Month: July 2015

TODAY THE WORDS are THE MERRY HEART. I find people have two descriptions of the heart; one is the clinical term and one is the emotional attachment to the heart. For those scientists and analytical people, they are more in tune to the beating heart rather than the merry heart. Let’s look at how we reference the non clinical heart. If our heart gets “broken”, we experience sadness. If we are happy, we have a merry heart and we say it is full of laughter. Is that possible? Do we feel with our heart? Artists for so many years have painted hearts, children have associated hearts with valentines showing endearment or affection. Songwriters and singers have poured out song after song with validation of broken hearts, and sadness. Songs of love refer to the heart. Bravery is attached to a strong and patriotic heart. Why do we humans attach so much emotion to our heart? We place our hand to our heart for pledging allegiance to our flag in high respect. I ask again, why so much emphasis on our merry hearts; why so much sadness in our hearts when something tragic happens; why so much emphasis on the heart for signs of loyalty and patronage?

We define the heart in two ways: 1) a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles or 2) the central or innermost part of something. I can see the heart starting out when we are little,  maybe being hollow until it is filled with different feelings (speaking metaphorically of course) and this is a representation of a spirit of which the physical cover is not significant for its purpose. Notice the second meaning as the heart being a reference to the central or innermost part of something and I relate to the heart as being the most innermost part of our spirit. We reference the “pounding” of our hearts to reflect fear or excitement because it beats faster when we experience a heightened sense of emotions.

Now for the deeper thought….However the heart feels; so goes the day or the person. When we laugh outwardly, and that is the best medicine there is; our heart becomes merry and we feel happiness. We need to give our hearts that feeling of happiness by adding more laughter into our everyday life. Live life; love life; and love life to the fullest by allowing your heart to laugh and smile and by all means allow your heart to love!

TODAY THE WORDS are IS IT REALLY REAL? I have a story which was passed down from my Mother about her Mother. I may not have it exactly as it occurred, or the year it happened, but you will find it amusing and then I will reflect on the topic. As the story goes, this occurred the first time my Grandmother was taken to a “picture show” or movies as we know them. In the time frame, this was a western with a lot of shooting and dying from the good cowboys and the bad cowboys (remember they were usually identified by one wearing light colors and the bad ones wearing black or dark colors. In those movies, a lot of bullets flew but they must have been pretty rotten shooters as there were more bullets fired than dead folks. Well, at one point the hero cowboy was walking and apparently the “bad” cowboy was hiding behind a cactus or a tree (okay, so I don’t have all of the facts) and the good cowboy was getting nearer. About that time, with everyone holding their breath, my grandmother jumps up and yells, “Watch Out, he is going to shoot you!” Mom didn’t tell me if the theater broke out in laughter or not. My grandmother thought this was real action and didn’t understand acting. I don’t tell this story to make light of my grandmother as I have thought many times how we look at something and don’t understand the meaning or miss the realization of the matter at hand. Let’s put on our thinking caps and we will remember how we reacted to the first 3D movie; the special effects of The Exorcist, The Flying Nun, Bewitched, and it brings it home. We sometimes want to believe or even disbelieve for personal reasons.

Now for the deeper thought….why is it so hard to believe what our eyes see? We see it; it is real or unreal; reality or imagination; faith or disbelief? When we are asked to believe in God and we are deceived by physical items, how are we to trust the unseen?

Here are my thoughts and I welcome others…..Even though I know there are fake things and imitations of any physical items; my heart is given a silent sight to see and feel beyond the visual realm of life. If a Supreme being were not in existence, we would truly be alone except for others like ourselves; if a Supreme being does exist; when we are hurting and peace comes over us in the most difficult times; I know where it comes from. I don’t get into debates with unbelievers; why would I? There is nothing to discuss with a non believer; allow them to see your faith is beyond reproach. A simple “I believe!” is enough realization you will ever need. God is the One to whom you are talking.

Live Life; Love Life; and Live Life to the fullest by trusting in the knowledge of what is truly real and what will serve you for time and all eternity.

TODAY THE WORDS are MY GLASS IS EMPTY. I share a little different perspective on this ageless question as I think we have to look at it from another standpoint of all of our glasses are empty to start and it is our actions which make the question possible. What do we do to fill our glasses and are we satisfied to stop at half full or half empty? Do we want to fill ‘er up or do we want others to fill it for us? First, let’s look at Wikipedia’s take on this question and then we will do a little thinking on our own. Here is their post:

Is the glass half empty or half full?

The reason for me thinking it is not so much how we perceive the glass as it is what we do about filling our glass. I see a lot of people fitting in three categories and I will break them down so we can think why is there a difference in what others see in us.

