Crossing the Barrier

     With the protective barrier momentarily yielding to Rael’s will, Lyra and Rael stepped into the space beyond. The air felt heavy, charged with an unfamiliar energy that sent shivers down Lyra’s spine. The flicker of unnatural light in the distance beckoned them forward.

     As they ventured deeper, the darkness seemed to wrap around them like a living entity. Whispers echoed in the shadows. Lyra crouched deeper on the hover disc, its familiar hum comforting.  Rael’s murkmount moved unphased by the void around them, its form blending seamlessly. The unnatural light ahead pulsed with an erratic rhythm.

“Rael, do you sense that?” Lyra whispered, her eyes narrowing at the shifting darkness around the light.

He nodded; his gaze fixed on the source of the glow. “It’s like the energy here is alive, responding to our presence.”

     As they approached the flickering light, they discovered an ancient structure emitting the faint glow that dimmed the closer they got to it. Symbols etched into the stone writhed with unseen energy. The air crackled with power. 

     Lyra, attuned to the whispers of the wind, sensed more than just the visual spectacle. The gentle wind carried echoes of sorrow, pain, grief, and profound loss. The air itself seemed to mourn the ancient civilization that once thrived here. Dismounting her hover disc, Lyra’s boots met the uneven ground, and she felt the cold touch of weathered stone soak through her soles.

     The scent of damp earth and aged stone lingered, mingling with the distant hum of the flickering light. Rael, too, dismounted, joining her in grounding themselves in the reality of the ancient structure. The uneven terrain spoke of a history long forgotten, and the chill in the air seemed to seep deep into their bones.

     As the symbols on the stone altar seemed to pulse with energy, a chill ran down Lyra’s spine. The sensations were not limited to what they could see—the atmosphere itself resonated with the echoes of a bygone era. The encounter with the altar became not only a visual exploration but a visceral experience, heightening the emotional depth of their discovery. She turned to Rael, her eyes reflecting the weight of the unseen emotions that surrounded them. 

“Rael, there’s more here than meets the eye. We need to tread carefully and learn from the echoes of the past if we’re to navigate the challenges ahead.”

Rael lifted his chin in agreement, his senses heightened by the palpable energy in the air. 

Lyra reached out hesitantly.

“Erhm, should you do that?” Rael grabbed her arm.

“Well, what do you think we should do?”

“I don’t know, but touching a glowing rock thing doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Okay, you’re right, but—doing it anyway.” Lyra jerked forward with Rael’s hand still gripping her arm.

     The moment her fingertips brushed the surface, a surge of visions flooded both their minds. Images cascaded through her consciousness—scenes from a time when the darkness hadn’t yet enveloped the entire area outside the barrier. She glimpsed a world bathed in sunlight, vibrant and teeming with life, a stark contrast to the desolation that surrounded them now.

     The Great War came, and the aftermath on their land was far less damaging than the devastation faced by this realm. Their land and people bore scars, enduring losses, and damages, but this land had been wholly consumed by the darkness that fueled the Great War for their people.

     As the visions shifted, a foreboding convergence of their land and this one unfolded. The fabric of the barrier trembled and fell beneath the weight of impending pressure. Lyra felt the heaviness of their world engulfed in darkness, witnessing shadows reveling in victory.

     Amidst the shifting scenes, Lyra realized that the remains surrounding her were not mere rocks but the remnants of a once-great civilization, dwarfing their own in scale. The echoes of an ancient tragedy reverberated through the shadows, and a profound sense of loss hung heavy in the air. 

Lyra withdrew her hand, the visions dissipating like mist. She turned to Rael, her eyes reflecting a mixture of awe, sadness, and apprehension.

“Rael, this altar holds the memories of a world that once thrived beyond our knowledge. We’re not the first to face this darkness, and this convergence—it’s a warning. We need to comprehend what happened here and find a way to prevent it from consuming our world.”

Rael’s gaze met Lyra’s, the gravity of their discovery settled, “I know- I saw too”.

The journey into the abyss had just taken an unexpected turn, revealing a history intertwined with the very fabric of Feydell’s existence.

Veil of Shadows

     On the eve of their journey, Lyra and Rael gathered provisions: dried herbs, enchanted crystals, and maps woven with threads of wind. The air in the Skygarden felt charged with anticipation, as if the very winds were pressing them forward with support.

     Under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, Lyra’s grandmother, an elder with eyes weathered by time and wisdom, approached them. 

“You will venture into an unknown to you, my dear. May the winds guide and protect you. Return swiftly and bring with you the truths in the shadows. I believe in you and what you say is coming.”

“Mamia, do you feel it, or have you heard the concern in the breezes?” Lyra took her grandmothers worn hands. 

“I hear less and less with each new change of season.”

“But you believe me, why?”

“Because I trust you and love you, and regardless of your dreams, you’ve always been loyal to our clan. Your mother and I won’t always be around, and you are destined to be the next council elder, representing the Skyweavers. You will make us proud.” Mamia took a deep breath, turning her granddaughter toward the door. “Now, go, child. Take Rael and find out how we need to prepare.”

     With the Skyweaver elder’s blessing, Lyra and Rael secured their bags tightly, fully aware they were about to venture beyond the familiar bounds of their homes. Lyra summoned her hover disc, effortlessly manipulating the air beneath to glide in circles around Rael.

     The wind whispered through the floating strands of Lyra’s hair, carrying the scent of blooming blossoms from the Skygarden behind her. 

“You’re taking too long, Ra—let’s go, let’s go!”

“Yeah, I can’t snap my fingers and have a hunk of flying debris beneath my feet. I am actually wrangling life here.”

