Pinspiration: Love

In keeping with the theme in my recent posts (L.O.V.E. and I Have a Dream), here are some Pinterest images and quotes that I have found inspiring...

I really like the images from I do{odle}!

 Here are two favorites from my "Health: Mind & Soul" Pinterest board:

Cards at the right are from Suzanne Eller.

If you would like another version of the verse from 1 Corinthians 13 to decorate your home this February, The Girl Creative has a nice Valentine Subway Art printable for free.

Two selections from my "Learning: Spiritual" Pinterest board:

1. From www.emilyburgerdesigns.com and available on Etsy.
2. Featured on many sites, but originally from unbrokenbygrace.

There are also various images online associated with a number of moving quotes:

"Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~ Mark Twain
"The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say, "I was wrong." ~ Sydney J. Harris
"Love me when I least deserve it because that is when I really need it." ~ Swedish Proverb
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." ~ Sir Winston Churchill

Here are two items from my "Photography, Scrapbooking, & Decorative Crafts" board that I'd like to get up in our home:

1. pallet wood sign
2. Live, Love, Care, & Speak antiqued plank typography sign

Finally, a few selections from my "Decorating: Kids' Spaces" Pinterest board.  While I'd like to hang these up for my children, I'm convinced they would also be inspiring for adults:

1. Do More Than... wooden wall art
2. Mathematics of Life design
3. Brave canvas

I'll end with a poem by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan.  While parents truly are exceptionally influential in their children's lives, the truth is all children also learn from the words and actions of everyone in their lives and from the examples in the world around them. 

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING 

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,

and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you feed a stray cat,

and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you make my favorite cake for me,

and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I heard you say a prayer,

and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to,

and I learned to trust in Him.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,

and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw you take care of our home and everyone in it,

and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good,

I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw tears come from your eyes,

and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking

I saw that you cared,

and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know

to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
 
When you thought I wasn't looking

I looked at you and wanted to say,

"Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

I Have a Dream

scripture added to design by Christa McBride

I have heard many forms of this decree from a variety of sources.  The first chapter in the book I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire our Children states that "Every major religion teaches us to  
love each other as ourselves."  The author goes on to share the following list:

Christianity - All things whatsoever you would that others should do to you, do you even so to them.
Judaism - Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Islam - No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Hinduism - Good people proceed while considering what is best for others is best for themselves.
Zoroastrianism - Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do to others.
Buddhism - Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
Confucianism - What you do not want done to yourself do not do unto others.
Taoism - Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and regard your neighbor's loss as your own loss.

The inherent implication to me is that love isn't just about a feeling.  Love is an emotion that is engaging and that challenges us to connect and share with others. Sure, it starts with loving.  The movement from the feeling to the sharing though comes from our observations and values motivating us to engage.  

But how do we move from the internal feeling of love to external action of love?

So, I'm reading these books from the children's section, and my soul says "There is a thread: love.  There is L.O.V.E."  Mark Twain said, "Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great."  I would argue that the words and actions of people we see as great not only motivate us to love but also teach us about loving, observing, valuing, and engaging.    

Julie Andrews reflects that "great poets and lyricists... capture a moment - reveal a new perspective for us and, in so doing, advance our knowledge of the world and of ourselves."

Many speak of the importance of freedom and liberty and the need for compassion and justice.  When Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech, he shared his desire for these values in our society and observed the disparity between promises in laws and reality in action.  

Martin Luther King Jr. was observant, stood firm on his values, and knew how to engage others.  His niece, Angela Ferris Watkins, states simply that his "voice had power, and so did his words. Uncle Martin believed that the solution to changing Jim Crow laws was LOVE."  There is poetry and power in his speech.  His words and actions did and can still inspire America. After the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., his wife, Coretta Scott King, noted: "His vision of peace with justice and love for everyone still inspires and challenges us to create the beloved community...  May God give us the wisdom and strength to carry forward his unfinished work." 

