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All content on this blog is copyright protected.~ask permission to use my content (including re-blogging)Margaret Barry Settlement House
I am a perennial optimist
I Am Becoming the Me I Was Born To Be
As I journey through this part of my life I have discovered my next mountain. The key is to be the me I want to be in the world, as my gift back to God.-
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Tag Archives: Faith
How are you today?
Today i am feeling reflective. I have been thinking about the ups and downs of life. With all that is going on in the country and the world, my perennial optimism has been squeezed and squished, ALMOST eliminated. The emphasis … Continue reading
Cast your cares
Sometimes we can become consumed by worries and anxieties, or at least I can. Of course, worrying and fretting never improves a situation. What is called for is a clear head. That is easier said than done when we are … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope
Tagged challenging times, Faith, Friendship, God, God sustains us, God's blessings, Mt. Everest, Psalm 55
10 Comments
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst
There is a song we sing at church sometimes called “Be Not Afraid“. It begins with “you shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst”. I find that reassuring. It is especially reassuring to me during … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope
Tagged be not afraid, believe anyway, difficulties, Faith, God, hope, Jesus, volunteer
6 Comments
Good things take time
I have been reading Coach Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success“. I am always on the lookout for insight, succinct sayings that can serve to propel me, or my students, or my loved ones forward on the path of life. Over the … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues
Tagged Faith, Good Shepherd, John Wooden, perseverence
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What will you plant in your soul
“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul”. ~ Thomas Merton Our days are filled with a series of moments and hours. Sometimes they fly by, sometimes they move slowly, and sometimes … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, God, optimism
Tagged Faith, Friendship, God, inspiration, Joy, Optimism, prayer
2 Comments
“If you don’t climb the mountain, you can’t see the view.”
I lift my eyes to the mountains from whence cometh my help Harvey Mackay wrote “If you don’t climb the mountain, you can’t see the view.” Phoenix is completely surrounded by mountains. So as I drive about on any given … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, Nature, optimism
Tagged facing challenges, Faith, hope, Life, nature, Optimism
12 Comments
When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high
We all go through storms and glorious moments in our lives. Sometimes those moments are all in the same day. Sometimes we are going through so many different things in our lives ~ perhaps because of the stage of life … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, stress
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, Life, Optimism, stress, when you walk through a storm
2 Comments
Gratitude
What fills you with gratitude today? Is it little tiny things? Is it a BIG answer to a prayer? Is it just having the stamina to have made it to the middle of the week? Do you ever have weeks … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope
Tagged Faith, hope, perseverance, rainbows, struggles
5 Comments
TGIM ~ Thank God It’s Monday
So here we are, my dears. It is Monday~ and we have the rest of the week in front of us. Does that fill you with joy, anxiety, or dread? For me, it varies. I am restored after a weekend … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, stress
Tagged Faith, faith muscle, giving your week to God, how to handle Mondays, prayer, TGIM
2 Comments
Once there was a girl
Once there was a girl. Her name wasn’t actually Hope; but the way she lived each day and looked at one and all, her name could have been Hope. For the sake of this post, we will call her Hope. … Continue reading
Attitude is the mind’s paintbrush
Here is an article that I came across today. I hope it brightens your day. So many times I have reminded myself and others that each day is a gift, and there is a bright side to our situations. Sometimes … Continue reading
Posted in optimism, Positive Thinking
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, Life, Optimism, prayer
1 Comment
Is that all there is?
My husband is hearing Peggy Lee singing “Is that all there is?” in his head. Work is stressful for him, and the long, long hours are difficult. For me and my tutoring, the school year is already underway. The summer … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, God, Positive Thinking
Tagged Faith, God, Life, Optimism
8 Comments
Unchartered territory for me: new mindfulness
Gosh it is Saturday already! Yesterday was my birthday… it was wonderful. If you missed my birthday post and want to see it, the link is right here. https://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/my-day-is-now-yup-its-my-birthday/ Oh how the years have flown by. It is likely that I … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship, God
Tagged birthday, Faith, Friendship, God
8 Comments
My day is now: yup it’s my birthday
Today I entered a brand new decade. I turned 60. Yep. Just like that, I left my 50s. This past decade was a time of questioning the meaning of my life and the paths I walked. There were so many changes. … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship, God, Positive Thinking
Tagged birthday, Faith, family, Friendship, God, Life, memories
25 Comments
What are you dreaming of today?
I have been feeling reflective. Of course, as my regular tutoring schedule evolves into my summer tutoring schedule, I often do feel reflective. But this year I have been feeling even more reflective than usual. My birthday is in the … Continue reading
Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness!
If you have seen “Fiddler on the Roof” you may recognize the title of this blog post as a line from the movie. It was said by Tevye’s oldest daughter Tseitel’s true love Motel (pronounced “mottle”)Kamzoil the tailor. Now why am … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship, God
Tagged acceptance, Faith, friends, hope, Joy, Love
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Are you wallowing today?
The thing is, at times we draw our meaning from our role(s) in life and from our associations. What do I mean by our associations? For example, from our immediate family we have ongoing connections. From our extended family we … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship, God, Positive Thinking
Tagged Faith, Friendship, God, hurt feelings, rejection
4 Comments
Do you have time to serve the Lord?
A Short Speech about Valuing Time This is a repeat of a column I wrote in August of 2012. But this week, I needed to remind myself of the truth in it. Perhaps someone else needs the same reminder. I found … Continue reading
Posted in communication, faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues
Tagged Faith, Friendship, God, Health and exercise, Life, time
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Let it shine
Whether you feel drained or energized, you can give. What can you give? You can give your love, faith, belief in others, hope, steadfastness. Ella Baker said, “Give light and people will find the way.”. Jesus tells us not to … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, Positive Thinking, Scripture
Tagged compassion, Faith, God, Godspell, inspiration, Joy, Life, Optimism, This little light of mine
7 Comments
Courage to honor your soul
What do we draw upon when we are torn in numerous directions. We have each been there before, and will be again. You see, if our consciences and character have been properly formed, and we know God’s commands, then we … Continue reading
Feeling afraid or lost today?
Are you overwhelmed by circumstances or happenstances today? Is it hard to quiet your racing mind? Believe me, I have been there frequently. We can get so wrapped up in what has to be done that we cannot move. Remember … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, Scripture
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, poetry, Scripture, stress
12 Comments
To sleep, perchance to dream
This morning I awoke feeling refreshed and well rested. Saturday morning I was dragging because I could not sleep a wink on Friday night. I attribute my wakefulness to a big cup of iced coffee while I tutored early Friday … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, Scripture
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, prayer, relaxation, stress
14 Comments
Follow me
So many times Jesus said “follow me”…”come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”…(Matthew 4:19). “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also my servant will be. The Father will honor whoever serves … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, God, Scripture
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, Joy, Life, Optimism
3 Comments
I was different; I still am
“I was motivated to be different in part because I was different.” –Donna Brazile I have always marched to my own drummer. You see, I notice trends and movements in the culture. I always have. As a kid, whenever I … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship
Tagged Faith, friends, Friendship, God
8 Comments
Have you had a stressful week?
Is your list of things to do longer than your day on a regular basis? I have to say that in my family, that has been the case for a number of weeks. But this week, that abated. Some of … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Positive Thinking, stress
Tagged cast your burdens on God, Faith, God, stress, things to do, worries
10 Comments
The contented soul is all alone with God
Have you ever had a sleepless night or a stressful week? I know, that’s a stupid question. I think this lovely poem by good old Robert Louis Stevenson provides an apt description of “getting away from the world” and “spending … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope
Tagged Faith, God, inspiration, Life, nature, prayer
2 Comments
There are so many reasons that Peter is my favorite apostle
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 Why did he write … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Scripture
Tagged apostles, Faith, God, Jesus, St Peter
7 Comments
What is the point of our daily lives?
Here we are in January. We are past the rush and thrill of the holidays. My students are early in their second semester efforts. Those who are”on top of things” have already started working on their tasks. Magazines and newspapers … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Positive Thinking
Tagged de-clutter, Faith, Friendship, God, inspiration, Life, Optimism
8 Comments
Happy New Year! Open the book; turn the page
My very dear friend Pattie shared this photo on New Year’s Eve. She is one amazing and fabulous friend. I do not know what I would do without her. The photo inspired me to write this post. Yes, the pages … Continue reading
Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship, Positive Thinking
Tagged Faith, Friendship, Life, New year
5 Comments
And I wait for you, my Lord
Ok—things are all topsy-turvy. My students have finals (of course they do) and I am trying to stay healthy. To that end, I need to cut WAY back on caffeine, and I am doing some physical therapy and exercises. I … Continue reading
To give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul
Today many of us will be rushing about. I wanted to share a poem with you today. I hope you like it! Youth ~ by Samuel Ullman Youth is not a time of life–it is a state of mind. It … Continue reading
