tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3597769966680857807..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Tick tock tickUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82336559612128505132011-07-06T17:24:42.166+10:002011-07-06T17:24:42.166+10:00i recently read an interview with a communist lead...i recently read an interview with a communist leader, two weeks before his 100th birthday. the interviewer asked him, how after all he had gone through, could still remain so positive, so happy and so healthy. his answer was: eat healthy, shit strong and dont be afraid of death...Andreashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253265661052854821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72593789780723168162010-07-26T07:54:08.461+10:002010-07-26T07:54:08.461+10:00Life isn't always easy or happy. Denying or i...Life isn't always easy or happy. Denying or ignoring the pain helps no one. You are so real about your life, please keep it that way.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383635329315687176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83019230882965945242010-07-18T22:58:20.847+10:002010-07-18T22:58:20.847+10:00Dear Rhonda,By the age of 16,I had lost5 members o...Dear Rhonda,By the age of 16,I had lost5 members of my immediate family.I too did not fear death but,suddenly was unable to hear the wind or the sound of the sea without hearing it whisper "your time is near" over and over. It is time that will bring peace and once more change you in ways that needed tweeking.Mostly I just want to say we are thinking of you and share your lost.The Hobbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689995726270083268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30047032014828254172010-07-17T05:17:12.803+10:002010-07-17T05:17:12.803+10:00A missionary from Africa spoke at our church just ...A missionary from Africa spoke at our church just last Sunday. He said that we all tend to view the border of eternity as being somewhere off in the distance in front of us, but the border of eternity is really right next to us, running parallel to our lives and we can step over it at anytime. This has been resonating in my mind all week. I find myself looking down sometimes with the feeling that I can almost see the line.Joy2bmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982477898712512639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50201666219329499142010-07-15T22:04:42.596+10:002010-07-15T22:04:42.596+10:00So sorry to hear of your losses Rhonda, and prayin...So sorry to hear of your losses Rhonda, and praying for the peace of God to be with you & Hanno. <br /><br />blessings, <br />Cate xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47503743783127833522010-07-15T16:45:58.036+10:002010-07-15T16:45:58.036+10:00I guess it is always a bit scary to sense our own ...I guess it is always a bit scary to sense our own mortality, and the death of dear friends always shakes the rock we cling to and makes us feel more vulnerable, perhaps question the whys of life . . . I think that having those constants - having Hanno with you, your familiar routines and the hug that familiar surroundings give you, will prove invaluable in the days and weeks to come. My thoughts are with you.Bovey Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13117332471600275100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77966326433989916222010-07-15T12:41:02.928+10:002010-07-15T12:41:02.928+10:00God is constant Rhonda. In this time when you fee...God is constant Rhonda. In this time when you feel insecure He is the only one that is always there. I don't know how you stand on these matters but having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ gives you that assurance and security in the midst of difficult and uncertain times.<br /><br />No matter how far we go Jesus is always near if we embrace Him. I pray that you find the peace of God to be a rock for you in this time. Blessings to you.Jennifer C. Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03577995017158917173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14044661596604050532010-07-15T08:47:58.234+10:002010-07-15T08:47:58.234+10:00i'm so grateful for this post, rhonda, and so ...i'm so grateful for this post, rhonda, and so sorry for all your losses (and sharon's current situation). it is true about threes i'm afraid :-( <br /><br />i am 30, and going through EXACTLY what you talk about here. full of "i can do anything!" .... however, i do think quite a bit about the future so that i can act responsibly in my present and be around when i'm your age to enjoy all the blessings that life has given me. it's good to have people like you to look up to.<br /><br />of course, there are no guarantees...when i was in my 20's, a good friend, only 21, died also in a horrific accident. at any age, we can think these thoughts (i sure have)! so don't be too hard on yourself for feeling like your balance is upset ... it is! we must learn to accept without judgement our natures, for it's the only way we can continue to enjoy the present. i love that we call it the present, for it truly is a gift! <br /><br />get to feeling better, dear dear rhonda. thinking of you and will send you positive healing energy during my next session on the yoga mat.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16706071409908084910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13992990668542393022010-07-15T05:21:27.268+10:002010-07-15T05:21:27.268+10:00I'm sorry about your losses. When my darling D...I'm sorry about your losses. When my darling Dad died 8 years ago it really pulled the rug from under me. We do carry our loved ones with us in our hearts. I was talking to my husband about my Dad today and I said often I wonder if I should take a chance and do something new and a bit scarey. My Dad had a real zest for life, I think Dad would give it a go and even though he is no longer with us in body, I feel his spirit urges me on to be a braver version of myself.<br />Twiggy xTwiggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09065849697979313992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-92189668707696710682010-07-14T16:19:42.394+10:002010-07-14T16:19:42.394+10:00To me, when we loose someone, they give us the ult...To me, when we loose someone, they give us the ultimate gift of life: remembering what's really important.<br /><br />Is there anything more humble than death...nor more complelling than a life well lived?Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31027174076854981822010-07-14T15:06:16.312+10:002010-07-14T15:06:16.312+10:00Dearest Rhonda,
We could call you "Mother of ...Dearest Rhonda,<br />We could call you "Mother of thousands" because you inspire so many thousands of us. I am so very sorry to read of your distress, but it is perfectly normal that you would feel this way, and I feel honoured that you take us into your confidence. Life is not all fluffy chicks and warm cookies. Life has challenges to meet, and real burdens and heartaches. We ease them by sharing, though women of our generation were taught to keep that "stiff upper lip" we've learned that sharing our joys and our sorrows is even good for us medically (as if we needed an "official" reason. <br /><br />This has been a very difficult few weeks for you, losing Bernadette, Sharon's illness, and now your friend Jack's death, so sudden and unexpected. <br /><br />We do a good job of evading the unpleasant task of facing our own mortality until we are overwhelmed by loss as you are now. <br /><br />Some people never come to terms with their own mortality. Work in a hospice and you'll hear the dying talk about painting the garage next spring, and refusing to have those last important conversations and say those last precious goodbyes. <br /><br />But when you finally realize *I* am going to die, it comes likes a fist in the belly. It can be very scary. I had a life-or-death surgery at age 27, and was told I had a 10% chance of surviving. So I faced my own mortality young, with a disabled husband and two wee boys at home. It was a GIFT! <br /><br />It forced me beyond superficial solutions to a deep quest for meaning. It has been one of the richest experiences of my life. <br /><br />So, stay in the fear, use it. Learn about yourself from it. Don't fall back on canned answers, in the crunch they do not work. <br /><br />I like some verses from a very old Chinese text because they express to some extent that pool of calm that comes when you have accepted that time is limited and the only moment is now. (also because they talk about plants - ;) <br /><br />When a man is in turmoil, <br />How shall he find peace, <br />Save by being patient? <br />Like the man who muddies a stream Waits until the stream clears. <br /><br />How can a man's life stay on course If he will not allow it to flow? Those who flow as life flows <br />Need no other force. <br />They feel no wear, <br />They feel no tear, <br />They need no mending, <br />No repair.<br /> <br />Hold to the foundation of peace. <br />Be at one with all living things which, <br />Having arisen and flourished, <br />Return to the quiet whence they came, <br />Like a healthy growth of vegetation Falling back upon its root. <br /><br />Life on its way returns into a mist,<br />Its quickness quietness once again. <br /><br />Hugs and kind thoughts from a Canadian friendDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14133236228952504852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47847084754780242892010-07-14T13:36:23.855+10:002010-07-14T13:36:23.855+10:00I'm so sorry for the losts of dear friends tha...I'm so sorry for the losts of dear friends that you have had over the past few weeks.<br />When someone is taken from you quickly without illness it is more devastating than someone who is sick it is because you are not prepared for them to go. That sort of death is the kind that takes a lot longer to get over.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753169188189948650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49600039067555427002010-07-14T13:15:02.618+10:002010-07-14T13:15:02.618+10:00Rhonda, I'm so sorry about your two recent los...Rhonda, I'm so sorry about your two recent losses, and I appreciate your honesty in your post. <br /><br />I feel like I've been slammed by this awareness of mortality at a relatively youg age; last year seven people who I knew died, some suddenly, some tragically, and some after illnesses. A number of them were around my age. Three of them died within two weeks of each other, in completely unrelated events. There's nothing that has shaken my sense of security more, or made me question more thoroughly what life is all about.