     For a journey of this magnitude, Rael opted for his murkmount. As long as shadows existed to draw from, he knew he could rely on this steed.

“Okay, I’m ready. Did your Mamia or your mother tell you what we might see?”

“No. They just said not to linger. Neither seemed eager for me to go, but Mother has council duties, and Mamia can no longer travel.”

“Well, there is nothing left for us to do but go.” Rael clicked his tongue, and with a reassuring nod exchanged between them, they departed from the protective glow of Lyra’s Skygarden.

     As they navigated the unfamiliar terrain near the barrier, Rael’s keen senses detected subtle movements in the shadows. The air was thick with stillness, and the dim light revealed shadows that danced with a foreboding rhythm. The echoes of the Great War lingered in his memories, and the weight of his family’s sacrifice pressed upon him. Sensing his unease, Lyra reached out and squeezed his hand, a silent promise that they would face whatever lay ahead together.

They reached the edge of the protection barrier, where the fabric of reality seemed to ripple. Before them stretched a protective wall shrouded in darkness—a veil of shadows. Rael prodded the darkness, recoiling at the bitter sensation he received in return.

“Yeh, that’s a really strong ward. It will take me a moment to work out a place for us to pass through.”

“Thankfully, your clan is the one responsible for holding it up, so that’s in our favor.”

After a time, he parted the shadowed barrier, as if pulling back a great weight with both arms, creating a gap large enough for both of them to move through together. In the distance, a flicker of unnatural light disturbed the otherwise impenetrable darkness.

“Do you see that?” Rael asked.

“I do, but I thought maybe my eyes, yearning for something to focus on, were playing tricks on me. What do you think it is?” Lyra inquired.

Through gritted teeth Rael tied down the opening, “this will only hold long enough for us to pass beyond, and then it will release, preventing anything from passing through while we are outside.”

Lyra and Rael exchanged determined glances; their resolve unyielding. 

Feydell

     Feydell is a country of floating islands, each adorned with vibrant landscapes that cater to the unique civilizations dwelling upon them. The islands themselves, sentient entities, pulse with life. Their surfaces are covered in lush vegetation that rustles in the soft breezes, and the air carries the subtle hum of magic, promising comfort, and care to those who call Feydell home.

     One day, as Lyra Windcaller stood on the edge of her Skygarden, she felt an unusual disturbance in the winds. She possessed the ancestral gift of her clan—to command the winds, a skill passed down through generations of women. The winds rustled, an unsettling presence—an intrusion beyond the natural order. Her desire was to leave the boundaries of her home island. Lyra yearned to travel, her dreams soaring beyond the edges of her sanctuary, echoing with the secrets of realms yet unexplored. Something is not right on the wind- this may be my moment. 

Lyra felt a duty to warn her people that something was amiss, but she didn’t have any answers to the questions she knew would be asked. She approached the Elder Council bench. In hushed tones, she spoke of the whispers on the wind, the haunting melodies that hinted at impending darkness. However, the elders dismissed her words, seeing only a girl who needed to return to the study of wind speech. They were aware of her dreams to travel— 

They’re using my dreams against me, and terrible things are going to happen because they won’t listen.

“This isn’t me wanting to leave! I know something is wrong.”

“Child if that is so, consult your mother and grandmother- if they agree return to us and we will hear your concerns.” High Councilman Hyldra shood her toward to door of the council chambers with a swatting hand. “We have other things to tend to now thank you-”

Undeterred, Lyra turned to her best friend, Rael the Shadebinder. Rael, a skilled Shadowalker, trusted her and Lyra’s concerns. Haunted by a prophecy and the scars of a past war that claimed his family, Rael understood the weight of impending danger.

“What do you want to do?” Rael sat tossing small stones at a creeping pebblecrop vine as it snaked around the base of a celassia tree. 

“I don’t know, but I can’t ignore this. Do you have any ideas?” 

Together, they decided to venture beyond the protection barrier that surrounded the islands. Armed with enchanted provisions and a shared determination, Lyra and Rael stood ready to explore the edge of the barrier, seeking the truth the Elder Council refused to believe was on its way.

The whispers in the wind foretold an impending catastrophe, and Lyra and Rael were determined to uncover the mysteries that loomed on the horizon.

Adventure Awaits

Welcome, fellow readers!

A new journey is ahead, one like no other I have shared here before- I invite you to explore the realms of Feydell, a land of floating islands and ancient magic. In the spirit of shared storytelling, I’ve decided on a new project—a serialized novella unfolding within the pages of this blog. I imagine there are other bloggers out there in the internet-verse that have done such a thing but not here. I am happy to have your feedback and I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I am enjoying writing.

Blurb:

Welcome to Feydell, where floating islands pulse with life and magic responds to the needs of its inhabitants, a young Skyweaver named Lyra Windcaller discovers an unsettling truth. As she grapples with an impending darkness, Lyra faces a reluctant Elder Council and a world teetering on the edge of catastrophe.

Join me on this episodic adventure as I weave together the threads of fantasy, magic, and mystery. Each blog post will unveil a fragment of the story, inviting you to immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of Feydell and the characters who navigate its mysteries.

Get ready for a captivating journey—one post at a time.

Scuppernongs

In the quiet corners of a small, cozy kitchen, nestled among the foothills in central Arkansas, we stirred and poured, beads of sweat forming on our brows. The air hung heavy with the sweet aroma of ripe scuppernongs and muscadine grapes, and the soft hum of cicadas and bullfrogs serenaded my cousins and me as my country granny guided us through making jelly to sustain us for the year ahead. The fragrance enveloped us like a comforting embrace, a reminder of the abundance of the season and all the sweet jelly and buttered cat head biscuits coming our way at breakfast. 

