tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48236488897118056412024-03-13T07:14:34.142-05:00A Ready ListenerPausing to hear the beauty in all of life.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-75615135383998927122017-12-21T17:29:00.000-06:002017-12-22T07:15:27.749-06:00A little different this year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My kids are all grown now. All in their 20's and the oldest pushing 30. For the past several years I've relished the idea of redoing what I put on the Christmas tree. Like, away with the things they made in school, or the ornaments I got them each year growing up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The storm trooper and Frodo, the little kitten and the C3P0. My reasoning has been they don't really care anyway, what I put on the tree. So, one year I went to Menard's and bought all new fairly inexpensive red and green ornaments and the tree was a theme instead of hodgepodge stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then one year I bought a tinsel tree. A table top size, but I wanted "different" that year because everything in my life had changed, or so I thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three years ago we downsized and have not had enough room to put up our full sized tree which just stays in the box. So, I bought a real tree from Whole Foods and I just put "special" ornaments on it. I wanted a gold and silver vintage theme. It worked for me. I loved the little vintage looking tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yesterday I got out the ornament box to decorate the table top tree I bought at Hobby Lobby at half price a couple of weeks ago. I put on the Frank Sinatra station on Pandora and went to work. The new tree is my first pre-lit tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started out with a vintage theme again. I bypassed Frodo again and then I saw the ornament that the nursery made when my 24 year old daughter was a mere 3 months old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A sentimental warmth mixed with sadness washed over me and I picked it up and put it on the tree. I found one my son made in first grade. A hand drawn and colored elf. I found a faded green construction paper wreath of my oldest son's making with his 1st grade picture inside. This went on my tree as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn't cry, but i felt like it. The feels were coming, I could tell. My "kids" who are 29, 27 and 24....looking at them again as little ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Out came another angel from their childhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then my daughter came home from work. She added the new storm trooper ornament given to her by a co-worker. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year, my tree is themed "I remember and I'm grateful for the memories". I'm looking forward to making more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">******************************</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First admission is that I went quite a bit over 5 minutes for this! It's been several months since I've done this and I really wanted to get these words down. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm linking up with other brave and bold writers at <a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/">fiveminutefriday.com</a> for Five Minute Friday. The idea is to write for five straight with no edits, just for the fun of it. This week's prompt is the word <i>different.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings and Merry Christmas,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> </i> </span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-58284301676724366942017-09-03T16:30:00.000-05:002017-12-21T07:36:06.290-06:00Layers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">yellow feathers collect at the bottom of his cage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it's that season again</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a season of shedding the old to make way for the new</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i'm like him</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the old, outdated parts of me are shedding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they've been peeling away like outdated wallpaper to reveal yet more layers underneath</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when will the peeling back of layers be completed?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his molting and growing of new feathers will be complete in a matter of weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mine may take weeks, months or even years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a lifetime of time-worn layers peeling off</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">being scraped away as extra grout</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">laying at my feet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">discarded</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">how can I ever paste them back to me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i cannot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nor would I ever want to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">those layers of me are in the past</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">they are no longer me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i will never be the same </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the old me and the new me dance until the day the new me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the new layer is complete</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-56742916266262542412017-05-13T14:20:00.002-05:002017-05-13T14:21:18.464-05:00When you need to be mom to yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linking up today with Five Minute Friday, wild and free writers writing on a prompt for five minutes straight, with no fancy edits. I'm linked up over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's blog</a>. Head on over to see what others have written on the prompt, "mom".</span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several years ago, I began a quest, a journey, to wholeness and wholeheartedness. Lots of physical symptoms were popping up in my body and life, alerting me to changes that must be made.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the past seventeen years, I've been determined on this quest to be a mom to myself. That's right, regardless of the parents I had as a child, I realized I needed to be "mom" to the little child that was still residing inside of me, and always would be there..</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I started slowly to</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">#1 realize she was there</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">#2 realize she needed me as an ally and friend and "parent"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">#3 realize she needed healing</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several opportunities arose for me to help me on this journey. Counseling, yes. And also, an inner child healing ministry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes, because of the healing I've received in the past 17 years and counting, I want to be a "mom" to the whole world (even though I KNOW that's not my job, but I can pray..)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, you know what the mom in me wants to tell my biological kids and the "kids" of the whole world? (the kids inside us adults and the real kids!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to reveal to them the secret of life indeed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life abundant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life healed and whole.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I believe this secret knowledge is available to everyone. But we must BELIEVE and SPEAK it over ourselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here it is:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">WE ARE 100% ACCEPTABLE AND LOVABLE JUST THE WAY WE ARE. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;">Thanks for stopping by today, friend! I hope this good news has helped you in some way. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Blessings to you in abundance,</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Anne </span></span></span></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-64111867625369367632017-04-30T15:38:00.000-05:002017-04-30T15:42:11.298-05:00a better place to be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a>. A group of writers who write on a prompt for five minutes straight, with out fancy edits. This week's prompt is "more". </span></span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so many years I stayed attached, tethered</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to those around me. loved ones who I mistakenly thought I could change</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on a moment's notice.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">no.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cannot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">why did it take this long to realize that all who are alive on this planet are on their own life's journeys, learning their own life lessons and I have nothing to do with it except to be a companion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a friend, a comrade to come alongside the ones I love, the strangers I meet,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to observe.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not control. not manipulate. not cajole into doing or being anything</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">except what their Creator made them to be. </span></span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">yes, more detachment means more peace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">better alignment in expectations means I have more peace, too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this will be a life long journey, I see, to make this adjustment in life long patterns of thinking and being.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am unhinging from old patterns of relating with myself and others. untethered to fly free in the unknown.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, uncertainty is scary, but hanging on to old patterns of being is stifling and suffocating.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm learning and leaning on the One who can help me down new paths.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learning my own life lessons along the way, but I belong.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I belong here. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I accept myself right where I am, on the way to where I need to be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">***************************************** </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by today!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-63054763511641569822017-01-28T15:50:00.001-06:002017-01-28T20:06:33.847-06:00What's in your circle?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with other writers today for Five Minute Friday. A flash mob of writers who write for five minutes without going back to do fancy editing. Hop on over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's blog</a> to see what it's all about. This week's prompt is "control".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everywhere I turn I see people trying to control others by their words and actions. I've even been on the receiving end of this type of control and I know what it feels like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It doesn't feel good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, why do I often find myself with the urge if not the actual actions or words coming out of my mouth trying to control a person in my circle or the events or circumstances around me? It doesn't work!! And, I know how it feels to be on the receiving end, so why would I do it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's ingrained I think. And you know what else? I think fear is at the root of control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm afraid my expectations won't be met.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm afraid my needs won't be met.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm afraid my voice won't be heard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm afraid that I won't be seen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm afraid my opinion is not important so my voice might get a little louder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I heard something recently that made a whole lot of sense. It actually came from my husband from something he learned at work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He talked about the circle of concern and the circle of control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are things in life that we can be concerned about that we cannot control. Which are</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> most things, by the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then there is the circle of things I can control. Picture two circles, one inside the other. The smaller circle is the bulls eye. The circle of things we can control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That pretty much leaves us. Our own person, ideas, faith and our being. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*not simple. Just kidding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you today,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-12088855414037500982017-01-23T16:04:00.001-06:002017-01-23T16:04:49.522-06:00The gift to give yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I'm joining other writers for Five Minute Friday. The prompt is "refine". For the first time ever, I wrote for five minutes, but then let myself keep going. I don't normally like to do that, but I had a lot to say about the topic I chose to write on and the words just kept coming. Go on over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/">katemotaung.com</a> to see how you can join in this flash mob of writers too! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">START.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not known for being too organized or efficient. I'm also not known for caring too much about it either. Well, I do care. But, it is definitely not something I'm striving for, to do more quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe I could refine that and improve, but I've never been one to like New Years resolutions. They have always seemed like something that sets one up for failure. I have enough trouble staying in a good place with self esteem, so no resolutions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have discovered something about energy balance and self care recently though and I'm passionate enough about the results that I'm going to continue refining what I know and things I do about these two catagories long after 2017 is out the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Know why? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Space to breathe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Space to think, grow and learn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Energy balance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't mean acupuncture or holistic medicine. I mean the balance of what kind of energy I'm letting into my life and what energy I'm letting out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've refined my follow feeds on all my social media. This hasn't been a choice really, as I look at how my body handles stress. If something is causing negativity and resulting stress, it's going off my radar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It might be my age talking here, but I don't have enough margin in my physical, emotional and mental health to tolerate negativity any more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Self care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Huge!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do I need right now? What will bring joy and help me to focus on gratitude?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STOP</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read just yesterday that if you're grateful, there's no room in your brain for anger. This is from a well known author, but really, I could have told you that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're like me, anger about just about anything can creep in pretty sinister like. Before you know it, we're feeding that anger and it's getting bigger. According to this author, what we feed gets bigger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>by intentionally beginning to focus energy and attention on gratitude, the anger has no where to go but out. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the beginning of 2016 I started a gratitude jar. I bought a vintage jar and found scraps of paper at first and put these on a prominent shelf in my living room. Every night before bed, I stopped at this shelf and wrote out at least one thing I was grateful for that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I watched this jar fill up. Then, I had to go junking to find another vintage jar because I just can't use a new one. At the end of the year I had filled two big jars to the very brim, even having to shove the pieces down in each one for 365 gratitudes to fit in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On New Year's Day I had a huge gift to give myself and it lasted into the next week. I started reading through all of those 365 gratitudes that I'd written each day of last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I smiled as I reminisced my time in June with my tribe in Maine. I chuckled at something my hubby had said to me in August. I warmed as I read "today my daughter came home from England" on July 20th. So. Many. Gratitudes. And, I had given this gift to myself without knowing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without knowing it, I had filled two big jars with tons of positive energy. Those two jars sat in my house giving off positive vibes (not trying to be woo-woo here, just funny). It was all I could do to wait until New Year's Day to dig in to them and start being grateful all over again. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've begun my 2017 gratitude jar and I'm excited. Every night before bed, I stop at the shelf with the jar and my paper and pen and pause. Sometimes it's hard to think of something right away if the day has been kind of hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But this forces me to think of even the littlest thing to write down. Maybe Mr. Cardinal stopped in my fir tree for just a few minutes bringing me joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's not too late to start preparing a huge gift for yourself on New Year's Day 2018! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by today friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-72896821429494197882017-01-16T16:46:00.002-06:002017-01-16T17:16:10.059-06:00when the muse shows up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other wild and free writers at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's place</a> for the first Five Minute Friday of the new year. This week's prompt is <i>middle</i>. Five minute Friday is a time when we write for five minutes straight without fancy edits. Just writing for the fun of it. Come on over to Kate's blog to find out how you can join in in 2017!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes you just don't know when the creative muse is going to show up. It was in the middle of the week before Christmas. I was on the 2nd day of the worst cold I've had in my life. I was sitting on the sofa with my journal and a cup of tea and the muse showed up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had wanted to write a short story for my daughter's short story collaboration called Meet Cute. But, I told her, I just don't have a story ready. I was also hesitant because what if it wasn't good enough for her to pick for her book?? <i>How would I feel?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, all of that went by the wayside that morning in December. My pen started moving across my journal pages as fast as you can imagine. I couldn't really believe it myself. I just kept writing and writing and it was fun. I wasn't editing as I went along either. I wasn't scrutinizing my writing. I was just having fun and letting the words tumble out of me and through my pen and onto the page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, I had let myself off the hook. I had told myself it didn't matter if she, as the editor of the Meet Cute book, chose my meet cute story. I decided it mattered just to write a story for fun and see what happened after that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's when the creativity usually shows up, doesn't it? It shows up when it isn't pressured to show up. It shows up when it doesn't have to be "included" or perfect. It wants to be free to just "be". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved writing the story called Matt and the Beauty, based on how I met my future husband. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, you know what? My daughter really liked it.*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">_____________________________________________________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by today! It's lovely to have you here,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*My short story, Matt and the Beauty, will be published along with 18 other short stories with the "meet cute" theme! Meet Cute is a collaboration of short stories along with illustrations from separate artists from around the world. So excited for my daughter Kara Landhuis, editor. Find out more at meetcutebook.com!</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-92022344515506716082016-12-21T16:43:00.003-06:002016-12-21T16:44:24.057-06:00What we want most this Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What can you do <i><b>NOW</b></i>? What do you control and what is your concern but out of your control?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are things to ponder during these days of gatherings and special moments. Even good things can bring stress--the stress of self-imposed expectations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--threats on self of perfectionism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>KNOW </b></i>that you are enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You. Are. Enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even if you did nothing else but be you, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you are enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>BOW</b></i>--Bend the knee to the One who made you and calls you by name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He loves you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He came for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He died for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He rose for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He's declared you good. Very good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Rest in that knowing in gratitude.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>ALLOW</b></i> people to be exactly who they are. No more, no less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is harder said than done, but will decrease stress and promote inner peace in your soul.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Isn't that what we want most this Christmas? Without our health and peace, we have nothing.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Allow yourself space</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--to think</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--to dream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--to know you're loved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">--to know you're enough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on this crazy spinning ball called earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stop off for some moments of calm and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">now </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and allow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings and thank you!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by. Linking up late to Five Minute Friday with a tribe of writers each week at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog. Stop over there to see what others have written on the prompt,<i> NOW</i>.</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-33738098938425143682016-12-01T17:51:00.001-06:002016-12-01T17:54:31.210-06:00Surrender to a moment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up late for Five Minute Friday over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's blog</a>. This week's prompt is "surrender". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God, thank you for Mr. Cardinal who just swooped by and flew to a branch in Mr. Evergreen. He's been sitting there for at least a minute, bobbing up and down on the tree branch swaying in the wind. It's definitely as if he's there on assignment from You to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He's still there. In all of his red gloriousness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feathers standing out against the green back drop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, it's close to two minutes. He's still there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What is he thinking about? Does he know he's brought me to tears because of his presence? I surrender to this moment in time where this beauty has flown in and perched right in my view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He's still there. It's got to be three minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My tears are flowing freely in gratitude for this gift that has lifted me out of rumination to gratitude and awe. He's perfectly content in his world. Surveying in silence and stillness, he looks to be the King of his kingdom. His feathers puffed out in contentment, he must feel safe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Probably almost four minutes now, of his presence in my evergreen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His contentment and presence startles me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Startling me out of negativity and into joy and peace and the thought that all is well and all will be well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He knows he's enough just as he is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that I'm enough, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This pause has unraveled anxiety about what is to come. I've been instead invited into the moment that is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I surrender.