Enjoying This And That

 

What's on my To-Do Page Today:

___ 1. Make homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch
___ 2. Work on one small section of my blogging workshop
___ 3. Visit with my 93-year-old father-in-law when he's not napping
___ 4. Hang out in the backyard and watch the birds
___ 5. Read something enjoyable


What's on My Not-To-Do List Today:

__X__ 1. Dust the furniture
__X__ 2. Vacuum the floors
__X__ 3. Waste time fiddling with perfectionist details
__X__ 4. Worry about what I didn't get done yesterday
__X__ 5. Pull weeds in my garden
__X__ 6. Fret about what to post on my blog


Want some ideas of how to enjoy the moment? Here's a good article I found by Lionel Ketchian entitled Enjoy the Moment.

Enjoy your BEAUTIFUL day!

Opportunities Do Not Knock

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

People say opportunity knocks, but in my experience, they do not knock, at least, not so that you'd hear them. They tend to show up a little more quietly. Not always, but mostly.

In fact, if we were to give opportunities a personality, they seem a little shy. They arrive in our space unannounced. And they tend to dress incognito. They don't have logos on their t-shirts and they never hand out business cards saying, 'Hey, I'm the opportunity you've been waiting/praying for'.

They realize what we sometimes forget, that the responsibility to connect with them is not theirs, but ours. They have an almost naive anticipation that we will be wise enough to use our eyes and ears, and be alert to them, and so they arrive very quietly, no fanfare, no big drum-roll.
So now that we've uncovered the 'true' nature of many opportunities, what opportunity have you been missing? Waiting for because you expected them to knock?

Here's wishing you wonderful opportunities to make your life more beautiful!

Simply Sunday...God Is Within

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"God is within. And where he dwells, there is a holy place....a hushed and holy Presence, too sacred to be destroyed, too wonderful not to be visited continually.

There is something awful, that is, awe-inspiring, down at the depths of our own soul. In hushed silence attend to it. It is a whisper of God himself, particularizing himself for you and in you, and speaking to the world through you."

Thomas Kelly, The Sanctuary of the Soul

Wishing you glimpses of heaven,

Doors...

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"The doors we open and close each day
decide the lives we live."
~ Flora Whittemore

I'VE BEEN THINKING about doors lately. Not front or back doors, but opportunity doors. Seems like I've been walking through a few 'new' ones these past weeks. What I find rather interesting is when I pass through one door of possibility, I see brand new ones further down. Doors I did not see until I'd passed through the very first one.

A few of my doors............ last fall I volunteered to be the blog moderator for the InScribe blog (a group blog for writers), which opened a door to be invited to be a presenter for the Fellowship's fall conference, doing a workshop on blogging.

Which then led to a question about doing something for our fellowship's website which opened another opportunity to write an article for our quarterly newsletter (I'd never submitted anything to it before).

All small things, but every opportunity I took had a definite impact on what came next. Without going into more details, those little decisions brought me into a whole new world of opportunity and growth.

Sometimes, like in that old TV game show, we don't know what's behind Door #1, 2, or 3, but we won't get any prizes if we don't choose to move through at least one.


Of the two doors I posted today, which door would you choose... the one with the stained glass windows or the one painted pink?

Mmmmm..... in this case, I think I'll choose both! Who says I can't? Who says you can't?

Enjoy the doors you open today....and may they lead you to your beautiful life.

It's Official....

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

A few months ago I was invited to be a presenter for the InScribe Christian Writer's Fall Conference (doing a workshop on blogging and on-line presence).

TODAY the conference brochure arrived in the mail, and now the information is up on the InScribe website, complete with a photo and bio of yours truly. Needless to say, we are excited.

Mmmm.... the more I work on my workshop notes, the more I realize the things I want to change and improve in my own blogging and online experiences. I guess it's true -- we teach what we need/want to learn.

Isn't it fun to envision new possibilities?

Focus On Your Gifts

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I've been following Carrie Wilkerson over at Barefoot Executive. I love her enthusiasm, zest for life, not to mention her timely and motivating postings, webinars and teaching videos.

So, I was pleased when I found her guest posting over at 30 Minute Martha, where she shares a lighthearted, but empowering posting on remembering to focus on our gifts without worrying that we might not do it the way someone else does it.

Carrie says she comes from a long line of women who are a combination of Mary Poppins, Martha Stewart and Julia Child. She goes on to say that she, however, is not one of them. She believes she better serves the world at large by doing what she does best.

You won't want to miss it, so go ahead and click here.

Clogged Pipes

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Yesterday, it was my turn to post on our group blog InScribe Online. The posting's entitled Clogged Pipes, and no, I'm not sharing any kitchen draino woes, but rather my take on writer's block. Hope you pop over for a peek.

 Here's wishing you a beautiful day, whatever you're up to!

Simply Sunday...It Disappeared

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I just had a lovely posting for today disappear on me. And no I didn't delete it. It was posted and then when I went to read it again (to make sure I didn't miss anything) it was GONE!

Too weird............

As I don't have the time to re-write at present........... let me simply say Happy Father's Day......

Living Intentionally

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Bite size it (so I don't get overwhelmed).

Implement quickly (live and do it now, in the present).

Just get it done (don't fiddle for perfection).

Be aware of opportunities around me.

Listen to Him.

Create something new.

Move forward in spite of discomfort or clutter.

Be bold. Be confident.

Learn it -- then give it away.


Live Beautifully,

Audacity At Its Finest

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I love this fellow's audacity...he's brave, he's bold and
he knows exactly what he wants -- he'll have it all thank you very much!

Dandelions Know It!

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland


WE ALL KNOW the single intention of dandelion poofs -- to cover the entire world with their presence, and, no, they do not care if it's in your green, green lawn. They are totally committed and focused on that intent. They know what they're supposed to do and they do it. 

You may recall I've been invited to be a presenter at a writer's conference this fall (topic about blogging and internet presence). Well, we all know how big a field that is, and when I think about all the information I could share in 90 minutes, I knew I needed to narrow the field and the focus.

Which reminds me of something I once read. This individual, a speaker, said that every time she got up in front of a room, she had a single intention for the session of the seminar. A three-hour session was formed from one sentence: the intention. 

Everything else was culled, it's not that the idea isn't a good one, it just doesn't fit this intention. That's simplifying, isn't it? And clarifying. And bringing the overwhelming into the manageable.

Funny thing, just like dandelions bursting out, I have ideas bursting out as I see the value of having a single intention for every other area of my life. Why can't I do that every morning when I get up? Establish the single intention for that day. Or maybe even expand it to the overall single intention of my week...or the next 90 days.

I've always loved dandelions, even when I see a perky yellow head in my green, green lawn. I love their spunk and determination. I could learn something from them. Hope you can too!

Here's wishing you a beautiful, purposeful day!
 

New Friends Share Their Ideas On Blogging

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I'm delighted to introduce two new blogging friends: Jody Hedlund, who describes her blog as 'one pilgrim's progress to publication and beyond' and Jeanette @ Audience of One.

Meeting new 'kindred' blogging friends is as exciting as discovering a new book. And you all know how much I love reading and books.

Jody and Jeanette both recently shared some posts about being more effective bloggers, and I thought you might enjoy reading about these as well.

Happy Day!

Sunset From My Window

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

It's 10 o'clock at night and the sun is just setting here in northerly Alberta. I grabbed my camera so I could give you a glimpse of it.

That's what I love about this time of year...... the long summer evenings ending in long gorgeous sunsets.

Simply Sunday...Waiting for Strength

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ from Isaiah 40: 29 - 31.

Some years ago, when I was worn and ill physically, I often came to this passage for comfort and hope...... and as I waited, the truth in these words became real in my own life.

During this season I often spent time just being quiet and still in God's presence -- not asking, not praying, not worrying -- just resting -- and I would always come away feeling rested in my mind and heart, which somehow then soaked into every cell of my body. I'd feel physically strengthened.

Personally, I don't know what I would have done if I not discovered that God was a place, a Person from whom I could receive strength for my day.

Today, I offer Him as a place of refuge for anyone who might need an oasis of rest in their own journey through this imperfect world.

Wishing you strength for the day!

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Away celebrating a friend's wedding...

Enjoy your weekend!

Bite Size

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I'm off to visit with my mom today. Looking forward to it. When we're together, I often see where I get my sense of humour ... we both can giggle up a storm, laughing at the funny side of things.


I was recently reading a book by Richard Paul Evans and he said something that was reassuring. "No matter how irresponsible you've been in the past, or still are, it's never too late to take control." I'm glad to be reminded that with each new day there's grace and mercy available to start fresh.


For any aspiring authors out there, including myself, I like to remind myself regularly of Carrie Wilkerson's challenge: How many of you have a book in your head? Well, get it out on paper. Nobody can buy if it's in your head. Thanks, Carrie, for the kick in the you know where!


Here's a great quote by Robert Fritz I find empowering when I feel stuck in a situation (however large or small) that I'm not crazy about:

"The very moment you realize you are unhappy or frustrated with a situation, is your 'point of power' for now you have a clear picture of how you don't want things to be. Imagine the exact opposite of the frustrating situation, and there you have the makings of your vision."

On that note, I'm off........ have a beautiful day!

Excuses Be Gone!

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I lay still, strangled by excuses.

No words escape my lonely lips.

Shadows cover my reality,

dodging my discontent.

(from Lin at Letters from Lin.)

Lin's post jolted me out of my chair this morning! Especially when I read the phrase strangled by excuses. Oh my, could I relate to that vivid picture...talk about feeling the sensation of gasping for air.

So many times I have offered some excuse of why I could not get to my writing project, exercise, visit someone, or tackle that creative project burning inside. So many times I have felt my creativity struggle for air, watched my motivation get up and leave, and felt my buoyant energy level bottom out like blood sugar dropping.

So I decided to see what kinds of excuses I've used at some point in my life. Some I've gotten rid of (mostly) and others I still need to deal with. Why not see if any of these resonate with you. Then ask yourself what you can do differently today to get rid of at least one.

• I'm too tired today. Mmmm..... I wonder if we do this to ourselves more often than not. Ever stay up too late and then find yourself dragging around the next day, unable to give your best because you're tired? Have you ever considered that NOT getting our rest is actually wasting time. I know we sometimes get the message that we should learn to sleep on less, but at what cost? Our health? Another thing I've realized: When you're tired, do you have an underlying sense that you have a legitimate claim on other people's sympathy and understanding that day? Don't be too hard on me, I stayed up late to watch so and so. Say, who's to blame here? No one but me, so to be more successful, I need to take full responsibility for myself and drop this one from my excuse list.

• I don't have time now, maybe later. Ask yourself, what am I doing now that is more important than moving toward my true goal or dream?
  

• Life handed me lemons and I don't have a lemon squeezer. Ask yourself, do I really need a lemon squeezer? How can I devise/create another way to accomplish this?

• I can't afford to; I don't have the money. Ask yourself, what one small step can I do today with what I already have available? You'll be surprised, I guarantee it (sorry, no money back).

• Wait till the kids are older, till they're in school, till they graduate. Remember, tomorrow is promised to no one. Don't put off doing something with your dream until later. Maybe you've only got 15 minutes a day to do something for yourself. Fifteen minutes a day = 1 hr and 45 minutes a week. What one thing could you do in those fifteen minutes each day?

• Too much clutter. Did you know that successful people don't let things like clutter stop them from getting what they need done? They move forward IN SPITE of the clutter. They don't let clutter be boss. (Thanks, Ann Vertel, for that awesome tip you shared this morning!)
  

• Don't know how. Hey, that's no excuse. The Internet is loaded with information. Do a Google search and see the list that comes up of experts sharing their ideas and tips (lots of them for free) on what you want to know.
  

Enough said. We're all bright people, but maybe it's time to discover and uncover which excuses we've allowed into our lives. Time to squeeze the life out of them. and get our breath back. And our life!

I'd love to learn what excuses you've uncovered and what clever ways you are taking off the stranglehold from your creativity, energy and motivation.

Here's to living our lives more beautifully.......

Never Ever, Ever...

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"Never ever, ever leave a place of learning
without taking immediate action."
~ Jenny Flintoft, Director, AWHW.org.

WHAT?  YOU MEAN RIGHT THIS MINUTE? You mean I can't just add that great new idea to my pile until I find the time to tackle it?


According to Jenny, no you can't! Not if you want to change a habit or complete a project you've started. Not if you want to move forward in your business or actually get that book you have in your head out on paper.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that far too often I've been a 'hearer of the word' and not a doer. Which is why so often things didn't change or get done. Hearing and giving assent to a great idea it is NOT the same as taking action to implement and make it a part of your life.

How often have I heard something new, been totally inspired, and then added the idea in my already bulging mental notebook, somehow thinking that just because I got 'goosebumps' from some amazing piece of information, it would automatically change my life. Maybe I thought it would happen by osmosis.

What really challenged me was when Jenny instructed her listeners to take one thing we learned that morning and immediately take action to implement it, to do it just as soon as we got off the phone.

What...you mean right now? I have to admit, it seemed too fast for me. But that's exactly what I need. When will there be a better moment? A line from The King and I with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr says it best:

"Now is always best time."

Here's another tip from Jenny Flintoft:

"Go through your existing e-books and products. Highlight, scribble, stick notes on things which you can action immediately. Then go action them. Don't buy any more products until you do."

I'm ready to action that, are you?  Now is always best time!

Simply Sunday...A Safe Place

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Miss Kitty loves to go outside. She's not as timid as she used to be, but I've noticed she still appears to be more at ease exploring the 'great outdoors' when she sees the garden door open. She'll often come and sniff the frame and when I ask if she wants to come back in, Oh no, I'm just checking that there's still a safe place to run into should it be necessary. Then she wanders back out.

Of course, like many of us who venture out into the wild, wild wood, she encounters her own kind of 'dragons'. They seem to be quite friendly, but for her these neighbor felines spells 'Danger, Danger'.

It got me thinking, sometimes God calls us to come out of our familiar spots into a place that isn't always comfortable for us. We may step out, one toe at a time, and we tend to keep a watchful eye on the door, in case 'there be dragons out there'.

I think the Psalmist must have felt that way many times, because he sure journalled a lot about it. If you read through the Psalms, they are full of comforting reminders that there is a safe place for us to run into.... That Safe Place is sometimes called a high tower, a mighty fortress.

It might give us the courage to step out into the unknown if we remember that He always leaves the door open for us; we can run back anytime we feel the heat of dragon fire.

Oh by the way, here's a snippet from the Psalmist's journal: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into him and are safe. (from Psalm 18:10)

May you find that safe place today. Wishing you peace!

An Empowering Moment

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I'm working on my monthly newsletter this week. I just finished a tiny article for it, which I also posted on my Perfectly Pink site.

If you're feeling the stress of life today, you might want to check it out!

Have a wonderful day!

Please Wear Pants!

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I just finished tsk-ing and giggling my way through an article Look Ma - no pants! in The Globe and Mail.

Columnist Leah McLaren was wondering when it became okay to flash your underwear in public. Apparently there's a current trend in some places for people (men and women both) to go out in public, minus their trousers (and the women aren't wearing skirts either). Really...don't even try to imagine that one!

Which makes me glad for my 'old fogey' friends (sorry you guys)..... so far, everyone we hang out with has always arrived fully clothed for the occasion.

It makes me wonder if this fad were to hang around for any length, restaurant owners would have to update their 'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service' signs. Somehow it doesn't quite have the same rhythm if you add 'No Pants'.

And then think about it, you've just sent invitations out for your daughter's wedding. Do you have to specify in the RSVP -- please wear trousers?

I had a LOL moment when McLaren closed off by saying, "Take it from the fashion experts -- pants are important. They cover our wobbly bits and separate us from the Muppets. Wear them early and wear them often and please, ladies, if you see me coming, put on a pair for me."

Ms. McLaren certainly added some colour to my otherwise fairly normal day.

Here's to the usefulness of trousers!

Hot Off The Press

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

It's brand new -- hot off the press today! I was invited by Thomas Nelson Inc. to read an advance copy of JESUS Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ, by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, and then mention it on my blog.

Although the book didn't arrive prior to the release date, I did get a chance to read a few pages from the online sampling at Amazon.com -- enough to whet my appetite for more.

Here's one quotation that may also whet yours:

"God is not so much about fixing things that have gone wrong in our lives as He is about finding us in our brokenness and giving us Christ. When Christ is not central and supreme in our lives, everything about life shifts out of orbit and moves out of kilter. So for Christians, our first task is to know Jesus. And out of that knowing, we will come to love him, adore Him, proclaim Him and manifest Him."

Note: The book will be on major discount on Amazon.com today. So if you're interested, it's a good day to purchase your copy.

Till next time,