Like Healing Ointment

"SOUL PROJECTS projects bring a smile to your face, light to your eyes, new energy to your heart, joy to all around you.  Soul projects are like healing ointment on the sore places of your life.


Beethoven went for walks in the countryside. Golda Meir polished her silver teapot, Josephine, Napoleon's wife, tended to her roses. Claude Monet gardened. Katharine Hepburn wrote her journal in bed with breakfast. Winston Churchill liked to paint.  Einstein took long baths. Mendelssohn listened to the music of Bach.  Mother Theresa listens to the silence of her soul."

~ Katrine Stewart

From Keeper of the Springs, Making Home the Place for Which You're Longing, Ingrid Trobisch with Marlee Alex

Photo Source:  Glitter-Graphics.com

A Day Off?

SO YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT TAKING THE DAY OFF?  You woke up and felt like this should be a day without work of any kind pressing in. A day to rest, kick back, relax, enjoy your morning coffee leisurely.  Listen to the birds.  Read. Go for a walk.  Nap.  Putter about.

Well, then do it.  But to get the most from it, no guilt. For if you do, you waste. At the end of the day, you will have neither worked nor rested.  With neither a sense of accomplishment or refreshment at the end of the day, now that would be a sad way to end it!

Do you remember Yoda from Star Wars? The scene where he chides Luke Skywalker for his anemic response to Yoda's direction:

Luke:  Okay, I'll give it a try. 

Yoda:  NO!  Do.. or do not.  There is no try.

Back to what we were chatting about:  Go have a day off.  It's okay.  Do without guilt, regret or shame. And come back refreshed, rejuvenated, and relaxed.  If you need permission, here it is....

Now go enjoy it!

Photo source:  Glitter-Graphics.com

I'm Supposed To Go Through This Door?

 "You've got to go through this door first

in order to get to those doors."

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE I was sensing in my heart one day not so long ago.

Translation being... I was fretting that I didn't seem to have the skill or talent to bring out into this world those ideas I could imagine in my mind's eyes.  And I lamented that sometimes I would never get there... For example, I want to write beautifully composed postings... I want a site that reflects the part of my heart that yearns to express His beauty so it speaks life and hope to people who are experiencing too much of our up-side-down world in their lives.  

As I received the message I had a picture flash through my mind and I had the sense that this door was not fancy or pretty -- it was just an ordinary door.  A door that I needed to walk through, because it was the path I needed to take for the view, the lessons, the experiences -- so that He and I together will be able to one day truly impact my corner of the world for good and leave beauty and hope in its wake. 

I think about that phrase often to remind myself that these small, ordinary doors -- opportunities -- are needful for my next step in my writing journey, my life journey.

Julia Cameron once made a comment about how we need to make some 'ugly-ducking' paintings before we can make masterpieces.  It's all part of the process.

"Remember that even if you have made a truly rotten piece of art, it may be a necessary stepping-stone to your next work.  Art matures spasmodically and requires  ugly-duckling growth stages." ~ Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

Opening the door in front of us, or writing the piece or painting the picture where we are at today might be the necessary thing that flings open doors to the life we're dreaming about.

What door do you wish would open for you today?  What door is in front of you that you need to walk through?  Chances are it's the door you need to go through first to get there from here!

  Wishing you courage and joy as you turn the door knob!

Photo source:  Microsoft Images

What Do You Need To Be Happy?

"The day after tomorrow is the

third day of the rest of your life."

~ George Carlin

I HAD THE RADIO tuned to our national CBC station the other day, and I caught part of an interview with a woman who is a classical singer. I never did get her name. But something she said caught my attention --- singing makes her happy.

A pianist named Karen once said that she needs to play to be happy.  For her it was such a priority 'that everything else seems simple.'

It doesn't take much for me to be happy. A long time ago I learned the art of seeking within any and every opportunity for the grain -- if that's all there is for the moment -- that becomes a gift for joy.

But I do know there are certain things that I do need to be happy.  For instance, I need to read to be happy. I feel bereft if a day goes by and I haven't had a chance to connect to a little something that I can ponder and mull over.