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">************************************</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-60630473530377174352016-11-19T14:31:00.000-06:002016-11-19T14:31:40.129-06:00It's time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time for more beauty and less chaos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to watch the birds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">free, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">flying, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">flitting at the feeders</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to smile at the squirrel antics and stop scolding them for stealing the bird seed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to show compassion to animals and people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even people I disagree with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Compassion and joy and enjoyment of all that is around me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to surround myself with </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">calm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">grace </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>These have become my dearest friends.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Friends who encourage the best in me. Friends who gently guide me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Friends who lead me to truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to believe the truth about myself and others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to give myself the worthy messages I'm so deserving of.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If I don't celebrate my worth, who will?</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If I don't celebrate and believe my worth, how am I capable of celebrating yours?</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am worthy of all good things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am worthy to be treated well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am important and my gifts are important and worthy to be shared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>And so are yours.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's celebrate beauty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">let's celebrate worth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">let's celebrate with love and compassion all that is good within us and in each other and the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'll be so much better for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">**********************************************************</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me today for Five Minute Friday! I'm joining with other wild and free writers over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog. Come on over and check it out and even join in. We write for five minutes on the prompt of the week. This week's prompt is <i>enjoy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you today,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-16986449609713638812016-10-07T17:22:00.001-05:002016-10-07T17:23:11.515-05:00taking the test<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The months since June have felt like one test after the other. Tests of character and resolve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tests of integrity and living by truth. My truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More than ever, there have been tests. seemingly endless. Moments for tea and breathing and living in-between. But, tests.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been learning more about myself since June. I'm learning old patterns and unlearning them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learning new patterns of self-care and self-compassion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learning new ways to give myself permission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Permission to be alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Permission to heal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Permission to be myself....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to create</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">live my own life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">beat my own drum</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and listen for what's next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is there ever a time in life where we know, without certainty what's coming next?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we have an idea. We've dreamed a dream. We've made our best laid plans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Oh yes, we. do. plan, don't we?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, in reality, the only thing we know for sure is what is right now. What's right in front of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taking personal tests of bravery, courage, fortitude, steadfastness, creativity, longing, looking, learning and more have been in my recent past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm guessing more of those things are coming right around the corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I'm up for it, good for it. Gonna show up for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How about you? What tests are you facing these days?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with other writers for Five Minute Friday where we write for five minutes straight with no fancy edits. Stop in over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's blog</a> to see what it's all about! This week's prompt is "test".</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-21056772461169602632016-09-24T13:58:00.000-05:002016-09-24T13:58:42.990-05:00When I'm five<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm at the table for coffee time. I'm with my parents and the old people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm always with the old people. They are my dad's aunt and uncle. But, these old people are like grandparents to me. They raised my dad from age 16 after he came to the New Country from the Old Country. His aunt taught him English.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I love my great aunt for that.</i> She is nice. She is lovely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm five. The adults at the table are dunking their rusks into their Sanka, which has been laced with a sugar cube or two. I can still hear the clank clank of the spoon sliding against the side of the coffee cup (always a cup on a saucer) as they would stir in the sugar. Rarely cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm five. Life is good. I am an only child so far. My brother would be born the next year. I get all the attention from my parents and the old people who we are with. A lot. I get all the attention from people at church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a farm with a swing set. I like to swing. Alone. I fly high into the air, but always come back down. Only to fly again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I am five and I don't know what's coming soon. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't know that my bedroom will change from the one that I've always known. The one with the yellow sweet peas on the walls, my white four poster bed, and where my brother's crib is on the opposite wall as mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bedroom where the house is so old that corn cobs were used as insulation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This would be the reason my mom, in the coming years, after the tornado came through my life and I was moved out of my farm, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">then moved back, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and then back and forth...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this would be the reason my mom buys fancy fire detectors for our ceilings, so that she can feel like I'm safe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because she is not with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">********************************************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me for Five Minute Friday. Today, I took the prompt "five" into mini memoir mode. I'm linking up with other courageous writers over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog. Come on over and see what other writers have written for this week's prompt!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span><br />
