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The Adventure of Living an Intentional Life

fallen limb in reservoir outlook march 31

The morning was cold and the rain was coming down in sheets. I had been in this new city for about a month and my life was adrift. Gathering my things and heading out to work it seemed as though the weather was a reflection of my life at this moment.

It had begun as an exciting adventure with high expectations. After graduating from nursing school there had been a job offer in a city far from home. It would be my first time to live so far away from family and friends. The new city seemed to offer everything that home lacked.

The loneliness had set in about two weeks into my new adventure. There was a lot to do in this new city but no one to share the experience with. Getting out of my car at the hospital I was pondering on how to solve this dilemma. The wind was pulling at my umbrella this morning as a car splashed water on me as I crossed the street. The parking lot was across the street from the hospital. At the time solving the issue of loneliness in this new city seemed out of reach.

It is an enlightening experience caring for people who are ill. When taken into perspective I realized that everyone has an issue and there are solutions to life’s problems. This is the point where I decided to explore the city and make new friends by living intentionally.

Intentional living is exploring life by doing things with a purpose. There was a reason that this new city was appealing to me. It had beautiful mountains with trails to hike and rivers with rapids to kayak. There were beautiful sunrises and sunsets to observe. There were music venues that featured up and coming artists. It was a city filled with life.

I began my intentional living by attempting to make new friends. People are really quite friendly when asked about their interests. It was not long before I found a few people with interests similar to mine.

The next weekend I met a few people at a local river where kayaking was popular. The river sparkled in the morning sun and the morning was cool. It was not long before we were laughing and exchanging stories of the river. At noon it was time to stop and have lunch. We had packed coolers filled with food and found some shady spots among the trees to picnic.

pelahatchie bay river 1 april 12

One of our conversations was discussing how lonely it was to be in a new place. Many of the people with me were travel nurses who changed locations every three months. They commented that living intentionally was a great way to fully experience the adventures of a new city.

In each new city they would choose the activities that interested them. Then plans would be made to do each of these things. They would not be adrift because everything would serve a purpose. This made each new adventure fun and exciting.

We finished our lunch and began to kayak down the river once again. The temperature had risen and the cool river water felt wonderful. Going over the rapids increased the joy in this trip. Soon we were back at our starting point and everyone headed home. It was a wonderful day.

Back at my apartment I began to apply intentional living to other parts of my life. Exploring the history of this city was important to me so I began to visit the local museums. At each museum there was usually someone from the area who would explain the local traditions. It is easy to find friendly people in most places if you take the time to ask people about their surroundings.

I also began to apply intentional living to my finances. The new city was expensive and I had wondered how to make ends meet. My new job paid well but there are times when my wants did not meet the budget. By living intentionally I was able to do everything that was truly important to me. Letting go of the small things enabled me to have an adventure and save money.

After two months in the new city I was not adrift. Things were no longer overwhelming and now it is beginning to feel like home. Intentional living has been wonderful and made this journey a joy. The weather is warm now and I am excited to continue this adventure.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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culture daily prompt inspiration life lifestyles lighthouses Mississippi spiritual

Lighthouses: A Guide to Finding The Way Home

biloxi lighthouse may 9

Audio provided by my husband Jess Pierce

Lighthouses are guiding beacons for ships at sea. They announce that land is ahead and act as a guide into the harbor. Many lighthouses are located on inlets and shine a light to warn ships that danger is ahead. The light is a navigation tool that acts as a protection device.

Mississippi has several lighthouses on its Gulf Coast. These lighthouses are magnificent and beautiful to observe. They are a lesson in searching for the light that leads us home. We all look for navigation in our lives that lead us to a safe harbor. The example of the lighthouse acts as a guide for us to look toward the light to bring us home.

Life has many challenges that take us out to sea into dangerous waters. Like a ship sailing in the ocean we look for a beacon to lead us to safe harbors. One of life’s challenges is to provide our families with food, clothing, and transportation. When employment is plentiful the lighthouse serves as a beautiful building to observe.

In times of hardship and job loss the light acts as a beacon to navigate us to safe harbors. The lighthouse may be the community that surrounds us. Friends and family lend support and hope that the hard times will pass. The light surrounds us and new opportunities arise. Resolution is in the harbor.

