A humble occupant of this great universe working out the reason for my existence. Following my bliss, and doing the most good before I depart this world.
In September 2018 I went to Costa Rica for the first time. What a beautiful Country! From landing in this country I could see the beauty in the land and the people.
I made the trip with my sister (we adopted each other) and her husband who visited the country before and fell in love with it and encouraged me to come down and I am so glad I took them up on the invitation.
We are staying in a small town in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano called La Fortuna a quaint town with lots to do. We are here in the offseason or rainy season. As long as you are ok with it raining every day it’s great! Very few tourist around, No crowds, just you hiking on the trails just bring rain gear and wear waterproof shoes because of the rain and mud.
The temperature is perfect 75 degrees with a slight breeze. I seat in my Airbnb apartment with the front and back door open and the breeze and sounds are enchanting the birds, roosters, and raindrops coupled with the breeze make for a perfect lazy Sunday morning. Looking out the back door at this majestic Volcano wishing I never had to leave.
I will be back Costa Rico, I’ll be back La Fortuna. Thank You for one of the best vacations.
The hills and Valleys make life interesting. There is never a dull moment. It can be exciting, distressing or worrisome just by the way you react.
You may know, I am working towards the goal of full timing it on the road in a travel trailer. This blog is dedicated to the journey………
While driving my current car stopped in the middle of a busy intersection about 45 minutes from home. I was traveling with a friend that day, and we were able to push it into a parking lot close by so I could assess the situation.
It just would not start, so I needed to get it to a repair shop to have them diagnose the problem. Because it was a busy area, there were many auto mechanics within walking distance.
After a short walk, the second garage I stopped at was helpful and got a tow truck to tow it the mile to their garage.
Even though it was an unfortunate situation, so many things worked out that day, including having another friend that was visiting out of town who was able to pick me up and take me to work on time.
The car is in the shop as I write this and it will take quite a bit to fix it but after all is said and done the resale value will increase.
As they say, I had His favor that day and His blessing shines on me every day.
Remember you have the option of looking at your challenges in a positive or a negative light.
When I am fearful, or I am unsure of the outcome it is so easy to say no. To not step out of my comfort zone, not to take a risk. There are countless times I have chosen to take the safe route.
No more! From now on, I will say yes even if I doubt my abilities or the voice in my head is saying you are not good enough. As the saying goes, the Lord does not call the equipped. He equips the called.
A few days ago a customer that approached me several years ago about helping her with her project, but because I was unsure of my abilities and I convinced myself that I had nothing to contribute, so I avoided committing to a meeting. Reached out to me and wanted us to meet, I said yes, and we had a constructive meeting, and now we are working together on completing her project.
There are many accounts, where people who were not qualified in a particular area that has made significant strides in the same area.
If you have a gut feeling that you should be perusing particular profession whether it is preaching, acting, photography or any other occupation, you Will make a difference, step out in faith and go for it. Your true Happiness depends on it!
It is easier said than done…..because I struggle in this area every day. There are times I feel unworthy or ill-equipped. This is where affirmations are important. The more I say YES to being uncomfortable. The more I step out in faith, the stronger I will become.
There is nothing that we cannot do without His help. Make a difference! Live your destiny!
Whats next???? Now that I have stepped out in faith and told the universe my intention, and asking the Lord for guidance.
After hitting the post button, on my previous post, I could feel my anxiety level increase dramatically for a few hours. After quieting my mind with meditation, I was reminded of all the times the Lord has worked things out, in other words, the Universe came up to meet my intentions.
Fear, coupled with procrastination has made me able to stay in my safe but unfulfilled life. I sit here in Starbucks writing this with the realization that time goes so quickly and the clock is ticking every day.
Make Affirmations! I am good enough!, I am smart enough! I am attractive enough! And so on…… is a way to retraining my brain especially when I start thinking negatively.
Write Down Goals! I struggle with writing things down, not sure why, but maybe the reason why is because by not writing down my goals, I would not have written a document to keep me accountable. For me, now writing this Blog is a way me accountable and to inspire me to keep going, to keep moving forward no matter how small. As my dear friend more like sister says, little progress is still progress.
