 Song: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield (Authorized Purchase: Itunes Account) Words Spoken & Written By: Donyale Life Is. . . Life is From My View From My Perspective Life is like a book, Chapters filled with many pages; Pages written with laughter and pages filled with tears. Life is like Water, Fluid, Continuous, you can't hold it in place, you can't decide the direction that it will travel. Life is Faith, knowing we are a creation of a Living God and seeking daily for His Wisdom for our travel, remembering no matter the road; He is a Loving God, a God of Purpose, the God that I know. Life is living this day, this moment with Peace within, being Grateful for what you do have and not focused so much, on what is missing, not always easy, but when you consider that no one promised that our tomorrow will look the same as our today, it really becomes much easier to appreciate each and every moment along the way. Life is Choosing the Words before you Speak. Choosing your actions and reactions before you act. Life is asking what do I deliver when I show up along my travels. Consider, Along Life's Journey to participate To be the Change you want to see To be a Doer To add, to be an asset wherever you go To show up with a positive attitude where people hate to see you go and anticipate your next visit Love ~ Say and Share more often the compliments, the good thoughts that you're thinking. Live ~ Try, Experience those things, those places that you have considered numerous times Laugh ~ Don't always be so serious, share in the silliness of moments. Did you know that really is okay to smile?! Life is not always looking at the grass, the yard on the other side, "so much", that you forget to appreciate your own surroundings, your own yard, while this is a "metaphor" it can be applied to any area of our life. You can watch others for so long that you forget to participate in being the best version of you. Life is recognizing when to stop pulling on that Closed "Locked" Door and instead look around and embrace that door that God has Wide Open Waiting on You, "Uniquely You" to Walk Through it. Life is considering there is not a Destination to arrive to on this earth but instead it's many moments along the way. Lessons to Learn that you can build from and share with others that can continue throughout generations and will continue to live on. Life is choosing to participate or to create Moments that deliver unconditional Joy, filled with eye to eye conversations and reflections on times past and with hope, and anticipation for wonderful tomorrows. Life is from my View, from my perspective includes, Sharing Life's Journey with You, Community H.B.B.A, aka Helping Build Bridges Across from our generation to the next. Life is from my corner of the world from my view Is to Live Daily with the Intent of #MakingGratitudeContagious 
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 Audio: Song “Move” (Keep Walkin) by Toby Mac (Authorized: ITunes account): Words written and spoken by Donyale I Love the song and the lyrics; a small excerpt: Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on And lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet This place, this space of writing, speaking, sharing is such freedom for me, it is the wild horse of my heart that runs, without limitations. It is my Sandbox, it is my buffet table that I prepare and invite others to visit with the freedom to take only what can be an asset and simply leave the rest behind. If nothing is appealing, that is okay too, everything presented is not for everyone and really I get that. This place, this space was Born as a website, with the intent to become a community, just a space to hang out and to share in and now in this season, it has grown into a place to gather, collaborate and disburse again having a mission, an intent in mind. Such a peaceful state, when my fingertips connect with my keyboard, typing, allowing what’s inside to flow out without concern, is immeasurable, indescribable joy. I write, I journal so many things, so many thoughts and have done so since my youth and while there are numerous writings, I would even say at times “rambles” because they are not always at a literary standard I’m sure and in many cases words that are not always locked into one topic, many times numerous points are shared. I’m sure there are probably grammatical mistakes or a noun where a verb should be but the beauty for me, is that I know, I know, I clearly know that it is my God given gift, which HE allows me To Be the Artist, allowing the flow along the Canvas of Life, spoken, written words to go wherever they are intended to go, which as the artist is not my concern and really not my business. It is the conduit of an open Heart that allow words to Flow through without the restriction of being validated or approved by what others think. In many ways, it the Whispers of God, the Holy Spirit, which is my Inhale and the Words, the Images flow out which is my Exhale and the Winds of God allows the Images, the words to Go where he wants them to go. Only God knows the Heart of men and only he knows the truth of what a heart battles with. Only He knows the plans from our beginning until our end. Only He Knows what lies behind the smile of many and what lies along the road ahead. Only God Knows. I love the words your vibe attracts your tribe. These words express beautifully, the bricks that Helping Build Bridges Across was created for, was built on. I invite you to visit the About Tab to learn more. Helping Build Bridges Across, a community of many diverse souls who share a common thread of “Gratitude” and from that center of operation, we live our individual lives, alert to where we can be of service with kind words or actions, some deeds known and many, many that are not known, which in my book is a personal favorite and truly priceless. The unknown treasured deeds and actions that don’t include a camera or words written about an event, just done because someone felt led to, wanted to, had the genuine heart to do. That for me is so beautiful and so intoxicating to my soul. Individual lives, like a woven blanket, beautiful to look at because it is comprised of many threads, patches of material and in relationship to community the blanket is comprised of many faces, of experiences, joys, laughter, sadness, tears, challenges and dark valleys, mountain tops and triumphs. We individually come together, I love the word “Eagle Call”, an Eagle Call for me, is a call to action for the Hearts who live in this space, we gather together, we communicate from the center of kindred hearts and we disburse back into our spaces with our Gratitude Plan of Action. Whatever is shared, rather with tears or smiles. it is centered, the core is Gratitude, the awakening is that it is not Just About You or About Me, it is about Making an Impact, Making a Difference, it is intended to be An Operation of Love continuously, showing up a little, a little, just a little, every day in deeds and actions and for some it requires, navigating the waters on a larger platform with deeds and action. To whom much is given, much is required. This tribe, this community is not for everyone, but please know it was designed with all in mind, all are always welcome here. You may even be an observer who watches, listens and leaves encouraged and for some even doing your part, without ever saying a word. You may be an Eagle and you take what’s needed, as you continue the Journey, your place of operation but aware that in your actions, you’re operating in Collaboration with other Eagles. Whoever you are, remember the Core. Helping Build Bridges Across is a Gathering Place, an Eagle Call, a perspective, a call to action, a place to encourage to share, to give from our generation into the next., to receive these things in some cases as reminders, as a wake up call and then again we Disburse into our corners of the world, community, neighborhood, the current space that we individually occupy. Mission: Making Gratitude Contagious has always been at the core. That phrase #MakingGratitudeContagious was defined in 2014, before then always there but not structured words or clarity of intent. Gratitude, Love, Peace and Joy BY CHOICE, was and is my personal space of fulfillment and wherever my feet traveled and continues to travel, it was and is expressed with Hugs, words of Love, Listening without Offering Solutions, just a place to Vent, without judgement. Whatever was and is spoken remained and continues to remain in that trusted space. AGAIN, ALWAYS A CHOICE. By Choice, something I say often, Choice it’s important because it recognizes that we are wrapped in emotions and thoughts and their are moments that make us angry, offended, annoyed, sad but it is a power word CHOICE because in that space you take the Reigns and you decide the Reaction, by what you say and or what you do in response to those emotions. Always a Choice, to hear Negative words and sometimes the bearer of negative actions that can you put you into a bad, negative space but Only You and I have the power to decide to remain there or to Decide not to receive it and to decide to dwell in that mud or to simply move forward. Always a Choice. A Place of Fulfillment. Knowing Who you are and then Giving Yourself Away: Encouragement is such a gift because the more I give, the more that Flows back to me, it is a blessing, it is addictive and intoxicating to my soul. When evil kicked down my door on September 7th, 2016 it SHARPLY SHIFTED MY life’s journey, it got in my face and asked me what is your Faith, what road are you traveling on?! What were you plans again? The Process, the pain, can be the greatest treasure because it allows you to See clearer, to consider more. It allows you to become aware of what is planted in your heart. It reminds you that time is a priceless commodity. A continued lesson along life’s journey, I’m not sure if you ever stop learning but the process Makes You Pause, Makes