Lighthouses may present us with a guide to adventure. Sailing to foreign lands in search of new experiences provides a light for many restless souls. Lighthouses in these places provide a navigational route for adventure. There is beautiful scenery and other cultures to be explored.

When our adventure in foreign lands is complete we set sail for home. There may be storms and rough seas that send us off course. In our attempts to find the way home we always search for the lighthouse. There is hope that the waters will calm and a familiar harbor will be found. When the light beacons from our home lighthouse there is great joy.

Lighthouses may guide us in the exploration of who we are as individuals. Sitting on an inlet alone the lighthouse gives us a chance to explore our souls. The solitude of observing the ocean and its cycles gives us an opportunity to look inward. The soul may find relaxation and nourishment in the observation of the life around the lighthouse.

For some troubled souls the lighthouse may serve as a fearful guide. They may lose themselves in the deceptions of the world. These souls may see a reflection of light on the harsh sea and see death as the only option for a safe harbor. Sometimes these souls may be saved by other souls. The souls that have found their way home by following the true light coming from the lighthouse.

Lighthouses may act as a guide for us in our spiritual lives. The light in the house may represent where the strength in times of adversity comes from. We see God standing firm in the lighthouse guiding us out of the harsh dangerous sea of life and into the calm harbor of His arms. There is comfort and new life in this safe harbor. We are filled with joy and renewal.

Lighthouses may serve as an inspiration for art. There are people who paint lighthouses in beautiful watercolors. These artists see the lighthouse as an object to be admired and posted in a gallery or on a wall in someone’s home. The lighthouse in the picture serves as an inspiration to begin or end a person’s day.

Some people come to visit the lighthouse as a vacation adventure. These people bring their families and review the history of each lighthouse. The lighthouse may have been a haven for previous generations. The lives of these family members are wrapped in the history of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is a guide for these people to find the home of their family heritage.

All working lighthouses have a person that serves as the keeper of the light. This person lives and works at the lighthouse. The life of the person is one of solitude and great responsibility. This person must be aware of all the dangerous conditions surrounding the lighthouse area. His job is to navigate the ships and guide them to the safe harbor. It can be a lonely job.

Lighthouses guide us in life through symbolism and the physical world. For ships the lighthouse is a beacon for safe navigation on the way home. The rest of us marvel at the light that emits from the lighthouse. It represents beauty in the world and serves as a guide for us to find our way home. We are no longer unmoored.

copyrighted by Debbie Pierce 2017 All Rights Reserved

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culture daily prompt inspiration life lifestyles Mississippi nature preservation

Descend: Life of a Mississippi Magnolia Tree

magnolia tree april 21

The magnolia tree is a large majestic tree. The large white blooms are beautiful and decorate the Mississippi landscape. The magnolia tree has a long life span that may extend to 120 years. This is a possible life of a suburban magnolia tree.

The magnolia tree was born in a field in central Mississippi. At that time the field was filled with different types of trees. The young magnolia tree thrived in the ecosystem and grew to a large and healthy tree. There were few people in the area to disturb the ecosystem.

As the years past the magnolia tree began to put on beautiful white blooms. These blooms were numerous and an occasional person would happen on the tree and admire their beauty. The magnolia tree was happy and content in the ecosystem that nature provided.

magnolia group blooms april 21

Slowly over time the ecosystem became disturbed as people began moving closer to the field. There were rumblings of houses, businesses, and golf courses being built and getting closer to the field.

The pollution from all the building began to change the ecosystem. The environment was descending into a period of deep decline. There were fewer resources for the magnolia tree to draw from for survival. All around were plants and trees dying. This was frightening to the young tree.

As more time passed the magnolia tree began to see more human activity. There were more people passing by on a daily basis. This was a time of great change in the world and the tree observed young men in uniform carrying guns. The world was at war and the magnolia tree hoped that the field would be spared from the violence.

More years past and the world was again at peace. The magnolia tree noticed there was an expansion of young children surrounding the field. The tree watched as the plant life and other trees were cut down. It prayed its life would be spared from the death surrounding it.

The magnolia tree was spared and a local park was built around it. There began to be a large number of families coming to the park. A creek was created to supply water to the surrounding area and the ecosystem began to flourish once again.

