Linda Joy Wirth’s new book is a delightful inspiration to read. Though Linda is blind, the underlying theme of this book is not really her blindness, but more the experience with a sighted world that cannot see from her perspective. She shares stories which shine light on her diverse educational experiences, college, marriage, children, music, dance, theatre, travel, and career. We become aware of the challenges she faced, adaptations she had to make, the barriers which she overcame, and the dreams she realized. With each new experience, we see her grow as she analyzes, accepts, forgives, and learns from every encounter. She tells her story with honesty, humor, and insight, not dwelling on the difficult situations, but always moving on to the next experience. Through it all, she demonstrates determination, a positive attitude, and a strong spirituality which grows as she does.
Linda is an optimistic and outgoing woman who has been blind since birth. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver and worked in the field of geriatric, long-term care for over 28 years. Linda is also a singer and actress, having performed in over 30 plays and musicals. She is an inspirational speaker who has presented to groups of all types from schoolchildren to professionals. She shares her message that, despite hardships, challenges, and disappointments, we must keep going and look for the the beautiful gifts life has to offer.
This is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Because-Blind-Does-Mean/dp/B08C4FTJJ7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Linda+Joy+Wirth&qid=1598155707&sr=8-1
Give it a peek. You will be very happy you did!
Linda Joy Wirth
As we age, things change. Our body parts begin to complain.We do not walk as fast as we once did. We can no longer do things that we actually took for granted. Perhaps we gain or lose weight. We are no longer young.
The question remains: Do you want to age better? Are you willing to make some life style changes in order to be healthier?
Are you looking backwards at memories, both sad and happy ones? Are you looking forwards with hope or dread? Do you live in the ever-present NOW?
Every second you spend anywhere else other than NOW is time lost forever, never to be regained.
If you are in your NOW, you are living your life to the fullest, taking advantage of opportunities that come your way.
Life is so short, no matter how long that is. Yes, it is a great oxymoron, but true.
Are you happy with your present, or are you trying to escape from something? Where is your focus and attention? Are you caught up like a hamster in a cage, going round and round every day? Do you see beauty around you? Are you so stressed out that you are chest breathing (which is the first thing that happens)? Are you breathing deeply, relaxing into the moment?
How is your dance going? You are the only one who can dance your unique movements. No one else can do it for you. Is it slow and full of rhythm like a waltz? Are you doing the minute waltz in 30 seconds or less, stuffing every moment with activities, either voluntarily or out of necessity? Are you dancing to your own tune or somebody else’s?
Wherever you are in your life, the only moment you can make a new choice is the present one. Every change has a price tag in some form, be it time, money, effort, or something else. Are you willing to begin to change the music to which you are dancing?
If you make one small step in your chosen direction, it is a beginning. It does not have to be drastic. You can only do what is possible for you at this moment in time. Awareness of needed changes is vital to the process. After all, you are the only one who can make that decision to follow through.
Life is a beautiful thing that passes so quickly. Time does not stop for any reason. It is your journey and your dance. Make the most of your precious time.
God bless both your journey and your dance!
Dec 18
This gallery contains 5 photos.
For many years, I have believed that Christmas is a very special time of year. It appears that people are kinder, more gentle, certainly forgiving, etc., during this extraordinary period. The focus is placed on the beauty around us: Christmas lights and decorations, being good for “Santa,” thinking more of others and what their needs […]
That question, “Are you listening to your own drummer?” is a formidable one. If asked sincerely by your mind, what would you answer?
Life comes at us helter-skelter, haphazardly, causing confusion in its wake. From the moment one wakes up until one falls into bed at night totally exhausted, incoming information about a plethora of things bombard the mind and emotions. Even if we succumb to sleep, it is not a peaceful one, even if one takes a pill to get a little shut eye. How does one quiet this cacophony? Does one just simply react to each thing? It becomes a conundrum of spirit, to say the least.
Life is not simple. It can get very complicated in a heartbeat. So much can control one’s very being because it commands the time, thoughts, and everything one turns a hand to do. How does one survive this onslaught?
Simplicity is forgotten amongst the rubble of it all.
Einstein’s definition of insanity is apt: If one keeps doing the same things the same way but expecting different results, it is truly insanity.
So, if you ask yourself honestly, “How do I get off this crazy merry-go-round?” the answer actually is a simple one.
Stop and breathe deeply. Inhale with the diaphragm and then pull the abdomen in and push the air out. (The first thing to go when enduring stress is the breathing. We become chest breathers instead.) Perhaps get yourself a cup of tea or something warm. Sit down. Stop the scurry for just a few minutes. Then you can truly ask yourself:
“Am I listening to my own drummer, or am I just overwhelmed by the cacophony of it all?”
Perhaps you could put on some quiet music and think of a happier moment in your life. Transport yourself to that moment by closing your eyes, remembering the scene, colors, scents, and sounds.
You will find that five minutes of breathing deeply and thinking of something else, much happier, will be magic to your soul.
Life will, indeed, go on. But if you can but stop like this, you will find a tonic for your soul that no pill can compare to it.
Your own music is sweeter by far than anything else could possible be. Are you willing to stop and listen?
God bless your journeys.
Have you ever felt like you are doing the one-minute waltz in 30 seconds? Or perhaps you are riding a Class V wave as you are rafting the river of life? Do you feel like you do not have any personal time at all because you are successfully fulfilling many roles for other people, including a job? Do you just fall into bed at night, so exhausted that you have a hard time falling asleep?
How is it that, somehow, you feel like a puppet with others holding the strings, making you dance the way they want you to do? Perhaps you are so nice that you cannot control your own destiny?
Sometimes, one has to stop, breathe deeply, take a step back in order to look at your life objectively. Is that even a possibility?
NO? Absolutely not! What a crazy question! With all of the obligations that one feels like he/she must complete for every single day, how could one stop for even a moment?
In this fast-paced world that we are living in, so many people are so stressed out that it is only a matter of time before ill health and chaos catches up with them. Do you want to be one of those?
Life is hard enough without all of the diseases that are aggravated by stress of so many kinds.
So I ask you again, what will it take to get your attention? Will it take something drastic?
One can have a “To Do List” that is so full that one could not complete it in a week, let alone a day. No, you do not have to tear it up and forget the whole thing (which is what usually happens when you finally have some chaotic thing occur to get your attention). But you can begin to prioritize your list, whether it is internal (a mind thing) or external (real paper/pen thing).
But at the very top of your list, put at least 5 minutes in the morning for you – when you wake up or having your cup of coffee. Breathe deeply. Be in the moment. Notice something beautiful in your surroundings. Quiet your monkey mind, which is already running circles around you. You will find that even 5 minutes can change your perspective all day. It can literally even change your life.
If you are in a tense meeting, take a moment to breathe deeply, and then proceed as you think best. That breath may save your life in many ways.
Let’s say the children are whining or fighting and you feel like you are at your wit’s end. Stop still literally and take a quiet moment to breathe deeply, even if you have to lock the bathroom door for just a bit. Proceeding from that point can calm the Class Five waves and help you to deal realistically with whatever is going on.
Easy for me to say, isn’t it? After all, I do not have your obligations, or your problems. If I did, I would not be approaching this subject with such equanimity and simplistically.
Well, folks, I have worn that hat a million times in every way imaginable. What saved me is doing exactly what I am proposing that you should try. For only when you try it and see how well it works can you see the Truth of it.
Are you willing?
God’s blessings on your journey!
Here is an afterthought on a card I keep near me:
Time
“Time is an invention of mankind.
It is in our control.
If you should be in need of ‘Just a little more time’
or ‘Just one moment of peace,’
Take it – it’s yours.”
by The Love Company 1983
An elderly man shuffled up to an obviously very poor young girl with blond hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in an old hand-me-down, but she was clean and happy, humming a little song to herself.
He said, “Would you like to read a story?”
She nodded her head shyly as she answered, “Yes, thank you, I love to read.”
He handed her a simple book. She took it into her hands gently.
Out loud, she read, “The Old Grocery Store.”
She shook her head and asked, “What Old Grocery Store, Sir? There isn’t one around here.”
The old man smiled at her sadly, his eyes lowered, and responded, “There used to be.”
He raised his eyes to look at a very well-dressed older man as he swaggered by with a cigar and a pompous smile.
He said, “There used to be a grocery store right where the Dollar Tree is now.”
She said excitedly, “I like the Dollar Tree! I can get so many things! When I get a dollar and some change, I can spend a long time in there, just thinking about what I want to spend it on.”
He looked at her with a tear running down his cheek and said, “I know, little one, I know. What is your name?”
“Angel, cause Momma went to church to pray and asked God to give her a baby girl. So He sent me!” she responded. “I love to read. Can I keep it?”
“Yes, Angel, you may keep it. It is just an old man’s dream,” he answered as he turned and shuffled away.
She sat down on a bench in front of the Dollar Tree and began to read it. She did not stop till she had finished.
She smiled and thought, “That’s the way a book should end – happy.”
She got up and strolled home, thinking about the book.