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-60116927356169982452016-09-21T12:00:00.000-05:002016-09-21T12:01:32.960-05:00Listen to your heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should do what people want</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should be more helpful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should care more about what others think of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You could live your life pleasing other people, forget your dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should bury the hatchet and pretend nothing ever happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should follow this career path, not that one, because it's more suitable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You will only be hurting yourself if you don't do what they say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You'll be sad and all alone if you choose that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You won't be liked, admired or respected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You're not good enough to do what other people do. You'll see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should take care of others, even when they can take care of themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen to your heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The voices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are loud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are many.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They arrive unannounced and uninvited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They sneer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They try to manipulate and control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, I won't listen to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I won't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will listen to my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's there that I'll find truth and integrity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will listen to my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sharing on a theme that's been ringing in my ears this week. Linking up with other writers for Five Minute Friday. Last Friday's prompt was "listen". I listened and wrote. Come on over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog to read what others have written on this prompt!</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-25025808503778365652016-09-08T15:31:00.001-05:002016-09-08T16:35:21.205-05:00the path to wholeheartedness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other brave writers for Five Minute Friday, almost a week late! The link up is over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog. So, hey there! The prompt for last week was "path". It took me this long to decide which direction to go with it. What path are you taking these days?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are myriads of paths to take. Even with this prompt, I'm tempted to give up even before I begin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Know why?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many choices! How do I decide where to take this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What path will I choose for this week's prompt?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The path that comes to mind over and over again is wholeheartedness. I think that's been the theme of this blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dream and desire is to take the path of truth, both to myself and to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The path that might be the less worn, but the path that leads to wholeheartedness.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktbwf67CMzo/V9HInLMh5tI/AAAAAAAAQI4/HL6FKNBBP_8NOB9G748x5C0Ud92UEuVhwCLcB/s1600/Sebasco%2Blighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktbwf67CMzo/V9HInLMh5tI/AAAAAAAAQI4/HL6FKNBBP_8NOB9G748x5C0Ud92UEuVhwCLcB/s400/Sebasco%2Blighthouse.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sebasco, Maine</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being brave in the face of fear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facing the fears or enemies of peace head on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Protecting myself from danger when possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leading my soul to greener pastures that promote peace in the midst of chaos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pointing my spirit to the One and only One who can point me to truth, peace and all other good things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This I believe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This I want to live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wholeheartedness and truthful living means that I might find myself *face down in the mud, in the middle of the arena more times than I would like. It means that I'll have to remind myself that I'm not alone. That I am a warrior, living out my messy story. But, it's my story to live. No one else's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll have to remind myself that I can get back up from the mud. That with my fellow brave warriors around me, I can survive and thrive the tough stuff. I can wash up, get up and try again. That I'm not alone in this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've got friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've got fellow warriors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've got myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, I've got the God who made me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">****************</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, friend. Thanks so much for stopping!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*references to the "arena" are from author Brene Brown's book, Daring Greatly, which has had a huge influence on my wholehearted journey. You can click on the Daring Greatly tag at the bottom of this post to read other posts I've written on daring greatly and wholehearted living. :)</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-47622850850766240312016-08-19T16:46:00.002-05:002016-08-19T19:03:09.744-05:00when you're picked last<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you remember grade school recess? I do. Some were fun. Some, not so much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wasn't very athletic, and I was a little chubby. I was pretty much one of the last to be picked for the team, whatever game was being played that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Funny, how most of the games that were played in grade school involved running. I think about that now, and I wonder why? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Hmm. Thinking out loud here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes i can feel "picked last" as an adult. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, it's not the same. I'm not playing kickball or Pump Pump Pull Away, but I can feel picked last anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm realizing that this feeling is something I've carried over from childhood. Digging deep, I realize that by being picked last for games, and coming in dead last at the annual "Fun Day", I started to equate being last with my worth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Not a good combination</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started reading a book this week that has begun to heal this feeling of being "picked last", or to put it another way, <i>low self-esteem</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The grocery store clerk isn't always silently mocking me. People probably aren't </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">talking behind my back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lysa Terkeurst used the term "live loved" in her book Uninvited. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> I soaked that phrase up like a damp sponge.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think that's the key to kicking the feeling of being "picked last" in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm going to start reminding myself that I'm loved deeply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm going to say, "live loved" to myself a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope you do, too. Because it's true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, friend. Let's live loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anne</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other writers for Five Minute Friday. Head on over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's </a>blog to find out about it, or join in. Today's prompt is "team".</span></i></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-77065725747048737732016-08-12T15:14:00.000-05:002016-08-12T15:23:26.040-05:00lift the hand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other wild writers at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's blog</a> for Five Minute Friday. We write for five minutes and don't do fancy edits. In fact, today, I didn't even reformat. Just added a photo. That's really wild. Today's prompt is <i>lift</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What if you don't know what to do, but you know you have to lift your hand to do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anything you want to do has to have effort behind it, and initiative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is there a dream burning a hole in your pocket?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you had dreams come and weigh heavy, and then vanish into thin air?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you wondered what to do with the rest of your life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What would you do if money were no object?