Jon and Sarah go swimming for the first time with their school classes -
so thankful that I can go and watch them.
My life is deeply rich in so many ways
the Words we say
I asked God to show me who to love. Who needed a cheerful smile, a thought, a compliment, a friend or a plate of cookies.
He opened my eyes and I am overwhelmed by how many are afflicted and needing a friend. Needing a hand around their shoulder. A hug. A word of encouragement.
I said Hi to my neighbor yesterday. Asked how things were going. He replied and then offered to snow shovel my driveway. Boggled my mind. We hardly ever speak but yet a friendly exchange of words led to that.
I took cookies to a sister who was recovering from surgery. I've admired this women for years...and felt she had no interest in being my friend. But she invited me back to visit with her. Without cookies. Without children.
I've been suffering myself from Lack of good words. I swear at my children and yell and I can't seem to get through to them without being that way. It always results in me being loud and angry. I've been reading a book that is teaching me to use words to bless my children. Words to encourage. Words to support. Words to sustain them with.
Why is it that positive words are so effective? Have you ever held onto that love note or card from someone who cares about you? Children yearn for the affection from their parents. Spouses wait for that word of appreciation from their partners.
Even in fairy tales....Sleeping beauty was effected by the curse of a wicked witch and blessed by the words of loving good fairies. Their words could not be undone once spoken.
In the scriptures....Issac was tricked into giving the birthright blessing to his second son. It was known that that blessing was powerful and real and would effect the rest of their lives.
In real life.... my children were fighting in the car and refused to buckle up. Instead of yelling like usual I wisely picked my words and said..."You are a good boy Jon. You can make good choices". Immediately he sat up and put his seat belt on. In that moment the children noticed that something was different and they turned to look at me and to hear whatever I might say next. I told them that I was happy with them for getting ready for school on time and finding their belongings without my help. I told them I was so glad that I was their mommy and that I was blessed to have them as my children.
We can curse someone or bless them with our words.
"A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless."
-- Author Unknown
He opened my eyes and I am overwhelmed by how many are afflicted and needing a friend. Needing a hand around their shoulder. A hug. A word of encouragement.
I said Hi to my neighbor yesterday. Asked how things were going. He replied and then offered to snow shovel my driveway. Boggled my mind. We hardly ever speak but yet a friendly exchange of words led to that.
I took cookies to a sister who was recovering from surgery. I've admired this women for years...and felt she had no interest in being my friend. But she invited me back to visit with her. Without cookies. Without children.
I've been suffering myself from Lack of good words. I swear at my children and yell and I can't seem to get through to them without being that way. It always results in me being loud and angry. I've been reading a book that is teaching me to use words to bless my children. Words to encourage. Words to support. Words to sustain them with.
Why is it that positive words are so effective? Have you ever held onto that love note or card from someone who cares about you? Children yearn for the affection from their parents. Spouses wait for that word of appreciation from their partners.
Even in fairy tales....Sleeping beauty was effected by the curse of a wicked witch and blessed by the words of loving good fairies. Their words could not be undone once spoken.
In the scriptures....Issac was tricked into giving the birthright blessing to his second son. It was known that that blessing was powerful and real and would effect the rest of their lives.
In real life.... my children were fighting in the car and refused to buckle up. Instead of yelling like usual I wisely picked my words and said..."You are a good boy Jon. You can make good choices". Immediately he sat up and put his seat belt on. In that moment the children noticed that something was different and they turned to look at me and to hear whatever I might say next. I told them that I was happy with them for getting ready for school on time and finding their belongings without my help. I told them I was so glad that I was their mommy and that I was blessed to have them as my children.
We can curse someone or bless them with our words.
"A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless."
-- Author Unknown
take a number and sit in the waiting room...
Waiting - The act of remaining inactive or stationary.
An infant car seat sits in the storage room. It's just there taking up space. I haven't thrown it out or given it to someone in need. It's the "what if" we want another child... that prevents me from doing anything.
I can't just get rid of it. It would be like shutting a book on the final chapter. No more babies. The kids keep getting older. I keep getting older. The clock keeps ticking and the memory book keeps adding pages.
I recently had an emotional bump in the road. I went into a panic attack and immediately threw up some defense mechanisms which always results in me picking apart my life and trying to find better ways to keep my happiness intact and fend off those trying to take my peace of mind. Looking back on the past few weeks I've realized that I'm the one that is okay. The others involved are immature and don't know how to handle life situations. They haven't learned healthy ways of communicating. I don't need to change my life to fit around theirs.
Ignorance is bliss they say but some things you can't ignore and you are forced to deal with it. Once again it has boiled down to compassion and understanding. There is no right or wrong side but lots of past history shaping opinions and feelings and emotions. While I can't fix their problems or what they think of me I can control how much I let them into my life and allow them to take away from me. Now that...is peace of mind.
So into the storage box you go!! I've put this matter into a safe place next to the empty infant car seat. You are still there but I don't have to deal with it right now. I will take you out and deal with you when I am able to. It's not my problem and I do not own it. In the meantime I'm going to stop re-evaluating my life and how I can make you happy.
For where I have been and where I am headed....this is a huge step for me.
An infant car seat sits in the storage room. It's just there taking up space. I haven't thrown it out or given it to someone in need. It's the "what if" we want another child... that prevents me from doing anything.
I can't just get rid of it. It would be like shutting a book on the final chapter. No more babies. The kids keep getting older. I keep getting older. The clock keeps ticking and the memory book keeps adding pages.
I recently had an emotional bump in the road. I went into a panic attack and immediately threw up some defense mechanisms which always results in me picking apart my life and trying to find better ways to keep my happiness intact and fend off those trying to take my peace of mind. Looking back on the past few weeks I've realized that I'm the one that is okay. The others involved are immature and don't know how to handle life situations. They haven't learned healthy ways of communicating. I don't need to change my life to fit around theirs.
Ignorance is bliss they say but some things you can't ignore and you are forced to deal with it. Once again it has boiled down to compassion and understanding. There is no right or wrong side but lots of past history shaping opinions and feelings and emotions. While I can't fix their problems or what they think of me I can control how much I let them into my life and allow them to take away from me. Now that...is peace of mind.
So into the storage box you go!! I've put this matter into a safe place next to the empty infant car seat. You are still there but I don't have to deal with it right now. I will take you out and deal with you when I am able to. It's not my problem and I do not own it. In the meantime I'm going to stop re-evaluating my life and how I can make you happy.
For where I have been and where I am headed....this is a huge step for me.
Finding Peace
I've been feeling angry lately about events that have happened within my family and loved ones. It left me feeling bitter and discontent. Hateful and feeling revengeful. I didn't want to feel that way.
I've been wanting to find inner peace and happiness and I've gathered information from other bloggers and even googled it. The search brought up Anger and that the opposite of Anger is compassion. When you can feel compassion for someone or sypathize with their situation and understand how they feel - it diffuses Anger.
I've been feeling tied down to the house and to my responsibilities. I've even felt tired of being a mom and wishing I could just be my own person. Resenting my motherly and wifely duties. It's stolen my peace of mind.
I see people doing what they love and loving what they do. They have these magical dream lives and I want one!!
I'm not content any more to daydream about a better life. And I'm not trying to escape reality or live in a realm that I've made up in my mind.
I want my reality to be where I want to be and want to be present in - what I've learned recently is called being mindful. Being mindful is being at peace with yourself in the present moment. To be at peace with yourself in stressful situations.
The following is what I've found to ring true to me when I was searching for the magic answer to a better life. And by better I don't mean money or material things.
First - prayer
I want more meaningful meditation in my life and to be able to connect with the Godly side and eternal nature of my life. I'm going to start writing a prayer journal. It's a list of things I want to pray about. My feelings and emotions. The things I am in need of. My family and loved ones. My enemies. The things that stress me out. If I really concentrate on these things during my prayer I will know what to pray about and think about and ask answers for - or just to feel peaceful about. I don't want to get caught up with the same prayer everyday for the rest of my life.
