Acceptance and Grace

Acceptance and grace ... 2 words I feel God has placed on my heart as a theme for the 2014 year. At first I thought it odd. Then I realized how closely connected these 2 words are. I desire to be a woman of grace. To be a woman of grace, I need to be at peace - with myself and others. I need to accept what I cannot change and have wisdom to make the changes I can and need to. There is so much more to the concept of grace and I'm still learning!

I see that

when I can fully accept myself - my situation, my limitations, my strengths, my desires, my interests, my passions, all of me ... and when I can be gracious with myself ...

And

when I can fully accept others in my life - those who to me feel very judgmental (that is something that really irks me), or those who have hurt me or used me in one way or another, or those who will enter my life or are new to my life - and show grace to them  ...

Then I can truly live at peace.

And I can only get to this point by the grace of God.

I don't see accepting and being full of grace towards others as being as hard as it is to accept me fully - for who I am and all that I am - and being gracious with myself. Then again, in many ways, I hope I don't have to learn this the hard way! For others, I usually forgive quickly. As I am relationally focused, I want to make things right between me and other people so those kinds of things don't usually hang around long. My current struggles are mostly around acknowledging that I have physical limitations that are more so than in the past. I can't go as full-on as I've gone in the past. And believe me, I've been known to be very busy doing all sorts of things. I don't know why now is the time when I am noticing I need to slow down. It is frustrating. I'm mostly ok with my situation. But there are days when I really struggle. I want to do so much more than my body seems to allow me to before it konks out. I'm finding I need to rely on others more than ever. And I most definitely do not want others to see me as 'needy' or 'using' them when I do have needs - whether that is companionship, physical help, or other needs and desires. Sure, I struggle at times with my appearance, but somehow, overall, I'm ok with it. I do what I can to be healthy and to look my best, and I know that others can accept that or not and it's their choice. I've been told I'm Ugly. Fat. Crippled. Look funny. And many ugly words. I have to remember they're just words and the people saying these things are going through their own issues. If they don't accept my appearance or if they discriminate based on my appearance, that's on them. All I can do is accept me for who I am. All of me. And that will still require me to lean on God and allow his grace to wash over me.

That grace, I've noticed, comes in many forms. People in my life. Little things that make me smile. Nature's beauty as a wonderful balm. Conversations I have where I see that God is using me in others' lives - because I am who I am - in my full glory. :) [said with some jest, but also in sincerity as I do believe that as a Christian, I reflect God's glory]. I am continually surprised and feel blessed when others come to talk to me because they see me as someone who listens. Who has good advice when needed, or is just willing to listen or, if they'd like, to pray with them. I see so many wonderful opportunities to connect with others - and sometimes I think these opportunities come BECAUSE I need some help and someone has stepped up. We end up having such wonderful conversations.

So, in my year of exploring what it means to fully accept myself and be gracious to myself and in my exploration of what it means to fully accept, love, and be gracious to others, I am filled with excitement. I think this year will hold many wonderful - and probably some not-so-wonderful experiences. I look forward to studying God's word, reading books that teach me about these topics (and as a side note - so often I end up picking up a book that brings out the themes that I am experiencing without even realizing it), and learning about grace and acceptance in my relationships. I think I will come out on the other end more at peace. And maybe, I will even exude some of what the lyrics in the U2 song 'Grace' talk about (see below).

The only verse I'm not so sure about is the first one (I'm not sure what that verse means and from how I'm reading it, I'm not sure it's a healthy way of looking at things). Unless 'Grace' is viewed as God and the sacrifice of Jesus. Then it makes sense to me. The video link is below as well.

Grace (by U2)

Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that
Changed the world

And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness
In everything

Grace
She's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk

She travels outside
Of karma, karma
She travels outside
Of karma

When she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty
In everything

Grace
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips
Between her fingertips
She carries a pearl
In perfect condition

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings

Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty
In everything

Grace finds goodness
In everything

Music is healing to the soul

Today wasn't a bad day, but by the end of the evening I was feeling a little down. I guess I let it hit me that two of my good friends at work had their last day today - moving on to other things. And another good friend from work just got another job today and will be moving on. Things are changing. They're moving on to other things and I guess, in a way, although I had decided recently that I need to stay where I'm at for the time being, I feel like I want to be moving on to more exciting and new things. And I'll miss them. Work just won't be the same without them. And that's sad. I also got to thinking about some of my friends and I wonder how they're doing. It's been a while since we connected.