I also need to connect in some way to the hearts of people.  It could be as simple as looking into the face of a baby in his stroller and our eyes meeting, and we both recognize we touched something.

Another thing that is essential to my well-being is my need for times in my day, my week to be alone.  As much as I enjoy being with people, if I've not had that quiet away time, or I've been around too much company, I start to feel frayed around the edges.  I begin to lose my sense of living beautifully in the moment.

In my solitude times that is when the frayed edges get mended and I begin to see my world through His eyes of love again.  That's when I find little joy bubbles rising up from within.  I grow happy and I feel a renewed enthusiasm to return to my place amongst those I'm called to serve and love.

Oh yes... if you're wondering how George Carlin's comment fits in this.... I don't want us to wait too long to pay attention to those times where we are happy and to create space in every day for things we 'need' to keep us happy.

Because, well, to quote another well-known somebody -- anonymous -- 'If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.'  So it would seem that it's our bounden duty as women and momma's to get and stay happy.  Therefore, don't wait till you get to the third day of the rest of your life!

What do you need to keep happy?

Be happy!  Be silly!

Simply Sunday - Being Silly

  

YOU MIGHT WONDER at the oddity of today's title (maybe because we think we should think more 'sacred' thoughts on a more set-apart time like Sunday).  But you will see why when you read something I posted a couple of years ago.

Blessings!*

*I saw an article about the beautiful actress Helen Hayes in a magazine once, and the photo of her had the words inscribed 'Blessings' -- and I've loved that phrase ever since.

Let's Be Silly

repost

I was browsing through a little booklet called Zig Ziglar's Little Book of Big Quotes, and I found such a great quote, I had to share.

"Most of us would be upset
if we were accused of being 'silly.'
 
But the word 'silly' comes from the
old English word 'selig,'
and its literal definition is
 
'to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous.'

In light of that definition, may I take the liberty of wishing each of you a wonderfully silly Sunday!!!

Peace and joy,
Brenda

Saturdays and Cleaning Rituals

TRADITIONALLY DURING MY GROWING UP YEARS, Saturdays were the day for cleaning out the accumulation of a week's worth of living mess and then polishing the house within an inch of its life in anticipation of Sunday -- our day of rest from usual chores and activities, and often having people over for a big dinner after church.

Saturdays were energetic days, as we'd get into our chores with a flurry with dustcloths, floor wax and accompanying polishers, not to mention the increasingly-skilled baking fingers of my sister, who was a whizz in the art of baking even at an early age.

Of course that was a long time ago.  When I first set up housekeeping as a young career woman, I still did things as we did them at home (which was a lovely pattern), but as life evolved into different seasons, the rituals of dusting and cleaning now often happens other times of the week.

Still, once in a while, I recall those Saturday mornings when a sunbeam would light on the huge box of Corn Flakes still on the breakfast table, as Mom would put us in charge of certain tasks -- I loved cleaning the living room so that I could rearrange the ornaments and even furniture.  It was motivating to chase out farm dirt from corners, giving everything an energetic shaking, scrubbing and shining.  Lots of work, but it felt good at the end of the day.  Smelled good too.

In light of those memories, I wanted to pass along a snippet from Alexandra Stoddard's book Living A Beautiful Life.  Well worn and marked, the book has been my guide and mentor for more than two decades now, shaping my ideas and patterns for adding 'elegance, order, beauty and joy to my every day life.'

Here's today's  inspiration on living a beautiful life, Alexandra style:

On Monthly Rituals.  "Life involves an accumulation of waste and clutter -- we must clean out the excess baggage in our lives on a rational and regular basis.....  At our office, once a month, we have one day with no outside appointments and we attack our files, clean up all the clutter and create order.  It's a necessary ritual that brings enormous rewards.  We play music which soothes us. ...

At home I make this kind of attack on one area or another of our apartment at least once a week--a few hours of chaos and suddenly you feel exhilarated, just from throwing out.  You find things you thought were lost forever. You make new discoveries.  (note this part especially)  A regular, serious attack on mess and unnecessary clutter, performed with a glad heart, makes you feel in control of all the parts of your life you care about."

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Some Are Destined...

MOST WOMEN ENJOY collecting pretty things for their homes. It's been placed into our nurturing, feminine natures to create places where we can live, love, and share with those we care about.

