Thanksgiving Thoughts

So I've been so busy living that I haven't had time for writing! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I guess that would be a good thing to take note of for just a moment. How many of us really stop every day (or even every week or month) to pay attention to what we're thankful for? A few weeks ago a church member suggested we take a few moments and write down what we were thankful for. The list was easier to make for some than others, and I didn't do as well as I would've liked.

With that in mind, and recalling a class I had taken once in college, I started a prayer time in the evenings during which I spent the first few minutes only giving thanks. I haven't been as faithful with it as I should, but it has definitely brought some things to my attention. First, the more you practice an "attitude of gratitude" (see a recent Reader's Digest too), the easier it comes. Second, prayer is powerful and prayer mingled with thanksgiving and intercession is a tremendous blessing. I might also add that if you start such a regimen the devil will certainly start out to mess you up--don't let him!

So...may you be both blessed and thankful as we make our way toward another year! I know I am!

Mind Games

Well, I'm told that things like crossword puzzles and word searches are good for keeping your mind sharp. However, I've also found that they're addicting! Remember that post about temperance? It applies to all aspects of life, as I said, and this definitely is an aspect of life...but, oh, it's hard to apply it here!

I don't know about you, but I like "mind games"--that is to say, things like puzzles, logic games, etc. I do think they're helpful and you get better at them with time. Best of all, there's something for everyone. Don't like Sudoku? Try jigsaw puzzles. Can't stand crosswords? Give search-a-word puzzles a chance. And if you really want some mind-blowing mind games, study up on optical illusions, especially those done by Escher (like the one above). I guarantee you'll find something both enjoyable and useful.

While we're at it, though, I want to put in a plug for one of the best memory sharpeners around. We can come back to memory at a later date, but while you're working on sharpening your mind in general, do something to wake up your memory muscles. What's the best way to do that? Bible memorization. More on that later, though.... Happy November and happy mind-exercising!