Thoughts
Thoughts and feelings on the challenges and gifts of life.
-
Warmest Christmas Wishes ~ A Brief Message of Hope
While we may celebrate differently, while this Christmas may hold heartache, loss, trauma or joy, peace and love; I pray you can know the HOPE of Christmas! May you know peace, joy, love, and the gift of His and your loved ones Presence. Each day is a gift! I pray you can open these next couple days and thoroughly enjoy the contents! I was talking with a friend today about how we have been through; some tough life stuff. I imagine you have too! We chatted about the fact that even in the tough and ugly stuff, there is HOPE and what I call ‘gifts in the journey.’…
-
~ 100 Days to Christmas Countdown ~
‘We need a little Christmas . . . right this very minute’ . . . Yes! The countdown is on and over at Paperless Post they are celebrating 100 Days to Christmas Countdown. I was inspired by Christmas cards over at Paperless Post. Feel free to check out their Christmas cards here as we prepare for the season. So in tune with Christmas, we were chatting recently about Christmas traditions. No, it’s not too early as I’ve been planning my Logan’s tradition (more to come) since August 1st per their request. Christmas is such a time of hope. While most of the time Christmas is joyous, there are those times where…
-
The Strength in Scars
Scars . . . we all have them. Some are visible, some not. Some are emotional, burned onto our soul while others are there for the world to see. Some are scars we just see. Some we hide, some we can’t. No matter, scars are reminders of where we have been, what we’ve endured and how we’ve made it out with the choice to tell our story. It’s been not quite 3 1/2 years since I had a double mastectomy due to a breast cancer diagnosis. About a year after this major surgery and several surgeries after that, I endured some very deep emotional scars due to a tragedy that took place in our…
-
The Love of Wonder
Oh how I love my journals. They are my friends. When I’m feeling down or happy, I love to create in them and often what is inside pours out onto the pages of my journals. It was no different with this page I titled ‘Wonder’. I thought I’d share and would encourage you to think about the following . . . What is wonder? 1 wonder play noun won·der \ˈwən-dər\ : something or someone that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc. : a feeling caused by seeing something that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc. : something that is surprising or hard to believe We can live busy lives and…
-
Be You. Bravely
It’s been a while since my last post and for good reason. I returned from Idaho and an amazing Brave Girl University teacher retreat. Shortly after that on a Sunday night, I began to experience some internal bleeding and a lot of pain. It landed me in the hospital for three days with ulcers and then rest for an additional four days after that. So I’ve been a little MIA but I’ve been doing some extra resting and returning to normal. I wanted to share a few thoughts on Being You . . . Bravely. I’ve been thinking on this often. As many of you know, I have a teenage…
-
Warmest Easter Greetings ~ Reminder of a New Beginning
Easter brings such hope for new beginnings. Life can be amazing but it can also be so hard, difficult and so fragile. Easter reminds us of a new hope, a new beginning, a new life. I’M reminded of sweet memories as I sat on the piano bench with my mom next to me playing a precious hymn popular at Easter. That sweet song . . . Because He lives. Wishing you all a beautiful Easter and a reminder that there is HOPE for a new beginning.
-
A Sketch A Day, Keeping Stress Away
About a year ago as I showed up for my oncology and surgical checkups and noticed my blood pressure inching it’s way higher. When we had a mandatory wellness check at work my blood pressure was extremely high and they sent me to my doctor. My ticker was good but bp wasn’t. That explained the headaches too. I’ve taken some steps to bring that bp down. I’m sure weight was sone to do with it but stress from the last three years (personally and physically) is also a major culprit. One thing I am trying to make a habit of is doing is create each day which seems to really relax me. I had participated in a…
-
Identity ~ As We Enter a New Year
As I had a little quiet time this morning, I was thinking about entering the New Year and how important it is to remember my identity. I don’t mean my name, where I was born, etc. but rather who I am – deeply rooted who I am. Some things that came to mind and apply to you as well is that you are loved, cherished, unique, have purpose that only you can fulfill. You have the ability to have an impact, are valuable (no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, the mistakes you’ve made). For me my faith plays an absolute role in who I am. Because I am a…
-
Warmest Wishes From Ours to Yours ~ Merry Christmas
I want to wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas. I know this season can be joyful or it can be difficult for many. It certainly is a season of reflection; maybe of loss of dreams, loved ones, relationships, victories, challenges, blessings, or other things. During this season we can always be grateful for life. That’s a lot of what this season is about. So as we give thanks for life and the other blessings, may the warmth and hope of Christmas and the New Year fill your hearts. A new beginning is ahead.
-
The Beauty of ‘You’ness
I love that there are no two people alike that roam this earth! That is an amazing fact. Even identical twins will not have the same exact experience. Each of us have a unique purpose as well that no one else can fulfill. Each of you have special and unique characteristics, personalities and perspectives! I recently created a custom angel for a beautiful red-headed girl with blue eyes. She is a doll. Below are a few photos of the piece. I wanted to encourage you to think about how your ‘you’niqueness and how special you are. Below is a great art journaling prompt or just take a few minutes and enjoy…
