Category: reflections

Solar-Powered Spirit: The Connection Between the Sun and My Faith

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” –Psalm 84:11

For thousands of years, many cultures have seen the sun as a god or a higher power. It’s not surprising because the sun was mysterious. It would appear and reappear each day, providing light and warmth. Across the world, people honored and worshipped the sun because it represented life and power. Some would even go so far as to make sacrifices to ensure the sun would rise each day.

Sounds a little out there, doesn’t it? Imagine living without the sun, where the days are consistently dark and cold. Picture when the ancients experienced a solar eclipse for the first time. They probably were frightened. Their sole source of energy and life just disappeared. It only makes sense how cultures defined their beliefs in the sun and its power.

Time to Observe

Back in the Covid days, I tapped into my artistic side and started drawing, painting and even dabbled in some photography. For some reason, I would wake up super early each day before the sun rose. I’m not quite sure how I came to the decision to start watching sunrises, but that’s what I did, almost every day. At first I drove to a neighborhood where I thought would be the best view to take pictures of the sunrise. Later, I decided to drive to the beach. I would take walks on the boardwalk and watch as the sun peeked above the horizon. I was so taken by the beauty of the sun rising in the early morning hours. It became a standard routine to wake up early, grab my camera and then drive the 25 minutes to the beach for my sunrise walk.

I loved watching and listening to the birds sing. I observed how the water moved along the shore. I appreciated all the little things that most of us probably overlooked on a regular basis. It was a time for me to admire, reflect and be present.

taken May 2021, Milford CT

S.A.D

I was talking to friends at church about how I believe I have S.A.D., otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. In a somewhat jest full way, one of my friends pointed out that we are solar-powered. I never realized how much the sun affected me. It’s not just the fact that it makes the day bright and warm, but it energizes me like nothing else. My mood changes immediately when the sun comes out and shows its happy face. On the other hand, if it’s hidden, and clouds are taking over, I am grumpy and irritable. The other day, it was a really cold, windy, and rainy day…not to mention it was Monday. When I arrived at work to start my day, I found that my mood was pretty lousy and it only got worse as the day progressed. I couldn’t shake it. At the end of the day, I went home and put on my pjs and crashed on my bed. I wanted the day to be over! Funny thing is that the following day, the sun was out in its glory, and so was my happy-go-lucky self!

The sun has the ability to bring out the best in me. I smile more and I feel lighter in my spirit. It has occurred to me there is a correlation to the sun and God. When He isn’t present, our days are dreary and our moods are gloomy. But when He is front and center, we feel lifted and energized. We know we can accomplish anything because He is by our side. Like the sun gives us warmth and nurturing, God provides us with the truth of His word to get us through the day.

Nature’s Alarm Clock

On my many walks on the beach, I noticed how nature would stir and wake up as the sun would rise. From the gentle songs the birds sing, to the rolling waves of water kissing the sand on the shore, the sun is nature’s alarm clock to say it’s time to start the new day! Life cannot exist without the sun. And so it is with God. He is our life force…our alarm clock. He reminds us each day, if we pay attention, we are loved. He helps us by providing comfort and stability. And just as the sun provides light to our world, so does God, who gives us light and steers us away from darkness.

Yes. I am solar-powered, but by the son, the father and the holy spirit. My positive energy comes from my faith and love of nature, the precious gifts that God has provided me.

These are just a few pictures I took during my time watching sunrises during the Covid pandemic. Each time I visited, I found something new to appreciate.

Tell me in the comments how the sun energizes you and how your faith plays a role in your day.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

“Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.”

Vincent van Gogh

For as long as I remember, I’ve had many friends in my life. One of the earliest friendships I remember was from when I was 4 or 5 and my best friend lived across the street. When I moved out of state a few years later, we stayed pen pal friends for quite a long time and today, we are still friends on Facebook. We may not chat much now, but it’s pretty cool to know we have that life long connection.

I honestly can’t recall a time when I wasn’t without a friend or two. I don’t think I can even determine if I ever felt lonely, especially being an only child, because my friends have been there for me in one way or another. From childhood friends and throughout college and work, I have made some great friendships along the way, each one providing me with a gift I treasure always.

Some of my closest friends have been those that have been a part of my life since having my own family. As a parent with kids in activities, it’s almost inevitable that you are going to make some friends. If you’re lucky, you become close and you get to share in each other’s milestones, the heartaches, the accomplishments and challenges of life, all of it with immense love, laughter and compassion. I can proudly attest that I have those kinds of friends.