<br /><br />Take care, keep talking and thinking and feeling and breathing, and doing the things that keep you grounded every day. Kia kaha.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16783077185747968074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80731615515495103032010-07-14T11:26:24.453+10:002010-07-14T11:26:24.453+10:00Rhonda, thank you for sharing your feelings here. ...Rhonda, thank you for sharing your feelings here. I appreciate your honesty in your posts. I, too, have been struggling with the ebb and flow of this life. The uncertainty of it all But this I know: I am not in control. Our creator God holds us in His hands and has our best interests at heart. He works ALL things together for our good. I'm so thankful for that. And it gives me peace to know that he is there. Darkness flees before Him. Take refuge in Him, my dear friend. God's Peace, MelissaMelissa Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15855126813346312708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88686941015268936132010-07-14T11:17:29.864+10:002010-07-14T11:17:29.864+10:00I am so glad you share your true feelings with us....I am so glad you share your true feelings with us. I feel this way sometimes and it is so good to know I am not alone.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287238810628574373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79832372654809313062010-07-14T10:34:21.532+10:002010-07-14T10:34:21.532+10:00Dear Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear you lost anothe...Dear Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear you lost another friend so soon after losing Bernadette. Grieving takes many forms and is different for each of us. Holding close to all the people you love and the daily routines that keep you steady will help you to get through this sad time. So many people are unable to speak about death and the fear of death. I think it is healthy to get it out and who better to talk to than all of us who care so much about you! Wishing you peaceful times.<br />Fondly, Karen in CTThiftedBlisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783570455281374166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83092877405546293472010-07-14T09:10:44.291+10:002010-07-14T09:10:44.291+10:00with all that have been going on with my friends a...with all that have been going on with my friends and their health issues, I too have been pondering the meaning of life.<br />I think you are right, life prepares us for all eventualities and when we lose someone it make us question our own mortality.<br />I am so sorry for you loses, know only the hurt will lesson and life will go on. Lots of loving thoughts being sent to you and yours.angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06367100990792829157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44465875105556766292010-07-14T08:47:45.064+10:002010-07-14T08:47:45.064+10:00Such an insightful post!
It brings home the thoug...Such an insightful post!<br /><br />It brings home the thought that we are not really in control, are we? Do we need to be? Isn't God's control enough? Is that what faith is all about?Sheryl at Providence Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07127223943390691667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42484954520630224002010-07-14T08:01:31.037+10:002010-07-14T08:01:31.037+10:00Dear Rhonda,
I have been reading your blogg for q...Dear Rhonda,<br /><br />I have been reading your blogg for quite some time now. I am just entering my own journey of living simply and have benefited so much from your advice, experience and gentle wisdom.<br /><br />You are an amazing woman and I admire you for your honesty, courage and grace. I can see by the responses that you receive that I am not alone in my admiration and gratitude.<br /><br />While you are working through this dark time on your journey, please remember all the light you have brought to out lives.<br /><br />I don't have a matriarch to look up to and glean wisdom from. However, you have been filling that role for me - I hope you don't mind :)<br /><br />And so I am sending much love and hope to you and wishing you peace and closure soon.<br /><br />Sharonsplashfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08900530847888916055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80998018256124462902010-07-14T07:58:03.041+10:002010-07-14T07:58:03.041+10:00Rhonda - make your peace with God. Then you will h...Rhonda - make your peace with God. Then you will have PEACE. <br />Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins? He did. If you are born again, then you have a wonderful, better than anything on earth home to go to!!Lloyd's Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08685962985228521090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5787920394249006692010-07-14T05:58:01.326+10:002010-07-14T05:58:01.326+10:00In the book Job...God's faithful servant was t...In the book Job...God's faithful servant was tested. Job said with much wisdom...(I am paraphrasing here) "Although I cannot find my God to the North or the south or to the east nor the west I take comfort in knowing that my Lord knows where I am."<br />I lost my Mother when I was 32. I am a only child and was raised by my Mom and Grandparents..None are left. I felt alone and abandoned however, My Lord knew just where I was. Even when my back was turned He was there wrapping his arms around me. That is a constant promise from our Lord. He calls you by name and knows just where you are. He knit you together in your Mothers womb (psalm 139). <br />Grief I find is easier to handle when given to our creator...He truly knows how hard this is. For he gave his Son.... Prayers for you.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11253069191985659501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78790457822290909732010-07-14T04:56:36.775+10:002010-07-14T04:56:36.775+10:00Rhonda,
Hugs to you. I'm thinking about ya. S...Rhonda,<br /><br />Hugs to you. I'm thinking about ya. Sigh. It's a tough thing... Death... the end... Or just the beginning of something else on "the other side."<br /><br />Brent's sudden death earlier this year so close after learning of the pregnancy (life) was this reminder to me to take nothing for granted and to never part with anyone on a "bad note." We just don't know if we'll see them again.<br /><br />A verse I have often spoken in night of despair and tears is this one. Maybe it will give you some strength, too. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Cadi<br /><br /> For the Michael Age<br />A Message from Rudolf Steiner<br /><br />We must eradicate from the soul all fear and terror of what comes towards Man, out of the future. We must acquire serenity in all feelings and sensations about the future.<br /><br />We must look forward with absolute equanimity to everything that may come. And we must think only that whatever comes is given to us by a world-directive full of wisdom.<br /><br />It is part of what we must learn in this age, namely, to live out of pure trust, without any security in existence - trust in the ever-present help of the spiritual world.<br /><br />Truly, nothing else will do if our courage is not to fail us.<br /><br />And let us seek the awakening from within ourselves, every morning and every evening.Cadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14517775140048055244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84982920412753629562010-07-14T04:10:21.514+10:002010-07-14T04:10:21.514+10:00Rhonda,
I love how open you are...sometimes you s...Rhonda,<br /><br />I love how open you are...sometimes you seem perfect or at least your lifestyle is. I like seeing that you too have fears....we all have looked up to you because you seem like you always have it all together...it is nice to hear real feelings coming from you.<br /><br />I know soon we will hear about the garden, things you will be making for Christmas, maybe a new knitting project...that dark cloud will soon pass.<br /><br />Thank you for this post thank you for openning up and letting us into your life during this dark time.<br /><br />Lots of Love,<br /><br />ReneeThe Smiling Rabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16253369538465004516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74603760229451449812010-07-14T00:58:45.416+10:002010-07-14T00:58:45.416+10:00dearest rhonda -
every day you open your heart an...dearest rhonda -<br /> every day you open your heart and your mind to teach us, guide us, comfort us,and give us hope and wisdom in these changing and uncertain times. you are a rock in an otherwise turbulent sea, offering a stronghold of information and experience. it is only natural that your foundation be questioned at certain times in your life, so that you may feel even deeper, open a crevace in your heart so that you can love even truer, and crack open the mind so that you can learn even more. <br /><br />in diving into that pain and uncertainty i have faith that you will find even more compasssion and wisdom and love, when you come up to the other side of that grief, and loss, and sadness. you are a great teacher to many and we cannot choose all our lessons in life, we can only be open to them when we are presented with these grave challanges.<br /><br /> i am so sorry for your losses, and know that we all have our darkness we pass thru, and for many, you are a light on the other side, beconing us to be stronger ,wiser and more present. we are all with you now. we will be here tomorrow, and life keeps moving foreward, even when a heart stops beating, the cycle of life keeps turning, and we walk with you, one soul touching another , making a grand chain of souls anchored in the earth, sailing to the heavens. take solace in our love for you, and hold hanno tight. goddess bless you, chellastar cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05108254615895497147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79495759380795960692010-07-14T00:58:45.417+10:002010-07-14T00:58:45.417+10:00Rhonda,
I am new to your blog, but can relate to h...Rhonda,<br />I am new to your blog, but can relate to how you are feeling. Just know that those of us who belong to God and have assurance of eternal salvation will see each other again. Life is so short when looking at eternity.<br />God bless you!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022023422798852035noreply@blogger.com