Poor in Spirit

The first of the Beatitudes are "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs."

When I think of "kingdom," I envision English castles and fancy wardrobes and parties and dancing and wealth. I admit I watch way too much PBS; thank you Downton Abbey.  

So blessed are the poor in spirit is an oxymoron to the vision implanted in my head with "kingdom."  How could you be poor in spirit if you are in the midst of a kingdom....unless you are one of the servants.  I shudder to think of Henry VIII's reign.  He might have been the one to coin the phrase "I'd just as soon shoot you than look at you!"  Ain't no one wants to get on his bad side.

Of course in this instance Jesus is teaching His disciples about God's kingdom.  The kingdom of heaven looks drastically different than the kingdoms here on earth.  In God's kingdom blessed are the poor, the grieved, the meek, the hungry and thirsty,...

This is a kingdom where the last become first and the first become last.  It is a topsy turvy world.  Jesus came not to make the great feel greater, but the lost and alone to feel loved.

What might our community look like if we treated EVERYONE with respect and love?  How does this translate to the person on the street?

Right now we are in a volatile time.  People on both sides of the aisle are spouting hatred and anger and no one wants to listen.

I am here to say we cannot let our elected leaders define who WE will be.  If you don't like who is in political power, don't be like them.  If you feel they are bigoted and divisive and evil, counter it by being accepting of all, a unify-er in your home and community, and for the love of God be loving.  Get out there and be the next Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King.

But please do not use our elected leaders as an excuse to do nothing.

And now I'm off my soapbox.

Have a great day, Grainiacs.

Kinky Boots

I am now able to wear boots-- not kinky boots, but none-the-less honest to Pete boots!!

I bought them before my no-spend January.    Hubby was with me. All my kids were with me. It was a family affair.  They are hubby and kiddo-sanctioned.

I love them.  I love them so much I wear them almost every day.  Since I wear them almost every day I left them out of the box because I was wearing them almost every day.  Did I mention I love them?

Ollie the blonde cat loves them too.  He loves them so much he thought they would be a great place to throw up on!

Kinky!

Please tell me you understand!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the junk in my email inbox.  I mean I get A LOT of JUNK!  I spend a good part of my morning deleting all the ads and buy this and don't eat that, but do eat this.  I'm sick of it.  I keep thinking I'll delete this email account and open a new one.  Or keep this old email but open a new one.  Or open a new one and keep using the old one.

But then.....

I get this horrible feeling that if I delete that spam account, I won't get any mail at all! 

What would I do every morning?  How would I feel opening up a totally empty email mailbox?

For starters, I could spend more time actually writing to friends and family.  I think I have let FaceBook change my correspondence with people to a "thumbs up" like symbol or short little snippet posts like "you look so pretty," or "I'll be praying for you."  I think I've mentioned experiencing writer's block and I think I've found the culprit: ME!!!

It's time to take time. To smell the roses. To call up a friend or better yet to write.  I have made excuses about how busy I am, but truth-be-told I can always find time to start a new Netflix binge.

No more excuses, Grainiacs.  You'll be hearing from me soon!  After I set up my new account!

staying alive

I'm channeling my inner Bee Gees... ah, ha, ha, ha stayin' alive.

Last week that was my prayer for my Mom.  Yes, it has almost been six months since she was in the hospital, but ya know, she just likes it there!

Unfortunately my eldest son witnessed a very scary episode and I'm not sure I'll ever get him back to visit his grandmother! 

What's Going On???

okay, this picture is just wrong, but that's what happens when you google search "crazy eyes!"

I am happy to report that all is well and we still don't have answers.  The final diagnoses are "syncope" with no reason as to why she is passing out.  I have my own diagnosis: she doesn't like her kitchen table!  These episodes keep happening in the kitchen and as a women's libber, I think she is just rebelling. But that's just my humble opinion.

Well, Happy Friday the 13th, Grainiacs.  Don't let this day scare you.  Go out and live!  

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive

Read more: Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Now That's What I'm Talking About

Inner demons

Self-Talk in the Negative Fashion

I am more aware of negative talk in myself and others now that I'm changing myself from the inside out.  I do not mean disrespect but my negativity radar is in hyper-drive right now.

I have experienced 2 days of extreme compliments -- for me...I'm sure others get this on a daily basis but I do not so please let me continue to revel in it in this blog.  No worries; this Strawberry is not getting a big head. Believe me, there are too many "pins" around to pop my swelled head...as in last night!

He didn't mean to do it.  He wasn't trying to pop my bubble, in fact, it is an inside joke.  But the fact remains it was out there.  That bit of negativity and EUREKA, I had an epiphany of how these "stinkin' thinkin'"s get out in our heads.

Think about it: you are telling someone what a great day you had filled with ups and one remark can shoot you down.

Case in point: I was excited about the compliments I received the past 2 days about my appearance.  No one said "Wow, you are losing weight."  Instead they were about how great I'm looking.  Of course!  I'm feeling better so I'm taking more time on my appearance.  My shirts aren't tight on the bod, etc etc. I'm able to wear boots.

These boots are made for walkin'

 

  We know someone who will turn compliments around to insults. So when you give this person a compliment such as "your hair looks beautiful,"  they hear "yeah, not the usual tangled mess." I had mentioned once if I won a beauty make-over, they could be my plus one...thinking WHAT women on God's green planet wouldn't LOVE a make-over?  Instead I had to reassure her that no, she was very beautiful and her make-up is perfect and no, I'm not saying she should change.  Her inner talk is so far off the charts, I don't think NASA could find it.

So after detailing my 2 days of compliments, Hubby made the inside joke, "As opposed to the frumpy way you usually dress."  He was not saying it to bring me down; I know that.....and if he was "screw him!"  LOL  But those little jokes and tear downs even meaning them about someone else are still put-downs and put negative thoughts in our head, right?

Now don't get worried that you'll have to walk around on eggshells around me.  I'm made of tough stuff and Kaaaaa (my scale) reveals it each week; darn him! Nothing gets past Kaaa...including that bag of Chex Mix.  burp

So I'm wondering:  Am I able to change decades of negative inner talk to something more upbeat and positive?  2017 might be the year of Strawberry Enlightenment.

But Moana (that inner child of mine) wants to know if we can still be snarky?  ;)

Have a great weekend, Grainiacs.  Tomorrow I get on Kaaaaa- I do believe it will be a positive and enlightening experience!

Working from the inside out: finance

I have several members of my family who are fabulous shoppers.  They say "I need a new pair of shoes," go to the store and they pick up a pair and not only are they on sale but an extra 90% has been knocked off the price.  I pick up an eyeliner and it costs more than the Manolo shoes!

January has been deemed my "no shopping" month.  I hate to admit but my spending is getting close to the national debt.  I know it is a symptom of my problem so I'm getting it in check and not with the checkbook!

Since declaring January a no spending month, I am sickly aware of how many emails I get every hour announcing they have the best sale on the planet.  I am a marketing major and know all the tricks and I fall for them every time! I am my own worst enemy when it comes to shopping.

I just want to say, Grainiacs, it is going very well with this no spending in January....yes, I am keenly aware it is only January 3rd.  Party Poopers!

What self-best resolutions have you made?  I'd love to hear about it.

Happy New Year!!

and that's all I have to say!