Just before I started blogging today, I was listening to some music by one of my current favourite artists - Jon Schmidt - as well as some other piano based music. I really paid attention to my feelings as I was listening. Music has a way of healing. But also of making me cry. I'm not sure those tears were tears of sadness, although I did notice I started processing how I was feeling and was able to write it down (see above). I'll post them below within this entry. If you get a chance, have a listen. Notice how you feel - what your emotions do - when listening to the songs. The song 'Bring Him Home' is so haunting. This is the song where I noticed I was tearing up. The Charlie Brown song literally made me laugh and feel so much joy. I listened to a few others and just let the music wash over me. It's neat when I take time to pay attention to what music does to me - how it can be so spiritually connecting.

Experience the joy I experienced while watching this video!

More from Jon Schmidt - 'Michael Meets Mozart'

I love this guy's music. Here's his new video,Michael Meets Mozart . Enjoy!



And another video by the same guy. This one's called Waterfall. I"d love to play like this!

How Great Thou Art

What a beautiful rendition of one of my favourite hymns! What a powerful and amazing voice!

Hallelujah - with a jazz twist

One of my friends said this song reminds her of me. I actually do like this song a lot but had never heard this version. This version is slightly different than what I'm used to with the deep bass and the organ and jazz tones. My favourite version is still by Il Divo - such a rich tenor. I like the jazziness of this version, though.

If You've Never Failed, You've Never Lived

If you've never failed, you've never lived. Life = Risk.

Check out this video

Learning How to Be Alone - an important spiritual discipline

It's so important to learn how to be alone and to appreciate silence. I like the underlying message of this video - that there are many ways to practise being alone. To enjoy it. That being alone can be acceptable. For me, I started enjoying being alone in Australia. At least, that's where I first remember enjoying being alone. I enjoyed exploring a new city, going to a new coffee shop, going along on my scooter at a walking pace instead of the hurried frenzy of driving through traffic in a car, and just being. Enjoying that here and now. Enjoying those moments by myself and the adventure of seeing things as if for the first time (although some of it definitely was the first time). Whether that was amongst other people or truly by myself, I was still alone. Not in the lonely sense of alone. I learned to enjoy being alone.

I learned how to appreciate the little things in life. I learned how to be there, in that moment, in conversations, and ended up enjoying conversations and that curiosity that comes with really wanting to hear what the other has to say. I learned how to notice the little things in life. How to take life's pace down to a walk instead of race. I learned to enjoy sipping coffee or tea or trying a new food, just for the enjoyment of the flavour and the experience. I learned how to observe. I relearned how to play for the sheer enjoyment of it by playing with a huge bubble wand in a marketplace, surrounded by people yet it was as though I was all alone experiencing joy. My time in Australia was one of huge spiritual growth. Why? Because I learned how to be alone and enjoy it.

And now, I enjoy sitting outside at night, just watching the stars. Or going out for a walk with my scooter. Or sitting in my car, sometimes even with no music and being left to my own thoughts or observations. I enjoy sitting in a coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon, possibly reading the paper or a book. I enjoy just observing what's going on around me. Taking it all in, but not focusing on anything in particular. I enjoy listening to music at home. I enjoy reading and journaling. I enjoy making music. I enjoy going to a park. I enjoy going for a drive. I enjoy being with other people, engaging in conversations and really being there.

Being alone allows me to worship and spend time with God. It allows me to worship by enjoying nature around me. Or enjoying the little things in life, perhaps by capturing it through a lens. Again - being present in that moment to whatever is going on.

As a side shoot - maybe even my work allows me to worship. I have to live in the moment for my work. There's no way I could facilitate some of the groups I do without really, truly being present. Not distracted by other thoughts. Just being there. Maybe that's part of worship - to really be present. And through that - when in conversation or dialogue, or even in listening to dialogue, appreciating it for what it is and injecting comments here and there as appropriate to facilitate that dialogue.

So then, what is worship? A friend once described it as a way of life. Maybe it's more about being worshipful. A state of being. Many of us think singing is worship - and that alone is worship. I disagree, although it can definitely be part of being worshipful. To me, it really is about a way of life. Being there in that moment with my whole self. Connecting with people. With God. Being ok with being alone, because it allows me to really be present. Sometimes to feel - even the not-so-good feelings. Or to take note of those little things in life that easily go unnoticed and thanking the Creator. To me, making music is part of worship. Reading is part of worship - not only writings such as the Bible or theological books, but also other things that make me think and reflect on my own life and lead to personal evaluation. Or reading funny things because laughter is a gift. Or writing an article or an essay. Using the gifts we are blessed with. For me, being in nature is also a very important way I connect with God. Each of these can be a way to connect with God. To me, worship, or rather, being worshipful, is engaging with life, being in the moment, living an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, and connecting with God with my whole self.

Bringing it back to 'being alone', maybe we should make a practice of taking time to be alone. We can worship when we are with other people or when we are in a church setting. We can also worship wherever we are. I think that without learning how to be alone, we miss out on a very powerful way of worshiping - of connecting with God in a way that is so personalized.

Be the Change You Want To Be: Carrots, Eggs or Coffee Beans Movie

"When Adversity knocks on your door, who do you want to be: a carrot, an egg, or coffee beans?" (from video link)

Previously, I posted a written version of this story as an inspirational post. Here is a video telling the same story.


Carrots, Eggs or Coffee Beans Movie: "All of us at one time or another have experienced a difficult situation, had setbacks, or dealt with our share of disappointment. Most things that happen to us on a daily basis we can’t control and I can honestly say (with conviction) that it is not what happens to us that matters but rather, how we choose to respond."

Still Alive - this song makes me happy

I'm really enjoying this song. It makes me happy. Not that the lyrics are actually happy. It's a bit of a random type of song. But hey, "I'm Still Alive". I should learn how to play and / or sing this song. I have sung it with Rock Band and it was a lot of fun. :) You may want to click the icon that enlarges the view. That way you can read the lyrics. Otherwise you'll basically be just listening to the song.

Food Court Hallelujah Chorus

This would be awesome to be a part of! I realize now when you click through, it does a 15 second ad. Hope that's ok.

OT Rap - an overview of general Occupational Therapy

This is a fun parody rap describing Occupational Therapy. I tend to focus more on the mental health side of things, the cognitive assessment piece, and the ADL assessments (although I'm doing some equipment assessments through one of my contracts). Maybe the video will give you a bit of an idea of what Occupational Therapists do. It even acknowledges OTA's, which is cool, as I teach in the OTA program at SAIT. In Alberta, some OT's are capacity evaluators - this is dependent on the region (province or state) as well as your role where you work.




LYRICS:

It's that time of year again starting October 24
For certain health professionals to rap it to y'all
We're making youse aware of something known as OT
Not I.T.! It's occupational... therapy

A guy comes up to me and says, "What's your occupation?"
He's confused when I reply "that is half of my vocation"
Here's somethin' to remember when explainin' to your folks
It's exactly like physio... just jokes

Every weekday morning, we all head into work
To a building with a cross, where all our patients lurk
Another day ahead and it's just the beginning
A coffee in the morning then we're to the ward grinning

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Functional independence, a goal that we strive for
To enable our patients to remain at home and survive or
With the help of services, for your areas of need
Enabling you to live a life that you want to lead

We can find this out in a million different ways
We can sit down have a chat and hear what you says
About your home environment, and with whom you live
Do you have a family, and are they supportive?

ADL assessments are our cup of tea
But watch out when the bowels open inconveniently
Your clothes are over there and the soap's on that shelf
"Have you come to shower me?", "Hell no, you'll shower yourself"

I'll just stand and watch while I take mental notes
Advises on devices to help don/doff your coats
The key to this is equipment recommendation
To enable you to function at a by yourself persuasion

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Compression therapy is something that we know well
The doctors turn to us when limbs start to swell
With bandages in hand we head to our battle stations
But remember to take note of any contraindications

The area of hands is a specialised skill
Providing splints, ROM and coban when your hands are ill
If you don't like what I do and you flip me the dove
I'll grab you by the hand and put you in a flexion glove

Splinting, positioning and pressure area care
Bulky foot drops splints, to some patient's despair
With proper education I think most come around
Especially when it's time to place their feet back on the ground

Cognitive assessments! This is where it is at
RUDAS, MOCA, BRISC, CAM and the Cognistat
A person's healthy mind can set themselves free
But please don't ask us to determine their capacity

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Burn yourself with fire or electricity?
Garments and scar management are your therapy
Splints will be made for each burnt body part
To immobilise your limb after a skin graft.

