Do you ever feel like you are feeling things more strongly than usual? Things just seem to impact you more. I felt that way for the past couple of days. For example, today, while I was waiting for the crossing guard, aka, the little flashing man/sign, I found myself staring off into space. The rain was coming down, more than a drizzle, but it didn't really matter b/c it was warm outside (is this what they mean by "global warming?"). So, there I was, staring off into space. Watching the cars pass by, their tires whipping through the puddles. I wasn't thinking of much of anything, but I was at peace. Peace with myself and the world around me. And I was thankful-for the simple pleasure of walking to school, in the rain.
Over the weekend I was sitting in a coffee-house trying to work on a project for class. Across the room sat three men , a father and his two grown sons maybe? They were enjoying a friendly game of dominoes on a Sunday afternoon. The men spoke in Spanish so I'm not sure what exactly they were saying (nor did I understand their game having never played dominoes), but I could read their body language pretty easily: they were just enjoying life. Enjoying being in each others company. They were thankful that they had the day off of work. In fact, work was the last thing on their minds. One of the sons would make a joke. The other two would laugh. This is why God gave us the Sabbath: I thought to myself. It's a time when we can catch up with friends and family, laugh, go to church...and play dominoes. Sigh. I didn't have much motivation to finish my project after that.
Last night my co-workers and I were outside for our break. As we were making small talk about the gorgeous and warm weather, the wind blew. It wasn't a big gust of wind. Just a soft breeze. And it just felt "right." Once again, I was at peace. Peace with myself and at peace with the night sky. Work was a blur after that, but that feeling of peace and wholeness stayed with throughout the night. Sometimes, I wish I felt this deeply all the time. Would I have a different perspective on life? Would I be more sympathetic toward others? What about love? gratitude? Would I love others with a more gracious heart ? Last post I wrote that I was thankful for love- for being loved and for loving others. Tonight, I will go to bed with a heavy heart. A heart that is full of awe, wonder, love and hope. Hope that tomorrow will bring new blessings. Do you ever feel like you are feeling things more strongly than usual? As we were praying in Bible Study night, I realized, once again: tonight is one of those nights.
10.12.08
8.12.08
Gratitude..
24. I am grateful for all the love in my life. I know that I loved by others and that means everything. I am thankful that I am able to show others that I love them.
25. I am thankful for good conversations. For the chance to speak my heart and listen to the hearts of others - for conversations both in person and over the phone. For laughter. For tears. For love.
26.It's probably the PT in me, but I am amazed by a guy's physical strength. His strength to carry a heavy box without wincing. Like it were as light as a feather.
27. I am thankful for a voice to sing and ears to hear the sounds of the Christmas season!
28. I am proud to be a JMU Alumni. The Dukes are heading to the FCS Football Semifinals this weekend.
29. Once again I'm thankful for men. For their ability to problem solve , understand spatial things, and even diagnose my car problems! So grateful for that last one!
30. I am blessed by the hospitality of others. That they would open up their homes and welcome me with warm hearts.
25. I am thankful for good conversations. For the chance to speak my heart and listen to the hearts of others - for conversations both in person and over the phone. For laughter. For tears. For love.
26.It's probably the PT in me, but I am amazed by a guy's physical strength. His strength to carry a heavy box without wincing. Like it were as light as a feather.
27. I am thankful for a voice to sing and ears to hear the sounds of the Christmas season!
28. I am proud to be a JMU Alumni. The Dukes are heading to the FCS Football Semifinals this weekend.
29. Once again I'm thankful for men. For their ability to problem solve , understand spatial things, and even diagnose my car problems! So grateful for that last one!
30. I am blessed by the hospitality of others. That they would open up their homes and welcome me with warm hearts.
4.12.08
I'm a guest blogger...
This is my post for tonight (or visit Angie's blog at www.springofjoy.org).
What is prayer? Why do we pray? Often we think that prayer is when we ask God for things that we need. And I know how superficial that sounds. But sometimes we ask God to watch over our families, to keep us and those around us safe and healthy, or we even ask if God if He will reveal himself to us. But I think prayer can be so much more.
Prayer can be asking God for things...I think this is okay as long as do not have our own expectations about how God will answer our prayers. But prayer can also just be a time of sitting and reflecting in the presence of God. Really desiring to feel His presence. Prayer can also be a time when we are talking to God and then we start listening to ourselves. I often find myself praying, "God, I am tired. and I am lonely. I know you are good, but I still feel alone..where are you?" If we listen to ourselves as we pray, we might just realize that we've got it all wrong! Prayer is not about ME. Rather it is all about GOD! It is all about our AWESOME and WONDERFUL FATHER.
And so, maybe the best kinds of prayers are when we acknowledge say just that: "God, you are amazing, You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. (Psalm 77:14) How awesome! Yes there is power in prayer. Sometimes praying is about talking to God. Yet sometimes, the best times, are when we pray and remember that our GOD IS GOOD.
This is my prayer for tonight: Dear Father, You are more awesome than I can ever know. It is because of your great love that I can ever love others in return. Tonight, I pray Father that I would trust in Your love for your people, especially your daughter Angie. I love you Father. You are so good and so strong. Be our strength tonight and always.
What is prayer? Why do we pray? Often we think that prayer is when we ask God for things that we need. And I know how superficial that sounds. But sometimes we ask God to watch over our families, to keep us and those around us safe and healthy, or we even ask if God if He will reveal himself to us. But I think prayer can be so much more.
Prayer can be asking God for things...I think this is okay as long as do not have our own expectations about how God will answer our prayers. But prayer can also just be a time of sitting and reflecting in the presence of God. Really desiring to feel His presence. Prayer can also be a time when we are talking to God and then we start listening to ourselves. I often find myself praying, "God, I am tired. and I am lonely. I know you are good, but I still feel alone..where are you?" If we listen to ourselves as we pray, we might just realize that we've got it all wrong! Prayer is not about ME. Rather it is all about GOD! It is all about our AWESOME and WONDERFUL FATHER.
And so, maybe the best kinds of prayers are when we acknowledge say just that: "God, you are amazing, You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. (Psalm 77:14) How awesome! Yes there is power in prayer. Sometimes praying is about talking to God. Yet sometimes, the best times, are when we pray and remember that our GOD IS GOOD.
This is my prayer for tonight: Dear Father, You are more awesome than I can ever know. It is because of your great love that I can ever love others in return. Tonight, I pray Father that I would trust in Your love for your people, especially your daughter Angie. I love you Father. You are so good and so strong. Be our strength tonight and always.
24.11.08
Priorities.
This afternoon, I had a profound thought. Granted, I had been studying at the library for five long hours, so there is the possibility that I was a little, let's say, "out of it," but still, it was a thought.
What about your priorities, Natalie? What do you really want to accomplish in life?
Now, by priorities I was more so thinking "goals in life." So, what are my goals in and life and will I make them a priority? may be a better way to put. And so I thought about it. Here I am, in PT school, learning a whole lot about a whole lot. I am surrounded by some truly brilliant people, individuals with their Ph Ds, who are doing some truly amazing research and who are contributing so much to the physical therapy field. And yes, I am so fortunate for this opportunity to learn about the newest research, to learn about the stuff that is really working and helping individuals live better and more independent lives. And this is AWESOME. Right now, we are learning about traumatic spinal cord injuries such as the that Christopher Reeves had. And it's really tough stuff to comprehend. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to think that one day, everything that Christopher Reeves' advocated for and all the research he helped get started-that it was all worth it! I use spinal cord injury as an example. But it could just as well be that back pain that you can't seem to get rid of? Or the rehabilitation of a patient who had stroke? Regardless, today, in the library, after five long hours, I was struck by just how much the future of medicine holds?!?! And so I ask myself, do I want to be a part of this future? Why do I want to be a physical therapist?
I was talking with a friend at the local coffee house last night. He was telling me that he was jealous of how much impact someone like me, a physical therapist, actually has on the lives of others. You actually get to help people, he said! And of course, I responded, well you get to help people too! You're an architect. You help build things (well actually he is an engineer, he later informed me...oops). So, he's an engineer and right now he is designing a DESTROYER. Yep, that's right. A destroyer. Like the one in Battleship. COOL!!! Apparantly, he's been on this project for 4 months and over the past 4 months, 4 people have quit because of they are unsatisfied with their job. The same thing, all day, every day. (but still, I'm thinking--a DESTROYER!) Anyway, my friend went on to say that he wishes he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He's thinking he wants a career change.
So, here I am again. Pondering why I have become a PT, when quite honestly, sometimes I'm not the most social person. And yet, in my profession, I will always be working right alongside my patients. And while I could show you the essay I wrote upon applying to grad school, I'm not so sure that it'd "fit me" anymore. I've learned a lot over this past year and half. And I can tell you, PT is SO much more than I thought it was. It is so much more than massaging and stretching tight muscles, so much more than instructing people on how to use weight machines or how to use their cane properly. No folks. there's more. And maybe because my understanding of PT (and of the human body) has been turned upside down, maybe that's why I am questioning my priorites. My ambition. My reason for pursuing physical therapy. It's because there is so much more that I can DO within this field. I could begin my own research study. Work in a pro-bono clinic so that persons who can't afford healthcare don't have to live with physical pain and deformities. What are my goals as a physical therapist? Well, I'm not sure really. I'll have to get back to you on that one. But maybenow is the time to really consider where I want to go from here. I know that there are opportunites all around me. Maybe I just need to find where I best fit into the story. The story called LIFE. Yes, as a PT, I actually do get to help people. I am thankful for that. And I am thankful that one day I will get to work right alongside of my patients. And I will get to hear their stories. And I will get to help them accomplish the goals that they have for themselves.
What about your priorities, Natalie? What do you really want to accomplish in life?
Now, by priorities I was more so thinking "goals in life." So, what are my goals in and life and will I make them a priority? may be a better way to put. And so I thought about it. Here I am, in PT school, learning a whole lot about a whole lot. I am surrounded by some truly brilliant people, individuals with their Ph Ds, who are doing some truly amazing research and who are contributing so much to the physical therapy field. And yes, I am so fortunate for this opportunity to learn about the newest research, to learn about the stuff that is really working and helping individuals live better and more independent lives. And this is AWESOME. Right now, we are learning about traumatic spinal cord injuries such as the that Christopher Reeves had. And it's really tough stuff to comprehend. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to think that one day, everything that Christopher Reeves' advocated for and all the research he helped get started-that it was all worth it! I use spinal cord injury as an example. But it could just as well be that back pain that you can't seem to get rid of? Or the rehabilitation of a patient who had stroke? Regardless, today, in the library, after five long hours, I was struck by just how much the future of medicine holds?!?! And so I ask myself, do I want to be a part of this future? Why do I want to be a physical therapist?
I was talking with a friend at the local coffee house last night. He was telling me that he was jealous of how much impact someone like me, a physical therapist, actually has on the lives of others. You actually get to help people, he said! And of course, I responded, well you get to help people too! You're an architect. You help build things (well actually he is an engineer, he later informed me...oops). So, he's an engineer and right now he is designing a DESTROYER. Yep, that's right. A destroyer. Like the one in Battleship. COOL!!! Apparantly, he's been on this project for 4 months and over the past 4 months, 4 people have quit because of they are unsatisfied with their job. The same thing, all day, every day. (but still, I'm thinking--a DESTROYER!) Anyway, my friend went on to say that he wishes he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He's thinking he wants a career change.
So, here I am again. Pondering why I have become a PT, when quite honestly, sometimes I'm not the most social person. And yet, in my profession, I will always be working right alongside my patients. And while I could show you the essay I wrote upon applying to grad school, I'm not so sure that it'd "fit me" anymore. I've learned a lot over this past year and half. And I can tell you, PT is SO much more than I thought it was. It is so much more than massaging and stretching tight muscles, so much more than instructing people on how to use weight machines or how to use their cane properly. No folks. there's more. And maybe because my understanding of PT (and of the human body) has been turned upside down, maybe that's why I am questioning my priorites. My ambition. My reason for pursuing physical therapy. It's because there is so much more that I can DO within this field. I could begin my own research study. Work in a pro-bono clinic so that persons who can't afford healthcare don't have to live with physical pain and deformities. What are my goals as a physical therapist? Well, I'm not sure really. I'll have to get back to you on that one. But maybenow is the time to really consider where I want to go from here. I know that there are opportunites all around me. Maybe I just need to find where I best fit into the story. The story called LIFE. Yes, as a PT, I actually do get to help people. I am thankful for that. And I am thankful that one day I will get to work right alongside of my patients. And I will get to hear their stories. And I will get to help them accomplish the goals that they have for themselves.