When she got in her front door, she asked, “Momma, was there ever an Old Grocery Store where the Dollar Tree is now and a bathroom next to it, with no sign for ladies or gents? Why is it all gone?”
Her mother laughed and asked, “My goodness! Where did all those questions come from?”
Angel held the little book out to her, and she took it.
She looked at it and queried, “Where did you get this?”
Angel smiled as she thought of the old man and answered, “A very old man who shuffles. He doesn’t walk, ever, Momma.”
Her mother smiled back at her because she knew who it was, “That would be old Sam. He used to manage the grocery store for Mr. Bilks, who owned it. Then somebody advised Mr. Bilks that he could make more money on a Dollar Tree store. That ended it.”
“Is Mr. Bilks the older man with fancy clothes, struts like a peacock in the pictures I see, and smokes a big stinky cigar?” she asked.
“Yes, that would certainly be Mr. Bilks,” she answered.
“What about the bathroom without any signs? Who would know which one to use?” Angel asked.
“Well, everybody knew that the left one was for gentlemen and the right one was for ladies,” she responded.
“That sure seems strange to me,” Angel said as she turned to go into her room. “Signs are important.”
“May I read this book?” her mother inquired.
“Yes, of course. Old Sam said he wanted us to remember what it used to be like,” she answered.
Her mother sat down and read the little book as it took only a few minutes. She was crying when she finished it.
As luck would have it, her husband, Foster, came in just then.
Concerned when he saw her tears, he stopped in his tracks and asked, “Mary, why are you crying?”
She smiled at him and handed him the book, saying, “Read this. It will only take a few minutes.”
So he sat down and read it.
When he finished it, he smiled at Mary and said, “You old softy. You remember that Old Grocery Store as well as I do. We had our very first kiss in the back by the green beans!”
She laughed as he picked her up and whirled her around the room, stopping only to give her a big kiss before he set her down.
She asked, “Do you think we can do anything to bring that Old Grocery Store back? It was the center of this town, filled with camaraderie and laughter. The older men would play checkers out front before Mr. Bilks told them to stop loitering – that is was bad for business – and then he took away the table, chairs, and checkerboard. That is when he put the bench outside the window.”
He responded, “I do not know, Sweetheart. Mr. Bilks has the Town Council in his back pocket, and we both know that the dollar sign is the only thing that man is concerned about. After all, the whole town works for him in some way, as you know.”
“Yes, I agree, but it was so nice to be able to have the Old Grocery Store so close instead of driving several miles to the Wal-Mart in Kingsbury,” she stated.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Angel was standing at her doorway, listening to their conversation. She quietly closed her door and sat down, talking to Walter, her stuffed dog, that she held tightly.
“We have to do something about this, Walter. Now you know how I love to buy things in the Dollar Tree, but I don’t really need more stuff. I think that the Old Grocery Store is far more important, don’t you agree? I don’t know what I am going to do. After all, I am just a little girl. But I’m going to think about it!” she stated firmly.
Several days later, she smiled as she thought about an idea, “Why that just might work.”
She did not delay but asked her mother, “I have a dollar and some change. Can I go to the Dollar Tree, please?”
She answered, “Yes, you can. Just be home for supper, OK? You know your Dad likes us all to sit down together, pray before we eat, and talk about our day.”
Taking the little book with her, she marched out the door, intent on finding Mr. Bilks. She got to the bench in front of the Dollar Tree, sat down, and waited. Sure enough, after a while, she spotted Mr. Bilks coming. She waited until he was almost upon her.
She got up for the bench, stood grimly in front of him, and said, “Pardon me, Mr. Bilks, but would you sit with me on this bench and read this little book, please?”
He grimaced at her and asked, “Why would I want to do that?”
With persistence only the young have, she answered, “Because it is important. You need to know there are some things money cannot buy!”
He looked askance at her boldness and thought, “Why not? What can it hurt? This little urchin is obviously not going to leave me alone anyway.”
With a sigh, he sat down, took the book, and read it. He actually felt chagrin as he read it.
When he finished, he turned to the little girl and asked, “So, OK, I read it. Now what do you want from me? What is your name, anyway?”
“Angel,” she answered, smiling up at him. “You know you should bring back the Grocery Store, the table, chairs, and the checkerboard, don’t you? After all, you must have enough money by now after all these years. Besides, you look pretty old to me. You know you can’t take it with you, don’t you?” she stated adamantly.
“Well, you’ve given me something to think about,” he said as he gave her back the book and turned away.
That is exactly what he did for several days. He looked back at the past and all the decisions he had made to get more money. He looked at his bank statements and the fancy house filled to the brim with beautiful furniture, original paintings, fine china and glassware. He also knew he had never found a woman to share his life or give him children. In fact, he was alone except for the servants.