Veronique Vienne, in her book The Art of Being A Woman: A Simple Guide to Everyday Love and Laughter, talks about that very thing.  We like pretty things around us: ornaments, artwork, hand-stitched cushions, teacups... whatever it is, we use them to create a home that's comfortable and lovely for our loved ones.

We also collect or create pretty things to share.  For, as Veronique goes on to say, "Not all your pretty belongings belong to you.  Some of them are destined to be gift wrapped."

Destined to be gift wrapped. Don't you just love that phrase! Because it's true... we may enjoy something for a season, or keep it tucked away, knowing it is actually meant for someone else, even if we don't know who that is just yet.

Alexandra Stoddard once said, "Spontaneous sharing gives life joy.  Make it something you do all the time.... Give from an inner urge the things you have at hand...it is fun to share personal trifles with friends."  

 

   

Looking around at your pretty things today, do you see any that might be destined to be gift wrapped?

And... if you are going to gift-wrap them, then you must, must, must visit Sande over at A Gift Wrapped Life.  She's got the most exquisite ideas on how to share your life through gifts.

Wishing you a beautiful day! 

Photo Source for teacup photo:  Glitter-Graphics.com

Autumn in the Sky

...Worth Getting Up For...

I had been awake reading and journaling early this morning, so when my eyes felt like they needed a little more sleep, I snuggled under the covers, ONLY to catch a glimpse of what was going on outside in the sky.

Oh my goodness!  Talk about the heavens declaring the glory of God. Quick where's my camera -- a blogging moment in the making!

 Hope you en-JOY these autumn glories!  I'll be back later....

Like A Sonata

I'D LIKE TO THINK our thoughts of gratitude waft up like a sweet song or melody which finds its way to God's ears. Do you think the angels might sing along when we share our joy and thanks for all the gifts we have been given?  Even on days when it doesn't seem like much?   

I like making lists... not just to-do lists... but all kinds.  So when I came across a 'thankful' list I shared once in an old posting, I decided to blow the dust from it and bring it out into the light of day again, with a few alterations.

I want my eyes...my heart...to see afresh the goodness and beauty I enjoy in my life every single day.  The people, the treasures and pleasures, the creative pieces I get to enjoy through the hands of artists and creators... whether it's handmade socks or pretty art or an artisan loaf of wholesome bread.  All there ready for me to savor, taste, cozy up in, listen to, watch, read, snuggle with...
 

One area where I've been increasing my awareness is the great gift I glean from thousands of people who, over the centuries, have given their very lives sometimes, who have practiced and studied and toiled and researched and studied some more... often with great sacrifices... and now.... here.... I get to enjoy the fruit of their labour.  How amazing is that!

Marcel Proust once said:  "Let us be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls bloom."

 

The numbers in the list below adds up to 100.   I'm thinking this is going to take a while to ponder, so I'm going to share my own list as the days progress.

You are most welcome to joy-n the song ....100 GIFTS in 100 Days.... and to share your thoughts in this comment box... in the Page comment box (click on Tab marked 100 Gifts at the top)... and/or post them on your own blog and leave a link back here.

• 10 bloggers who contribute something into your life by what they share;

• 5 things you are grateful for even though you don't own it;

• 5 things you're grateful for that you recently acquired;

• 3 things that make your heart sing;

• 7 things about your body you've taken for granted but are thankful for;

• 6 affirmations people have given to you about you;

• 4 books or quotes that gave you light for your journey so far this year;

• 5 places that give you a sense of joy or peace or contentment;

• 5 things in nature that you enjoy;

• 5 things about your spouse, kids, or pets you love;

• 10 foods or meals you love and appreciate;

• 5 songs or pieces of music for which you are thankful;

• 10 commodities and services in your community you'd miss if they were gone;

• 10 people who serve you in your community as you go through your day and who make your life easier, better, more enjoyable;

• 5 things you're thankful for about your mom or dad;

• 5 lessons you've appreciated learning in your lifetime.

Photo source: Microsoft images

The Poetry of September

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

  September

by John Updike

The breezes taste 
Of apple peel.

