It's been awhile since I've written in my blog. I've written on topics that were personal and helpful to me, just by getting them off my chest; however, the writings just didn't seem important to post, at the time that I wrote them. Some have been rants, some have been political, and I try to …
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, watercoloring, 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!
Still… A Different Type of Sacrifice
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 …
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 …
Pause and Smile~ 