If you've had a stroke, no worries at all
For an upper limb assessment it's OT you call
Cognition, oedema and hypertonicity
We'll get you up and moving in no time you'll see

For the OTs on the front line we don't go it alone
The calcium per se that keeps our strength in our bones
Managing our consumables and assists in many ways
So don't forget our handy OTAs

To get you home safely we can visit your castle
Any mods to your house is really no hassle
We can customise all things to help you in your home
Your case is hi pri if you're living alone

CHORUS
OT, Consider yourself awared
OT, its independence squared
OT, Daily living activity
OT, Occupational Therapy

Info about video and production:
Lyrics by:
Danny Stewart-McLean

Music by:
Phil Driver

Featuring:
Danny Stewart-McLean
Karl Bagraith
Genna Mitchell
Jody Mills
Anna Green
Lauren Kamst

Directed & edited by:
Ryan van Dijk

The video was a made to raise awareness about Occupational Therapy Week 2010 by The New Grads (Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia).

Sunchips Compostable Bags Make Great Addition to Samba Bateria

Frito Lay, the company who produces the Sun Chips brand of chips, has decided to keep the compostable version of the Sun Chips bag in Canada. It is known for its loud, crinkly sound. This makes it hard to sneak in to a movie theatre. :( I guess Canada is a little more concerned about the environmental effect of piles of chip bags landing in garbage sites than their American counterparts. They must also be pretty confident sales will do well if they think consumption of Sun Chips (and the resulting leftover bags) will make an environmental dent. At the same time, each little bit counts. Good on 'em for taking this environmental stand. And, really, who can't have a bit of fun with the loud chip bags?!

This is a video put together by my Samba Bateria, Calgary Escola de Samba. I wasn't able to make it this day, but it looks like it was a lot of fun!

Purposeful Reflection and Worship

This is the Power Point I used for the youth Bible study this past week. It is a reflective worship activity including 13 stations (12 that were rotated through and the final one that everyone did at the same time). If the video below doesn't work, you can check out the link to the ACF youth page and look for the October 27/10 Salt Factory posting. If you want to take the time to follow the instructions on each slide, you may need to pause it at certain points. I also used the song 'Creation Calls' - see two posts below - at the end of the reflection exercise. (There is a link to this You Tube video on the last slide, but it may not work within this format). We sat in a dark room just listening to the music and the lyrics. I've never seen the group so quiet, even after it was all finished. Hopefully that quiet was a good thing - hopefully they were actually reflective and that this was a good exercise for them.

Purposeful reflection and worship acf salt factory 10 27 10

View more presentations from pyplett.

All the pictures were taken by Patti Plett except those in the You Tube video link on the last slide.

Creation Calls - Video

I came across this video as I was preparing for Salt Factory (Youth Bible study at my church). I'm leading the study tonight and the topic is God's Creativity. The youth will be going to different stations and spending time reflecting and taking note of how wonderfully complex the world is. I love this song and I got goosebumps listening to it. I like how the choir seems to fit so well in this song as well.

A fun post - The Humans are Dead video by Byron and Steve

This video was done by a couple friends. Haha. I just heard my laugh just before they started singing - never noticed that before. Have a listen and enjoy! This was done at a talent night. I find it funny, anyway. You may or may not. :)

Samba - a taste of what I've recently gotten involved with

I've joined a Samba troup - Calgary Escola de Samba. Here's a video of our most recent performance. The percussion instrument I was playing here is not what I usually play, but I am still learning the different instruments. Who knows, this might become 'my instrument', although there are other instruments I like as much or more. So far, I've most often played a surdo - the big bass drums that are at the back. I like the sound of the surdo and the upper body movement involved. We usually strap it around my back and rest the drum on my wheelchair foot rests.

Video link for amusing song

I came across this song at a party a while ago. We were joking around that this song was about me. It's also a little quirky, like me, and maybe a little geeky too. :D I find it amusing, so have a listen and watch the video.

The Porpoise Driven Life - isn't that what we called it?

I came across this video. Mixed Nuts - you may enjoy this! :)

3BT post ... and a link to an awesome video

It's time for another 3BT's post (3 Beautiful Things).

