Emerging Courageous Newsletter
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor-in-chief
Volume 1 Issue 7, Dec. 5, 2002

A Look Within...Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel

Yesterday, an online friend asked me how I was doing. He mentioned that I hadn't communicated anything personal lately. Although I hadn't talked about what was going on in my life daily, everything I sent was very "personal". He was right, I hadn't told him what was going on with me so I sent him a "page" of activities and visited as if he were here. One online friend constantly sends me links to other sites with no message attached. I used to get annoyed that she didn't write a personal note. However, now I realize that each of these messages are a glimpse into what touched her heart.  I'm glad that recently she has started to attaching personal notes as well since people didn't respond back to just her forwarded messages very often. .

Several years ago after my mother died, I found a shoebox of poems she had clipped out of newspapers, church bullitens, newspapers and asundry other places. I even found one of my favorites and one I had written..  She wasn't one to share her feelings verbally, but by reading what she enjoyed, I got to know her better and  I got a glimpse into her heart.

Time is precious, and sometimes I get overwhelmed by my email if I am offline a while. Most of the time, in my snail mailbox, I received "junk mail" - advertisements, solicitations, sweepstakes. But, with email, there is a "personal" message... a reminder that I am being thought of by a friend and if they were here with me, they might say... "I read something that touched my heart...I want to share it with you"...We rarely do that in person, but somehow, the internet makes that easier. So in the future, when someone takes the time to forward me something they thought I would enjoy, I will try to remember that it gives me insight into knowing them better and what touched their heart. Hope you will do the same. Lovingly, Marilyn

In that vein, I received this inspirational email that I definitely wanted to share with my friends...

Most Days by Judi Whittaker

Most days I try not to feel lonely,
or let the world get me down.
Most days I keep a smile on my face,
and try very hard not too frown.

Most days I try and say pleasant things,
to the people I meet on the street,
Most days I greet them and say,
"how are you?
I'm happy that we chanced to meet."

Most days I try to stay focused on God,
and keep his words in my mind.
Most days I try to follow his way,
Be loving and friendly and kind.

Most days I manage to do all these things,
and not to fall flat on my face,
But if by chance that should happen,
I know that I'm saved by His grace.

Judi Whittaker
© 2002
[email protected]

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 "Share your heart messages. Keep in touch." 
Writers: Share your stories and poetry to enlighten and inspire others 
in Emerging Courageous online Magazine
www.emergingcourageous.com
[email protected]
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel

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