• 3 pounds Scuppernong or muscadine grapes about 6 cups grapes to yield 2 cups juice
• 1 cup water, plus 2 tablespoons
• 4 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 3 ounce pouch premium liquid fruit pectin Sure-Jell

We spent the morning harvesting the luscious scuppernongs and muscadines from the tangled vines that wound their way around granny’s garden. Laughter and stories shared under the sweltering sun were as abundant as the fruit we picked. 

In the midst of bubbling pots and steaming windows, 

Canning jelly was not just preserving fruit.

Granny’s hands, worn and wise, guides us through the process with an ease that came from years of practice. 

Wisdom being imparted yet we were none the wiser. It has only been 20 years since those days that I realize the depths of all we canned inside our hearts when we canned the jelly in all those jars. 

Grief Journey

Normalizing a Grief Journey

I believe grief is the ultimate reflection of how hard we loved someone else and how fully they loved us in return. Can we grieve someone or something that never loved us? Yes of course.

My own grief journey has been long and is not yet over. I’m not sure it will ever be fully complete. It seems, as I look back over the last 11 years, as I neared some state of balance with my grief and new normal life harmony a new impacting loss would occur. Honestly, it’s been exhausting. I say that because being real about how I feel has become my new approach due to grief. Too often we are seeing painted lives and painted masks for faces rather than the reality of how beautifully messy life actually is… not polished and tidy.

I don’t know how to tell about my grief journey because it becomes disjointed and experiential.

There are many moments processing grief are mine for me to hold close but the rest, it’s common and quieted.

I’ll start in the middle of grief I suppose.

Grief is normal and doesn’t have a timeline.

Whatever grief looks like it’s okay.

Normal is an important word for grief

Grief isn’t a state of being it coexists as we live.

I couldn’t wrap my head around death. My loved one was here. With me. Warm. Moments later I was alone with a shell. Cold. Numb.

My brain seemed to stop working, no longer processing anything around me, just static.

I wanted to scream, cry, blame someone, everyone. But I sat silently with hot tears washing my face and I didn’t bother to wipe them. This moment begin the hardest moments of my life. The black maw that would suck anything through I allowed. I was willing for all to go in that moment including myself.

What I want to share, what I hope my story can convey is there is life after death. Grief looks different for everyone and whatever that is, is okay. Whatever your loss, it’s personal to you.

I have found it difficult to process how others expect me to be over my loss in action but acknowledge it in word when it’s convenient. They may not understand how I am still grieving but I do not understand how they appear to have accelerated their process of grieving. I don’t know that I want to accelerate my process even if I could. The depth of my grief is a direct reflection of the depth of love we shared.

We have all heard of the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is not linear and I would challenge you to consider it not even cyclical but as random and even multiple experiences of these states at a time. I can feel angry and bargain at the same time. I can feel a depth of denial and depressed at the same time. It’s a messy confusing rollercoaster.

People feel awkward around me but I need people. I am okay with awkwardness at this point in life. We need people. Find comfort where you can and choose healthy ways or it complicates grief further. I am currently dealing with plans lost and cancelations. Things we planned to experience together, memories to be made that never will be, and birthdays, holidays, celebrations. It’s hard. There are tears, and still a bit of avoidance. Let’s be real. It’s hard!

Adapting: A Two Way Street

We direct ourselves and other Christians to adapt to God’s ways.  We address the need for His will and His direction for our lives and how we are to love Him. This being by faith not works but not forgetting that faith without works is dead.  But. Let me challenge your thinking a bit that Christ coming to us, our celebrations of Christmas in Him and Easter in Him is… the Lord actually adapting to us!  His adapting allowed for connection or maybe I should say reconnection with Him. We were made to be in right standing with the Father through Christ’s adaption to humankind. He became human. He needed His diaper changed, He needed hand feed, and He required someone to bathe Him… Our Creator came yes as a babe but as a babe, He required all the things a sweet little snotting baby needs… 

Relationships require mutual adaptation and as in all things He set the example and our relationship with the Father is in no less need for adapting on both sides, His and ours. 

If we focus on our adapting to others it allows us the opportunity to feel superior. It is more uncomfortable to acknowledge others adapting to us… let me clear things up if there is a question here, others adapt to us as much as we adapt to others. That doesn’t feel as nice. 

“Deal with” or “tolerate” are also words to take the place of adapt for others towards us and those ideas are even less warm and fuzzy. Others around me, those who stick around and adapt tolerate or deal with my irritating qualities and I know full and well I have some of those… such as the frustrating way I need to be on time so let’s not put a time frame on things you might want to have less pressure in experiencing or my aversion to the word moist, stepping on cracks, mouth noises, repetitive sounds, loud startling things, or tin foil. I could go in but I think you have the point. I should probably add my grumpiness when I don’t feel well, my attitude toward unwanted change, and the way my hair sheds constantly everywhere I go… it’s just so much, all the hair all the places…  those who love me or are forced for whatever reason to be around me adjust to my quirks, my weaknesses, but also my strengths. 

We don’t have to be like one another to be connected and able to develop healthy loving effective relationships. We can celebrate our differences and have compassion for other’s struggles and for our own struggles.  Often, we have compassion for other’s struggles and intolerance for our own.  Something may be easy for us and a struggle for someone else and we must be careful to not project our expectations for ourselves on to someone else or be careful to not measure someone else’s abilities or situations against the measuring rod we hold up to ourselves. 

What does adapting today look like? I’m so glad you asked…

Perhaps you are currently putting up with a relative you don’t like that is visiting or a coworker you must work with closely but you don’t see eye to eye. Congratulations! This might not feel very noble or notable at all but adapting is God-like or in the nature of the Father so much so that He has laid down examples that can be read nearly anywhere in the gospels. 

