain with water flowing out of it. I see people sit there along the concrete bench. Some just sit and watch as people walk by. They watch the birds, they see the cars driving by, or catch a glimpse of the pretty flowers in the neighborhood yards.

It comes to that time of day when I hear the carousel music, so I know that the merry-go-round is now open. The line starts to form, and people find their way on and off. Some take one turn, and some spend a whole hour as they ride on different horses each time.

On certain days, the breezes blow and there’s less people. Other days even amidst rain you’ll see umbrellas popped up as people take their walk. You see lovers’ hand in hand, maybe they’re a new couple, sometimes it’s an elderly couple.

There are days when I see lots of happiness. There are so many events in the park for people to enjoy. It may be a picnic with a little family, or sometimes a family reunion. Sometimes I see a mom sitting on a blanket with her baby playing with toys.

Some days I feel a deepness. There’s a couple having an argument. A little boy skinned his knee and his mom rushes to her car to get her first aid kit and Band-Aid his boo-boo.

It’s later in the evening and I can hear a crowd cheering. As I hear the hits of the balls to the baseball bats, I know it’s the teams playing their evening game. Spectators will watch as one team wins, and another loses. Everyone goes home a little refreshed because they’ve had some time out in the fresh air, enjoying an old past time that I’m glad still exists today.

There was a band playing under the pavilion top just a few weeks ago. I worked my way down and enjoyed a great time of music and a small crowd of people.

Some days I make it beyond my back porch window and I sit out on the 2nd floor patio that overseas the beautiful park. Other days I just enjoy my view. Yesterday, the sun was shining a certain way and I could see my own reflection.

I said “Perhaps today, I’ll stay inside and reflect from within myself.”  As I lift my eyes, beyond my reflection in the glass I see different elements of the park and its experiences. I think back on my life. At one time it was me playing hopscotch in the park, catching the ball, asking my mother for five more minutes. There were times it was me in that pool, as much as I hated the smell of chlorine, I loved feeling refreshed over splashes on a hot summer day. There were times it was me feeling annoyed that I had to once again sit through my brother’s baseball game, but what I would give for that today just one more time.

I remember the day when my dad sat next to me as I rode the horse on the merry go round. But I can’t remember when the last time was. I remember the prom in the park and the photos we took. I remember walking my first dog, and spending time as he pulled me with excitement running after the squirrels. I remember the boy I shared my first kiss with on that park bench. I remember crying under the tree at that park when I had my first heartbreak. I saw many couples become engaged there through the years. It always helps me to reflect back to the day my husband took me to the fountain where he asked me to become his wife forever.

I still live in the same house, so my kids have many life experiences in that same park. Whether it was my daughters swimming lessons, or my sons track meets on the trail, watching the eager bunnies, or enjoying a slow walk with my pregnant daughter-in-law. The memories are endless in that little big park.

The park always gave me a place to wonder. I wondered about the people, I wondered about nature. I realized I had a wonderful life.

As I sit here today in my little lawn chair in the middle of the park, yes, I felt good enough to use my cane and sit centerstage. I looked all around as I turned my head to different places. I think to myself, “how did I get here?” Not how I got to my seat, but I can’t quite think when the last times were. The last times of me with my parents and other family. I don’t remember the last time I pushed my own kids on the swing, and we walked away from that playground, never knowing we wouldn’t be back again. It’s not something you plan, it just happens. Something else comes up and then another thing. One day you’re pulling into the parking lot for your daughter’s tennis tournament her senior year as you look over to the playground, and realize you never planned for your last time with her as a child with just what seemed a few years ago.

There was a simplicity in the park as busy as it could get. Even admist the loudness, there has always been a sense of quietness. Perhaps it was a voice within me saying to be still and just take the time to enjoy the moments. As I see my reflection there through the glass, I’m not as young as I once was. I still see me through the reflection, but I’m just an older version of myself. I still have my sense of wonder that keeps me watching and pondering.

I can navigate through the park on a good day, but other days I just enjoy the view through my back porch window.

Tomorrow, I think my daughter and great great grandchild are going to meet me at the park, and maybe they will push me on the swing. Hopefully it won’t be the last time…but it could be the start of some new beginnings! It’s never too late you know…as long as you still have life within you…you still have moments to enjoy.

The door is always open for you to come and sit with me behind my back porch door window… or I can point out the perfect bench that would love your company. There’s one there, and there, and oh over there too. There are so many great views. In the middle of your making moments memory’s…when you look up at my house be sure to wave back at me and smile. I can only hope you’ll see the reflection of your smile through the window of your own life!

Who doesn’t love a precious little doggie? But when it comes to a new puppy – there is nothing cuter than a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

These little guys were born on Friday March 22nd, 2024 to Taffy and Jam Lyons!

They have grown into healthy 8+ week puppy dogs!

In order to keep them straight we came up with some temporary names. Since their owners were just at a Westlife concert the week before they were born and dealing with four boys – their temp names are inspired to be (Shane Simon), Marky Mark Michael, Kian Hercules, and Nicholas Thaddeus!

Mark is a sweet boy. He is just over 6 pounds. He has a great appetite. He’s very playful, but
calm. He has taken a liking to a fan blowing on him already. He tends to find where the fan is
at, lay down, and fall asleep! (Easy to please) He would love to join a home that would welcome him with open arms. He plays well with dog toys, and with his brothers.

Nicholas is also a super sweet dog. He loves to be picked up and loved. He has a great appetite. He enjoys his playtime and plays well with his brothers. He weighs just over 6 pounds.

Kian is the third sweet boy! He enjoys his playtime, mealtime, and interacting with his brothers. He is over 6 pounds.

All three pups are doing fairly well with puppy pad training.
They have all been to the vet and received their first check-ups & 1st distemper shot. They are also in the bi-weekly deworming process. To anyone that purchases a pup – they will receive the remainder of their deworming medicine to finish the process.

The liter will be AKC registered.
We have a smoke free home (so they have had no exposure to cigarette smoke).
The pups were weaned from their mother at around 7 & 1/2 weeks and now eat Purina Pro Plan Puppy food. They have not had any table food. They do occasionally receive a Milk-bone mini treat and love that!

Our asking price is $1400.
If you have any interest/questions – please contact either Kristi Lyons at 607-743-2702 or Clayton Lyons at 607-239-9986. They will be ready for rehoming to their furever homes next week.

If you are human, you are seasoning. Just what does that mean?

We go through many seasons beyond winter, spring, summer, and fall.

If you are in a crisper season, you may be feeling coldness, winds blowing
from various directions. Things may be happening faster than you anticipated
and you are trying to get caught up.

Perhaps you are in a blossoming season…where you are seeing things bloom in your life.
Opportunity is knocking at your door. Ideas are flowing. You feel directed and have a great
confidence.

Dark seasons where you feel despair, disharmony, and disfigured. Perhaps you’ve been through some loss or death. You may feel anguish from a circumstance you can’t control. It seems as though nothing will be better and can only get worse from here.

Then there’s the trying seasons where the swing of that bat never seems to hit the ball. You get every red light. Every stop. You put heart into things and they unravel in other directions.

There are days of rain that sometimes turn into weeks or months. Things pile. Things overflow. You try to hold your umbrella high, but feel weighed by what’s falling on you…sometimes it’s hard to hold the handle.

Like our creator created the four seasons, he allows each season in our life to be something that helps us grow from within it.

So how do we weather life’s seasons?

Don’t give up. Believe in yourself. Pay attention to the radar, know what season your in and dealing with. Stay on track. Stay accurate. Don’t allow yourself to get too discouraged.
Remember the days you went through that you thought you couldn’t see the sun through the darkest night, you still rose the up the next day and tackled those challenges.

Sometimes you need to ride that fast motorcycle and balance well, other times you’re paddling or rowing the boat of and get tired…. then there’s the days you skate to the passenger gate and ride easily. Relax and get enough rest so you can move steady through the obstacles. Enjoy the good days.

Weathering the seasons – just like seasoning keeps variety in our lives, keeps life interesting, and makes us cherish the time we are given.

The key to navigating through all of our seasons is to learn how to sail through it all with adeptness and grace.

It’s finally here…six minutes late. As we quickly boarded the train so it could still leave on time, we put everything in its place and sat down. Within a few moments we were on our way. As I moved the curtain back beside my seat to look and see out the window – there was a wall. I thought “this must be a joke.” For a moment I felt a panic because I’m not too fond of enclosed spaces. I could see about three inches of the window for the seat behind me in back of my head, but there was no opening to any window at my seat, I wondered how I would handle the next 5 hours.

The train attendant came through and asked the two gentlemen across from my husband and I if they would like a window seat as soon as one became available. She neglected to ask us. Now I’m upset. Meanwhile we are at the head of the cart with the most beaming bright light coming down on our faces with no escape from it. Within the next 10 minutes in the seat behind us…began the crying of a baby and that carried on for about 40 minutes straight. At this point I’ve developed a literal migraine. My husband kept reminding me that the food cart would soon be open and we could go sit there to have a snack and get some scenery from the windows of that part of the train. I was delighted when I heard an announcement ‘start’ to be made…until they let us know that the food cart would not be opened until they could get a technical issue fixed. Now I am stuck. Not only is the baby crying, but the mom is using some type of soothing cream that had the worst smell imaginable. For a moment I just wanted to cry.  I placed my husband’s sunglasses on and closed my eyes to avoid everything that was taking place.

I could not escape what life was brining my way in those moments. At that time, it felt like an unending torture. Sure, I do realize that there could so many worse things happening in my life.

As the announcement was made that the snack shop cart was now open my husband and I quickly found a seat and had a snack. I had my pad of paper to write…but the sentences wouldn’t come to me. I just began to look outside.

I realized how much those circumstances that were out of my control can creep upon any of us at any given moment.  We all have those times when we can’t see the other side of where we are. We all face frustration.  I never saw it coming, and only expected to have an enjoyable ride home.

I knew that this was a temporary circumstance, and it wasn’t going to last. However, I didn’t want to deal with it. When it’s said that 90% of our life is our reaction to the things or incidents that we have happen – our reaction to what we can’t control is within our control.   

How could I possibly find any enjoyment or peace within potentially not seeing outside of my own space for the next five hours? How many times have any of us faced something that caused a detour to our plans?

In the end, the torture didn’t last as long as it could have.
In the end, I did see the daylight again.
I made it through.

Somewhere far above me is a galaxy, is the maker of the stars. A million light years away looking down upon that train…my big circumstance was so little in the realm of the bigger picture.

When we can’t reverse the moment, we can focus forward. We can also look back at many hard times we’ve faced and recognize that we have a strength within ourselves to get through those hard times. For me personally, it’s a reliance on my faith.

I was trapped in a moment of time.

When I left the train station to go home, I thought back to the initial incident that seemed to unravel me much more than it needed to. What IS going right in life? What do I have to look forward to?

There was a light at the end, but the train I was riding on didn’t go through a tunnel. It was daytime and the light of the sunshine was actually shining the entire time, I just couldn’t see it ‘at times’ on that trip.

Perhaps the next time I don’t have a window view, I will have learned a lesson from this.
I allowed my perception at that time to be harnessed to the most terrible of thoughts. The outcome still turned out okay. If I focused on the good of it, I would have seen that the train had no delays, it wasn’t derailed, no one was hurt, and it went by faster than I could have imagined.

I could have read a book, I could have listened to music, or even taken a nap. I had other options to where I could put my focus. May we all see and be reminded…when we don’t have the window seat to what’s happening…we can create another (better) viewpoint of our own while we wait.

Reseta packed up her things and headed down the road in the moving truck to her new apartment, putting old things and old ways behind her. It was a new place all of her own. As the rooms came together, she realized that there was one empty.  What would she do? So, after some thought, Reseta decided to create a space with some special things. She had many presents she received through the years that had been binned away because there was no place to display them. 

With some fresh of coats of paint, and the room in two different colors, (three in one color and another in a unique offset shade) she placed an area rug in the center. Upon bookshelves, wall shelves, and little tables Reseta unpacked her many precious pieces of memories. Something was still missing; she needed a place to sit down. Perhaps this could be a reading or thinking room for her.

As Reseta made her way through the store she couldn’t find anything that felt perfect. On the way out to the next store, she paused when outside the doors sat a cute little metal outdoor park bench. It was just the right size. But, it’s for outside? Reseta thought to herself, “Oh who says I can’t? Besides it would fit perfectly, and I can even carry this in all by myself.”

There Roseta sat in the evening by some dim candlelight just thinking upon old times. She spotted a sweet portrait on the wall that someone gave her several years back before they had a big dispute. She reflected on how they never did quite make peace. They never even apologized to her, but she wasn’t going to give up the gift. As she sat there on her bench trying to read a book, she kept thinking back. Her heart felt heavy, and something inside just hurt.

It was in those moments she began to feel different. There in the midst of her unwrapped presents, she felt a familiar presence that had been a while since she experienced. She closed her eyes and began to say a prayer. Reseta cried her hurts out loud. As she sat silent, she heard God speak to her. “I’ve never left you, my child. I receive the hurts you gave to me today and I ask that you don’t take them back. I will carry the burden. People in this life will hurt you, but I will never leave you.  I am here to help. I am here to comfort those things that are unsteady in your spirit. I am here to guide you where you don’t have direction. I am always here to listen, to wipe the tears, and to share your joyful times.

Perhaps if Reseta didn’t buy that bench and place it in that room…she never would have sat down long enough to reflect on her life. She may have kept ignoring that voice within that needed to be dealt with. This way she could move forward to better things.

We all need to take a moment to press that reset button sometimes. We begin new chapters as old ones end. We all experience seasons of change. Through our moments of overwhelm, discouragement and disappointment – it is often in our quiet place we can get a refill from our creator. He provides a way to readjust, restart, and refocus the lens of our life.

If it’s not real, I don’t want it in 2024

It’s the beginning of a new year. There is a great possibility that even a week in, some people have already pushed their resolutions aside. Something came up, or someone feels like they failed for a variety of reasons. What’s the use if I can’t tackle this, right?

I decided that this year it’s not about resolutions as much as it is about identifying what is real in my life. It may be a new approach for many, but I challenge us to look at this concept with a new lens and a brighter light.

If something isn’t real, do we really want it? Fake doesn’t mean temporary, either. We can be involved with stuff in our lives that is counterfeit or invalid for a long time and not even realize it. Perhaps we just don’t want to see it. These are things that imitate what we would like to be real, yet we settle for a substitute.

How many people stay in relationships with others where there is no sincerity? We get into situations where we can’t speak freely about what we feel or believe, and it can cause us to suppress who we are on the inside.

There’s an old song called ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Baby.’ The song speaks of how pictures and letters are nice, but there’s no replacement for the actual person. In one of the verses, the words are, ‘I play my game of fantasy; I pretend, but I know in reality I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me.’ Basically, nothing is as good as having the one they love, and at the end of the song, they are glad they have the ‘real’ thing.

Situations, people, or things that are false, deceiving, fraudulent, pretend, imitation, or phony come in so many more ways than third-party telephone calls. We use artificial substitutes in our food; we choose unnatural sources for our health and fitness, as well as many other countless things. So much of what we see, hear, and read today is staggering when it comes to being true. You can buy a replica of a doll that was popular back in the 60’s. When you get your hands on the real item that has the certificate of authenticity, it gives you an incomparable feeling.

So, what does this look like for me? What am I needing to change or take out of my life that is artificial? What should I cancel? With whom and where do I need to set more boundaries? Have I changed my beliefs to avoid offending another person? There are enough unrealistic perceptions in this world; we don’t need to portray something we are not to others just because we can’t be who or what we are and be accepted. Sometimes we do so to avoid negativity, pain, judgement, and/or we don’t want to lose someone we feel (or want to feel) close to. Where each person stands on religion, rights, freedoms, politics, and other controversies can cause a lot of conflicting emotions. There’s a time to stand up and speak, and there is a time to stay silent. But you should never have to lie in any circumstance.

Why would anyone want to be more genuine? Does it really take that much effort, courage, and bravery to be yourself? Being your most authentic self actually feels good. It removes barriers. You authorize yourself to advance away from the ‘I didn’t mean to’ or ‘I didn’t intend to’ excuses when you don’t have to second-guess yourself when making decisions.

Who inspires you? Think of at least one person (and name them) in your past that you have had a lot of admiration for being genuine. Name someone in your life currently that you know is genuine. What quality was different about them? How about you? Where are you genuine? What needs to change so you can forge the path for yourself to be completely forthright? This revelation may require you to set time aside and sit down to identify where areas of your life exist that aren’t genuine.

Be sincere in standing up for what is honorable, even if that means being unaccompanied. When you are real, you inspire others. The world needs more credible humans (non-artificial). When you aim to live with strong convictions, you gain respect for yourself. Others may or may not follow; so be it! Being honest and having principles takes away from having to portray anything dishonest and allows you the freedom to be who you are!

The world needs more genuine, and it begins with you and me! Here’s to doing away with the artificial in 2024!

I waited for you yesterday.
I saw you pass me by.
You didn’t even look my way.
I’m starting to wonder why.

When you originally bought me,
you intended to spend time with me each day.
Now your life has become filled with busy.
And I wonder if you are wanting to part ways.

I love when you sit down and go to town with your fingers.
It’s almost as if you can’t write or type fast enough.
You’ve completed masterpieces in hours,
when you aren’t distracted by other stuff.

I’m there to provide you comfort,
so that you won’t become stressed out.
When you are overloaded, you take a break.
Then it’s back to writing we go.

Don’t forget me too long and let time pass you by.
Make it a priority again for what you need to write.
What you need to say must come out of you,
so that your recipients will be alright!

The world is waiting for you.
So don’t make them wait too much longer.
Get in your chair and clear the air.
So that your writing can flow once again and be stronger!

Maybe you aren’t famous in the celebrity world, but each of us is known for something. Have you ever thought about what you are well known for? When people think about you, what are the first things that come to mind?
What are your highlights?

We shouldn’t care what others think of us. At the same time, we should care about what we stand for.

This thought came to mind when I was thinking about a friend who passed away not long ago. He loved fishing. If anyone spoke about this person, they would often mention his obsession with being at the lake. He often stayed to himself and never mingled into anyone’s business. He loved simplicity.

Have you ever been in a store, or driving down the road and seen something that automatically brings someone to mind?

Who’s the handyman in your life (you know, the person you can call before you need the plumber)? Who is always traveling, or out in nature? Perhaps you can automatically have someone come to mind when you think of their military service, or love of gardening. Some people love certain styles or brands of clothing. When you see ‘Calvin Klein’ on someone’s shirt, that one person comes to mind. Others are known for their dancing, or love of animals. Maybe even a specific animal, like a kangaroo or koala. My aunt used to love owls and even had a collection. Every time I see one, I immediately think of her. We all have that person in our lives who has a collection of antiques, or maybe cars, or something dear to their heart. We all know people who are big on certain sports teams, television shows, or other forms of entertainment. You have that squeaky clean friend who spends days sweeping and dusting, or the cousin who is always baking up something.

What I’m referring to goes beyond these types of things, though. We are also known for our behaviors and actions. This can be in private, public settings, or on social media. Someone is always anxious or upset about something. There’s always a finger point or gossip flow. You may know the mirror gazer or, in this day and age — the selfie queen/king. There are the bullies who love to down other people or point out the worst of things. There are those who have great wisdom that they love to share, usually thought well of by those who know them. We have people in our lives who are always celebrating something, and then there are those who go to the point of bragging and overload!

