New Horizons Journal- |
Hello. This is my Fresh Water Journal. Please stop by a post or two and leave a comment if you agree and especially if you disagree. I'd love to hear your perspective. My blog is now a part of the BLIP experience. ** Image ID #1814646 Unavailable ** |
Brainstormers April 11, 2012 at 2:28pm If you have a chance, check out It's a new group I created. It is off to a really good start. I really like the group. It is like no other. There are so many people with depression or mental disorders, myself included. Its time that we had a place to gather and mingle. We play games and chat. I just implemented a point system based on spreading cheer in the group. Thats also off to a great start. I'm so happy everything is going good. I want to keep doing more with the group. I have... [Read more] Spirit of the World January 18, 2012 at 3:53pm I look to my left
I look to my right
Where, I ask myself,
can I find God’s Spirit.
We have been spoiled.
We have been deceived.
The wisdom of man
is what we seek.
The more wise we become
the further we fall.
He is all knowing;
He is all powerful.
Why do we seek within ourselves
When He is always there?
The spirit of the world is here,
in my face, everywhere.
How do I defeat it?
How do I delete it
from my life and
follow the Spirit of God?
Col 2:8 Beware lest a... [Read more] changes January 9, 2012 at 11:17pm It did not used to be this way
We all had enough
We all had a means
But now the source has dried up
We have turned to rice and beans
With troubles at every side
... [Read more] Who are we compared to our yesteryears December 9, 2011 at 4:13pm I was just thinking about how we used to live and that made me think about how we used to think. When we decide to do something, get involved in something, our minds go through certain thought process that is so different than it was in the yesteryears. I can hardly remember what it used to be like, 20 or so years ago, living in an age of innocence, which really wasn't innocent but compared to today it seems it seems like candyland.
One extreme difference from then and now is we had true... [Read more] Not writing November 8, 2011 at 1:31pm I want so bad to write. I fee the urge to write. There's only one slight problem. I have no idea what to write about. I've been surfing the site to get some inspiration but nothing seems to be igniting my fire. Yesterday, I wrote more than I have in a long, long time. Now, I'm stuck in a rut. What is my problem? Is this writers block? Is there a solution to this? ... [Read more] Food for thought November 6, 2011 at 12:25am Have you ever thought about thinking. There's so much to think about. I don't even know where to begin. Thinking is such a wonderful tool. We can do it without anybody being aware that we are doing it. We can think about anything we want to, anything.
While we may think there are no limitations to thinking, I have to believe that there are. We can only comprehend things related to our past, or theorize things according to things about which we can have a mental grasp on. Having said ... [Read more] 10.13.11 Why? October 13, 2011 at 5:22pm Quote of the Day: " Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts . -Mohandas Gandhi
It has been too long since I visited my journal. When I read this quote by Gandhi, I was inspired to revisit my journal and make a small note. I thought this quote was so beautiful. Gandhi has a special way of wording things. These 25 words so eloquently spoken say so much. They make me stop in my tracks and think: why do I do ... [Read more] 10.3.11 Bureaucracy October 3, 2011 at 10:23pm Quote of the Day: "Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status." -Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988)
Having worked in a government child protection agency, I found this quote to be undeniably true. I found the bureaucracy of the agency so frustrating. There is nothing proactive in a bureaucracy, even when they try to be. The structure of a company is vital to its outcome. ... [Read more] 9.29.11 Labor and God's Apportion September 29, 2011 at 11:14pm Psalm 135:15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
I found this to be a bold and striking statement. But it made me think of some verses in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. I decided to do a little verse surfing. After reading all the verses about money. We basically live in a society that worships money. This is clearly a sin.
-----Proverbs 23:4
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
------Proverbs 8:18-19
18 Riches and... [Read more] 9.28.11 Romans 12 Blessings and Tribulations September 28, 2011 at 1:23pm Romans 12:9-14
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not .
