Adirondack chair on dock at cabin

Inspire

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Adirondack chair on dock at cabin

Today’s post is on the prompt, “inspire“. I’m joining some fine folks at Five Minute Friday to write for five minutes, adding my (mostly) unedited thoughts to the variety of writing of many other bloggers today. Join me as we pause, write and/or read today.

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When I browse for the meaning of “inspire”, I find it rather inspirational.

According to the dictionary, one of the meanings of “inspire” is:

“fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative”

It comes from a Latin word, meaning “breath or blow into” or “to infuse (with something, such as life) by breathing“, and was originally used of a divine or supernatural being.

 

I know that for me, many things inspire me.

Nature, for sure, is one of my main sources of inspiration, and worship music, to be sure.

When I take the opportunity to simply soak in the beauty around me, I find my soul replenished.

On a recent vacation, just being out in nature, especially on the water, was incredibly peaceful and inspiring. It made me catch my breath on many an occasion. It’s inspiring to stop & observe God’s handiwork.

Oxtongue Lake boat neighbour dock & boat in mist

 

Oxtonge Lake bridge and sunset.

 

sunny day canoeing on the lake

 

river at Big Bend Lookout

 

When I see the result of someone’s creativity, or especially when I apply my own imagination and talent to a work of art or a craft of some sort, I feel inspired.

In a church service, when we are singing praises to God or listening to good teaching that encourages our spirits and enlightens our minds, I also find inspiration.

When I’m sitting in the quiet, whether at my computer desk with a cup of warm coffee nearby, at a lakeside or on a mountain trail, or enjoying the crackle and warmth of a fire, I feel a peace that inspires.

It’s amazing to see a person acting in their God-given talents and abilities, whether it be preaching or singing in church, creating art, or simply building, teaching, planning, helping, cooking, serving, encouraging or loving others.

I love to be inspired, and pray that my life will bring at least some small inspiration to others.

When we tap into the deepest places within us and share it with others, it can be life-giving both to us and to those around us.

If we take the time to stop, look and listen to the world around us, whether it be in a wilderness or nature setting, or in the middle of a crowd of unique individuals, we will find inspiration.

Let’s be intentional about setting aside the time and space we need to be inspired.

Let’s be open to sharing our lives and our hearts with those around us.

Life is so much more full when we inspire and are ourselves inspired.

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What do you find inspiring? Do you find yourself inspiring others, either intentionally or without knowing it? How can we purpose ourselves to both give and receive inspiration?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

public pay telephone

Calling Collect

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Today’s short, unedited post is written for the link-up at Five Minute Friday, and the prompt of the day is collect.

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public pay telephone

 

Do you remember using these? And how about calling someone collect?

I’m probably dating myself, as now I guess with the use of cell-phones, payphones probably aren’t used nearly as much as when I was young, and collect calls have drastically declined. Some of you “youngins” may not even know what I’m talking about, much less have used this calling method yourself.

 

According to Wikipedia:

“A collect call in Canada, Pakistan, and the United States, also known as a reverse charge call in other parts of the English-speaking world, is a telephone call in which the calling party wants to place a call at the called party’s expense. In the past, collect calls were only possible as an operator-assisted call, but with the introduction of computer-based telephone dialing equipment, it is now possible to place a collect call without using an operator, which is called automated operator services (AOS) as opposed to Home Country Direct (HCD). Several companies offer services to place collect calls that compete with local service providers. Collect calls can be made from almost any public pay telephone in the world by following directions posted on or near the phone. Collect calling has been in constant decline since the advent of cellular phones and VOIP products, which can offer cheaper international rates.”

 

So to call collect meant that we had to ask the person receiving our call if they would foot the bill. They had a choice as to whether or not to accept the charges.

My most common experience with collect calls is when a young person was short on cash (or possibly in trouble), and needed to reach their parents. It’s a humbling experience, but probably saved a lot of young lives (or at least saved them some money) when Mom or Dad would pay for their call (and often supply help).

Well, there is one collect call that can be made and will always be accepted.

Anyone can call upon God in prayer and he has already paid the price through Christ.

We can boldly come before a perfect heavenly father, because our sins and shortcomings have been covered and paid for in full by Jesus’ death on the cross.

There’s no need to even ask if he will accept the charges…….the debt has already been paid.

So go ahead and make the call.

Take a step and try talking to God.

He’s already accepted your charges.

So what are you waiting for?

*****

 

 

 

tubing at Darien Lake with family

The Serious Value of Play

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Today’s short post is written for the link-up at Five Minute Friday, and the prompt of the day is “play“.

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tubing at Darien Lake with family

Lazy River ride at Darien Lakes amusement park. (Yes, that’s me on the right.) 🙂

 

Children love to play.

So why is it that as adults, we find it so difficult to stop, let loose, and relax or have some fun?

I know we’re busy, especially if you have a spouse and/or a family. Our culture seems to thrive (or thinks it does) on being busy.

Perhaps you’ve learned along with me that we have to make time for the things that are really important to us. It will not just happen.

And I’ll bet that most of us as adults don’t appreciate the serious value of play.

Playing or enjoying leisure time and activities does much to relieve stress, helps our bodies (and minds, and emotions, etc.) to heal, allows us time to create and imagine, and rejuvenates us. It helps us to simply enjoy life.

Play and rest from work give us needed strength and renewed motivation to tackle our responsibilities, pressures, difficulties and joys with new vigor, both physically and mentally.

My personality tends to easily get caught up in getting things done, but when I don’t take time to stop and rest and enjoy my life, an important inner need is not met.

We just returned from a wonderful family vacation.

The weather was far from perfect, but we played indoors while it rained, enjoyed simply being together, and made a point of taking advantage of every sunny moment. We even went out to play under the clouds almost every time the rain stopped.

I was talking to my husband on the way home about how we need to work on taking time each day (even if it can only be a little), and more often each week or month to do fun things both individually and as a family.

My online Pilates group has a monthly health mission, and for July our assignment is to find time to play.

I know I need to purposefully create precious pockets of time (both big and little) to do things that refresh me and bring life to my body, mind and soul.

So forgive me if I sound like a kindergarten child, but I need to ask you a question.

Do you want to come out and play?

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