giveninspiration

I have learned that I tend to draw on ideas from the printed page; that I have a knack for inspiring others; that I have a gift for valuing others (every individual). I want to use those strengths to share using the written word. My goal: To inspire, to uplift, to bring joy to others.

Author Archives: magnusoncmm


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Life After Retirement: Remodeling, Spiritual Direction, Keeping Fit, and Grandparenthood

My apologies for not posting for so long! Such is life, right? I’ve retired. One would think that I have more time for a blog, right? Not so! Much has happened since my last post; I’ve retired, my dad passed away (I miss him so!), there was a fire in the house I grew up in, my family made the decision to fix up the house, it is now a VRBO, and I clean it after guests stay. The remodeling of this house took over a year and my husband and I did the work to remodel it – we either hired the work done or did it ourselves. What a job! My whole first year of retirement was remodeling that house. We gutted it! In the mid-west that means tearing out lathe and horsehair plaster walls down to the studs. We had it foam insulated and I hired a gal and her team to paint the entire house once the drywall was finished. It is hard to find contractor’s these days! They are all so busy! One joyful thing about hiring contractors was that we hired several Amish. Joe did a fantastic job tearing out an old porch and rebuilding an open style porch that was larger than the original. It’s beautiful! We also hired Amish to cut and hang drywall and another Amish expert to do the seams and mudding. Now my husband and I have met and gotten to know some fine Amish men in our community. That really helps when it is the season for buying strawberries locally! Locally grown strawberries actually have flavor to them! Unlike the shipped in strawberries from California that we purchase in the grocery stores.

Other new news: I am seeing a Spiritual Director, and I am so pleased about my progress so far! I first attended a Silent Retreat through our local Franciscan Spirituality Center. That was an interesting experience! You’ve got to try it some time. My challenge was not saying anything during lunch. It definitely felt strange to sit and eat lunch in the same room with others attending the retreat and not be able to converse with them! The experience that I signed up for included 3 sessions with a Spiritual Director. A Spiritual Director is trained to listen to your stories. It is helpful to anyone seeking spiritual growth, healing or a deeper connection with God and others.

Something else new to retirement. I have chosen to join a workout program through Unity Fitness with the goal of improving my strength and balance (I fell and broke my hand in October, 2023).

Guess what else is new!? I now have 6 Grandchildren! So, 3 Grandsons and 2 Granddaughters. What a joy!


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My favorite sunset picture – Talk about inspiration!

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I took this picture back in June of 2008 in rural Stoddard, WI. A picture is a moment in time. There isn’t a chance that I could capture this same scene again.  Trees and brush have grown up around that tree now.  Harder to see the river in the background.  Plus, what are the chances of seeing those shapes and colors in the sky again? This picture was a gift to me from God.  I knew it the day I took the shot and I know it now 15 and a half years later!


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Growing in Faith

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When I was a child, I went to church because my parents took me.

As a young adult, I went because I’d been taught it was a sin not to.

After I had children, I went so that they would know God.

As they grew, I discovered I needed that hour of peaceful reflection.

Next I discovered that I found great joy in the music – I saw the words, felt the words, found joy in the words, as I sang, as I praised God.

Now I learn something during each service; discover some small ah-ha piece of information about God’s love for us, each and every hour that I spend in church.

Praise God.


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Hope

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When you are going through some rough times, there is nothing like hope to help you hang in there.  And how does one find hope?

It is there; in every Christian publication that you can find.  Thank you Joyce Meyer, Jan Karon and Matthew Kelly; these three authors have helped me find strength as I struggled to deal with the illness of my beloved dad.  He is hanging in there and has even found some contentment with the memory care unit where he now resides.

My prayer life has increased greatly and yet I continue to read about how I can improve my spirituality.  Isn’t that something to be worked on as long as we live?  The Lord God knows how much our country needs help right now.  We really can’t pray too much the way I see it.

For I believe in the power of prayer.

It helps us to hope.


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The joy to be found in a song

I am a fan of Pentatonix, the group that sings acapella.  I was lucky enough to receive two of their CD’s as gifts for Christmas.  I know the Christmas season is over, but I am still listening to their Christmas music on the way to work in the mornings.  I am telling you, those young people are talented!

So I am listening to the Little Drummer Boy (my favorite), and tears come to my eyes.  I felt the overwhelming joy that the Little Drummer Boy felt when Jesus smiled at him.  I am telling you, it was like I was there watching it all take place.  Pentatonix, they take you there!  Sign into YouTube and do a search.  Listen.  Enjoy!


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Your Life

cropped-img_7186.jpg Another beautiful quote that stirred my soul and hopefully yours too: “You can have a life full of meaning if you fill it full of meaning.  Your life can be wonderful if you see the wonder in it.  Your life can be full of interest if you take an interest in it.  Your life can be exciting if you live and think excitedly.  You can do anything you want with your life if you will do it.  You can take hold of it and shape it and make it meaningful.”  Powerful words.  Thank YOU Norman Vincent Peale.


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What is right with the world

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I have been reading, “Confidence: Biblical Truths for Discovering God’s Potential For You,” by Norman Vincent Peale.

Another one of those inspiring books that is well worth reading!  I want to share some impactful statements from his book:

“Everyone is criticizing and belittling the times, yet I think that our times, like all times, are very good times, if only we know what to do with them.”

“We can keep in mind what is right with things.”

“A positive thinker is a man who is tough enough mentally so that he sees all the difficulties in his life, but sees them straight, and having a knowledge of Almighty God, knows what he himself is and knows that he is equal to any problem he will ever have to face.”

“Certainly the world is full of problems, but thanks be to God, it is also full of the overcoming of problems.”

Norman says that there are five good words that help us keep a positive attitude towards life.  We can live life:  enthusiastically, gratefully, dynamically, philosophically, and positively.


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An inspirational quote

“God will give you what you need when you need it, not before.  Practice aggressive thanksgiving for what you actually have now.  The losses you fear may never come, so what’s the point in thinking about them?”  Rather than letting fears about a future you cannot control fill your mind, aggressively fill it with thanksgiving and good things.”  Source:  Page 39 May, 2014 Guideposts magazine.  I am thinking I need to read that quote every single day.


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Accomplishments

So it was nice to have a three day weekend.  We all appreciate that.  I had quite a “To Do” list prepared and I did accomplish MOST of what was on my list.  So why do I feel like I didn’t get enough done?  My list is there.  Most of the items are checked off.  And let me tell you…the pile of mending was becoming quite the pile!  All done.  So, what is my problem?

 

Guess I could use some inspiration!  Ha!


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Making Change – Aug 27 Challenge

 

It rained last night.  The ground is wet.  The sky is dark blue to the south; storm clouds looking wicked.  I look to the north.  The sky is a lighter blue with fluffy clouds dotted across it.  The breeze is soft, then strong.  The sun is warm on my arms, back and legs.  I start in on one end.  I grab hold of a weed and pull.  With each pull I hear, “schlep…..schlep…  The sound is of weeds resisting their removal.  I keep pulling.  “Schlep…schlep.  I check the sky occasionally.  Schlep….schlep.  Ah, finally I have a weed free garden.