I thought I had to post photos the same way every time. Captions will not center (not sure if that’s a WordPress glitch or just this particular theme, and since I’m perfectionistic, it really bothered me). But then I found photo editing options! The centering issue is fixed…at least on this option:
Rock Spring Nature Trail
Natchez Trace Parkway, North Alabama Water droplets
I played around with these photos of Rock Spring a bit longer than five minutes. I hope you enjoy them.
I started blogging over 12 years ago on AOL Journals. I’ve had at least one open blog since that time, but I haven’t given blogging much attention this year. Since starting this challenge, I have been visiting other bloggers who are participating, and I’ve noticed a few things.
When I click a link to read a post, I sometimes can’t find the entry I wanted to read because there are so many sections, menus, and links on the page. When I noticed this, I made changes on my own blog so that it is easier to find my current post.
Many people moderate comments. I wonder if they get harassing comments? Or too much spam? I don’t like spammers!
There are zillions of blogs (not all active)….millions of writers (also not all active) and I guess that’s the “why” for my last point…
There’s doesn’t seem to be a lot of interaction. I am still social media “friends” with bloggers I met from AOL Journals. It was a real community of people from all over the world. Hopefully, that is still happening and I just haven’t landed there yet.
In today’s divided America, when confronted by people on the other side, remember that they are fellow human humans with passions and feelings like you.
Folks on both sides of the debate can get self-righteous and downright mean when faced with opposition.
Both sides feel abused, maligned, picked on…if you listen to the comments and complaints, they have much the same complaints about the other side.
Both sides usually feel they are completely right, and that the other side couldn’t be more wrong.
Sometimes you have to accept that certain people are not going to like you for their own reasons, and you won’t be able to change that.
There are those on both sides who recognize that you don’t have to agree with someone to still like and respect them. Those people are few and far in-between.
Most of the time, both sides have some very heart-felt reasons for their stance.
Arguing, name-calling, back-biting, anger: None of these things help either side, ever.
If you can’t talk to the other side of the coin without the above mentioned arguing, name-calling, anger, etc., walking away is the best thing you can do.
No one can live a perfect life…don’t take it too personally when you’re called a hypocrite by people on the other side. They are making mistakes and bad choices, too. Everyone does, no one is exempt.
If, at some point, you realize you are wrong, say you’re wrong.
Don’t compromise your convictions to end harassment. Just walk away. If you know you’re right, you don’t have to defend yourself against others who would belittle you for your principles. You won’t change them, anyway.
No matter how right you are, or even how much you try to stay neutral, there are those who will find fault with you, who will talk about you, and who won’t treat you the way they’d like to be treated. Don’t let another’s bad behavior steal your peace.
One last thing a friend said yesterday, something her mother told her: You should always speak the truth, but not all truth needs to be spoken. Great words of wisdom.
Photos from the Amish community in Ethridge, Tenneessee
If I could get our youth to listen, I would tell them, “If you believe you are anything less than what God created you to be because of the way you look, your size, your grades, or your history (no matter what it is), then you are believing LIES straight from the pits of hell. Any thoughts you have regarding yourself that make you believe you are different, and therefore less worthy, are not true, no matter what you have done or what has happened to you.”
I would tell them that drugs and alcohol will only exacerbate those feelings and inhibit their decision-making abilities, and that decisions made under the influence are life-altering.
I would tell them that the drug to not start with is nicotine. Trying cigarettes is usually a symptom that they are searching for something they can’t find, can’t name, and are desperately seeking a place to fit in. I know this from experience.
I would remind them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made; that God had a plan for them before time, and no matter what mistakes they may have already made, God still has a plan. I would tell them about freedom, and how they don’t have to live their lives under the bondage of lies making them believe that they need drugs or alcohol or food to dull the pain, and that sex does not equal love. I would tell them that Jesus does, indeed, love them just as they are, and He really does make a difference.
Some wouldn’t listen… they tried telling me, I still chose my own way. Perhaps some would hear, though.
A beautiful lily found in Killen, Alabama
Tulip petals after the rain (University of North Alabama)
In Quest of Truth 