Choose to give from a place of love
Pause and be silent
Breathe in fresh air and give thanks
Pray and listen for God’s guidance
Walk in the woods and notice nature in all its forms, colours, sounds, smells
Write a letter to a friend, to yourself, to God
Give thanks for the many ordianary and extraordinary blessings in my life
Be kind to myself and others
Retreat into silence when saying something unkind just feels icky
Learn to love one’s self
stress
I must preface here, this is not something I normally choose to write about, however, I believe it needs to be said out loud and not behind doors – pull the splinter from my heart and let it heal
Holidays were fun as children
Days off from school
Playing with friends
Decorating the house with my Mom while listening to Holiday music
Cooking and sharing family recipes from our native Arabic foods, hoshwe, sfeehis, yabras and Mom’s famous chocolate pie
I never believed that our family could become so fractured once my parents were no longer hosting these events in their home and other homes were offered,
It’s happened
What is your resolution to this uncomfortable and painful situation?
What are the choices?
Mine, pray about it, say what I need to say and don’t say it mean.
A letter was written this morning reflecting my total disappointment and heartache
Decisions were made regarding my choice to participate separately from the entire family, and in small groups, when, where and with whom I choose to if I choose to, or to keep it very simple, and choose to celebrate with friends without drama
#HolidayDisappointment #HolidayStress #Choices #FamilyDrama
11/28/2021
the one the only
the one who listens
the one who walks with me day and night
the Whisperer
the constant one who assures me that all is well always
grateful am I to know you
grateful am I that you want to know me
grateful am I when I remember that any question or request uttered doesn’t go unheard
you hear all things
by hearing and answering all things, my Faith grows stronger
and I am reminded of a journey taken long ago in a country far away
where the one word uttered to me as I boarded a plane to return home
was BELIEVE!
I believe, and as the prayer or psalmist reminds us, help us when we forget to.
~ Anita Adams 11/2021
Hearts pure at birth
Minds untainted by the whispers of others telling us what to think, do, perceive or believe
Maturing slowly from children to teenagers
Grasping to know who we are, what we truly believe
Asking ourselves what or whom would I most like to be
Then the sun breaks through in shades of pink, gray, white with a blue sky behind those clouds
And we know, we aren’t perfect
We are ALL doing the best we can to be a human, an adult, a sister, mother, situ, wife, friend, co-worker, neighbor
Traveling and navigating a Spiritual existence in a human body
We aren’t perfect
If I don’t say the right words at the right time, or misinterpret something you’ve said or done, don’t take it personally, kindness will return, if apologies are needed they will surface and be said, if not, know that this imperfect human is doing the best they can
So to you my brother or sister in Christ, know that in my heart, underneath layers of life’s experience, exists pure love
©Anita Adams 8/2021
Learning to hold on when the healing is in year three and you feel like you will never fully recover is COURAGEOUS
There’s a reason I’m on this journey to wholeness
Even in the dark – the light still exists
HEALING takes whatever time it takes
During this time of Healing
I’ve shed some unknown ‘judgements’ about myself and others that I didn’t even know existed – this part of the healing process has been a GIFT
HEALING TAKES whatever time it takes
Haven’t I prayed for PATIENCE?
Well, here it is …
HEALING TAKES WHATEVER time it takes
Thank you CREATOR for hearing my prayer for walking with me in the dark, for giving me an outlet to spread my wings, to be GRATEFUL for ALL the many gifts you’ve given me
HEALING TAKES WHATEVER TIME it takes
It’s okay to REST, to PAUSE, to BREATHE, to REJOICE, to LAUGH out loud
Waiting is part of the process as well as Trusting
HEALING TAKES WHATEVER TIME IT TAKES.
© Anita Adams 6/23/2021
A typed note rests on my desk with this question Where am I headed?, and I read it every day.
I don’t know where I am headed
I do know that I am being prepared for something else; And I will recognize that calling or destination when the door or window opens
My prayer each day is your will for me God, and others
I listen and wait
Look and notice
Close my eyes and grow silent
Working and growing in compassion to meet the challenges of the day before me, as best I can
Nature and prayer are the balms that soothe my soul
Bathing under the canopy of the forest
Listening to the wind as it sways the trees’ trunks and limbs, they join in song, singing to one another is the music of my heart
Early morning, the birds’ song and banter brings a feeling of comfort like a flannel blanket on a cold day
Creating art from photos or gathered pieces of paper and moss, paint on canvas, herbs wrapped in string and presented as bouquets
Where am I headed?