Keep Motivated! I have found that I get motivation from walking or riding my bicycle in Nature and if I can capture a beautiful image its a bonus. Also, Reading about hiking and exploring. I am in the process of making and hanging a dream board or a better word…. a goal board so that it will be a daily reminder to work towards my goals.
Make a step towards my goal daily no matter how small.
Look out for opportunities that will present themselves and not make fear or procrastination hold me back.
Get my mind and body mentally and physically prepared for the journey by reading and exercise.
Refuse to listen to limiting beliefs.
Don’t wait for the time is right to move forward. Jump!
I have said it before many times LIFE IS SHORT, ENJOY THE JOURNEY. It has been a dream of mine for some time and now, a goal…. To travel the United States in a Travel Trailer.
I decided to document my journey starting from today.
I was listening to a preacher, and he spoke about the Faith of Bartimaeus, a blind man who pursued Jesus for healing. Bartimaeus had stepped out with Blind Faith literally.
This resonated with me, and confirms that HE wants me to proceed with this endeavor! And it will take Blind Faith to see this one through.
So with that, I proceed, and I will try to listen to My Lord’s direction.
After thinking about the best way to travel, but staying open to the Lord to change and direct all aspects of this Journey, but my vision is to buy a 4 wheel drive type tow vehicle and travel trailer. This combination should be efficient and economical to transport.
Outdoor Photography is one of my passions and creating beautiful images. I will be traveling the country finding beautiful Images that inspire, uplift, motivate and bring peace to individuals.
It is my sincere belief that we all are placed here for a reason, and each one of us has a passion, unfortunately, not all of us are brave enough to follow our bliss.
It is so easy to come up with excuses why something cannot be done. Excuses hold us back from using our God-given potential. Get rid of the excuses in your head, Just Do It!
Ok Before the trip starts what will I need?
A way to generate income on the road.
A reliable tow vehicle like an SUV that will be able to pull a trailer
A Travel Trailer
What about this current job do you like?
Meeting new people every day and helping clients create their printing/publishing ideas or projects.
Editing images
What are my personality traits? (the way I see it)
Empathy, caring, upbeat, and positivity.
It is also my belief that everything that happens to us good and bad will be used to accomplish your goals. Our experiences will mold us and shape us if we allow the Lord or the divine to use it for good.
Be Open
Be Flexible
Be Positive
Be Brave
Be Confident
And have Faith Knowing the Lord or the Divine will Come to meet you where we are!
For the past few days, I have decided to disconnect. Disconnect from the news and all negative social media. This gave me an opportunity to adjust my attitude and my outlook. As I ask the Lord to help me process the events of the last few days where the country (my country) has elected Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States. After much meditation and praying, I have come to this conclusion.
Where do we go from here? Is on many people’s mind. Some people are relieved, and others are disappointed. But regardless if you are exuberant or saddened, as a country we have to go on, and we have to move forward.
For all my Christian friends on either side of the issue…… this outcome is not a mistake. The Lord has allowed Mr. Trump to get to the White House. We all agree that when he started out, many of us did not take him seriously. He was the underdog but yet he triumphed! It is my opinion he had God on his side.
For everyone else regardless of what you believe, I am sure you will agree that this is not a mistake.
The question I asked myself and would like to ask you……. Am I willing to accept the results and move forward and work together for the good of the country? If your answer is YES! then we have work to do.
Accept that our President is now going to be Donald Trump.
Stay Positive. Refrain from entering into negative talk about this election and our President-elect.
Disconnect from any or all media that sensationalize this process. (personally, have avoided listening or watching the news or coverage of the election)
Go out and volunteer. You can make a difference in your small circle.
Pray that the Lord will use Mr. Trump to really make America Great Again for all and not a few.
Life is short, and we are only here for a short time, Let’s unite and make a difference. Make a difference for our children and for our grandchildren. Put away Greed, Anger, and Resentment. As the Lord said……… Love Your Neighbor As Yourself.
The popular saying a few years ago was, “S**t happens”. Well, I am here to say that all of us have unfortunate things that happen in our lives, but the big difference between one another is our reaction.
I am no expert by any means but from my observations. As human beings, we have a tendency to want to blame ourselves, blame someone else, or blame God. But in any case, we try to rationalize why situations occur the way they do. All these reactions are not constructive in my opinion.