you stop dead in your tracks and the only desire, at least for me, is to know personally from my Creator, what now Lord, what now?! In this season, it is Not About Me, it is about everyone and anyone that can receive Flowers from my Ashes. That thought, that premise is exhilarating. That flow which flows out and then flows back to me filled with encouragement, is a gift to my heart. Intent: This community’s intent that encompasses so much, but in sharing now; Robbing the Thief named Regret is a HUGE TARGET. When you operate in Love you consider often your thoughts before you speak or before you decide what actions you choose to take. A Pause in a Moment, just take a pause to Consider. While Gratitude is the foundation, we, I recognize and clearly understand and experience that there are times where you don’t feel grateful, where your blindsided by external things that bring distractions, frustration, but even in those times, in that space of not having good things to say, you learn that silence can be a gift. Silence at times eliminates you returning to apologize for unkind words or actions. Silence allows clarity before making rash decisions. Operating in this way allows you to be aware and alert to triggers and to choose to respond out of calmness and always understanding you possess the option of silence. Less can always be More, Always. We all have plans for tomorrow, some measured, some intended, some drifting along the lines of we have to?! but let's remember to have Today, to be present in right now, the conversations, the actions and the words that we choose to use today. Gratitude Making Gratitude Contagious Not Tomorrow, TODAY   Make Pain Pay Dividends Song: Donnie McClurkin “I Need You” with words spoken by Donyale (audio above) How can you really pay back anything that shows up tragic or painful in your life? How can you really punch back? Allow me to start out that I’m not sharing an answer or a how to. In this season of my life, I recognize the more that I’ve experienced, the more that I’ve learned, the less that I know of a “Formula” so I’m not sharing or offering 5 ways to this or 10 ten steps of what to do next. I’m walking through my own journey and my intent is as I walk through from the view of what I’ve experienced. is to share my perspective. I’m seeking my Creator, Trusting God to show me the next steps for my path. I walk daily, not waiting on a next move, of course doing something and at the same time seeking to reside in moments of quiet, listening for the next turn, listening for God’s Wisdom. I have found my ointment and I continue to live through. I now recognize that the ointment that soothes my heart, it is not just for my use, it is to be shared for those who are walking through unimaginable, surreal pain and can’t see light, in many ways their mind and heart is locked inside of a dark room, I share for those who may have to travel this path of unexpected, unimaginable moments that are up along the road ahead. I share so that someone, somewhere knows they are not alone. What I’m sharing is an ointment that soothes my heart and that is putting on the table that we have Life, we have Today, we have moments, we have now and that means we have an opportunity to put Love into Operation by the words we speak and with the actions we choose to take, Every Day and in Every Moment. Evil, Darkness hates and detest Light, so for me that means to Shine Brighter, that is a punch back. Don’t participate in Confusion, instead choose to be peaceful. When you don’t have personal peace, or recognize that you are in a place of anger fall back, work on you first so that you don’t become a carrier delivering that negative energy into the lives of others. Don’t allow bad moments to set you up for having to apologize for stupid words spoken or having moments of regret. Work on yourself first and then rejoin others when you are in that good place so that your presence brings joy, not tension or discomfort. What I share is a perspective, words that are delivered for your consideration, for your reflection. I would even add words that you can file away and if the folder is ever needed, prayerfully not, it’s a folder that you can draw from as a point of reference or to consider, if you find yourself in an unimaginable place, a moment of pain or sadness. My qualifications are that by the Grace of God, I’m living through a Tragic moment that SHARPLY shifted my life without notice. I don’t share this or any post for sympathy, while sentiment is appreciated, but no one truly understands anyone’s journey except the person who walks it out EVERY SINGLE DAY. The Truth is, even as I share this with you, I don’t know your history, I don’t know your present state and circumstances and I don’t know the condition of road that you will face up ahead. I don’t assume that my perspective is enough. There are no words to describe Tragic moments without warning that grabs hold of you, delivered to break you, to disrupt and destroy your life, dark