For the Christian population, it’s Lent, yet again. Last year, Lent took on quite a different feeling for everyone, whether you are Christian or not. We were all thrown into a life of sacrifice, and that sacrifice wasn’t necessarily something you chose to give up; it was more or less required. Life for all of us changed due …
Author: Carol H. Rives
Wife, mother of two, friend to many. Enjoys reading and writing about faith, family, friendship and life, in general. Loves spending quality time with family and friends; making new memories and cherishing the ones of the past. Some favorite interests include: volunteering, exercising, hiking, writing, knitting, baking/cooking, gardening and collecting thought-provoking quotes. Try to live my life in a "pause and smile" kind of way!
Love’s Influence on Grief
Today, while perusing through my emails, I ran across one that mentioned a month-long study of, A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. It caught my attention for several reasons, one being, that grief and I have become inseparable, and I love the writings of C. S. Lewis. Grief hits everyone, at one point or another. It will change your …
How Is Your Faith?
The other afternoon, as I took a break from the normal chores, I decided to get some inspiration from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation. Without a doubt, Richard’s words leave me with peace, or contemplation; either way, his words are good for the soul. This particular writing of his was titled: Faith and Doubt Are Not Opposites. There was …
A Different Kind of Lent
Lent, for many of us Christians, is a time of giving up something that you can’t seem to go without, or a time to truly change one’s ways, maybe giving up negativity and focusing on the positive in life. Maybe, if we can manage forty days of a positive change in our lives, we could …
Find Your Conscience
Several years ago, I was privileged to sit on a committee that was working for the greater good of the medical patients’ experience. A sub-committee that I was asked to join was that of the chemical dependency/substance abuse policy development. It was an honor to be involved with these outstanding physicians, attendings and residents, clinical …
Create a Garden Worth the View ~
On a gloomy day, I needed some sunshine, or at least something to make me pause and smile. Perusing through some favorite quotes, I happened upon this beauty: “Take care of your garden, and keep out the weeds; fill it up with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds, ” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This quote …
Simply Stated… A Legend of All Time ~
Enjoy the thoughts on a Legend, contributed by a guest writer, Don Rives... As readers of the Pause and Smile blog, you are accustomed to the various writings from the heart, stated in a very polished and eloquent manner. Well today my wife, Carol, has graciously stepped aside to allow me, aka HUBS to put …
Truth or Escape ~
This may appear to be a few days late, but timeliness in posting hasn't been my strength lately. If you have noticed, my last post is wishing you a Happy 4th of July... 2014! Let me get caught up.... Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, and finally... Happy New Year! There, I …
Happy Fourth of July ~
"Freedom's natal day is here. Fire the guns and shout for freedom, see the flag above unfurled! Hail the stars and stripes forever, Dearest flag in all the world." ~ Florence A. Jones ~ Happy 4th of July! While celebrating, let us remember the significance of this day, as well as the individuals that strived …
Thank you Mr. Emerson ~
This morning while turning the pages of one of my favorite authors, this verse touched my heart. The words of Ralph Waldo Emerson always resonate with me, causing me to pause a bit and wonder. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns …
Pause and Smile~ 