1. The orange glow of streetlights on freshly falling snow.
2. The fact I got all my Christmas shopping done without entering Walmart! :) I got it done all in one afternoon. And enjoyed myself for the most part. I am thankful for the option of online purchasing, though. Less tiring and the mix of going to stores (in real life) and browsing through stores online makes shopping more enjoyable.
3. Sex in a Pan. The dessert, that is. :D
4. Powerful music ... such as the link below. Particularly fusions of classic and something else (rock, metal, alternative, etc.).

I've posted this video before but it was taken down. I love this guy's music and this song, in particular, this song. The 2nd video is a different version of part of that song - I love the energy in this one too. You can see how much he's enjoying playing.

Love Story Meets Viva la Vida


Love Story Meets Love Story

Thoughts on Heaven - Sunday's Coming

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, and we'll see Jesus face-to-face (song, There Will Be A Day, Jeremy Camp).

This song quote almost sounds cliché, but there is truth and comfort in it. At least, if you believe you will see Jesus face-to-face. I think, too, that this quote sums up the comfort of the idea of heaven for most people. A better place. No more pain. No more crying. No more fears. And all will be well. In general, heaven is a concept I try not to think about. However, recently, it's been on my mind more. I've had conversations and read books and recently, people I know have passed away. And at times such as this, it lends to reflection. I guess, though, shouldn't we be thinking about heaven as being more than just this place with no more hard times? Isn't it more than that? And yet, that's one of the reasons why I look forward to heaven. Granted, I'd still say I don't want to go just yet.

A few weeks ago, I came back to a book I started a long time ago - 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. He was in a brutal accident, literally died on the scene, and had a heaven experience. After 90 minutes, he revived and came to. In the months (and maybe even still) that followed, he questioned many times why he couldn't stay in heaven instead of being in constant pain on earth. But there was more to it than that - the longing to be with Jesus. To be in that glory. Over time, he saw a purpose for him to continue to be on this earth. Over time, he saw his purpose in being on this earth, but it took a while. But he notes that while he was in heaven, he didn't think about those he left behind. To him, it was but a short good-bye. He'd see them again. The experience was glorious and the book goes into a fair amount of detail as to what he experienced. I've also heard of others who have had a similar experience. Although I believe they're thankful for the time they have with loved ones today, those are the people who I see long the most to be with Jesus in heaven.

The whole idea of heaven itself is a mystery to me. During a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about the idea that heaven really means being with Jesus. I guess, my response to that is, aren't we with him now? Isn't he ever-present with us? How is that any different than now? Or does that mean this is some sort of heaven. In doing more reading and thinking, I think in our lifetime on earth, we catch glimpses of something to come. A taste. Like experiencing peace in times of difficulty or pain, experiencing and knowing God's presence, experiencing beauty in people or in nature or in art, or noticing the little things in life when we are living in the moment. Feeling the wind on our face, noticing the details in how a bird hopes or an animal moves, or watching the trees move, or listening to the flow of water, or hearing other nature sounds. (Wow - that sentence is something similar to what I wrote in a different post - I guess it's obvious that this is one way that I connect with God). But I think the song "I Can Only Imagine" (Mercy Me) sums it up quite well - see below.

Like the people who have had 'heaven experiences', I hope that my desire to be with Christ eternally will become a longing. I do hope that I don't need to go through some horrific process or serious illness to get to that point. :) I don't want that longing to be only about the beauty that has been described in various biblical passages or that life will be blissful with no pain, etc., but about being in the very presence of God. And, yes, a part of me looks forward to the day when I won't have to worry that I will slip on the ice and fall and break something or have some other fall or injury that leads to broken bones. I look forward to being able to walk normally and to be able to jump or dance. When I think about this part, I long for that. The song, "I Can Only Imagine" has special meaning to me, both in the idea that I will be physically restored and that heaven is about worshiping God. When I listen to that song or watch the video, it brings tears to my eyes. I get this overwhelming sense of - I don't even know how to describe it. Maybe longing is the word. Maybe this is my glimpse of longing.



I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine



And another song that has been in my head recently related to heaven:

There Will Be A Day (by Jeremy Camp)


And for those who have lost someone recently or are experiencing a lot of hardship,

It's Friday ... But Sunday's Coming!