Lent - What Are You Giving up?

What are you giving up for Lent?  It's a question that you may hear a lot in the next few days as Lent begins today.

I was reading an article on Lent the other day that made me take a step back.  It basically said if you want to change your body, you might want to give up wine, candy, coffee...  But if you want to change your heart, a bigger fast is needed.

Pope Francis in his annual Lenten message wrote "indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians.  Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience." We tend to focus too much on ourselves and forget about others.  He called this the globalization of indifference.  

He also said "whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor.  God's voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt and the desire to do good fades.  We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people's pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this was someone else's responsibility and not our own."

If we choose to fast from this indifference, turn this Lenten season away from ourselves, and focus on the compassion, the poor and the desire to help others, then we will learn how to truly love as Christ loves us.  The fast in turn becomes the feast.

So this Lenten season,  I am going to fast on the indifference towards others.  When my focus falls back on myself, I will heed the powerful hymnal words knowing that "it is well with my soul". I will remind myself that everything is well with me.....and I will turn the focus back on my fast.  I think I will be singing this hymn quite a bit this month....  :)

"when peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, though has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."  ~ horatio spafford

I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday and a wonderful Lenten season.

Paula

Hello 2016

New year, new start.

Are you looking to do things differently this year? Wanting to make changes in our lives brings the opportunity for new ideas, ventures and experiences to us.  Change breaks old habits that bring the same old results our way.

What will you challenge yourself to do differently this year?  What changes do you want to make so you can be a better person, friend or loved one? In order for our lives to change, we have to do things differently.  We have to consciously create a different path in order to bring new results.  Sometimes the steps of change can be difficult and make us uncomfortable. But the reward that comes with change can be beautiful. If you want to be in the same place at the end of 2016, keep doing what you are doing.  If you want to be in a new place, make a few changes.  Change is good!

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” 
― Maya Angelou

What changes will you make this year?

Paula

Finding Your Gift...

"The meaning of life is to find your gift.

The purpose of life is to give it away."

                            ~William Shakespeare

Have a great day.

Paula

What Have You Learned?

The experiences we have in life bring us to where we are today.  The more you have been through, the more you feel, accept and appreciate, don't you think?  If we live in a glass bubble, under the protection of our parents or loved ones or situations that always keep us safe, how do we challenge ourselves to grow and develop into better human beings.  How do we sympathize and empathize when struggles arise? How do we truly help others if we cannot relate?

Living in an area where wealth and success is applauded, praised and glorified, I've become more sensitive and aware of the competitive nature of human beings.  It's no wonder that so many people,  are filled with anxiety.  It's hard to compete on a day to day basis.  It's hard to  measure up to everyone else's standards.  It's hard to shine when everyone's goal is to shine bigger and brighter than you.  It's exhausting to constantly reach and be measured by grades, schools, jobs, beauty and "things".

At some point in all of our lives, most of us will experience some form of failure, struggle or hurt.   Life happens and sadness can creep its way into our lives and into our hearts with feelings of unworthiness and lack of self worth. But through the angst and turmoil, we grow and learn and in most cases...end up in a better place.  So why is there so much pressure today?

Life happens.  When things don't go your way,  move forward knowing that you are stronger, smarter, happier and wiser.

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."  

                                                                                                           ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Paula

After All...Tomorrow Is Another Day

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Gone With The Wind." It's about love, loss, struggle and hope.  One of my favorite lines is at the very end....  Scarlett finally realizes that Ashley only ever truly loved her sister Melanie.  She races after her husband Rhett to plead with him not to leave her.  She tells him that she now realizes she was in love with him all along. Panicked, she asks, "Where shall I go, what shall I do?" Rhett responds with the famous line "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."He leaves her. 

She is devastated, broken and alone.  Weeping, she hears her fathers words reminding her of  "Tara", her home and what is important to her. As she realizes that she still has Tara, it is here that she finds a glimmer of hope.  All is not lost.  She will go home and figure some way to get him back. In the midst of her heartbreak...she finds the last words of the movie, "After all.....tomorrow is another day."