moments that throw everything you own around without regard of what breaks or is ruin for a lifetime, it is a Dark Place and for some they don’t make it out. They are still in a dark room, not functioning, not available for the lives that surround them here and now. For some they make decisions that can’t be reversible. So it is serious and a good time to mention that if you are in that dark place, seek help, whatever it takes, take the step, make the call, tell someone you need help, because someone, somewhere needs you here and my belief is that you didn’t create yourself so don’t allow whispers of hopelessness, defeated thoughts to take you from here before it’s time. Get Help Now, no one is judging and those who do live judging others, are living in there own place of insecurity and choose to shine light on the challenges of others with the intent to take the light off of themselves and where they fall short, so strive to always do what is best for you, if you need help get it. I don’t have a list of resources but I will share the national suicide helpline which is 1-800-273-8255, which can also be googled. They are available 24 Hours a day, seven days a week. Start there if you need help, please. I know firsthand, life changes and some changes are not a game and while I walk through my own tragic moment, while it was a moment, it lives with you for a lifetime. Allow me to say again, I’m always grateful for kind words and they are appreciated and they travel miles alongside my heart, words that have been and are a blessing. The truth is when you’re blindsided and the carpet is Snatched from under your feet you find out quickly who you are, you find out quickly if your heart is built with rock or sand, in a moment you decide if you will retreat or press forward. The truth is You have to live through it and the only other choice that I see presented is to retreat and die. To die is not always a physical death, you can shut down emotionally, or mentally, you can become a drifter through life, all of which can mean death in life. You just go through the motions, you just exist. It is our journey to travel, to experience, I believe that our Creator does not allow in our lives more than we can bear. I believe for those of us who Seek Purpose, in pursuit of our part, our destiny, we are the ones who ask the questions Why, or What, or How in the Pain, the Tragedy, can something be done with it? We trust God, even when the process is painful, not understood, and it is not comfortable. We understand the journey is about God’s Will, His Purpose and we can continue the road ahead and in the Pain we recognize that maybe it is not just about us. The moment, the place that meant to kill us, to harm us, God will make for our good and life’s fulfillment, mixed with purpose will flow in and flow out into the lives of others when we’re open and alert to being available, when and if moments provide an opportunity. For me I don’t have a blueprint, I don’t see where this staircase leads but I trust God and I’m willing to die on what I believe. My question is What to Do With a Moment like this, what or how can I make a difference?, It is only by God’s Grace that I’m walking through myself and I continue that press forward daily. I just need God’s Direction, his whisper to continue my journey. My steps are ordered by him, so I seek His Voice, His Direction for the remainder of my days. I pray, I ask how can I be of service, what can I do with this Tragic Evil Moment that visited my life without notice, that robbed me of what life was at the time, what can I do to Make a Difference? Maybe just sharing this is my way? I’m a doer, so I do, I continue forward and make the turns, when I make a wrong turn or fall down, I get up and continue the journey. Maybe my part is to share, which might encourage someone who is in a dark place and can’t find the small pinhole of light, maybe the sharing allows someone to know they don’t walk alone. I share because sharing encouragement, encourages me, it actually is the ointment that I found for my heart. To see someone encouraged, awaken to an understanding that yes the moment experienced was tragic, unexpected and unimaginable, but it is not the end and they can continue to move forward. Encouragement allows you to see there is no period along life’s journey, instead it presents a comma and asks what can you, what can I do with it? What’s next? What pages can be written, as we enter this new chapter along our journey. We can appreciate the moments we have right now and we can consider the road ahead. My punch back to Make Pain Pay Dividends is take a moment that changed my life, a moment that tried to devastate my life, my home and clearly an intended goal to threaten generations to follow, it is my intent to twist the evil that visited my doorstep tightly, to make it observe Flowers that can Grow out of Ashes. I recognize and consider that I have more days behind me than in front of me and I’ve awaken to be reminded that life is a precious, priceless commodity and I’m learning how to spend it wisely by the decisions that I make every day, a continued lesson with new pages being written. WE all come to this awareness at different points or seasons in our life, but if we could pack that inside our heart and begin our day with it, I believe it would steer our words and actions with more clarity, keeping gratitude as the driver. My punch back, my way of making Pain Pay Dividends is not to live with Anger or Bitterness, who wins with that? If my lips are tight and my rage is released, how does that change anything? I say Make Pain Pay Dividends by making flowers grow from the Ashes, the Painful places that visits our life, from Tragic moments and only God Knows what that really looks like, only he knows the full story that resides in our heart. Find the joy, the smile, the laughter, embrace the memories and good times and continue forward with the intent to make many more wonderful memories and to experience joyful moments. Continue to love on those who surround your life present day. No one promised you or I, that our tomorrow will look the same as today. Don’t get stuck on pulling on closed doors, find the doors that are wide open and waiting on you to walk through. Love in operation happens in numerous ways, it could be the calmness in the line at the Grocery Store, or not engaging in the car that cut you off and or engaging in arguments determine to have the last word with anyone that has offended you. Making Pain Pay Dividends is when a Tragic Moment Multiplies into changing lives, into changing generations for the better, that is a Huge Punch Back. I’m not doing this alone and I’m putting out an Eagle Call. Eagles know when it’s time to take Flight, to use the Storms to Go Higher, to multiply Love in Operation. That my dear friend, is a consideration on How to Make Pain Pay Dividends. For the remainder of my days, Making Gratitude Contagious is my Intent and I hope to infect as many people as possible with the virus, along my journey.   Upon this Earth ~ HS
Be careful to not always stand in someone’s shadow You can’t always observe what someone said or what someone heard Time, Time, yes that Action Word called Time We all recognize waits for No One You have Value, You have Worth No matter your present conditions No matter your surrounding environment Upon this earth Consider your eyes, your ears, your perspective It Offers so much You can provide a view from the place that you reside Upon this earth When we make our departure In our absence All that Remains will be Our Actions and Our Words Consider Living a life with Legacy in mind Making an impact on generations that we will leave behind Those who will continue life forward Carrying our worth, our words, our actions of what we leave behind Awaken, be alert, consider in all that we experience Upon this earth The Great, the Joy, the Ugly, the Tears, the Fears and Triumphs It really isn’t just about us It is taking the punches and sharing with someone that They are not alone and they have worth They can get up and continue They too can leave something behind when they depart That continues to live for a lifetime Upon this earth ~ HS  HOME for me is Comfort, it's Familiar. It's Secure, It's being wrapped up in a warm blanket surrounded and made up by those that you love and love you, it's a favorite beverage while reading a book or watching a movie; HOME, a room filled at times with Peaceful Silence or Lots of Laughter. As 2017 closes out, I recognize now that my healing, this page being written along my journey, consists of being rerouted from what I had planned, that my healing comes from Sharing, it comes from Encouraging Others, which really is powerful, because I've found in those moments, of sharing, it Encourages Me. Healing that comes from within, it comes from the little girl inside playing in her sandbox, sharing without hindrance or concern of what others think about it, innocently sharing my Experiences with others. The little girl, the child inside who has experienced many things along her Adult Journey, and she simply shares, with the INTENT to Encourage others, to share her Moments of Smiles and Laughter with others, even Sharing those places that derived from Tragic, Hurtful Places, Sharing her Perspective on it, without Scripted Intentions, AGAIN, Simply Sharing. I believe, NO ACTUALLY, I know with CLARITY that as 2017 is closing, that this is the healing ointment for me, To Share my journey, to Share the process in THIS SEASON, THIS CHAPTER of my Life. It is wrapped and delivered in My Purpose and where it Travels, is not up to me, it is 100% God's Decision. I'm Surrendered to the Process, to allowing My Journey to fill the Pages within This Chapter of "Living In My Truth." The Beautiful thing that is surfacing along my Journey, is this Community, Helping Build Bridges Across "from our generation to the next", A Wonderful Gift. We Know, everything is not for everyone and this community has