The years passed and the magnolia tree was happy and content once again. There were many trees with squirrels and birds to commune with the tree. The families took care of the park and everything was in harmony.

squirrel eating grass in park march

One day there was a storm producing many inches of rain. The land was devastated by the sudden influx of water and debris. The people left their homes and the park was abandoned. The next generation of people moved in and had no interest in the park.

The magnolia tree survived the flood and was saddened by the changes. Now the abandoned park was filled with trash and drug dealers. All the surrounding trees and wildlife were dying around it due to neglect. The magnolia tree was frightened since its survival was threatened.

More years passed and a new generation of people moved into the neighborhood. They were a generation that believed in change and renewal. There were new homes built and old homes renovated and given a new life. The park was cleaned up and the ecosystem restored. There were sprinklers installed and the creek was restored to give the ecosystem the water it needed to regenerate.

Slowly the ecosystem began to recover. The magnolia tree was relieved and began producing beautiful blossoms once again. The squirrels and the birds returned singing their songs of joy.

The magnolia tree continued to observe these changes with great joy. Perhaps the people now occupying the neighborhood and park would remain. This thought gave the magnolia tree great hope for the future.

The years past and the magnolia tree grew to be extremely old. The park and the neighborhood continued to change but this time the trend of preservation continued. It was with great hope that the magnolia tree put on its last blossoms. Time for the magnolia tree to live in this physical world was growing short.

magnolia bloom april 21

One of these great magnolia blossoms deposited a seed on the ground. This seed was nourished by the nutrients in the ecosystem. Soon the seed grew to be a young magnolia tree growing in a healthy ecosystem. The cycle of life began again in the park healthy and happy.

The old magnolia tree passed away and the shell of the tree returned to the ecosystem to help the renewal of life. There is gratitude for the privilege of living a long life and the ability to observe the changes in the ecosystem. The spirit of the magnolia tree now resides in Heaven and is resting in the knowledge of a life well lived.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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Notorious: A Fisherman’s Tall Tale

alligator on golf course 2 may 5

Our actions in life can make us notorious. Some people are famous for the jokes they tell and others are known for their kindness. In my family there was a great-uncle known for his tall tales. Jim was an average size fellow and a little overweight. He was an older man when I knew him and loved to sit and talk. Jim could spin a tale from thin air.

The community church would have a potluck dinner one Sunday a month. It was a wonderful gathering with a variety of food on the tables. Jim and his wife would join this group and often there would be stories exchanged in the afternoon. The storytelling would last for hours as each person told a tale. Finally it was Jim’s turn to take the stage.

There was a morning Jim went fishing at a lake near his home. The morning air was cool and the sun was beginning to shine on the lake. The glimmer from the sun made it a little difficult to see the swells from the fish rising to the top of the lake.

There was a small island not far from the fishing spot. It had tall trees with thick green leaves and some brush on the edge of the water. There was a large gray alligator sunning itself on the banks. The alligator had huge eyes and briefly opened his large mouth. He appeared to announce to the world that this was his territory.

Jim took note of the alligator’s presence but continued to bait his pole with a minnow and then threw the line into the pond. The red and white bobbin moved around in the water as the minnow swam around looking for safety. In a few minutes it settled down and all was quiet.

Relaxing on the banks of the lake is calming and nourishing to the soul. The sun was warm this morning and acted as a warm blanket. The sounds of the birds and crickets around you sound like a lullaby. It is easy to fall into deep thought or fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature.

Jim was almost asleep when suddenly the line jerked and the bobbin went down into the water. He stumbled out of the chair and quickly pulled on the line. The fish fought and was splashing in the water as Jim attempted to pull him in. In all of the commotion the alligator who had been watching this action decided to join the struggle.

The alligator moved toward the fighting fish and opened his wide mouth in an attempt to steal the fish. Jim was unwavered and pulled the fish back from the alligator before he could eat it. The alligator was also unswayed and moved in closer to the pole in another attempt to get the fish. This back and forth struggle went on for about ten minutes before Jim let the alligator have the fish.

It seemed that the battle was over until Jim decided to throw rocks at the alligator. This agitated the alligator and he swam to the bank to come after Jim. The fishing pole was the only obstacle between them. The alligator grabbed the pole and Jim began to fight for the pole. After much back and forth pulling action of the pole Jim decided to let go.

The alligator took his prize and returned to the calm bank of the small island. Jim was exhausted but not deterred as he grabbed a new pole and baited the line. Tossing the line back into the water Jim sat down and resumed his calm stance in the chair.

All was calm after this encounter and it was soon time to return home. The alligator was content with his prize and Jim returned home with a stringer filled with fish. His wife was waiting for his return with the food for the evening meal.

Jim waited patiently for his wife to inquire about the events of the day. She finally asked how the day had gone and he began to weave the tale. His wife laughed and stated how glad she was the alligator had been content with the fish and fishing pole. It would have been sad to lose Jim.

The group of people at the church lunch laughed as they heard the end of the story. Many wondered if Jim’s ability to tell a story was inherited or learned. They all agreed that being notorious for telling a tall tale is a wonderful blessing.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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culture daily prompt farce humor inspiration life lifestyles Mississippi squirrel

Farce: Part 2 – How a Family of Squirrels Won and Lost the Bird Feeder War

Up a tree jess

I wrote about an adventure with squirrels on a Sunday morning in my bird feeders. In the end there was a truce called and an area was set up to feed the squirrels in an attempt to keep them out of the bird feeders. This is an update on how the experiment is coming along. The experiment has been a farce.

It was not difficult to pick a spot to set up a buffet for the squirrels. The yard has fruit trees that are not producing this year so putting the food between them seemed like a great option. Carefully laid out it looked like a nice addition to the yard.

In the beginning the squirrels enjoyed the new feast put before them. Munching on the cornucopia of bird seeds appeared to be a dream come true. Soon the squirrels  invited their family and friends and the food ran out quickly.

This is the point where greed entered the picture. The birds coming to the lower feeders would savor the seed and leave some for the late afternoon visits. The feeder looked extremely appealing to a few squirrels and the truce was broken. I was again in the midst of a bird feeder war.

Greed in animals is much like it is in humans. So many times we see things and become envious. Contentment with our lives is gone and now is the time to seize things from where the grass appears greener.

Again taking my broom out the door to the squirrels I look like a cartoon character. Picture a woman in her robe chasing a family of squirrels with a broom. Truly a funny site to see. A new adventure each day as the family of squirrels runs to the fence, sits on it, and appears to be entertained.

The days pass by and there is a new character in this drama. I love God and He has an interesting sense of humor. Today is the day the hawk enters the drama.

My yard has a few trees and the bird feeders are in the part of the yard that is flat and covered with grass. There is no place to hide and to escape the squirrels must run over a retaining wall to the fence and run over roofs of houses to the woods to escape. My neighbors do not have trees because our neighborhood was developed in a field.

The hawk lands on the fence and the squirrels run when his presence is sensed. The hawk does not appear to be hungry today as he sits and observes the site. He continues to sit on the fence for a while and then flies off into the nearby cluster of trees.

The next day the squirrels return to the bird feeders bypassing the area set aside for them. Greed has totally taken control and now there will be no site off-limits to them. This persists for a while because I am out with the broom again.

The hawk reappears this day and now he is looking for a meal. The squirrels scatter and the hawk is on the prowl. He goes for a squirrel that has made it to the roof of the house next door. The hawk dives for the squirrel and misses him as the squirrel scurries into the covered gutters on the house. The hawk then leaves  for the day.

The next day there are fewer squirrels in the yard and they mostly stay in their appointed area. The cover of the few trees provide a little protection against this predator. All seems well for them until the hawk returns this morning.

Again the hawk goes for his prey as the squirrel who has decided to come into the unprotected portion of the yard to eat from the bird feeders. The squirrel runs frantically toward the fence and scurries to the top post. The hawk swoops down and hits the fence. Both are unharmed and the squirrel escapes.

For the last several days the squirrels have not returned to the yard. I have removed their buffet spot and all is now peaceful in the yard. There is now a family of blue birds in the bird house. The song birds have returned and are feasting on the seed from the bird feeders.

