Carmela Snelbaker

Tag: DPchallenge

• Love Joy and Peace on Earth

  Posted at 9:49 PM by carmelasnelbaker

  Apr 22nd

  

  As we celebrate Earth Day today we must keep in mind that in order to continue to exist here on earth we must search deep within our hearts to access a Love and understanding greater than our human selves. We must reach past the fear and allow our eyes and hearts to be open to Love, Respect, Hope and Joy. Human wisdom is limited by fear. Divine wisdom surpasses all understanding and is only attainable by reaching beyond your human ego and allowing the Divine Love of God to lead our hearts to Live in Love.

  Many humans live their entire lives relying on their own wisdom. Believing that they know all and are wise enough to control their lives’ journey and in doing so their actions and attempts at survival trespass the boundaries of others they meet along the way.

  Living in this human survival mode you are unable to see how your actions effect those around you. You will only be able to see what you feel you need to do to survive.  When you are living in the state of survival you are living in fear. You will have a heightened sensitivity. You may react to situations as if you need to defend yourself. Often times when you are in this heightened state of fear you will react aggressively to situations that never even included any hostility or unfavorable criticism. Your mind is simply so heightened and ready to respond that you begin to identify any response as a threat.

  This manner of living will bring only negative results. Can all of the hate and conflict that is going on in the world today be caused by human beings Living in fear and relying on human wisdom alone?

  The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.
  Gandhi

  Weather it is one individual in a destructive relationship, or a leader of a country, allowing another human to cause conflict, abuse, and intimidation and trespass upon other humans’ rights and boundaries is wrong and must be confronted and stopped. The only way to stand up against fear is with the power of Divine Love.

  It is only after we allow our hearts to be open to Divine Love that we will be able to live and act in love, have empathy toward others and move beyond simple tolerance and embrace and celebrate the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each of us.

  God provides us with the strength to keep going and opens our eyes to reveal awesome beauty and fills our hearts with Joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness,  goodness, and self control.

  With Respect, Joy, Hope, and Love,    Carmela

   

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  Posted in Meditative Writings | Tagged #blog4peace, Carmela Snelbaker, courage, DPchallenge, Earth, Earth day, family, gratitude, hope, inspiration, joy, kindness, love, peace, positivity, respect
• 

  Seeking Clarity Amongst the Fog

  Posted at 3:08 PM by carmelasnelbaker

  Apr 20th

   

  There will be many times in a persons’ life when they will find themselves in a state of mental confusion or fog. Survivors will often be in a fog or mental daze for days after a catastrophe.

  Tapping into a positive vein of emotions and strength after an emotional or physical crisis is not always easy.

  Fear, sadness and devastation are very big hurdles to overcome. Attempting to take on the challenge alone can be overwhelming. Depending on the events that we find ourselves battling back from, accepting and trusting another human being with our fragile, vulnerable emotional state of confusion takes a tremendous amount of strength and trust. The alternative of keeping calm and carrying on as if nothing happened and everything is ok, leaves you dealing with very big problems with only weak human wisdom as your defense. Sort of like a very naïve citizen attempting to defend themselves in a courtroom against a relentless attorney. Even though it may be possible it also may leave you to living with angry resentful and negative feeling for years to come.

  Trusting in Divine Guidance and choosing to Live in Love gives you a power that is super natural and greater than all understanding. God’s wisdom will provide you with safety, clarity, strength and a wealth of support around each and every corner!  The beauty of God’s loving kindness will fill you with unexplainable levels of Peace, Love, Joy, Contentment, Wisdom,  Understanding and Hope.

  Please pray for those in need, so they may look to the heavens for truth and wisdom to begin living in Love and not fear. It is not until you are honest with yourself that your life will be open to a Divine Love and Protection that surpasses all understanding.

   

  With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love,   Carmela

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  Posted in Meditative Writings | Tagged #blog4peace, Carmela Snelbaker, Christianity, clarity, courage, daily post challenge, DPchallenge, emotional health, Fog, God, gratitude, help, hope, inspiration, Jesus, joy, kindness, Life challenges, love, peace, positivity, respect, self help, wisdom
• 

  Standing Firm In the Midst of Chaos

  Posted at 9:18 AM by carmelasnelbaker

  Apr 10th

  Might it take being in the midst of chaos and pain that opens a heart and mind to a greater and deeper understanding of the love and connection that we share with every living being on this earth?

  If this is truly the case no wonder so many people walk around this earth filled with such anger, hate, and animosity toward each other and themselves as well. This is a level of pain no one ever wants to endure. It would be much easier to simply continue on and remain at the same level of existence and conform to a continuance of being, rather than working toward a better existence.

  Making a choice to part ways by standing firm against manipulation and intimidation is not an easy journey, but it is a journey that is necessary. No one should ever be asked to stifle their voice, beliefs and opinions.

  Denying emotional responses to another is deeply abusive. Where there is control there is no love only fear.

  In our lives we will come across many chances to compromise or stand up for what we believe to be right. As human beings we improve ourselves by increasing our level of consciousness by continuing to search for wisdom and enlightenment and living a more spiritual and Love based life.

  Focus on the good. Stand up for what is right and choose to live in Love and not fear. People are fascinating. Our individual experiences and our individual opinions are what make us unique. Every time we meet someone new is a beautiful chance to learn and grow from each others’ experiences. Every human being on the earth has a story to tell. As we open our hearts and share our experiences we not only are teaching others by sharing what life has dealt us but also helping ourselves lighten the hurts that we may be carrying with us from those experiences.

  I recently read an article on emotions the following paragraph is taken from their text. Be strong and chose Love, by opening your heart to divine guidance you will gain the strength to do what is right. It is your choice to make.

  There are only two basic emotions that we all experience, love and fear.  All other emotions are variations of these two emotions.  Thoughts and behavior come from either a place of love, or a place of fear.  Anxiety, anger, control, sadness, depression, inadequacy, confusion, hurt, lonely, guilt, shame, these are all fear-based emotions.  Emotions such as joy, happiness, caring, trust, compassion, truth, contentment, satisfaction, these are love-based emotions.

  “Pain is not a sign of weakness, but bearing it alone is a choice to grow weak” -Lorie Deschene

  With Respect, Love, Joy, and Hope,   Carmela

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  Posted in Meditative Writings | Tagged courage, daily prompt, DPchallenge, family, God, gratitude, inspiration, kindness, peace, positivity

• Opposite Day

  Posted at 3:51 PM by carmelasnelbaker

  Jul 17th

  Wordless Wednesday

  

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  Posted in Pets Stories | Tagged children's literature, DPchallenge, lamb, opposite day, photo, Sheep!, wordless wednesday

• A Blessing’s 12 Year Reveal

  Posted at 3:35 AM by carmelasnelbaker

  Jul 10th

  In November of 2000 I was dropping someone off for an appointment at a therapy facility. As we walk into the appointment we seen a young lady walking a dog. A smile, hello and a gentle pat for the dog lead to a pleading request: “Please, Please, Please take him home with you! They are going to take him to the pound today. My Counselor found him and can’t find his owner.” She pleaded.

  My dad came to mind. He was grieving the recent loss of his dog and he lived alone since the death of my mother several years before. I decided to follow-up on her request and ended up bringing the dog home to my dad.

  

  The meeting with my dad and my newly acquired dog was perfect! Just as though it was meant to be.  He walked in and sat right beside my dad’s chair as if he belonged there. I left them and later talked with a friend on the telephone explaining it as if it was a heartwarming story straight off the “Oprah” show. “He’s a blessing”, I said with amazement. “He walked in and laid down beside dad’s chair as if that space was always his home. It was surely meant to be!”

  The next morning, I return to find a happy pooch, a very grouchy dad, with an angry command, ” Take that dog right back home with you! He is too much puppy for me! I’m to old to clean up after him!”

  Completely stunned at the disappearance of my “perfect Oprah moment” I make an attempt at a last-ditch effort to keep it in tact with, “But daddy, he’s a blessing!” I pleaded. “Well, take the (*$&#) blessing right back home with you!” he repeated, even louder and meaner! And so I did!

  Being the loyal animal lover I am, my blessing and I retreat home to re-plan our future. I made a phone call to a  friend and we mused on the shocking turn of events the day brought. “What are you going to name your new blessing?” she asked.  After throwing out some silly possibilities. “Maybe you should call him Thank You” she chuckles.  And so I did.

  The name Danka (German for Thank You) was my choice. Many  silly, fun, stressful, frustrating, and loving memories with Danka filled the next 12 years. He traveled with me to work. Absolutely loved and appreciated the people who I took care of. He proved himself to be the most loyal and well-trained “un-official” service and therapy dog possible. He not only earned his status as a blessing in my life but also in the many lives of the people who I took care of.

  12 years later when Danka and I move in to live with my aging father. The now much older Danka once again took his place beside my dad’s chair and in the following year  began to travel less with me and willingly took up a new life of “retirement” beside my elderly dad. He quickly became the “apple of my dad’s eye” sharing meals with dad, and following him loyally from room to room. We often laughed at how my dad’s influence on Danka even turned him into a Bill O’ Reilly  fan!

  Seriously every night at eight o’ clock Danka would settle in on the couch, put his chin over the arm of the sofa so that he could watch the O’ Reilly Factor.  Dad commented to me numerous times, with a chuckle, that my sister and her husband “had Danka a nervous wreck.” he would say.  They visited with dad past eight o’clock and they were sitting in Danka’s chosen viewing spot!  Danka would get up and pace nervously around the couch. When they finally rose to leave “They didn’t even get to the door before Danka got up and reclaimed his favorite spot and began watching The Factor!” My dad was convinced that he could tell that Danka was genuinely upset if they caused him to miss the “talking points memo”!

  I am convinced that Danka’s story and life hold many important lessons however, the message that I hope Danka’s story leaves you with is this  ” If you think that you witnessed a blessing like Danka…. believe it and be loyal to it (no matter what happens) in time it will most definitely be revealed.

  

  My dad has since pasted away and about a year later his and my, most loyal friend Danka passed away also.  I am wholeheartedly thankful for each and every moment I was able to share with both of them!

  I continue to consider Danka one of my most favorite blessings,  perhaps the day that I met Danka  as well as the years that followed are best explained as Divine Guidance.

  With respect, hope, joy and love,

                            Carmela

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  Posted in Pets Stories | Tagged animals, bill o'reilly, Blessing, blessings, Carmela Snelbaker, Danka, divine guidance, DPchallenge, loyalty, pets, respect, Sheep!, Thank You For Your Service Sheep, The Oprah Winfrey Show

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