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What would you do if happiness was the result?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sheer happiness with no strings attatched?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it takes some deep soul searching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes the hand is heavy and sluggish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes the hand doesn't know which way to go, so it's paralyzed, so to speak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paralyzed by inaction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, the ability is there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, the initiatve and motivation are lacking for some reason.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That reason may be unknown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lift your hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lift the pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lift the brush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lift the saw or hammer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lift your eyes to possibilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They are truly endless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why don't we think this way more often?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The freedoms we have to create and make something beautiful from nothing are here. They are right in front of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What will it take for us to lift ourselves out of the un-initiative, the un-motivation to start?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What makes us stuck?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What if the doing something big (or small) is just in the "getting started". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lifting of the hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by for Five Minutes of crazy free writing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's lift our hands and do our happy work!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-13431821286009826362016-08-05T16:22:00.001-05:002016-08-05T16:27:22.295-05:00 choose the happy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with other amazing writers at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog today for Five Minute Friday. Five minutes of writing for the fun of it without fancy edits. Today's prompt is <i>happy</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it takes work to find the happy. Life isn't always as you want it to be, nor how you planned it to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is it possible to be happy even though?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it takes work to find the happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, sometimes it's in the work, or in the looking for happy that happiness is found.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I find that the older I get, the more intentional I need to be about finding my own brand of happiness. I mean, the only things I get to choose in line with finding happy are </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my thoughts and my behaviors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cannot control those around me and "make" them "make me" more happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cannot control them. I can only control me. I can only control ME and my happiness and my way of being in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What will I choose to fill my mind and my days with?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What will I ruminate on? I can choose. It is my privilege to choose my thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can either choose to ruminate on a disagreement I had with someone, and what I could've done differently. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Or, I can choose thoughts that lift me higher. Choose the happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Painting makes me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Smiles and good times with my family make me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Writing makes me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Having a cup of tea makes me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Watching birds outside my window makes me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Thrift shopping with my daughter makes me happy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I get to choose what to focus on. Sure, life is not always happy. What happens to me on a daily basis doesn't always make me happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I have to CHOOSE my happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How about you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, friend,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-37287471901814359612016-07-17T16:37:00.000-05:002016-07-17T16:44:20.004-05:00Five simple ways to create space for yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other writers over at Kate Motaung's blog, <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Heading Home</a>. We write for five minutes straight. No fancy edits, just writing for the fun of it. Today's prompt is <i>create</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you ever feel like life is closing in around you. Like the demands for your time and energy are more than you can manage, and you're getting more and more resentful?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe it's time to take a little "me" time. Time for some self-care. Time to slow down. Below are five ways you can create more space for yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. recognize your limits.</b> We all have them. Another word for these are boundaries. We can set a simple boundary for ourselves by saying the simple word "no". Boundaries and limits protect our time, treasure and energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. be aware of how you're wired.</b> Are you an introvert, gaining energy by being alone? Or are you an extrovert, gaining energy by being with others? This is a very important piece of data to have about yourself. Know yourself and you'll find out quickly if you should say no to that party or YES, I'M all in!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3.</b> Julia Cameron (author) advocates "artist dates" for yourself. I'm advocating a <b>"take time for yourself date"</b>. What do you like to do?? Museums? Swimming? Coffee? Walking? Learn to be content doing things alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Create.</b> I cannot say enough about this. Create and your heart will be happy. Create and you'll feel free in your soul. I've written many posts about this and I've become a firm believer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Write yourself a letter from your "highest self".</b> I mean this. It sounds weird, but it's not. It's totally legit. You'll be surprised how your higher self just "knows" something that your emotions have been overriding. I highly encourage this for emotional freedom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of all. Listen to your intuition. Listen to your gut. It's going to be right. It knows what's right for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-59965224501111407432016-07-08T14:26:00.000-05:002016-07-08T14:26:33.885-05:00If you're feeling small<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with other writers today for Five Minute Friday. Find out the skinny on how to join in over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> blog. And check out what others have written on the topic "build".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear You,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you been made to feel small this week? Less than? Unimportant. Even invisible?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes that happens when those around you are wounded themselves and they can't see past the pain, to see you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This doesn't reflect on you at all, even though that's the ditch you often fall into. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Time and time again, you think the way they treat you is all about you and your not-good-enoughness.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Think again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's when these feelings and thoughts of others come at us, and even from our own selves, (the wounded parts), that we must build ourselves up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Our highest self must come to the rescue of the hurting, invisible, small version of ourselves and build ourselves up.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our brains only listen to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's right. Your brain will hear the words of others and try to make you think that you are the smallness that others say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, if your brain tells you the truth of who you are, that you are enough, those other voices will be silenced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Good will win over bad.