Recreation

Comfort From A Furry Friend

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Lindsey Keal

Lindsey Keal

Today our black cat reminded me how comforting the presence of an animal is.  I had asthma as a child and spent many hours in bed with a vaporizer.  My cat Mitten (who I was not allergic to) would cuddle up with me and purr.

Many nights I went to sleep to the comforting sound of singing and purring of my cat.  Batman, our black cat, reminded me this morning how comforting that sound can be.  It brought back warm memories of long ago when the sound calmed me, comforted and helped me breath at a slower rhythm.

Animals add so many wonderful things to our lives.  They add entertainment and companionship, acceptance and unquestioning love.  I thankful for the furry family members I’ve known over the years, they’ve added their share of smiles and tears to my memories and will never be forgotten

Cherry Coley (c).

Challenges Are Not Permanent

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cherrys iphone 182This year started out kind of rocky and wound up being one big challenge after another. Yet, I am still here and I am grateful for the things we have.

In the midst of struggle we sometimes forget to be thankful.  Things could always be worse.  Life can find ways to be challenging that you never thought of.

I am thankful for my health.  Though there have been struggles the last few months, it is just part of life and the experiences we go through.

On my birthday this year I was feeling a bit blue. I had been missing my parents and feeling alone.  Then when I was driving up a busy side street by our house I saw a big, white, fluffy puppy.  I worried that he might get ran over.  I pulled the car over and called to him, he came running up to me and I put him in my car.  We cruised around, looking for signs and put up some of our own, but no one seemed to be looking for him.

pic by Cherry

pic by Cherry

This little became my birthday present and I named him Scout.  I THOUGHT he was a white husky.  I was wrong, he is a white husky mixed with a great Pyrenees.  He is a sweet and gentle giant in the making.

It amazes me, when life can seem so bleak how one or two things can change and bring joy.

One thing is sure, life will change.  Circumstances will change.  Some things will be challenging and others will be enjoyable.  Take the time to experience life fully.  These moments are yours, the experiences are yours and they only come once.

Scout has grown and is now 8 months old.  Lord, he is a BIG boy and still growing.

cherrys iphone 315

Scout isn’t the only change in our family.

There is another significant change coming in January. She is going to be beautiful just like her mommy.  I look forward to being a grandma!

 

Casey's baby girl

Casey’s baby girl

Cherry Coley (c)

Facing Fears

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Dark forest

Dark forest

I faced another fear today.  You see, I used to have a major fear of getting up in front of people.  When I was growing up I was forced to sing solo many times in church.  I hated that.  I have the kind of singing voice that goes well with a duet or choir, but solo’s are not my thing.

I was also in drama growing up which didn’t go that well either.  I had some mishaps on stage and most of the time I couldn’t make myself speak loud enough to be heard.  Yet, after I had my kids something changed.  Suddenly I was “mom” and mom’s can’t cower in corners from monsters under the bed, or spiders on the wall, they have to face fears and protect their children.

When my kids were still little I did a Christmas play, I only had a small speaking part, and just as I was about to get that familiar stage fright, I remembered that I had to speak to classrooms of kids regularly, referee, and protect my kids from bullies so why should I be afraid of saying a few words in front of people?

Still, today was a big step for me.  I have felt like I should tell my story to others.  After all when you’ve been through so much in life, you should share your experiences, maybe it will help someone else.  I have gained some confidence in sharing things on blogs and social media, but that’s not the same as truly putting yourself in front of other people.

Today I shared part of my life’s journey in church.  I feel like I did ramble a bit, but over all it went pretty well.  When I stepped up I felt the old familiar fear, and all week I almost talked myself out of it, but there was a part of me that refused. I need to face my fears, they are self-made obstacles that have held me back for far too long.

A funny happens when you face fears, they dissipate just like that, they are gone.  I was nervous going up to the podium, then suddenly I wasn’t afraid anymore.  One fear down, many more to go.  One big step forward to what might be a very interesting future.

Take time this year to look at the things that have held you back in your life.  Are they real fears or are they self-made obstacles?  Take a chance and find out, false fears can’t hold their ground when you stand up to them.  Realize that the only limits you have are the one’s you’re placing on yourself.  Choose to make this year count!

Cherry Coley (c)

 

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Delayed but Not Permanently

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Today I am thankful for delays.  I know that may sound weird, but there have been so many close calls in my life, times when if I had not been delayed then I could have been in harms way.  How many times have you been running late for work, only to pass an accident on the way that happened just moments before?

I am thankful for other delays as well. There have been times when I didn’t get to go somewhere on a trip only to have the weather turn bad.  There have been times when I thought I had landed the perfect job, only to find at the last minute that they chose someone else.  There have been times when I have been stuck in the same place wanting to move forward and finding that I just couldn’t seem to get a handle on things until later on when suddenly it seemed everything just fell into place.

I don’t have any answers for why we are delayed at times.  It can be frustrating and disappointing, but I believe everything happens for a reason.  When we are delayed then there is a reason that we may or may not ever be made aware of.  Now days I have learned to pay more attention if one thing after another goes wrong I have learned to question, if there are odd events and delays along the way I will sometimes opt out of going to the event.  If there are that many red flags then there must be a reason.

Sometimes I thank God for the delays, because the delays caused me to miss the storm.  Life is a learning experience, be thankful for all the lessons and insight it has to offer.

Cherry Coley (c)

 

Yip! There it is!

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Today I am thankful for dogs.  God really knew what He was doing when He created dogs.  I am wondering if Adam decided that “dog” was man’s best friend.  Can’t you see Adam and Eve getting in an argument?  Adam goes off to be alone, here comes dog to sit beside him, look at him with imploring eyes and cock his head to the side as Adam grumbles. 

I love dogs.  They are happy to see you whether you’ve been gone 5 minutes or 5 days, they act the same either way.  Dogs – when well taken care of – are predictable and steady lovers of everything you do.  Dogs readily show their enthusiasm by wagging their tails, smiling, barking and jumping up and down.  Honestly, I know our dogs get way more excited about going for a walk than I do, but their enthusiasm is contagious.

Dogs come equipped with sympathy and empathy vibes as well.  If you don’t feel well the dog will come and lie down beside you, if they can manage it they will prop their head on you for comfort and (hopefully) gain a pat on the head.

Dogs are bandits, comedians, clowns, racers, chasers, barkers, protectors, sniffers, fetchers, and sneaker eaters, but more than all of those, dogs are loyal companions and welcome friends. 

Take a moment today to enjoy the antics of a dog; it will brighten your day and the dogs too!

 Cherry Coley ©

Time to Go!

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Today I am thankful for transportation.  Sometimes traffic can be a pain, you have to watch out for other drivers on the road and road hazards as well.  Yet what a privilege to be able to get a license to drive and to have the opportunity to buy a vehicle of your own choosing.

Think about what it must have been like prior to cars.  There were buggies, carriages, chariots, wagons, trains, and horses.  Other than that, you just walked if you wanted or needed to go someplace.  Back then if a family member moved away there was a pretty good chance you might never see them again.

Despite all the complaining about the roads, construction, traffic issues, and the price of gas, I think we overlook the fact that we have it so much easier than our ancestors even on our worst days.

We can get in our cars with friends or family and travel places in a short amount of time that might have taken weeks, months or even years to get to before. We can travel in comfort with windows that help block sounds, smells, dust, wind, debris, and even the sun.  We can turn on air conditioning or heat at will.

I am thankful I am here in this time and place in history and be able to travel in safety with my children and loved one’s beside me.  I am thankful for all the forms of transportation we have available to us.  I am thankful that if a family member decides to move away or travel, it doesn’t have to be the last time I see them.

Cherry Coley (c)

Thankful for Family

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Today I am thankful for my children.  Though they sometimes make my head spin and cause messes, they are also the two people who keep me going at times when I’d really rather stop. 

 I can’t say that we are perfect in the way we approach things, we definitely fall out of what is considered the “norm.”  Still home is a place where we can all find comfort, joy, and peace. 

 I am thankful for our family, though we are few; we still stick together and help each other.  I also appreciate my extended family.  Those people who are my friends and as close as family, I would not be able to function without them. 

There’s no such thing as loving someone too much.  Take a moment today to let the people in your life know how much they mean to you.  Don’t let the opportunity to say I love you pass you by. 

Cherry Coley ©

Be Thankful – Start With Today!

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Today is the beginning of November. 

The past few months have been a roller coaster of emotion, grief, odd events and illnesses, and a few bouts of chaos.  Enough already!

I like to take the month of November to remember things to be thankful for.   It is the month to celebrate Thanksgiving and I can’t think of a better way to gear up for the holiday.  To make a point of being thankful each day for the things we sometimes take for granted, and the people in our lives is the best way I know to give the actual feasting day a more fulfilling and joyful meaning. 

On this first day of November, I am thankful for our home.  Though I am thankful for the house itself and having a roof over our heads, I am more thankful for the things that make it a home.  The warm colors chosen to enhance and add warmth, the cozy furniture that we all enjoy, and a few rooms where we can all gather to watch a movie, spend time talking, or eating make our house a place of comfort and safety. 

 Take a moment today to look around and notice the things where you live that make it your home, add comfort, usefulness or beauty.  Sometimes it is the small items that bring back the best memories and add a sense of well-being. 

 Cherry Coley ©

Trying To Get Inspired Here!!

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Have you ever had a day or week when it seemed all you did was run from doing one thing to the next?  There just didn’t seem to be any downtime, much less time to get inspired and actually write anything.  When we get really stressed our creativity suffers, after a few days of that we start to feel strained, stressed, or down.

So what do you do to get inspired?  For me inspiration can come in many forms, a good book, a blog post, a commercial or television show, nice weather, stormy weather, a song, there are unlimited ways to get inspired if you stop and notice.  My problem is when I get busy I rush past things and don’t see what is right in front of me.

It’s a good reminder to not get so busy that you miss things.  I think we are all guilty of that at some point.  Life offers fresh ideas, new dreams, refreshing thoughts and moments, as well as little miracles each day and it all gets lost when we make a habit of just rushing through.

 Yesterday I watched a squirrel playing with our dog.  The squirrel was staying in the tree just above the dog as he ran in circles barking and leaping up into the air happily pointing out that there was a furry little intruder in his tree. 

Meanwhile, the squirrel sat watching the dog wear himself out while munching happily on a pecan which he finished then chunked at the dog.  The dog began sniffing all over the ground searching frantically for the nut.

In the mean time, the squirrel ran up the tree, leaped the branches, landed in another tree, went down that tree and up over the next door neighbors fence. 

The dog couldn’t figure out where the squirrel went, and while he had been busy running around and chasing the bait, the actual prize went out of sight. 

Don’t lose sight of the goals and dreams you have in the busyness of everyday life. 

Cherry Coley ©