We are capable of both accommodating other’s needs because they have value and its kind and good to do so and adapt to those we care about, must work with, or are around for lengthy amounts of time. Plus, adapting is kind and generous and our world could use a little more kindness…

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.”

– Thomas Edison.

• Some things we can practically do is listen more than we speak…
• Don’t micromanage in a way to conveys others skills and talents are not valuable or appreciated… be aware of how we communicate to others.
• Make an effort to “give lilies to the living” and by that I mean let people know what they mean to you and tell them the kind things you think and don’t say because well …feelings are gross… feelings arent gross, they may be uncomfortable but they are beautiful, gifts, natural, healthy, and meant for our good… even anger… even fear…
• Find out what people’s needs are and see what you are capable of doing to help meet those needs. Too often we only help when there’s a return on our investment. This is not how we hope to be treated.
• Be sincere.
• When we do… the who, the what, the how, and the why all matter.

In a perfect world, we would go about our business and all would connect and interlace smoothly. There would be no hiccups, sneezes, speed bumps, or garbage trucks. We don’t live in a perfect world… its more of a dirty, dumpster fire of brokenness.  If you want to connect to by others then find ways to connect to others first and give as an investment in a world where so many take… Something special will be waiting for you.

 

MAGICAL DO-OVERS

When life is less accommodating, every moment leaves an imprint on our brain.

This lack of modification shapes how we, as humans, perceive both things and people in the future of our experience journeying through life. This occurrence is known as implicit memory, and it is persistently prompting us to be careful.

Caution… Who can even be trusted, always safety first, and of what are we capable?

Remember when, as children, we were allowed to have do-overs? Somewhere in your childhood, you are surely able to recall a moment some adult gave you a do-over. A teacher? A parent? A coach?  Those were magical moments. A do-over made the entire experience as if the original kerfuffle had never even occurred, right? Getting the chance to bat again after clearly striking out, just one more chance to shine. Getting to retake a test when we did not pass it the first time because “you know this stuff, show me what you know.”

When we didn’t like the way, things turned out we could have a do-over, but unfortunately, life is less accommodating than our childhood do-over opportunities.  I cannot lie and say there are not benefits to cautious living, oh yes you bet there are! Caution helps us to avoid things that make us unhappy or sick or put us in harm’s way. BUT there is, absolutely, one danger that our implicit memory cannot speak to and lend aid and that’s the danger of our biases! Our biases preclude us from seeing things the way they are, the truth of things. We are, essentially, blinded by our biases. How does this affect our experiences? What do our biases cause us to miss out on or relationships that never happen due to our predispositions?

Little Blue Bird

An excerpt from  POPPY:  

TALES FROM THE HEART

If you have yet to purchase your copy order it here!

 

Tiny little blue bird

how sweet you sing to me

delicate and beautiful

as you spread your wings

I watch you through my windowsill

and wonder of all you see

You rest awhile on a branch

In my magnolia tree

then off you go with no goodbye

to continue your day’s journey

I will see you again one day

But for now, you’re off exploring

 

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Zebra Strong- Chronically living

Having a chronic illness is a challenge in more areas than just a bad body day or remembering to take loads of daily meds.

There are days my body rebels against my will and on those days I may lay on my bed or in the living room on the sofa and groan with disappointment and pain. I may cry through words or tears, as I find my heart sinking from the weakness in my body. I have noticed when I reach the point of groaning its mostly due to the disappointment and sadness of spending another day horizontal. Another day of a schedule canceled or at the least severely disrupted yet again. There may also be a groan of fear for what is ahead for me in the temporal and a grumbling for dreams deferred. Lamenting a healthy body I once had… Sometimes I really just run out of words or am tired of thinking the same things and find there is nothing left but a groan.

I recently found there is an alternative groan, a better way. Paul shares in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 that the groaning I experience can be viewed from a different perspective that is of an encouraging nature rather than contributing to the potential for a negative mindset that will only drag me deep into the depths of despair. This groaning is the cry of expectation that overflows from a heart looking ahead to the eternal. My being, what makes me who I am knows that something is amiss. I was not made for this chronic illness. We, me AND you, may groan and become tearful over various types of pain but there is a deeper place of understanding in our spirit regarding the pain our temporal bodies feel.

Whether I am conscious of it, and now I will be more so than I have ever been… deep within my soul I am longing for home, for Heaven. In heaven, there will be no sickness or pain. There I, we, will have a trouble-free, pain-free, existence surrounded by eternal, unconditional love and light. My new body will work perfectly and my heart will be constantly overflowing with love and joy and my mind, well it will be free and clear of clutter and chaos.

I have decided, after reading Pauls words and chewing on them for a bit, that this challenge my body has here in this life does not have to be a period, it can be a comma. The comma can signify a breath taken in a sentence of a chapter of our life story that points toward the significance of pacing self as our story unfolds. My groan can now reflect a seeking of peace, restoration, wholeness, and redemption which fosters hope. I have despaired of hope and it’s a pain that burns just as deep as the fire of hope when I am able to turn the despair on its head! When I cannot His strength is sufficient for me to hold on until hopefulness returns! This is real life and I am just human and the Father knows this and I believe He is patient with me as I work all this out through Him and apply His word to my heart and life each day.

I now desire my groans and tears to point me toward Christ and eternal life rather than to despair. My suffering is but a moment incompatible to eternity. That isn’t to say I enjoy it or I just shrug it off because it is very real in moments of pain but I can now recently myself intentionally and seek refuge in that the Father has provided through His word. My tears depict there should be more. There is a heavenly body to look forward to, this mortal body is a brief shell. Someday soon I will have a new body forever and be home with Jesus and all of Heaven.