The hawk has not returned since the last squirrel incident. He can still be seen flying near the yard in the woods across the empty field behind my neighbor’s house. For now the bird feeder wars seem to have ended.

My broom sits near the door in case there is another episode in this drama. There is a calmness in my soul as I listen to nature and the sounds of the song birds. The bird feeders remain full and all is well with the world.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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Precipice: A Mountain Hike and the Meeting With A Moose

petrified forest water path 1 april 14

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The morning was beautiful in the Grand Teton Mountains with the sun shining through the trees. On top of the mountain it was still cool enough for a jacket as my friends and I  were  looking for which path to hike down. There was one sign that indicated a one mile hike and the other path was a six-mile hike.

On the sky lift coming up to the top of the mountain I could see beautiful green meadows and a stream flowing down the mountain. This was a day trip and lunch was packed so my friends chose the six-mile path down the mountain. It was going to be a beautiful day to observe and be a part of nature.

The first part of the trail was rocky and the descent was a little difficult. At times it was a struggle not to fall and twist my ankle. The scenery was beautiful with green trees and dew still on the grass. There were song birds in the trees and my soul was refreshed by the sounds of nature.

As the day progressed the temperature began to rise and the heat began to settle into the day. There was now a field filled with beautiful yellow and white flowers to cross. The wind was blowing making the flowers appear to dance in the field.

This field had tall grass and the trail was difficult to see. I jumped several times believing there to be snakes in the grass each time the wind blew across the field. It was an adventure trying to photograph this beautiful spot without giving into the fear of dangerous wildlife.

Soon we came to the river flowing down the mountain. It was cool and inviting and there was a spot to picnic. We lay down blankets and unpacked our food. Our lunch was wonderful and tasted better to us due to the hike. Six miles of hiking in the mountains is different from the flat land and small hills in Mississippi. We were tired and grateful for the break.

After the meal we hiked some along the river bed. There were many rapids crossing the rocks of the river. The rapids had a certain calming melody that helped to relax my now aching legs.

As we progressed farther down the mountain it began to rain. The rain shower did not last long and the sun began to shine. We could now feel the humidity and the heat beating down. Finding some shade we sat down and enjoyed some cool water.

We were now more than half way through our trip and began noticing the wildlife close to the trail. There were squirrels and a variety of birds. As I moved closer to take a picture of some birds there was a bustling in the trees. Coming closer to see what was moving a moose came out of the brush.

He was a large brown moose and had huge antlers. We had been advised that there were moose in these mountains and to maintain a distance from these animals. They had occasionally attacked people.

The moose was approximately six feet from me. His size was intimidating and I was beyond frightened and almost in a state of panic. For a brief moment it appeared that time stood still.

I stood completely still as the moose surveyed me contemplating what to do. Then in an instant the moose turned and ran in the opposite direction of me. Not one to stay in a dangerous situation I ran immediately in the direction away from the moose. It was about half an hour before I calmed down.

My friends were entertained from watching this drama. They would recount and embellish for years this encounter with the moose. Many would wonder why no one thought to take a picture of this scene.

Nearing the end of the trail it was time to sit down and take a break again. We had reached the point on the trail where there was a barn with horses offering rides for a fee. Many people passed us riding horses on the trail wondering why we looked so tired.

Finally we were at the end of the trail at the parking lot. My legs felt like spaghetti and I was in pain. It would be several days before the soreness left my body. Still the scenic route down the mountain was worth it.

I will never forget my encounter with that moose. The precipice of that moment will linger for a lifetime. It is still a story that resonates at some barbecues as we remember our adventures in this journey through life.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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bicycling culture daily prompt history inspiration life lifestyles Mississippi

Qualm: Riding the Steep Hills of a Mississippi Park

rocky spring cemetery april 28

It was a humid summer morning in the military park. All around were monuments to a war of another century. In Mississippi there are no mountains and only a few hills. In Vicksburg the military park has a lot of  hills with many twists and turns. I had decided to ride my bicycle in the park with a friend.

There is a huge difference in being twenty-five years old and forty-two years old. My friend was young and training for a marathon. Riding a bicycle on these hills was going to be easy for her. I had ridden these hills at a much younger age and now they looked daunting and frightening. I had many qualms about attempting this ride after so many years.