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Light always puts out the darkness.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It will always start with us, and it should end with us, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See, God created you. He loves you. He's always near you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, he's given you<b><i> YOU!!</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cherish the loved one that you are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cherish your gifts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Accept them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you are enough. <i>Because you are.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People may come and go from your life and they will say what they will. But, you don't have to listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead, listen to the voice deep inside of you that is in tune with the voice of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You, my friend, are enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you today, friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anne</i></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-57610248073959158122016-06-23T12:05:00.000-05:002016-06-23T12:08:11.727-05:00What is your "right now"?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joining in late for last week's Five Minute Friday post over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's </a>blog. The prompt for last Friday was "lose". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2012 I got accepted to a grad school in Seattle into their Counseling Psychology program. I would have been a non traditional student, for sure, but I have felt called to help others in this way since my college days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because of circumstances beyond my control, I was not able to move from Iowa out to Seattle, WA with my hubby to attend grad school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four years later, I am now unsure if I even want to go to grad school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What gives? What makes you lose your focus, the purpose that seemed like it was burning a hole in my heart and (soon to be burning a hole in my pocket)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't understand it at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have no desire right now to look into local programs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read something from the Tiny Buddha website yesterday that one of my Facebook friends posted about purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That nothing has to be done in a hurry. And, just because we don't know what to do right now, doesn't mean that "right now" doesn't have meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That, to look at what is "right now" beckoning me, or calling me, is what I could do, that the "right now" can be my purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now, my intuition, my gut is calling me to paint. I've been experimenting with acrylics and mixed media for a little over a year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I love what I've learned both on and off the canvas as I take bold, brave, courageous steps to make something out of nothing.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not sure where this is leading me, but this is my "right now".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What is your "right now"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-6177944058958625172016-05-14T13:00:00.002-05:002016-05-14T14:45:08.085-05:00a friendship beyond words<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've never felt I was good at dialogue, but in this post I tried it. Not perfect by any means, but a conversation with a new friend stuck with me this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joining in with a flash mob of writers for Five Minute Friday, where we write for five minutes straight. No fancy editing or rewording of text. Come on over to <a href="http://katemotaung.com/" target="_blank">Kate Motaung's</a> place to see what others have written on the prompt "grow", and to join in yourself!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Setting the timer for five minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Elaheh, my new Iranian friend was at ESL group again Thursday night. She missed last week because she was so busy with work. Her English is very broken, but she's growing and learning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She had emailed me that she was sick. When I checked in Thursday night with her, she assured me she wasn't sick, just busy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, the intricacies of language. Work and sick don't sound the same, but I think she got them mixed up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She invited me over to her house this next week for lunch. I said I would bring my own lunch this time (because I am gluten free). There were awkward silences and stares. I think she didn't understand "bring my own lunch." With a few more tries and hand gestures, I think she got it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After group I asked her about her work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She said, "work is my habit."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Confused, I said, "habit? Not sure I understand. Is your work something you do because you have to? Not because you want to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"No", She said. "A habit, like smoking or something."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I smiled. "okay." I said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She then said "I don't think about my family in Iran as much."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"oh", I said. "Going to work helps you not to miss them so much."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"yes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Understood, my new friend. Understood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Anne</i></b></span><br />
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-55538478397036642502016-05-06T09:50:00.004-05:002016-05-06T11:29:19.091-05:00What I learned in April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, for the past few months, I've either been delinquent here, or not shown up at all for the What I Learned post. Oh, I know it doesn't really matter if I write these silly or not so silly things I learned in April. But, I really WANT to, so here goes. Even though it is already a fourth of the way into May.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Things I learned in April.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. I've realized that I've done a "180" with mugs in my cupboard. I remember not too long ago, I bemoaned the fact that none of my mugs matched and I had a cupboard full of unmatched mugs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Funny. Now, I seem to be collecting ones that I love. See, I am addicted to tea, whether in tea cups and saucers or in mugs. I bought two mugs in England. A Kath Kidston mug which is floral and I adore, and a London mug with little red busses and Buckinham Palace guards on it. I even have a thrifted mug with cowboy boots. I've become a mug-aholic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. I've declared that I love immigration movies. Hubby was on a trip to Europe in April and I rented Brooklyn on redbox. Loved, loved it! I wonder if my fascination with immigrant movies has to do with the fact that my dad immigrated from Sweden when he was 16. Yes, most likely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. A hair straightener does more than straighten hair. At my April hair appt. I told my stylist I'd really like a perm, like soon. She said they didn't offer them, but she said I could get more texture in my very straight hair using a straightener to put some "bend" in, and maybe even get some curl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What? I went out right away and bought a low expense straightener from Target and wallah, I had textured and slightly curly hair. Took ten minutes and I'm hooked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. I also watched Room while hubby was in Germany. It was intense, but great great acting. I realized only after watching, that Brie Larson, the main character won best actress for her role. SO WELL DESERVED!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Typing the word "cross" in my phone makes an actual cross icon show up. I had no idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, folks, I know I learned a ton more, but I'll share more in the May post, because, you know. I just keep learning stuff! Isn't that the beauty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up over at <a href="http://emilypfreeman.com/" target="_blank">Emily P. Freeman's</a> blog for the What I learned link up.