This brings me to HOPE! Enduring and persevering is found rooted in hope and we hope when we have a solid belief or even the smallest hope of something on the otherwise of the need to endure and preserve. We press forwards because something in us says “It’s worth it, press on!”. We can have a hope in Christ and our Heavenly reward that is secure. We as humans love security, seek security, and become distressed when we do not have security.

2 C’s

Spoiler alert, Jesus juke ahead: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (John chapter 7, verse 21) In my own conviction, I am reading this as the two great C’s The great commandment and the great commission.

Fulfilling Jesus’ “Great Commandment” loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Fulfilling Jesus’ “Great Commission” (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”) sharing the gospel with unbelievers, in the hopes that they’ll actually hear the message of Jesus, believe in Him, and become Christians.

What does this mean practically? 

I don’t know exactly, but I have a few ideas. I have a few ideas of how I interpret this direction in my own life.  If my neighbor is without and I would provide for myself, I am to provide for my neighbor in a selfless way, not in a self-sacrificing way.  These are entirely my opinions and only worth well, I don’t know the answer to that either.

I want to take a moment to discuss what the Word has directed love to be to create a fuller picture of “loving” our neighbors as we love self.  The well-known love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. According to the writer, love is the following things:

^“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails.

…¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

I have seen this displayed in word and offers of prayer, but I don’t believe that is what Jesus expects of us as His children. This is the action verb form of love, and I venture to believe all the love references the Bible holds for us is action not lip service. There are young people and older people alike leaving the church faster than fellow church members can ask them why…  What is our role when loving our neighbor.

I believe here is where we behave as Christ did. He did… He acted, He moved, and He loved through doing, acting, and moving. He could have spoken healing for the blind man who saw men as trees part way through his healing, but He did not… He chose to reach deeper into the man’s life through space invading and providing something more than healing but also connection. (Mark 8:23-25)

 ^“23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

²⁴ And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

²⁵ After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

Were Jesus’ actions necessary for the blind man’s healing? No. But, can we learn something from

Jesus’ choice to lead, touch, and heal a man in need? More than yes! 
I believe Jesus took this moment and demonstrated the great commandment to love your neighbor.  He wants to connect with us in more than words, and as we are made in His image and charged to be a reflection of Christ, we are expected to connect to our neighbors. The man was not untouchable despite his obvious imperfections. Jesus made certain to demonstrate how we are to encounter others in need.

I am guilty of hurting others, and I have been stung in church both enough for my taste, but I am sure I will be hurt in the church again. I still go, I still gather with fellow believers… it’s not about “them,” it’s about me. I attend because I read “do not forsake the assembling of yourselves” and this is for a good reason. We need one another. “Church people” are wholly people with an advantage of the revelation of Christ and His unconditional love
and response to us as His children and followers. This means despite our mere humanity, we are charged with rising above the standards of societal expectations and community relations and do all Christ empowers us to do well, love well. …love with excellence and serve well- service with excellence.

I am not looking for a perfect church because my sin nature and continual failings will corrupt such a fantastical place. I am looking for other believers to behave as children of a Father who presented love as the only way of life. I never want it said of me I was in fear of touching another life due to the complications of distress and challenge neither do I want to be considered an untouchable.

The Green Dragon

When visiting the shire pop in for something cold!

I enjoyed my trip to NZ. check out Instagram for further images of the journey.

Popper, on truth and safety…

It is not just the opinion that is important but also learning how someone reached their conclusion. Karl Popper (1963), philosopher and a few other things, discussed the importance of knowing how we develop our beliefs and discovering motivations behind the thinking.  Public or societal opinion can be irrational and if allowed to go unchallenged can give rise to such movements as Hitlerism.  Popper (1963) determined in so many words, the moral framework of liberalism is a counterbalance to such structures as Nazism.  He believed the answer to public opinion is the western rationalist tradition of critical discussion.  He was pro-argument for truth’s sake for as Popper noted, “the truth is hard to come by.”   The great Winston Churchill (1940) stated:

“People will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time they will pick up themselves and continue on.”

Rationalism supports social justice. Rationalism according to Popper (1963) essentially negates any formative thinking of utopia due to its implication to violence. Being an ideal state of society, Utopia does not allow for change or differences of opinion and ideology. A utopia is a form of rationalism, but according to Popper, it is the wrong form.  The correct way of rationalism is arguments and discussions of our own and others thoughts and opinions provoking refutation and conjecture.  Without rationalism, violence occurs to create the result thinking of utopias boundaries and parameters and the maintain them.  Nazism. Profoundly Popper (1963) states, intellectual development has outrun our moral development.  This requires attention.  He believed there has not been a time in history that humans have however been given the level of dignity that society has lent at the time of his contemplation.  According to his rationalistic belief system, men are equal and are to be respected as such.
The potential for over-analyzing and risk-taking when deciding on whether or not to report information is a present concern.  Being considered gate-keepers, is a challenging place to exist.  Reputation is paramount in the mental health world.  People rely on the ability of the clinician to create a safe space by which they open themselves up to vulnerable existences.  No one wants to be the individual bringing an accusation up to the licensing board, but in the end, the importance of the safety in our field weighs more heavily than that of whether or not the alleged offender continues to feel fond of the accuser.  Popper (1963) discusses the importance of truth and though he was not discussing the role of a therapist, in the mental health world truth is crucial.  Reporting an individual for doing wrong, being a gatekeeper for society or even the mental health world is a weighty responsibility, and one that each clinician takes on when accepting licensure and each person carries as a member of a community.  If clinicians do not hold truth and reporting of offenses in high regard, people get hurt.  If community members do not maintain safety and security of truth and accountability in high regard, people get hurt.  Responsibility, integrity, vulnerability, and gatekeeping are paramount frameworks for the care provided by humans for humans deserving of dignity and protection.  Society has an obligation to its members to care for and protect one another.  There is a guard for creating safety for those with wounds needing healing and clinicians that may prey either intentionally or unintentionally on them.

