Might it be within the the repetitive movement of every inhale and exhale where we find complete understanding and connection to all living beings.
Although we may never be able to find complete answers to many difficult questions or fully comprehend reasons for many painful events that have unfolded in our lifetimes, what we can be sure of, is that we are not alone in encountering painful experiences.
Some days working toward improvements and attempting to maintain forward motion can be a major task.
For some reason this movie came to mind this morning and I am feeling the need to share.
The movie Breathe is based on a true story of Robin Cavendish, the story of a man who became paralyzed from polio in 1958 at the age of 28. Doctors gave him only a few months to live however he went on to live for 30 more years with his wife, Diane . Together, they left the hospital, developed groundbreaking medical innovations like a wheelchair with a built-in respirator, and traveled the world to advocate for the independence of people with severe disabilities. ( A trailer for this movie can be viewed on YouTube and the Movie is available on Amazon)
Many years ago I was working as a traveling in home caregiver to mostly elderly individuals, however several of my visits were younger individuals who were living with severe disabilities due to progressive medical diagnosis.
To those who I have been honored to assist with waking to face each day and return to assist with getting to bed for rest at night, I am truly grateful for the friendships and wisdom you have shared with me.
I have met some of the strongest people who truly deserved the highest respect.
Our world and emotional understanding of each others existence is relative only to our own experiences in life…… however, it is the sharing of our individual experiences that allows us to learn from each other.
As Seekers of Light we long for Truth and Simplicity. With awareness that experiencing darkness is a necessary part of total and complete appreciation and recognition of Light. Below I am sharing a favorite song that is worth reflecting on written by Jason Marz ……. 93 Million Miles From The Sun.
I pray we all seek the Light today and resist the Darkness……
Thank You to the person who left this message in my path on an extremely disappointing and hopelessly low day!
Life can often become overwhelming and confusing but to those whose families have experienced the loss of a child nothing ever compares to the level of devastation and void that experience leaves behind.
These life altering events leave you changed forever. The understanding and importance of presence….. “positive heart energy” and awareness of truly being fortunate to “Just Be With” a Loved oneis what becomes important to you along with the realization that all else lacks importance. You do not long or need to be entertained, or constantly feeling the need to be broadcasting exciting trips, meals or purchases, but the simplicity of sharing space and time with someone you Love is ultimately the biggest treasure, privilege and Gift anyone could ask for.
Someone once told me that “You have the Strength within you to be Appreciative and Joyful with what God has given you…… always be Joyful and Appreciate the Moment You Are In and the Gifts that God has Trusted you with……..But never be boastful and intentionally attempt to hurt others with what you are given.
There is No better place to feel the importance of a single moment in time then Nature, and what beautiful lessons and examples of survival and endurance can be seen unfolding in front of you if you quiet the noise long enough to hear or see them. Never be too busy needing to do things…. be entertained…. or accumulate stuff…. to appreciate just spending time with others and appreciating the moment you are in and the heart energy of another persons soul.
So many times I hear many people complain about the “children of today” being so self centered and having grand feelings of “entitlement”.
As a caregiver to many adults with disabilities who has had to read so many childhood medical histories that have included tragic childhood abuses……… I feel I need to caution people on casting such a judgmental eye on “today’s youth”! Without having access and details of each individual’s past, one has NO IDEA what another person may have lived through and may be actively recovering from.
The past 7 months have been, a very messy, emotional fueled confusing yet also a beautiful unfolding of stories within a number of peoples lives including my own.
As I write this in the middle of the night I am sitting in a room with a broken door lock. That lock was intentionally broken by another individual who was angry and attempting to gain access to me. I cannot actually recall exact events leading up to the reason why I felt the need to have a locked door between me and that person, but details of that encounter bears no importance to the True basis of this story.
I have spent many years de-escalating out of control individuals when working within the behavioral health field, and even experienced minor injuries intervening to protect other individuals. Even though you have extensive training, and know the steps to take if you find yourself in a hair pull or aggressive attack ……. when the boundary encroachment occurs within a personal relationship the injuries one experiences are of a completely different nature.
