Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Being Content

 

Good morning Friends ~ Thanks for all of your comments. I am still enjoying using the Blue Emu Cream. One commenter said it didn’t work for her, and I was sorry to hear that. This cream is not a ‘cure-all’, but it does alleviate pain. Also, I should have mentioned that the instructions say to use this cream 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks, then as needed.  Natural healing remedies take time usually to kick in and do their thing. I hope it works for those of you who do try it and that it gives you some relief from whatever pain you are suffering from.

This past week I’ve had several bits and pieces come to me either through reading, watching a you-tube movie, through nature, etc. reminding me to be content whatever my circumstances may be. It has really be a learning experience with this thought, especially since my dear husband left this planet to be with God 3 1/2 years ago.

We don’t know the ‘why’ of things that happen in our lives, but as a believer in Jesus, I know that He will supply all my answers when the time is right. Maybe not in this life, but certainly in the next one.

As a widow, I have been drawn closer to God and He is my strength each and every day. If I didn’t have Him in my life, I would be a basket case. He gives me peace and joy and I know my husband and I will be reunited again one day.

Part of being ‘content’ is being thankful for all that we have. I saw this saying yesterday on you-tube.

“The happiest people don't have the best of everything,
They just make the best of everything they have.”

In another video I heard something like this:

If you drive a Mercedes, be thankful.

If you drive a jalopy, be thankful.

If you had a steak for dinner, be thankful.

If you had a hot dog, be thankful.

Whatever you have, much or little, be thankful, be content.

The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Philippians 4:11-13 the following encouraging words.

***

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  

I can do all this through Jesus who gives me strength.

***

With thoughts about being content running through my head I went out yesterday morning with thankfulness in my heart and mind. Having my feet not hurt so much it was a joy to go out and tackle some trimming and weeding along the driveway. Working in the shade was nice, there were some sweet breezes, birds were chirping, there were times of silence when no traffic was racing down the road out front and it felt good to be alive.

Last night for supper I sauteed some tipalia filets in butter and served them over rice with a Kiwi Sauce.  Delicious!  You could serve this sauce with chicken also.

Here’s the recipe which I found here.

Kiwifruit Ginger Sauce for Whitefish

1/2 cup each vertically sliced onion, julienne carrot and green pepper

1 tablespoon each julienne fresh ginger root and vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup each packed brown sugar and vinegar

3 kiwifruit, pared and sliced

4 (6 oz.) whitefish steaks or fillets, steamed or poached

Saute onion, carrot, green pepper and ginger in oil. Mix cornstarch and water; add brown sugar and vinegar. Pour over vegetable mixture and cook until thickened. Quickly stir in kiwifruit. Pour over prepared fish just before serving.

Makes 2 1/2 cups sauce.

***

I didn’t take a photo last night, but here’s one I took in 2010, when I first made the recipe.

image

I have left-overs for another meal. Smile Tonight I want to make a recipe for ‘Elizabethan Chicken’ made using green grapes. I always loved cooking for my husband. He was a good sport always trying new recipes, and thanked me for meals cooked and enjoyed together. I miss that part of my life. I still need to eat, I still enjoy cooking, and I am learning contentment in cooking for one, and having more left-overs. I truly have much to be thankful for.

It is so easy to feel ‘dis-content’ with all the social media that surrounds us. Always pusing us for more, bigger, better, to keep up with everyone else, we need this that or the other thing, etc.  Acquiring more ‘things’ can’t give us deep down contentment. We need to step back and seriously think about not following the whims of the materialistic world that we live in. Be free to be ourselves, to be different. To live a calmer and more peaceful life.

Did you know that our minds process 60,000 thoughts a day, and 80% of them are negative. WOW!  It’s no wonder we are not content.

Let’s start today, if we haven’t already, to live in each and every moment we are blessed with. Bad and upsetting things and circumstances can still come our way, and hopefully through them we will become better people, growing stronger. When negative thoughts pound on us or sneak up on us, let’s think of what we have to be thankful for.

Earlier this morning there was a lovely cloud formation when I went outside. I just love those colors. All of those lavenders, blues, peaches and grays. (Please excuse the powerlines, they are part of life, there is still beauty to be seen behind them.)

06-26-morning

We had a little rain around 4ish this morning. We need more, and there are some gray clouds overhead, rain predicted for later this morning, but time will tell. Ah, we just had a few more rain drops.

After I finish this post, I am planning to make a loaf of banana bread using up two ‘ripe’ bananas.

Thanks again for visiting and your kind comments. I am blessed.

FlowerLady

07-26-hearts-st-gl

This lovely little stained glass window was a gift made by Karen and Carl, of Quarry Gardens blog, after my husband left this planet. Two hearts are joined as one, with a sweet rose in the center, a gentle and pretty reminder of love and life. Thanks again K and C. I see this every day, it is in my south facing window.

21 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Oh my, my first 5 comments to this post accidentally got deleted. I am so sorry!!!

I thank you for leaving them, and will think on the good thoughts and not the bad happening of their disappearance.

FlowerLady

Susan said...

Hi Lorraine,

I love that piece of stainglass. It's perfect for you with the hearts and rose. It's hard to believe that we process that much information a day and that most of it is negative. It truly is a gift to find peace and contentment! I believe it also helps the world when more people feel the positive vibes. Hope you're getting some rain. It seems to move all around me and maybe rain on my garden 1 day a week. I may have to plant more shade trees if this becomes the norm. Enjoy your Elizabeth Chicken.

Betty said...