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Popper, K. (1963). Conjectures and refutations: The growth of scientific knowledge. New York, NY: Routledge Classics.

 

He Weeps with Us

 

Jesus wept. — John 11:35

The shortest verse in all the Bible…  Obviously, the easiest to memorize as well.  This verse takes us back to a sorrowful time in the life of Jesus. In the small village of Bethany, we find Him weeping at the grave of his friend Lazarus.  The tears of our Lord conveys volumes to the reader.  I had not really thought of it before but actually, Jesus could have but did not speak healing from a distance like he did for the centurion’s servant. Matthew 8:13 Jesus had his reasons.  His reasoning did not negate the suffering, He did not take it lightly.  Instead, He was “greatly troubled” and wept.  The Son does what His Father’s, our Father’s will is even if it brings temporary sorrow He will be glorified and all He does is good and for good.

With poignant brevity, the gospel of John, took the most simplistic words to convey the mourners experience watching Jesus around the grave by stating,  “Jesus wept.” Don’t you know He did not weep because Lazarus was dead.  I believe Jesus wept when He saw Mary and Martha, Lazarus’s sisters crying.  He loved them and he loved him.  He knew what was coming, he knew in just a moment at a beckoning he would raise Lazarus from the dead and bring him out of the grave in his grave clothes.

Tears touch the heart of our Father!

Mary’s heart was broken, she lost her brother.  I understand this heartache all too well.  She was hurting and had lost hope for help for her brother.  She had called for Jesus, she had believed in Him and she now believed He was too late to help.  Jesus wept with her knowing her heart and her sorrow.

There is no interpreter needed as tears speak much clearer than words.
In Psalm 56:8, the psalmist says the Father keeps tears in a bottle.  So… it’s okay to cry.

Compassion for suffering     The Calamity of Sin

The Calamity of Sin    The Cost of Redemption

The Cause of His Own Death

For all these things he wept…

I am grateful the Lord’s heart is broken when my heart is broken.  It’s hard for me to comprehend the nearness of the Father to me but I feel Him.  When I am filled with sorrow He is with me.

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). And when that morning comes, “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).

Dreaming the Big Dreams …Always Worth it…

This season has proven to be some kind of wild for me and just recently a few items have been checked off my bucket list. One of those being my first book a pocket poetry is being published and I’ll be in my hand in 13 days or less. I am having so many overwhelming feelings of joy and nervousness and excitement and shock. You have all been so kind especially since this is truly a small pocket edition work and it’s only special to me. I am excited to share it with those who have journeyed with me thus far and many moon to come!

The image I have included is the cover of the book coming in t-minus 14 days and counting!  I understand poetry is not for everyone but these were for me and from my heart encompassing a range of experiences from joy to heartache. Don’t feel obligated to try to love it. It is what it is. Many of you will find yourself in the pages but don’t fret in asking me to point it out. Just enjoy. Thank you all for your support and to everyone who has pre ordered, thank you. Your support speaks volumes and I am grateful to have so many who care. That’s rare I know so I don’t take it lightheartedly. I cherish each of you, you know who you are my friends, my loved ones.

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” 

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is Finally Time…

I have been waiting, as patiently as I am capable, to fill you all in on a little secret.  Those of you who have been on various journeys with me will understand why this is so special.

Hours and hours of hard work has paid off… in 14 days my first book will be PUBLISHED and physically in my hands! I am over the moon with excitment!  I realize it si not for everyone. I did not write it for everyone.  However, it is written for the someones who know my journey and share in the investment of the adventures and heartaches… or those who love poetry.

A BIG thank you to all who helped make this happen and know this is the first of many more to come. Pre-order is possible, just let me know and I will send you an invoice for the preorder and shipping!

To pre-order click here or comment in the section below this post with an email I can reach you with an invoice! Pre-orders are $10 w/free shipping!

Last thing I want to say… don’t ever give up on yourself or your dreams. Many of you will see in my book where you have played a roll, you will see yourself and I am forever changed by your investment.  So, I end with this thought… 

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.    ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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To stay as is or become more…?

Soren Kierkegaard once said “There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming.”  I have seen several theories in his motivation behind this truth.   I happen to believe one reason this is mans fear… man instinctually has the immense need for success.  (Obviously some lack this internal drive) I believe it is to whom much is given much is required or the more you know the more responsibility you hold… so if you are to trip into your greater self you then are held to a higher standard and the fall is much further and the pressure much greater.  I suppose this is why people may prefer to live with the motto “ignorance is bliss” as a form of protection against the pressure to avert mistakes or missteps that can mar ones character. 

Where do you find success and is it relevant to societal expectations?  Where in Life do you believe you have found the greatest nuggets of wisdom, are you still searching, or so you have a good arguement to stay in the blissfully ignorant state staving off responsibility as you may know it? 

Adrenal Glands & their essential bodily functions

• Carbohydrate Metabolism 
• Detoxification Capacity 
• Neural Tissue Health
• Endocrine Function 
• Metabolism
• Musculoskeletal

What is Addison’s? Well. There’s more to this disease than you will desire to read in one blog so I’ll give you some highlights and resources to find out more! 

The definition of Addison’s disease is such a poor excuse to clarify what an Addisonian is and what they experience… but here it is: 

Addison’s disease is a disorder that occurs when your body produces insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands. In Addison’s disease, your adrenal glands produce too little cortisol and often insufficient levels of aldosterone as well.

