#Gathering – Random Reflection

November 17, 2021

The Best Gatherings Happen Around a Table.

The word gathering is defined by Merriam-Webster as assembly, abscess, collecting of food or raw materials from the wild, collection, or compilation. While technically correct, this definition does not express the depth of what gathering has the potential to achieve. And while the word gathering does not require a collection of people or food, I’ve…

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joy.marker

✍️Writing hope-filled words of reflection.
🌅 Cultivating beauty in every season.

Many of us living in America are preparing to set

Many of us living in America are preparing to set our tables for a Thanksgiving feast.

We will be gathering with friends and family, many of us eager to tell our stories or share our opinions of the happenings in the world.

Yet, I find myself considering something Bri McKoy says in her book Come and Eat. "The key to becoming a storyteller at our table is paying attention to the stories we are living before we even arrive."

In a world where everyone is shouting, desperate to be heard, I wonder if a more intentional, quiet, but steady approach might be what truly has a lasting impact.

As we prepare ourselves to gather,
May we be ready to listen well, speak as much with our actions as with our words, and take a more intentional, quiet, and steady approach to our interactions.

#randomquote #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #wordsmatter #howwelivematters #gather

My Grandmother was a beautiful example of a life l

My Grandmother was a beautiful example of a life lived well, and when I grow up, I want to be just like her.

Yet, she is not the only example in my life, and the older I get, the more I am beginning to recognize how much of my mother I caught. I say caught because while our personalities or giftings might not be naturally the same, the way I live today is in large part because of my mother's example.

As a parent of emerging adults and a teacher of tiny humans, I've been reflecting lately on how to be a more effective communicator. The world has changed, and the way we've always done things isn't working as effectively.

But maybe it's less about the method we use and more about the example we live and the relationships we build.

Read more reflections on how words matter, but often more is caught than taught on this week's Throughout the Seasons. The link is in my bio, and I'll also share in stories.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #wordsmatter #howwelivematters

Grief can be all-consuming and rob us of living li

Grief can be all-consuming and rob us of living life well, fully present in the gift of each day. But grief can also be a teacher, helping us grow beyond ourselves and driving us to live well in a community with others.

May we recognize that grief is not carried only in the loss of a person but also in the loss of dreams; any loss or unexpected journey can bring grief.

May we lean in and ask what grief needs of us, listening and learning from what it has to tell us so we might move through it to come out stronger.

May we not collapse inward in our grief but instead seek others to walk with us in our journey with grief.

May we not allow grief to rob us of living well but seek to continue living fully present in the gift of each day.

#randomprayer #seasons #autumn #fall #grief #community #livingwell

Snow, Sand, It's all Fun for our Adventurous Sp

Snow,
Sand,

It's all Fun for our Adventurous Spirit.

#seniorsunday #classof2025

“Grief never ends. But it changes. It’s a pass

“Grief never ends.
But it changes.
It’s a passage, not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness,
nor a lack of faith.
It is the price of love.”

Author Unknown

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #grief #mswarrior

Today is World Kindness Day. Part of me is sad t

Today is World Kindness Day.

Part of me is sad that we must set aside a day to remind ourselves to be kind. Shouldn't every day be kindness day?

But since we seem to have forgotten that kindness matters and need a day set aside to remind us that small acts of kindness can create ripple effects that change the world, let's not allow this day to pass without reflecting on its importance.

As Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Remember: It's cool to be kind.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #kindness #worldkindnessday

My love of all things random is not necessarily ra

My love of all things random is not necessarily random. It is, in part, a silent rebellion, an effort not to be defined by one single part of my story.

When recognized for one piece of our story, it is easy to allow that single part to become our whole identity, whether that is the job we do, a talent we have, or a role we fill.

I am a wife, a #boymom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I am also a teacher, a writer, and a homemaker. I love to cook, read, and explore the great outdoors. I am a gardener, a veggie-lover, and a foe of indoor plants, no matter how much I wish not to be. I live with a chronic illness.

My journey towards living my story out loud began to fully awaken in me when I added #MSWarrior to my resume. While I recognized some parts of this journey long ago, the time was not right, and I was not ready.

Then along came Multiple Sclerosis, and it asked me to decide what to do with it. MS is not the definition of who I am; it is only a part. Yet, it is an inspiring, motivating, and significant part of my life story. And it is teaching me so much along the way.

To read more about my journey with MS and what it is teaching me about grief, follow the link in my bio to read this week's Throughout the Seasons on Substack.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #grief #mswarrior

Lord, as we enter a month often marked by thanks a

Lord, as we enter a month often marked by thanks and giving, as we prepare to enter the holiday season,

May we begin with gratitude, noticing, and giving thanks for the gifts we have received.

May we remember that generosity is not about the size of our bank accounts but the posture of our hearts.

May we see how small acts of kindness and love from a generous heart can change the world.

May our generosity flow from and be a tangible expression of our grateful hearts.

#randomprayer #seasons #autumn #fall #gratitude #generosity

While I tended to be creative in my youth, I allow

While I tended to be creative in my youth, I allowed the weight of responsibility to overshadow my creative self as I emerged into adulthood. I began to take life too seriously and forgot how to play.

But thankfully, I married a creative soul who never stopped encouraging me to pursue hobbies and creative interests.

My words and pictures are now shared out loud because of the encouragement and support of my husband Andrew, who himself owns journal pages with written words and boxes of photographed art and spends countless hours with notes and lyrics. He creates, builds, fixes, and mends quietly without recognition or praise.

But I want you to know that the me you see only is because there is an us.

I write words; he pours me coffee.
I have dreams; he builds the website.
I play at work; he works hard to make that happen.

Together, we are life-long learners, partners, and co-conspirators.

My boys slide down stairwell banisters and still play as emerging adults because their dad did it first.

Our home is filled with art and music because that's the tone my husband sets.

The me, you see, is because there is an us, for which I am forever grateful.

#randomreflection #mybetterhalf #music #play #art #autumnrhythms #bettertogether @a.t.marker

A few weeks ago, one of my preschool friends arriv

A few weeks ago, one of my preschool friends arrived at school with sequins on her shirt. When she stood where the sunlight hit her shirt, she discovered she could reflect sparkles all over our classroom.

Watching her excitement as her friends delighted and danced in the sparkles around the classroom reminded me how beautiful it is when we radiate light.

Radiate can be defined and used in several different ways; like many words, it does not simply mean one thing. However, when I think of the word radiate, I imagine shining brightly and sending out rays.

As I reflect on what it means personally to be radiant, I think of light that comes not from its own source but instead emanates, comes from another, and then stretches out and expands. Just as the light that sent sparkles all over our classroom originated from the sun, we can radiate The Light.

It doesn't have to be that complicated; we simply need to place ourselves under The Light and allow it to reflect, spreading beautiful rays of light out into the world.

#awordtoconsider #radiate #imagine #radiant #emanate #light

"Thanksgiving creates abundance, and the miracle o

"Thanksgiving creates abundance, and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks—take just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks—and He miraculously makes it more than enough." Ann Voskamp

#randomquote #seasons #autumn #fall #gratitude #thanks

Gratitude Researcher Robert Emmons tells us that g

Gratitude Researcher Robert Emmons tells us that gratitude serves as a key link between receiving and giving: It moves recipients to share and increase the very good they have received.

I have experienced this in my own life. As I learn to receive what I have and am given in life with thankfulness, I am motivated to share from my enough.

It can be easy to think of generosity as a financial transaction. We give to charitable causes and people in need, which is all good. But generosity goes beyond the financial transaction of charitable giving. Money is only one venue for generosity.

As Wayne Dyer reminds us, "Generosity is a function of the heart, not the wallet."

Living generously requires us to notice and respond with a more valuable currency: kindness.

Join me at Random Reflections Throughout The Seasons as we reflect on how generosity flows from a grateful heart. Link in bio and I will add to my stories.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #gratitude #generosity #seasons #autumn #fall

In a world that celebrates bigger as better over s

In a world that celebrates bigger as better over small and valuable,

May we be faithful in filling the space we have been given.

May we remember that bravery is not about doing big things versus small things but about doing the things that matter right where we are.

May we be ordinary people who regularly whisper faith-filled prayers.

May we be fully present in the ordinary everyday moments of our lives.

#randomprayer #seasons #autumn #whisperedprayers #ordinaryeveryday #growsmall #changetheworld #livelocal #loveglobal

At our house, multiple family members celebrate De

At our house, multiple family members celebrate December birthdays, and I want to be fully present for those and Christmas, so I am attempting to start gathering gifts this month.

As I've been looking for gift inspiration, I thought perhaps others might also appreciate some ideas. So, I've created a bonus edition of Throughout The Seasons to help inspire you in your gift-giving adventures.

November is also a month that inspires us to hold a posture of gratitude, and I wanted to say Thank You. Thank you for traveling with me through this crazy, beautiful, often unexpected journey called life. Since I can't send each of you a personal gift, I am running a gratitude sale in my Etsy store. For the entire month of November, everything in my store is 25% off, and as always, free shipping when you spend $35 or more.

At Random Reflection on Etsy, you can find Unique Gifts, Wearable Art, Hand-painted Greeting Cards, Encouraging Words Attire, Candles, Stickers, and more. Follow the link in my bio to check out the bonus edition of Throughout the Season, which has more gift ideas with links.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #seasons #giftgiving #holidays #uniquegiftideas

Hello November, This Autumn has felt different.

Hello November,

This Autumn has felt different. It may be because the weather has not matched what we expect for this season. It could be the heaviness, the weight of all that is happening around the world. I don't know, but I know it has not felt fully Autumn.

