You're Never Obligated. . .
I share what I use, believe in and appreciate. My invitation to you is to Get In Where You Fit and if that means Sharing, Commenting, Planting Seeds of Gratitude, all of it is appreciated. If you remember nothing else, consider what this village has been from "Day One" and will continue to be until the Chapter Closes. #MakingGratitudeContagious Hugs, Donyale
0 Comments
Worried?! Such a loaded word. . .
Allow me to say, I don't share answers, I share a perspective that comes from my experience, my environment and beliefs. **Please Take, what can be an asset to your journey** We don't have to share the same view, have the same experiences, but we can respect each other enough, to listen, and to determine if there is something that can be an asset to our lives and continued journey.
The work is in the exercise, when I consider exercise, whatever area is before me; Spiritually, Mentally, and or Physically, it is the work, it is the Focus that determines "My View". I know firsthand that in "consistency" lies the power, the discipline includes "rising above" the moments of hesitation, and or procrastination. Not easy, again not easy, a discipline. To Know that, to Share that is great, but to do what is necessary, is "always a choice" Most of us know, those things we need to do, and we have "great" intention but like clockwork for some, the thoughts come with a list of distractions, and before you know it, that weekly, daily routine planned, becomes a "To Do". As a woman of Faith, my peace has been located in the "surrender", in casting my worries on God. The question I often consider, reflect on, how can I Trust God in One Area and Struggle with doubt in others?! The surrender allows the "decision" that If I'm willing to Die on my Faith, that should include Living on it. God has been and is faithful, and for me, He is a Big God, and why should I wrestle with weights that are to heavy to carry, so I intentionally "exercise" handing them over to Him. I exercise in casting those cares, an exercise, a work. My perspective, He is God and He can see over the Mountain, He knows the Road Ahead and He Knows my End from the beginning, so why should I rob myself of this precious gift called a New Day?! My exercise "now" includes giving those worries to Him. When, not if, but when worry knocks, when stress whispers, when fear provides thoughts of all the things that can go wrong or challenge my hope, my joy, and peace. When "what If this or what if that", comes banging on my door (my thoughts). I "exercise" taking a pause, getting still "choosing" not to wrestle with things that are so much bigger than me. I will do what I can and "choose" to leave the rest to God. I have a great exercise that really is a peace gift, no matter your beliefs or philosophy, when "thoughts" wake you in the night, or early morning, or anytime and all these things are coming at you, "sing a song" in your head, any song that you love or brings you comfort. The thoughts have no room to compete, they become silent because all we have in that moment is that Song. I encourage "YOU" to Try it, exercise in it and even in your light sleep, when thoughts try to weigh you down, the Song will eventually become a reflex when you exercise. Such a sweet, precious gift that will bring a smile of comfort. Trusting God, surrendering, casting cares, could be summarized by; I don't know HOW God Will, but I TRUST that He will and my exercise is to just surrender, to rest in that, not wrestle, not worry, but Trust. A work, a discipline and as shared "no one said easy". Why should my blood pressure go up and my nerves become rattled with things that "I cannot change?!" This is the exercise which "for me" covers all the areas, God is my center. Now Visualize, Circles, that represent the day, filled with choices, decisions that will come before you. Consider God, our creator as the center circle and than draw circles around that center circle that will require our attention, some known and some that will arise. Consider, the exercise of that center being our foundation for our decisions. Starting from our center, "Living Inside Out" at least for me, brings peace, allows me to pause and just appreciate Who Really Is In Control in my life, who is my Foundation. At Some Point. . . As a woman of Faith, God is my center, for me means I'm bringing all things around my Faith, doing all that I know to do, but "choosing" to Focus on Peace, "choosing" to live Inside Out. These are choices, and I know that I'm not obligated to do anything, I have the power of Choice. I choose Peace, so I continue to seek those things that build on that foundation, working from Peace. Did I say Easy? Did anyone say Easy? #NoOneSaidEasy I've considered based on the road traveled, that my personal focus is not about seeking or being focused on easy, the work is exercising to "Just Do", just do what I can and exercise leaving the rest to God. Choosing to Focus on what really matters for "this day", and for the road ahead. Choosing to Focus on those areas that bring more joy, that build upon more peace, and to decide that my life's journey is not a destination, it is in every decision that I have to make, it is found in Trusting my Creator, not in some areas, but all of them.
Worried? . . .the Work is in the Exercise
In this season of my life, the greatest joy, is in the many whom have connected and have joined "the work" of planting seeds of Gratitude along with Helping Build Bridges Across. Gratitude is so much than a word, it is an action.
The question often asked, How can I work a Garden of Gratitude with Helping Build Bridges Across? Simple, get in where you fit in, never obligated just do what's enjoyable for you. To review the affiliates and or referrals that send a percentage to HBBA, please visit "Planting Seeds of Gratitude" and or "Mailing Out Gratitude". "Moments before Memories" allows us to celebrate, as a community, special moments that are meaningful to you, to send you the "unexpected" joy from our village, our community. Be sure to connect! The work is allowing, our hearts to consider how precious this Gift called Life is and to respect that with a humble heart, that we make choices daily, we decide to express loving those around us by our words, and by our actions. Exercising Gratitude "daily", and including "Taking a Pause" when we are not in a good space, recognizing even "Peaceful Silence" can be a blessing in the lives who surround us. My prayer is that, flowers can grow out of ashes, for all the lives who have been and who currently challenged by difficult roads, and unexpected seasons. God's Grace was and is beyond sufficient, looking back He was with me every step of the way, walking and guiding me through a season that knocked me off of my feet, a wilderness of not sure where the road traveled would lead, "In an Instant" life changed. My focus, after walking through such a tragic season, with a heart tattooed for life, the question, the focus, what can I do with it?!, I refuse to live as a victim and this is the continued work. Allowing our hearts to know the "value" of time, to be awaken to not taking "moments" for granted. The work keeping us mindful and focused on "Who Promised that Tomorrow will look the same as Today?!" The work is, includes coming in contact with those we don't know, being respectful, even in places we don't agree, even in those spaces allowing the space to "Agree to Disagree" without offense. The work is meeting "Hearts" not Faces, not allowing the conditions of any moment, to allow the assumption or judging others based on the chapter, we walked in on for any person. We just don't know the Story of the Hearts we meet along our travels. 
~ Here at Helping Build Bridges Across ~
We are a community of many We all have Stories Behind our Smile We Continue to Plant Seeds of Gratitude We Continue Forward Along the Journey Through Tears and Through Laughter From a Heart that Knows Exercising Gratitude Always Robs Regret Not Just Mountains ~ Moments Hugs, Donyale 
This is something new?!
Life "delivers" change, rather you're prepared or not, and on board or not. Change Happens. "Nothing remains the same" is often quoted. Some don't embrace change well, and for some it can be very overwhelming. Yet, whatever the emotions, and the concerns attached, change doesn't come along and ask for your permission to visit.
This is something new?! As a woman of Faith and one who exercises Gratitude Daily, it has been the recipe that has allowed me to rob the "Thief Named Regret". My heart is to share with others some ways to Exercise Gratitude. The question often asked, "Donyale, how can I exercise Gratitude Daily, when some days are not so great?" First, before we continue allow me to state; I do not offer answers, I share a perspective. If only it was as easy as a few steps, or five ways to this, and 10 steps to follow, we would all gladly sign up to that blueprint. The truth, from my view, is that "No One Said Easy" so we may never master, but we continue to "exercise" Gratitude daily. "Not Just Mountains, but Moments is the Focus "the impact of embracing a new day, doing what we can do and not allowing worry about what tomorrow may hold, to steal from the gift of the life we have right now, this day. Embracing "No One Promised Us that Tomorrow will look the same as Today" that alone can allow for us to embrace "fully" what this day offers and becomes "an aid" in the words that we choose to deliver to others and in the actions we choose to take. This is something new?! The road behind offers us, an opportunity to consider the lessons from our experiences, if we are open to listening, to reflecting, and to consider who we were in those moments, what role did we play. Beautiful includes a heart with the intent to become better, to do better, to decide within what is "priceless and precious" this day and what can we carry forward for the road ahead. Beautiful is recognizing what is really important to us?! This is something new?! Gratitude Gratitude is a word that means so much more than "appreciation", Gratitude is an action, when exercising daily, it can become a reflex, and it flows into the lives of those around us, even our silence can offer Peace. This is something new?! When I consider the noise around me or the challenges that knock on my door, I found that Beautiful can be located wherever I place my Focus. Beautiful is when I begin my day focused on that I awaken to having a new day, a new page, the gift of life and loved ones who surround my life. That is a blessing. I reflect on all the things that are so easy to take for granted. I embrace and my heart is tattooed with precious moments and memories of love ones that shared a space, that shared a season along my journey, that alone travels with me daily, and for all of this, I AM GRATEFUL. This is something new?! Some like to close there day in reflection and some begin the day with reflection, "Exercising Gratitude is when you intentionally live recognizing what is important to you, important to your heart. It's so easy to get wrapped up by Noise, by Distractions, including those who can trigger negative emotions or thoughts by their words or actions. Life is short Life is precious Life is priceless Life is a gift that only "we" can decide individually on how to "spend" it. Those words hold so much truth at least for me, and they are really so much more than just words... We all hear slogans, popular quotes or words, but when you stop and consider the value, the truth behind them, reflecting on what they mean in your life, it puts many things in Perspective.
This is something new?!
In closing,
It's important to know our value, to maintain our peace, to change what we can and let of those things we can't change. Make a decision to live beyond "yourself", treasures are sometimes hidden and delivered to those who live beyond themselves, who choose to Plant Seeds of Gratitude in the lives of others while "Exercising Gratitude" in their own life.
~ THIS IS SOMETHING NEW ~
A New Day offers an opportunity to write a New Page. "Beautiful" is when you can locate Gratitude in the midst of... ~HS A New Day offers an opportunity to let go of yesterday, anything that is a weight, or a burden. Carry with you the lessons to travel alongside as you hope for many tomorrows. A New Day offers an opportunity "to decide" what you have "this day" and not be robbed of what you don't. No One Said Easy but we have to decide how to receive a "New Day". Life's journey offers each of us an opportunity to "decide" how to live each day and how to celebrate, cherish those who surround our life along the way. ~ Always a Choice ~ Not What They Say A Choice on how you choose to travel this journey "every single day" "Moments not just Mountains" "Making Gratitude Contagious" is always the intent Donyale, How Can I help "Plant Seeds of Gratitude? How can I support H.B.B.A. in doing the work?11/3/2020 These questions come up often and I'm Grateful. I'm a visual person and I love words and I thought I would put together a Video demonstrating and Answering those questions. Thank you for the support and for being here and connecting in the work of this garden. Whatever you're part it is appreciated, it's everyone who is connected doing a little and together we are all "Making Gratitude Contagious" Hugs, Donyale  
ATTRIBUTES of AN EAGLE
AN EAGLE Have you ever Considered the Attributes of An Eagle? THEY ARE MASTER FLIERS A Master flyer represents to me knowing when to Soar and when to Fly Higher to Rise Above the Storm THEY FLY ALONE AND LIVE ON HIGHER GROUND I would use the word "Leader" not a Follower, always Focused on reaching Higher Ground EAGLES ARE EXTREMELY BOLD, COURAGEOUS, MAJESTIC AND POWERFUL This speaks for itself! EAGLES ARE VERY PATIENT I see this as having Vision with a Destination in Sight, which includes a Quiet Wisdom of recognizing and knowing that Patience is a REQUIRED Attribute to Move Along the Journey. From my heart to yours: Like the Eagle, we Find the Strength within, we Have Vision, we Seek Purpose, we Stay Focused on the Destination in Sight. One area that I've had to learn and continually PRESS FORWARD in is to Get Going, Be a Doer, Be Consistent and CONTINUE to MOVE FORWARD. From my Perspective: The Boats to turn back have been burned, there is no retreat, we go higher or we choose to retreat. Always a Choice 
Watching this show, competing with Sugars, this moment touched me and it was a reminder WHY the work of "Making Gratitude Contagious" "Makes a Difference" in so many lives including my own Take a Moment to Check it Out: #MakingGratitudeContagious was, is and always will be the intent Welcome to the Journey... Releasing what is lodged in the Heart "Where and If" it goes anywhere is God's Business #MakingGratitudeContagious was, is and always will be the Intent
Thank you for connecting. Thank you for Planting Seeds with Journey HBBA, anything you have done and are doing is planting a seed. Beautiful is knowing that Seeds planted has the potential to grow into something Beautiful. To join in the work...Eagle Call are the Resources that allow us daily to Plant Seeds of Gratitude into the life of someone else. The only requirement is to find what fits your heart, to simply "Get In Where You Fit It". Thank you for traveling this Unfamiliar Path with Me... I choose to take the reigns of every single day, every single moment, no matter what I feel. My emotions have to get on board or they will be carried in my Truth, making the most of this New Day, New Page. When you live Knowing Your Why.... You no longer focus on the "noise" or "distractions" The Why is the #StoriesBehindtheSmile The Work is #PlantingSeedsofGratitude From a Heart that Knows #GratitudeRobsRegret #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!
Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!
If only it was that simple... When I share posts filled with images and words, it is intentional. Sharing with a purpose. I'm no different, the journey presents challenges, some days are heavier than others. My truth is that I choose to take the "reigns" and I choose discipline on where my thoughts are going to travel, it's not magic and it doesn't happen instantly, it's an exercise. It's an exercise... The process is, I wake and I Thank God for a New Day and then I take time to feed my spirit which means "for me" reading the word, watching a podcast, reading a chapter from a favorite book, or reflecting on "I have a new day, which offers opportunity". Opportunity to make a phone call to loved ones, mail cards with photos or words that mean something "to the recipient", not about me, about them. Listening, not multi-tasking but listening when a loved one calls, or my sons are engaged in sharing something that is important to them, a post, a movie clip, a song, a thought who knows but a "discipline" to stop and engage, not while thinking on what needs to be done or while doing something else but making the effort "to stop" listen and engage. An Exercise
Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!
The journey is not magic, it requires effort, a discipline with emotions. My theory is that if my anger, my rage, loudness could change those areas that are challenging in my life, then I would consider the effort, but I've traveled to many miles and know those areas are only distractions. Distractions take away our focus and we can miss those priceless, precious memories that will remain with us for a lifetime.
Always a choice...
Does Gratitude Make Problems Disappear?!
Problems, Challenges are just that, a moment that presents our attention. Does anything take that away...probably not. So the real question in my heart, it is not the problem, the challenge, the disappointment, the hurt that takes away a problem, it is my perspective that will determine how "I choose to confront it, how I choose to walk through it, how I choose to look at it, to look at it, to look at it but to now allow it to reside within"
Even if I table it, pray about it, reflect on it, the discipline is not to allow it to "reside within". I choose to Exercise, to Exercise Gratitude of what I possess "right now, in this single moment" that is my focus and if I can' appreciate that, I remind myself, I have life and someone was not afforded that this morning. Gratitude is more than a word, it is an action
Thank you for being here. Thank you for connecting and joining with me in #PlantingSeedsof Gratitude
YPlant a seed with my book: Live Heart Inspired, 216 pages filled with Images and Words to reflect You can Preview before Purchase
Make Someone Smile and Mail a Greeting Card, Mail Gratitude through our affiliate.
The company will Print it, put in an envelope and mail it. No Contract, mail one card or mail many it's up to you
Share our Brand of Gratitude
Wear, Share and Surround your life with what represents this community. It is our Focus and it represents this community
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
You Should Never Be So Quick to Assume, Do You Know the Heart?!
"Walking while Talking" "How Pursuit is attached to Why and Intent" Thank you for spending a moment, for investing your precious commodity called "Time" It is appreciated. Together we are #PlantingSeedsofGratitude and From a Heart that Knows #GratitudeRobsRegret #TakeaMomentwithDonyale #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
How can we have Gratitude this day
and Not get Stuck in a Chapter along Life's Journey This was inspired by the thought of a "Slippery Slope" these two words can so easily become the slope. When I consider these words it implies that the simplest thing, a mold hill, can so easily become a mountain. Life Life Life is such a precious, priceless commodity and every day has become an exercise to not take one moment for granted. Along my journey, I have found every defining moment becomes another precious stone, a lesson on what really matters along my journey. My prayer is that you can find this precious stone called "Peace" It will change your life forever #LivingInsideOut Thank you for watching, Thank you listening, Thanking you for traveling this unfamiliar journey with me.
When you know your Why.
When you awaken to this precious commodity called "life" you no longer spend or invest energy on things that are "just noise" or "shiny objects" designed to Distract When you become Eagle Eyed Focus, the gift is patience and to keep your eyes "daily" on what really matters 
How can we have Gratitude this day
and not get started in a Chapter along Life's Journey 
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Why did I Blog Share That?! One Thought should not define a Journey This share started by this "MGC" Mug that was shared on the previous share, Take a Moment with Donyale As I was sharing this cup, I shared that it was not to make anyone feel obligated but instead to expose, to bring awareness that it is an Eagle call product. Then, I wondered Why?! I felt the need to share ... "that it was not to make anyone feel obligated" Why assume such a thing?! Then it came to me, that the concern, the thought was that 'I'm selling" and that concern came from previous experience and or stories previously shared by others. Wow, consider the subtle expressions, words and conversations that trigger prior experiences and this really can be applied to so many areas in our life, most of us are in this Social Media Village, we connect and come together for many reasons and Yes, some of us have products or services attached to our brand, it is the resources that represent us in the marketplace, It is the very thing that brings awareness to what we do Why did I Blog Share That?! One Thought should not define a Journey My Truth is to bring awareness to any and everything that represents this community, our community. Helping Build Bridges Across, this community also has a brand that connects with purpose and for most of us there is a work, which will include many things "that represent that" and when we connect, we wear, we share, we support the work **The Point, everything shared can't be pre-wrapped, or presented as if one size fits all, it is a space to just share any and everything and those who connect to that will move on that which moves the heart to and is led to do. We all know, Everything will not resonate with everyone but it should be shared with everyone so that those who do connect will have awareness it will not connect to everyone, no matter who we are, what we do, our experience, our truth, our share will not resonate with everyone. Again, that is what makes our differences "beautiful" Differences is a "beautiful" thing in my book, because we are different. Difference means we will have "momentary visits" and "chapters" and "seasons" that we share with some and then we have a check in visit with some from prior history, or some present day that we will travel with for a season because of a shared interests or a connection. There will be some that we will connect and travel together for a distance because we are traveling in the same direction. There is not one way and that can be a beautiful thing #MakingGratitudeContagious was, is and always will be the intent Why did I Blog Share That?! One Thought should not define a Journey My concern apparently was someone feeling obligated and I realized that as with anything shared, I can't control what someone else feels or assumes. Right?! My truth is that I'm working, I have a Pursuit, I'm working and tending a garden because I'm led to and that does require many hands, many voices to work with me. We all play a part and I recognize that those connected to this village, some since Day 1, starting online in "2014" and it reminds me of a song", along this journey I've shared long enough that at this point most know my heart. The song that I'm thinking of is "if you don't know me by now you will never know me" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes My minor revision If you don't know my intent now by the things that I've shared you will never know me. My work is to share was is lodged within, this is my punch back to the evil that kicked down my door and I can't and will not apologize for building focused on that. My heart is that you Get In Where You Fit In, there is nothing to small or too large. I do have an Ask and this Garden needs work, some will be on the Front Lines with me, some will be on the side supporting the work, some will visit on occasion and any of That is all Good and I"m very Grateful There is nothing too small, there is nothing too large. The Ask Is to simply do "What is Lodged in Your Heart to Do". You are never obligated but my work is to Expose and to Make Aware on "How to Work this Garden" here at Helping Build Bridges Across Along this Journey, I'm accountable to My Why and to What my Heart leads me to do This door is open, all are welcome, it is a Buffet Table find what can be asset to you or someone you know and leave the rest behind There is an Eagle Call... My Ask is to Get in where your Heart Fits In I recognize everything is not for everyone but I learned early... You don't know what you don't know unless someone shares it with you 
Why did I Blog Share That?!
One Thought should not define a Journey All are welcome but there is a call for Eagles Eagles know that we use the Strong Winds to Rise Higher Eagles know the work is not just what happened but how we can be a blessing to someone else with it that matters Eagle Hugs, Donyale PS: Eagle Call, My Ask is to do what you can do, do what your "heart" is led to to find the recommended resources in this community Visit Eagle Call
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Grow Where You Are Planted
Such beautiful words While shopping, I came across this "tumbler" with these words printed on it, along with plants and flowers that just grabbed my attention and I knew it was a part of the journey, it would be what inspired this "Take a Moment" Take a Moment The image the words....started this share Again, Consider the depth of these very words "Grow Where You Are Planted"
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
No One Said Easy...
Change for some is not easy to embrace, it's not comfortable, it's not familiar but it is a part of our Life's Journey Change your Perspective, Change Your Life Allows us to take the reigns of "our thoughts" and decide that we can not change most things But we Can But we Can Decide what to do with it Together we can decide to... Grow Where We Are Planted
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Can we have a little Conversation?!
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Welcome to the Journey
Thank you for connecting Thank you for Planting Seeds of Gratitude
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Just Have a Little Patience
Running, Running, Running Have you ever considered to where... Some Live never appreciating the "Page" they have now, always rushing to the next page, as if there is a landing page Just Have a Little Patience
#MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Who promised "tomorrow" will look the same as today
How Do You Have Peace In A Storm?!
No One Said Easy, not sharing Answers, sharing a Perspective. Helping Build Bridges Across is a Buffet Table, take what can be an asset and leave the rest behind. "When", not if a storm hits, you are left with what lives inside. Exercising Peace within may never be mastered but we all have a choice to Exercise. Exercising Peace allows Calmness in the midst of a storm to find "Resolution" How Do You Have Peace In A Storm?! There is no answer, but my shared perspective is to seek and to find what you are willing to die on because that belief, that focus will determine what you are you willing to live on. That focus will determine your conversations, your words and your actions "daily" No One Promised Us that Tomorrow will Look the Same As Today and for "some" it determines how we live daily No One Said Easy and now that we know that we each decide daily our Focus.
#MakingGratitudeContagious was, is and always will be the intent
 Can We Dance? Can we dance in our differences Can we dance in having different experiences Can we dance with “love” as our foundation Can We Dance? Can we dance appreciating the “vibe” of someone else that is not the same Can we dance "listening" more than talking in conversation that offers a different view Can we dance that there will always be distractions that are always attempting to steal our focus and joy Can we dance knowing that we will not agree on everything Can We dance? I may not understand I may not resonate with your steps I may not know Your Story behind your Smile or Anger I may not know Your Why But I respect that you have a voice Can we just dance knowing that we all have to decide on... The dance partner that we choose to be along this journey Bringing Joy, Peace, Laughter and Love to any room or space we encounter Always A Choice Can We dance? We get one along this path, always a choice to be An Asset or Liability Not Sharing Answers Sharing a Perspective Can We Dance? Dance of Love Dance of Compassion Dance of an Empathetic Heart Dance of one who recognizes the "Hourglass" along this journey Can We dance? Can we dance in our differences Can we dance in having different experiences Can we dance with “love” as our foundation Can We dance?  "Choosing to Dance" #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
Written and spoken by Donyale "Change is Found Where..." ~ Full Audio ~ Change is found where?! The loss of any loved one creates a broken heart and taken at the hands of injustice brings another level of grief, including anger, to a family and to close friends who will walk in the ripple of that grief for the remainder of life’s journey. My husband of almost 20 years was murdered, he was shot in the back with an assault rifle, by a 17-year-old black boy, a Craigslist Predator with history who was allowed to roam the streets, who at the time was a year older than our oldest black son: The full story and predator being sentenced in court is found on the Homesite, Helping Build Bridges Across.com, it’s found under "Living in my Truth" Change is found where?! From that encounter, from that moment, from that season, did it make all black teenage boys a predator?, which if defined as a black teenage boy being a predator, that would include at that time my sons?! ***From my view, from my perspective, from my pain it offered an opportunity to take the pain and to do something with it, that makes a difference in the life of someone else, to take the energy to intensify sharing, not just in a sandbox, but as working and planting seeds of Gratitude everyone my feet, my voice travels. The place where change is vitally needed is in “the heart”, “the heart”, that alone brings my heart fulfillment, that removes the title for me of just being a “victim” and titles of defeat, hopelessness, does not work well for me. Life and future generations is too precious to lie down with that, choosing to do nothing, to live in open wounds. Helping Build Bridges Across.com intensified after my life was altered, it changed my view, it changed my focus and it put me in a state of working in a garden. Making Pain Purposeful, Along life’s journey, for the remainder of my days. My perspective is that we are always working in a garden, we’re always deciding where to plant flowers and where to pull weeds. Walk with me for just a moment, listen to my heart, I will continue to share my story because my husband Todd was here and his life meant something to us, to our family, to many dear friends, and my Faith gives me hope beyond a grave and for that I’m grateful, it is God’s Grace that carried me through a very difficult time, that arrived in an instant. That same Grace allows me to give my heart, my time, my hope and prayers that changes of the heart will harvest along my travels, along my journey. My faith is what allows me to live inside out, never mastered, but to exercise, to exercise, to exercise peace within I have life, for me that means I have an opportunity to share my story and I will continue to share, not for sympathy, while a kind heart expressing kind words is always appreciated, but it is not the reason for my share, it’s not the reason, it’s not the reason, it is not the reason for my work. My share is an invitation for change, for connecting with hearts filled with compassion, believing that love always wins and that empathy allows maybe not a complete understanding of each other, but a respect to listen, not to judge or to assume. My share is for the heart that is in pain, for the heart that may be in a dark room to know they are not alone, my invitation is for those who want to connect and who want to be a part of the work in this garden, planting seeds called Gratitude. Change is found where?! Planting Seeds of Gratitude is a daily work, decided in the moment, by words and actions, by sharing, by commenting, by exposing and bringing awareness to Helping Build Bridges Across. This is an invitation for the heart who wants to be a part of planting seeds of Gratitude, who wants to answer an Eagle Call in an area that fits their heart and fits their fulfillment. In this community, it is not one size fits all, simply get in where you fit in and is the place best for you. An Eagle Call is a way to connect, to join in the work ‘if led to” An invitation is not a requirement, it is not an obligation, it is bringing awareness and the choice is always your own. Thank you for all that you have done, by listening, reading, sharing that is connecting and that is a form of “doing” and any of what is on your heart to do wherever, and whenever be it here or anywhere if it is planting seeds of gratitude, or words and actions wrapped in kindness. That is “doing” Change is found where?! There are no answers to provide, grief comes in waves and each one experience is unique to their own journey. Helping Build Bridges Across is an open door while someone grieves and could use encouragement from a heart that knows, it’s an open door for those who appreciate inspiration, it is an open door for one who may be just curious, it is an open door for the one who knows the gravity of planting, in this community planting seeds of gratitude, recognizing whatever we plant will grow.  Change is found where?! My heart, my work, my fulfillment now extends beyond my doorstep, finding its own way to any heart around at any given point at any given place. My heart is lodged with many things and like an artist, I release it, where it goes is God’ Business. Only He knows the heart that could benefit from whatever is shared. This is “my why” Gratitude is vital, it’s not just a word or a slogan, T-shirt, or a campaign at least here at Helping Build Bridges Across. Gratitude is an extension, an action of Love and it plants seeds in the hearts of many, by actions, by words in a moment, not a destination, not an event but in daily travels, an action, words and with any seed, a harvest grows that can live for a lifetime, that can extend for generations. That is a beautiful legacy that is an opportunity for each of us. Living in Love, expressing Gratitude, allows the majority of moments to be filled with laughter, love, just silliness and togetherness. Life’s Journey shared with someone or walking alone, we know all days are not blue skies and joyful, of course not, There are hard places, frustrating, challenging seasons a part of life’s journey, but it was and it is an exercise, maybe never mastered, an exercise. an exercise. As a woman of Faith, I took time to ask God, to cry out, to grieve, to gain my footing, to catch my breath so that I could continue and to be the parent my sons needed. That was my Pause during an unimaginable season. This allowed when the Storm disrupted my life, altered my family’s life, left Yes with a grieving season, which travels in waves and leaves you with a tattooed heart but this Gratitude, this Taking a Pause “allowed” me to “robbed” the Thief Named Regret. How? This journey online started in 2014, it was a sandbox, a journey to travel together, I shared what I lived and in my home, it was not waiting, it was sharing what I was thinking, doing what i could do in the moments to express love. Not everyday as in any home is a great day, but that means space, not confusion, a choice, an exercise. “No One Said Easy” In an instant when life changes, you don’t get a second chance to say I’m sorry or to rearrange a decision, In an Instant, means it done, what was said has been said, what was done, is done and it will be left in the heart and thoughts for the remainder of the journey. I pray that if that is you, please know, there is healing to that and to reach out to get help if needed, a local church, trusted family or friends and if needed professional help. The sucide hotline is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, please don’t hesitate if you need that, if you have life, you have purpose, a reason to be here. Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255  Change is found where?! We don’t know the road ahead, the journey, we don’t know every detour, or challenge that we may face, living in this current season of an unprecedented time is a great example, who would ever imagine in our lifetime facing a pandemic, where loved ones have been lost, but when we live daily with a Grateful Heart, even in challenging seasons we understand the journey in a different way. Pain for some has become purposeful, a shift, a focus, a work in the season that we have been afforded. A choice, if we share nothing else, no common belief, opinion, viewpoint, or perspective, we do share one thing around this world, “this life” will come to a close. We will no matter our current team, t-shirt, or organization, our chapter will come to a close and we leave behind the seeds we chose to plant along the journey. That alone should give us pause… My perspective is that some are filled with love and compassion and with that same measure, “Some people are just evil and filled with hate, It makes sense now, and has for some time including what happened to my husband Todd, my heart, my foundation is “love” mainly because I recognize how short my season of life along this journey is, my heart is that I have two wonderful young men that I will depart this life leaving behind, praying throughout that enough has been instilled for the remainder of their journey, their road ahead. Change is found where?! From a heart that knows, when that storm in an instant alters life and we are only left to access the damage, while grieving is the process,we fight regret by doing, by being the best version that we can be. My husband and I celebrated moments and even in moments not great, my response was a “peaceful silence” not words or actions that I may never have the opportunity to take back, This was and is an exercise of how I “choose to” live” that is the work and that is my fulfillment. I’m sharing my truth, not for applause, not for sympathy, and not for follow or likes. My heart shares for “that one” grieving, that one feeling alone, that one feeling hopeless or confused, that one who just needs to know there is a fragment of “love” left in this world. The work is to exercise living inside out, pausing before just saying or doing anything, the work is to rob the thief named regret, there is a freedom in that, “when” not if, but “when” life change Change is found where?! It is an injustice beyond words to express when someone or “anyone” has the audacity to take the life of someone else in situations where there is no immediate threat, that in itself is a level of anger or hate, or disregard of human life that I do not understand, except to title it as evil. Change is found where?! You can’t write a blog post like this and not mentioned the current climate, a man, Mr. George Floyd, my condolences to his family. My share is that no one, no matter what color, no matter what they have done, should not lose their life on the street. We have courts, we have a system rather we believe it to be just or not that allows a human being to have the right to due process. No man, no person, not even an animal should lose their life with a knee on the neck for 08:46 seconds and for anyone who wants to take a moment, or find a way to understand the gravity of that… Set a timer for that 08:46 and sit still and consider a knee on your neck, with your arms behind your back in cuffs, with someone kneeling on your legs and allow the timer to count down, don’t move, don’t say a word and then consider if that is an Injustice? Change is found where?! My husband killed by a Craigslist Predator who had history with this crime, Mr. George Floyd killed by a police officer trained to protect and serve the community...the thought I have is “how many lives” were killed unjustly by just these two examples, by two men we don’t know, how many lives that we don’t know about that lost their life on the street. My heart knows an injustice, by the murder of my husband yes, but also as a granddaughter of my father’s father, who was killed by racist hands in Covington, TN When you have a history, a moment of hate and an injustice, only you, only I can decide to continue the hate, the vigilante justice on the street or we can do the work every single day. Until when Donyale, from my heart there is no end, the end is when journey, my chapter comes to a close That will be my departure from the garden that I was left to tend, but the harvest to be worked will continue because there will be many hearts in the field. We all have a place, we all a part, we all have a pebble to throw in the water  #MakingGratitudeContagious is always the intent
 What "Noise" has your intention?! Maybe, it's just me but when you have traveled a "few miles" along Life's Journey with many Hills and Valleys, at some point you weigh out what surrounds you. You weigh out what is really important for the remainder of life's journey ahead?! What really deserves my attention? What "noise" is worth investing "precious time" into?
When "someone" when anyone "speaks", I always consider the "agenda", the "Intent". I've considered at this season along my journey, it's the road ahead of me, ahead of my children and for generations that matters. What matters is taking the injustice, the pain and making it multiply to be a blessing in as many lives as possible. That is the noise that brings my heart fulfillment. "Beyond my Doorstep"  What "Noise" has your attention?! I've learned that "No One Promised Me that My Tomorrow will look the same as Today", now that I've learned that I've decided the noise that I will listen to. Time is a priceless commodity... I've decided "No One" but me from this point forward will decide how I will spend it. Helping Build Bridges Across has an open door... This community started and is a "buffet table" take what can be an asset for your journey and leave the rest behind. If you remember nothing else along your visit here...is to consider that "Life is Short" and "only you, I, we" can decide what is really precious this day and days ahead. #MakingGratitudeContagious was, is and always will be the intent
|
Archives
May 2022
|