... [Read more] 9.27.11 Psalm 63: 1-5 September 27, 2011 at 4:16pm Psalm 63: 1-5
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary
.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall pra... [Read more] 9.24.11 Injuries and Kindness September 24, 2011 at 9:58am Quote of the Day: Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. -Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
This quote makes me feel sad. It makes me feel ashamed. I can't believe that with just five words, a man has totally stopped me in my tracks. Why, I ask myself, is it so hard to forget injuries, yet so easy to forget the kindnesses of others? How have I let myself do this? When I forget the kindnesses of others, I am forgetting what life is all about. When I hold on to past injuries, I am letting b... [Read more] 9.17.11 In Remembrance September 17, 2011 at 4:48pm Quote of the day: "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." -Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519)
She lived life to the fullest. She loved life to the fullest. Loving those around her. Spreading the love to all she knew. Her light shone bright. All who met her could not help but love her.
Retired from teaching, but still she continued to teach. A passion of hers, she could not quit. Though retired, she awoke each morning early to the sunrise. Sp... [Read more] 9.16.11 Cold or Hot not Lukewarm September 16, 2011 at 9:04pm Quote of the day: "The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not." -Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
The Lord said it best when he said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev 3:15-16. I find it interesting that God would rather you be against Him t... [Read more] 9.15.11 Where am I living? September 15, 2011 at 4:32pm Quote of the Day: I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there. - Herb Caen
I couldn't help but laugh at this quote. It has so much truth in it. I believe people tend to live in the past if they have no livelihood in the future. Instead of living in the past, a person can take an investment in the future by setting goals. Instead of having a majority of life in the past, a person can take their life into the future with dreams and objectives. Doing this, a person will l... [Read more] 9.11.11 Silence, a tool September 11, 2011 at 3:18pm Quote of the day: Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute. -Josh Billings (1818 - 1885)
This quote is so true, indeed. How can one argue with silence? When a confrontation begins between two people, the loser is usually the one who continually adds fuel to the fire with words of hostility. The bigger man is the one who watches the adversary expend his energy, while remaining still and silent. Eventually, the adversary appears to be an unfavorable person, discontent in all his wa... [Read more] 9.8.11 Just be kind September 11, 2011 at 3:19pm Quote of the day: There is no duty more obligatory than the repayment of kindness. -Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)
This reminds me of my post on revenge. We are not obligated to revenge our enemies. However, we are or should be obligated to repay those who exude kindness. This world would be a better place if we weren't so selfish, thinking only of ourselves, forsaking the kindness in our path. If we acknowledged all of the kindness we encountered, I believe we, ourselves would be a kin... [Read more] 9.3.11 Power and Character September 3, 2011 at 11:30pm Quote of the Day: Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. -Abraham Lincoln
I found this quote to be extremely interesting and true. But this quote doesn't cover what power can do to a persons character. Many people of supposedly good character receive power and then their character diminishes. Perhaps their character wasn't that strong to begin with. Or, perhaps power is just that manipulative, it can alter the most moral ... [Read more] 9.2.11 Revenge vs Forgiveness September 2, 2011 at 6:08pm Quote of the Day: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. -Confucius
Revenge is forgiveness's antithesis. In forgiveness there is love; in revenge there is hate. In forgiveness there is life; in revenge there is death. In forgiveness there is benefit; in revenge there is loss. In forgiveness there is happiness; in revenge there is sorrow.
Revenge never produces anything good. Revenge leads to a downward spiral of more revenge. It is an act out of bitterness, which... [Read more] 9.1.11 September 1, 2011 at 6:32pm Quote of the Day: Show me the man who keeps his house in hand, He's fit for public authority. -Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC),
Perhaps Sophocles had something here. America is in pure chaos, at least at the state and federal levels. The media sheds light into the lives of our country and state leaders and what do we find? Chaos. Personal chaos almost seems a requirement for governmental leaders these days. Of course there are the exceptions; only I can't think of one.
... [Read more] 8.30.11 August 30, 2011 at 9:53pm Quote of the day: Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon . -Susan Ertz
Frightening isn't it, immortality. You think you've been bored. Just wait.