Second - a gratitude list.
If you are constantly thinking about what you don't have - or want to have... it leaves you feeling empty and wanting. Instead I'm going to make a list of things that I am grateful for that I already have. My family. My health. A home. A car that runs. Clean drinking water...
When we are grateful and content with what we have it brings inner peace. We realize the wealth that we already have. We can be happy now - not later when we get the things we want.
Third - Simplicity.
Take a time out. Enjoy the simple things. Watch a movie. Play with my kids. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Appreciate all the little things in my life. Don't stress out about housework or cooking or being on time. Just let things be.
Fourth - Move
Move my body. Walk - Stretch When you move you create energy. Energy is defined as the ability to do work. You have two types of energy stored energy and moving energy. One is potential and the other is active. Use your potential energy. Get outside and draw in some of the sun's energy. Get moving!
So do you want a better life? Inner peace? You just have to look around and find it beneath the clutter in our lives. It's already there waiting for us to grasp it and to be mindful that it is there. You may have to quit your job or find a new one. You may have to relocate. Fortunately for me I don't want things that cost a million dollars. I want to have good relationships with my family. I want to be able to eat healthy and exercise and take pictures. I want to travel too and that is going to take money so I'm going to put that in my prayer list to talk to God about. In the meantime I will be grateful for the beauty around me.
Don't let your "I can't do this" or "this is stopping me from doing this" get in the way... Anything is possible. Get in touch with God...feel grateful for what you have....get rid of the excuses and get out there and JUST DO IT!!
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting to get different results.
Do what you love and LOVE what you do...
You gotta wanna!
Just Do it!
It is important to me to not feel angry. It takes away from my well being and peace of mind. Being at peace with myself is not ignoring what is going around me but being mindful of it without it taking my inner peace away. It is being strong emotionally and physically and having the power to stay with my wise self.
love ya! Messy Jess
I've been wanting to find inner peace and happiness and I've gathered information from other bloggers and even googled it. The search brought up Anger and that the opposite of Anger is compassion. When you can feel compassion for someone or sypathize with their situation and understand how they feel - it diffuses Anger.
I've been feeling tied down to the house and to my responsibilities. I've even felt tired of being a mom and wishing I could just be my own person. Resenting my motherly and wifely duties. It's stolen my peace of mind.
I see people doing what they love and loving what they do. They have these magical dream lives and I want one!!
I'm not content any more to daydream about a better life. And I'm not trying to escape reality or live in a realm that I've made up in my mind.
I want my reality to be where I want to be and want to be present in - what I've learned recently is called being mindful. Being mindful is being at peace with yourself in the present moment. To be at peace with yourself in stressful situations.
The following is what I've found to ring true to me when I was searching for the magic answer to a better life. And by better I don't mean money or material things.
First - prayer
I want more meaningful meditation in my life and to be able to connect with the Godly side and eternal nature of my life. I'm going to start writing a prayer journal. It's a list of things I want to pray about. My feelings and emotions. The things I am in need of. My family and loved ones. My enemies. The things that stress me out. If I really concentrate on these things during my prayer I will know what to pray about and think about and ask answers for - or just to feel peaceful about. I don't want to get caught up with the same prayer everyday for the rest of my life.
Second - a gratitude list.
If you are constantly thinking about what you don't have - or want to have... it leaves you feeling empty and wanting. Instead I'm going to make a list of things that I am grateful for that I already have. My family. My health. A home. A car that runs. Clean drinking water...
When we are grateful and content with what we have it brings inner peace. We realize the wealth that we already have. We can be happy now - not later when we get the things we want.
Third - Simplicity.
Take a time out. Enjoy the simple things. Watch a movie. Play with my kids. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Appreciate all the little things in my life. Don't stress out about housework or cooking or being on time. Just let things be.
Fourth - Move
Move my body. Walk - Stretch When you move you create energy. Energy is defined as the ability to do work. You have two types of energy stored energy and moving energy. One is potential and the other is active. Use your potential energy. Get outside and draw in some of the sun's energy. Get moving!
So do you want a better life? Inner peace? You just have to look around and find it beneath the clutter in our lives. It's already there waiting for us to grasp it and to be mindful that it is there. You may have to quit your job or find a new one. You may have to relocate. Fortunately for me I don't want things that cost a million dollars. I want to have good relationships with my family. I want to be able to eat healthy and exercise and take pictures. I want to travel too and that is going to take money so I'm going to put that in my prayer list to talk to God about. In the meantime I will be grateful for the beauty around me.
Don't let your "I can't do this" or "this is stopping me from doing this" get in the way... Anything is possible. Get in touch with God...feel grateful for what you have....get rid of the excuses and get out there and JUST DO IT!!
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting to get different results.
Do what you love and LOVE what you do...
You gotta wanna!
Just Do it!
It is important to me to not feel angry. It takes away from my well being and peace of mind. Being at peace with myself is not ignoring what is going around me but being mindful of it without it taking my inner peace away. It is being strong emotionally and physically and having the power to stay with my wise self.
love ya! Messy Jess
Happy Birthday
Christmas. Christs birthday.
I couldn't sleep last night. I was angry about something that didn't even involve me but the injustice of it all really boiled my blood and it really bent me out of shape.
I was laying in bed wishing that the natural law of "what goes around will come around" would hurry up and happen - sooner rather than later...
wishing they would have horrible things happen to them because they are so horrible. Wishing they would get a taste of their own medicine.
I am no judge. I don't have the right to say what punishment they should receive. I have so many of my own sins to be judged. I thought to myself that one day they will get what they deserve. God will reign down with his wrath and every wrong will be righted.
And then I thought about Jesus and the persecutions he went through. People that hated him. Spit on him. Nailed his hands and wrists and feet to the cross. Whipped him. Laughed at him. Mocked him.
Did Jesus lay in bed at night thinking - You just wait - you're going to get what you deserve - just wait till my father deals with you. You ....You are going to get it!! He didn't do that.
He lived a higher life. He looked at those people and begged his father to forgive them because they knew not what they were doing. He was humble. He was merciful. He descended below all men but he was the greatest of us all.
So today is a celebration of Jesus Christs birth. I love this saying:
It was a peaceful Christmas. I wish you a peaceful Christmas. A new year filled with new resolutions and finding ways to bring peace to your heart and loved ones.
I couldn't sleep last night. I was angry about something that didn't even involve me but the injustice of it all really boiled my blood and it really bent me out of shape.
I was laying in bed wishing that the natural law of "what goes around will come around" would hurry up and happen - sooner rather than later...
wishing they would have horrible things happen to them because they are so horrible. Wishing they would get a taste of their own medicine.
I am no judge. I don't have the right to say what punishment they should receive. I have so many of my own sins to be judged. I thought to myself that one day they will get what they deserve. God will reign down with his wrath and every wrong will be righted.
And then I thought about Jesus and the persecutions he went through. People that hated him. Spit on him. Nailed his hands and wrists and feet to the cross. Whipped him. Laughed at him. Mocked him.
Did Jesus lay in bed at night thinking - You just wait - you're going to get what you deserve - just wait till my father deals with you. You ....You are going to get it!! He didn't do that.
He lived a higher life. He looked at those people and begged his father to forgive them because they knew not what they were doing. He was humble. He was merciful. He descended below all men but he was the greatest of us all.
So today is a celebration of Jesus Christs birth. I love this saying:
I have always loved Christmas. And not for the gift giving but for the traditions and time spent with family. I watched my children open their gifts today and watched the wonder and excitement in their eyes and faces. All day I thought about what gifts I was leaving my children. The gift of time. The gift of love. The gift of teaching them. The gift of patience. Gifts that I want to leave my children - helping them to become honest and independent individuals. I want them to be happy. At peace with themselves and with the world.
It was a peaceful Christmas. I wish you a peaceful Christmas. A new year filled with new resolutions and finding ways to bring peace to your heart and loved ones.
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