Articles

Jan 28 2015

I Assume You Know!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

 Can I Assume?

10143868 airportLast week I heard about a traveler who, between flights at an airport, bought a small package of cookies.  She then sat down in the busy snack shop to glance over the newspaper.  As she read the paper, she became aware of a rustling noise.  Peeking above the newsprint, she was shocked to see a well-dressed gentleman sitting across from her, helping himself to her cookies.  Half angry and half-embarrassed, she reached over and gently slid the package closer to her as she took one out and began to munch on it. 

  A minute or so passed before she heard more rustling.  The man had gotten another cookie!  By now there was only one left in the package.  Though flabbergasted, she didn’t want to make a scene so she said nothing.  Finally, as if to add insult to injury, the man broke the remaining cookie into two pieces, pushed one piece across the table toward her with a frown, gulped down his half, and left without even saying thank you. 

She sat there dumbfounded.  Sometime later when her flight was announced, the woman opened her handbag to get her ticket.  To her shock, there in her purse was her package of unopened cookies.  And somewhere in that same airport was another traveler still trying to figure out how that strange woman could have been so forward and insensitive. Author unknown

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Assumptions are shaky foundations to rely on; and circumstances are not always as they appear to others. Difficulties, situations and the events in our lives are not usually what we readily would share on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Isn’t it funny how we can get a wrong impression about people or circumstances and assume we know all the facts?  I confess I have been guilty of this myself, and embarrassed to find out how wrong I had been.    

How many times have I put on a mask to hide from others what is happening in my life? You know that little survival kit, full of special occasion masks we use to get us through a particular crisis.  

When I walk out of the house, hear the screen door slam behind me, I can even pretend to be someone else for a time.  I could be happy, funny, shy, or confident; or try to become whatever I thought other people wanted me to be.  Never allowing others to see the fear and insecurity in my own life.

I could also try to place all my emphasis on outward appearance, material wealth and personal importance too.  Or would it still be a mask of a different kind?  I had a perfect mask and wanted people to think I had a perfect life too. I would just wear a smile!

I was afraid if they saw the real me, they wouldn’t like or accept me.  I am so thankful there is a God who Loves me and likes me just the way he made me.  He sees “The good the bad and the ugly” and loves me anyway. Thank goodness.

What a precious and wonderful gift that He has given me.  The gift of grace.  I don’t have to pretend that life is perfect, and afraid of what others think of me, I am fee to be Me!  I know God is enough for any situation that comes my way.  

IMG_1429@                Thank You dear friends for sharing you time with me.                                                      I count it a privilege.  

Lovingly Karan 

Discussion Question:  Why do you think we make assumptions about people, I would love to hear what you think. Hugs!

Jan 15 2015

Girlfriend Time!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

 

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Where would we be without those dear sisters we call Girlfriends. The ones we laugh with, cry with, and shop with. Our mother’s, sisters and friends who encourage, teach, and help us to become better women.

Mrs. Mitchell, my third grade teacher who spent extra time with me, teaching me to read. When I repeated third grade, she never made me feel inferior. To this day, I still cherish her memory and kindness.

I think of my mother who raised me even when the stigma of being an unwed mother many years ago. (I will not tell you how many) I know that choice caused her many hardships in her adult life.

For eight months, I had struggled with depression, which a new medication caused. Depression was one of its side effects. During this time, my family and friends constantly loved, prayed, laughed and encouraged me, always reminding me that God knew exactly where I was. Sometimes when we get into a dark place, it is hard to find our way out.

When I hit a wall, I became overwhelmed, and started looking at all the circumstances and stress in my life, I forgot about all the good things. I took my eyes off of the Lord, instead of remembering all that He has done for me. My cup became half-empty, instead of full.

As I had time to meditate and look back, I realized how God has lead me with His love and faithfulness over the years. He is faithful, constant, and everlasting.

In Hebrews 11: 1-3 I am reminded:

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

I have found Him to be all I need.
I want to thank all the Girlfriends in my life who daily encourage me to be the best I can be for the Lord. Your loved.
Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for sharing your time with me, I would love to hear from you.  

What have your girlfriends meant to you ?