... [Read more] 8.29.11 Insanity August 29, 2011 at 6:21pm Quote of the Day: To be a poet is a condition, not a profession. -Robert Frost
Robert Frost said it, not me. It is so true. In my darkest times, I write great poetry. Why? I don't know. Perhaps it is because I am feeling exposed and need to write as a form of concealment. But when I am sane, my poems are bland. Perhaps it is because I see the world as others.
... [Read more] 8.27.11 A Pep Named Martha August 30, 2011 at 6:48pm Prompt: “There was an old woman, who lived in a shoe. She had so many children she didn't know what to do. She gave them some broth without any bread. She whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed.”
Martha lives in Bootville. A small community, to say the least. The tallest man on record was 2.1 centimeters and towered over all the peps. Martha is an attractive lady with an average height, 1.5 centimeters. She was once married to a noble man. Together they had four bea... [Read more] 8.26.11 The tongue August 26, 2011 at 7:10pm Quote of the day: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
The tongue
holds the power
to spawn love
or stir up hate.
With just one word
the land can crumble;
With just one word
the land can rejoice.
The tongue,
its mighty throne,
moves to heal,
moves to kill.
But tamed by wisdom,
it knows all to well
staying still
is oft its will.
... [Read more] 8.25.11 Slavery, everyman's hands are tied August 25, 2011 at 7:19pm Quote of the day: Patterning your life around other's opinions is nothing more than slavery. - Lawana Blackwell
Are we not all slaves then?
As children we are slaves to our parents. As adolescence strikes, our eyes widen to the standards of our peers, becoming slaves to their opinions. All the while maintaining the required submission of our parents. As young adults, we see life in a whole new light. A light that shines from the makeup of society's calling. We aim to be, strive fo... [Read more] 8.24.11 A Mature Youthfulness August 24, 2011 at 1:38pm Quote of the day: The purpose of life is to fight maturity. -Dick Werthimer
Let me never finish growing
in mind, spirit and soul.
Let me never be dependent
completely upon myself.
As old as I may get,
let youth evermore shine through.
As wise as I may become,
let childish endeavors be in my favor.
Let not the years of my life
determine the age of my soul.
But keep me fresh and pliable,
always learning of new and old.
The skin on my face
may not be flat and smooth.
But ... [Read more] 8.23.11 Midweek Prompt: My Ideal Life August 23, 2011 at 7:28pm Prompt chosen: Describe your ideal life including as much detail as you can think of.
I decided on this prompt because this is what I have been thinking about lately. I have been thinking that I should know what I want for myself and my life. I shouldn't just live life as it passes me by, I should have goals for myself, even some goals that are may never be achieved.
Living in my ideal life, I am healthy. I do not have disorders or impairments that need regular medical treatment. In... [Read more] 8.22.11 Last Saterday's Prompt, Two Days Late August 22, 2011 at 4:25pm I totally forgot about last Saturday's Prompt from Karen. I wrote in my journal that day, but I did not write according to the prompt. So today, I will dedicate my journal entry to that prompt.
On Saturday, August 20th, spend a little time reflecting on a piece of your writing you are particularly fond of – we all have some – small, old, and almost forgotten or newly written. Pick something.
Share a part or all, a phrase or a sentence from this loved piece. Write abo... [Read more] 8.21.11 Left and Right August 21, 2011 at 9:07pm Quote of the Day: Give no decision till both sides thou'st heard. -Phocylides
Always think twice
About someone's advice
Before you decide
There's always another side
Left or right
Day or night
Up or down
Smile or frown
There's never one option
To decide your action
The choices you make
Could be a mistake
If you fail to see
Junction's duplexity
So look both ways
Heed each praise
Then decide on your own
The right path to roam
... [Read more] 8.20.11 August 20, 2011 at 6:00pm Quote of the Day: A person is never happy except at the price of some ignorance. -Anatole France
This, my friend, is so true. Ignorance is bliss. Yet, we are curious creatures. This stems all the way back to the creation of mankind. They had it all, Adam and Eve, pure bliss, nothing ever to worry about. But Eve wanted to know what it would be like to harness all the knowledge in the world, the knowledge of good and evil. We all know what happens. Adam and Eve eat the fruit and they gain kn... [Read more] 8.19.11 Always Something To Be Seen August 19, 2011 at 4:01pm Quote of the day: "A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top ." -Unknown
To the wise man, there is always something to be seen, to be discovered. To the fool, not even a mountain top can show him new beginnings. The fool neglects to question what surrounds him even in the most beautiful of places. While the wise man continually questions his surroundings and discovers beautiful things even in the most disgraceful of places.
