Thursday, January 6, 2011

Half a Century Reflections

On this birthday, I reflect. Isn't that what birthdays are for these days? When I was younger, it was all about cake and presents, and hoping everyone would remember. Now I have lived long enough to have that wonderful thing called perspective. With perspective, comes gratitude. So here's a list of some of the many things I've come to be grateful for. And, oh, I still hope for cake, presents, and wishes from friends!

* It's really not all about me.

* Scented candles do enhance moods from sour to sweet.

* Saying "I'm sorry" are two of the most freeing words in my vocabulary.

* Taking time to watch a sunset is not a waste of time.

* I've learned to stop trying to get people to like me. They either will or they won't, and that's not up to me to determine.

* The longer I live, the more I realize we live in a broken world.

* The longer I live, the more I'm thankful for a God who shows His mercy and grace to broken people.

* Fifty actually is NOT old!

* Sending kisses up to Heaven does wonders for a bereaved mom's heart

* True friends are treasures and come in all shapes and sizes.

* As long as their is breath, there is hope for our children. They might seem on wayward paths, but hope remains.

* Being forgiven is wonderful!

* The capacity to love is life-giving.

* The more I know, the more I realize that I don't know much at all. (And that's okay because I never knew it all----even when I was younger and thought I did.)

* The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.

* Make love your aim.

* Writing out my feelings does provide peace.

* The more I discover about God, the more mystery I see. I have stopped putting God in a box or in my pocket. I do not understand His ways; my faith remains.

* The sun might come out tomorrow, or it might wait a few days, but it will come out.

* The smallest of gestures, done with self-less-ness, can bring the most meaning.

* Patience is one of the highests forms of art.

* Knowing when to end a list is also an art. :-)

1 comment:

HomeSchoolMomInNC said...

I love your reflections, Alice!!

Here are some thoughts from own 1/2+ Century journey:

No one's happiness should depend on my ability to be perfect. Only God can be perfect, so our happiness should rest only in His perfection and love.

We do NOT make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. We ask Him what our plans should be, and then ask for His help in carrying them out.

I have worked hard to earn the "platinum highlights" in my hair and I'm going to keep them.

iPods are for parents whose kids don't like their music. I just plug in those earbuds and listen to that 70's and 80's music.