Perhaps the answer is to grow deeper in gratitude for all the gifts I’ve been given – a compassionate heart, a listening ear, eyes that see, arms and legs that move and carry me from place to place, a knowingness that all is well …. and, more will be revealed – Hope.
~ Anita Adams 5/30/2021
to feel the wind on my face
to hear his voice
to hug my grandsons without masks
to retire and enjoy my days writing and creating art
to go to Mass and receive Communion
to sit on the shore at the beach, and listen to the ocean’s song, to feel its waves wash upon my feet
to bathe in the forest and breathe in the fragrance of pines and flaming azaleas
to finish a book or two
to be guided to where and what my true calling is
to love and know myself so well that naturally, love overflows to all those around me
to be more grateful
to be present in this moment, in this breath
~ Anita Adams 5/11/2021
Tell me what I missed….
Today – I missed the basking in the warmth of the sun
Yesterday – I missed a walk in the evening
A Year ago – I missed celebrating Good Friday with my Mom
Missing the smiles behind the masks, the hugs from those I know and love, and those I like, but know not – yet
All the moments and hugs from my grandsons from September 2020 until now
Life and its fluidity
Making the most of those moments and grateful for the comforts I have – a partner, a home, eyes that see, ability to feel with my heart and mirror the love back that’s been gifted to me.
Prayers that go something like this….
I am Tree
Tiny seed placed in the ground
Watered and nurtured with sunlight
God’s spirit poured out on me
Help me grow a little at a time
Roots clinging to the earth
Filled with the Spirit
Nourished with nutrients to grow
Branches stretched up toward the Heavens
Swaying in the wind
Dancing, singing with birds and bees
Giving thanks to our Creator
Singing songs like I Believe
Thank you – Love, Me
©Anita Adams 2021
Definition of Epiphany: a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
Epiphany
This week I’ve had two –both with men, both familial.
The first with my son during a telephone conversation from him, which I listened as he spoke to me about his life, responsibilities, wants and needs. As I listened, what I heard was a type of discontent. And, it dawned on me that this may be what I have often echoed to my own parents, and how sad it must have been for them to have heard this same discontent from me for years. I decided right then to consciously change this language to content, possible and hopeful with all persons one conversation, one day at a time.
The second epiphany came last night when I shared with my father the first epiphany and he listened and looked at me and then said, you must have forgotten how you were as a young girl – I did NOT expect to hear these words or the examples of heart ache he described thereafter. Yet, I listened. I apologized for the heartache I bestowed unknowingly on him and my mother.
And then, I shared my perceptions of what happened in my life at that time. As he listened, and he did, I knew he was hearing my recollection and realization much differently. It was a lot to absorb for both of us. And even as I share this now, I know that we will both never be the same. For me, I will be more compassionate, listen more, talk less, need less, and continue to strive for that balance, that art of contentment.
As Easter approaches, and Lent comes to a close, I will share something I offered up during my Lenten journey with Christ. My Lenten Fast was this – to choose NOT to engage in any negative communication with others or toward myself, and if I slipped up, I would deposit $1 in a jar to be given to an organization for those who are less fortunate than myself such as MANNA FoodBank recipients or Catholic Charities. I may have $10 in the jar to distribute – not bad for 40 days of commitment and what I’ve learned is that this will be an ongoing way of life for me – listen more, talk less, if I must talk, be aware of my choice of words. An acronym for the word ‘THINK’ is this: Is what you are about to say: Thoughtful, Honest, Intelligent, Necessary and Kind? If so, it’s okay to proceed, if not, it’s best to just listen or move on.
Happy Easter – Spring !
rain falls outside in the dark
the sound is comforting
the ground is drinking
worms are swimming
keys are tapping
water splashing
another day has passed
it’s dark and time has lapsed
tick tock goes the clock
another day gone
work sucks the energy from me and he
another day inside
deprived of the trees
longing for the weekend
the forest
the trail
the streams
another day
tick tock
Called to Write 