Emerging Courageous Newsletter 66 temp Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel July

Emerging Courageous Newsletter 66
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel
July 16, 2004

Today's Message: Making Time
Glancing through some inspirational meditation books today, I came across this quote by James Rhoen: "No one has time; we have to make time." Often we say we don't have time to do the things we want to do. Maybe we haven't called a friend for a while or gotten together with family, or spent time in an activity that we love and brings us great joy. It seems as if I don't have enough time to do what I want. All summer, I had wanted to spend time with my grandchildren. The summer just slipped away...they went on trips, I was busy...time passed by. This week before school started I called up the boys, and invited them for a hike in the woods. As we climbed up untraveled creek beds, they said it was "awesome". We had a grand time together traversing unchartered territory. Then I took two international students attending the seminary to our working farms where they picked vegetables and saw the beautiful countryside that they spoke of as "paradise". We stopped at a nearby orchard and they picked fresh peaches, Asian pears, and apples and ate ice cream made from the fresh fruits. They said these are memories of this county they will never forget. They had thought our country looked like New York city before coming here. They never dreamed this beautiful landscapes existed. It made a lasting positive impression. I still want to spend time one on one with my granddaughters. Why has it taken me several months to do what I really wanted to do and thought about doing many times over? Life just seemed to get in the way. But I finally made the time to do what I have been thinking about doing for ages. "Time is running out," I need to make some time to be with my family.

Quote Worth Repeating: "If you do not raise your eyes, you will think that you are at the highest point." Antonio Porchia

Thoughts Worth Contemplating:
Les Brown said it like this: "Love yourself unconditionally, just as you love those closest to you despite their faults."
from Julie Jordan Scott

Keep on doing it your way my friend and you will never go wrong. I often used to get upset at criticism of my own writings then I read something Leo Buscaglia wrote. "I could be the greatest, most delicious apple in the world, but some people don't like apples and will insist I be a banana." Always be your apple and not someone else's banana. Thank you too for including so much of my writings and messages in your glorious newsletter. You are helping me share them with the world. Wishing you every joy, Joe

***Reminder: "Are you taking enough time to nourish your soul?" Make it. Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel
[email protected]