I go to the Ocean usually every year, but it has been a couple years since the last time,
the time of THE FOG. As I sat in my car, window down, feeling the gentle misty breeze caressing the side of my face, I didn’t need to close my eyes to ‘just listen’ I was truly sightless. I knew the ocean was there, I could hear it, I could feel it – I just could not SEE it. So I sat and truly rested, walked on the damp beach with the water shrouded in fog, a white type of darkness or separation from what I KNEW was there. I decided to step into the moment and listen.
Listen to the waves, hear the ocean,, feel the breeze on my face. Just BE. I can’t see the sky, I can’t see the ocean waves, but I know they are there. Just BE. I didn’t ask myself where to go or what to do. I just took the moment to BE. Be silent, listen and BE.
I was reminded of this scripture written by a wise man of God.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shalll walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
(Bible Old Testament – English Standard Version)
Stacey Britton | Journal Entry | July 26, 2021 | Just BE
I have an ancient Mac laptop, tastefully protected by a light pink protector which matches my light pink desk cover which matches my pink computer mouse AND rose colored metal pencil holders and organizers as well. I was in a ‘pink/rose’ phase. Good grief!
My ancient laptop no longer has the memory or capability to update to the latest Chrome, Google won’t accept her as she is and along with the really cool PINK touchpad fingering cover I indeed need to unplug the ol’ gal and start using what I already have that is a bazillion times ‘way cooler’ than the old lady, my ancient writing friend.
This morning I unplugged the power block, rolled up the cord, placed the pink covered Mac back inside the pink fabric carry case – but I haven’t zipped it shut – yet. You see, there are many files on that computer and even though I can’t really access the document forms I need, nor the quick access guides for help, part of me is still in my computer partner.
I unplugged her and I plugged in my new writing partner, it’s not the same, it’s different, upgraded, faster, ‘way more’ memory, the touch of the keypads are even amazingly a perfect fit for my hands. In so many ways the upgrade is better. I’m the one that needs to plug into the new and just stay there-in the here ad now! To begin to dwell in the new and llet the old keep it’s perfect place in the past and move on not held back by the past. Unplug.
Unplugging for me means learning new ways to accomplish new tasks with the foundation of the old being informed by the new formats and styles. Building upon a firm foundation and embracing the new, fast growing creativity found in the virtual world. Unplugging doesn’t mean I throw away was has gone before it means I embrace it’s wisdom and literally plug in the new computer iPad given to me by someone that knew I really needed it, even though I received the gift with great joy, even though I said I would use it – it took the passing of my OLD writing friend becoming totally outdated to help me, force me, to unplug the old and plug in the new.
Honestly, I’m wondering why it has taken me so long to transition and to believe the new way would be better and more enjoyable, as well as put in a new learning curve to challenge me in the process – something I also didn’t realize I DID need.
The world of tech is crazy fast, ever changing, and quite frankly a bit intimidating when you are a bit behind in updates (too many to report the number.) It takes time to update, upgrade, stay updated and stay upgraded – a daily habit (maybe weekly) – and one that if you get behind, the ‘behinder’ you get when you stay plugged into the OLD instead of embracing the NEW. 😉
The thought: “Funny Bone Activated” first came to my thoughts to title this silliness unbridled banter. Then the Question: What in the world is the purpose of the Funny Bone anyway? Is it real, imagined or just a term for the ‘Funny Zone’ through words?
Nonsense comes to mind, favorites list wildly in my head, abstract words, pictures and well quite frankly, silly, foolish, nonsense, gullible, fruitless banter crashes on the sides of my grey matter, jingle jangling in silly thoughts and wondrous Fourth of July Fireworks.
Through space and time funny things randomly hit the funny bone in each person. What is funny to one is stupid to others. What is funny to most, some totally miss – context, context, context.
Does anyone really care what is funny to the masses if it is funny to you?
Does a sense of humor, random triggers and cultural history of word fun and shared experiences effect the funny bone? Again, does ‘it’ really exist?
I’ve decided the funny bone is just an expression to categorize those things that trigger a person’s individual sense of humor and once activated (sense of humor) the funny bone is activated.
Laughter is an important component of “funny bone” activation, it is the outward demonstration of the inner funny bone activation.
If you have gotten this far in the post, either you are totally confused, mad or your funny, ironic funny bone has actually been activated and a ‘chuckle’ results…the beginning step for full ‘funny bone’ activation.
Smile.
I’m just being silly and random, playing with words and thoughts on the page.
A vacation in word play form, a funny bone weird reflection.
Enjoy your own spin on the ‘funny bone’ reflection in your own life.
Stace | weird blog on laughter | Tis the season for merriment and silliness with no rhyme or reason…
What’s Important? Knowing Jesus. You might be rolling your eyes at this point, I get that. You might want to click escape and erase these sentences from your mind. But they will stick, because Jesus gently calls, consistently calls and guides us whether we like it, want it or think we need it 🙂 He is LOVE, love calls to the dark parts, the holes deep within that we try to fill with so many other things.
What’s important? Who’s important this Christmas? Might be a better question.
I’ve been in survival mode for awhile now, healing really, becoming, reclaiming what I thought was lost and realizing it wasn’t really lost at all. I was in a ‘pause’ mode for a year. A year of solitude and literal silence.
A year ago, last Christmas I was in the grips of a deep, survival struggle.
I began this 50newbeginnings site in December 2013. Ten years to date, writing each year, adding pages and stories, chapter books in edit form, sharing my life with a world I did not know and may never know. You might be reading this thinking – where is she going with this post? Hang in there with me!
December 2013 I held my breath and began this website journey with a Christmas snap shot of my family’s traditions and moments of sacred community. Last year, the ninth year, I was silent, I was silent for more months than I would like to admit. Not only in writing but also in communicating, strengths and freedoms had become difficult and physically painful. My life stripped down to the daily check off list so I would and could remember what I had accomplished. Hours segmented and ordered with repetition to rebuild the synapses connecting thoughts and motions in my brain that had been changed. I was rebuilding, or maybe just building.
This Christmas 2023 I begin again the journey of sharing and being known through words and thoughts.
Today I choose to share a message of HOPE for all of you reading this today – what ever day it is. The bottom line? Don’t give up!
Healing comes in surprise packages and sometimes in ways we do not see nor do we recognize. I’m learning another name for healing is growth. Like a plant when it is pruned and shaped by a Master Gardner, so I too, am shaped each day by my Maker, the God and only creator of the Universe, his son Jesus, guides my path – through the thick and thin of life – through times of change and drastic ‘make-overs’ not unlike the type accomplished at a SPA 🙂 and similar in purpose. A pause, a buffing, moisturizing applied to dry spots, steaming out the impurities of the flesh and renewing with moments of rest whether by message, quiet meditation or listening to music. My soul needed a re-set just as the break provided at said SPA experiences.
I’m not the person I was a year ago, or even yesterday, that is healthy!
It is as it is supposed to be, growing, and expanding, learning from mistakes. Each day becomes a battle for me even yet, life is not easy, nor should it be. Struggles build us, mold us, teach us what we need to know.
Who we need to know.
Why we need to know.
Jesus is the way the truth and the life, waiting for you, calling you to come.
Hear His voice calling you to come, receive His love purchased by dying on a cross to take all the guilt and sin in your life upon Himself, to make the way clear to Himself. No barriers, no need to do a better job, no need to try to be perfect in your own strength but become excellent receivers of HIS strength, HIS power, HIS joy – receiving and giving hope in the deepest, darkest pit of separation from the Living God, the one who created you, the one who calls you with the HOPE of eternal life of peace, no suffering, no more crying no more pain. In this world we will have all of those things, but Jesus showed us the way. God becoming human, knowing and experiencing life outside of heaven. Jesus stands in heaven now, beside the Father God, reminding God the Father of the price HE paid, to cover and cleanse our souls so we could
Know WHO is important this Christmas. Jesus.
He came to His own people and His own people rejected Him, but to anyone – anyone – who believes in His name, that He is the Son of the Living God, to this person He will give eternal life.
don’t miss the WHY of Christmas -learning of the one who loves you
don’t miss the WHAT of Christmas-the fact that Jesus is your ticket to eternal living life abundantly
don’t miss the WHO of Christmas – Jesus
In the Bible, different versions use language that describes and tells the story – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, found in the middle of the collection of stories are a great place to start, they told His story – THE Story of Jesus, come to earth for YOU and ME. The other books point to Jesus’ coming and how God tried for so many centuries to love a people that did not understand Him, Jesus came so we could SEE the Father God’s love for us.
For God so loved the world that he gave is only son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him will not die to an eternal place of separation from God, but that they would have eternal life WITH God – beginning NOW with the step of belief. (John 3:16 in The Bible)
What’s Important THIS Christmas? Knowing that Jesus is waiting just for you, completely seeing and hearing your cries for something more in this life here on earth and offering so much more beyond what we see and hear. Believe. Receive His love. Read His story in the Bible.
Don’t miss the place of growth when you are focused on the myopic view of tasks that need to be accomplished.
What’s your focus?
Spring Cleaning in all areas of your life?
Setting new goals for a new year?
What areas need an ‘about face’ action?
Stop doing what your doing and heading in the direction your heading.
STOP, just turn around and ask for directions.
The frantic pace of searching in the wrong directions, turning left then turning right in the panicked mindset of trying to do your best or ‘getting things right’ Just press pause. Ask and seek guidance, don’t get caught in the habit of trying to figure things out on your own.
Where do I go when I am confused, tired, happy, joyful? At all times where do I know the greatest source of wisdom is for deciding the next steps in the journey called life?
Wisdom found in the life of Jesus, recorded in the Bible. Guidance found in these timeless and life giving words. Encouragement, guidance, hope and the way through is found on each page. The recorded history of God seeing, hearing and responding to His created beings. The road map. The gas station. The gas to fuel the journey. AND Peace for each step.
Pause, consider His road map, listen to the still small voice that calls you to the place of peace. Enter through the doorway Jesus provides and receive all that you need for your journey in life.
stop, look and listen – timeless simple instructions 🙂
When I am Afraid, not much can trigger me out of the process I mentally go through to peace. But there is one place I go that consistently changes my mind – set.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says
Be strong (in the Lord) and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you are forsake you.
These words speak to me in several ways:
1. I am an only child, this verse specifically deals with my fear of being alone
2. I am instructed clearly who to depend upon – not myself!
3. I instructed to BE
Scripture is a place of refuge and strength for me because it reminds me of whose I am and where I can go WHEN I am afraid. It acknowledges the weakness I have for fear and encourages me to be strong.
Long Journey Home By Stacey Britton | Blog July 28, 2021 | posted November 21, 2021
Bring to me every concern, every failure, every hope, every dream -everything. Remember, I am your creator and comfort. I am your’s, child. I am your source, without me you are nothing? Even if you don’t acknowledge me I am your source. -Father
I’ve taken many trips of mental thought about how God works in my life. The foundation has always come back to the fact that I am not God, even though I would really like to control things, my life, suffering and so forth. Then I listen to those thoughts and laugh. “As if” I could run the world, create the Universe and imagine the Tucan bird. My view is so small and God is so big.
Even though my base belief is that God exists, I find myself doubting His existence when pain enters my life. I try to take care of my pain instead of letting it go, trusting God, and believing that I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, totally accepted and absolutely complete in God because of Jesus Christ. (The Search for Significance by Robert S McGee)
I know these things, but when I am hurting I don’t always believe or feel these wonderful truths.
I come to the point where I have to
CHOOSE
to believe what I know to be true – in the midst of the messes of life.
Joy comes eventually, trust is reborn, hope emerges and brings life and direction.
SOMETIMES, I just get STUCK, frozen like a deer in headlights. Other times I walk in fear, stand fast during the storm and learn to trust even though I don’t feel like I can even trust my own thoughts.
MAYBE I am the only one that struggles so, when loss, pain, loneliness, isolation and illness enters my life, but then maybe more that I suppose can relate to this raw telling of an inner walk of faith. Maybe.
One thing I do know. No matter how awful life lessons are and how much I do not understand or handle them in the moment…
by Stacey Britton | May 23, 2019 | Blog: A Creative Person?
I’ve never thought of collecting data for lessons as an act of creativity.
Nor have I thought tallying point for a choice day particularly creative.
More like survival for the best of teachers. Data represents thought, and in this case the thoughts of a growing person. Points represent choices by groups of little people working together toward one goal, choice by choice.
When I began thinking about a teaching career I never thought of these things and how they connect to supporting a child’s social development, stability, trust and encouragement. The tally mark represents so many things in the music room. This I NEVER thought about. Tonight, it is foremost in my mind…
Tonight as I begin to enter a copious amount of data into a district grade recording system, I am reflecting on the power of the tally mark. It’s daily impact on my life and the life of my students. The silent vote system that is one of the basic foundations of VOICE – singing and speaking, predicting and finding solutions, the tally mark is effecting my life tonight and will for several nights ahead. Let’s see, 350 students each student receives 3 music grades, (3×350=1050 grades) each grade represent at least 100 tally entries for each student for Semester one and the same for Semester two .(1050×100=105,000×2=210,000) I’m probably missing a few thousand somewhere!
At least 210,000 tallies! Sometimes just one tally means grading a test (10/20 questions = 1 tally) and if I really wanted to show you my two-2 inch binders full of observations, grades, and so forth I would. But then I haven’t even begun to share about lesson planning, building rubrics, creating power points, exit question forms, check in quizzes AND I have not even spent one moment teaching YET :->. (more, more and more…)
In my wildest dreams I would have not thought that a tally mark was creative, nor in keeping track of all the jots and tittles, the little details, would that help me be a particularly creative, fun teacher. BUT IT HAS and tally, or observing and WRITING DOWN what I have seen has been creative and fun for me. The students look at what other classes decide or vote for, their likes and ‘not so much likes’ 🙂 it begins to build community in all types of ways – the tally – who would have thought that?
Not me! A Creative Person? I never would have thought the tally could be used in so many different ways and for a multitude of purposes.
