Reflective Thoughts by Chandra Adams

A butterfly fights against its cocoon,      its own confinement strengthens      instilling fortitude for the journey. Now released      spread your wings and fly      you'll make the distance. A ship fights against its lines      its own anchor protects      assuring safety for a time. Lines untied      set sail for uncharted waters      you've land to take and adventure awaits.

  The other day I found myself led to read John 2:3 “W hen the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, ‘They don’t have any wine.’ ” I have to be honest, I wasn’t overwhelmed with enthusiasm as I began to read, after all, been there, done that. But I quickly purposed to “see” it differently. To “hear” His thoughts, and hopefully, to receive His Word for me.   What I saw, was the simplicity of the words spoken by Mary and the directness in which they were asked. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a relationship with Christ that permitted a direct approach with the facts. She didn’t make excuses. She didn’t taint it with her opinion. Mary simply delivered the facts as they were to the one who could make a difference. She told the truth.   How many times did we hear those infamous words growing up, “Tell the truth and you won’t get in trouble?” Typically they came in sets of two or three, with a promise and rarely did we believe them to be true. So we lied, the very...

The Onion by C. Adams Fresh in it’s original state, crisp, tasteful, aromatic, and even soft to the touch, are words chosen to describe it. Just like you and I. Before used, broken, or cut, it’s potential full, it’s uses, virtually limitless. Just like you and I. Treatment, right or wrong, in the eyes of the user, can change and even destroy, its original state. Just like you and I. Now, dry, fragile and bitter Is how it can be found. Pressed on all sides, broken in pieces, and lost. Just like you and I. Yet, express themselves they do. Overpowering, and even overwhelmingly, at times. Still they manage to compliment their surroundings. Just like you and I. Some may like them, some may not, but useful, they manage too become. Tough on the outside, even mature in appearance. Just like you and I. Still, no matter what they do, in the end, its tears, pain and suffering they cause. Just like yo...

Recently while at a Physical Therapy appointment I learned I was doing everything wrong. In fact, I was causing more damage than good. Life is like this sometimes. Our efforts and actions come from a place of good intentions, yet they result in pain and destruction. In pursuit of comfort, I had accommodated the injured parts of my body, catering to them if you will.   I had overextended and weakened some muscles, while restricting and tightening others, resulting in a loss of functionality. This type of behavior was decreasing my mobility and increasing my pain. So many times this type of physical activity parallels our behavior in close relationships. We over extend ourselves, in order to accommodate others. The result, injury. Or at the least, this interaction leaves one exhausted and discouraged. Sadly, the byproduct is similar, a weakened and less effective relationship.  How do we recover from such an injury? Take responsibility. Tighten up. How? Use our muscle...