... thru cindi's eyes

moved....

2010-08-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

this blog is now posted here:

grace and gratitudes

mid-summer blues?

2010-07-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

rubbish!!

no time for that!

counting my blessings always helps!

101. - 115.

library books

my dad

summer thunderstorms

the girls next door

echo. the shy one. letting me pet him.

lemonade

baseball games

fireworks @ 10 from Kings Island... all summer long!

home grown tomatoes still blooming!

gummy vitamins

perfect pillows

air conditioning

screened in porch

cyber friend -Brandi of The Joy Rebel

silence of the night

getting back to gratitude.

2010-07-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

How does time escape? and so quickly... Somedays it seems it's spinning out of control!! Even though I have added to my Gratitude Journal I've certainly been negligent here!! Again I want to Join Ann over here and add to my forever growing list of Hallelujahs. But before I start my list I wanted to share just a bit. Have you ever noticed that a lot of times when we make a commitment to something that seems it should be "oh... so easy" to accomplish that is when 'stuff' creeps in and it all of the sudden it is "oh SO challenging"? The 'stuff' comes from all sides ready to tear us down. I've been having some challenges lately and I've decided that "STUFF" is NOT GOING To get in my way again! I'm going to move forward and do something that I usually don't feel like doing! I'm going to be grateful for the "STUFF"! ... funny too as this looks to also be quite a few of Ann's blessings and what her blog list contains. So I'm in good company for sure!

76. ~ 100.

writing it out

headaches

confusion

misunderstandings between friends

feeling stuck

the summer heat setting in

failed tomatoe plants

missing my girls

talking to P.E.T. and getting talked back!

lack of planning

late nights

early mornings

humidity

loneliness

feeling inferior

snail mail ❤

a reliable vehicle

my guy

company

silence

missed opportunities

new opportunities

my camera

breakfast for dinner

old friends

gratitudes. aplenty.

2010-06-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

Posted my many gratitudes here this week!

with gratitude over and over and over...

2010-06-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

So many blessings...

.. given freely and abundantly from the

One

who loves us the most.

41. HIS faithfulness

42. a brand new day

43. memories of my girls when they were young

44. the cool breeze gently blowing through the house

45. fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries

46. tabi-cat

47. my in-laws who raised such a wonderful man

48. the beautiful blue sky with puffy clouds floating by

49. music

50. the evening shade cast over the backyard swing

attitude of gratitude...

2010-05-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Joining with Ann again in an attitude of gratitude for so many delights.

31. garden bells ringing as the rain is falling:

32. the birds chirping loudly calling out to one another

33. the rain hitting the windows as the wind shifts in every direction:

34. the back garden as it starts to take shape

35. great friends each one special in their own way!

36. rain drops on roses:

37. the warmth the sun brings

38. the kitties watching as the rain clouds are gathering:

39. the fragrance of petunias after it rains

40. receiving special artwork in the mail:

gratitude ... in images

2010-05-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Even though I usually do this on a Monday... and it's Tuesday

And even though I usually use words ... today I'm using images!

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Best Shot Monday

giving gratitude in all things..

2010-05-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

This Monday I join Ann in giving thanks in all things.

11.for the little girl who loves to screech just to hear it echo in the back yard

12.for the ducks who think the bird seed is put out for them

13.for the elderly neighbors next door who are replanting their yard for the third time

14.for the family that lives down the street and have yet to put ANYthing into their back yard..not even a patio or a deck

15.for the sweet little girls next door who no longer have a Dad

16.for a husband who works too hard and still finds time to take care or the ones he loves

17.for kitties that eat too much ... then toss their cookies on the carpet

18.for the breeze that knocks the blinds in and out in and out in and out

19.for the plane up above taking people to and/or from vacations, work, their families and home

20.for Ann (with no fancy e at the end) who inspires me every time she posts a blog

echo watching the rain

flower garden girl

2010-04-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

I love a garden.. any kind really. A rock garden, a fruit and vegetable garden or a water garden ~ those are especially nice! My favorite is a flower garden. There is something special about just digging in the dirt and planting seeds then watering and waiting... to see it pop through the soil and then with the help of the sun - just take off !

But then a lot of times I just dig through the rejects at Lowes and find something special that looks like it's on its last leg! Usually it's marked down - sometimes for 49¢! I take it home give it a good spot in the ground... water it and maybe add a little fertilizer and let the sun take it from there. .... and ta-da!! in a matter of days it's stretching out towards the sky producing beauties as pretty as it's expensive counterparts left behind at garden center.

{first come the ideas...}

{followed by the work... or play - depending how you look at it}

{and then

the pleasure!!}

... most get enjoyed in the yard but every few days some find their way inside!

❤

☼

gratitudes...

2010-04-12T20:34:00.001-07:00

Once again I am joining Ann Voskamp and The Gratitude Community by counting my multitude of blessings.

Hers is a must read... but I love this realization:

"“God doesn’t ask me to be perfect; He asks me to praise.”

I love love love that. Now if I can just remember it!

Oh and this just expounds her thoughts:

"I simply need have a grateful heart to give Him glory.

Gratitude in all things is the only thing God asks.

Can I take each seeming problem and turn it back to praise?

That alone is the one thing that is needful."

6. waking up to the birds tweeting their 'good morning'

7. sleeping with the windows open

8. getting dirty hands while planting flowers and herbs

9. for the doctors and nurses caring for Chris

10. for warm mornings

Multitudes on Monday...

2010-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Today I am joining Ann Voskamp and The Gratitude Community by counting my multitude of blessings.

"With the voice of joy and thanksgiving,
a multitude keeping festival..."

~Ps.42:4

the rain
the beginings of spring
the quietness
God's grace
the birds

.. a little slower to speak

2010-03-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

Today I want to share a link to a blog that really speaks to my heart...

Certainly something I want to ponder over.

This song by Kendall Payne has become an anthem for me (especially that last line):

I’ve got a new way of living now a little less of a lot
A little more of nothing
Thought you might have seen the change in me
Little quicker to listen little slower to speak

What You Really Need When Life is Loud ~ Holy Experience

... spread the word

2010-03-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

Spread the Word to End the Word Day! March 3, 2010.

It is being referred to as “the r word.” It includes the two words “retard” and “retarded.” The campaign is asking people to take the pledge to drop the words from their vocabulary.

I just pledged here:

http://www.r-word.org/

Please ~ won't you do the same???

Please see the following websites promoting Spread the Word to End the Word Day today.

http://www.specialolympics.org/spread-the-word-to-end-the-word.aspx

http://therword.org/

http://www.facebook.com/EndtheWord

thank you.

a good idea...

2010-02-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

an aha moment...

Have you ever experienced one of those??

Stacey Curnow led me to experience one of those times this evening as I read the blog she had posted for yesterday: The Power of Your Story. I am so glad that I noticed that I had skipped over a post and went back... as it was truly something I needed to hear and more important that I was ready to hear. Even though I'm sure I've heard something of the sort before - some things need the timing to be just right so we can receive what is being shared. The things we tell ourselves every single minute of every single day are the very things we are made up of. So those words need to be as positive and loving as... well Stacey just shares it so much better. Go check it out!

encouraging words from joy rebel herself..

2010-02-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

This is a post from one of my very fav bloggers: joy rebel. She begins each week with mission monday. This past mission monday was about encouragement... which we all need from time to time. I just love how honest she is...

"Confession time. When I first started trying to create stuff and then sell them, I often withheld encouragement and support for other artists. I viewed them as a threat and I was jealous of any success they had because I wanted that success. I felt my product wasn't good enough and that my opportunities were limited so I certainly didn't want to encourage anyone else to succeed.

Not pretty but there it is.

I was insecure and basically, the only way I have built confidence is through practice.

When it comes to creating and putting what I create out into the world...good grief. I've had a lot of practice.

And I'm still learning.

One thing a whole lot of practice has given me though, is an understanding of what's important.
And viewing others as competition or threats feels like crap. I don't like feeling like crap.

So I had a little talk with myself and decided to let go of this idea that the world is limited and that others will 'take' from me if they succeed. And then I re-learned that lesson another hundred times or so before it sunk in.

I share this because I've been thinking about my own dreams and creative ambitions and know that plenty of readers out there may have creative aspirations and maybe they are feeling a little of those yucky insecurities I was feeling.

And I wanted to share the encouragement that I received once I screwed up the courage to ask. It's true that there's nothing new under the sun but we all see the same things through different lenses so our expressions of what we see are as unique as snowflakes.

When that uniqueness is shared-whether it be through selling your art or giving away to your mom or hanging on your wall-our world is richer. I love a rich world like I love a rich chocolate cake.

So your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to practice encouragement...especially to yourself.

Some ideas for practicing encouragement:
-share an etsy shop of an independent artist that you like with friends. Like *cough* joy rebel images *cough* ;-)
-trace a heart on your mirror for a little pick me up the next time you take a shower.
-wear those red shoes if you feel like it.
-send an email to someone and let them know how much they mean to you.
-ask those questions you've been meaning to ask.

And...what else? I would love to know how you encourage yourself or others.

I plan on this week being all about encouragement, both here and on twitter. Please stay tuned...

Happy missioning joy rebels!

Lists...

2010-02-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Every Thursday on Stacey Curnow's Midwife for your Life Blog she features Ruthie Yarme. Today she wrote 100 Things That Delight. I really love the post and as anyone who knows me personally knows I also am always making lists! It helps keep me focused on what needs to be done. Sometimes I get lazy or don't feel like that much is going on.. and I stop ... and those are the times that some of the simple but extraordinary things get left behind. Like writing the things I'm grateful for each day... If there's a list ... hopefully made the night before, it just seems more gets done from the mundane to the extraordinaier. I do have an ongoing list on my scattered wildflowers page ... It's a list of things I ❤ . I leave it open ended and add to it when the mood stikes. Just reading it makes me smile ...

Do you make lists of any kind? I'd love to hear the whats and whys of your lists.

Create a Powerful Morning Ritual

2010-02-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

This morning I opened up an email from Christine Kane and it contained this article. So much good info... and just this week had started some of these myself! (before I even read it!!!) I love it when I recieve such an obvious confirmation!

*********************************************

How to Create a Powerful Morning Ritual
by Christine Kane

It is said that your habits create your destiny.

I'd add that your habits also create your confidence, courage and even your creativity!

In other words, your daily choices, routines, and seemingly insignificant moments make all the difference in your results.

One of the best ways to generate great results is to create a morning ritual. A powerful morning ritual sets the tone for your entire day - and your entire year!

A ritual is personal. A ritual is creative. (Not reactive!) A ritual is what gets YOU on track to create your best day. (And subsequently, your best life!) It can be as simple as a 15-minute routine, or as intense as long-distance running. The important thing is that it becomes a HABIT.

My morning ritual combines a mixture of physical, mental and heart-centered activities to engage each of these human power centers!

Here are some ideas to help you create your own powerful morning ritual.

Hydrate First

Many Eastern health practitioners recommend chugging down at least a half-liter of filtered room-temperature water first thing. (Yes, before your coffee!)

Upon waking, your body has spent hours without hydration. Drinking pure water at this time triggers a series of physiological functions that keep your body super healthy. Some report that this one practice can actually heal many diseases. (I'm not a scientist – but I can attest to the amazing results!)

Get Moving

Exercise is called "The Number One Form of Preventive Medicine."

It is also a prescription for happiness and a cure for depression! Getting exercise first thing sets your day off right. You can do a simple stretching routine, yoga or an all-out heart-pounding hour at the gym. Pick something do-able and do it.

Meditate

Many people don't meditate because they find it intimidating. I say, start with just 5 minutes. Meditation connects you to your center, and to the deep silence that surpasses any drama that might be happening in the world of your personality. Don't worry about doing it right. Just allow yourself the time to BE.

Set Intention

"Intention rules the earth," says Oprah Winfrey.

It's true! Your intention is a powerful force to engage.

Remembering your intention puts you back on track. You become focused again.

Reflect for a moment on your Word of the Year. Read a goal you've written down for yourself. Remind yourself of a financial dream. (If you're one of my new students in Uplevel Your Business, read the intention you wrote down on the first day of the program!)

You don't have to know the HOW. You just need to set the intention so your inner GPS can stay on target!

Be Grateful

Before I get out of bed, I silently create a morning gratitude list. When I begin my day remembering my "gratitudes," (instead of my "anxieties") my heart fills with extreme joy and deep awareness. I then bring that energy into everything I do - and to everyone with whom I connect.

Use a Netty Pot

(This one's a little weird!)

For years, my acupuncturist told my husband and I to use a Netty Pot. We laughed at him. Then, in the face of acute sinus problems, my husband tried it and became a convert. He converted me.

A Netty Pot uses warm water and a special salt to cleanse your sinuses and clear your breathing. Google it, and let the idea sit with you for a while. (You might be a convert too!)

Eat Creative

Your choice of breakfast foods can set up your success with other meals as well. Start your day off in the healthiest way possible for you - and make it a ritual, not a chore.

Be Prepared: Create a Not-to-Do List

Everyone needs a "Not To Do" morning list.

Suggestions here include anything that brings up a "reactive" state: Turning on the local news. Checking email. Answering texts. Answering the phone.

Let these things wait until AFTER your ritual has been completed!

Your Assignment:

After reading this article, don't just think, "Wow. Those are some good ideas. I should try one or two."

Instead, deliberately create your morning ritual now. Take about 20 minutes to think about and write down what your ritual will be each morning. Start simple at first. Choose one or two items from this menu. Or come up with your own. Write out your Ritual in detail.

Begin first thing tomorrow morning, and let your habits create YOUR destiny starting now!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative atwww.christinekane.com.

notes to myself...

2010-02-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

I just love this post from Jen Lee...
words to live by indeed!

Green Market, Union Square, Diana Instant+

Notes to Myself on a Thursday

You don't have to try so hard.
You don't have to be the glue that holds it all together.
You're not the only one who can cook or host.

You still think it's your job to feed the world.

But what if it is enough for you to get out of bed every day,
what if no one minds your plaid hat and your unwashed hair?
What if they scan your tired, half-hearted appearance
and call it
“hip”?
What if all anyone ever needs is you, just as you are?
What if your presence alone gives the world
something
true?

Let the chatter die away
and forget about getting
a single thing ever ever right.
Ask for something you want,
and let someone else give it to you.

Consider there's some other glue that holds it all together,
and your job is only
to be held.

Jen Lee

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 6:51AM Jen Lee | 11 Comments | in Poetry | Permalink

support

2010-02-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading a wonderful blog and wanted to share!

...click on this awesome picture of tiny cut out hearts... it so fits with the blog!

as you read there as well:

Image and words courtesy of Meg Fahrenbach aka the delicious

Tea & Brie

inspiration tokens.

2010-01-31T17:19:00.000-08:00

to give

this week...