The road in the beginning of the park is flat and an easy ride. My friend told me she would see me at the end of the ride. The park is a circle so it would end close to this spot. So the adventure began.

Making my way around the first several twists and turns was fun and quite easy. Looking at the monuments as was scenic and fun. But soon the road began the twists and turns and the first big hill was at hand. Since it was early in the ride the hill was not as difficult as I had imagined. At the top looking down I could see a steep curve on the bottom of the hill.

I began my descent to the curve. It is amazing how fast a bicycle seems to go down a hill. It is a thrill with the wind blowing on my face. Slowing hitting my brakes the curve was made and again at the bottom of the hill. That was fun and exciting.

The next mile of the road had a few hills and again the scenery could be admired. All the monuments in the park have a story. On a cooler morning it is fun to recount the history and understand what the symbolism is in all the monuments. This morning it is a time to recoup my nerves and get ready for the next steep hill.

There is another bicycle rider in the park. He is training for a century ride in the Colorado mountains. There are several of these one hundred mile rides in this country. He speaks a greeting as he passes me and continues on the journey,

The next hill is on a circle that overlooks a valley in the park. This is an easier hill to maneuver with beautiful tall trees surrounding it. It is a beautiful morning and the sun shines through the trees. I love this part of  the ride.

Moving on to the next hill gives me great hesitation. It is steep and leads up to an old ship from the war. This ship was one of the first to be sunk by a mine in the water. Having been restored it is now a museum. It is a wonderful place to visit and relive some history.

The day is hot and I am struggling to get up this hill. Panting and going slow it seems like only a few inches are accomplished with each pedal. The century rider is beside me and shouts encouraging words as he easily passes and hits the top of the hill. Finally after what seems to be forever I reach to top of this hill.

Coasting down to the bottom of the hill with the wind blowing it is easier to breathe. There is a place to sit outside the museum and take a small break. The water in the bottle is still cold having not yet melted from being frozen overnight in the freezer. Such things are a small pleasure in life when taking a break.

The remainder of the park is filled with small hills and places to reflect upon the journey through life. Since it is early summer the park is filled with wild flowers and green trees. The scenery is stunning and quite beautiful.

I have ridden over ten miles in the beautiful park and am relieved to see the end of the trail. My friend has been finished with the trail for some time now. Packing up the bicycles she stated that the ride was easy and great for her rest day of training.

Looking back upon the trail  I reflect on my experience. There are no more qualms about this ride. It was difficult and fun. I am alive and excited to ride the park on the bicycle again on another day. Another wonderful adventure in life and nurturing for my soul.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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Collaboration: A Dream of Living in the Moment

pelicans on pier ms gulf coast may 9

The Mississippi Gulf Coast has the most beautiful birds. These coastal birds live a life of luxury in the coastal waters. There is abundant food and few predators to interrupt the lives of the birds. The collaboration the coastal birds have with the environment is a wonderful thing to observe. It is a beautiful afternoon to have a picnic and relax on the beach.

Jess and I find an area that has some picnic tables and set up for our picnic. The coastal birds are opportunistic and will quickly grab any bits of food that fall to the ground. After a wonderful lunch of sandwiches, baked beans, and potato salad we clean up the picnic area and move to the beach.

sea oat ms gulf coast may 9

The sand is white and the skies are blue with a light breeze blowing off the water as we set up the blanket, chairs, and umbrella. There is a cooler filled with cold drinks sitting between us as we begin to relax.

My eyes and mind wander to the pelicans and other birds sitting on the remains of the old pier. I marvel at how relaxed these coastal birds seem to be. The birds are comfortable in their environment and are just living in the moment.

coastal bird ms gulf coast may 9

Living in the moment is a wonderful thought to ponder. What would happen if I just lived my life in the moment? Would the world end? Closing my eyes this living life in the moment begins to take shape.

There would no more hectic schedules to follow. Living in the moment would allow me to just go with the flow. I could just enjoy what was going on in that moment. There would be no more rushing to get from one place to another.

Living in the moment would allow me to experience my senses more. The fresh smell of the air after a morning rain. The loving touch of my husband’s hand as we take our morning walk. The fresh taste of the first garden tomato of the season. The sound of laughter in my house.

When traveling living in the moment would free me from the organization of the trip. I could relax and enjoy the new sights and sounds of the environment. No more worrying if the sunscreen was in the suitcase or if the food in the cooler would remain cold throughout the day. There would be peace and a sense of excitement.

In my new passion of blogging and writing the words would flow onto the screen without worry of commas and spelling errors. Living in the moment would allow me to freely express my thoughts. The blogging topics would just appear in my mind without effort.

Living in the moment would help me to truly recognize the needs of the people in my life and also when I volunteer. At times it is difficult to know the needs of people. My brain will tell one thing is needed and the other person has something else entirely in mind. Living in the moment would allow me to just listen and learn.

The art of living life in the moment would bring me new adventures. This would allow the life around me to take on new meaning. There would be no more schedules to follow or plans to go awry. There would suddenly be a story to be heard in the things surrounding me.

Living in the moment would enable me to listen to the sounds of silence. To really hear what was going on in the world surrounding me. The songs of the birds would be louder and the words more clearly heard. The delicate sounds of nature and my breathing would be more clearly heard and understood.

My mind  returns to the present and tries to comprehend how to collaborate my senses with this new dream. Do I dare try to live in the moment or return to my current way of life? Collaboration can be a difficult thing.

The comfort of the organized life is appealing and hard to change after all these years. Trying something new is a frightening but exciting thought. People able to live in the moment are something that I have always admired.

The sun is setting as Jess and I pack up our things from the beach and head to the truck. It has been a wonderful day and we take one last look at the beach and the birds as we leave. I take a second to just live in the moment and absorb the last sights and smells of the day. Life is wonderful and it is well within my soul.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

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celebrations culture daily prompt inspiration life lifestyles Mississippi mother's day

Hospitality: Mother’s Day: A Reflection of Mother Earth

Mother’s Day in Mississippi is a day to celebrate all of the love and nurturing given to us by our mothers. Southern hospitality is being spread in many homes today.  In many cultures the earth is referred to as humanity’s mother. God created and placed us on this planet so that we could live and thrive. The earth is a living planet that has a symbiotic nature with us .

Mother Earth is our resource for the food that we eat. The soil provides nutrients for the plants that are grown. The raw materials in the soil combined with water from the lakes and rivers provide the ecosystem for the forests that have animals to hunt. Without these resources to sustain us the human race would not survive.

Through the years many of the forests have been destroyed due to greed and short-sighted missions. Mother Earth is not able to heal from the continuous wounds. Our existence is threatened by natural sources of food and shelter being damaged and destroyed.

Mother Earth is our energy source. Through the natural resources that live in her we are able to heat and cool our homes. Coal and oil from the ground provide the raw materials for the framework of our society. Because Mother Earth is a living entity God has provided sun, water, and wind to sustain her. These resources also provide energy for us through solar and thermal energy.

In the industrial age steam was used to power boats that carried people and cargo to all parts of the world. The steam engine transformed how people traveled. This technology enabled the people to expand into places previously thought too far to travel.

Solar energy is abundant and renewable. Use of the sun reduces the burden on Mother Earth and allows her to continue to renew other natural resources.

In the modern age oil is used to produce gasoline for our cars and in many other products that we use today. Use of this resource must be carefully managed due to its finite nature. Mother Earth requires an extended period of time to generate oil. Dependence on oil as the sole energy is short-sighted.

Mother Earth is the source of our building materials. Through the land we are provided with wood, clay, and sand. These materials are used to build the homes in which we live. The land renews itself through a continuous cycle of life.

There is a price to be paid for the use of Mother Earth’s natural resources. In return for the resources and nurturing that Mother Earth has given us there is the responsibility to take care of her. God gave us this  environment so that we may survive and thrive. Taking care of Mother Earth is the only chance that we have for survival. There are several ways that we can honor Mother Earth. We can repay her hospitality.

mom rose garden april 1

In growing our food we can rotate fields to let the land rest. Management of the land is important if we are to continue to feed ourselves. Overuse of the land has caused many crops to fail. There have been pestilence such as bugs and dust that overtake the land. Mother Earth is a precious living environment requiring our respect and care.

Poor land management contributed to the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. This was a hard time for the people who lived through it. Many left the land in search of life’s necessities. There were others that died from diseases caused by the dust. It took many years for Mother Earth to recover.

We can look for alternative forms of energy that are in harmony with Mother Earth. The sun and wind are energy sources that are renewable. Proper understanding and use of these natural resources can provide adequate energy for us and the generations to come.

It is important to keep our water supplies clean and free of waste. We can take the time to dispose of our trash in bins instead of on the land or in the water. Fresh clean water is essential for our survival. Water is an essential nutrient for life on Mother Earth. There is a limited amount of clean water to drink. We are called to manage this resource wisely for all living creatures.

fallen limb in reservoir outlook march 31

God has given us the great blessing of living on Mother Earth. He created us to be the caretakers of this planet. If we honor Mother Earth and maintain our part of her existence then the human race will continue to thrive. The choice is ours as we honor our mothers on this day.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/hospitality/”>Hospitality</a&gt;

Daily Prompt: Hospitality

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celebrations culture daily prompt final inspiration life lifestyles Mississippi transition

Final: The Continuing And Joyful Adventures in Life

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/final/”>Final</a&gt;

It was the final day of working at this job. The road to retirement had been a long one and I was excited that this day had finally come. There was a cake and some balloons on the table. A host of friends and family attended the event and there were some tears shed as we celebrated the end of the long road. It was a wonderful day that came and went with joy.

The next morning I got up and began to ponder on what to do next in my life. Final is never the end of things. It is just a transition into the next phase of life. That is a wonderful concept.

I began to look at all the dreams that had seemed impossible in the past due to work and family obligations. Now the journey through life seemed new and exciting. All things seemed possible again just like when I was a young person. Now was the question of what was the dream to pursue.

Volunteering my time to organizations that matched my ideal world seemed like a good place to begin. As the weeks went by I began to spend time at many organizations. For a while this plan worked and I was busy doing odd jobs for these organizations.

After a few months this work did not match the goals that I had for my life. My life was consumed again and there was no time to pursue other passions. Final became another transition as I chose to work at only one organization and decrease the amount of time spent there.

The next passion I decided to pursue was fitness. It seemed like the perfect time to get into shape. Through the years my passion for desserts and other wonderful high fat foods had finally caught up with me. I began walking each day and revised my diet. For a while this was actually fun.

I learned to cook food that was healthy and tasted good. It was an enlightening experience to realize that my food tasted as well as some of the restaurants that I had frequented in the past. My food was healthier with less fat and sugar. The pounds began to melt off and my health improved dramatically. This was a good final in the health realm for me.

As a child riding a bicycle had been a fun activity. I can remember the sense of freedom at having that first set of wheels. The neighborhood had become an adventure and the hills of where I grew up were fun to coast down. Picking up riding a bicycle again was a fun experience. There were a few falls along the way. I never forgot how to ride a bicycle but gaining balance again took a little time.

My home is near a reservoir with a lot of trails for walking and bicycle riding. The trails offer a vast array of beautiful views. Riding these trails crossing the water renewed my soul. There was peace in these valleys and beautiful scenery. This is when photography entered my life.

I bought a small camera and began taking pictures on my rides. It seemed that every place along the trails had a story to tell. Taking photographs seemed like an excellent way to capture the moments. There are birds in the water resting on perches enjoying the sun filled days. The trees along the trails have seen many years of visitors and have been home to many forms of wildlife. The photographs seem to capture some of their stories.

I had never written anything other than business letters through my life. Writing for fun had never been something that I had considered until now. Looking at the photographs from my travels it seemed like there was more of a story to tell. I wondered if writing stories about the life around me might be a passion worth pursuing.

That is how this blog came into being. The new journey through life seems like a story that needs to be told. This phase of life has so many exciting twists and turns. I hope that most of them will be entertaining and positive. So far this journey has been filled with laughter and few tears.

Final is what we call the transitions through life. There is a final day of  high school, a final day of college, a final day of work, and eventually a final day in the physical existence of this world. But for every final there is a new journey to be experienced. Hopefully it will be a fun and fulfilling one.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

 

via Daily Prompt: Final