Finally, he came to a decision. He knew that Angel was Foster and Mary’s child and all the trouble they had because it was just a small town, after all. He looked at his watch and determined that the family would be gathering together for supper. He picked up his hat and headed for the local flower shop to pick up some flowers before he knocked on their door.
Foster came to the door and looked surprised when he saw Mr. Bilks standing there.
He said, “Hello, sir, would you like to come in?”
“No,” he responded. “I am fine here. But may I talk to Angel for a minute?”
Foster turned questioningly to Mary, who nervously nodded her head in anxiety, thinking, “Oh, my, what trouble is happening for us now?”
“Angel, please go speak with Mr. Bilks,” she said.
Angel, knowing she was in big trouble now, rose hesitantly. With her head down in shame, she came over to Mr. Bilks.
He put a finger under her chin and pulled her eyes up to meet his as he bent over.
He stated, “You do know why I am here, don’t you?”
With tears in her eyes, she nodded her head, and said, “Yes, Sir,” so softly almost no one could hear her. “I am in big trouble, aren’t I?” As an afterthought, hoping to divert some anger, she added, “I am so sorry.”
To her amazement, he laughed heartily. He took the flowers from behind his back and presented them to her.
Her mouth dropped open in surprise.
Startled, Foster and Mary exchanged glances, wondering what was going on. After all, Mr. Bilks was a powerful man who aroused fear.
Still laughing happily, Mr. Bilks said to Angel, “You know, my dear, no one would dare talk to me the way you did. In fact, I would not have let them! I have been very satisfied with my life and everything in it. That is, I was until you came along. ‘Out of the mouth of babes’ is what they say. Well, today, I believe it. You are absolutely right! There are so many things all my money cannot buy me! So I wanted to tell you personally, thank you. I am, indeed, going to bring back the Old Grocery Store, the table and chairs, and the checkerboard. When I do that, will you play me a game of checkers? It’s been a long time since I did that.”
Angel smiled as she reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek, answering, “Yes, sir, I will.”
She turned and beamed a big smile at her parents, who were amazed at what had just happened.
Mr. Bilks wiped away a tear as he spoke to them all, “Thank you for reminding an old fool like me what life should be like.”
He turned and started to walk away, but turned back, glanced at the simple meal on the table, and stated, “Oh, and by the way, Foster, you shouldn’t be surprised tomorrow when you come into work because I need a good foreman like you, and I will give you a paycheck to match. Anyone who could raise Angel to be the way she is deserves so much more from life. If you can keep a secret,” he said with a wink, “Angel is right. I can’t take it with me so I am going to give a pay increase to every person once the Old Grocery Store is back!”
With that, he turned and walked away, whistling, leaving consternation behind him.
Foster and Mary looked at Angel and asked simultaneously, “What in the world did you say to Mr. Bilks?”
Angel just shrugged her shoulders and said, “I just told him the truth: There are so many things money cannot buy, he must have made enough money by now, and he can’t take it with him cause he looks so old!”
Her parents looked at each other in wonderment.
Laughing together, they group hugged at the good news: the Old Grocery Store would be coming back!
Enthusiasm comes from the root for “En” = From and “Dios” = God. In short, it means that God is our inspiration of ideas and livingness.
The dictionary defines Enthusiasm as: “To be inspired as by a god; intense or eager interest; zeal; fervor.” That is pretty clear.
Yet, the daily wear and tear of life does not let us live our lives with Enthusiasm. That is a matter between the head and the heart. Stress denies its presence. Obligations required by our work, our families, our friends, outnumber the good thoughts we do have. Our electronic gadgets pervade every corner and every minute of our waking experiences…smart phones, computers in every form, gaming, etc.
The question arises: Having said all of the above, how can one participate in one’s life with Enthusiasm?
Answer: The first half hour after you wake up, you have a direct inroad into your subconscious. The same occurs at night: The last half hour before you go to sleep provides the same opportunity.
Can you arrange some quiet time for yourself at those time frames? It is an inroad to peace of mind and heart with quiet and deep breathing, positive thoughts, meditation, and dwelling on what is right in your life in lieu of that which is wrong.
Even 5 minutes could make a difference if you cannot dream of 30 minutes. It is your life. You alone must choose how you will live it. Daily prayers are also the “meat and potatoes” of your existence. How are you feeding your soul?
My vote is a quiet, peaceful existence with positive food for my soul. What will you choose?
God’s blessings be upon your path and choices this day!
Beauty in Action
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