Uphill idealist

What if I…think on what isn't sinking and ponder what is fine. Can I focus on what is present, what is pleasant and what is kind? What if I…think about today and cherish what I hold. Draw attention to beauty and see what is sweet, rich and bold. What if I… stop and think of things that matter and last beyond today. To want what I have and not long for someone else’s way. What if I…focus on what is, instead of what’s not and know what I have – is a lot. What wonder would be discovered, what treasure would be found, if all my “What if’s” were tempered by the blessing of what already surrounds. What if? Copyright T.L. Eastman 2017

John 14: 15-21[Jesus said to the disciples:] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.   “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” I have been a writer since about the fourth grade, when my teacher Mrs. H taught me about “creative writing” – and particularly poetry. For years after that I used the practice of writing for my own journal, for college and seminary and fo...

For bringing life to light and carrying it with you. woman - we thank you. For offering your life to nurture, teach and lead us - woman - we thank you. For the way you walk with us, care for us and teach us to care for others. Woman, we thank you. For your intellect, your grace and the millions of ways you bring the world hope... Woman, we thank you. Teacher, Parent, Friend, Strength giver, Playground supervisor, Chef, Creative.... you are impossible to define and life would be impossible without you. Woman, we thank you. Tara L. Eastman Copyright 2017

When swimming in a sea of turbulence the first reaction is to fight to strain and overcome. When I learned to swim my lifeguard said, "The water can be your enemy or your best friend." Funny but true how water can be more than two things, but it is. My first swimming lessons were with my Dad, teaching me how to float on my back. "Pretend there is a string attached to your breast bone pulling your chest towards the sky." "Relax your arms out wide." "Arch your back." "Let the sky pull that string." "Let the water be your friend." Be buoyant. Be calm. Breathe and... Float                 Float                 Float. By: Tara L. Eastman Copyright 2017

Last week I was on a stay-cation with my husband. While we wanted to take some day trips to some area parks. zoo, and other local stops that we don't have time for in our regular life, we also wanted to try a small "gardening" project too. We live on a corner lot with very steep hills that are six to eight feet deep and have mowed these hills for all the years we've lived here. These hills have claimed many hours of mowing time, two gas mowers and one people powered reel mower. This summer, it's our hope to try something new on these hills. We did the research on landscaping options, we consulted with a local nursery on what to plant, and we got our supplies in hand: Four flats of ivy Six bags of black mulch Two pair of gardening gloves A hand tiller Black weed blocking material - one roll Two days to try out our experiment Over the two days, we removed by hand the top sod layer, tilled the soil under by hand, removed the stones and weeds, laid the bl...

In life, it can be easy to succumb to the idea that we are better off left by ourselves. People can hurt or offend us. We can become tired of all the noise of being in community.We can long for peace and quiet that we find in solitary space. Even as a extrovert, there are times that living in the atmosphere of "WE" becomes too much. Taking a pause needed? Yes. Collecting our thoughts is important? Yes. But saying farewell to community forever because it's challenging, frustrating and stressful?  NO! In the account of the Kings coming to see the Christ Child, we see three people traveling to seek something - someone - that made living in community something good, life-changing and hope-giving. This Christ Child brought with him God's promise of love, forgiveness AND a call to be in community. To be "We" instead of "Me". God, help us in the midst of conflict, frustration, and anxiety. Holy Spirit, help us to live into the new life of commu...

Psalm 72, Joshua 1:1-9, Hebrews 11:23-31 Down through the ages God has taught us how to be just and righteous thru His example.  If we choose to live this way we will flourish and prosper.  We need to continue to have faith and follow God's example to the best of our ability.  Always remember no matter how many trials and tribulations we go through God is always with us. Judy Lind