Dec 22, 2016 | Be Inspired
This week I’ve slowed down a bit and given myself more pause breaks. I’ve had to actually. My body seemed to be saying, “No more missy! Whoah!”
It’s all too easy to get caught up in rushing around doing all we think must be done. Pushing ourselves to the point where we forget to enjoy the present moments we are living.
If we’re not feeling the joy, I think that’s a sign to put the brakes on and pause. A little time well-spent gazing at your Christmas tree lights may be just what is needed. At least I can say that is precisely what I needed!
Yep! When you’re feeling blue, harried, tired, sick…let in some light!
Let your thoughts be focused on the light. The light that fills your heart with peace, calm, comfort, love…
Twinkly lights can remind you of what you need to lighten and brighten your day, your present moment, this beautiful season, your life, your New Year.
Give yourself the gift of gazing…deep breaths…sighs…
Pause all the thinking, overthinking, analyzing, worrying and GAZE!
And have a Merry Christmas my friends and family with so much love!
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Dec 15, 2016 | Be Inspired
Boy oh boy, have I NOT been following this advice lately! My overloaded overextended agendas and crazy busy have done nothing but dictate my holidays so far!
Enough is enough I say! I haven’t even decorated our tree or put out any decorations YET and this is way off my usual preferred routine. Every friend I talk to lately seem to be in the same boat. What’s going on this year???
Eventually we must all learn when to say no. And when to make our priorities really be our priorities!
As soon as I finish this note to y’all, I’m shutting down my computer and putting my phone on silent, turning on Christmas music and I am going to decorate! Probably need to do a bit of dusting first but I’m going to dust and decorate as I go!
I want to immerse myself into the look and feel of the season. And for me….that requires lots of whimsy and lights! Everywhere I look!
It’s 10 days till Christmas my friends!
I wish you all much joy, peace and fun!
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Dec 8, 2016 | Be Inspired
My family has long watched the movie “White Christmas” every Christmas season. And if you’ve watched it, then you’ll recall the song Bing Crosby sings about “counting your blessings.”
Every time I hear it, I’m reminded that his advice to count blessings is a good one, and not just at Christmastime.
Does it ever feel like you don’t have any blessings to count?
When I’m feeling consumed and overwhelmed by unpleasant drama and heartaches, I desperately try to change my focus to what I am grateful for. To ponder the good that is rather than only what isn’t.
When I’m tempted to think there are no “blessings” in my life, I’ve expanded my definition of blessing. I do this by asking myself some questions. Here are a few:
- What opportunities do I have that I’m thankful for?
- What relationships (people and animals) am I thankful for?
- What have others in my life done that I’m thankful for?
- What have I learned? How have I grown?
- What insights have I gained that I’m grateful for?
- What am I able to offer others that I’m grateful for?
- What opportunities to help others am I thankful for?
- What am I taking for granted about my day to day that I can be thankful for? (Keurig, iPhone, laptop, internet service, Jacuzzi bathtub, AC/Heat, etc. are some of mine) 🙂
There are so many ways to define blessings! All the things we consider as our treasures such as our friends and family, what is good in our life – every big and little thing makes us happy and brings a smile, where we have triumphed whether we overcame or endured – we outlasted, opportunities we’ve had, the support we’ve received and so on.
The one promise I can share with you all is that a focus on counting your blessings will make your heart happier, your burdens feel lighter, your tomorrow seem brighter. And you’ll sleep better, too!
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Dec 1, 2016 | Be Inspired
This video was first published in December 2015 but I didn’t discover it myself until a few days ago. And I can’t stop watching it! Besides LOVING the song, the message is powerful and brings tears every time!
The YouTube caption for the video reads: Every winter, a magical snowman puts on a show for a little girl. But over time, life pulls them apart. Will she remember to take the time for what she loved?
MAKE TIME FOR WHAT YOU LOVE.
Sounds simple enough but isn’t it interesting how sometimes what we love so much is sometimes what we take for granted or what we neglect?
For me these days “making time” is all about my mamma. I see how her eyes light up when I enter her house. And I know how much she misses me when I’m not with her. I know how much she longs to be with me as much as possible.
So yes, I get busy as anyone else does. And there are days when I don’t get over to see her. But I do try to make as much time as I can for what and who I love. And that most definitely includes my mamma!!!
Our time is truly the best gift we can give to those who love us! It’s want they want the most!
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Nov 17, 2016 | Be Inspired
This is my HAPPY THANKSGIVING email to you! I will not be sending out my weekly Be Inspired email on Thanksgiving Day next week.
I’ve learned the lesson of the message on this photo so many times!
I must admit to you that my biggest lesson was last year when I was feeling the shock and overwhelm of caring for my mom’s sudden onset of problems that has changed all of our lives.
I heard myself saying aloud, “I hate my life!” Again and again actually!
I had just lost one of my brother’s the year before and now my mom was on the fast trek to follow him, along with another brother. I felt like I was losing everyone I loved all at the same time. I was devastated and sad. And the rapidly growing care needs for both my mom and brother were overwhelming and depressing.
Eventually…I learned the lesson of asking for help. We don’t have to walk through struggles alone my friends. Life is supposed to take a village. From the very beginning God provided a “helpmate.” We are better together. A message I’ve been reminded of many times in the past year.
But an even greater lesson came when I replaced feelings focused on all the dread and drama with gratitude. Gratitude for the gift of precious time with my loved ones! Moment by moment! One day at a time. Each day is a gift. And I realized that my own life – each day of my life – was a gift, too. And I focused more and more on what I was doing with the precious gift of my life.
Was I living a life of love, joy, passion, purpose?
Truly….Gratitude changes everything! (The title of one of my new journals publishing soon!)
I wish you a blessed day and season of thanks giving!
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Nov 10, 2016 | Be Inspired
Have you ever seen the paperweight that is inscribed, “There’s always, always, always something to be thankful for?”
When you’re facing what’s unpleasant or painful, you may be feeling anything but thankful.
It was during some of the bleakest years my mamma and I ever faced, when thankfulness quite literally helped us both see what we had rather than what we didn’t. And keeping our hearts filled with what we were grateful for is how my mamma gained the vision, strength and perseverance to work her way out of the impoverished conditions we faced after she divorced my daddy in 1967. Her example became a powerful role model for me that continues to inspire and encourage me no matter what trouble I face.
Thinking about what I am grateful for can bring a smile when I most need one.
I hope a grateful heart can help you endure and overcome whatever comes your way, too!
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