I had the opportunity to learn this a few days ago. I potentially lost a significant amount of money (at least for me). Money that I was planning to use… I watched the opportunity literally fall out of my hands!
A friend was with me and I could see the pain of not been able to help in his face. It felt like someone punched me in the stomach. After I got over the shock and started to breathe I felt myself wanting to play the “What if” game in my head… What if I did something different? What if I did it earlier? And so on. I had to stop this line of thinking, realizing it was not constructive. From there, I analyzed the damage and started to be thankful. Thankful that the situation was not worse. Thankful for the opportunity to learn something that God wanted to teach me.
It’s a simple fact that we live in a corrupt world and bad things happen. But I believe that God allows bad things to happen so that we all have the opportunity to learn, grow, and become spiritually stronger. If life was too easy, what use would we have for Faith? What need would we have for God? Would we even appreciate Him?
So I made a choice: move on and appreciate the Lord and ask for His guidance
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons – make lemonade!
On Sunday I sing this Hymn, But do I really mean it.
Do I surrender my life, my finances, my plans, my dreams…everything.
Doing these three things helps me give Him my All…..
Stepping out in Faith……… I must admit that sometimes it is hard to do because I have to give up the driver’s seat but it gets easier the more I do it because I can see how amazing God is and he takes me in directions I would never imagine.
Stopping to Listen to the still small voice……….. I hear what the Lord put on my heart and what He wants to tell me. It took me a while to know when He speaks and to trust in what I heard. Having that connection is very reassuring and I get a lot of comfort and peace knowing He is always there.
Submerging myself in his Word…………. Finding time to Read the Bible daily is difficult for me and many people I know…. making time to learn how God thinks to Know what is holy and acceptable to Him is necessary for spiritual growth.
Sharing my time and resources to help others…………… I try to be Gods hands on earth and each of us can be in our small way. When I do this I am so blessed knowing I am helping others.
Let’s not get it twisted, I am not perfect, I sin, I don’t do everything I should, I fail, I lose my peace…..
But as they say……. I am not what I should be but Thank God I am not what I use to be…….
For the past few days, I have thought that as my fiftieth birthday approaches and it is doubtful that I will have another fifty years on earth, how can I ensure that this part of my life is the best part of my life.
As I read the bible……. an instruction manual for me, there is no mention of retirement, you do what you enjoy until your last breath. That was an interesting revelation for me because we are taught to work hard and accumulate stuff forsaking the most important things in life that make for a happy and fulfilling life in my opinion. Ironically enough these things do not cost a significant amount of money, and actually, most are free.
Things like meditation, helping others, spending time with people you love both family and friends, spending time in nature every day and last but not least communing with God is just some of the things that I have found that enriches my life. Doing these things along with eating nutritious food and exercise on a consistent basis also improves my mental and physical health.
We never know what the future holds and how long we will be on this side of heaven, but we can make a difference every day. It may not be something……. in our eyes, momentous but a small thing like a smile, a touch or an encouraging word can change someone’s life without us realizing it.
I ask you…. What are the most important things to you?
Is it to accumulate more stuff,
Is it to buy the latest and greatest,
Is it to accumulate great wealth,
How about having power and status,
or Accolades from your peers
All these things were important to me at one time, but I asked myself at what cost?
The cost of my health mentally and or physically. The cost to my family by not having time with me because I was working long hours. The cost of not being spiritually maturity or enlightenment. There is always a cost……. is it worth it?
My humble opinion after fifty years of experience is that every day is precious and I should live it to the fullest. I may live another fifty, but I may only live another minute. The key to everything is moderation, we all have to work to pay our bills but giving up years of your life to a job or a business is not worth it, especially if it is something is not enjoyable or not fulfilling.
How do you ensure you end well……., Again I used to believe that if I worked hard and saved my money so that I could have a large bank account with many investments so that I will be able to live a particular lifestyle when I approach the later years of life.
A parable from the Bible sums it up beautifully……
Luke 12 v 13-21 NLT
Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”
15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’
18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.
Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.
19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.
Now calm down! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
HE is the potter we are the clay………Pain is inevitable, the struggle is optional. We all go through some kind of difficulty in our lives and when I ask why Lord do we have so much pain in our lives the answer I got was in order to build our faith and increase our praise. I have come to learn that worry and fret does not fix anything…it actually is more destructive to our mental happiness and destroys our peace.
Crying out to God asking him for strength to ride out the pain which in pottery its the hardening process. God will never give you more than you can bear… I know that when you are in it nothing can be worse and it feels like you will never survive but I am here to say…….With GOD’S help, you will make it through, and it will be your testimony the harder the trial the Greater the testimony.
In my life I have had some pain to the point of a suicide attempt, the pain seemed so unbearable, it seemed like it was no way out. I told myself I was no good….. worthless. All negative self-talk that is so unhealthy and is from the pits of hell. God does not make junk! As I read Psalm 139, David reminds us how much I am valued by God.
I hit rock bottom and did not have anywhere to turn at 4 am in the morning, I went on my knees and asked God to take the pain away to show me a way out. And he did, for some reason, I had my laptop with me, and I decided to open Facebook, and God sent and Angel in the shape of an old friend that I had not spoken to for a long time and lived in a different country. She sent me a message via Messenger inquiring why I was up in the wee hours of the morning and that she could not sleep. And she talked me off the ledge. We text back and forth for hours, and through her, I realized that God needed/wanted me here to make a difference and there is always a way out.
It has been a few years now, and I realized how foolish and selfish I was, I would have left work undone on this side of Heaven and inflicted, even more pain in hearts of all the people who love and care for me. Thank You, God!
There are a few things I want to reiterate……..When you are in pain,
Reach out to God in prayer…. Ask him to help you through your valley experience
Stop the negative self-talk….. Everyone is here for a reason you are unique and precious
Know that all will be well…… There will come a time that you look back it won’t seem as bad as it looks now.
Share your experience…… Help someone else that maybe going through a painful experience and need a word of encouragement.
It is sincerely my hope that I will help someone in their time of need…….. Peace and Be Blessed
Ephesians 2:10 NLT For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I am no expert on the issue of love…. but we all can agree that there are many different examples of love.. God’s Love, A mother’s love for their children, A child’s Love for their mother or Parent. A Love that a man and wife share, even the love that one feels when you are attracted to someone… and there are many more scenarios and there are many more ways to mess it up with our expectations. It has been said before but it is worth repeating to be happy in this life we need to have no expectations, There is only one perfect person that will never let us down or will never forsake us and his name is Jesus everyone else is human and they will hurt us sometimes unintentionally but it will happen.
When this happens the key to this is forgiveness. God forgives us everyday we need to forgive one another and to love one another. Even if the person is our enemy or if they hurt us badly we need to find a way to forgive them and ultimately….. love them. unconditionally love ……it is difficult you say…… I agree but if that is the example Jesus left for us that is what we should aspire to… Mothers Love your Children unconditionally. Dads Love your children unconditionally. Children love your parents unconditionally, Husband love your wife unconditionally . Wife you do the same. Brothers and Sisters love each other unconditionally and Love your neighbor. As I was reading my devotional this morning one of the many verses about how we need to treat one another came up as the verse of the day and it is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:15. ” See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” Forgive easily, love unconditionally and control our expectations. Blessings always
On this and every Father’s Day since the passing of my beloved dad…. I reflect on how fortunate I have been to have had an exceptional dad. In December it will be two years since he went home and there is not one day that have passed that I have not thought about him. As I said earlier he was exceptional dad and a phenomenal human being.
Even though I am not a Father, I salute the Great Dads out there. I asked myself who makes a good dad? If we use our heavenly father as an example we all fall short but we can try to emulate his characteristics.
Oh Father in heaven is
1. Loving
2. Compassionate
3. Understanding
4. Forgives
5. Heals
6. Giving
7. Caring
8. Accepts
9. Righteous
10.Gracious
11.Kind
Just to name a few. (if I missed any please post)
As I look back my dad left a great legacy where he tried and achieved all of these characteristics. This is why I KNOW that I am BLESSED to have called him father.
I ask the fathers out there what Legacy are you leaving for your children?
Remember children learn from us and emulate us as they grow up. Keep this in mind always………
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there. Have a GREAT day . Peace
The hills and Valleys make life interesting. There is never a dull moment. It can be exciting, distressing or worrisome just by the way you react.
Whats next???? Now that I have stepped out in faith and told the universe my intention, and asking the Lord for guidance.
Lynden's Wild Travel Adventures 