Blessings

In the Christian faith, we are in the heart of the Lenten season. This is a time of prayer, fasting and contemplation. I try to be more aware of the many blessings God has given to me and ask for His guidance in making the most of my talents and appreciating these blessings.
The ability to recognize the miracles in the everyday requires a mindfulness that is easily lost in the treadmill of life. We begin to take these blessings for granted.
I remember when my mother got sick and was told she only had 6 months to live. She told me that suddenly everything took on new meaning. A sunrise....a baby's cry...birds singing or even a smile..... all of it was important. She understood that with each blessing came the crushing realization that these experiences were limited and she would not enjoy them forever. Each blessing was to be savored for the moment making it far more rich than ever before.
Learning to become aware of everyday blessings is a wonderful way to enhance your own journey and enrich your own life. Give thanks and celebrate life each and every day.

It's Never Too Late

I have been in school now for the last 2 years and only have 3 more courses in order to complete my bachlor's degree in nursing. I was pleasantly surprised when I enrolled for online courses over the internet to find that most of the other students were in the same age bracket that I was. Who would have thought that the baby boomers in their 50's would be back in school?
I remember my mother telling me, "you can do anything you set your mind to". She was right. I have actually surprised myself reading for hours on end and writing term papers .Of course the other expression she used to say was "nothing good comes without hard work". She was right on that count as well.
In order to fulfill a life long dream of completing my college education, I have had to rearrange my life. Work hours were cut and the house gathers far more dust than it used to. Fortunately, my family is supportive and understands how much this means to me. Pursuing one's dream brings about a contentment with the self. It's never too late...