It was five years ago that I wrote the first Warm Thoughts column over a cup of tea. I can remember the moment as if it happened yesterday. The first day of spring in 1993 was a beautiful springy day. Surprise, surprise! On Sunday morning, following that first day of spring, I awoke to a winter wonderland and a real South Dakota prairie blizzard. However, my pioneer spirit urged me to go to church that morning. Surprise, surprise! I was the only parishioner in church that morning. I was not aware that weather conditions were that severe to call off church services. What a lonely feeling. I later joked that the pastor went through the entire message and even shook my hand as I left the services! That afternoon, as the north winds blew and the snow covered the plains, I sat down at my old typewriter and typed the very first column of Warm Thoughts as I sipped a cup of tea. And I had many warm feelings as I appreciated a warm and safe home as the winds blew.
Episode 174: Think Spring →
Hello spring! When one looks at the calendar we observe that the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20th, is fast approaching. Think spring! After a long winter, we welcome the change of season. Easter and thoughts of Easter bring joy to our hearts. Spring and Easter seem to be synonymous. The days become longer and the sun's work becomes evident. There is a renewal of life as the birds sing their melodies. The March snowmelt will transform creeks into flowing rumbling song. Yes, spring will be here!
Episode 173: St. Patrick & the Shamrock →
Right after St. Valentine's Day was history, I immediately saw St. Patrick's Day cards and decorations in the stores. There may be signs of winter and white snow around us, but the Shamrock decorations of green are symbolic of life and soon we'll have St. Patrick's Day and spring. I've always been curious about Bishop Patrick and why people considered him a saint in their lives. In my research, I read about the legend of the Shamrock and will share these thoughts with you.
Episode 172: Sunshine in a Smile →
The first of March is "Share a Smile Day." Why just one day? Let's make every day a National Smile Day! Joseph Addison puts it this way, "What sunshine is to the flowers, smiles are to humanity...the good they do is inconceivable." Remember, it takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile! A world traveler once explained, "In all the countries I have been to, everyone understands a smile." We soon learn when we travel that all people smile in the same language.
Episode 171: Listening to the Children →
In recent Warm Thoughts columns you've read about the joy one receives when you really listen to the children. Their words of wisdom not only surprise us, but their thoughts jog our minds to higher levels of understanding, for they are our master teachers. I was so pleased to learn that our governor signed a proclamation encouraging us to find a child to read to on March 2nd. This date is "America's Read to Kids Day." It is hoped that all states will become aware of how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.
Episode 170: A Letter to Luetta →
When you read this Warm Thoughts column, it will be February and January has come and gone. Where has the month gone so fast? It has been a month of London fog flinging a crystal veil over the heartland, a real winter wonderland. February is heart month - the month of the Groundhog, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day...Did I forget something? February is also the month when many warm thoughts on love come to mind. In his book "How to Love," Arthur H. Rahner Jr states, "It is a selfish world." He defines love as not emotions or feelings, but the willingness to sacrifice for another. When we are selfish and look only to support our own causes, we cannot truly love.
Episode 169: Celebrate Life Each Day →
After I delivered last week's Warm Thoughts column, I walked to the post office. At the counter stood someone receiving a parcel - it was for her 90th birthday that day. I stood there in amazement and deep in thought as she drove away, alone, on the icy streets. I thought, "Here's a lady who understands what celebrating life each day really means. She lives every day of her life." In the mail that day came a letter from a longtime friend and reader of Warm Thoughts. She related about how her family and friends gave her a warm reception on her 80th birthday. She shared with me one of the readings her daughter read, and I feel you too, will enjoy these warm thoughts.
Episode 168: We Are Never Too Old →
In last week's warm thoughts column we shared thoughts on the importance of listening to the children. I never cease to be amazed at the words of wisdom children can give you when you really listen to them. My experience throughout the years has also been that one can gain wisdom and understanding when we really listened to the older generation. Their wealth of experiences are a treasure and need to be shared.
Episode 167: No Place Like Home →
Recently I read an article about the "Little Houses on the Prairie." Perhaps you, too, have read about the 1,400 people who came to a small Native American reservation here in South Dakota, to build thirty homes in five days. This happened in mid-July of last year and at that time, on those prairies, the wind was warm. These volunteer workers for Habitat for Humanity came from all walks of life. At one time, there were three PhDs on the roof of a house nailing on shingles. To build thirty homes in one week became a most ambitious project. It became known as "Jimmy Carter's Work Project." It was named after Habitat's best known volunteer. Alongside was former First Lady Rosalynn Carter working with her husband. There they were for the week, dressed for the work project. The people called the former president, "Wawikia Lakota - for one who cares about people."