This post hit home. In the last few months I have had so many thoughts going through my head. In the end I feel like you do. I have so many blessings in my life and to be content with what I have. In my case I am talking about health. I am 62 years old and I am not young again and my body has told me that recently. So what if I cannot do the things I use to do as fast as I did or as good as I did. It may take me longer now, but I do get them done. I have it alot better than some and for that I am so Thankful for each and every day. I try not to watch too much tv or read magazines. They seem to be for the young and so materialistic.

Nancy J said...

Contentment comes in many forms, and lately I have started to ignore the sad news that happens every day elsewhere,TV, I do not watch it, Google news, I avoid it, and tell myself every day I have so much to be thankful for.Wonderful friends, near and far, a warm home, ample firewood, health and energy( though sometimes not enough of this) to do housework, and sewing. And to be alone is not meaning to be lonely, I can be very content here all by myself. Hugs to you, with your heart, beautiful garden, and steadfast faith.XXX
p.s. do your comments come to your email inbox first? Mine do, then I go and publish them.

SimplySingleSenior said...

The bible verse about contentment from Paul is one of my "go to" verses when I need to remember how very blessed I am or when I feel overwhelmed by the news and social media. Paying attention to God's beauty in the natural world around us brings contentment as well.

Leslie Kimel said...

I just loved this post--such wise words. Thank you! You really helped me turn my attitude around.

Morning's Minion said...

I think that practicing thankfulness and contentment can become life-changing habits. So many things we can't control or change, but perhaps we can determine to live with a more graceful attitude.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Glad you are feeling better. Everyone is different and needs to find their own ways to manage. That meal looks delicious!

Joy Junktion said...

Hi Rainey! It sounds like you have been struggling, I haven't been around much lately! I do hope you are feeling better and not in so much pain! The cloud photo you shared is beautiful! We are praying for rain - for you and for us!! It's so terribly dry! Sending you hugs and blessings, Cindy xo

Catsngrams said...

I love your post I need to print it out and read it every day. I get caught up in this negative world and do not take the time to step back and be thankful. I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts.

Karen said...

Rainey, I loved this post, so glad the Blue Emu cream is working for you, I'm definitely going to have to give it a try. I love the meals you prepared and how it kindles fond memories of your dear husband. I try not to pay attention to the news, it is all so bleak and frightening. Today I had a bad headache and because it was hot and muggy outside I worked on laying out an abstract stained glass window. Abstract is not my 'style', but simply handling the cool pieces of stained glass and arranging them in patterns helped me feel better. (I'm so happy you love the window!) You're always in my thoughts and prayers. :-)

Val said...

Yes re: the steak vs. the hot dog. :)

Beautiful light in the cloud photo.

I'm glad you're feeling better and can enjoy being outside.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Simple things make me happy. But I struggle with the thought of being content with what I have..not necessarily the material things. If you don't strive for more..not necessarily material things...things can just become stagnant. I think being content is against my competitive nature. I'm content with my husband...I am NOT content with my aging car. I'm content with my home, but hold the hope that someday I will find a way to live in a warmer climate. How do you draw the fine line of being content, yet wanting more of life?
xx, Carol

PS: Supper looks great!!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

OH, I forgot. I am a very positive person and can't believe that I have THAT high a percentage of negative thoughts. In fact, I know I don't. Just sayin.

Celestina Marie said...

Good Morning and thank you for this beautiful post of contentment. I think of this often as I go about my day and so thankful for all the blessings big and small and even those happenings not so good that turn out with a message with something better ahead.

Your recipe looks delicious. Love the cloud formation. Such beauty all around and important to look up and see!!
The stained glass is gorgeous. What a special keepsake to see and enjoy each day.

I am still using the Blue Emu cream. It is helping and I am seeing a difference but you are right, I read on the jar to use it 2-3 times a day for a couple weeks, then apply as needed. The pain didn't happen over night so the healing takes time too. Glad your feet are better.
Have a blessing of a day. xo

Darla said...

A very uplifting post. Of course the picture of the roses in the joined heart made my day. As you know I'm teaching myself to sketch and maybe paint roses right now. I grab every opportunity to study roses in art. Thanks so much for showing this piece.

Melanie said...

I am pretty much content in my life and with what we have, but yes, there are sometimes where I wish we had more or "better". Human nature. Hubby and I are not ones who have the mentality that we have to "keep up with the Joneses" though.

I am the one who the blue emu cream didn't work for. I think it depends on what kind of pain you have and where. From what I've read online, I'm not the only one with lower back pain that this stuff didn't work for. Oh well, it was at least worth a try. I do use an all-natural spray called Biofreeze and that helps my pain a lot. And the good news is - my pain is much better since starting yoga classes again last week. Just one workout really helped. Can't wait to go again tomorrow.

M.K. said...

The stained glass is so beautiful! What a thoughtful gift, and you're still enjoying it now and will for many years :)

lil red hen said...

Thank you for this post, Flower Lady. Now and then we need to be reminded of how blessed we are.

Junkchiccottage said...

Thanks for your post. One thing I have learned in this past year is you have to focus in on the blessing and good things around you. Life can be full of disappointments and pain but it also brings wonderful things too. Glad that cream is working for you. I turned my mom onto it for her hip pain and she said so far so good. So thank you.
Have a great rest of the week.
Kris

gld said...

As normal, your post was very meaningful to me.

With fibromyalgia, I have days of extreme fatique. It is where I can barely walk across the floor without resting. Thankfully, the pain in my arms has left! It is a strange thing. There isn't much to be done. I have decided to appreciate the days no matter. Some days are much better than others and these are a delight. The other days, I am learning to just accept them. Life could be much worse. I am still up and about and mowing the yard and doing some garden work. That is pretty good for someone my age so I am learning to accept it.