Also called adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes. Addison’s disease can be life-threatening.

For an even greater in depth look at the life of an addisonian check out the blog I referenced at the bottom of the page! She nailed it! 

Main symptoms of LOW CORTISOL which, if left untreated can lead to adrenal crisis can vary widely:

•  Fatigue & muscle weakness
•  Nausea, sometimes leading to
•  vomiting and/or diarrhoea
•  Inability to cope with stress/anxiety
• Moodiness, irritability, & depression 
•  Headache or migraine
•  Rapid heart rate
• Sweating &/or Dehydration
• Dizziness/disorientation
• Muscle aches or pains 

In an actual CRISIS, you will almost always have sudden penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs, can have severe vomiting and/or diarrhea followed by dehydration and likely will have low blood pressure and possible loss of consciousness and seizures (BP can also go high in some people). 

In PAI, (Primary Adrenal Insifficiency) potassium will often be elevated and sodium will often drop too low. In adrenal crisis, confusion will nearly always be present in everyone. 

CRISIS SYMPTOMS (these will vary by person and you may only have some of these):

• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Dizziness/light- headedness /Fatigue
• Flank pain (back sides)
• Headache/migraine
•  Fever 
•  Joint pain
•  Loss of appetite 
•  Loss of consciousness 
•  Low blood pressure (can also be high)
•  Nausea 
•  Profound weakness
•  Low blood sugar 
•  Rapid heart rate
•  Rapid respiratory rate
•  Shaking/chills 
•  Unusual and excessive sweating
• Vomiting, Confusion or coma

Here’s a real life story of someone with Addison’s! 

A great way to learn why we aren’t keeping up with YOU and it sounds like we make a lot of excuses to avoid fun check out… Spoon Theory in depth or an overview below:

For more information:

NADF

NORD

Best blog ever to get a clue! 

The Effects of Chronic Illness on a Family System

A Current Issue and the Effect on a Couple

“Research shows that couple dynamics influence the immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems, and self-reported health status; and medical problems can affect all areas of a couple’s functioning, including communication, sexual and emotional intimacy, and role flexibility (Dankoski & Pais, 2007).” Using therapeutic services may be helpful for a family to process a new way of living or a loss of the previous lifestyle due to the course of a chronic illness.  Family therapy can provide the system with tools and support to manage the anxiety, depressions, fear, miscommunication, potential conflict, and stressors brought on by the needed adjustments and caregiving accompanying chronic illness.

 When a couple faces chronic illness

 Facing a chronic illness such as an autoimmune disease can take years of searching and testing for a diagnosis. Once the family receives the diagnosis there are mixed emotions that accompany such as both fear and relief.  Relief comes due to finally knowing the name of what the family is fighting and the protocol that may come with that specific disease. Fear and distress floods a family as they see potential and sometimes probably declination in the future of their loved one’s quality of life and the challenges the family will be facing for a lifetime.  The diagnosis of the illness marshals in the opportunity and need for further family and loved one’s support systems to increase the resources, readiness, and availability.

One of the major tasks a couple has to face is first learning about the illness and what they will be facing, their options for treatment and quality of life, as well as available resources concerning their specific challenge (Dankoski & Pais, 2007). Living with chronic illness can be isolating and cause depression and anxiety.  Activities the couple once enjoyed may no longer be an option due to the limitations of the illness and this may cause friends and social supports to move on in life and in a sense, leave the couple behind if the illness prevents the couple from participating often in social gatherings.  Adjustments and accommodations can be made if the couple and their social supports are willing to work together for the sake of the value of the relationships.

Impact on relationship

The chronic symptoms of an autoimmune disease can be perceived as burdensome by caregivers or support system members, or the fear of being a burden can be overwhelming by the ill individual.  A couple faces great strains on traditional couple activities, socializing, physical intimacy, time, and life/marital milestones.  Confusion and misunderstandings can occur as each person is struggling to process the changes needed in their lifestyle.  Frustration can arise from multiple doctors and years of misdiagnosis and worsen symptoms without answers until diagnosis finally occurs. Depression and hopeless can plague the couple due to loss and perceived future losses. Chronic illness can create deep feelings of hopelessness for a happy marriage or happy life, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Feelings of anger and discouragement may be encountered as the learning phase is navigated for this lifelong adjustment that will more than likely continue to change and morph, but the key is to monitor and adjust and rely on not only each other but social and familial supports (Law &Crane, 2003).  If the couple does not reach outside themselves for support and help for care, there is a possibility for the destruction of the family system; but with utilizing the resources available, support systems and education, strength and encouragement, hope and positive outlooks can be found.

 Goals of therapy

Approaching this situation as both an individual with a rare chronic illness and a clinician, I see ample opportunity for solution-focused brief therapy with components of narrative therapy to be effective in helping the couple create the desired changes and set the appropriate goals they believe they are able to work toward. Psychoeducation is an important facet of the therapeutic process the provide the couple with needed information about resources, stages of grief and the value of understanding why goal setting and commitment are paramount for success (Law &Crane, 2003). A component of narrative therapy that will be helpful for a couple in this situation is restorying.  Changing the way the couple perceive the situation and their role in this new adjusted way of living will require the clinician to assist them in re-authoring their story in a positive light typically contrary to natural reflex; then assist the couple in creating the alternative more preferred story that is less problem-saturated but seeks out exceptions, positive perspectives and ways to make the most of the positive available (Law &Crane, 2003).

Solution-focused therapy will also provide effective care for this specific type of challenge a couple will face. Looking for exceptions, using scaling questions to help them become more self-aware and finding ways to help them take baby steps toward lowering the depression level to one level lower at a time. Asking the couple how they would know depression had changed from a seven to a six on a scale of one to ten. Scaling questions, psychoeducation, and exception identifying are effective tools; but I would further the work by having the couple set short-term measurable goals they are able to work toward and commit to establishing to the possibility of victories given the right motivation and partnership of support within the couple and family.

Reference for further reading! 

Spoon Theory If you haven’t read this and you love someone chronically ill….

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. (July, 2016). Chronic
illness. Retrievedfrom http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Consumer_Updates/Women_and_AutoimmuneDiseases.aspx

 Dankoski, M. E., & Pais, S. (2007). Whats Love Got to Do with It? Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy,6(1-2), 31-43. doi:10.1300/j398v06n01_04

Law, D. D., Crane, D. R., & Berge, J. M. (2003). The Influence Of Individual, Marital, And Family Therapy On High Utilizers Of Health Care. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy,29(3), 353-363. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2003.tb01212.x

Thomlison, B. (2016). Family assessment handbook: An introduction (4^th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. 

Wetchler, J. L., & Hecker, L. L., & (Eds.). (2015). An introduction to marriage and family therapy. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

 

We used to never get enough…

Where has the comedy gone? Relationships are falling flat and the adult world is taking over!!! The following is a review of Penny and Leonards System Dynamics. I would LOVE your feedback on the joy…or discontent… you find with these lovable friends!  (***ALERT*** longer post than usual but it’s worth dealing with the extra 3 minutes of reading! maybe.) P.s. I am sadly aware there are so many from this tribe I did not get to mention… mostly because this became SO LONG!

System Dynamics

Penny and Leonard Hofstadter’s family dynamics are challenging. They are a newly married couple living with a third party at all times. Discontent about a roommate with compulsive and controlling behaviors living with them named Sheldon Cooper was prevalent. Despite discussions, it ends with complaints without actions.  A newlywed couple in our society can view this as a negative impact on their time together.  Finally, Sheldon moves out and the couple then moves in another one of their friends, Raj, with his own personal interesting issues and challenges adding more tension.  There have been indicators prior to marriage that both parties do not believe they have another choice for a relationship and have settled for one another.

Boundaries are challenging within the Hofstadter couple’s marriage and are identified as permeable.  Both Sheldon’s and Raj’s issues bleed into Penny and Leonard’s relationship.  I believe most of the friend’s issues stay in the forefront in this household as people are continually coming and going.  This triangulation has become such a challenge, Sheldon even went on the honeymoon with the couple to San Francisco for what he convinced them was for personal reflection (International, 2015).
Leonard has mommy issues and low self-esteem, he seeks validation and affirmation from both Penny and his mother. Penny is a socialite, can appear selfish, shallow and is always looking to capture her dream as an actress. Penny seeks refuge in the wisdom of her one newly married friend (Bernadette) and one single friend (Sheldon’s Amy) to sort through marital challenges. The couple has adopted Sheldon as a relationship akin to a younger sibling or a child.  They are unable to ignore him and move forward.  The more Leonard needs Penny, the more Sheldon needs Leonard. The couple presents with continual attempts to sabotage their own marriage, I believe both are in fear of losing the other and are finding themselves unable to face that fear. Pushing through fear is challenging and a way back to a healthy marriage is communication about these issues.

Sheldon has limited emotional recognition (maybe a sweet pea sized amygdala to blame) as well as lessened expressions of his own emotion.  He is controlling and orderly and many have described him as having Asperger’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but he insists his mother had him tested and he is definitively not classified as crazy.  Raj is not as overtly challenging as Sheldon, but his presence in the newlywed’s home still draws the focus away from whatever issues the couple may need to resolve.  If the issues remain on the back burner, they can fester and grow rather than create growth.

The couple’s supra-systems are impacted by social group differences and families of origins (Wetchler & Hecker, 2015).  Leonard’s personal devotion to all things science fiction is far removed from his wife’s yoga practicing, low-tech lifestyle choices. The families of origin come into play periodically abrasively reminding this couple of their vastly differing upbringing. Minimal history is provided of legitimate financial stability other than Leonard refusing marriage therapy due to the cost being a strain. Leonard comes from a high-achieving family and personally is an experimental physicist at Caltech with a sibling working as a tenured law professor at Harvard. Penny has a high school education or equivalent and a few college courses. There a is minimal family of origin history other than she has a sibling with drug addiction and a criminal record.

Penny and Leonard have a relationship agreement drawn up by Sheldon and agreed upon by the couple.  It consists of rules, roles, and expectations for their marriage. The covert rules are the challenges that create miscommunication, hurt feelings, and arguments between the couple after the issues have festered for period of time (Wetchler & Hecker, 2015).  I do not believe there has been at length communication about roles and expectations outside of this contract drawn up, signed, and amended when necessary.  This contract was developed due to Penny’s discontent over Leonard’s lack of romantic pursuit of her and her challenge to communicate her feelings with him.

Boy! Relationships can be messy!

For further reading on relationship agreements here is Sheldon’s and Amy’s for your viewing pleasure!

Penny: You guys just got back together. You might not want to ditch her on her birthday.

Leonard: I think Penny has a point. You can see it another day.

Sheldon: But someone might spoil the movie. No one can spoil Amy’s birthday for me. Surprise, she’s even older. Who saw that coming?

Penny: Aww, that’s nice. Put that on her cake.

References:

International, I. A. (2015). Retrieved June 26, 2017, from http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/About_AAMFT/Position_On_Couples.aspx

Wetchler, J. L. (2015). An introduction to marriage and family therapy. New York: Routledge.