Oct 24, 2015 | Author, What inspires you?, Word Art
The next word art I was compelled to paint was LET!!!!
This was a no brainer for me. LET is one of my favorite words that has given me lots of insight into my heart and soul – especially in recent years.
LET is used in the Bible over a thousand times but one of my favorite scriptures is in the book of John:
“LET not your heart be troubled, neither LET it be afraid.”
Consider some of the synonyms used trying to define the meaning of LET. Enable. Give permission. Free up. Concede. Allow. Permit. To cause to.
The more I ponder the meaning of LET, the more power I realize I have in my life. LET implies choice. And this is truly game-changing when you find yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in. We’ve all been there. But the truth is, even in the midst of unpleasant experiences, we have a choice in how we feel, how we choose to handle whatever we are facing.
I’ve painted BE. And LET.
Which word came next?
Oct 12, 2015 | Author, Word Art
I just returned from my first ever women’s retreat and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Perfect because I got to feed my heart with playful painting, insightful journaling and fellowship with amazing women.
Six canvases would be painted and I thought I would share how the inspirations for each piece evolved.
As I sat there staring at the first blank canvas, I had no idea what to paint. A heart of course could have been the logical answer since I was at the Heart Art Retreat. But I wasn’t feeling inclined to paint a heart YET. Since writing words consumes much of my focus, word art seemed like the way to go but what word?????
This past year has been an emotional roaster coaster with my sweet mamma in and out of hospitals and rehab facilities. So honestly, part of my longing for the weekend was some time to just BE. Time to take some deep breathes without a million things on my to-do list.
That’s it, I thought! I would paint BE!
Did you know that one of the synonyms for BE is BREATHE?
LIVE is another synonym!
When you explore the meaning of BE, you’ll also come across another word that I love – UNDISTURBED.
BREATHE. LIVE. UNDISTURBED. BE.
YES!!!!! Oh how I love to BE!!!
In fact, word art included on one of the pages in my upcoming adult coloring book is the statement: “Make time to just BE.”
Stay tuned for the word I painted next!
Sep 4, 2015 | Author, The "me" you want to be, What inspires you?, What's new
As I went for my morning walk a favorite song by Alabama from the 1990’s came to mind.
“I’m in a hurry and don’t know why”
As I began to hum the tune, I realized for the first time in a LONG time I didn’t feel like I was in a hurry. I wasn’t rushing around from one thing to the next. I have finally been able to slow my life down a tad and give a little time to some other things that matter to me.
I say other because much of the past year or so has been meeting the care needs of my mamma. Certainly, caring for my mom is on my list of what matters most to me. It’s just that caring for her in the past several months has left little time for anything else that is also important to me.
Why do I suddenly have MORE time in my life?
I’m so very grateful to have found a live-in caregiver for my mom who is truly an angel sent by God. Actually we have one live-in and one part-time caregivers. Both angels! You may have heard me say this before and you’ll probably hear me say it many many more times.
I’m so grateful that I can now visit my mamma. Let me say that again. I’m so grateful that I can now VISIT my mamma and truly VISIT with her. I’m not at her house rushing around doing this and that. I get to lay down next to her and cuddle and kiss her cheek and just BE THERE with her.
And ….I can take a leisurely stroll in the mornings and fully encompass my surroundings and be aware of every feeling, every thought and take deep breathes and enjoy each moment. Ah…
How about you? Do you feel rushed, pulled, stressed?
My wish for you is that you’ll find a way to have more peace and calm in your life! And TIME for ALL the things that are important to you.
Maybe give yourself a break RIGHT NOW and listen to Alabama! Click on the song title above and you should be taken to the youtube song.
P.S. My featured image with this blog is a gal walking by the sea. My FAVORITE place to take a walk! Guess I’m doing a little dreaming…
Nov 9, 2014 | Author, What's new
There are many times I live in a world I wish I could change, but can’t. I’ve said this before to a friend and she usually reminds me I can change my world if I really wanted to. And perhaps she is right about some things.
It’s not that I’m unhappy with my life. In so many ways I am very happy, content and satisfied. But I do have this longing for new adventures, new experiences, new views. Honestly, I’m ready for some new furniture and new clothes, too! My husband did suggest yesterday we should give each other a new television for Christmas. I thought to myself, “That’s a start!”
I did do something this weekend that was at least an action making ready for change. I cleaned out my closet. I mean I REALLY cleaned out my closet. I boxed up all the clothes that were too big or too old or clothes I should have never bought in the first place. It was scary how much I boxed up that I’ve hardly ever worn.
These days I don’t feel like I need as much as I used to. I don’t want as much as I used to either. That, too, seems to be part of my longing for change. And cleaning out my closet was something I COULD change. And that my friends, is the point of this post.
When you find yourself longing for a change and you think you are trapped in a world that says you’re powerless to do so, look around and consider the things that no one can keep you from changing. You might be surprised at how much is in your control after all.
I think that’s why I LOVE to walk at dusk. I just came in from my evening walk.
This was a beautiful evening. I watched the multicolor sunset turn into grayscale. I saw our black cows blend into the background. I witnessed the tree limbs along the fence line of our pasture, form a rolling, wavy new ground. There was a crispness in the air and the winds were calm. But you knew change was brewing on the horizon. You could feel it and that feeling was exhilarating. I wanted to linger for a while in that coming soon anticipation.
That’s another idea for anyone who is longing for change and not sure where to begin or whether or not you can take that first step. Begin with a walk at dusk. At the very least, you’ll realize change IS happening. Nothing is really staying the same. Life is always moving along. You might feel the encouragement you need to give your life a closer look to make a few changes you didn’t know were possible.
Jul 22, 2014 | Author, Queen of Damn Good Advice, What's new
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Jun 11, 2014 | Author, Remembering a lesson learned, What inspires you?
Was anyone else outside this morning at 4:40?
Our little dachshund, Lady, decided to tell her mamma it was potty time at 4:40 AM today. So a very grumpy, sleepy-eyed mamma obliged and carried her outside so she could take care of her business.
While she searched for the perfect spot, I managed to get the sand out of my eyes to be blessed with a beautiful moment. Up in a gorgeous, midnight blue sky was a huge, orange moon that looked like it was sitting on the western horizon. I stood there a few moments after Lady had completed her task basking in the beauty of the moon.
Later in the day I wished I had been awake enough to have the presence of mind to go get my camera and try to capture the scene. But alas I didn’t.
Even still, the view seems to now hold a permanent spot in my memory as I sit here this evening in blissful remembrance.
My beautiful moon lesson hasn’t escaped me. It was a wonderful reminder that even in the midst of inconvenient, uncomfortable, unpleasant, difficult, boring tasks, duties or situations, there can be beauty that is not to be missed. Beauty that reminds us that the bad in our experience will pass and the good will remain — as sure as the moon will be out again tonight!
Feeling grateful….