20.11.08
17.11.08
Thank You
As many of you already know, I had a birthday this past weekend. And first and foremost I just wanted to thank EVERYONE for showering me with birthday well wishes. I am still overwhelmed (in a good way) by your kindness in remembering me. I am usually not really big on celebrating my birthday...probably because I am uncomfortable being the center of attention. But I have to say, this was truly one of the best birthdays I've had. No, I didn't have a big party with lots of noise and excitement. Quite frankly, that's just not me. No, instead I celebrated my birthday in the best possible: by spending quality time with my mom, dad and sister. [Now I'm going to brag about my amazing family!]
Mom came bearing gifts in a big purple bag, looking stylish, slim and hip. Since my sister moved into her own apartment a few weeks ago, mom has been busy playing home decorator for both Nicole and I. And I reminded that a mom's job is NEVER over...not even when both of her daughters are off on there own. We/I still need mom more than ever. And I am thankful because she is ALWAYS here for me. And even more, her love and whole heart is in everything that she does. I am so thankful.
And dad, looking handsome as ever (in a shirt that mom bought for him), carried in his tool kit and wanted to get right to work...I needed his help hanging pictures, arranging furniture and balancing my check book. And it was definitely DAD TO THE RESCUE....I am so so thankful for his patience and constant love. I am a daddy's girl after all.
And my older and much wiser sister brought the cake: Reeses Peanut Butter Pie. Do I need to say anymore??? I love Reeses and I love my sister. She is the reason why I can see the positive in a bad situation. She is the reason why I am who I am...because growing up, all I had to do was look to her and follow her lead knowing that she would lead along the right and best path. And even though we're very different people today, we still share that sisterly bond that is so special.
Sharing the day with these three persons plus all the calls and messages (and songs) wishing me a happy birthday were the best birthday presents I could have asked for. I am so thankful for the love of my family and friends. I hope and pray that they know just how much I love them in return.
Thanks again for making my day so special!
Mom came bearing gifts in a big purple bag, looking stylish, slim and hip. Since my sister moved into her own apartment a few weeks ago, mom has been busy playing home decorator for both Nicole and I. And I reminded that a mom's job is NEVER over...not even when both of her daughters are off on there own. We/I still need mom more than ever. And I am thankful because she is ALWAYS here for me. And even more, her love and whole heart is in everything that she does. I am so thankful.
And dad, looking handsome as ever (in a shirt that mom bought for him), carried in his tool kit and wanted to get right to work...I needed his help hanging pictures, arranging furniture and balancing my check book. And it was definitely DAD TO THE RESCUE....I am so so thankful for his patience and constant love. I am a daddy's girl after all.
And my older and much wiser sister brought the cake: Reeses Peanut Butter Pie. Do I need to say anymore??? I love Reeses and I love my sister. She is the reason why I can see the positive in a bad situation. She is the reason why I am who I am...because growing up, all I had to do was look to her and follow her lead knowing that she would lead along the right and best path. And even though we're very different people today, we still share that sisterly bond that is so special.
Sharing the day with these three persons plus all the calls and messages (and songs) wishing me a happy birthday were the best birthday presents I could have asked for. I am so thankful for the love of my family and friends. I hope and pray that they know just how much I love them in return.
Thanks again for making my day so special!
10.11.08
Gifts from the weekend.
23. Sunday afternoons. Spending the day with my mom, my sister, John and Nanny. Cooking dinner for mom and Nanny (first ever)... it was a lot of pressure being that they're both EXCELLENT cooks. Eating. Laughing. Eating some more.
24. Kids. They're even cute when they drop a jar of tomato sauce on the floor. Yep, still cute.
25. Spirits lifted. Realizing that just being amongst others is therapeutic in taking the focus off myself and putting it in a bigger context.
26. Saturdays= cooking. Rice balls, bread, pancakes, hummus...homemade makes for one messy kitchen!
27. Music. Melodies and Harmonies.
28. Approaching birthdays. My favorite part is talking to friends far and near on the phone.
29. Sunshine after days of rain. Warmth. Sunglasses.
30. Prayers. More powerful than anything else. ANYTHING.
24. Kids. They're even cute when they drop a jar of tomato sauce on the floor. Yep, still cute.
25. Spirits lifted. Realizing that just being amongst others is therapeutic in taking the focus off myself and putting it in a bigger context.
26. Saturdays= cooking. Rice balls, bread, pancakes, hummus...homemade makes for one messy kitchen!
27. Music. Melodies and Harmonies.
28. Approaching birthdays. My favorite part is talking to friends far and near on the phone.
29. Sunshine after days of rain. Warmth. Sunglasses.
30. Prayers. More powerful than anything else. ANYTHING.
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