Relationship boundary aggression wounds and recovery are very different than the step by step training of how to get out of a hair pull, or physical strongholds that you may encounter while protecting others from a violent outburst. It is possible to walk away and continue on once free from any further threat but never really address the wound or fear left behind. Simply avoiding ever taking a chance at another disaster happening again can be a pretty easy fix. When you have a Love for people and enjoy caring for others you can get great satisfaction from helping others.
In the process of meeting, working with and getting to know a very sweet and beautiful person just 7 months ago, It has made me realize the simple broken “lock disaster” of the relatively recent past years had left some pretty major scars and personal space/relationship issues.
But less about me and more about my beautiful young friend who is making some very positive improvement! She is taking HUGE steps toward her own independence and away from vary harsh boundary encroachments of her past.
Every once in awhile I get a very unhappy and distraught call and spend some time discussing some positive ways of de-stressing or redirecting the frustrations, But the happy calls of excitement and pride of accomplishment are the ones that warm my heart the most and make me smile.
Life is never going to be perfect in anyones life and everyone most likely has had and will continue to have difficult times to overcome.
The beauty is in the fact that once we “weather a storm” and experience a brighter day….It helps us to recognize situations and times of struggle within other peoples lives, even if that person is not fully understanding what is happening to them and are not able to clearly verbalize how they may be in need of help.
Possibly our personal experiences and scars can be a beautiful blessing to another, if we are able to recognize and put words to a situation another person appears to be experiencing however is unable to fully comprehend and verbalize themselves. Because of this I suppose we should be thankful for our scars and the ability to help others thrive.
When you identify beauty with Love and Joy you cannot help but Also identify Beauty within the opposite of Love and Joy (Fear and Rage).
How can we not when all of human existence will at some time experience the entire array of elements. When the Rage is directed at what is wrongand not at the individual who acts in a way that is provoking the radical reaction, there is a beauty within the advocacy for what is Right and True.
In no way am I encouraging or making excuses for anger or angry aggression I am acknowledging that without being emotionally stirred to stand up against unnecessary control, aggressive boundary encroachments, violence or life altering restrictive acts toward other human beings we will only find ourselves living a selfish existence.
Greed and shallow materialism flourishes within an environment that will only allow “like minded viewpoints”.
When we fail to be open to finding common ground and embracing the need to express and celebrate collective knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, We cannot state that we truly are supporting of Truth and Freedom.
Individual Truth is Freedom. When we seek only power and control for like minded views we are not embracing UNITY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL.
Truth and Honesty are based in Love no matter what “vehicle” of understanding you are approaching it with. True Unconditional Love and understanding embraces the opposing view. When we choose a divided state of being we choose Stagnancy and Lack of Growth and Development.
When we choose stagnancy we are caught within a shallow human power struggle for control and authority.
Those who live in fear may attempt to arm themselves with dishonest words, accusations and threats. Those that have little confidence, faith or understanding may be easily influenced to believe or simply cave to the threats and shame tactics and become compliant to the one who chooses human power and authority over everyone.
True Love embraces unity and understanding. True Unconditional Love shows support for individualism and embraces growth change andpeaceful solutions.
Who are we to attempt to feel so boldly aggressive that we would choose to enforce individual opinion and belief onto others when we would NOT stand for that being done in reverse?
Those who cannot be respectful of other people’s beliefs and boundaries, are also not being respectful of what they wish for themselves.
When we act as though our ways and beliefs are MORE RIGHT than any other belief we begin to become only seekers of POWER instead of seekers of TRUTH, UNITY AND PEACE.
IN A WORLD WITH MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND BELIEF SYSTEMS REMAINING RESPECTFUL TO ALL RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK TRUTH AND LOVE IS ESSENTIAL.