It's a great message. Sometimes we get so caught up in what has happened today and what we didn't do or wished we had done that we worry and torture ourselves with our own bad thoughts.  We lose sight of the fact that there is hope.  It is in this hope that we can take steps to be in a better place tomorrow.

No matter where you are and what is happening, find that glimmer of hope.  Tomorrow can and will be a better day. :)

Paula

Unconditional Giving

"And still, after all this time,

The sun never says to the earth,

You owe me."

Look what happens with 

A love like that,

It lights up the whole Sky."

        

                               ~Hafez

Paula

Being Happy

Happiness is a choice they say.  Sometimes it's hard to be happy when circumstances around us are less than that. But there are ways to look at our circumstances and not be sucked in and overwhelmed by them.  It's kind of like observing what is around us rather than reacting to what is around us.  And, not letting our emotions get the best of us.

This caught my eye the other day in the book store.  It made me stop and think.

7 Steps To Happiness

Think Less, See More

Frown Less, Smile More

Talk Less, Listen More

Judge Less, Accept More

Watch Less, Do More

Complain Less, Appreciate More

Fear Less, Love More  

All actions I can take.  :)

Paula

(p.s.  the door made me feel happy)

Inspiration....

"You don't always need a plan.   Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens."

                                                                                                            ~Mandy Hale

The Power of Now

“As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love - even the most simple action.” 
                                                                                                                             ― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Did you know that as you "create" you are actively working in the present moment.  That's what I love about painting.  It calms the mind and soul and allows you to be right where you are.  In the now.  

Create something today and work on bringing your life into the present moment.  

Paula

Fruit Of The Spirit - Kindness

Kindness comes from the heart.  It can be a gentle reach, a lending hand or a gesture towards someone or something that shows you care.

Soften your heart today.  Find a way to extend kindness in some way as you move through the day.  It can be an encouraging smile towards a stranger, an email or message sent to a friend or a small gesture that encourages you to reach out of your comfort zone a bit.

The kindness you extend....comes back to you tenfold.  Imagine if we each practiced kindness every day?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Paula

The Importance Of Being Still

I was out running around yesterday and have to say that I am a bit overwhelmed with all of the holiday items and decorations.  I know it's that time of year, but it seems like the stores are screaming holiday time...look at me!  Holidays can be stressful.  Presents, decorations, food, family.....it can be a lot. Not to mention everything else that is going on in our lives. If you don't eat right and you are jacked up on caffeine then the anxiety and stress only multiplies.

So how do we keep balance in our lives at such a crazy time?  The best way to find balance and keep everything in perspective is to take 5-10 minutes everyday and quiet the mind and be still. I know you are thinking great in practice but it will never happen.  It will if you take the time to do it.  Break your old habits and introduce a new one.  See what happens.

There are wonderful teas on the market that can help promote a sense of "calm" over you and help with anxiety and stress.  The act of making tea will help introduce a special "time out" for you and encourage you to get into a quiet daily practice.  Shut down your thoughts...which are not always positive. Give yourself time to turn off and just focus on your breath. The benefits of being still - even for 5 minutes will allow you to:

• become more calm and patient with others
• handle situations more focused and less reactionary
• think more clearly
• redirect your efforts to what is really important
• lower your blood pressure
• feel better 

I like to take 5 minutes right in the middle of the afternoon.  It helps you focus on the rest of the day and not be so frantic to get everything done before you get home or before the kids get off the bus.  Just try it.  Get out of your head, close your eyes, quiet your thoughts and be still.  I like Yogi teas and I like their message below.

About Yogi Tea / Serving Your Spirit:
The story of tea has a wonderful mythology thousands of years old, and it is deeply entwined with the ancient traditions and spiritual practices of the East.  Along the banks of the sacred rivers of India, yogis created mysterious herbal recipes with exquisite flavors.  This knowledge of yoga and herbs is brought to life through the formulation of Yogi Tea; carefully blended to uplift, body and soul.  The exotic spices and herbs gathered from all over the world create memorable aromas and tastes that are truly a bridge between past and present. Our teas are made with certified organic ingredients, without genetic modification.