Episode 166: Children - Our Master Teachers →
Throughout the years, I have been aware of how much one can learn in our lifelong learning process when we listen to the children. Albert Einstein once stated, "Pay close attention to the curiosities of a child. This is where the search for knowledge is the freshest and most valuable."
Episode 165: Today is Life →
Happy New Year! This is the first column for the new year. Perhaps you have already been asked, "Have you made your New Year's resolutions already?" For me, it almost seems like a dream that 1997 is here already. As my thoughts on this new year is before us, I am reminded of the motivational plaque which declares, "Yesterday is but a dream. Tomorrow is a vision of hope. Look to this day, for it is life." Let's celebrate life!
Episode 164: The Christmas Spirit, All Year Long →
Christmas brings us many memories. For me, Christmas is a season that is very dear to my heart. I want to live in the Christmas spirit all year long! Is it any wonder when you come to that little home on the prairie that you may get a cup of Christmas tea and a warm welcome? The end of another year is approaching very rapidly. It is hard to believe that 1996 will soon be history.
Episode 163: Peace, Sweet Peace →
Recently I heard Terry Anderson speak at the University of South Dakota. Some of the readers of this column will remember the day he was released from the gloom of a Beirut prison four years ago on December 4th, 1991. Terry Anderson had been with the Associated Press in Lebanon when he was kidnapped and taken captive for seven years, or 2,454 days. He was chained to a wall in prison and lived at the uncertain mercy of his captors.
Episode 162: Relaxing with a Good Book →
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, many people travel by air and land to visit family. It is a busy time, and often the stress and strain from travel and the social events can cause us to feel overtired. It becomes apparent that we need to focus on the reason for the season. In my travels throughout the years, I have noticed people relaxing while reading a book. It is one of the ways of finding quiet moments of relaxation. I usually travel with books and find moments to have some quiet thoughts from the heart.
Episode 161: The Power of "Thank You" →
Happy Thanksgiving! Today is Thanksgiving Day and many families will be gathered together to share thoughts on gratitude. Can you name at least seven things for which you are grateful? Do you believe in "Thank You" power in your life? The latest research on the impact of positive emotions in our lives is very interesting. The influence of gratitude is quantifiable, both physically and emotionally. Simply being thankful and making it a point to recognize those good things will positively change our lives. There is scientific proof that we will be happier, healthier, and better able to handle the stresses of daily life simply by saying, "thank you."
Episode 160: A Thankful Tribute →
Families throughout our country will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. That first holiday was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621. Chief Massasoit and his braves joined with the colonists to feast after the first successful harvest. Together they thanked God for His goodness. I was very touched and thankful when I read about the efforts of one woman, Sarah Josephea Hale, to help make it a national, legal holiday. It is true that President George Washington as the leader of the nation, issued a proclamation in 1789 that November 26th be recognized as a day of thanks.
Episode 159: The Letter You Did Not Write →
The holidays are approaching so fast. Already, I am receiving those holiday letters as I have a few friends who write their holiday letter about family in October. It seems that many people in this high-tech age no longer write those personal letters.
Episode 158: Taking the Lead With the Geese →
This is the time of year when some folks leave the prairie winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residence there will say, "The snowbirds are coming!" About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently, I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south in a V formation. In the spring, they fly north and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese.
Episode 157: God Bless You →
The month of October has been designated as "Clergy Appreciation Month." Many congregations throughout the country have expressed special thanks to their pastor and given honor to the pastoral ministry during this month. We have become more aware that the pastoral ministry makes great demands upon the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of the individuals that we call pastor. An unknown author has expressed as thanks in the following warm thoughts. "To our Pastor: God bless you for the work you've done in the service of our Lord. May His constant blessing be your well deserved reward as you meet the challenge of the tasks God gives to you. May faith and hope and happiness be yours in all you do."
Episode 156: Make a Difference →
A recent warm thoughts column provided information about "Make a Difference Day," which is October 26th. It is a day when everyone is encouraged to make a difference in their community and world by making it a day of caring. An annual national day of helping others. Across the nation, about one million Americans will help others on this Make a Difference Day. Can one person make a difference? We are aware that there have been many difference makers in history.