Marilyn Bland

I am so thankful for my home with water, heat, and electricity. I have food to eat and warm clothes to wear. I am very fortunate.

Music transcends language - speaks to us, helps us connect with each other, if only we would tune in.

It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful our bodies really are. What just struck me is the fact that while we rest our muscles, we sleep, we slow down to recoup strength, we speed up, but through all of this, the heart never rests, never stops beating.

I would rather inch forward and be secure in that slow progression than stride ahead, only to have to back-pedal all the way.

What went wrong to turn someone into a cruel, unrelenting, self-centered being. It's hard to fathom that they were once a helpless little bundle nestling in the crook of a mother's arm.

I should be realistic about my goal of reading all the books on my reading list. It is such a long list and it isn't even complete, so this will probably be one of those dreamed-about goals. Revised goal: Keep reading and enjoy each text.

Relationships need to be nurtured. Reach out to that someone who has been on your mind or who you haven't heard from in a while.

As hard as we may try and as careful as we may be, things happen that are completely out of our control. Our lives can be upturned in an instant. Nothing should be taken for granted.

Sometimes getting started is harder than doing the actual task, even though that task may not be all that difficult .

Looking back, processing what we've left behind or lost is painful. Temper this hurt by holding on to the delights and riches we still enjoy and that have brought us to where we are now.

When processing what I term slow or no progress at something, I have to consider my abilities and realistic expectations. This doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement or latent potential. The watchword here is persevere.

My recovery from the 2019 tornado that destroyed my home was hard and slow. I still have anxiety in thunderstorms and bad weather, so whenever a tornado strikes somewhere, my heart goes out to those in its midst. I hurt but am deeply grateful for my safety.

Taking proper care of ourselves is a big and difficult job, and one from which we cannot take a break without dire consequences.

Sometimes I wonder why I thought or did a certain thing. Trying to understand myself is hard. Trying to understand others is even harder.

Sometimes I feel like a pawn on a chess board - in the direct line of fire, pushed around, sacrificed, limited, small, seemingly insignificant. Then I realize that the pawn is the only piece with the potential to promote to a queen. Guess I'm not such an unhappy pawn :).

For every item I get to check off my to-do list, another is always there to take its place. It seems I can never clear the list. But then again, do I really want to have nothing to do?

When I feel betrayed by a fellow being, I am comforted by my dog. He is always ready with a lick or a wagging tail and seems to know when I need these most.

Both are necessary, but which one is more beneficial - a healthy diet or exercise? I think we lose the impact of one if we don't have the other.

When someone I haven't heard from in a while contacts me, it brightens up my day...someone was thinking about me and cares enough to reach out.

I love the quote by Benjamin Franklin: Better to slip by foot than tongue.