Here are two challenging quotes from the book Who said that?: famous Americans speak...
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

Also, I was inspired by the quotes of great people when reading Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World.  Here are my favorites...
"Good works are a link forming a chain of love around the world." Mother Teresa 
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."  Mahatma Gandhi 
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world." Anne Frank

So, now that you have thought a little more about love in action, I remind you of  another quote in the Bible:  
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1

Also, I remind you of the Biblical decree in Ephesians 5:2, 8: 
"Walk in love.... Walk as children of light."

So, I ask you to be the change, be the love...

How will you move from the internal feeling of love to the external action of love?

L.O.V.E.

It occurs to me, as I look through children's books with my kiddos cuddling on my lap, that there is more to love than just
Loving
Do you know how sometimes love isn't what you think it's going to be?  Sometimes it's better than you could have ever imagined!  But, sometimes, it's hard.  Being a wife and mother is the most amazing gift ever.  I love it!  But, some days, it's hard!  Then, you have those moments... when your kids are just the cutest thing ever, or when they are so happily preoccupied with a task that they don't notice you but you just sit and watch them, or when they don't need you like they used to and you wonder "When did they grow up so fast?"  Then I realize that part of loving is also this:
Observing
So you realize that life and love will have ups and downs.  So you choose joy and watch for God moments in your life.  So you realize that you need to go slow and watch.  Love is also about this:
Valuing
Because you want your children to know love.  Because you want your children to know you value them and you want them to have values.  Because this applies to your significant other and best friend and other family members and others who have touched your life.  Because you want to touch the lives of others.  Because there is also this:
Engaging
Yes, love is a wonderful thing, an amazing emotion.  But, it's more than loving, than love just being a feeling.  Yes, love is more because it's about value and relationship.  Someone values you, cares for you, shows you their affection.  Someone loves you.  You love someone.  Love is engaging.

The greatest thing you'll ever learn 

is just to love and be loved in return.

New Year: projects

So, we've already established that I don't really set resolutions at the start of each new year.  I do, however, find myself thinking of projects.  Today's project has been tidying up my Pinterest boards... Okay that may take more than one day ;)  I don't know about you, but I do tend to start one task and then get distracted by other only slightly related tasks.  I still have not found that school lunches template that I wanted to print out... and I didn't like any of the other meal planning sheets I found... but I did find a great daily and weekly task chart to personalize.

Fly Lady and many others have checklists for household tasks, but I always thought cleaning would get done when it needed to get done.  Then I saw a simple chart assigning one area to clean each day.  Then I read Ann Voskamp's idea about "How to Compose New Habits." She suggests that "Every song needs a rhythm; every week needs a routine. Tie certain tasks to a day or another activity."  Then I decided if I'm going to do checklists, well I want all the checklists on one list. So, here is what I put together today, so I can spend more time on task in 2014:

I'll explain a few of the items.  Also, I'll give you some other links that have inspired me to make better use of my time and to prioritize those things that are truly important for myself and my family.

Thanks to Ginny at Organizing Home Life for this template to personalize: http://www.organizinghomelife.com/archives/4420

"Child Chores" is a reminder to work with our children on completing their own chores throughout the day.  They have their own routines, and I think it's important that they not only pick up after themselves but also learn to help with household tasks like dishes and laundry.

Many have spoken of the benefits of unplugging and limiting time online.  I know I can lose track of time when online and then end up rushing other important tasks.  Also, I want my children to get my undivided attention.  I do have phone calls and other online tasks to accomplish, so I've set a time once a day to do these tasks... okay, once during the day and then I may get online again after the kids are in bed ;)

"Couple Couch Time" is a concept we first discovered and started when our first-born arrived.  The Ezzos' books from the "Growing Kids God's Way" series speak to the fact that a strong family has a strong marriage at the foundation.

"Supper and Scripture" is something we decided to do after I read Ann Voskamp's "One Habit that Radically Changes a Family."  The concept is simple "You never leave the table without chewing the Real Bread... when we eat Scripture, we eat the only real food, for Christ is Living Bread and eating He who sustains all things, sustains body and soul.  When we eat His Words, we eat of the eternal world." (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Fly Lady and many others have touted the benefits of short bursts of cleaning.  I have decided to do a 10 minute tidy all through the house three times a day to keep on top of clutter and daily cleaning.