</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-2155134113881165552016-04-30T13:41:00.000-05:002016-05-01T07:33:27.239-05:00The sacredness of paying attention<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many times do I pass by things without giving them a notice at all? Just the other day, I was heading home from an errand on a commonly used road and missed my turn. Why? I was lost in my thoughts. I wasn't paying attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last month, my husband and I toured Buchenwald Concentration Camp near Weimar, Germany. This was on a weekend between business meetings and we went here at my request.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I passed through these grounds on foot, where thousands of people once suffered and many died, I was paying attention. I wasn't just passing through nonchalantly. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">standing in a concentration camp barrack space I looked down and saw 2 hearts</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everywhere I stepped foot in this place, though many of the original buildings were long gone replaced by rubble, I felt I was walking on sacred ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was a peace there that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't been to a place like this. A place of suffering, and yet there was an eerie peacefulness there, a hush. A holiness that I can only describe as God's presence there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God in his grace and infinite mercy, present there to honor the memories of those who suffered. Those who were tortured and killed just because of who they were. They hadn't done anything wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before we left the grounds, we took a meandering path that led to an "ash grave". Supposedly where ashes from the ovens were buried.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The birds were singing the most beautiful songs in this place I've ever heard. I stood in my silence and looked up at the treetops. I saw no birds flying, or sitting on branches. Yet there was loud singing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Could God have sent heavenly birds there to sing as an everlasting memorial to those who had gone?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>~Anne</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by today, friends! It's been awhile since I posted for Five Minute Friday. I'm happy to be back! Joining a flash mob of writers over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com/">katemotaung.com</a> for five minutes of free writing. No fancy edits. Head over there to see what everyone wrote on the prompt, "<i>pass</i>". </span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-56325550029525781312016-04-07T07:44:00.000-05:002016-04-07T08:01:15.973-05:00What I learned in March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is going to be the fastest "what I learned" post in the history of my "what I learned in a month" posts. Emily's link up closes in about 20 minutes and I desperately want to join in because, well, I learned a lot in March.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joining in a bit late for Emily Freeman's "What I Learned" link up at <a href="http://emilypfreeman.com/">emilypfreeman.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's going to be a bulleted list, and who knows, maybe I'll elaborate on some of them in future blog posts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On March 14th, hubby and I left for Europe and we were gone for 20 days. We traveled to Denmark and Germany for his work, toured a bit in Germany over a weekend, spent a day and a half in Paris, and then went on to England to visit our daughter who's on a Gap Year there doing youth work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are some things I learned on our travels throughout Europe in 20 days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. I have more stamina than I thought.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn't prepare near enough in the walking department. I barely squeaked out a mile or so every other day (if that) in preparing for walking to sites. My hubby's iPhone app told us we averaged 7 miles a day of walking and 20 flights of stairs/day on our travels!! What?? I did that??!! (p.s. I could feel it)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. I like London better than Paris.</b> I'll explain more in a future blog post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Paris was still awesome.</b> Arch de Triumph was breathtaking coming up on the escalator from the subway. O.M.G.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, the Eiffel Tower. I need say no more. Astonishing and beautiful. Seeing it at night was icing on the cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Our Paris Hotel was very old and very Parisian.</b> (lol) The gal at the desk said, "we upgraded you to a suite, but it's on the 6th floor and the elevator only goes to the 5th floor. Are you okay with going the extra floor with stairs?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Huh? </i>Before I could protest, hubby said sure. He carried our bags. And, the stairs were crooked. Oh, but it was the cutest place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Europe knows how to do gluten free bread.</b> Oh my gosh. I was in roll and bread heaven. Too bad I couldn't bring any back with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>6. Seeing my daughter's smile in person</b> after 6 months of just seeing it on video chat was priceless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>7.</b> Our son met us in London on our England visit to see his sister. Seeing our son and daughter interact again was pure bliss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>8. I love Yorkshire tea.</b> Anytime of day. And, I'll take it with milk, or half and half please.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>9.</b> First ever double decker bus ride that I can remember (in London). We sat on the top and even at my old age, it was a thrill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>10.</b> We traveled in Denmark, Germany and France and England and met friendly people in every place. People that spoke English well, and People that struggled with English. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our world got smaller.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, this is all I have time for right now, but I feel I could write a book. Maybe Emily could give me tips on how to get started.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Out of Shape Iowa girl goes to Europe for 20 days and Survives", or some title like that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have so much more to say. Talk about an inspiring month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823648889711805641.post-91480181308470828462016-03-07T14:04:00.000-06:002016-03-07T14:04:43.610-06:00How to handle bad news<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's no doubt about it, it stinks to get bad news. Whether your child got a low grade on a paper, or the ink ran out of your pen, or you got a diagnosis you weren't expecting, bad news is disappointing at the very least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do you do with disappointment? It's inevitable, and I've found that the quicker I am to accept the disappointment and acknowledge it, the better off I am. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Acknowledging negative feelings and sharing them either on paper, or better yet, with a trusted person, helps those negative feelings to shrink. It helps to gain perspective.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've gone through many disappointments in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Little ones and big ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some take longer to process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some need a friend to help you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some just take minor attitude adjustments and then you're on your way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Where do you find yourself? What do you do when you face disappointment of any kind?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Find healthy ways to express your disappointment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Stop. take a perspective check and breathe.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Listen to your inner wisdom, your intuition, and breathe.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Take action. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even one small step can make a huge difference in your attitude and in your day.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What one thing can you do today to face your disappointment head on, and walk yourself through it?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings to you, friend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up today with other writers for Five Minute Friday. All the details are over at <a href="http://katemotaung.com./">katemotaung.com.</a> Come on over and see what others are writing on the prompt "news".</span></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940171667902811150noreply@blogger.com5