Unwrap Your Gifts

Photo: morguefile.com

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!

Brenda

xox

Blueberries in the Kitchen

 Blueberry Loaf Cake

Early this morning I dared turn on the oven (weatherman said it was going to be another hot one) to make raisin bran muffins, plus this new-to-me recipe for Blueberry Loaf Cake.  I made enough of both recipes to be able to share with a friend who is expecting company over the weekend.

It was well worth turning on the oven -- as you can see, the blueberry loaf turned out beautifully. I found the recipe at Taste of Home and is easily retrieved, so I won't post it here. And, if you are looking for the raisin bran muffin recipe, check out my sister's Best Ever Bran Muffins. It's a family favourite!

* * * * *

My tip on how to avoid 'blue' dough.  No matter how gently and carefully I fold the berries into the batter, by the time it's all mixed everything is that purple blue. As much as I love blueberries, I do not care for the blue-streaked dough. Here is how I deal with it:

For a loaf: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Then I sprinkle the blueberries over top and finish adding and spreading the rest of the dough over the berries.

For pancakes: Ladle batter on the hot grill, then top with a few blueberries and press them slightly into the dough; that way they won't stick when you flip them to fry the other side.

Wishing you a beautiful day,
Brenda
xox

Open the Door And Let In The Day

 Painting found in an old magazine -- artist unknown

It is early morning and everything is so still -- not a leaf stirring or a bird song breaking the silence. The air feels deliciously cool on my face as I peer out into the garden. Hubby predicts a hot one today so we let windows stand ajar awhile before we close the windows and draw the blinds.

A wispy cloud just catches the light as the sun peers over the horizon. So often I'm reminded of that old psalm: This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Some days when pressures bear down a person has to work a little at being glad for a new day, but this morning brings me a gift where the joy bubbles up easily.

The fragrance of coffee and hot buttered toast with marmalade drifts past my nose... I must follow it. I'm off to finish unwrapping the gift of this day.

Wishing you joy in your day ... shall I pour coffee?

Brenda
xox

Beauty in the Pause

Pause:  n. an interval of inaction; a temporary stop.

a break in speaking or reading, a silence.

How often do you catch yourself rushing from one project, activity or book to the next one? With hardly a breath, or thought, in between and no time to catch your breath or even think about what you've just completed before scurrying off to the next?

Musicians recognize the importance of pauses in music. Someone once said it isn't the notes themselves that make the music beautiful, but what happens between the notes: that distance between the tones and the length of the pauses. That's where we feel the tension and anticipation, and then the eventual release. Where we all breath again.

Recently I read a post by K. Dawn Byrd entitled Stress Relief 101 for Writers. She shares some tips for writing; one in particular stood out for me: her habit is to schedule her writing of books in 30-day spurts. Every time she finish a 30-day stint, she stops to take a break and pauses for about two weeks. It gives her space between her last project and the next one. During this time she rests, 'chills out' and rejuvenates. I can only imagine, as she does not say it, that when she starts her next  project, she must tackle it with renewed energy and excitement. 

 

What a beautiful idea! In truth, we can hardly imagine such a thing, but what if we actually did such a thing not only with our writing, but other areas of our lives too? What would be the result? 

For instance, what about Pauses in our reading life? Instead of reaching for the next book before the cover of the one we just finished has cooled, what if we took a break, maybe a few days or a week or two -- I can hardly imagine that long between books, but let's just say -- what if we stopped to let what we just finished reading take hold in our minds. To ruminate and working through the ideas, writing our response to certain aspects, really letting the author's words speak, would our lives be richer for this pause? This time to focus and 'stew' on it a bit?

Pauses between bites of food. The other day I wolfed my lovely lunch down and hardly tasted the bites. I hardly noticed what I was eating. I was in a hurry. I had an idea the food tasted good, but I didn't savour or really enjoy the gift of that food. They keep telling us to chew our food more thoroughly to aid in better digestion and less upset stomachs.

Pauses between our tasks at work or at home. Moments to slowly breathe in and b-r-e-a-t-h-e out, to let our eyes focus on the sky outside our window or the art piece over our desk or the kitten playing with the ball of string. Pausing to swivel our thoughts heavenward for renewed strength and energy, not to mention creativity.

Pauses ... between blog posts. I've noticed that when I don't write every single day, during that time and space I feel the freedom to gather new thoughts, to take time to dream and research and prepare. And, a most interesting thing, there are more comments per post when there are 'pauses' between.

It would appear that making place for Pauses within our daily lives will go a long way to enriching and making our lives so much more beautiful. I like that!

And now I pause and wish you beautiful moments today,

 Brenda
xox

The Rose Pillow Winner is...

Congratulations to

Elizabethd at French Village Life

on winning the Rose Pillow Case!

It will be a real delight to know one of my little treasures will be enjoyed by you all the way across the pond in Brittany! Meeting beautiful people around the world and sharing a little bit of joy with each other -- that's the joy of blogging, isn't it?

Thank you to everyone who joined in the giveaway. A little consolation prize, here's a short video of Audrey Hepburn sharing some thoughts on roses.

All the best,
Brenda