Dec 30 2014

Happy New Year!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

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The New Year like a book lies before me;

On it’s cover two word, “My life,” I see.

I open the covers and look between… each page is empty, no words can be seen.

For I am the writer, I hold the pen, that will fill these pages to be read by men.

Just what kind of book will my book be, my life written there for others to see.

Each day a page written, one by one… will it be worthwhile when finished and done?

Lord, help me keep these pages clean and fair, by living the life I’d have written there.

By Gertrude Laura Gast

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The last two years my one word for the year was Faith, This year I have chosen Thankfulness. It is my greatest desire that I will be found Thankful for everything in my life. For both good an bad because I will learn to grow in each season as God walks with me.

Thank you to each of you for all your encouragement and kind words this year, I love to write and share with you, and to also be able to listen as you often share your hearts with me. I count it a privilege dear friends as we travel together.  I love you!©

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said.  

People will not remember what you did.

But,

      People will never forget how you made them feel.  

By Maya Angelou

What are you Thankful for this year?

Lovingly, Karan

Dec 18 2014

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hugs

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

           The top 10 ways to confuse Santa Claus

 A Christmas Chuckle that was sent to me, thought I would share it with you.

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-scared-santa-claus-image145333211. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad, and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.

2. While he’s in the house, go find his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.

3. Leave him a note, explaining that you’ve gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.

5. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wanted to remind him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.

6. While he’s in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn’t have missed that last payment, and take off.

7. Leave a plate filled with cookies and a glass of milk out, with a note that says, “For The Tooth Fairy.”

8. Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.

9. Leave Santa a note, explaining that you’ve moved. Include a map with unclear and hard-to-read directions to your new house.

10. Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs, and Dress up like the Easter Bunny!

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Reflections from Karan:

Every year I strive to get all my Christmas shopping done early, which I accomplished only once in my life.  I hid the gifts so no one could find them before Christmas day.  However, I hid them so well I couldn’t find or remember where I hid them. I didn’t those gifts until we moved four years later. 

 I finally came to the conclusion I do Christmas shopping faster and better under stress, you know, when in panic, fear or doubt run in circles, scream and shout.

I was a little slow getting the Christmas feeling this year, and when I finally snapped into gear my to-do list was overwhelming. The Christmas baking I wanted to do, and the gifts I planned to make, just didn’t get done.  I ran out of time.

When my life gets hectic, I become preoccupied with myself, my circumstances and can soon forget about others and their needs. I become defeated and indecisive. What a shame, God is the only one who can bring rest and peace among all the craziness.

Over the years, there have been hard lessons to learn. But God in his great love has shown me that the things I valued most are not as important as the people in my life or my relationship with Him.

Especially, when faced with the fact there may not be any tomorrows left. It is funny how fast our priorities can change. Jesus knows about all of activity in our lives, because he made us. He also knows that we need times of rest both—Physically and spiritually.

On a night almost 2000 years ago, God in his love gave Himself to man in the person of Jesus Christ. An angel choir heralded his birth in a Bethlehem manager. We still celebrate His birth today. We call it Christmas.

Thirty-three years later, Jesus Christ continued loving me when He willing took the punishment I deserved, by giving His life on the cross so I might have my sins forgiven,

He is the only source for perfect peace and complete rest for our souls, especially at this busy time of year. You are loved and special to Him. ©

Merry Christmas,  

Lovingly,  Karan

Praying you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.

Sending love to you all.

Dec 10 2014

What someday are you waiting for?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

What Are We Saving For?
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By ANN WELLS

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.

“This,” he said, “is not a slip. This is lingerie.”

He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite: silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

“Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.”

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment. Then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I’m still thinking about his words, and they’ve changed my life. I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event–such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, and the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for a small bag of groceries without wincing.

I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I’m guessing–I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with–someday. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write–one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that this is a special occasion.

By ANN WELLS ~The Los Angeles Times April 1985

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I love this story and the truth it tells. This season I want to love well and give with and open hand to those around me. I want to “Dance like no one is watching, Love like I’ve never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening and Live my life praising God.

How about you?

 Lovingly, Karan 

  Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me. Hugs

Discussion question: What do you think of Ann Wells story? Have you been waiting for saving someday?