I’m Sending You Joy This Rosh Hashanah-Sunset September 22, 2025

September 19, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Happy New Year! I pray you’re surrounded by family, friends and good food. Rosh Hashanah starts the New Year and many rituals follow back to the bible.

Why Rosh Hashanah Is Important

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah actually means “Head of the Year.” Just like the head controls the body, our actions on Rosh Hashanah have a tremendous impact on the rest of the year.

As we read in the Rosh Hashanah prayers, each year on this day “all inhabitants of the world pass before G‑d like a flock of sheep,” and it is decreed in the heavenly court “who shall live, and who shall die … who shall be impoverished and who shall be enriched; who shall fall and who shall rise.”

It is a day of prayer, a time to ask the Almighty to grant us a year of peace, prosperity and blessing. But it is also a joyous day when we proclaim G‑d King of the Universe. The Kabbalists teach that the continued existence of the universe depends on G‑d’s desire for a world, a desire that is renewed when we accept His kingship anew each year on Rosh Hashanah.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4762/jewish/What-Is-Rosh-Hashanah.htm

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Daily Writing Prompt

September 5, 2025 Looking for the Light10 Comments

Daily writing prompt

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

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The list includes many but one word used when my emotions are not under control, like frustration and anger. I heard the word and many curse words growing up but using Gods name in vain never makes me feel good about myself as a stronger believer in God. It’s not used often as the prompt asked for but once is enough.

I rush to have a conversation with God asking for forgiveness and to give me strenght to banish the word from my thoughts.

Melinda

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Chronic Illness · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward · Religion · Self-Care · Suicidal · Survivor · Trauma

Happy Birthday Daddy 1940-1992

August 24, 2025 Looking for the Light19 Comments

The morning after you killed yourself, we went to secure the house. I knew immediately you suffered slowly. Among the papers, trash, and clothes and I found your lockbox. The divorce paperwork to my mother, every card I gave you as a child. I found the pad you were writing on. Your Bible on the coffee table, dried tears as you were reading Job in the Bible.

The note had 11:30 a.m. written in the corner. I could see you called your best friend and the phone number to a suicide line. There were words and a drawing that made no sense. Granny paralyzed, crying, asking why. The house ransacked, nothing anything made sense to her.

Dirty dishes piled high, nothing in the refrigerator, how did you live like this, how long? You phoned me several times in the months before your death. Delusional and highly paranoid each time. Someone was tapping your phone, they were trying to get you and the rest I could not understand, you were already gone. As much as I hated you, I cried, begged you not to kill yourself, trying to reason with him that Granny would never be the same. I paid your bills for months. You weren’t in touch with reality.

The outcome will not change if determined. I knew you would take your life and told no-one. I’ve wondered what went through your mind in the hours doodling to writing the note, then killing yourself. I received the call at 10:00 p.m., Gramps said your dad has done away with himself. I called right back to see if you were dead or going to the hospital.

The boxes of cassettes next to your bed, taking months to listen to. You were mentally ill, not under the care of a Psychiatrist, no medications. Your temper went 1-10 in seconds, obnoxious, loud, racist, screaming, out of control.

You had hit the bottom and I didn’t know because we were estranged,

I’ve experienced being suicidal more than once, God and my husband saved me. If you are thinking about suiside, call your Psychiatrist right away or go to closet hospital, be open with your doctor and follow all medications instructions, these actions may save your life. I’ve stayed in Psychistratic Hospitals multiple times, I had 21 ECT Treatments, and I feel no shame. My mental heath is critical to living a balanced life.

I think of you one day a year.

Melinda

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Daily Writing Prompt

July 12, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Daily writing prompt

If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

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My dinner party would be non-traditional in that each guest is deceased. First it would be multiple parties to talk with everyone I have questions for. The first party would include Jesus, The Virgin Mother, Peter, and Moses. Each shaped my would profoundly and I would love to expaned on certain topics I’m not clear on. I believe Jesus has the ability to see present day but not so much the others. I would love to hear Jesus take on the world today and his new rally cry to Christains. Since the Bible is the foundation of the Christain religion, Jesus might not have anything else to add.

Melinda

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Daily Writing Prompt

June 3, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Daily writing prompt

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

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Man Search For Meaning

My psychology teacher gave me the book when I was 13 years old and I knew nothing about the holocaust or Hitler. The book was heartbreaking but the strength of Victor Frankel to survive through the worst conditions was a true inspiration.

The Bible

The answer is too long to share here. I loved reading about the birth of Christ, the journey Mary and Joshef took to find cover to have their baby, and the Shepard boy. The Bible shows how Jesus spread the word of Christianity and influenced life with his giving nature. He inspired the to go far and wide to spread the word, men were tortured, and imprisoned but they never gave up hope in Jesus. The Bible has been the most important book in my life.

I can’t recall the name but it was about Mary Magelane

The book was a different slant on Mary Madeline, it portrayed her as a poor woman with a mental illness and how she was treated by the public. Mary Madeline played a huge part in Jesus’s life and boy it made you think how some people have thought of her. I can not find the book today, I read it about 20 years ago.

Thank you for an depth question.

Melinda

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Daily Writing Prompt

May 28, 2025 Looking for the Light12 Comments

Daily writing prompt

Do you practice religion?

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My parents were not active in church when I was little, so I would ask different neighbors if I could go to church with them. I was baptized but felt no connection to a church. At 14 years old I converted to Catholicism and was active in the church for many years. I’ve realized that going to church doesn’t define my relationship with God. I practice religion directly with God.

Melinda

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Daily Writing Prompt

May 25, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

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Boy, it’s interesting how age can make a difference in how you answer this question. To me having it all is not in material things however nice they are, it’s about loving ourselves and others, having a balanced life and finding joy each day.

Is it attainable?

You might not find joy every day but the foundation guides us through. God never said life was easy.

Melinda

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Book Review-The Rosary Prayer By Prayer By Mary K. Doyle

April 24, 2025 Looking for the Light8 Comments

Mary and I have become good friends, and her encouragement, positive attitude, and motivation have helped me grow. Her book has expanded my life in new ways. Thanks, Mary.

About Mary K. Doyle

Author Mary K. Doyle has a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Theology. Her fluid, conversational writing style results from an extensive career in feature writing, advertising, and publicity over more than thirty years. Her latest book is Navigating Alzheimer’s: 12 Truths about Caring for Your Loved One. This information was taken from the back of the book.

Whether readers are praying the rosary for the first time or are already praying the rosary daily, they will find that The Rosary Prayer by Prayer is an invaluable resource and aid to promoting a deeper prayer experience. It is a treasure chest of information about the history and benefits of the rosary, suggestions for meditation on the mysteries, exquisite artwork, and references. This book is also an easy way to learn how to pray the rosary.

You can find Mary’s book on Amazon.

Here are a couple of reviews from Amazon

“I grew up Catholic, but didn’t know that there were multiple devotions to saying the rosary. And, as an adult and lapsed Catholic I was a bit fuzzy on the basics as well. This book does a soulful job of detailing the steps and introducing the special devotions of each of the mysteries. The pen and inks are a beautiful accompaniment to the text. A very nice gift book for anyone who wants to reaquaint themselves with the devotion of the rosary.”

“As a Catholic Man in the Knights of Columbus we oft say “REAL MEN SAY THE ROSARY.” I to my shame lapsed a bit in regular Rosary Prayer/Reflection…..BUT….. well … I came across this GEM of a BOOK! it has revived my devotion in the Rosary by new BUT Traditional reflections….magnificent charcoal pics in all Mysteries in short…. a book LONG NEEDED….I think it wonderful for Catholics who are long time Rosary users….Newbies…….or in my Case…….a lapsed “Rosary User” ….JP2 called it (the Rosary) his favorite Prayer… this book….will bring full circle why JP2 said this!!!”

Mary has written nine books; you can see the collection HERE.

My Thoughts

The book’s layout flows nicely and leads smoothly into the next topic.

Each Prayer shares the history of the Rosary prayers and references the Scripture where the prayer originated. Each prayer has an illustration of the Rosary, and the bead to start the prayer is circled.

The book is informative, not technical, and written with a gentle heart.

The Rosary is written for everyone, and her writing is easy to understand. I’ve learned so much. The Rosary Prayer By Prayer is a must-read for all Catholics or those who are curious. It’s a book for your bookshelves to reference for years to come.

Major Thumbs up!

Mary’s blog is Midwest Mary. Her writing is informative and inspirational. Stop by her blog, say hello, and enjoy the archives. You’ll be glad you did.

Melinda

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