drawn Eagles, those who have an Empowering Perspective on understanding and recognizing Storms in Life, Mountains and Valleys in life. Who take the Experiences in life (Good and Bad) and ask "What can I do with it to Make An Impact, to Make a Difference?" This Community is comprised of some who are just Observers and Hang out and enjoy being Encouraged, Inspired, just dwelling in a Place of Peaceful Intentions. Whatever brings YOU, it's all good and YOU are appreciated, invited to Participate, or Simply be an observer. The door is open for you to decide. I need Your Help in 2018, My Ask is that You Share this community, that you connect and share via your reach, your social media. I recognize in this Season, I can't do it alone and I need You to join with me, FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD, in Sharing with others, HelpingBuildBridgesAcross.com, the intent remains the same as the day it stared, #MakingGratitudeContagious . Based on the Challenges that have been presented, I recognize for it means "TAKING THE EFFORT TO HIGHER GROUND". Every Painful place, every Valley along my life's journey, I'm beginning to consider is for someone else. I mean, I'm living in it, Learning and Experiencing the Moments also, but in being Transparent, in sharing My Truth, My Perspective, it allows for someone else to share in the ointment that I know firsthand heals and soothes the heart. To share in the ointment of not being alone, left in the ashes, but instead to focus on the flower that sits in the middle of it. LOCATION "In the Process", so much can really be shared, about the Process. The Discomfort, the Tears in the Midst of Celebrations, is in MY Process. Many understand from that ONE WORD, recognize PROCESS, that it speaks volumes in so many ways, the Process runs like Deep Waters and there is No Blueprint, there is No Point of Reference, except to TRUST GOD and to CONTINUE FORWARD. MY TRUTH, is that I fully recognize that my Journey will also transition, IT will One Day come to an end in this life, as we know it. I don't say that weighted, I say that as TRUTH. I of course, desire to Live a Long Life, but no matter how much Time My Creator, my Father God has determined for my life, for those who Love Me, it never be Enough Time. Something that I KNOW ABOUT FIRSTHAND. My Truth, MY Pursuit, is to live this day, this life's journey, in God's Predestined Plan for my existence, which may be just SIMPLY THIS, sharing my Sandbox, Sharing LIVING IN MY TRUTH. Whatever it is, it is being delivered currently, FOR ME IN DAILY DOSES. My Journey is Not a DESTINATION, IT IS THE PROCESS. My Journey is Not An Event, it has become, it is the Lessons that I'm Learning from the Experiences of EVERYDAY LIVING this Life. As I continue along this road, this path, this chapter, this new page being written, even as I'm sharing this, I want you to know that I am in the Process, I'm Experiencing "BEING UNCOMFORTABLE" and that Includes Moments of Disappointment, I'm doing those things I don't want to do, but I have to do in this Chapter of my Journey; I am Learning Lessons in My Challenges and recognizing the challenge, the discomfort along my Journey, it is mainly because it isn't what I had sketched, what I had outlined in my Heart or ever considered would be my Present Journey?! I plan to share the journey in 2018, new ways of sharing with you, for the Selfish Reason of operating in My Personal Fulfillment, for seeking more of the Ointment that flows in the river of Sharing and that includes Sharing WITH THAT SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, WHO NEEDS the Ointment that SOOTHES the Heart, it is the Quiet, Peaceful Joy, that I've located, it is God's Grace, a Priceless Treasure that I've known for many years but Now Experiencing beyond Words to Describe it, a PLACE that I've Located In My OWN Sandbox. A flow of God's Unyielding Anointing and Revelation in the midst of My Process and understanding that what we, what I am given is not just for me, it is meant to be shared, it is the gift that is required to be given away. Gifts are always meant to be given away, when you Give with the Right Intention and a Pure Heart, life multiplies and returns back to you. . not in getting stuff but wrapped and returned with Love. Until then, Until 2018 . .I'm posting this song, it's soothing to my soul, it's comforting, a quiet joy. It reminds me of "HOME". The "ALL OF EVERYTHING", that brings a SMILE in the Moments, a Smile to the Memories that will remain in my Heart for a Lifetime. SIMPLY; A shared Beauty a "Song" with it's own words, delivering it's own meaning, to the listener, a song that has a Language of it's own. The Song is "Home" by Michael Buble.  My spirit for years has always connected to the Attributes of An Eagle. I've raised my sons with the words of you're Eaglets becoming Eagles. Which for me always held the meaning that Life Has Mountains and Valleys. WHEN STORMS OF LIFE COME, NOT IF BUT WHEN, The Eagle Rises to Higher Ground.
With all that has Transpired in my life this past year, in reflection, most words spoken or written in my Sandbox, I now consider that in many ways was preparing me for this Season in My Life. My brother, sent this article to me, he had found it on a website and the words really resonated with me. (Copied and pasted below - Eagles in a Storm) My Sandbox is a Buffet Table Take what can be an asset for Your Journey and Simply leave the rest Behind ~Donyale EAGLES in a STORM Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us — and all of us will experience them — we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm. The wise man wrote, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future” (Eccl. 7:14). Solomon fairly well summarized life. There are good and bad days that attend our lives. Make the best of both. When things go well, rejoice and praise God; when they go wrong, and adversity attacks the soul, rest on the assurance that God is there and he cares. His goodness is shown in the providential help he offers in time of need. “Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help (us) in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them. The Bible says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like Eagles.” — Isaiah 40:31  A Moment of Reflection; I'm Traveling Life's Journey along a Very Unfamiliar Trail; As I continue, to take the Next Steps, Moving Forward, I'm very keenly aware that I don't recognize this terrain, I've never traveled down these trails before; I don't have a clue of what to expect on the Road Ahead. I'm very Grateful that the Sun Peeks more often than not and I continue to Move Forward following the Light Ahead of Me. So far; I've experienced, some very smooth paths, quiet, peaceful, beautiful places that seem to have a language of it's own, I've actually located treasure spots, that I've now named "Beauty in the Silence" and or "Beauty Speaks". Along This Hike, this New Trail; I've also come across some rough terrains, very rocky gravel which made me question, reflect on the stability of the Trail. I've also come across limited shelter, in the duration of moments of heavy, downpour blinding rains, along this way. As I move forward, I realize I can't really see the Entire Path Ahead, while UNCOMFORTABLE, it seems safe to travel forward, so I continue to move forward. I know that I know, I can't remain stagnated in this current space, this terrain, based on the Forecasted Conditions. I recognize that it's important to continue to Move Forward, my Current State, my Stability, my Quiet peace, is beyond what I really understand or Know How to Express based on the Trail that I've now Experienced. The Bridge Across to Continue Forward along this Trail Has Been and Continues to Be My Faith and I'm Thankful for God's Unyielding Grace.  The Current Challenge of this Untraveled, Unfamiliar Trail, is I don't have anyone that I could personally call for reference, the someone who has Hiked Along This Trail Before. No reference point of what to expect Up Ahead or Around the Next Corner. It seems my only option on this Trail is to Plow Through and to Map, create Markers of what I find along the way, for those who may have to travel this terrain, this unfamiliar trail. Each person's journey has its own experience but maybe a few things that I find, that I learn can assist along the way. My View, my Perspective has changed, it has been altered. My direction, my Purpose has swiftly turned in a different direction. The Air is Thinner along this Trail, you keenly recognize your frailties. You examine your beliefs and your philosophy along this trail. My reflection, my focus has been redefined as "What Really Matters Today and Going Forward?" What is my Pursuit, my Purpose along this Path? I'm still traveling the Terrain but wanted to stop and share, what I've found, so far along this Trail. Continuing the Journey, continuing to Move Forward and seeking daily to Hear my Creator's Voice along the way. Beauty; I'm learning exists on Rough Terrain or with Peeks of Sunshine, Beauty whispers in the Silence, along this path, traveling along this way. No Road Map, I simply Continue to Move Forward. Isaiah 43:19 . . .I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert  I recently realized to date of this post, that my last post was on April 2016,
I completely went off the map with the Blog posts. In this duration of Sandbox Absence, images were posted on Facebook, on our community Facebook page HBBA. I’m now climbing back into my Sandbox, inviting and sharing via Blog, Pinterest and Twitter. Where did I go during that time? I’m not really sure?! I’m referencing the 5 months from April 2016 to September, enjoying a personal favorite, time with Family I assume, my husband, my sons, family gatherings with my parents, brother and including time with all of my extended family and dear friends and based on that time frame, school, end of year activities, sports, etc and then the Carpet was snatched from under my feet, I received a sucker punch, a direct blow was delivered to my heart on September 7, 2016. So from September to current month, now July 2017, I know where I’ve been since that 7th day of September and very conscious of the gravel, this rocky road that I’m traveling now. ------------------ My Life Shifted, Sharply that 7th day of September 2016. My world completely turned upside down in a flash, in a blink of an eye, a moment in time now burned into my heart, and now. I’m walking a rerouted, unfamiliar, unknown path. Rerouted because of the Plans that I had being married, raising our sons together, now instead, invited on September 7, 2016, to a Tragic, Unimaginable Event, that now leaves me present day as a Widow raising our sons on my own. ---------------- I’m willing to die on my Faith, the question is am I’m willing to live it? ---------------- My husband then of 19 years was killed, murdered by a 17 year old predator and allow me to add to the gravity of that, I’m a mother of two boys, at the time this happened our sons were 16 and 13. So to even conceive that a 17 year old boy, was a predator, killing my husband by shooting him in the back with a Military Assault Rifle, left to die on the street still present day is "Unimaginable". My Husband Todd, responded to a Fake Craigslist Ad and now it's known it was a pre-meditated Set up, one that this Predator, this 17 year old boy, PREDATOR, had done before using Craigslist, even served time in the Juvenile System for this crime, all previous cases known involved robbing people, not killing them, at least from the crimes we know about. Can you Believe?! This was not even his first rodeo, I did say 17 years old and this time apparently the Predator wanted blood. ---------------- Something like this; This experience stops you in your tracks and looks at you dead in your Face and it asks you directly; What is your Faith? What did you say that you believe? Who do you Say God is in Your Life? A flood of questions, of thoughts, including, Why me, why my family? Why a man who loved, adored his sons, enjoyed every moment of being a Dad, raising boys who adored him just as much. Why Him?! ---------------- Since I mentioned Craigslist, a few things need to be mentioned, my husband sold on Craigslist before, purchased some great deals on Craigslist. He was not naive to the streets or unaware of the stories of those who have been victims with Craigslist. It’s important to note that this was the Predator’s Strategy, one he had perfected over the years so it was a set up and he knew how to set the stage, by his phone conversation, in setting a time to meet, meeting at a location that appeared safe; and including his demeanor, ALL KNOWN, from a prior case; He greeted his victim by shaking hands, he knew how to be approachable, this predator had met up with someone 2 days prior and shot at this victim who in that case got away, but he was able to provide the scenario of how this predator set the stage. When this Tragedy Hit, my comments via the News and News Sources, was that Craigslist Should be Shut Down, Angry Obviously. BUT The Bottom Line, Murderers, Predators as we need to be reminded, can reside anywhere and the best we all can do is to be diligent in our travels and to be alert the best we can to our surroundings. To put our lives in God's Hands and to continue to live, to move forward. More details in the months to come on this topic but for now, I thought it was important to note that. --------------- I’m willing to die on my Faith, the question is am I’m willing to live it? -------------- Unimaginable experience, on so many levels, THIS MOMENT IN TIME, was and is not an Event, It is my Life, It is Now my Truth. The Question is What Am I Willing to Do With It? ------------ I’m willing to die on my Faith, the question is am I’m willing to live it? ---------- For More Listen In  Listen as Donyale shares her perspective on HBBA THINK TANK
Living Life with a Grateful Heart or Simply Miserable? Living Life in Pursuit of Purpose, of Fulfillment, including, Doing More of What You Love To Do, a little of it or a lot, but Love to do, every day? Why even consider the Thought of Fulfillment or Gratitude? Why work hard for that premise? Why Pursue the Thought of being at Peace, Joyful? Why is the Thought Process, the Perspective, the View, Our Vision, So Important? Why Embrace Moments, Celebrating Life and appreciating others who surround our life, along the Journey, along the Way? Living Life with a Grateful Heart or Simply Miserable? Why Be Grateful? Well, first thought to that question, why be Grateful. . .I’ve learned firsthand, Tomorrow, may not look the same as today. Who promised you or I anything? As a woman of faith, I believe in life after death, but that doesn’t take away from the grief, emptiness of losing loved ones, or dear friends along the way, or the experience of any life changing event or circumstance that challenges the day. FOR MORE LISTEN IN  IS THERE MORE?
How would you Answer this question? IS THERE MORE? Is There More to Come? More to Do? More to Hope For? More to Get Through? Are you a Victim or a Victor. . LISTEN IN to HBBA THINK TANK You might be surprised where this Shared Perspective by Donyale might Lead?! |
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