Category Archives: Family

Observations on an Oversleeping Morning

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She lay blissfully dreaming, sleeping, resting……..until she wasn’t.

Knowing she had overslept as soon as she opened her eyes, she sat straight up in bed, heart pounding, feeling a bit of panic.

Quick shower, no breakfast, no tea before carpool duty.

Yep….that was my morning. And now I am throwing all caution to the wind and writing before my normal time. Just to do it. Here are my observations as I have progressed through the morning thus far:

  1. Morning routines bring an amazing amount of comfort. Even though I am always saying that I need something new, something to change, that evidently does not apply to the morning. When I am sleepy and groggy, those little routines give a very needed propelling boost.
  2. Without the morning routines, I stand for long moments, wondering what I am doing next. I found myself just staring at my boots this morning, not sure whether to put them on or not. When I got home from dropping my daughter at school, I ate my omelet, am currently drinking my tea. But they really don’t have the same kick they would have had earlier. Why is that? Because I am already up, forced into activity? Ahhh, the many questions of life. lol
  3. I don’t need to do all the things I think I need to do in order to get out the door. No, I don’t need to brush my teeth, fix my sopping wet hair, drink my tea. But those small creature comforts sure do add to the morning, I must say. I felt slightly neanderthal this morning as I drove down the road. I guess it is a relief to know that if there was a giant black bear pounding his way into my home in the early morning, I could get out of the door without a long leisurely shower. 🙂
  4. I think differently on an oversleeping morning. I feel as if I am playing catch-up to get things done, although in actuality, everything is pretty much done that needs doing. But I can’t shake that first feeling of “I’m late! I’m late!”

Anyway, there you have another one of my lists. I promise not to make this a habit. Somehow, it has helped to just observe the morning instead of feeling the morning with no words.

So, all you writers out there, take heart! Your words matter! Oh my…..I am very weird this morning. I suppose that is a side effect of oversleeping as well.

Write and let me know your best and most entertaining oversleeping story.

Have a great morning drinking your tea, your coffee, reading or writing your words,

Lisa

Inspiration Drawn

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I am saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She served her country faithfully and bravely for her entire life. She is now reunited with her Savior Jesus Christ and her loving husband Prince Philip. Here are a few quotes and photographs I have been moved by this afternoon.

“We know, every one of us, that in the end, all will be well.” – Princess Elizabeth, 1940 Children’s Hour radio program.at the start of WWII

Age 11
1953,, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Age 94, still riding

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”- on her 21st birthday

Queen Elizabeth inspired me. She lived the life she was born to live, and she lived it well.

Love, Lisa

A Stone at a Time, or How Not to Plow a Field

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My favorite castle in Ireland, Ballycarbery, was built one stone at a time. They did the work. Photo: Ed Lyons, 2009

Worries. Anxiety. Circular thoughts that go nowhere. When these things hit me, I head outside to the garden. Pick the beans, discard the bad leaves, plant fall spinach, kale and carrot seeds. Water. Just doing the work in God’s good earth quiets my mind every time.

As I dig my hands into the dirt, I am thinking of some of my favorite quotes about work.

“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” – Irish proverb

“Castles were built a stone at a time.” – Irish proverb

“Pick the potatoes yourself, Joseph; you ambitious boy.” – Far and Away, film 1992, directed by Ron Howard

So now, instead of snapping and freezing the green beans, which I was going to do, I am writing this. But that’s ok. Work is work, no matter what kind of work it is. It keeps the hands busy, the mind active on positive things.

Which reminds me of another good quote I heard a lot growing up: “Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings.”

The Enemy likes nothing better than for me to be idle, to be aimless, to worry, to fret. It breeds fear and anxiety. It is not good.

So now I will snap the beans. I am grateful. I am feeling productive. God will take care of the rest.

Love to you, Lisa

It Is

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There are many ways to get where you’re going…..down the road or through the hedge.

One of the best things about blogging is getting the chance to put the things that are flying around in your mind into a concrete form. Writing something makes it seem more lasting.

As someone who deals with a permanently dodgy ankle, there are times when I am confronted with things I have trouble doing. I have found that focusing on the things I can do, rather than what I can’t do, is an infinitely better way to live. But sometimes circumstances or needs come up and force my attention onto the can’ts.

My sister said a very wise thing to me as she saw my struggle and guilt over my can’ts. She said, “It’s an it is. You can’t worry over something you cannot change.”

Read that again: “It’s an it is.“

Instead of ruminating endlessly of how to change my ankle and its oddities, I have been accepting it better since she said this. My completely fused ankle is a fact. Unable to be changed. Not my fault. I have been looking for accommodations, for other solutions, for ways around the problems. And not beating myself up with guilt for things I cannot change.

Yes, I realize that this is a variation of “It is what it is.” But for some reason, just hearing the words in a different way helped me to accept it.

So, little sister, thank you. This has helped more than you know.

Also, note to self…..you never know how little things you say to people can make a difference in encouraging them along their journeys. Keep encouraging, keep loving.

It is…..well with my soul.

Love, Lisa

Thriving at the Base of an Active Volcano

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The Pitons on beautiful St. Lucia, taken by Ed Lyons 2013 on a moving boat

People all over the world live on islands with active volcanoes. Hawaii’s big island, the Canary Islands, the Solomon Islands, St Lucia, St. Kitts and many others in the Caribbean, and the list goes on. These are beautiful places to visit and to live. The people who reside there have learned how to negotiate times of activity and eruption.

Why am I talking about active volcanoes? More and more people today are struggling with the anger and stress that come from the frustration of dealing with an ever-maddening world situation. These stresses and angry feeling build up, and over time, people erupt. I am seeing more and more of this lately, in stores, in people’s driving, in personal interactions. Dealing with people’s anger and eruptions is difficult for an introverted peace-loving person. I do realize, however, that everyone is different, and everyone’s way of resolving conflict is very different. But how does a person such as myself cope with these eruptions and maintain personal peace in the midst of the lava, ash and explosion?

I decided to look at the tips given on the internet for surviving during an active volcano.

-Remain indoors with windows and doors shut until told it’s safe to come out.

-Stay away from areas with heavy ash fall.

-Clear ash from your home and property.

-Get medical care if necessary. (Source: wikihow.com)

Here is what I have gleaned from this advice as it pertains to people’s eruptions.

-When people are yelling and erupting, it is best to stay in a removed location. Remove myself from the scene of the eruption until it is over.

-Afterwards, stay away from the triggering topics to avoid getting burned until all is dormant.

-When things are very calm, deal with the issues calmly and try to remove the triggering frustrations or situations. Clear the ash from myself. Keep calm and carry on.

-If I need help in dealing with these eruptions, talk to someone. Get the help I need to survive and thrive.

And most importantly, keep my eyes fixed on the beauty of the volcanic mountain. All people are beautiful and made in the image of God. Those same people who are cutting you off in traffic, snarling at you in the checkout line, hanging up on the customer service phone are people who are in need of love, of acceptance, of salvation. They are hurting people who need God.

People living on a volcanic island usually love it. The beauty of the towering and rugged mountain is inspiring and amazing. It is their home. They have learned to negotiate the hazards safely.

Lord, give me the grace and sight to see everyone as You see them. We are all struggling these days with amazing amounts of stress. Give us Your strength.

Love, Lisa