Hello everyone.  Today is Ash Wednesday.  It is an important day for some, being the first day of Lent.  It always interests me how some people dread Lent and some look forward to it.

     People celebrate Lent in various ways, while others don’t celebrate it at all.  That is up to individual beliefs and disciplines.  If you celebrate Lent, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

     My thoughts have changed over the years.  They started out to be a time that was difficult and a time that came drudgingly.  It was like, “Ugh.  Lent is here again.  I have to give up something.”  It felt like a punishment.  It felt like I was grounded and something I enjoyed was taken away from me for these 40 days.

    Now, I have a different feeling towards Lent.  It is a time of encouragement.  It is a time of struggle in hopes of a grand renewal at the end. 

     This may seem confusing.  How can Lent go from a time of punishment in my eyes to a time of encouragement?  Well, part of it is that my level of maturity and my level of understanding have changed.  Also, I believe that Lent isn’t just about “giving up something.”  It could be about adding something as well.  It isn’t meant to punish, but to help one grow- emotionally, physically, intellectually, educationally, and spiritually. 

     I don’t know about you, but if I know I “only have to be good” or “only have to try” for 40 days, it isn’t as overwhelming as thinking, “I am going to change this whole thing about me forever- no looking back.”  I think the hope is that if one is successful in the 40 days, then it will be a new habit and part of a healthier life.

     I also think I try harder during Lent than I would during other parts of the year.  I know that other people are “trying” too.  I know that I am not alone in it.  Also, I feel that if Jesus has done so much for me, the least I can do is to try to better myself in these short 40 days.

     For all of you who are celebrating Lent, I wish you well with your sacrifices, new habits, trials, and struggles.  I hope you get that prize of renewal and new hope at the end.  God bless.

     

     Hello everyone.  Today, we have a special treat.  And, in it's own right it is inspirational.  My husband agreed to write my blog post for me today.  This is a man who has never sat down at the computer in our house before.  He doesn't like to write.  And, he has no idea what a blog is.  So, it shocked me when he actually sat down at the computer.  I thought he was just joking when he said he would do it.  (Joking is his middle name.  He doesn't do serious well.)
     Yet, sure enough, he sat down at the computer hen pecking away, one finger at a time.  Click, click, click.  "How do you erase?"  Click, click, click some more after I told him about the delete button.  Click, click, click.  I had no idea what the final result would be.  
      A little while longer, he came up with a version of the following that needed a few spelling and grammar corrections:

     "Once upon a time there lived a Jodi.  In the forest, she roamed and played in the winter’s snow; running and jumping, making lots of snow angels.  She would run so fast she would warm the winter’s wind into a warm summer’s breeze.  The smiles of all those around her would warm the face of winter’s sun who would then warm mother earth’s face; awakening sister spring and bring joy to all earth’s creatures."

      I hope you enjoyed it.  And, I hope you realize that anyone can surprise you and inspire you at any time.  Thank you, Joe, for writing my blog.  I love you.

     Hello everyone.  I often find art uplifting and inspirational.  Lately, I have rekindled my relationship with art.  I have started drawing again.  When I was young, I enjoyed drawing.  However, as I grew, I got frustrated because my art skills weren't improving as fast as I had hoped they would.  
     In my pursuit to get serious about furthering my art skills, I have joined some art groups/communities on Facebook.  Here is a list of a few of them:
*Ornation Creation
*Fun With Acrylic Painting
*Pen and Ink Art
*Doodle Art
*Zentangle Explorations
*For the Love of Doodling
*Coloring Enthusiasts