The air is full
Of smells to feel ~

Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in autumnal shades!

Photo source: Microsoft images

 

Just For Fun

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 Will you be making jam?
(5th Floor Girls -- and you know who you are -- 
this one's for you and for those good ole memories!)

IN THE OFFICE where I used to work, often during lunch or coffee breaks (when we took them) we'd end up chatting about interesting girly things (our office had all women at that time). Sometimes we'd take 'surveys' amongst ourselves on silly questions, because after all, "Inquiring Minds Wanna Know".

One day, quite in innocence, one colleague said that when she got home that evening she was going to make jam with Charlie... and before you knew it someone piped up and said, 'Oh, is that what you call it?' wink, wink, nudge, nudge. It ended up becoming the office 'code' for that shhhhhh....  s*e*x... word.

More recently we were out with friends.  Who knows how topics come up, but one couple starts sharing the humorous tale about how they used to tell their young daughters when they didn't want them barging into their bedroom unannounced that 'Mom and Dad were going into their bedroom to catch spiders'. Apparently the girls had an aversion to spiders.

Now that's two for the list:

•  making jam
• catching spiders

No doubt there are other interesting 'code' words out there... and we'd love to hear if you care to share!  After all, inquiring minds wanna know. (Of course we're pretty sure it goes without saying that we are just having fun and not wanting to know anything off-color here.)

Just for fun... wishing you a great day... whatever you do!

Photo source: Microsoft images

Simply Sunday

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

MAY ALL THAT I say and think

be acceptable to thee,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!

Psalm 19: 14 NEB

 

 * * *

  

THE LORD IS NEAR ~ have no anxiety,

but in everything make your requests

known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving.

Then the peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding,

will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.

And now, my friends,

all that is true, all that is noble, all that is just and pure,

all that is lovable and gracious,

whatever is excellent and admirable ~

fill all your thoughts with these things.

Philippians 4: 6-8 NEB

Wishing you beautiful thoughts today!

 

Say What You Want

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I RECENTLY met up with a woman I know casually and remarked how good she was looking -- so youthful and fresh, slim, well put together. (She's a older woman who, in the past, sometimes looked frazzled and 'fuzzy' around the edges, if you know what I mean.)

In response to my expression of delight at seeing her so lovely, she said that lately she's been confessing a little affirmation when she gets ready for the day. And it's been making a difference for her.  Of course we wanted to know those 'magic' little words that were changing her life.  Do you want to know too?

I look good --

I feel good --

And I weigh exactly what I should!

When we tell our minds what we desire, it usually does its best to comply!  I like it!


Just a Snippet,

B r e n d a

Postcards and Snippets

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

IT'S THE ARRIVAL of a new season -- and for me autumn always means the thrill of new beginnings.  Which is why I've been thinking about how I'd like to update and enhance my blog.  I started three years ago by just 'jumping' into this cyberspace world of wonders. And like any skill, the more we learn and develop in it, we like taking on new projects to challenge us.

Over the past few months I've been pondering, dreaming and envisioning a look, format and theme that helps me to be more focused, yet allows me to develop in other writing areas of my heart.  All still related to living a beautiful life -- because in essence that is the theme of my life.

In that light, I'd like to introduce one new segment on my blog I've chosen to call 'Postcards and Snippets'.
  

It's the place to share thoughts that are snippets -- a bit, a scrap, a morsel -- of thought and feeling, maybe a tiny jewel, yet unpolished.

But if I wait -- which I have done so often in the past -- the idea, which sometimes is as fleeting as a soap bubble, will vanish if I try to fashion it into something more substantial.

Besides sometimes we don't need -- or even desire -- it to be full-fledged.  Our hearts know how to catch 'nuances' even if the thought isn't said perfectly!

For me, so often it's a passing remark in a book or conversation -- very often the proverbial rabbit trail -- that turns out to be a tiny jewel in uncut state that, upon catching its glint, changes my day or week  into something beautiful and winsome.

So watch for these.... they may be posted often or not.... after all one never knows when such a snippet will show up!

Wishing you the joy of dreaming new things!