The purpose of this blog wasn’t to get you thinking about who has done you wrong, or to be negative about others. It’s to make you think about taking a moment to examine yourself. What messages are you sending? Are you standing for what you mean to stand for? Do you engage in things that you should be freed from? Should you start changing some of the settings you find yourself in? Should you reconsider some of the things you post about, or the ways in which you respond to things?

Maybe Tiffany doesn’t get invited to many things because she is always talking about her ex boyfriend Mark (from five years ago) and what went wrong. Tiffany has a lot to offer the world if she begins to focus on moving forward to better things. We can get stuck in a rut.

In life, are you a divider or a person who brings others together? What and who do you promote? What should you speak more about that you don’t, and where might you be able to be more private (that people just don’t need to know about)? Do you remind people of what others did wrong to them, or do you encourage them and express what you find great about them?

We can all be a little kinder and wiser! We can all show a little more compassion. It’s great to have our likes and interests. It makes us who we are. But it’s important to live a life with the fewest regrets possible! Stand for something that is good and brings more life. Speak life, not death. Add positivity. Multiply love, peace, and joy! We are all filled with the potential to make the world a better place. So why not?

It’s amazing what the Lord can teach us in the most basic experiences of
our life! Timing really is everything, and God’s timing is perfect!

The fresh baked scones that are sold at one of our local cafe’s are the
most amazing that I’ve ever enjoyed! When I say amazing – I mean
amazing!

I stopped by That Coffee Place on Seminary Avenue in Binghamton
NY as I was hoping to quickly grab one of their delicious scones on the
run. Unfortunately, they were not ready yet. I was slightly disappointed.
But the good news was that they were in the process of baking some that
would be coming out of the oven in just a little bit. The owner told me to
come back in about forty-five minutes.

It was a day that I had so much to get done on my agenda, but I could
already taste that scone so I was willing to make the sacrifice of time.
I decided to take a drive down to one of the parks I like to walk at. As I
shut my car door and rolled down my window, I realized that it actually
was really a beautiful day out. I almost missed that in the midst of my
errand running that morning. I drove down to the park and headed
for my stroll around the loop. It turns out that this little delay was
actually beneficial to me. I was able to get some exercise, fresh air, and
dictate some things into my Evernote that were for my writing work
later on.

A lot of mornings I’ll run some errands before I get into my office and
sit down at my desk. Someone could ask me if it’s nice outside, and
I’m usually guilty of not even taking enough time to even ‘feel’ the
weather. Anyone else guilty of this same thing? I end up checking my
phone to see what the temperature is outside. Life was never supposed
to be that much of a hustle that we miss those small details!

After I left the park and headed back to the coffee shop to pick up my
fresh baked scone, at that point I was starving!! I happily checked out
with my scone in hand, and had grabbed a second one for my daughter
to enjoy. These scones are a great size and fantastic price!!

I could’ve grabbed a few extras for the days ahead. However, there is
something special about the freshness when it is baked that day. The
taste is perfect! It’s honestly worth the trip to get them fresh. That
doesn’t mean that you can’t keep them in their container or put them
in the refrigerator and warm them up the next day. They are still
awesome!

Just like God’s blessings are new everyday. This lesson in the experience
with the scone was a reminder that we really have to want that ‘fresh’
blessing each day. What’s meant to be enjoyed fresh yesterday, isn’t
going to be exactly the same today, or a week from now. God has
something new for us in each new day.Find your blessing, even in the
delay! The Lord’s loving kindnesses are new every morning, yes they are
new everyday. That scone has become a new reminder to me when I stop
by to grab one to enjoy – that Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Yes…oh that scone…the right timing is everything! When you take that
bite and it’s still warm, it’s like a little slice of heaven! They drizzle just
enough powdered sugar on them to make them even more perfect!
If you live in the Broome County NY area, be sure to check out That
Coffee Place!! They have MANY great things on their menu!