Welcome with me our first guest blogger for Company’s Coming Thursday. Her thoughts on life resonate with me. I’m thinking they will with you too.
Don’t look down!
by Jody Payne
Don’t look down. But it’s okay if you hold your breath while looking up. That’s what I’m doing today as I post this on Judythe’s blog.
I have to admit I have no idea why anyone would give a hoot about my opinion of anything, but I’m always willing to give an opinion.
Sometimes, I see myself as one of those pebbles you find on the beach.
I’ve been washed and polished and tossed ashore. Then, just as I start to feel the sun on my face, I’m thrown back into the ocean by a wave with the force of a tsunami.
However, next thing you know, there I am on the beach again basking in glorious sunlight.
Is this how you see your life?
Probably.
I do know this much; life, with all its troubles, all its anguish, is a miracle.
Yep, life is a total miracle to be enjoyed even when we’re in the deep, way over our heads and wondering if this time we’ll ever surface again.
Do this for me, for yourself and everyone you love: Vow to take time to understand you’re being cleansed and polished.
Trust me; next time you are tossed ashore, you will discover you are stronger and your life will be more beautiful than ever.
What’s going on in your life right now?
Can you remember a time when your life was at its darkest? And then, voila! You were thrown back on the shore to rest in the sun.
If you’ve never been in the depths of real trouble, never been afraid this time you’d never get a happy life again, I’m thrilled for you.
I also think you’re lying.
Tell us the truth. We’ll all feel better. I’m just sayin’…
Jody Payne is
a writer (fiction and non-fiction),
a horse woman (dressage, no less),
an animal lover (just ask her two rescue dogs Annie and Janie or my two four-legged boys, Toby and Buster),
and most of all she’s southern through and through.
Want to visit with Jody more? You can find her on FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodypaynesays or her website: www.jodypayne.net
Hey Sarah, I kind of write by the seat of my pants and am surprised when I read it somewhere. I think I was missing my island home. We lived on Okaloosa island for four wonderful years. I strongly recommend it.
Hi Jody and Judith,
Boy, I sure miss you guys!
Jody what a wonderful message. I correlate rollercoasters to define my life, but yours was much more salient! I will begin thinking that way too, since I love the ocean…even when stormy. Cyber hugs to both of you!!!
Hey, Sarah, I do miss my writer friends. I don’t, however miss the weather, and I’m not talking about the heat. This winter y’all have had more cold and wet than we have here in the Colorado Rockies! Thanks for stopping by.
Teri, can imagine Judythe leaving sunny Texas and moving to snowy Colorado? She has bears in the backyard. Really. Real live bears. Yikes!
Hi, Jody….wonderful blog, very uplifting!
Ahh Jody. You are the steading force in the hurricane. I miss seeing you each month, but it was wonderful having a “conversation” with you today. As I read your post, I sat her nodding away, saying yes and glad to know you touch my life. You have always been a positive to my negative, and I am very glad to call you a friend. And bless you dear lady, I know the rough seas you have traveled and glad you find yourself on the beach again.
Sending Prayers and Hugs.
Ruth, don’t sell yourself short. You are one of the most positive people in the world. I think it might have to do with the passel of beautiful grandchildren you are blessed with. Keep smiling and write for the night is coming!
I understand. This usually happens when our loved ones are threatened, doesn’t it? Mary, you and your books, your marvelous teaching talent are so very valuable, hang in there. And there is this: Oh wait. I’m not supposed to say this, oh well, deal with it. Judythe can hit delete. God has his finger on the button that says, “Handle with Care.”
Jody ~ you gave me a big smile. Thank you. And thank you for being the inspiration you are (plus you make the world’s best cookies – there’s more than one way to deal with the tumble of being a pebble!)
Hugs!
Jody ~ How lovely to see you as a guest on Judythe’s blog. Like most people there have been a number of times in my life when I couldn’t look down, even breathe. By and large they happened when my loved ones were threatened, with health issues, with hard choices, with dying. These were the times when I wished time would fast forward while at the same time I wanted time to stop, not trusting that what happened next wouldn’t be worse than what was already happening. These were the times I wished I had a button that said “Handle with Care”. :-)