My prayer....everywhere....

May this be my prayer tonight, tomorrow and for the rest of my moments on this Earth.♥~thl

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen."
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi  

Something new....yet always old....

What was I thinking? Well, I certainly enjoy learning, studying and discovering new things. However, I may have pushed the limit recently. Several weeks ago, we purchased new phones. Our "two plus" year old phones were no longer functioning properly. The task of learning a new smart phone intimidates me terribly. I have been known to shed tears in past years because I felt so outsmarted by new ones. Slowly but surely, I have become more familiar with this newest phone and am at least able to do necessary work on it. Obviously, I have a long way to go but at least no tears have been shed this time...yet.

Due to a promotion offer when we purchased the new phones, we also received a new tablet. Oh my! That has been a new experience and challenge but again, we are learning the process one step at a time. Actually, it was almost more difficult to locate and purchase accessories for it than to learn the basic functions of the tablet. So that's two out of two new devices we are learning. So far, so good.

This past June, my husband gave me a new laptop for my birthday. My seven year old one is still working but not efficiently. I am very grateful for my new laptop and all the new updated programs...but it took me until today...four months later...to turn it on for the first time. Whew! I somehow successfully turned on the power, set up basic information, connected to our internet source and found my way into several programs I use for my writing, projects, etc.. But...I am overwhelmed, to say the least. Basics are different. Programs are different. Appearance is different. Everything is different and I am not even close to feeling comfortable or confident in the process. No tears yet...but I am lost.

I began thinking. Although I love learning...although I appreciate advances in technology...although I am always curious about what makes things work and how to improve life....I am also a very old soul. I am grateful to know that some things do not have to change because they never go out of style or become less effective. A kind word. Manners. The beauty of a sunset. People helping people. Great neighbors. A child's laughter. A loving community. The gift of music. The squeeze of an elderly parent's hand. Lifelong friends. Hearing someone say "I love you." Smiles. Hope. A new day. Another breath. Each amazing heartbeat.

Yes, change is happening around us. It's a part of life...sometimes challenging, sometimes beneficial. And constant. Yet I hope and pray that I may never lose sight of what needs to remain the same....to love living, to live loving, to cherish each moment we are given and to be grateful for the One Who is always with me. Continually.♥~thl