Go get some tea and take 5.  Try it.  It will make such a difference in your life.  

Paula

Rejoice And Be Glad

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm118:24

I woke up singing this song today.  This is an old song that we use to sing in church when I was little.  I don't think I've heard this song in a long time and I have no idea why I woke up singing it.  So I am going to take this as a little sign and use this as my "mantra" today; rejoice and be glad.



Paula

Give Thanks and Promote Kindness

Hard to believe that I have been blogging for almost a year now.  I have learned so much through this process and am thankful for all of it. I am amazed at how you can find the answers to almost any "how to" question through bloggers and I'm amazed at the warmth and willingness to share throughout the blog community.  But what has been the most rewarding part of this experience has been the support and encouragement that I have received from fellow bloggers and from my readers. I am thankful for all of your thoughts, questions and suggestions.  It has been such a great environment to create, learn and inspire.  It really should be a model for our home communities.

I want to share an adorable creation that came my way last week.

I received the sweetest little package from a reader in Midlothian, Virginia.  She sent me these adorable little felt acorns that she makes for her friends.  Aren't they just the cutest things ever?

I am touched by the kindness of my new friend in Virginia and hope to continue to pass this kindness along to others.

In a world where competition is so prevalent, I am inspired by kindness and those willing to share their experiences and creations with others.

          “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

― Marcel Proust

Have a great week!

Paula

The Option Of Love

"Faced with problems and disappointments, many people will try to escape from their responsibility: escape in selfishness, escape in sexual pleasure, escape in violence, escape in indifference and cynical attitudes.

But today, I propose to you the option of LOVE, which is the opposite of escape."

                                                  ~Saint John Paul II

I read this this morning and thought how much better the world would be if we all would just choose love.

Paula

Friday Feature....Giving, Just Because

Instead of featuring something for the home today, I want to feature putting something into action.  Doing something nice for someone that is out of the ordinary and not for an occasion or special celebration.

I know we are all busy and you are probably thinking...I wish I could but I just don't have the time....I get that.  I do. But, sometimes we need to step away from our busy crazy lives and allow ourselves the wonderful gift of giving. The gift of appreciation. When was the last time you stopped by a friends house with a card and some flowers or a plate of cookies for no reason at all?  Just a simple "thank you" for being my friend, or thank you for caring?  Maybe someone you know is having a hard time and just needs to know someone cares about them.

To give is a wonderful feeling.  To give without a reason, trumps that in a big way.

Do something for someone today just because you want to. Go buy a card, or pick up a little plant from the hardware store.  Bake something out of the goodness of your heart for no real reason - other than to say "I was thinking of you."  You will be amazed at the gift that you get back in return.  You will be amazed at how a simple act or a thoughtful gesture can change the course of the day. Lift up your friends or someone in your family and show them you care.

I've learned that people will forget what you said....

People will forget what you did....

But people will never forget how you made them feel.

~Maya Angelou

Imagine how much better the world would be if we all did this more often.   

I hope you have a great weekend and that you find time to lift someone up.  

Paula

A Fresh Start

Ok.....I know spring is coming.  As I look out at the trees in the back yard, the blooms here in South Carolina are just waiting for the sun to come out so they can burst open.  I look forward to that time of year when everything blooms.  Everything is new and fresh and comes to life.

I was reading a book the other day and came across this saying.  "May I wake ready for that daily yet greatest of gifts - a fresh start."

Unlike a tree that blooms and gets to show off it's colors each year, we have the marvelous opportunity to wake up each day and start over.  We get to have a fresh start every day to make it into something wonderful.

I'm looking forward to today, how about you?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Paula

Friendships and Seasons

I've been thinking a lot about friendships lately.  I am fortunate to have had some wonderful friends touch my life over the years.  Sometimes I think back to friends I had that I really liked and I wonder what happened to them and wonder where they are and what they are doing.  I have friends who I think of often but don't really talk to.  I have friends that I chat with on FB or call and text occasionally, but very few friends that I hold near and dear to my heart.  You know....those friends that are part of your BFF (best friends forever) circle.

I've watched my girls who are in college and high school, lose friends, make friends and change best friends as they grow up and find their own way.  They have friends that hurt them and they don't really understand why.

As I'm getting older, my friends are on my mind more and more these days.  Parents have become ill, a a spouse has passed away, a marriage has ended.  Life starts to hurt a little more in different ways. We need those special friends to help us navigate through emotions and troubles that are new to us. We need that shoulder to cry on and someone to lean on. But not all friends understand where you are and what you are going through. It takes a special friend to listen, love and pray with you. Sometimes your friends are there and you don't even know it.  They are with you in spirit.

I have told my girls that sometimes friendships run their own course. Friends are sometimes here for a reason and then they go away.  If you are lucky and blessed, you find one that will be with you throughout your life's journey.  Here is the poem  - unknown by author but a good reminder in understanding why some friends come and go and some stay forever.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Forget Me Nots...  Do you have a friend that you need to reach out to today or maybe one that is on your mind?  Whether it's for a reason or a season - reach out.

“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Have a great day!

Paula

You Are Creative

I have never thought of myself as a creative or artistic person. I first realized this when I was in kindergarten.  I was coloring a picture at my desk when the teacher came by and told the little girl next to me how beautiful her coloring was. She looked at my picture, but didn't say anything about it. I looked over at the girl beside me and saw that her her picture was so much prettier than mine. Her lines were even, soft and effortless.  No matter how hard I tried to color like her - I never could. And then came Art class. The teacher would always use that little girl's projects as examples of what we should be trying to do and encourage us to create like her. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I didn't use the right colors or my proportions were wrong.  The teacher was always coming by to "fix" what I was doing. So it was at an early age that I realized I was not an artist and thought that I was not creative.

It is sad to say but from the time we are little, we are brought up and taught to listen to someone else's idea of what is good or bad or how something should look based on their ideas and concepts.  We are taught early on about perfection and what it means to be artistic and creative by someone else.

I think Pablo Picasso had it right.

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

"If I don't have red, I use blue."

"I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else."

One of the things I love about painting, is that I am able to create and have learned that it's ok to mess up. Pick a color and if it doesn't work, try another. Try a new finish.  If you don't like it, paint over it.  In messing up I am learning what works and what doesn't.  At the end of the day, I can see what I've done and what I've accomplished.  And for the most part, I stand back and say....."yeah, I like that."   And that feels pretty darn good.

Bring out your own creativity in life.  One small step at a time.

Happy Tuesday.

Paula

Pink Roses and a Poem

Pink roses are my absolute favorite. I received my first dozen roses ever (they were pink) from my sweet high school boyfriend when I was 16 and not feeling very well. The roses came along with a brand new pair of Nike tennis shoes, a bunch of "Hubba Bubba" bubble gum (there is inside significance there) and a poem that I still carry with me. It was a sweet, kind gesture that I remember fondly.

Pink roses are the longest existing roses known to the world and are depicted in some of the earliest known pieces of art.  All beauty and fragrance associated with roses can be traced back to the pink rose. Roses are not only a symbol of love and gratitude but the pink rose carries with it, its newer connotation of grace, elegance, sweetness and romance.  I love them because I think they are beautiful and sweet and they remind me of that time when I was 16 and all of life was before me.

As I've gotten older, I am learning to appreciate what I have and I am trying to become more kind and thankful in all that I do. I want people to be kind, but that always isn't the case. The trials and tribulations of life are not always easy.  So if you are going through a tough time and you feel like life is handing you lemons or you need a bit of inspiration....I want you to read the poem that my husband gave me so long ago. Maybe it will help you feel better or make you see things in a different light.

Don’t You Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 
When the funds are low and the debts are high, 
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit. 


Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.


Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow. 
Often the goal is nearer than, 
it seems to a faint and faltering man; 
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup; 
And he learned too late when the night came down, 
How close he was to the golden crown.


Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt, 
And you never can tell how close you are, 
It might be near when it seems afar; 
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Ralph Acosta

We all need support at one time or another.  Will you lend yours to someone this weekend? 

Happy Friday!

Paula