Holidays and festivities in this autumnal season invite us to gather in a community, yet the world feels more divided than ever; it is more about the self than the community. This season should say, "You are welcome; there is a seat at the table just for you," yet many words and actions yell instead, "You are not welcome here."

We could find ourselves downcast and disheartened, but instead, we choose to be treasure hunters and beauty seekers, always looking for what is good and true. We count the gifts, notice the givers, and plant seeds of kindness wherever possible.

Friends, let's keep setting the table and sending out the invitations. Let's build the fires and invite others to gather with us where it is warm. Let's not allow the weather or the news to determine how we live in this season. Feeling like it or not, let's accept Autumn's invitation to gather together in community.

#randomreflections #throughouttheseasons #seasons #autumn #fall #gather #community #welcome

There are books you read, and then there are books

There are books you read, and then there are books you read and re-read over and over. And as I've been reflecting on living a small but valuable life I can't help but feel the pull to take Ronne's book off the shelf.

I've been wondering if it might be possible to live a small, simple life with a big impact.

And then I remember words my friend Ronne wrote in her book, One Woman Can Change The World, about women who taught her that "God's purpose in us is real and true, even when our worth is questioned. They taught me that our lives are purposeful, even if they are quiet. In fact, some of the most powerful women I've learned from -women like the sisters, who believe restoration is a reality on earth as it is in heaven - are moving mountains with faith-filled whispers. Those whispers are significant, even if you or I never hear them. We feel their impact as the world is changed."

Living a life of significance and impact can be brave and yet small, simple and yet impactful.

If you haven't already read this book, might I suggest you add it to your to-read list? Go ahead and buy a copy for your bookshelf so you can pull it out as needed. To make it extra special, if you order a copy directly from Ronne, she'll write you a beautiful note filled with love.

Be resolute.
Stay small.
Fill the space you've bee#resolute
@ronnerock

#randomreflections #throughouttheseasons #autumn #fall #smallbutvaluable #onewomancanchangetheworld #small #resolute

One of my favorite movies to watch in Autumn is Yo

One of my favorite movies to watch in Autumn is You've Got Mail. It may be when Joe Fox says, "Don't you love New York in the Fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." That makes me consider it a must-watch movie in this season.

When you watch a movie enough times, you begin to recite entire scenes. I love several quotes by Joe Fox, aka Tom Hanks, and Kathleen Kelley, aka Meg Ryan.

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I live a small life. Well, valuable, but small. And sometimes I wonder - do I do it because I like it or because I haven't been brave." Kathleen Kelley

"Do I do it because I like it or because I haven't been brave?"

That's a real dilemma for some of us who live simple and smaller lives. We often feel as if we are not doing enough or that we ourselves are not enough.

Join me this week on Throughout The Seasons as a Bouquet of Sharpened Pencils leads us down a path of reflections on a small but valuable life.

Link in bio and I'll share in my stories.

#randomreflections #throughouttheseasons #autumn #fall #smallbutvaluable #sharpenedpencils #youvegotmail

Lord, in a world that often feels chaotic at best

Lord, in a world that often feels chaotic at best and unsafe at its worst,

May we seek comfort from you so that we may then pour comfort out to others.

May we not be breeders of complacency but seekers of restoration.

May we cultivate comfortable homes that welcome others in so that they may find comfort.

May we invest in growing healthy communities and safe spaces that can be beautiful sources of comfort.

#randomprayer #randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #autumn #fall #comfort

Comfort is something we make, environments we crea

Comfort is something we make, environments we create.
It's rhythms and habits that ease our pain.

Comfort is a breeder of complacency, But also,
It's a restorer of heart and soul.

Comfort is something we give and something we take.
It's an action that inspires a feeling.

Comfort is a skill, not a trait.
It's the art of seeing with heart and mind.

#randomreflection #throughouttheseasons #autumn #fall #comfort

Words written in the past at a different time reem

Words written in the past at a different time reemerge, feeling like they could have been written just for today.

2020 - A Reflection

A Burden we carry
Hunched over shoulders
Every Yes a Risk
Every No Disappointment
Change, so much change
Sorrow, grief, even despair

Because………..

Politics over People
Racial Injustice
Natural Disasters
Job Loss, Homeless
Sickness, Death, so much loss

Grief, so much suffering
Tears shed, like the rain.

But…………..

This story is not the only one to tell.

Look for the Good
The Helpers
Battle the Grief with Kindness
Community grows
The generosity of time and resources
Neighbor helping neighbor
Friendships grow over Zoom
Driveway gatherings and birthday parades
Family time, slower pace, empty calendars.

Prayers on worn-out knees carry us through.
We recognize our grief, lament.

Then………….

Count our blessings
Name gifts
Give, time, or resources
Live eyes open, noticing beyond ourselves
Vote, it matters
Be counted; you matter
Notice those previously unnoticed
Love those thought unlovable.

Shine the Light, Love, Be the Gift, Kindness
It Matters, You Matter
Be the Change you wish to see in the World.

#randomreflections #poetry #seasons #autumn

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