Thanks & Giving

Two things I hope to do this Thanksgiving holiday, be thankful for all I am blessed with and give to others. Thanksgiving brings to my awareness the one thing that can relieve stress and bring greater happiness and contentment: gratitude.
Even in our tough economic times when people are losing jobs, savings, faith, there is still so much to be thankful for. That's what you focus on, the things that really matter in life. Major things---my health, loved ones, friends. And then the subtle but still important things, chai tea, internet, hooked rugs, primitive cupboards, a 12 year old car still running. So I encourage each and every one of you to be thankful this holiday for those many blessings, big and small and then give to someone else all the joy and peace.
Take joy.
Take peace.

Tears for the Job Jar

Shortly after we moved to Oberlin we received new neighbors across the street, Leo and Marianna Bendon. After much RV traveling they had purchased a home in Oberlin and a dearing friendship began. Even though Marianna could be my mother (the age thing)she was a kindred spirit and still is. Leo has since gone home to our Father but a day doesn't go by that something reminds me of the great times we shared. When it snows, I think its Leo throwing down baseballs from heaven. He LOVED to listen to baseball on the radio. One rare time LaVern and I went to a Rockies game in Denver, sat right behind the pitcher and called Leo on our cell phone! We brought him back a bag of peanuts! And of course the "crooked post holes" but that's another story to be shared. He was a great mentor for us and we often went to him for advice. Some advice he gave to LaVern was to forget the "honey do list" and get a Job Jar. I had never heard of such a thing. He told LaVern to get alittle pint jar and put all those honey do's on separate pieces of paper and put them in the jar. Then just draw one out once a week and do it. He pulled LaVern aside and whispered to be sure and add jobs like taking a break, golfing, taking a nap in the jar also. ha ha I went home and promptly found a jar and made the list. I took it up and showed it to Leo. He got quite a chuckle out of the jar, GALLON size. This morning I was racing around doing things and I thought to myself I need a "to do list". Surprise! Opened a cupboard and there sat the Job Jar. If I could have, I would have put my tears into the jar but then Leo would probably start throwing snowballs down so instead I laughed and thanked him.

Living in the present moment

Of late I have noticed how often my mind is dwelling on the future. I'm in the midst of a conversation with a friend, but my mind is leaping ahead to errands, things I still have to complete. Today I was eating lunch yet I was replaying a past conversation in my mind. I have to remind myself to stop and enjoy the moment while it is there. Savor the meal I'm eating. Be fully present to my friend. Breath deeply. Look at what's around me. Be aware of the simple wonder of here and now.

Veterans Day

HONOR A VETERAN TODAY!

Attitude

Last weekend we received three different blessings and answers to prayers. One was from a good friend who has been testing for medical reasons for over a year. She received a clean bill of health. The other was for a son who was contesting a ticket for not wearing his glasses (which would have resulted in job loss). The third was a personal blessing. I firmly believe that how you think about your life can make a difference in how you experience life. I set my intentions to trust God instead of dwelling on negative circumstances. I believe that a trusting attitude opens the door for positive change. If nothing else a positive mind set helps me to develop a happier attitude that cushions the bumps in the road. When our son had called several weeks ago about his dilema I told him he could either pray it away or stress it away. He chose to pray and now he is singing His praises. I am so thankful when our children receive those confirmations. Matthew 6:22...Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. Amen.

Lavender

While sorting through stacks of my wool the other day I ran across several sachets of lavender and even a shaker full. Victorian ladies used it in their smelling salts and its flowers have soothed people to sleep for centuries. Lavender is called the "Swiss army knife" of aromatherapy and I like to use essential oils for wellness. I just happen to also put it among my wool to ward off cloth moths. One or two drops of lavender essential oil can calm a headache or help you release the day's stress and get to sleep at night. Be sure you buy a bottle of high quality lavender oil. I always look for the stuff that is labeled by its botanicl name............lavandula augustifolia. Soothing.
Proverbs 27:9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart.

Wow

A good friend will bail you out of jail.

A True friend will be sitting next to you and saying, "WOW, That was fun!"

Ideals, Living by them

I was thinking about the choices I made yesterday. What were my motives for doing what I did? Would I make the same choices again? I realize that I may not be able to live out my ideals perfectly, but staying true to them nurtures my soul. I believe that creating a simpler life means making moral and spiritual choices that are meaningful to me and true to what I believe. I am at peace with myself. I know there is a higher power who will give me the wisdom and strength to do my best, and the understanding to forgive myself when I fall short of my highest ideals.
I love this quote by Louisa May Alcott; Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.