Now for the deeper thought……The point is how you fill your glass is how you perceive it. We have to challenge ourselves if we desire more. It is not up to others to fill your glass and it is not anyone else’s fault if we don’t get up and fill our own glass to the rim. However you choose to live your life is your choice so choose wisely. God has given each of us the ability to do the best with our lives and God smiles when He knows we need a cloth to clean up some overachievement milk of life. So look at your empty glass and fill ‘er up. Live Life; Love Life; and Live Life to the fullest by seeing how much life you can put into your glass.

TODAY THE WORDS are “I AM YOUNGER THAN I USED TO BE”. Before you jump up to call for me some mental assistance since you are thinking, “Has she lost her mind?” I want to explain how this is the topic for today. No, I am not the inventor of some wonder cream or some magic potion for anti aging. I have not found the fountain of youth proclaimed to be discovered by Ponce de Leon in Florida. An excerpt from National Geographic says,

If you watch TV or look at ads, you will see the latest and greatest return to youth potions, creams, lotions, vitamins, etc. and in America alone, we spend billions of dollars. Arlene Weintraub, who spent four years researching Selling the Fountain of Youth, says the anti-ageing industry has grown from virtually nothing to a staggering $88bn in 10 years, with few products and procedures regulated in the same way as normal pharmaceuticals and medical cures. Much of it is based on replacing the body’s hormones as people grow older. But it also includes extensive use of products such as Botox, vitamin supplements and dietary fads. All have become hugely popular, but there is little proof that they work – or are 100% safe.

My summarization of all of the youth seeking crowd, is a memory of one of my great aunts who she and her husband were deaf impaired and could not speak except utter some words and she was childless. Her skin was like porcelain, her hair was snow white, and the biggest makeup she had on her face was a soft pink lipstick outlining the most beautiful smile topped by some incredible blue eyes. It was amazing she seemed to not have any wrinkles (but in reality she did) and the secret was when she smiled, her wrinkles just disappeared. God gave us smiles to soften our faces while pulling our skin up in the most flattering way. Smile and take years off our faces is an instant year reducer and guess what? It costs nothing but a heart dedicated to living a happy life.

TODAY THE WORDS are ANOTHER SUNRISE. In the aftermath of the shooting of innocent soldiers in Chattanooga TN and its horrendous outcome, my heart is hurting for all of the people who were killed, injured, and/or traumatized. Onlookers will never forget the sounds, the screams, the horror of what they witnessed. So many hurting, some will never see a sunrise again. Sunrises are such a special gift from God and a visual sign a new day is beginning with radiance, beauty, and wonder and that is important for all of us blessed to see another sunrise. I made the statement yesterday, when Americans cannot go about their daily lives, without shuddering with fear, an every day trip meant for good success from hard efforts; sanity has left the world. We all live on this planet, filled with beauty and wonder and it is beyond my comprehension why there is evil taking over. With a sunrise, hope should come for people to love, share, unite instead of divide, and join together to enjoy the brilliance of another day. 

Now for my deeper thought…..with so much reverence for the people who experienced this tragedy, and those of us who received the horrible news….if we are reading this blog; we are survivors to see another sunrise and to have another opportunity to do something blessed with our lives. So many that rose early, saw yesterday’s sunrise, will not see another sunrise on this earth. Many other people saw their last sunrise yesterday who will not see another sunrise due to health,some from car accidents, homicides, suicides, and other fatal events. The point is not meant negative, however to get to the point of this message, has to reflect what we, as ones who were afforded another sunrise, to rise with the sun and go forth to do good. 

Prayers, charity, compassion, fellowship with others, sensitivity to the tragedy, and most of all love for others. Evil cannot override love and none of us know if this morning’s sunrise is the last we will see. All we can do is all we can do; but all we can do is enough! was a statement from AL Williams who turned the insurance world upside down, but this statement stuck with me as it is so true. Today, all we can do is hug each other tight, be thankful for the blessing of another sunrise, and do everything we can to be good people, charitable people, giving people, and make this day count! Our days on earth are numbered, we don’t know how many days we each have. Each sunrise you see is your reward for surviving another day by the Grace of God and your challenge to do something wonderful for others. Give this beautiful day its diligence and make it shine!

TODAY THE WORDS are SAY IT; MEAN IT; AND DO IT. This past Thursday I had the honor of my first book signing event in my home town of Douglas GA and it was so fascinating and almost overwhelming to witness such a group of people coming to support me and to purchase a copy or several copies. I smiled for over 4 hours straight and enjoy every crease of each smile. Why I am bringing up the subject of the book signing is not only because it was one of the most exciting days of my life, but to share with you why the topic of SAY IT; MEAN IT; AND DO IT applies to me. 

When I was young, I loved to write. I wrote short stories and poetry but all throughout my writing; I would say “One day I will write a book” or “You better believe I will write a book one day”. At the book signing, when I was telling this to the crowd, someone said, “I heard you say that many times”.

I repeatedly performed the “SAY IT” portion of the plan. Life got in the way and with work and the normal life, I would find myself writing poems but not starting a book but I continued to Say It.

About 15 years ago, I thought of the story I would like to write a book on but still even though I would Say It; I had to Mean It. Years passed and I kept saying it or at least thinking it but I started to MEAN IT.  Now I had two components going on in my head with both SAY IT and MEAN IT. It was getting closer to reality and about 6 years ago, I started the book and began to DO IT. With working full time, I was limited to how and when I could write so it went slowly but the combination of the three facets of a reality in place, I felt I had to finish it. By the way, my mind never went to publishing it; remember I only said I would write a book so don’t over plan or over think your life.

A year ago, I went to my employers and asked if I could work less hours to accommodate my writing as well as continue to be a vital project manager and they agreed it would work. 

I was now on my mission to complete the DO IT portion and the book flowed. I was then on to edits and re-writes. I was a new author (still am) but soon, I had a self published book on Amazon, Smashwords, and Createspace called A MISTRESS, A WIFE. I had said it enough times until I meant it; and then I did it. As all of you who know me; I give my thanks for having been blessed to receive the gift of writing.  That brings me to the meaning behind this message.

Now for the deeper thought….I was blessed to have the gift of relaying my meaning behind words and to share them with others but even with the blessing of this gift if I didn’t put a meaning behind what I was saying and then put those meanings in action; I would not be writing this blog or publishing a book and having the satisfaction of completing something I had dreamed of doing in this life. It goes the same way for all goals in life whether it be to get a great education; a great family; a great job; or one of the ones which should be at the top of the list….a great relationship with our Creator. Please remember: SAY IT; MEAN IT; AND DO IT.

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE: 

Arline Lott Miller, author and blogger

TODAY THE WORDS are HUMBLE MOMENTS.  With the author signing event a couple of days away and a lot of attention coming my way, I thought I would stop and share some thoughts about my humble moments. Many of my readers from my hometown are going out of their way to let me kick off the book launch there as that is so important to me. Not to go to brag or say look what I’ve done but to pay homage to my beginnings and to say thanks for all God has allowed me to do or learn or participate while making my journey.

Let me say it this way….I come from a town in Georgia named Douglas and when I lived there as a child, it was very small. I went to school and yes, I walked home or rode the bus during certain years. We, by no means, were prominent citizens but were brought up respectfully and good work ethics were exampled by our parents. Respect was a very intricate part of how we treated others and that is still present in our lives. We experienced tragedies and endured. We might have quarreled within ourselves, but we would attack someone who mistreated any of us or our friends. We were mighty and fearless, but we never looked for trouble. A stranger was treated with kindness and was shown hospitality and/or help if they needed it. Perfect? Hardly, but a decent lot of LOTTs since that was my family name.

I have shared this to say this….In my life, I have been blessed to take many roads and many adventures. I have met so many great people who have lent me their advice, support and help. I would not have been able to try so many fruitful adventures without their help and I am humbled by their generosity and support. I say a person can have all of the talent, gifts, and blessings but if it were not for God’s Divine Help in placing the right people in our lives at the right time; we would be standing alone to overcome all of life’s obstacles.

May I extend a hand to thank everyone who has participated in my life’s journey so far and for the rest of it.  I thank all of the kind people who confirm I am indeed blessed and I hope in some small way, I repay those kind deeds. May I never forget my small town of Douglas who helped shape my thoughts and manners. May I always stay humble and thankful to God, above all else, for every step of my life has walked beside me, loved me, forgave me, protected me, and allowed me the family I have and all of my loved ones and friends. 

The deeper thought is…….We are a composite of all of the people to whom we have been born; the friends and relatives with whom we bond; the employers and fellow workers with whom we spend a lot of time; our brothers and sisters in God’s fellowship; and our neighbors with whom we share times; and our mentors who give of themselves to others. It is so important we give of ourselves in return by showing unconditional love and understanding. Remember where you came from and be proud to call your hometown “YOUR TOWN“.

Douglas Coffee Co. Chamber of Commerce Event

Any one who knows Douglas remembers the Maley Family

Local sports accomplishments are recognized in Douglas

Douglas remembers its own and pays tributes.

Here is the book trailer for “A Mistress, A Wife” my novel I will be signing in my hometown of Douglas, GA on July 16 at Heritage Station Museum from 2-6 pm. Hope to see a lot of my friends there.

https://youtu.be/DTOVXJPlEsQ

(c) Copyright 2012-2015 Arline Miller. All rights and privileges are with permission only.

TODAY THE WORD is LONELINESS.  So many people post on social media about being alone or experiencing loneliness. I thought I would reprint this post from when I first started the blog. It is focused on loneliness. Here is the post: