• About

lovedfrst918

~ Inspired Musings & Streams of Consciousness

lovedfrst918

Tag Archives: preparation

Table for One, Part 2 (Living In The Margins)

31 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by Tiffany Haney in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

alone, books, childhood, Christian, companion, companionship, content, date, dating, destiny, eternity, female, fiction, love, male, only child, preparation, prepare, reading, relationship, romance, single, travel, writing

I haven’t reached the generally accepted milestones or highly lauded successes (finances, advanced degrees, a mate and kids) of some others in my age range. So though this season leaves me at times with feelings of immense freedom, I’m also challenged at times to find a niche for myself among the changing landscape of the environment around me. Playing it safe or “saved” has been my calling card for about 12 years now. I was never a Sex In the City type of girl, but more so Coffee or Tea with Girls Downtown. I am not about to turn around now when the road is now less traveled by my friends and some I no longer connect with regularly, if at all. Some of it is just natural with the gradual change of lifestyles. While with others it’s more about clearing the path that would eventually hinder either one or both of us along the way. Certainly I’m not spiritually, mentally or emotionally in the same place so it’s never best to hold on to bonds or situations that are not thriving.

BandL

Living in the margins of the mainstream existence made me more sensitive to those who people consider live on the outskirts of “normal” life, living. I see a homeless man occasionally in a downtown area I visit often. I’ll call him “Barry.” He is a slight man probably in his early 60s. His bearing is quiet, dignified and unassuming. This time Barry was sitting at a bench eating cat food. Yes, cat food straight out of container like it was a fine delicacy. The sight broke my heart. I was shocked, saddened and felt a little helpless at the same time. And to make it more thoroughly sickening were his “neighbors” sitting next to him. Both we were rather large women blissfully enjoying their yogurt treat. The juxtaposition was disturbing and the image stayed with me. I later gave him some money and his eyes lit up and he said, “Bless you.”

At the moment I face some challenges right now, but I’m not the only facing an uphill battle. Right now there are so many people around me (family, coworkers and friends) who are experiencing some very heavy trials. I wonder if I weren’t where I am right now if I would be as sensitive or care as much. In the bluster of youth, life seems so bright and boundless. The positive focus is great, but rarely tempered with enough wisdom or character to withstand the blows of life. I’ve now seen enough sunrises and sunsets to have faced some mighty trials and stupendous blessings. Right now as I wake everyday, I try my best to keep the Lord and promises before me — through a song or a devotional. There’s truly nothing to go back to. As I traverse a path less taken, I must press on to see what the end shall be. Despite any superficial and temporal standards of the world, the full destiny that’s been prepared for me is here, more real than anything I’ve ever seen or heard.

 

Advertisements

Preparing for the Next Season

13 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by Tiffany Haney in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

change, circumstances, environment, future, phase, preparation, prepare, ready, season

The past few years I’ve noticed something at the end of summer. Around August, squirrels begin to get ready for the winter. Quickly they begin to hunt around for food to “squirrel” away in the ground for later use when food becomes scarce. As time passes into fall, I’ve observed more and more of these little critters out and about, becoming furiously intent on preparing for the season to come. Without making necessary preparations they will surely perish. It’s rather fascinating how God places an instinct in these creatures to ready for a time that is not yet. The colder weather speaks to the squirrel and the bear. In the Arctic region, many animals have a change in fur color for camouflage from predators.

So I wonder how many opportunities do we miss or are ill-prepared to handle because we didn’t take the necessary steps to thrive in a different environment. I’ll admit I haven’t been the best in seasons before. And though God’s grace has helped me through those seasons, I would much rather use that grace for other occasions. Currently I am in a season of preparation. It happened right under my nose years ago in very small increments and now that the puzzle pieces are coming together I am becoming more sensitive for the necessity to be ready for the next level in my life. Sometimes I have lagged in energy, procrastinated or was just plain too busy with obligations to make room for this change. But my circumstances, my very environment move me to keep going, keep pressing and making room and space for opportunities so I can move smoothly to the next phase of my life. Let’s not fall asleep when we should be working toward the future that is waiting for us–our lives depend on it.

Arctic Fox

Arctic Fox with Winter Fur

Arctic Hare

Arctic Hare with Winter Fur

Recent Posts

  • America: Who We Really Are
  • Thoughts in the New Year
  • Valentine’s Day Edition: Love Song Playlist
  • Lift Up Your Head
  • We Can’t Ignore the Race Issue Anymore

Archives

  • December 2017
  • January 2016
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 48 other followers

Tiffany’s Twitter Page

  • RT @NutmegRadio: Idris Elba is hosting the FIFA Football Awards and is wearing a waistcoat with pictures of Gareth Southgate wearing a wais… 4 months ago
  • RT @NAMICommunicate: Did you know that September is #SuicidePrevention Awareness Month? One conversation about mental illness and suicide c… 5 months ago
  • I entered Hallmark Channel’s Renovation Sweepstakes! Enter now for your chance to win a cash prize to renovate your… twitter.com/i/web/status/9… 11 months ago
  • 😂😂 twitter.com/senatorCK/stat… 12 months ago
  • Enter for a chance to win $5,000 to plan YOUR ultimate winter getaway! hallmarkchannel.com/winterfest/swe… 1 year ago

Categories

  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.com
Advertisements

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy