JustMeAgain

An invitation of sorts

 

This photo was actually my daughter's idea, she wrote "you're invited"  on the sand in order to use the print for the invitations to her soon-to-be-here 12th birthday.  Leave it to her to find a creative way to invite her friends to a fun day at the beach. Anyway, while I was editing the photo to send it to the printers, this little message made me think that it is actually such a good daily reminder about the invitation we are ALL given every day to:

* Celebrate life.

* Enjoy the little things!

* Spend time with the people you love.

* Spend some quiet time alone to listen to your own thoughts.

* Give yourself permission to feel the emotions that fill your heart.  Even if it's sadness, regret or disappointment.  You gotta acknowledge these things before you can let them go. Then, you will have room left over for happiness, joy and pure bliss.

* Remember the things that are worth remembering. Forget the things that just add weight to you soul.  If I could only forget about cookies, maybe I would stop eating them so I could rid of the weight I've managed to add to my hips!

* Learn new things.

* Call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Like your sister, your nieces, your mother or Josh Groban, you know, people you really, really love. Oh yes, I have never actually talked to Josh before, but I added that just for good measure. If I could call him, I would!

* Hug someone you haven't hugged in a while. Maybe your husband or your pet rabbit. Okay, I was only kidding.  It hasn't been a while, I do hug my pet rabbit quite often!  ;D  (Yes, perhaps a silly attempt at being funny.)

* Get off the computer and go make your lovely daughter (or son/husband/significant other) or yourself, an awesome Sunday breakfast. Okay, I don't actually cook, but I can certainly put together a little cereal on a pretty bowl with a nice glass of juice and perhaps even make some toast.  That, I can handle. Just don't ask me to bake anything. Or cook anything.

Another fabulous read this weekend!

This weekend I finally got my artsy little hands on Linda and Karen's Journal Revolution. 

And for lack of a better word, I will tell you that it is indeed revolutionary! It screams ART in every page. It invites you to RISE UP AND CREATE. Just the kind of book I love. Just like their Visual Journals, this is a book that reaches into your soul.

I completely "get" their philosophy...life is art. Everything we come into contact that  is part of this wonderful, crazy, art-filled world we live in is indeed a piece of our very soul.

Thank you Linda and Karen for sharing your vision with the world. What an amazing addition to your already beautiful legacy.

I'll come back soon with some pictures of my latest scrapbook class at StampBug this weekend and the rest of the ATCs I've promised to share. 

Life is fragile

I was reminded of such a fact of life by Cathy Zielske's recent post about her friend Mary. Her friend lost her battle with cancer. And I do not need to tell you how reading her post brought tears to my eyes as I'm fairly certain it will have the same effect on you.  My heart is still aching for her friend's family. Thanks Cathy for sharing Mary's story!

I have always admired Cathy's words. She knows just the right way to execute her thoughts. And with her post about Mary, I found myself thankful, once again, for her gentle reminder.

Life is short indeed.

We can choose to be angry, frustrated, sad, hurt or upset until we make ourselves sick. After all, some may argue that it is our God's given right to use our time in any way we want to. But, in the same light, we can also choose to be thankful, appreciative, patient, in love and simply at peace...it generally takes the same amount of energy. Why not go after the emotions that will bring something good to life or those we love? Specially more so because we really do not have too much time to waste in unnecessary pursuits.

Our time here is only borrowed. We can only make the best of it while we are here. We gotta truly hold dear in our hearts those we love, and even those souls that make life difficult. They too, have a journey, and face their own challenges. I really think God's bigger plan for humanity was that we would one day realize that we are here for each other. We are heading towards the same direction, to learn to love one another deeply. I really think God wants us to live our lives with the utmost respect for creation. And I really think that sooner or later we will "get" it. Sooner or later, we'll have to. Or maybe I'm just a dreamer. But life is short. We gotta wake up and make the best of life while we can.

We have to leave a legacy of love such as the one Cathy's friend has left. A life well lived. And well loved. A life that will affect others, even if we never share a word with them. A life that will influence other people, even in a small way to share and to love. That is what Mary has just done. God bless her soul.

Sharing a bit of my dad's wisdom

One of my dad's poems in Spanish says, "lleva pues un pedazo de nina bajo el brazo y el mundo sera tuyo."                                                                                                                                                                                             

He always told me to keep my inner child alive every day of my life.  He would say over and over that the whole world would be mine if I kept a little piece of childhood within my heart.                                                                                                                                                   

The holidays inevitably bring many precious memories. Childhood memories. Daddy-daughter moments forever captured in my heart.  Priceless family moments....Ahh, those happy times.  And I get to be a young girl again in an instant and live the magic of Christmas trough my daughter's eyes. Life is good.

                   

            

This Christmas I've gotten lucky enough to avoid to shopping crazy frenzy at the malls. Most of the presents I am giving away this year are things that I made with pictures I have taken during the year. Albums, mini-albums, pens with photos and many other little things like that. However, I imagine some will be wondering, "so where is the main present"? No worries, DH did a little shopping to help me out too. For some reason, I've had a hard time getting into a "shopping mode" this year. Could be my constant preoccupation with my mother's health problems and the fact that I won't be able to see her this Christmas. Could be that I've had a really busy work month. Or the fact that I've been so tired from lack of sleep that I cannot imagine stepping into a busy mall.  But it's all good, God permitting, I'll be seeing my mother in early Spring next year and we will hopefully make up for lost time.  Having worked so much this month has actually been a blessing as it has kept me away from the malls anyway. And the weekend is coming soon which means I'll get to sleep in! Or so I hope.

I enjoy most of all seeing my daughter's excitement over things at Christmas. Everything is magical. It is a blessing to see her so happy.

 

So my dad always felt that to be an authentic adult, one must remain a child at heart.  I might be a bit bias, but I think he was always right...

I will come back to post one more time before Christmas with a post for all of you, my blog friends. A special post just to thank you for coming over this little part of ciber space this year...you've all been an amazing blessing into my life!

Just a quick post

Haven't had much time for an update in the day or so.  Busy short week at work and at home.  But I do want to post briefly and ask you all for your prayers for our pastor and his wife who are currently sharing the gospel and reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Africa.  I read this morning his most current update and it certainly brought tears to my eyes.  It made me realize of how much we take for granted every day.  The simple fact of being able to stay up late at night to read is a luxury that millions of people in other countries do not have.  So, I just wanted to share a link to Pastor Eric's blog and ask for your prayers for them and also for our brothers and sisters in other countries where the basic necessities of life are indeed a luxury. 

I love this scripture.

"Don't just pretend that you love others.

Really love them.

Hate what is wrong.

Stand on the side of the good.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other"

Romans 12:9-10.

{I took this picture in Boston as we were walking down the street during my recent visit...someone was so clever to use these shoes as plant holders.  They surely made an impression on me}

Soul sharing

I don’t often post things having to do with my faith beliefs because I don’t want readers to think I am imposing what I believe unto them.  But today I feel inspired to write something in this subject since it’s part of who I am and isn’t blogging partly sharing little bits of yourself anyway? You can certainly skip this post if it doesn’t speak to you, no problem. This simply reflects stuff I have been learning in recent weeks and I just felt compelled to share my thoughts today. 

I may have mentioned once or twice before that I have been reading the One Year Bible since January and the One Year Bible Blog, which by the way is an amazing tool in learning more about the daily Bible readings (I appreciate all the illustrations in this blog since I seem to be the visual type of person.)

And this has been indeed a wonderful journey.

It's interesting to see how the more you read the Bible, the more you "get" it. When reading the Bible, even if we don't quite understand parts of it at first, we are in a way depositing little seeds directly from God's word into our brain. Later, the Holy Spirit can access these seeds when we need them in our life. If we don't deposit anything in our "brain account", we won't have anything in there to access from.

That's why I think reading the Bible is so important and it has become a part of my daily life. I have felt this to be a way to directly communicate with God.

The miracles of the world around us as evidence of God’s works

In the words from the apostle Paul: “Ever since the creation of the world [God’s] eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made” (Romans 1:20, New Revised Standard Version).

Paul’s words remind us indeed that we can look at the miracles of the world around and see clear and convincing evidence of God’s handiwork.

Even Albert Einstein said: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I believe that everything in life is indeed a miracle of God.  I have faith in His creation. 

As my church pastor has said repeatedly, the key to receive healing from God is to have FAITH. In fact Jesus often said to those he healed, "Your faith has healed you."

It is said in the Bible that, in his own home Jesus didn't perform many miracles. Matthew 13:58 says, "And Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

For miracles to take place, all we need is faith. And since faith comes from hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17) it is important that we all understand what the Bible says about divine healing.

And as Pablo Picasso once said, “Everything is miraculous”.

All you have is now.

The present moment is all we have. Yes, we have plans and goals, a vision for tomorrow. But now is the only time we possess. And it is enough.
We can clear our mind of the residue of yesterday. We can clear our mind of fears of tomorrow. We can be present, now. We can make ourselves available to this moment, this day. It is by being fully present now that we reach the fullness of tomorrow.
Have no fear, child, a voice whispers. Have no regrets. Relinquish your resentments. Let Me take your pain. All you have is the present moment. Be still. Be here. Trust
All you have is now. It is enough.  -Melody Beattie

I just love this quote.  It brings me so much peace when I most need it.  I hope you all are enjoying an amazing day. 

Peace.

Stewardship

A few Sundays ago, the Pastor at my church discussed the issue of stewardship and its great importance in our life.  I thought his message was very inspiring so I'll share a few of the things that stuck with me.  He spoke of how we must keep good stewardship of five main areas in our lives: Our thoughts, our words, our body, our time and our finances.  I loved his message because it regrouped things that I often think about and that are important to remember in a day to day basis. 

Our thoughts. Many thinkers and philosophers throughout history have in fact agreed that our thoughts shape our reality and this basic principle is also strongly stated in scripture, "Be careful of how you think.  Your life is shaped by your thoughts". Proverbs 4:23 GN.   

These are also some of my favorite quotes on this topic:

* Victor Hugo said: "There is nothing like a dream to create the future".

* Ralph Waldo Emerson beautifully stated:  "Great are those who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world."

* Buddha proclaimed: "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.  With our thoughts we make our world".

Our words.  The Bible says: "Say only what helps, each word a gift".  "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear."  -Ephesian 4:29 PM

Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in The Four Agreements: "Say only what you mean.  The word is the most powerful tool we have as humans."

Oh, this is so true!  If we can only look for kind words to say instead of using sarcasm...if we can empathize instead of criticize...the world can indeed be a better place and we could all be so much happier!

Our body.  Corinthians 6:19, 20 TM  "...glorify God in your body."  This makes me think of how often I disregard this aspect of my life by not exercising or eating right and not drinking enough water. 

Some good quotes that come to mind on this topic:

* "Every man is the builder of a Temple called his body, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead."  -Henry David Thoreau.

* "To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." -Buddha

* "Your body is a Temple but only if you keep it as one."  -Astrid Alauda.

Our time.  "Make the best possible use of your time"  Colossians 4:5 Ph.  This is something I keep reminding myself.  I tend to work too much and forget to spend time with the things that matter most.  As Annie Dillard once said, "how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

A few other quotes on this subject:

* “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that the stuff life is made of.” –Benjamin Franklin.

* Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived. -Captain Jean-Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart, from the film "Star Trek: Generations"

Our finances.  It's important to both learn how to live within our budget and to GIVE lovingly (believe me the living within our budget part is hard when it comes to scrapbooking supplies, LOL). 

One of my favorite quotes on the subject is from Henry Ford: "Time and money spent in helping men to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving."

"If a person gets his attitude towards money straight; it will help straighten out most every other area in his life." -Billy Graham.

And wow, I think I just went on and on.  I hope I haven't lost you yet...LOL

I will close this post with a few layouts that I was able to finish a few hours ago (they had been started a week ago, but I had not been able to finish all the final details)...in the second one I got to use Heidi Swapp's masks!  They were pretty fun to play with.

A few Sundays ago, the Pastor at my church discussed the issue of stewardship and its great importance in our life.  I thought his message was very inspiring so I'll share a few of the things that stuck with me.  He spoke of how we must keep good stewardship of five main areas in our lives: Our thoughts, our words, our body, our time and our finances.  I loved his message because it regrouped things that I often think about and that are important to remember in a day to day basis. 

Our thoughts. Many thinkers and philosophers throughout history have in fact agreed that our thoughts shape our reality and this basic principle is also strongly stated in scripture, "Be careful of how you think.  Your life is shaped by your thoughts". Proverbs 4:23 GN.   

These are also some of my favorite quotes on this topic:

* Victor Hugo said: "There is nothing like a dream to create the future".

* Ralph Waldo Emerson beautifully stated:  "Great are those who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world."

* Buddha proclaimed: "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.  With our thoughts we make our world".

Our words.  The Bible says: "Say only what helps, each word a gift".  "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear."  -Ephesian 4:29 PM

Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in The Four Agreements: "Say only what you mean.  The word is the most powerful tool we have as humans."

Oh, this is so true!  If we can only look for kind words to say instead of using sarcasm...if we can empathize instead of criticize...the world can indeed be a better place and we could all be so much happier!

Our body.  Corinthians 6:19, 20 TM  "...glorify God in your body."  This makes me think of how often I disregard this aspect of my life by not exercising or eating right and not drinking enough water. 

Some good quotes that come to mind on this topic:

* "Every man is the builder of a Temple called his body, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead."  -Henry David Thoreau.

* "To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." -Buddha

* "Your body is a Temple but only if you keep it as one."  -Astrid Alauda.

Our time.  "Make the best possible use of your time"  Colossians 4:5 Ph.  This is something I keep reminding myself.  I tend to work too much and forget to spend time with the things that matter most.  As Annie Dillard once said, "how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

A few other quotes on this subject:

* “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that the stuff life is made of.” –Benjamin Franklin.

* Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived. -Captain Jean-Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart, from the film "Star Trek: Generations"

Our finances.  It's important to both learn how to live within our budget and to GIVE lovingly (believe me the living within our budget part is hard when it comes to scrapbooking supplies, LOL). 

One of my favorite quotes on the subject is from Henry Ford: "Time and money spent in helping men to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving."

"If a person gets his attitude towards money straight; it will help straighten out most every other area in his life." -Billy Graham.

And wow, I think I just went on and on.  I hope I haven't lost you yet...LOL

I will close this post with a few layouts that I was able to finish a few hours ago (they had been started a week ago, but I had not been able to finish all the final details)...in the second one I got to use Heidi Swapp's masks!  They were pretty fun to play with.

A poem by Thena Smith!!!

Thank you Thena for such a wonderful poem!  And thank you to all of you who posted such caring and encouraging comments in my last post.   

God bless folks who love
And treasure as they deserve
Those precious pets one never forgets
And comfort them when the time comes
That the sweet one will be taken home
Not to wake up to another earthly sun.

God bless the child that loves a pet
And knows that it is true
That a little dog's heart is full of love
Created especially for you.

God bless the folks that lose a pet
No matter what the cause may be
But God bless the folks who love them enough
That from pain they set them free.

God Bless the folks and wipe their tears
And let them understand
That their sweet pet is Heaven's sweet guest
And plays now in an awesome land.