Lisa Overman

“If you want to be loved, be loving.”

Dr. Norris Chumley

Hawaii is one of my favorite places on earth and the Big Island of Hawaii holds a special kind of magic for me. With worries the last couple days of Tsunami warnings my thoughts have been on Hawaii’s islands and my friends who live there. So this post is for each of you; may the islands remain safe and the spirit of Aloha surround each of you. 

kinsiekins photo flickr

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Encourage others.  Believe in them.  Appreciate them.  See God in everyone.

Dr. Norris Chumley

I lead a spirit driven life. I look at life from a spiritual perspective and I do my best to be uplifting and positive to those around me. Like anyone I have challenging moments, days and experiences. I meditate as often as I can to remain balanced and I walk daily with my dog to keep a peaceful attitude and  relax. I feel that my life is on track that I’m reaching a place where I can step forward and inspire people to reach for their own healing through reading about my experiences and losses.

Twice in the last couple weeks I’ve been touched by the deeply negative intentions of a person I’ve never met, but know through someone close to me. Her actions are off the chart inappropriate and her ugliness has affected many. She’s out of control and clearly in deep pain. I’ve read the ugliness and pain in her messages and heard through others of their own experiences with her negativity. I’m left wondering how we best deal with those whose negativity and deliberate hatefulness touch our lives. I’ve maintained a clear head and  a spiritual heart through this, though it isn’t easy. I have not responded to her tirade though in some moments my ego would love to do so.

I recognize when someone is out of control and I realize in this situation there is nothing to do but step away. My job is simply to detatch from her negative attitudes and intentions and release the situation. It is not my situation to deal with. My job is to keep my own counsel and refrain from making the situation worse than it already is. I can offer caring to those affected and I can pray they’ll be supported. For her I’ve prayed that God helps her to heal and that he shields the rest of us from her further negativity.

Friday was a cold rainy day. With much trepidation I packed up the car and drove out of my driveway at 1240 pm. It took an hour to drive to Springhill to Carrie and Tim’s house. I transferred my bag to Carrie’s car and in 10 minutes we were on our way. Following the directions of the GPS I drove north to US98.

The next 4 ½ hours were miserable. It rained the entire trip but the roads were good and there was little traffic. Shortly after 6 pm we pulled into the Airport Motel in Blountstown, FL. The motel was isolated and there were only 2 other cars in the parking lot. The owner was nice, the room was very small but immaculately clean. The rain continued and due to fear of the unknown we got very little sleep. I had pushed a chair over in front of the door.

The temperature outside was 43 degrees. When the alarm went off at 530 am we were both already awake. We were on the road again in 30 minutes. The trusty GPS took us directly down SR71 to Stone Mill Creek Road and Gulf Correctional Institution Annex. Visitors were allowed in from 8 am to 2 pm. There were 2 other women in line outside the prison. We stood in 38 degree weather waiting for the guards to come out and process us through.

At 745 the guards came out and set up a table to sign in. They called 4 visitors at a time. Since it was Carrie and my first visit we had paperwork to fill out. Then the guard gave our driver’s license to the people on the other side of the window to check us out. When that was done we were given a little yellow card with a PIN number on it and told to write our inmate’s name and number on the back and get the card laminated. We had our photos taken, hands scanned three times and then we were patted down. All we were allowed to carry in was a see through envelope with our driver’s license, up to $50 and one car key. I was allowed to take my inhalor in. We were led through four different doors that had to buzzed open and clanged shut behind. Then into a large room with long tables with signs telling where we could sit and where the inmates had to sit. More buzzing and clanging.

This  youtube video is from Shawn Gallaway, my collegue Reba shared it with me. She writes the Yin Yang Spirit blog on this site. Check out this wonderful video about choosing love in our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMOMgQCRAqM