Tag: Christmas

The Right to Write

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You gotta write everyday and I just learned Morning Pages don’t count as everyday writing. Those pages are simply there to catch yourself thinking.

One of my most loved writer’s is Julia Cameron, and I’m going through her course, ‘The The Right to Write.” Listening to Julia’s sage advice is similar to listening to my Mother if she would’ve written. This course was given to me by my son for Christmas. He asked what I wanted this year, and I know how much he usually spends on me at Christmas, so I told him about the course. The course has more meaning as a gift.

I imagined sitting and watching hour long videos, but that was only in my mind. Julia is smart in making each video one minute or so long, and breaking each lesson into tiny clips, which leave you hungry for more.

Not everything you write is meant to be published. I believe that’s the beauty of the Morning Pages. I can lay exactly how I feel to the page. Julia expressed the importance of writing them by hand, instead of typing. She described typing on a keyboard instills speed and accuracy, but writing on a page by hand brings depth. Those ‘first thing in the morning’ thoughts run deep, which I’m grateful not to publish.

Everyone has a Writer in them, but writing wants to be released everyday. If you need a permission slip, here it is my lovely. You have the right to write.

The Disco Ball

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I let it go years ago, but it came back into my life this Christmas. It was introduced in one of my very first posts in June of 2014 entitled, A Little Bit of Everything.

Releasing it from it’s hook attached to the old oak tree, only to discover it crawling with ants. They had began living inside the Disco Ball and made themselves at home, so I left it by the tree and stepped away.

It wasn’t easy to let go of. I thought about exterminating it and bringing it with us to our new home, but not everything travels from one journey to the next.

That was two houses and four years ago.

My daughter knew I loved that Disco Ball and she gave me a new one this Christmas. It’s not silver like the last one. This one is made of color. My life is more colorful now.

discoball1

It’s hanging out front and when the light hits it, colorful dots dance everywhere.

Why wasn’t it replaced before now?

We lived in the country, so there were trees. The disco ball isn’t expensive. It costs less than gas for my truck each week, but I believe it was the timing of it all.

What makes our heart happy doesn’t leave. It’s rooted there and waits. When the time is right, it’ll rise to the surface, even better and brighter than before.

Just like the Disco Ball.

settling2

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The Fire Pit

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To step outside and smell a fireplace going or a wood pile being burned. It’s a cozy smell this time of year.

In the post, Be at Home it was mentioned our house doesn’t have a fireplace, so I bought an electric one. That’s a wonderful option for inside, but it doesn’t have that real fire smell.

It was time to fix that.

firepit1

I had visions of sitting around a fire pit with my daughter. Her boyfriend lives in England, but he’s coming here for Christmas. I could see them sitting there in quiet moments of togetherness. Maybe a neighbor would be taking a walk and stop to get warm. The possibilities are endless.

I walked outside and took the lid off the pit.

My daughter came out and helped build the fire. We grabbed our cups of tea and part of my vision came to fruition. We sat by the fire and solved all the worlds problems. We discussed Christmas presents for her boyfriend and for one another. Some of the time we talked and some we just sat.

It’s important to be able to just sit in each other’s company. To enjoy the moment for what it is.

A neighbor walked over to say ‘hello’ and gave an inquisitive glance at the blazing fire. Maybe it’s odd to build one midday. When it was time for my daughter to get ready for her evening plans, she paused and said, “Today was so nice.”

firepit2

It was a moment.

I’m covered in ash and smell like smoke.

Stepping outside to make sure the fire was out in the pit, I smelled that familiar smell. This time my darling, I knew where it originated. The fire was out but the memories were still aflame. They began today around the fire pit.

Sow Some Seeds (Part 7)

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Here are the last of our seeds.

My hope is they are planted in your heart, and you will reap a harvest of goodness now, and in the coming year.

Here are today’s seeds:

I will pause whenever I am feeling sorry for myself today, and remember that this is the only day I have and must play it to the fullest. What my part may signify in the great whole, I may not recognize, but I am here to play it and now is the time.

I will remember that those who have fewest regrets are those who take each moment as it comes for all that it’s worth.

Live in the now. Play it to the fullest! Have no regrets.

This is my day!

These are my seeds.

Thank you, God, for this precious garden of time.

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas, and a New Year filled with God’s very best!

Parts of this Blog are taken from The Seeds of Success, by Og Mandino.

The Christmas Ornament

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Today I went in search of a Christmas gift for my son. He just turned 27, never asks for anything and doesn’t need much to be happy. I went to my favorite downtown area and strolled through the shops. Found items that came close, but not quite right. Went into one shop that looked like a friendly, eclectic place. A glance at the price tags had me shaking my head in bewilderment. They were really proud of their stuff!

Sign For My Son
Sign For My Son

Then I stepped into my kind of shop. Everything antique, or handmade, and not overpriced. Just things that someone once loved and was ready to pass on to the next person to enjoy. I pondered if there was something I could tell him. Something he could look at and be encouraged, since I’m not there anymore.

Then, I saw this sign. It’s exactly what I would want him to know everyday as he heads out the door to work. I didn’t notice until I got home, but they even placed it in an old Randall’s grocery bag, which is where he worked for several years.

As I was leaving the shop, I spotted a bowl of Christmas ornaments on a table near the door. One in particular caught my eye. If you are familiar with my post back in June, “Little Bit of Everything“, you’ll know why. Yes…it’s an ornament that looks like a miniature Disco Ball!

The Ornament
The Ornament

Hanging a Disco Ball from my old oak tree was one of the most freeing things I ever did. Who actually does that? Keith Urban and me. My daughter and I were enjoying the flashes of light coming through the window from it just last week. We laughed and talked about that song, and the day we hung it in the tree. It’s been through some seasons, but it still hangs right where we put it and shines it’s glamorous light whenever the sun hits it.

That’s a lot like us. We go through seasons, and weather the storms. There was many a day I had to visualize God as my Strong Tower, giving me shelter from a storm. The storm would last a couple of hours, or a few days, but God is faithful. He pulled me through every one, and I was stronger and better than before. When I stepped out into the light, I was able to shine brightly just like that Disco Ball.

I picked up the ornament and walked back to the counter to pay for it. The lady knew I had completed my purchase, but found this on my way out. She said, “You can have it. I’m going to give it to you.” I was stunned, and told her, “Thank you.” I wonder if she will ever know how much that little ornament means to me. This Christmas, I have one to hang on the tree inside the house. God is good.