THOSE ORGANIZED RELIGIONS OR PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO BE ENFORCERS OF ONLY THIER WAY OR THEIR LIMITED VERSION OF TRUTH ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES AND THEIR LIMITED HUMAN UNDERSTANDING ABOVE DIVINE WILL.
WHEN WE TRULY SEEK UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL WE ENGAGE WITH AND LEARN AND UNDERSTAND FROM EACH OTHER.
DIVINE MESSAGES OFTEN COME THROUGH HUMAN HEARTS THAT ARE OPEN TO AND LONG TO RECEIVE, UNDERSTANDING AND RELAY DIVINE THOUGHTS
THEY WILL NEVER CLAIM TO HAVE THE ANSWERS.
LIFE IS FLUID AND EVER CHANGING WHAT THE MESSAGE MAY BE ON THIS DAY CAN BE A VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGE ON ANOTHER.
TRUE DIVINE MESSAGES ARE RELAYED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DIVINE STRENGTH, GUIDANCE, AND HOPE IN TIMES WHEN DEVASTATING EVENTS PULL THEM INTO HOPELESSNESS AND CONFUSION
THE TRUE MESSAGE WILL MAKE IT TO YOU WHEN YOU NEED IT .
THE MESSENGER MAY NEVER EVEN BE AWARE THAT THEIR WORDS WERE WHAT YOU NEEDED TO HEAR, BECAUSE THE MOST POWERFUL DIVINE ENCOUNTERS OFTEN COME ANONYMOUSLY THROUGH CHANCE ENCOUNTERS WITH HUMBLY BROKEN INDIVIDUALS WHO SIMPLY MADE IT THROUGH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, WITH DIVINE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW BELOW WITH BLESSING OFFOR’S
TWO OF MY FAVORITE SONGS OF HIS ARE…. BELIEVE AS WELL AS BRIGHTER DAYS I HOPE YOU WILL SEARCH FOR THEM ON YOU TUBE. I AM NOT ABLE TO LINK THEM HERE BUT THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL SONGS WITH POSITIVE MESSAGES.
I must say I have a Fierce Advocate within me that every once in awhile takes over and lashes out in defense of all things wrong. I much prefer the Peaceful, Content, and Joyful feelings any day to the frustrated and angry upheaval!
It is sometimes very hard once a very negative event touches your heart to not get pulled down so heavily with the injustices that the Good begins to be overlooked. I once read that there are 6 events that are written about in the Bible that stirred Jesus to Anger.
For the past 7 months I have met some of the most beautiful people who have touched my heart greatly but also stirred in my heart great emotional ups and downs.
There was a daily post challenge awhile ago asking writers to describe what they liked about themselves. I find that a very difficult thing to do.
I truly believe as we grow in our Faith with each new understanding we begin to realize that who we are and what is our Greatest Quality, is our Faithfulness to the Greater Power. For the True Beauty within us is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit…………
Sharing your life with others as a caregiver or support staff is a blessing and an amazing opportunity for personal growth as well. I have been doing this type of work my entire life and truly each one of the individuals I have had the privilege of meeting and working with have definately improved my life for the better.
Many times our lifestyles and cultural backgrounds differ in many ways but once you are able to spend time with, share experiences with the person, understand their manner of communication and build trust with them amazing similarities surface and you learn from each other.
Life has often been challenging for many of the people I have taken care of for their entire life, and others unpredictable circumstances have caused major changes in their lives as adults.
I have spent many hours within the community assisting people who use wheelchairs, who use walkers or have vision or hearing difficulties as well as those with autism or intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The community can often be difficult for those with differences to navigate and feel comfortable or confident functioning in.
Even with the many accommodations and upgrades that have now been added there are still are many “road blocks” that have been overlooked in the overall design of things that will often end up being a huge problem for someone who functions differently then the majority of the population.
Many times other individuals in the community are the problem.
Handicap vans need room to drop a ramp to EXIT and ENTER accessible spaces. If someone parks beside the van in the lined off “ramp space” The person in the wheelchair is not able to get into the van when they return. They must find the person and ask them to move or wait until that person finishes their appointment or errand and returns!