Over the last few months, I've been trying to be better at making more time for prayer and reading scripture. So, I was really excited when I found the great Prayer Journal printables from Monica at Daily Dwelling: http://www.dailydwelling.com/prayer-journal-printables

"Word In, Work Out, Work Plan" comes from Ann Voskamp's December 31, 2013 post:  "A Grace Plan: A Doable Life-Changing Plan for a New Year, A New You: With Printable."  I'm thinking "Grace... I need it.  Plan... I like it.  Printable... I love it."  

In the beginning, Ann Voskamp talks of habits and speaks of a piano instructor teaching that "We are all going to botch it somedays. We all sometimes get the notes wrong. But the song only goes wrong when we keep thinking back to the wrong notes... When a piece starts to fall apart — fall forward. Fall forward into the next bar. Moving forward is what makes music."  Then she shares her "25 Point Sanity Manifesto."

In her story, Ann Voskamp explains flame first, stepping on the snake before breakfast, and staying in the pool (or on task).  She speaks to working on your wall before noon and stepping outside to listen.

I've already tried some of her simple steps, things that I'd forgotten.  It really does make a difference when you sing, when your day and week has a rhythm, and when you laugh.

Other reminders include: unplug to plug into your purpose, watch your nos and your yeses will take care of themselves, envision the end goal.

Other life-changing concepts and practices: breathe, pray, count your gifts, celebrate, have a daily stillness appointment, rest, remember who you are in Christ.

But, most profound of all, she reminds us to really enjoy each day and to remember "Go slow. Life zone. Life isn't an emergency: It's a gift."

New Year: healthy choices

Fact: I'm not one to make New Year resolutions.  But... I have been missing Zumba, and I do want to find ways to be more active (especially now that it's sooo cold outside).  And... I do want to eat healthier foods, and I need to have more energy.

Thing is, I've struggled to figure out what is actually "healthier" to eat.  As is usually the case for me, a lot of different influences have come together to change my life for the better.  The end result is that I'm starting to eat and feel better, and I have so much more energy! 

The key concept I keep coming back to again and again is BALANCE.

First though, I want to address having a healthy body image.  I recently read "Babies Ruin Bodies" and was inspired by her perspective.  N'tima ends with "My body is only a vessel for my spirit.  An incredible vessel.  It is strong, well, abled, and undefeated.  My body is full of life.  My body is powerful.  My body made me a mother.  If anything, I was ruined by the world before I knew her (daughter) & she made me whole again." Also, I recently saw this great interview of Robyn Lawley on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.  Robyn is considered a plus size model, even though I believe that her size is typical of the average size for women.  She emphasizes not nit-picking the little things but accepting "our natural size."  Robyn says she wishes more people would say "I love my body" because of the positive impact it can have on your life.  She also states that "Food is not the problem, it's society."

You have to determine what is healthy for you and your own body.  Do you have a healthy mindset about your body?  Do you have a healthy mindset about food?  Again, I come back to balance.  A balanced mind.  We have to feed our mind and spirit, and our body.  Food is good, with balance.

Here's a little background regarding my health: After a miscarriage in 2008 and a beautiful baby boy in 2009, I had a hard time finding the time to get back to my pre-baby weight.  I tried to make little changes here and there, but, in February of 2012, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  Right away I started a prescription drug, but I stopped after a month because I didn't find the relief beneficial in light of all the side effects.  I continued care with a great PCP, went a little more often to an amazing chiro, and explored supplements and diet changes.  With the help of the most amazing Physical Therapist I've ever met, I was almost pain and fatigue free within the next 12 months.  Through lots of reading and personal experience, I've figured out my main symptoms and triggers, and I've been doing great.  Spring 2013 we moved out of state, and I only had minor stress-induced set backs.  Suddenly though, in the Fall of 2013, I started having episodes of extreme fatigue without noticing any triggers.  I'm familiar with having to ration my energy output (see The Spoon Theory if you'd like more info), but I'm not exaggerating when I say the fatigue was extreme.

Also, during this time, our family had tried to move from a "meat and potatoes" diet to eating more fruits and veggies alongside whole grains.  We've been excited to start "clean eating"... but these changes haven't helped me to lose any weight.

Isn't it frustrating when you think you are doing your best to take steps forward, but you don't see any results?!

Breakthrough: Balance!  We didn't just need "good" food... We needed a good variety, good combinations, and good balance in our food.  We needed to stop centering every snack and meal around carbohydrates.  We may have been eating more veggies, but they were starchy veggies like potatoes and corn.  We may have been eating more whole grains, but these cereals, crackers, breads, and pastas were in each and every snack and meal.  And yes, I may have decreased treats, but sugar was still consumed daily whether in treats or hidden in other foods.  I started to make the connection that my energy would dramatically drop about 3 hours after a carb-filled meal or sugary snack. 

Around this time I had started reading a book that a friend had mentioned.  In "Trim Healthy Mama"  two sisters (about my age) talk about their experience with food fads and how they had a breakthrough.  The book explains my two main problems very clearly:
Problem 1: Too many carbs lead to an insulin spike.  Why is that a problem?  What goes up must come down, and I was either too high and then too low or way too high and then way too low.  That would explain my lack of energy and times of extreme fatigue.
Problem 2: You need to avoid the fat and carb collision in a snack or meal.  Why is that combination a problem?  I had way too much glucose, which my body couldn't burn through, and then the excess was being stored in addition to the fat that was also being stored.

This book is a self-described "common sense guide to satisfy your cravings and energize your life."  I'm still not finished reading it and have just started trying some of the recipes, but already I have seen a major improvement in my energy just by having only one fuel source... either fat OR carbs.  What did I do different?  Balance! 

Christmas Traditions (December)

We decorate the Christmas tree with memories.  See: From Giving Thanks to Getting Ready for Giving

We decorate our house with reminders of winter and Christ's birth.  We put out the seasonal stories and watch Christmas cartoons.  We prepare, not just our home, but our hearts.  We learn about faith, hope, love, joy, and peace.

We Send Love Overseas: We talk of St. Nicholas, Jesus, and giving to others.  We look at photographs from stories of missionaries in other countries.  We talk about need versus want.  We learn about the greatest gift of all and how Jesus wants us to love one another.  The first weekend in December, we take the boys shopping to fill a shoe box for a boy about their age who lives far from our home.  They are excited to think what this boy will enjoy, to pick out gifts, and to imagine his joy in receiving a gift of love from them.  Later in December, we look through the World Vision Gift Catalogue together.  The boys decide they want to give 5 ducks and 2 soccer balls.  It is a great gift from them, because our boys love futbol and, while our boys can't imagine ever being hungry, they know many children go hungry daily.

We share cookies with our neighbors.  We have a great time eating, decorating, and sharing.  See: So Sweet.

We send Christmas cards to our family and friends.  We spend time in God's word, we sing songs, and we spend time together.  A new tradition this year is our Advent wreath and devotionals.  See: Christmas Starts with Christ.

eighteen25 Subway Art

We sing of faith, hope, and joy.

I started a new tradition of attending our church's Women's Christmas Tea where the ladies shared fellowship, food, games, and songs.

Jesse Tree Ornaments

 

I started another new tradition of taking time for my own special devotions throughout December.  This year, I've been reading Ann Voskamp's book "The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping The Full Love Story of Christmas."

She has some great reflections posted on her website.  I have been watching her videos at the start of each week of Advent.

For more reflections on studying scripture, slowing down, and embracing love, hope, and peace, see: P E A C E.










We look at holiday lights.  We enjoy the snow and lights and look for Jesus.  This year, our tradition shifted to include a visit to Riverside Park's Rotary Lights.  See: Lovely Lights.

We had two other new experiences this year: The boys participated in a Christmas Program at church, and we attended Christmas Eve. candle light service.  We share our faith and hope.  We sing of love and joy  See: The Best Gift

We celebrate blessings, we celebrate with our blessings.  We celebrate love, we share His love with each other.  See:
Gleason Christmas

Christmas Day

White Christmas 

Christmas Scripture Word Tree

Glory to God! We celebrate our faith, we share our faith.  We celebrate hope, we share our hope.  We celebrate with joy the peace that surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts in Christ Jesus.