Judy Price is Writing

Where in the world is the ‘good news’??

The global answer is becoming a difficult quest.

More and more, I must look in my own ‘back yard’  to see examples of  ‘good’ in action. 

Volunteers who assist others in need is the most evident answer, whether it be at the local food bank or on the street.

For me personally, I look inside myself. 

When I feel peace within, I am able to open my heart to others in the world, be they near or far, known or not.

Loving, positive thoughts and feelings resound loudly in the hearts and souls of each of us, when we are open to sending and receiving them.

Therein lies the answer for the world.  It begins with me and with you.  

With the advent of Christmas, I will go one step further with the bible verse, “Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened, ask and it shall be given” which points the way to ’good news’ for all, if only we will listen, then follow . . .

Today I had plans to get out there and shop!!! 

Didn’t happen.

It is such a dull and cold November day, I just could not venture from my ‘comfort’ zone.

I did, however, make a connection that was long overdue.

Over the past several years, since the time when my ‘coupledom’ turned to ‘singlehood’, I have been navigating financial waters on my own.

I now realize that perhaps this was not the wisest decision, although in my defense I can say that I was preoccupied with legal issues and healing.

Today I made an appointment to meet with a financial advisor, with the hope that this will set me on a new and promising course.

I am preparing myself for the future as best I can, ever optimistic that all will ‘be well’ with me on this human journey.

After all, even though I cannot control the wind, I can adjust the sails accordingly, enlisting a little ‘jib’ help along the way.

As a majority of my readers are from the USA, I would be remiss not to wish all of my American neighbours and friends a very ‘Happy Thanksgiving’, as well as happy football cheering, and happy shopping on ‘Black Friday’!

I would presume ‘black’ refers to the positive ’ bottom line’ effects for retailers tomorrow :)

Lately, I have been advised to ‘brand’ my work as the sole author of my website, which is gratefully administered and hosted by my brother-in-law.

I always thought I was ‘selling me’ as my words are my own, which is the reason my ‘url’ and ’domain’ states my name and that I am writing.

I would like to seek the wisdom of my readers in this regard, as I am having some difficulty finding the ‘right’ words to describe what I am marketing.

I know that by writing here in various categories of ‘posts’, my hope is to entertain and relate to others while sharing  my life experiences, my educational and professional expertise, and my personal emotional journey, perhaps assisting others along the way, or at least providing a fresh or different perspective. 

I enjoy provoking thought, a variety of emotions, as well as laughter!

In my quest to brand my work, I am learning that the words I choose must ‘emote’ the psychological flavour I am seeking to elicit in my readers to bond them to me.

I would be most grateful for comments and contact from anyone interested in providing me with their ideas and advice with respect to what my ‘brand’ could be.

Of course, with automatic screening, some words will be filtered as spam without my knowledge, and I would encourage re-sending appropriate ideas, which will hopefully be successfully received by me the second time around ;)

‘Thank you’ to all of those who read what I write. 

I am grateful for each and every one of you, whether you choose to comment or not

I would imagine that most New Zealanders are as mystified as I am that the Chilean mining disaster lessons learned did not assist mining experts in their own area of the world to attempt to rescue their trapped miners immediately after the first explosion occurred.

Now that there has been a second explosion releasing methane gas, it would appear that the miners are doomed.

This is happening at the same time as North Korea tension mounts with their attack on an island in South Korea, killing some military personnel and civilians.

With the Americans set to give thanks tomorrow and Christmas in fast pursuit, I wonder about the ’air time’ given to airport security scanning procedures versus the above two ‘newsworthy’ stories!

This may sound ‘tongue in cheek’ however, I would put forth that those who have no artificial body parts they do not wish revealed have nothing to ‘hide’ in the quest for security.  All others may choose not to fly.

Once again, perspective is everything when looking at issues, be they personal or world-relevant.

This season holds mixed blessings.

My past is rich with memories warming my heart, delighting my soul.

My present includes gifts of sadness and joy, grief and hope, balancing my life.

My future unfolds mysteriously, one day at a time, embracing my dreams.

This week brings the American Thanksgiving, while today the largest Santa Claus parade in the world prepares us for Christmas.

I recall the excitement of this annual ritual when my children were young.

Mother of  little ‘bundles of joy’, I donned them in snowsuits and mittens to line city streets with hundreds of other families eagerly awaiting Kris Kringle’s arrival!

Floats of every description passed us by, while we smiled and waved them on their route.

Hot chocolate warmed our tummies while gingerbread cookies satiated our appetites.

We visited toy-lands in department stores after viewing sidewalk windows decked in every imaginable themed childhood winter fantasy.

To top off the city adventure, a photo with Santa sitting on his red velvet throne surrounded by his elves was no small feat, as lines of little ones necessitated a persistent patience to acquire this prize!

Sweet memories resurface during this season each year, making me mindful of my blessings, while providing me the opportunity to give thanks . . .

Alaskan Perspective

Well Mom, I tried to not write here today.

See where that got me! 

Here again, sixteen months to the day you died. 

Just am not ready to let go of this ‘security blanket’, as my grief healing journal still gives me comfort.

It is a sunny, almost mild day in the middle of November, and that makes it hard to ‘fall’ into winter, although our clocks fell back one hour a week ago. 

Since I cannot stop the season, I had better prepare myself for the cold, dark months ahead. 

I sincerely hope we have enough snow this year to brighten our lives in the northern hemisphere.

I will attempt to stick it out here this winter, without a southern escape, to take the time to plan my next move.

I am a few steps closer to that decision as I now know where I do not want to live.

Seems like it will be a process of elimination that will determine my choice, without any clear motivation at this moment in time.

However, life’s journey has a way of changing when it’s least expected, and armed with that knowledge, who knows where my steps will lead!

In the meantime, I will continue to wrap myself in the warmth of my written words whenever I want to feel secure  . . . .

Remembrance Day is a sad if reflective time.

My heart feels as though it will break. 

Teardrops fall among sunny moments.

Music provides momentary relief, while solemn notes match my mood.

Grief surfaces as I recall and silently thank those veterans, past and present, who served us all.

These waves touch each and every one  . . .