Dec 25, 2011 |
Will Power was excited. It was the time of year when the world was abuzz about winter, Christmas, and Santa Claus. Will Power had heard about Santa Claus and looked forward to meeting him.
He sat down to write out his wish list.
But he soon found himself overwhelmed.
In this season of good cheer and gift giving, it didn’t feel right to ask for so much for himself. But the world said it was okay.
He was at a loss.
Everywhere he turned, there was always something more to want. The world kept telling him so. He needed this and needed that. He must want everything, and if he didn’t want or need it, he certainly should know someone who did.
There was so much glitter, so much shine, so much of so much… he felt like this Christmas was just a Carousel going ’round and ’round and he wasn’t sure how to make it stop.
He just knew there had to be more to Christmas than getting gifts, and went in search of it.
He found a Christmas Tree. It was tall and beautifully decorated. It urged him to “believe”, but he still wasn’t sure what to believe in.
He needed help. He found himself wandering, wondering; and hoping for help.
Soon he came upon a gathering. It was a simple display. The kind that invited attention through its lack of fanfare. There was something very special. Very special, indeed.
He studied. There were no great light displays. No special sales or advertising or promises of ease and comfort. It was quiet. It was peaceful. And it was the most personal Gift he could ever need.
And in the peace, and quiet, and humility of a perfect baby being born in less than perfect conditions to a less than perfect world, Will Power understood.
It’s not about the gifts you get. It’s about the Gift that was given.
He raced home as fast as he could to finish His letter. But instead of asking Santa for anything, he had a much better idea in mind:
From our house to yours, a very Merry Christmas.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 24, 2011 |
Will Power. He’s one determined little bear!
To read The Adventures of Will Power and the Haunted House, click here.
* * * * *
The Tall Grass
Will Power recently found himself overwhelmed. He felt he was stuck in the Tall Grass.
So many worries, so many cares. So many things to think about, when all he really wanted was to rest. The more he tried, the more wrapped up he became in his worries.
Help me! Help me!
He knew he needed a change, if not in situations, then in perspective. So he took a step back. He looked around and took a walk to clear his head. But he was still so consumed with concerns and the stresses of life that he couldn’t see his way clear of the heavy burdens he carried. The blessings he longed for were still just out of reach.
Blessings Out of Reach
There was only one thing to do: handle it. No matter what it would take, Will Power knew he had it in him to conquer.
First things first. He was smart enough to recognize he couldn’t do it alone. So he called for help from the One he knew could handle these things: the One who scared off those who kept trying to take Will Power’s blessings away. He was, of course, thinking of The Scarecrow.
Scarecrow to the Rescue
Letting the Big Guy Do The Work
As he gave his worries over for the Scarecrow to handle, he hid in the comfort of the colorful leaves.
It wasn’t long before the Scarecrow had chopped down the tall grass and made hay with it; showing Will Power that even the seemingly helpless situations can be handled one way or another.
Will realized there was so much more to life than worries and needs. That life indeed could be filled with fun and surprises, and even an abundance of blessings.
He took another look around him, and this time focused on what was beyond his immediate surroundings. He took a step, and another, and another.
Blessings
And soon he found himself sitting atop the biggest blessings he could imagine, far more than he needed or could even manage.
Surrounded by his abundance, thinking about getting from where he was to where he is, and all those that helped him along the way… There was only one thing he could think of to do:
Give thanks, and share.
Basket of Blessings
From our house to yours, remember that whatever situation you find yourself in, it could always be worse, and you’re never alone.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Oct 22, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Will Power and the Haunted House
This is the true story of Will Power. Will was given to me by my mom one year. I keep Will with me at all times, always within arm’s reach. Even so, sometimes I forget about Will Power.
I used to take Will Power to work with me every day. Will would keep me company as I drove to and from errands, took care of the house, spent time with my family, and faced things I’d rather run away from.
Will Power Close & Personal
This is Will. No, not the ghost who looks a bit like Casper. Look again. See, there he is: a tiny thing, to be sure. But just like Jiminy Cricket, his little presence certainly packs a punch.
Will is my reminder that I can do anything, be anyone, take care of whatever needs taking care of… and if I can’t, I can find someone who can!
This particular day, Will Power faced a deep internal struggle. There was a very scary place that he didn’t want to go to, but knew, for his healthy future, he had to… it was that Haunted House of a place known as
The Dentist’s Office. (insert terrifying horror-movie scream, here.)
As with any terrifying upcoming event, Will Power began to shake and wonder if maybe there was a way out of it; if perhaps, going to the dentist wasn’t as necessary as he was being told. Past experiences being what they were, this wasn’t the treat he was looking for. It didn’t take long before Will’s Hallowe’en costume resembled that of an ostrich with his head buried in the sand.
“Sand is okay,” he thought. “It’s earthy. It’s beachy. I can live with sand.” Until it got in his mouth. And aggravated him. A lot.
It wasn’t long before Will Power was faced with the determination that two hours in the chair was better than three months of endless pain. So he bit the bullet… or, would have, if his teeth had let him.
Will Power and I set the appointment. He thought it was apropo that, upon entering, there were cobwebs and scaries about. Yes, it had been a while since our teeth were professionally cared for. But we fought our way in and decided to stay. At least for a while.
We were asked to come back, and while I didn’t care to, Will Power told me it was necessary, and he would not leave me alone. He went with me. He sat with me in the chair of noise, under the bright lights and creepy things. He whispered in my ear and held my hand; assuring me it would be over soon. I listened to nothing but him, saw nothing but him, and hummed a lullaby, just for him.
Until finally, the cobwebs were cleared out and we could exit the Haunted House with a feeling of conquering, of accomplishment.
Like any good Haunted House, we’ll be back next year. But at least next time around, we’ll know what to expect. And we’ll floss out the cobwebs before we get there. We may even go in the off-season, only to find there’s nothing to really be afraid of.
Will Power was excited. It was the time of year when the world was abuzz about winter, Christmas, and Santa Claus. Will Power had heard about Santa Claus and looked forward to meeting him.
