Month: September 2012

I went to the circus this weekend…

I did not expect to walk away contemplating a critical thought…

I was amazed as I sat and watched the performers, from jugglers to acrobats, from crazy clowns to animal trainers…it was evident to me that there was no room for fear!

If I was in the circus performance, I believe I would fear dropping the items I was juggling, I would fear falling from the top of the tight rope or I would fear that perhaps one of the 8 tigers I was working with might not do as I had trained…

I began to contemplate where fear factors into my day-to-day….

I am not sure it is clear to me where it shows up and yet I am afraid it does…:-)

I hope to be keenly aware this week and face my fears head on.

Always nice when an event like the circus is enjoyable and allows me to walk away with an invitation for my week!

 

My crazy pup Dutch has a habit of gathering whatever I wore last…

Tonight I got home and my socks and Michigan jacket were on the couch.

The other day she had my socks and scarf that I took off when I got home…

One day I sent my clothes right down the chute and she found them downstairs in the laundry basket and brought it upstairs to sleep on…

I find this so fascinating and quite endearing….

I also found a great couch cover for her to lay on since she believes all  furniture is for her. Yet each time I come downstairs Dutchess  has removed the cover and is enjoying the feel of the couch. I shake my head, smile and stop to pet her.

She is a crazy pup who is addicted to playing with her ball…

She is a wonderful companion who follows me off leash like a magnet….

She is enjoyed at my office by staff, caregivers and strangers alike…

She was an impulsive decision on my part and yet one I am glad I made every day.

 

 

 

 

I enjoy watching the voice…

I am not a music critic by any means, but I do love to watch people soak up affirmation…

I often tear up when I see affirmation poured into someone’s dreams…

I often wonder what are the thoughts of those who don’t get selected?

I wonder if they walk away hearing the positive or listening to lies that often surface when feeling rejected….

I want to be a person who offers an abundance of affirmation….

Offering affirmation and kind words to someone’s soul should be something we all experience daily…

I hope you are generous with words of affirmation….

and that you have people around you who are generous to you with them as well!

I have a plaque on my mantle…

SIMPLIFY

Live Simply

Live Well..

I often find that I think too much about living simply and don’t act enough on living simply….

I find it comical that living simply can be a very complicated undertaking…I don’t believe that is the intent…

I just started reading 7: an experimental mutiny against excess

7 is the true story of how Jen (along with her husband and her children to varying degrees) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence.

Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress. They would spend thirty days on each topic, boiling it down to the number seven. Only eat seven foods, wear seven articles of clothing, and spend money in seven places. Eliminate use of seven media types, give away seven things each day for one month, adopt seven green habits, and observe “seven sacred pauses.” So, what’s the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It’s the discovery of a greatly increased God—a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better existence.

When standing in front of my mantle, I must be honest that hanging words about simplifying has not truly motivated me live more simply….

But reading and joining a 7 discussion group just may be what transitions me from desire to action. I love her answer to what is the pay off to living a deeply reduced life?

It’s the discovery of a greatly increased God—a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better existence.

I am excited with a bit of nervous anticipation to begin this journey with others who also desire the same outcome…

Thankful for community and the invitation to live life differently with each new day….

 

 

Life is busy…I think it often and I hear it often in conversation with others…

And I realize that we fill it, intentionally or unintentionally with things that we value…

I work hard to make sure I create time for people who I hold dear to my heart.

I know from experience that although there may be a handful of “things” that bring me joy, most often the deepest joy I feel is after I am with people I love!

I saw this today and realize how it resonates in my heart…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit though, when I posted this today, I thought it said “always leave room in your day….”

I agree with the “always leave room in your life….” but I invite you to consider making room every day for something that leaves you happy, satisfied or joyous….

Then you (and I ) can rest assured it will also be true in our lives!