Day 225 Four Easy Steps to a Better You

Pave a path to quiet grace.

Seek a life of simple joy.

Follow a heart filled with love.

Practice a focus on constant faith.

Self Love is SELFLESS!

Make it possible.

Allow yourself to be first.

Permit narcissism.

Don't apologize or feel you need to explain.

For once, concentrate on your own needs.

Live for self and see if a happy self

isn't a better self for others

in your life.

This post is inspired by Christine Arylo's blog and Self Love program at

http://www.daretoliveyou.com/blog/2010/01/love-is-a-practice-lets-start.html

Check it out. You may need to cut and paste the link.

Day 223 EYES

A woman's eyes tell her story.

The fatigue, pain and suffering.

She works morning till night

meeting everyone's needs

ignoring her own.

Her body aches from

incessant movement; her mind

spins from the never ending

agenda. She suffers when others

suffer. She cries when others

cry.  She hurts with them.

Her eyes cannot hide the fatigue,

pain and suffering.

Day 222 stolen words

Many times the words just don't come together and then you read something that clicks and the flow begins. . .

on our own unique path
we seek clarity of direction
living a quiet existence
of meaning and purpose
we experience peace
avoiding drama and chaos
is our true goal
a simple dream of calm
day to day flow is our prayer
releasing negative thoughts and
letting go of unwanted baggage
we find our true
harmony and rhythm

Day 221 No sleep for the weary....

Hour of the soul again....

Prayerless, I cry out to God.

Does He fill in the blanks?

My groans are heard.

He answers but I can't understand His words.

It's as if He speaks a foreign tongue.

Can my spirit interpret?

I muffle my cries.

I hide my pain.

I deny my doubt.

He knows my thoughts.

He feels my doubt.

He forgives my uncertainty.

Patience is key.

Have I used my quota?

The well is dry.

My feet are lead.

My stomach is sick.

I'm stuck and immovable.

He is stronger.

He pulls me out just before I go under.

I gasp for air.

He quickly fills my lungs with His breath.

I know I will survive.

Day 220 Just let it out! RELEASE!

A rough day can teach you alot. How to deal or how to fail. We all know lots of ways to let go of stress. Prayer, tears, talk, creative ventures, laughter....etc. Screams work wonders too. There are many places to do this safely. I've found them over the years when times get tough.

(the utility room or garage or basement for some of you, the car-passers by just think you are singing loudly and badly, the shower-family just think you had the water too hot, of course out in the middle of an empty forest-although you may send the habitat scurrying)

I'd love to hear where you let the primal screams of living loose. My wish is that it be an unstressful day for you with lots of laughter and joy in your life.

Day 219 Life is worth living!

The path may be crooked.

The road may be long.

The journey may be uncertain,

but life is worth living.

The days may be short.

The nights may be long.

The moments may be complicated,

but life is a gift.

The world may be scary.

The people may be jaded.

The answers may be few,

but life is an adventure.

The work may be grueling.

The job may be tough.

The career may be forced,

but life is worth creating.

Day 218 Peace and Quiet

Turn off the noise.

Be quiet with yourself.

Listen to your heart

speak through your soul.

Trust the silence
to comfort your spirit

with a message only

the spirit can receive.

It is from God.

Day 217 Day by Day-the Best Way

Day by day

like the start of a new year,

pray for calm strength

to guide you

each step of the journey.

Release

fear, worry, and lack.

Unleash

faith, trust, and abundance.

Release

the dreaded grip

anger, guilt and doubt

which is paralyzing.

Unleash

God's mighty power and presence

in your life.

He's ALWAYS with you!

Does God run when He sees me coming?

Does God cringe when I pray the same prayer for the 99th time?

Does God hide when He hears my voice?

No.

He's there before me.

He's there behind me.

He's there beside me.

Day 216 Early morning lesson

Awake for awhile. I'd rather have been sleeping but God speaks clearest to me in the early hours of a semi dark, quiet house. Spending time with family and friends is precious but quality time with the Lord is best of all. Alone with the holy Three is a most amazing feeling and joy. Most people do now slow down long enough to receive this special gift. Some are able to accomplish it daily. It can't be hurried or forced. It must be experienced through some effort and patience and time. His words speak to my heart and spirit. He allows words to rise from my soul.When the two meet it is phenomenal. Practice often and you find the most amazing relationship you could ever know. It has more passion, love and joy than you could ever want in a lifetime. Eternity cannot hold its magnitude.

Day 215 Happy New Year!

Day 214 Word Focus for 2010

R E L E A S E

There's a wonderful site with a wonderful newsletter where you can get help choosing a word focus: http://christinekane.com. I had pretty much chosen this word in November but I waited to be sure. After using her wonderful tool yesterday, I found it to be the right word for me. Actually it involves a second word UNLEASH. You can't release without unleashing as well. I usually choose my word by thinking about what I need to work on and how I can do it and almost magically a word starts to appear everywhere and stand out as if highlighted or italicised and I know then it is the right word. I will share more and more about my word and progress as usual but will be brief here.

As you have been reading here for sometime, the past seven months have been difficult. My aging parents are dealing with many health issues; I am aging and dealing with my own issues but I have always dealt with family traits that have increasingly caused me problems with stomach, nerves, thoughts and actions. Release is a way to approach these issues. In a nutshell, I am hoping to release some of the underlying causes to my hysteria and psychoses. In one short explanation: I hope to release "all" (is that possible?) negative energy and unleash even more positive energy.) Note: this could also continue to support last year's focus, balance. That's right! You never forget former focus words. You continue to build and work toward your goals of being as strong as you can be.

I hope you decide to choose a focus word. For many it works better than resolutions. It's more flexible and a guide for every day. Not something you decide and by January 7 have forgotten or given up on. It stays with you and you continue to grow and learn how to be a better person each day of the year. One last hint, be sure to place the word in strategic places so you never stop focusing on it!

Day 212 Good thoughts and remedies

Spent a late Christmas celebration with family yesterday. It was a time to realize just how fortunate I am. I have so much to be thankful for. I often forget, whine, and complain about too much I don't have or wish I had or would like to have. Truth is I HAVE IT ALL! Health, family, friends, enough to survive many lifetimes. So here is the way to have it all yourself. Focus on the good in each day. Give thanks each day (each moment) of your life. Tell those you love how much they mean to you, for it could change in the next minute. Share your good thoughts and blessings with others. Don't ever feel you can go it alone. You need people. (Barbara Streistand new what she was singing.) Blessings to each of my readers out there. I am thankful for you as well and ask God that you too may HAVE IT ALL in 2010.

Image is part collage and part drawing.

Day 211 Collage your way to sanity!

If you are an artist or not. Tear up some old magazines and make a funny collage. Put yourself in it for even more fun. Write about it or not but take some time for child play. It will do wonders for your attitude and psyche. I call this "New Hit Single".

Day 210 days, moments and breaths

Day by day

breath by breath

we walk through life.

Moment by moment

detail by detail

we get through each day.

Thought by thought

idea by idea

we make it through each breath.

Teardrop by teardrop

tissue by tissue

we survive bad days.

Smile by smile

laugh by laugh

we enjoy the good days.

Prayer by prayer

word by word

we walk through life.

Picture was taken of Beaver Dam Road near Boiling Springs, NC>.

Day 209 The Day after CHRISTMAS

What? It's over? Not as long as there are Pre Christmas Sales, during Christmas Sales, After Christmas sales, Christmas returns, and don't forget

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Seriously,

Christmas is

a daily attitude of the heart.

A peaceful state of mind.

A year's quest.

A journey of your soul.

A rememberance of the good that exists.

A special birthday.

And

an expression of

joy,

love,

peace,

and

spirit.

A fun c0llage of Christmas ads.

Day 208 Merry Christmas!

Many thanks to all my readers, friends and fellow artists! I will continue sharing much of my art and words with you here but will be offering a new site too after the New Year! Stay tuned.

Today

I wish you

Christmas

blessings,

health,

miracles,

happiness,

family,

friends,

and

JOY!

This lovely nativity is in a nearby town (Dallas, NC).

Day 207 Christmas Eve

Dark

makes

light

visible.

Sadness

makes

joy

sweeter.

Tears

make

laughter

a gift.

Day 206 Christmas Directives

Let me listen

with God's ears

of hope.

Let me see

with God's eyes

of faith.

Let me feel

with God's heart

of compassion.

Let me speak

with God's words

of promise.

Here is the progression of little angels.

Couldn't find the photo of my angel statue that

started the series.

Day 205

Listen

with God's ears

of hope.

Look

with God's eyes

of faith.

Feel

with God's heart

of compassion.

Speak

with God's words

of promise.

This little angel has become an obsession. I often find one image I really like and push it to the limits of my current creative level. I will show the progression soon.

Day 204 BE CHRISTMAS!

Like Mary hold the purpose of Christ

in your soul and ponder its meaning for your life.

Like Joseph be faithful to the Son of God

and do what is right.

Like the innkeeper

find a place for Christ in your life.

Allow Him to reign.

Like the shepherds

follow a start till you find him and

worship him in reverence.

Like the Wise Men

go the distance to know Christ

and give Him your best.

Like the Angels

proclaim Christ to the world.

Day 203 God can warm your wintry soul!

Pry open your heart

empty its contents into

a hurting world.

Replace the void

with a great love;
God's Son and Spirit.

They will outdo anything

life can hand you.

God has equipped us

with coping skills to aid

in our struggles and

give strength to our existence.

His word (the scriptures)

are there waiting for us

to discover their power.

He is always available

to listen to our smallest need.

His spirit is willing t

to live within our soul

and guide our every step.

Pry open you heart.

Allow God to fill it entirely

with His peace, joy and love.