... [Read more] 8.18.11 Suffering, thankfully August 18, 2011 at 9:29pm I have three quotes that say it all.
"To perceive is to suffer." -Aristotle
"Never to suffer would never to have been blessed." -Edgar Allan Poe
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." -Helen Keller
... [Read more] 8.17.11 Grandmother's house, a memory August 17, 2011 at 2:05pm Prompt: “Remember grandmother's house and all the happy times there? Share a memory.”
Sleepovers are the best
They treat us like special houseguests'
Mema and Papa assure our comfort
Putting forth every effort
My brother and I in separate twin beds,
Covered beneath the most luxurious spreads.
We anxiously await for morning to arrive
Because the breakfast meal ne'er does deprive.
In her old but alluring apron,
Happily she cooks in the kitchen
The bes... [Read more] 8.16.11 Limitations August 20, 2011 at 6:01pm Quote of the Day: The enemy of art is the absence of limitations. -George Orson Welles
Imagine a musician, a pianist for example, who decides that sheet music is for the birds. After all, he knows of many other great pianist that do not use sheet music. The pianist wants to play from the heart so he bangs on the ivory keys. Low to high, high to low, and everything in between. He doesn't play with rhythm, he plays whatever his fingers want to play.
How do you think the audience ... [Read more] 8.15.11 Excellence and Perfection August 15, 2011 at 7:29pm Quote of the day: I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business . -Michael J. Fox (1961- ),
How can that which was created create?
My hands were formed
By the Perfect Creator,
Not to create perfection
But to organize that which
My Creator has already actualized
There is nothing not known to Him
That I might do in times ahead.
Like the making of a machine,
The creator knows
Its fullest potential,
Its st... [Read more] 8.13.11 Prompt 1 What Does This Word Mean? August 19, 2011 at 4:02pm Prompt 1: “A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket.” ~Charles Peguy
Daddy, a word,
A common word,
But what does it mean?
To the widowed mother
it means memories.
To the bruised wife
it means lies.
To the abused child
it means fear.
To the happy child
it means protection.
To the single mother
it means bitterness.
Daddy, a word
with so many definitions.
... [Read more] 8.12.11 I am now yellow all over August 12, 2011 at 6:44pm Since I was chosen to be a Preferred Author today, I decided to write a little poem about it.
“MY YELLOW BRIEFCASE”
I sit here aglow
That one would bestow
This fine, beautiful yellow
To cover my drab stucco.
My cargo
Is far from sallow,
It’s the brightest glow
Found in the rainbow.
It was just a moment ago
I was labeled a sideshow,
But with the change of my deco,
I am now a hero!
I did not foreknow
The great ones would hallow
My substance with such a g... [Read more] 8.11.11 Listen to others not yourself August 11, 2011 at 12:37pm Quote of the Day:
There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves.
-Albert Guinon (1863 - 1923)
The truth in this quote makes me laugh and at the same time makes my heart ache. I mostly ache. To see this played out in its truest form just turn on cnn, hln, or fox news. Watch the talking heads debate with each other. They do not listen to each other. Their opinions are formed and are incapab... [Read more] 8.10.11 My First Entry August 10, 2011 at 5:51pm Hi everybody! I am Deanna AKA Itchy Water. I'm glad to be part of the New Horizons Academy. I love this place. I took a course last semetser and had a blast! It was the Comma Sense course with Winnie. She is a hoot! If you are in her class, don't mention the ruler because she can get crazy with that thing. I'm still healing from my bruises and scars.
Well, I'm back again taking a poetry class with Karen. I love poetry so I thought, "hey, why not?" I am anticipat... [Read more] |