A place I wasn’t necessarily expecting to build such close friendships has been at church. When my kids were attending Susanna Wesley School, the pastor was hosting a meet and greet coffee time at drop off and I decided to join. I learned he was a dad with two kids, one who was also attending the preschool like mine! To connect with a pastor who not only was my contemporary, but could relate to all the things a parent with young children experience was fantastic. He approached me at the right moment because it was at a time in my life that I was seeking a spiritual connection. Pastor Tim had a great way of telling a story at the pulpit. I thoroughly enjoyed his sermons. I attended regularly and became a member about year later. During his time at HUMC, I met other families and people who became my friends. The relationships from church have been some of the most important ones in my life. There is a tremendous amount of trust and love.

They say it takes a village to raise a family. I’ll take it a step further and say it takes a village to survive life. Without the support of friends and family, how do we cope with all the things that we experience in life without being able to share and lean on others? I certainly wouldn’t be able to get through life without my friends. They are my family.

In one of my favorite movies, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a character named Clarence wrote to Jimmy Stewart’s character at the end of the movie the following:

Clarence wrote this to George in “It’s a Wonderful Life”

I love this so much. It always makes me cry because I realize that despite the pitfalls of life, one thing has always remained constant…my friends. In all stages and seasons of my life, I am so grateful to have those I can lean on their shoulders or share a good laugh because we all get by with a little help from our friends.

YouTube video of Joe Cocker, “I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends”

John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13

Keep Smiling and Shining

Happy February! We made it to another year and I’m so glad it is 2022! Honestly, I’m happy to be alive any day, but knowing a new year is ahead is enough to make me smile.

Living the last couple years in a pandemic has been quite the ride, hasn’t it? We have learned how to navigate this new world of living with Covid unlike anything else we knew before. From wearing masks in public to being top online communicators, we have certainly taken this way of living to benefit us so we can continue to thrive.

I’ve also learned a lot about myself, too:

  • Lots of self-reflection
  • Discovering who in my life is truly in my circle
  • Finding new hobbies or interests
  • Learning more about my ADHD
  • Meeting new people through social media
  • Appreciating nature more
  • Knowing what matters most

Despite my mental health status constantly going through ups and downs, I can see that the last couple years have not been horrible, but really a blessing! How can I not smile?

Typically during the beginning of a new year, we decide to make resolutions or goals to live a better life. This usually entails losing weight, eating healthier or maybe giving up on bad habits. All these are admirable objectives and not to downplay them, but I think there are even better intentions in order to have a positive effect:

  1. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO BE KIND to others and not pass judgment. I know…that’s a biggie, but so important! Plus, kindness is FREE!
  2. ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES and try not to let change in circumstances bring on stress. We all can be little creatures of habit and not deal with change well. However, change can be a good thing and if we focus on the pros, we can see all the possibilities as a result of those changes!
  3. MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE despite our circumstances. Not only is it helpful to keeping ourselves calm, but having a positive attitude can also be an example for others to follow suit.


Through all this self discovery, I recognize that I have gifts I can share with others. I have always had many interests and been a good communicator, which is what I used as the inspiration to start this blog back in 2020. I have always possessed an artistic side and spending more time with art and photography has enabled me to share some of my passions with others. Additionally, being with people, sharing experiences, making new friends is something I’ve always enjoyed.

I have also discovered there are many people that think just like me, too! I know that may sound silly, but when you surround yourself with the same circle all the time, you miss out on so much. I’ve mentioned this a few times, but the community I met through Tik Tok has been unbelievably amazing. Not only are there people who are inspirational, but are also funny, caring, and honest. I have made some special friendships that I wouldn’t change for anything.

Let’s circle back to change for a moment. recently, I have been confronted with some changes that will make a significant impact on me. At first, upon learning of the changes, I absorbed the information and went through a bit of an assimilation process… first came shock/surprise, second was a feeling of sadness/disappointment and then finally came apprehension/anxiety. Now I’m pretty much at the acceptance stage. I cannot change what is not in my control, so once I went through these emotions, I can now feel more at peace of accepting this news.

My logical part of my brain has been outlining all the pros to this change, but my emotional side has been a bit more “vocal” and has made me wonder more about future. I know I can’t predict how things will turn out. I can, however, take a different approach and embrace the unknown. Instead of a bunch of what ifs, how about more WHAT IF???

There’s a quote from Erin Hanson that I have seen with a Winnie the Pooh drawing of him in the air holding onto a balloon that says, “What if I fall? Oh my darling, but what if you fly?” I love this quote because it says so much in a simple way. It addresses our fear of the unknown, but then quickly assures us there are grand possibilities of success if we only allow ourselves to give it a try.

I suppose my goal in life encompasses many things. I need to keep in the forefront of my thinking that with change comes opportunity. And with opportunity, we can learn and grow. That never ends, unless we stop trying. And that isn’t an option for me. I might fall or fail, but at least I am experiencing life with some wonderful rewards.

Doesn’t that just make you want to smile? GOOD! Now pass it on!

Smiling and shining on a sunny day