Savannah and Jenna Learn Why Mahjong Is More Than a Game

 

Rediscovering Mahjong

 

For years, I thought that because I lost the instructions to my Mahjong game, I would never have any use for them.

Now I consider that maybe life removed them for a different reason. And that when the time was right I would seek the tiles when I was ready for them.

Because somewhere between surviving, grieving, healing, and becoming, Mahjong tiles became a quiet place of joy on my phone. The more I played, the more I thought my tiles that were tucked away in my family game cabinet.

Saturday, around one in the morning, I began to research individual activities that I can do with the tiles. Afterwards, I went to the game cabinet and pulled out a brown case, dusted if off and opened it.

It was if the game on my phone had come to life. My tiles are beautiful. They always were. The tiles never stopped being beautiful because I lost the instructions.

So if this season has taught me anything, it is this:

Open the box.

Try the thing.

Trust the timing.

Choose joy.

Bet on yourself.

Because healing has a way of returning us to what was always there. 

How long have I had these tiles? Well over 10 years, possibly 20 years. I’ve never tried to play the game or sort them out. At least not until now. 

Maybe I purchased this as a gift to my future self years ago and at the right time, I’d dust it off and explore my Mahjong game with an open heart. 

The Resting While You Wait Framework

Resting While You Wait

 

A Year Later

 On June 1, I sat down and began writing out “Thank You” cards to those who sent me sympathy cards when my dad passed last May. 

During this past year, I’ve made several attempts only to end up leaving the neatly stack cards on my tables or my bed. Thinking back I believe those cards comforted me each time I picked them up.

It took a year.

A year to sit down.

A year to revisit the grief.
A year to find words for kindness shown during one of the hardest seasons of my life.

Part of me wishes
I had done it sooner.

Last June.
Last summer.
Months ago.

But healing has its own timeline.

And maybe this wasn’t procrastination.
Maybe this was readiness.

Because grief took so much from me.
My energy.
My focus.
My capacity.

But yesterday, something returned.

Yesterday, I wrote the cards.

And maybe healing looks like this too:

Not becoming who I used to be
but noticing what I can finally hold again.

Hello June

 

Thank You May ✨💞

    As May comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a month filled with gratitude, growth, healing, faith, creativity, and quiet becoming. Some moments stretched me, some restored me, and some gently reminded me that growth does not always happen loudly. 

      This month held answered prayers, lessons, softness, writing, reflection, and the continued journey of resting while I wait. I am deeply grateful for every breakthrough, every moment of clarity, every reminder to trust divine timing, and every opportunity to keep becoming the woman God is calling me to be.

     Thank you, May, for the memories, the growth, and the grace. 💞✨ 

Creating A Mood Board For You Book

 

Have you ever created a mood board to brand your book? These colors and fonts were chosen intentionally for my journal Resting While You Wait. Branding helps your book feel consistent across social media, marketing materials, and your author platform. Your book’s design becomes part of your story. This image was created in Canva. I began by: 1. Searching Mood Board. 2. Under categories I selected “Your Story” 3. Added my book cover image and designed from that point. Follow and connect with me for more self-publishing tips, author insights, and encouragement to help you bring your book to life. #selfpublishing #authorlife #bookpublishing #writers #lindarinsights

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Seasons Have To Change

     Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. You may put another season at the beginning of how you list the seasons but we know that after Winter comes Spring, after Spring come Summer and so on. The seasons can dictate what we wear, what we plant, and often how we travel.

     Over the past several weeks I have been hearing "Well, Alright" by Cee Cee Winans on the radio at least once a day. This song is not a new release, so I believe that God is sending me a message. Each time I heard the song I thought to myself, "What I am to get from this?" Then it dawned on me.

     In the lyrics there is a part, of the song, that states "Seasons have to change, it won't always be this way" When I hear this I cry nearly every time. God is truly sending a message here. Just as the snow has to melt, in most states, or the leaves on a tree must fall our personal seasons must change also.

     If we truly believe that God has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) then we are assured that the seasons of financial troubles, heartache, and despair must come to past. We must be prepared for the change in the seasons. Years ago I purchased a shovel because I know at some point I have to clear the walkways. I have purchased a water hose because I know at some point my yard will need to be watered. In my garage there is a trimmer that at some point is used to keep the weeds and bushes under control.

     Yet be ready! Just as seasons have to change, we also need to be equipped for the change. I am equipping myself by staying not only in the Word but in close conversation with Him. I am equipping myself by making better choices for my family and myself. I am equipping myself by holding on to His unchanging hand.

Equip yourself.......change is about to come to you and I want you to be ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL1gs71stB0

Believing in Him,
Lindar

Written August 2011