I'm Sorry

Free Dirty Forgotten Sad Child by Pink Sherbert Photography

I'm Sorry: The Lost Art of Apology

I was thinking about cousin Danny today. Danny isn't really a cousin, and his parents weren't really our aunt and uncle, but it was what we grew up calling them. Aunt Betty was actually the adopted daughter of my father's brother Bill. (I will confess I'm on shaky territory here, my sister, Pam is the family historian, but I think I have that right.)

Kindness Challenge & #21 Days

The Kindness Challenge

&

#21 Days

I'm participating in two challenges simultaneously. The Kindness Challenge is a 14 day event. 14 acts of kindness in a 14 day period. Actually, if you follow the instructions, it will be MORE than 14 acts of kindness, because some of the acts are multiple in nature. Here's my progress so far:

Forgiveness

(Jesus Does Math by LivingOS @Flikr via Creative Commons License)

2012: A Year of Thanksgiving and Praise

Day 19: Today, I'm Thankful for Forgiveness

Have you ever had a difficult time forgiving someone for something they did? Who hasn't, right? Sometimes people can be so insensitive, and the things they do can hurt so deeply...

How many times have you thought (or even said) "I can never forgive him for what he did"?

Or how about, "I've forgiven her, but I'll never forget what she did".

Sometimes we are so deeply offended that it seems we can never truly let go of the pain. The truth is, forgiving others isn't nearly as important for the other person as it is for ourselves.

Tina

2012: A Year of Thanksgiving and Praise

Day 11: Today I'm Thankful for Tina

Tina is my little sister. Today is her birthday. She's a little miracle. Everyone who knows her loves her -- that is somewhat of a miracle in itself.

Tina was born 48 years ago with Down Syndrome. Momma said that when Tina was born, the doctors said she probably wouldn't live to see her 1st birthday. I guess she showed them!

Five Years

"There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 8 Assignment by Corbett Barr
What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

I debated over whether or not to post this on my blog. It is deeply personal and, in fact, this is an edited version of the original. But, I committed to this project, and this is one of the assignments. I was honestly surprised at what came out. This was an incredibly powerful and healing experience. Anyway, here goes... 

New Year -- New Beginnings

"...for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

     -- Jeremiah 31:34

It's the first day of a New Year -- 2010. Maybe you make New Year's resolutions, maybe you don't. But for most people, the New Year signals a time for change, an opportunity to re-create our lives and our circumstances.