Unwrap Your Gifts

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 
 

I LOVE GIVING GIFTS wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons.  It's a real delight to make the package beautiful. The real joy, though, is when I present the gift to the recipient and watch her unwrap it.


How disappointing it would be, then, if the person never unwrapped the gift I gave her; how lopsided an affair it would be for the exchange would be incomplete.

As pretty as any parcel may look on the outside, it is the gift inside that matters.  Unopened, it remains un-enjoyed, un-useful, and un-appreciated.  I'm reminded of a quote Mary Kay Ash was known to say often:  God didn't have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. She truly believed that every person has God-given talents waiting to be 'unwrapped' and brought out of the box of their heart into the open.

Yet, sometimes another person's gift to her world is 'packaged' so beautifully that a less confident person gets the perception that hers is not so wonderful, too little, maybe even second-rate. But that's the problem, isn't it? When every person has gifts of different shapes and sizes and uses, to compare ourselves to others it's quite like comparing ducks to horses. Both are wonderful species, but don't ask a duck to win a Derby race, and don't ask a horse to swim with the grace of one who has webbed feet.

Years ago I read the story of a young girl who took piano lessons;  her parents hoped she would become a concert pianist.  They found the best teachers and did everything to make it possible for her to succeed.  Except, she really didn't have the exceptional ability for it.  Not that she didn't have any music ability, just not the right combination to make it in the piano concert world.

As the girl grew up and thought about her life, she took the talent she did have and began to use it to teach music to handicapped children.  And what fun she had and what joy they had! They loved her! What if she'd decided that since she was not talented 'enough', she wouldn't do anything at all with her ability?  She still opened the gift and used it.

So it's not about fretting that we're not good enough -- it's about taking the size of talent we have and rejoicing that somewhere in this world someone needs and will enjoy what we have to give...........

You may have the gift of inspiring others to believe in themselves. So get busy and lead by inspiring others, all the while letting the teachers in your midst passionately share their love of learning.

You may be a giver by nature, always on the lookout for ways to surprise others. It's a beautiful gift.

Maybe you love serving others by helping them reach their goals or even dishing up dessert at coffee time. Where would we be without you?

And what about the individual with a gift for enthusiasm? In the midst of heated challenges, she can be like a cup of cold water on a scorching day, greatly refreshing someone who has wilted under the heat of pressures and commitments.

 
When we let go of the fear and just walk in our own giftings, gracefully doing what comes naturally, we will 'naturally' touch the lives of others in ways that will influence and encourage.

I believe that's a beautiful way to live!

  

Autumn Art

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

  "The Search" - Psalm 139

 Watercolour and Ink

Artist - Elsie Underwood

THIS PAST WEEKEND, I had the lovely privilege of meeting the artist of this beautiful autumn painting.  I have a small art card of the one above in my happy possession.

Not only does Elsie Underwood share her love of God's creation through her paintings, but she is a word painter of the most exquisite kind. Listening to her speak, one feels the brush strokes of gentleness, kindness and love.  When you are around her, it's like catching 'glimpses of heaven in unexpected places'.

To see more of Elsie's artwork at her online Gallery, click here for the site.

May your day be filled with beauty and light!

Speaking of Pauses....

2011 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

which we did just a few postings back....

YOU MAY RECALL me mentioning the idea that taking a pause or break between books might be a good thing.  You know, to give us time to savor what we just read, or to let it work its way through our belief system and change us...or not... or to just let a delightful turn of phrase, metaphor or scene continue to nourish us with beauty, life and enjoyment.

Aaaaahhhh....

so, do you think 15 minutes would be long enough?

It's this way, you see, when it comes down to it,

for me books are much like peanuts...

As quickly as a person swallows the last handful

she's reaching for the next one.

So not taking my own advice, I closed the book on

one of my recent library sale acquisitions,

where Hercule Poirot solves

the mystery of  The Third Girl

...and before Monsieur's little grey cells had a chance to settle down,

I had pulled out my copy of

Rosamunde Pilcher's novel entitled September.

Oh well... maybe next time?

In the meantime, I'm settling in for a grand story

-- told by one of my favorite storytellers --

set in the heather-filled hills of Scotland.

To pause or not to pause, that is the question!

Happy Friday!