Tag: God

Say YES to Life!!!

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey2 Comments

My journey the past five years has taken me many places. But I find that the happiest of places is always on a trail somewhere in the beautiful outdoors in Arizona; or on a road trip to another state that has its own Beauty to share. 

For me the outdoors infuses me with the  energy and joy that keeps that smile on my face more times than not.  

When I step onto that trail, I am noticing the beauty in each step I take and all that surrounds me. 

My last adventure in northern Arizona took me to a few places of heavenly beauty. Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona is one of my favorite places.  It continually changes as the seasons  meld into each other . The beautiful fall colors, the water flowing through the streams and the canyon that surrounds you,  brings peace to anyones existence. 

I decided 5 years ago not to be that victim or to let what happened to me Define my life. The healing took place over a few years but I knew that if I didn’t start living my life and saying YES to life, that I would be stuck; stuck in a place that had no life, Joy, or happiness. I went out and found my own Adventures with friends or by myself. And I found myself continually drawn to God’s Beauty in the outdoors. For me, that’s my heaven here on Earth.

We all get up every day, go to our prospective jobs and do what we have to do to survive. But are we living? Are you living? 

Saying YES to life and going out there and living it may have to be a directional change for some. A change that could Empower your life and Propel it to the next level. How exciting is that?

So ask yourself, “Am I living my life, Or am I just existing?”

Think about what you’re passionate about, what puts a smile on your face, and joy in your heart. That will guide  you down the path of living, and saying YES to life.😊😊

As always… keep hiking to the top!!

Kimberly Rae

Patience!!

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey1 Comment

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“Things come to us not when we want them, but when we are ready.”

Patience is a virtue…so they say.   I’m not sure that was passed down through my genetic makeup.  Oh, I suppose there is some swishing around in there somewhere.  It does come out now and then.  But today… it has taken a holiday, and I’m not sure when it’s returning.

I do my best each morning to wake up with a grateful heart, a smile on my face, and the motivation to make it a great day!!!  But today, and maybe a little yesterday… It seems to have escaped me.  I seem to be standing at a huge fork in the road.  My journey has stalled; taken a rest… I don’t know, but I’m stuck; frozen at a point in my life where I should be confident and moving forward.

My summer took me to places I didn’t think I would ever see.   I climbed the highest peak in Oahu.  I swam in the bluest water you have ever seen.  I tasted food beyond my wildest imagination… I was living and loving my life.  But…as wonderful as my trips were… I didn’t have anyone to share it with.  I wanted to be sitting on Sunset beach with that special person in my life.  I wanted to laugh and discover with them.  I wanted someone’s shoulder to lean on, on the long flight home.   After 5 years of being single, is God saying I am still not ready?? Does Karma really exist?  I keep asking myself if I have done something not to deserve a good man in my life.  I keep asking God, what else am I supposed to learn?

I’ve grown to love myself and to be happy with just me.  The scar I wear proudly from my last relationship… remains just that… a Scar.  It has healed over and I have moved forward.  I’m ready!!! So I think.

So what else God??  Are you still trying to teach me about patience?  I know I’ve stumbled a bit over the past 5 years, but I’m still here; wishing and wanting to share my life with the person you have waiting for me; or maybe there isn’t someone.  Maybe I am just supposed to embrace being single and that’s how it’s going to be.

So give me that little nudge. Push me in the right direction.  You may need to hold my hand at first, but I’ll keep moving forward, because I have never lost my faith in YOU.

As always… Keep hiking to the top!!!

Kimberly Rae

 

 

 

 

The Dance Lesson

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey1 Comment

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The twang and the electric sound of the country music hits my ears as I walked into the night club.  I was by myself, going to meet an old high school friend that invited me to come learn the West Coast Swing.  I love to dance, so it was obvious I would say yes. (God knew that)  What I didn’t know, is how much I was going to learn on this fine Saturday evening.

My friend paired me up with a male friend  of hers so I would have a partner.  As I walked on to the dance floor I assumed I would only be learning a new dance.  But God knew, there was a part of my past that I had not settled with.  I  loosely took his hand, the music started I was in my element and I felt great!!  As he spun me around…. There she was.  The woman who so cunningly did her best to lure my past relationship away from me.  The woman I knew, who I entertained in my home.  A woman who played the game; took him for a while and then spit him back out.  The woman who aided and abetted in breaking my heart into so many pieces that I thought I would never be able to put them back together.  As our eyes locked, I froze. Everything stopped for that moment.  But the beat goes on, as Nancy Sinatra would say.  And so did I:)

Being that I am not a vengeful person, I never said anything to her 3 and half years ago, I just let it go.  I said plenty to him, but that is another story:)  And then I think, maybe I should have.  But as I looked at her and watched her through the evening, I knew that I was so much better off.  My life was rich in love, joy, peace….   I can wake up every morning with a smile, that is genuine.  I’m happy with me:)

This dance lesson helped me put so many things into perspective.  I realized I do not want to have the love I had for him with anyone else.  I fell so deep in love with him, that I lost who I was which made the hurt even more painful.  I will love again. I didn’t let it destroy me.

God has his ways of reaching us and helping us to the next step so we are open to more of his blessings.  I had a very enjoyable evening.  I met new people, and danced with a kick in my step knowing, I am on the right path.

I leave you with some words of wisdom from someone who has lived it:)

“Memories are good. But sometimes a memory is so powerful that we get stuck in it… frozen in a minute.” ~KG~

Keep Hiking to the Top,

Positive Thinking!!

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journeyLeave a comment

      My Wish for Today

 

As I sit here at the end of a long day, in the peace and quiet of my classroom, I think of you.  The moisture in the sky has provoked my students to act in a mysterious way throughout the day; which has left me drained and wishing I was on the road… with you.

The tranquility of the mountain air, the smell of the pine trees, and the aroma of the campfire beneath the openness of the twinkling blue sky, are all things I long for at this moment.   As the sun departs and the moon slowly rises, a chill fills the air; I snuggle up to you with your arms around me and I am loved and life is good.

 

I have come to a point in my life where being positive is all I know.  Not a bad thing:)  So…  I do not know who the “You” is in my poem, but knowing that he’s out there and knowing that he will come into my like one day, is thinking positively:)   I trust that God will lead him to me, or me to him:)   Life is a never ending journey.  I’m happy with mine:)

 

Keep Hiking to the top!

Kimberly Rae

Erasing the Bad Stuff

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journeyLeave a comment

“Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory, as the wish to forget it.”

 

Why does the past abruptly and very cleverly disrupt our life?

It takes the good moments and sours them quickly.

It brings tears to our eyes and the lonely feeling sets in.

Those angry words, “It’s not fair!” recites over and over in our head, and then we cry some more.

Why do these messages suddenly appear across my phone, or my social media pages?  Who really wants to hurt me?

And why would I let them.   The tears stop and I realize that God removed me from that past relationship to save me.

The tears have stopped.  My smile has returned.  I know I am in a better place; living my life:)

Set backs are real.  It’s how we react to them, that can either propel our life forward or keep us stuck where we are.

 

Keep hiking to the top,

 

Kimberly Rae

Facing the Storm’s in Life

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey2 Comments

Have you ever come to a point in your life when you knew something was missing?  You felt an emptiness, a void that you could not explain?

I can’t put my finger on any one thing, but my life is in limbo.  It is an unsettling place to be.  I trust God has a plan for me and I want to do what he feels is right for where I am in my life.

My interview for teaching in the middle east is this Wednesday.  The work getting to this point has been overwhelming at times and costly.  My passport went missing on Thursday.  It mysteriously vanished from my documents folder.  Not sure if someone took it or what happened.  I am just going to chalk it up to the nastiness (from someone I don’t even know) that has been plaguing me the past 2 years.  Because I can’t explain that either.  Onward and forward I move.  I have applied for an expedited passport at an ex-orbited amount of $400.00.  The paperwork and time involved in this is more than I had expected.  Again, doing my best to stay positive.

At this point I do not know what direction my life is going until I know if I am going to Abu Dhabi or not.  I know I have to move from my current place of residence either way.  So… do I pack to move out of the country and store my things, or do I pack to move to another apartment?

As I contemplate all of this, the question remains; what is missing in my life?  A new adventure?  A man (the right man) to share my life with?  A different job?   I don’t know.  I am kind of free falling right now, and I just have to trust that God will catch me when my new journey has revealed itself.

All I know is that my journey is going to take a new path.  Change has to happen for growth to take place.  I’m not afraid of change because I know God has my back.   So… I am going to head into the storm  and face what I have to in order to grow.

The story below is a good one and one I take out and read from time to time.  I found it again to today.  I think I was meant to find it:)  Maybe it will speak to you:)

“An old cowboy said he had learned life’s most important lessons from Hereford cows.  All his life he had worked cattle ranches where winter storms took a heavy toll among the herds.  Freezing rains whipped across the prairies.  Howling, bitter winds piled snow into enormous drifts.  Temperatures might drop quickly to below zero degrees. Flying ice cut into the flesh.  In this maelstrom of natures’ violence most cattle would turn their backs to the ice blasts and slowly drift downwind, mile upon mile.  Finally, intercepted by a boundary fence, they would pile up against the barrier and die by the scores.

“But the Herefords acted differently. Cattle of this breed would instinctively head into the windward end of the range.  There they would stand shoulder-to-shoulder facing the storm’s blast, heads down against its onslaught.

“‘You always found the Herefords alive and well, ‘ said the cowboy.  ‘I guess it’s the greatest lesson I ever learned on the prairies –just face life’s storms”

Similarly, if we face up to our individual adversities or hardships, they can become a source of blessing.  God will not give us adversities we cannot handle, and he will bless us richly for patiently doing the best we can in the circumstances.

Keep hiking to the top,

Kimberly Rae

 

Thank You 2013!!!

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey2 Comments

The ornaments slowly come off the tree, one by one, as they are individually wrapped, each holding its own memory from Christmas’s past.  I wrap them even more carefully as they will be snug in their box for a few years; they will not be hanging on any tree.

2013 has been a year to remember.  A year of growth and adventures.  A year of loss and lessons learned.  A year of  letting go of things and people who only God can take care of.  As we are the architects of our own life, I choose to keep building mine.

When I started this blog, I was barely able to see the light of day, to take the next step, to get out of bed, to smile.   The torment and the harassment over the past few years has only strengthened me and my faith in the Lord.  Instead of retaliating I wrote.  I didn’t share half of what I had been through, but I did share the lessons I had learned from it all and hopefully reaching some of you.  Life isn’t about revenge or getting back.  It’s about giving, loving, and forgiving.  I’m not saying it didn’t hurt, but I didn’t let it break my building down.  The one I so lovingly had begun to rebuild.

God has shown me many small miracles this past year.  I live in the moment and cherish my time that He has given me.  I volunteer, I shine my light and try to light up a sad face when I can.  My students always brighten up my day.  And here I was a little afraid to teach those little 2nd graders.  But God knew it was what I needed.  I have learned so much from that experience.

All of this has brought me to this place; to my new adventure.  All my belongings will be packed away.  I will be going to another country to teach.  As I continue to build my life, I have decided this is the best way to exit my career as a teacher in the public school system.  After 29 years in the classroom, I know I have touched many lives.  I want to take my experience and love for children to another place.  I want to make a difference somewhere else.  I know I will learn and grow from this new adventure.  God has so wonderfully put me on this path.  He has given me the confidence, strength, and courage to build my life even higher.

As much as I have learned this past year, the most important, is my total faith in the Lord.  I don’t fear anything.  I live my life to the fullest and smile on all those who have come and gone in my life.

May you reach out, reach high and go for it.  2014 will be an awesome year!!!

“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”

Happy New year!!

As always, Keep hiking to the top!!

Kimberly Rae

 

Christmas Magic*****

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journey1 Comment

As the remains of Thanksgiving sit in zip lock bags and in numerous containers of Tupperware in the fridge, the Christmas season unfolds.  The gold, yellows and browns are tucked carefully away as we pull out those red and green containers full of Christmas Magic!

The tree is trimmed, the shopping begins and the house is adorned with magical colors of the season; and we wish upon the star at the top of the tree for some Christmas magic!!  Or maybe a miracle.

What is Christmas magic?  Does it really exist?  For some, it could just be the feeling this time of year gives you.  It could be the smile on a young child’s face when they see Santa, or maybe the music that seems to be heard everywhere to remind us of this special time of year.  I suppose it is different for all.  But for me, it is about the first gift of Christmas.  And what is that you might be thinking.  It is  a child; our Lord Jesus Christ.

Children are gifts from above.  I truly believe that.  We never know how long those gifts will stay with us on earth, so we need to treasure them every minute; never knowing when they might not be with us anymore.

My Christmas wish, magic, or miracle for this year, came early.  I have prayed for my daughter to find happiness; to smile again; to laugh, and just to enjoy her life.  I look at all the wonderful miracles God has given me over the years and now it’s her time.  Talking with her yesterday, her voice was smiling; the happiness came bounding through the phone, and she was laughing.  “Mom, I have never been more happy, than I am now.  Thank you for helping me get to where I am and for believing in me.”  The tears flowed from my smiling eyes.  I thanked God, over and over.  The joy in my heart is more than I can express.  So… I’m good.  I have all I want and appreciate the little I have, because my daughter sees life through a much happier lens:)

So, if you’re skeptical  and you don’t quite believe, then open your eyes.  The Christmas magic is all around you.  You just have to believe that anything  is possible!!

Blessings to all of you this Christmas Season!

Kimberly Rae

A Moment to Cherish

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journeyLeave a comment

The sun began to peek in through the small hole in the curtains.  I quietly slipped out of bed not wanting to unwrap myself from the warm blankets from the bed my parents used to share.   It is now home to my sister and me; A place of momentary solitude if I’m lucky.

I make my way to the kitchen only to find just enough cereal for my sisters and brother.  A glass of milk for me will have to suffice.   They need the nourishment more than I. I make our lunches; a thin slather of peanut butter on dry bread, wrapped in tin foil.  I set them on the counter ready for school; No fancy lunch boxes or a paper sack, just a square piece of bread enveloped in aluminum. The sun is saying good morning as I open the drapes and wake them up.

Grabbing our lunches, bundled in the warmest clothes we have, we are off to school.  The frozen grass crackles beneath our feet as we walk closely together to stay warm.  The Christmas season is upon us.  The holiday decorations adorn the blocks that lead the way to the 6 and half hours of learning; school 🙂

I turn ten today; although some days I feel like 35.  I don’t want to be 35.  When I’m 35 I don’t have time to be a kid; to play or to just have fun.   But I need to be there for my brother and sisters. I’m all they have when my mom is working long hours at the two jobs that manage to keep a roof over our heads and just enough food to keep us going.

Sitting in class, pretending to listen, my thoughts are drifting to what can I make for dinner tonight, what book I will read before they go to bed and I know we have to finish a project my sister is working on.  And that’s when I feel like I am 5 and I long for someone to take care of ME.  And when the tears start to well up, I feel like I’m 3 and I pretend my mother is wrapping her arms around me and telling me it will be alright.

I find a quiet space in the cafeteria to eat my lunch.  The kids make fun of me because I only have a sandwich, so eating alone is just easier. My shy personality doesn’t allow me to be confident let alone social.  I pull out my sandwich and carefully open the foil.  I savor it as if it is Pastrami on Rye; my mouth is watering.  I bite into the dry bread with a hint of peanut butter and chew slowly.  My mother always says if you chew your food slowly you’ll be full faster and considering I didn’t have anything else to pull out of the hat, I made a meal out of my peanut butter delight.

The bell is attempting to tell us school is out.  It sounds as if it is on its last leg and about to hit bell heaven, but we are all used to it by now.  I race out of class to get my little sister who is in 1st grade.  The other two met me at the library; if you want to call it that.  It isn’t any bigger than the small classrooms we inhabit for most of the day.   But the room is lined with books and Mrs. Gardner always waits for me so I can check out the next adventure I will go on.  She knows how much I love to read.  Reading is my escape from the reality I have to live in.  And in a book I can be any age I want; wear the prettiest dresses, have a new home with a mom and a dad and go on adventures; I love adventures!  I always get books to read to my brother and sisters too.  That is our nightly ritual; bedtime stories.  I love that peaceful time when we snuggle together and I take them away to another place.

The day has warmed a bit since our chilly walk in the morning; as we take our time walking home admiring the decorations.  We pick out our favorites and pretend one of the houses is ours. We each have our own room, a big bed and lots of food on the table.  We are dreamers, but that is all we have.  The hope in our eyes is always there especially when we play pretend.

Night is upon us; homework is finished; I make sure they have their baths, story time and then off to bed for the three of them.

The day is winding down and this is my time, my moment to be by myself.

I take my book and feel drawn to our old but beautiful tree.  The gold and blue lights brighten up the tree with all of our creatively decorated ornaments; some plain and some maybe a bit too ornate, but beautiful just the same; we love it.

I lay down with my head under the bottom bow; my book in hand and escape to another place.  The room is dark except for the gold and blue illuminating my space. I feel at peace; I feel warm and safe.  I feel a Devine power with me under that tree at this moment and I know his arms are wrapped around me as I am feeling five again.  I feel as if all is right and I am where I am supposed to be.  I don’t want to leave.   I know now that we will be OK.  I feel loved.  Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me!

Every Christmas when I put up my tree, I turn off all the lights and let the colors from my tree bring magic to the room.  I lie underneath my special tree and remember that moment when I was ten.  Because sometimes I just want to feel warm, safe and loved like a kid again.

Do you have a cherished moment in your life?  Think about that.  What great feelings did it bring to you?

May the Holiday season bring more great moments to your life:)

Keep hiking to the top,

Kimberly Rae

The End of a Season

On By Kimberly Rae Gerodimos/MarxIn Life's journeyLeave a comment

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I sit quietly on the edge of the crystal clear spring watching the leaves who have lost their color, fall slowly onto the clear water below.  They remind me of snowflakes drifting from above, not one, like the other.  It’s God‘s way of saying it’s time to move on; Winter is coming.  I take my hiking shoes off and dip my worn feet into it’s coolness.  The leaves go floating by as if little boats on their way to another destination.  It is peaceful; serene.  If I knew no one would chance by, I would take my clothes off and be one with nature and float with the leaves.  Sometimes it’s just fun not knowing where you are going:)  I like that kind of spontaneity.  Which is why I hiked all the way down to the natural springs to find it.  Being in the outdoors always centers me and brings me closer to God.  The beauty here is breathtaking.  Some may not see it that way, as the trees are almost all brown.  A little yellow and orange peak in every now and then, but the vibrant red is no longer.  I see beauty all around me, as I sit here feeling okay, as I am about to embark on the holiday season without that someone special again.  For a moment, I feel a little sad, but it goes away, because I have so much to be thankful for. God has put so much in my life and has allowed me to experience just as much.  I have great family and a few good friends and of course, my undying love for those Hallmark Christmas movies.  LOL  I know, corny and unrealistic.  But the hopeless romantic in me will always be there.  I get joy out of seeing two people find each other in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  It all puts a smile on my face.

The leaves are moving on, the snow will begin to fall and new life will spring up all over again.  And I will be there to see it all unfold.

So… find your peace/joy/happiness this holiday season.  The leaves have fallen, the turkey will show itself soon, and the evergreens will smell so amazing!!!

May you smile everyday this season:):)

Keep hiking to the top,

Kimberly Rae