“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”

― Paulo Coelho

This quote ran through my mind countless times over the last couple of weeks. Life does indeed have a way of becoming cumbersome and sometimes boring and then throws life-changing events at you, all seemingly at one time.

My beloved mother’s life on Earth came to a close this past week. She had battled dementia and it had taken its toll on her ability to function normally. A short stay at the hospital, followed by the family trying to take care of her at home, and then the realization that we were no longer able to care for her ourselves and placing her in hospice care. She stayed at hospice house for exactly one week before she was called to her heavenly home.

During this time, I also had to make the difficult decision to euthanize my beloved dog, Abby. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had gotten to the point that she was suffering each day. The phrase “dogs are man’s best friend” certainly rang true for me as I laid beside her as she took her last breaths. Abby had been a part of my life for the past twelve years and she was a constant companion and friend and I miss her greatly.

In between these two events, one of the happiest times in my life, marrying the love of my life, Lisa. She and I were joined on a warm Sunday afternoon and celebrated the beginning of our lives together. It was so very nice to have members of both of our families join us to celebrate the joy of starting our lives together as a married couple. Although my mom wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, she had been adamant that she would be at the wedding and we realize she was there with us in spirit.

This two week period of time also included the end of yet another school year. Even though I was only able to work two of the last five days, I was pleased to be able to attend the graduation ceremonies and say good-bye to the students I had worked with over the past five months. They’ll continue their journeys in middle school next year and who knows, maybe I’ll be seeing them again.

So many life changes in such a short period of time. And all the while, the realization that God was watching over all during these times of transition. While I don’t completely understand all the changes that have occurred, I do know that with God’s help, I will be able to keep the faith and trust the journey.

David Lee

Today is the first day of 2022. And for certain, this past year was filled with many ups and downs. There is the realization as well that the upcoming year will hold much the same. Those times when we feel on top of the world and then again, times when we feel that perhaps all is lost. Here’s to handing them as if they were one and the same and hoping for a prosperous new beginning.

There is something about the beginning of a new year that is indeed quite refreshing. But then there’s also the realization that the calendar divisions are filled with many beginnings and endings. But for this one day of the year, we can look ahead and take lessons learned from the past and use them to help to create a better future.

One of the things I want to continue working on in the new year is learning more about myself and in particular, new ways of thinking about the world. My twelve-step work will most definitely continue, with continued working through circumstances in my life. I know there’s much I don’t have any control over and that they can make my life unmanageable. I know that there exists a God of my understanding that watches over it all and that my best option is to turn my will and my life over to His care. And finally, there are parts of myself that need to be examined and improved upon so that my life will continue to be one of service to others.

I started seeing a therapist during this past year to help chart my course for the development of self. With each visit, I have brought to the table a new set of questions and left with a new set of understandings. My most recent work has been with Dialtectal Behavior Therapy and its implications. I have been soaking up as much information as I can and have been attempting to apply it to the situations in my life. I have had a lot of things revealed to me and am joyfully assuming more will be revealed as my work progresses.

I’m starting a new interim position to start the second half of the school year. It’s with a group of students that I was working with two years ago when the pandemic hit. I’m looking forward to teaching young minds and hopefully helping them learn more about the world they live in. I have been blessed with many such opportunities in my post-retirement years and this one should be quite interesting.

Just a few random thoughts running through my mind this day as the new year begins. May we all live in joy and peace during the coming year.

David Lee

Today is the last day in November, another month that has seemed to fly by. And tomorrow is the first day of December, a month focused on the holiday season. While I haven’t put any Christmas decorations up as of yet, I know the mindset for the month ahead.

Thanksgiving wasn’t especially over-joyful, but it was nice to be off work for a while. I’m starting back to teaching tomorrow and will work each of the school days in December. After the first of the calendar year, I’ll be starting another assignment at another school that will last until the end of the school year, so I know that my days off in December will be important for rest and self-care.

So just for today, I’m taking some time to read and write and reflect on what this year has brought and look at what is in line for the year ahead. And while I don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future, I know that there may be many peaks and valleys, as any year will hold.

I will make a promise to myself to keep a positive focus and not let what goes on outside me dictate how I practice self-care and most importantly, love for myself. It is from following through with those things that I’m able to love and help others. Often in life I haven’t remembered that fact.

So this afternoon I’ll be cleaning my house in earnest. I’ve been putting it off long enough and my house isn’t that large, so it’s not like some monumental task. When you don’t have anyone visiting, you can get complacent and not care what your environment looks like. It’s been shown that unorganized surroundings do have an effect on your mental outlook, so I’ll be keeping this in mind as I work this afternoon. Definitely going to crank up some tunes to make the work go faster.

So that is where I’m at today. At least for now, the extreme sadness of the past week is gone and I can focus on making things brighter and more organized.

David Lee

Today’s Angel Card Is…

The Star: Angel of Hope

Oh the possibilities are endless when you wish upon a star. When was the last time you wholeheartedly had hope, optimism, and faith in your vision? Today’s card invites you into a space of abundant possibility. Take a deep breath and savor the moment; you’ve gone through a major transformation, and now it’s time to celebrate your success.

Creativity and beauty abound today. This nourishing energy intends to restore your spirit. The Angel of Hope brings you the opportunity for renewal, healing, and actualizing your dreams. You’ll notice stress melting away, as you sync into a more fluid state of being. Here, your emotions are feeling expressed and your insight is deeply valued and appreciated by those around you.

This is one of the most uplifting cards in the whole deck; a wonderful omen for the new opportunities that are coming to you. Your commitment to healing and growth is manifesting in the world now. Allow your heart to radiate the joy of receiving these many blessings.

As you emerge from this spiritual renewal, you’ll subtly be shifting the way you express yourself. Maybe you feel more creative, beautiful, or optimistic. You’ve successfully undergone the spiritual transformation, after a long period of wishing and hoping, and you can blissfully enjoy what you’ve brought to fruition.

Love & Blessings