As a caregiver I have found some locations where employees have been extremely helpful offering assistance eager to engage in conversation with the person I am supporting and other location that have been very dismissive and seem to be uncomfortable interacting with those with a different level of ability then the majority of the population.
We need to find a way to leave positive feedback for the places that are easily accessed by those with disabilities and even better feedback for those who are welcoming, friendly and enjoy interacting and giving positive customer service to everyone including those with different abilities.
Please if you are a person who has. grown up and had very little exposure to or experience communicating with people with differences please say hello to and treat all people with equal respect and value. No-one wants to be treated differently, dismissed or laughed at for their differences.
I once had someone dismiss my concerns by stating that it was simply a lifestyle difference.
There are no lifestyle differences that cannot be improved upon.
CHOOSE KINDNESS,
CHOOSE RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES,
CHOOSE TO SEE LIKENESS INSTEAD OF DIFFERENCE,
NEVER LAUGH OR DISMISS SOMEONE FOR THEIR DIFFERENCES
At any moment our lives could change drastically.
What was once easily accessible to us may no longer be accessible. Our ability to freely communicate feelings or needs to others may no longer be possible.
The lifestyle that you once enjoyed could change in an instant.
I pray people one day realize that things that they might find humorous today may not be very funny if they are ever forced to endure what others are enduring on a daily basis.
When I seen the sign “You Are NOT Almost There” it made me laugh, and remember a time many years ago when my daughter and I eagerly embarked on a day hike 6 miles into the Grand Canyon.
Guess What?
6 miles down is a breeze……..
6 miles up at 110 degrees is NOT……. lol
In support and outreach to others………
On our challenging journey out of the Canyon (although we did not make a sign) we were sure to caution every passing hiker on the way into the canyon!
DOWN IS EASY…. but…. UP IS NOT EASY
Life is not always fun and we sometimes make choices or eagerly follow a path that turns out to take us on quite a different journey then we once expected!
Thankfully when you put Faith in a Higher Power you are NOT in this alone.
Sometimes it is more about what you are walking away from than what you are walking to.
Possibly the most important thing we find when walking away from difficult experiences is an amazing inner strength that somehow carrys our body’s through disasters when our minds are numb and our muscles simply roboticly move us forward.
Survival instinct may not always be about an amazing human strength that powers us through difficult challenges but quite possibly better explained as the intuitive Power of Divine Guidance.
I also believe in something my family likes to refer to as Divine Comic Relief. These are times within the saddest or most serious moments we are experiencing when something happens and in within the most serious of times you can’t help but laugh.
We need smiles to get us through the tearful times!
I like to believe those times as well are sent to us from God.
Recently I have been enjoying a lot of time in the woods walking on trails. There is a peacefulness in the atmosphere, the fragrances and songs of the birds keep your mind anchored in the present moment. There is nothing more calming the enjoying then truly experiencing the very moment you are in without distraction.
“We need to find God and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature, trees, flowers, grass, grow in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls”. Mother Teresa
Many years ago someone recomended a book to me called Grandma Gatewoods Walk. It is a true story about amazingly strong lady who simply read an article in National Geographic magazine about the Appalachian Trail and then just decided to thru hike it…….. she knew her family would advise her against it so she just decided to tell them she was going on a walk…… leaving out the fact that it was a two thousand and fifty mile long walk. LOL
Emma Gatewood was 67 years old when she decided to take this walk!
She eventually did have to be truthful with her family when national publications began following her to publish articles on her solo thru hike.
I have shared the audio version of this book with elderly individuals I have taken care of. Many of them found it very interesting and recognized some of the local history that was referenced as she was traveling through the local areas of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. I will share a link here if you are interested in possibly sharing it with others.
I pray all those struggling through difficult paths find Peaceful Moments, Silent times to be with God, and some Heaven sent smiles to keep you moving forward and finding Hope.
Carmela Snelbaker 