Day 202 Winter

a beautiful blanket of snow fell

covering the land

everything looked

clean and pure

the world stood still

life halted

worries ceased

struggles were forgotten

the bird of paradise

sang a peaceful tune

the snow turned to ice but the beauty of winter is there

Day 201 Travel Plans

Life is

a journey of unplanned

twists and turns;

a path of unrealized

hopes and dreams;

a trail of unfinished

tears and laughter;

a road of unsure

directions and destinations.

Life is always full

of surprises and adventures.

Be blessed on your journey.

Day 200 Christmas Questions and Answers

Where is Christmas?

In the heart of True Believers.

Where is Christmas cheer?

In greetings of peace and joy?
Where is the meaning of Christmas?

In Luke 2 of the Holy Bible.

Where is the purpose of Christmas?

In the selfless giving of God's people.

Where is the Christmas of childhood?

Still in our child's heart.

Day 199 A Christmas Prayer

Lord,

shine your light

into my eyes

this Christmas season.

Allow your love to radiate

from my heart.

Fill my spirit

with Your holy hope.

Grace my life

with Your continued blessings.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 198 Seasonal Lessons

Waiting teaches patience.

Patience teaches self control

Self contrl teaches temperance.

Temperance teaches hope.

Hope teaches faith.

Faith teaches joy.

Joy is the ultimate Christmas gift!

Day 196 Christmas Season

It's the Christmas season

for which we know the reason.

Honor Christ's birth.

Live the mirth.

It's not a time of getting

but rather one of letting

Christ rule your heart

and His mercy never depart.

The time of hymn singing

and joyful bells ringing

should be a daily event

since God's only Son was sent.

Finding the perfect me

rather that the perfect tree,

we follow Christ's lead

planting the salvation seed.

His love grows.

His grace shows

a plan for hurting souls

to repay the tolls.

So on this one day

Christmas if we may

give our hearts to the Lord

for a price we can afford.

PENCIL SKETCH "JOURNEY"

Day 195 Finding Strength

Holidays are often stressful, filled with obligations and responsibilities but they are also filled with much joy, hope and fun. We had fun at our family gathering Saturday despite not having Mom and Dad there. (Just too tired to go.) I have been running on empty myself for the last several months but hoping to find that Christmas spirit just around the corner and get into the holiday fun soon. After all we are less than 2 weeks away!

Through scripture and prayer

I am strong.

With God, His Son and Spirit

I belong.

Through hymns and meditations

I am calm.

With the Holy Three

I receive a healing balm.

Through worship and teachings

I am battle ready.

With the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

I am steady.

Day 192 Time and Life

Days to months to years

where does it all go?

Workload to finish.

We live from project to project.

Responsibility to responsibilty.

We burn the time we are given.

Often we focus on the wrong things

and suddenly this life we have

is used up! What have we to show for it?

Dreading opportunities to make us grow.

Wishing away challenges to make us a better people.

Hoping for easy lives that are never realized.

Believing life to be simply one of details;

details we must learn to cherish.

Treasure the days.

Feel lucky for the months.

Be blessed by the years.

Share every breath of your life.

The good and bad.

The tears and laughter.

The lean and fat.

The fears and joys.

Life is meant to be lived.

No Scrooge here!

She finds her joy in Christmas tree lights
red ribbon, green holly and
holiday harmonies.
The world sends messages of getting and getting more.
She looks for the message of a holy birth,
loving Savior, and hope for a hurting world.
Life brings tears and tragedies

but she counters with the look of wonder in a child's eye,
and the glimmer of peace in candlelight.
The Scrooges of the world rob the season
with greed and loneliness.
She looks life's Scrooges' square in the eye
and boldly wishes them
"Merry Christmas!"

Day 191 Gifts of the Season

laughter

lights

music

decorations

Savior's birth

hope

peace

chances

purpose

love

people

gatherings

the list goes on.....make your own, share if you like.

If you can't read the words on the image, "Everyone gets the blues but never lose the light."

Day 190

The Father of Life

lifts my spirit

out of worldly pain;

strengthens my soul

for the battles.

He is my fortress

though the storms.

He creates in me

hope and joy.

He delivers me

from fear and struggle.

He comforts me

in stressful times.

He is my safe-habor.

He grants me wisdom

for my journeys.

Day 188 Trinity

God is my

east

west

north

and south.

He is my

peace

love

joy

and purpose.

Christ is my

hope

strength

reason

and belief.

He is my

direction

guidance

way

and destination.

The Holy Spirit is my

quiet

serenity

calm

and retreat.

He is my

faith

force

stronghold

and

solution.

I find .......

In the still of the night

I sometimes find fear

but I sometimes find peace.

In the light of the day

I see things that frustrate me

but I also see the good in life.

On a rainy day

I find a restlessness with details

but I also find a comfort in its rhythms.

On a sunshiny day

I find a fear of clouds stealing my joy

but I also find a warmth for my soul.

In the cold of winter

I shiver at the very hint of trouble

but I also find a serenity in the bare starkness

of the trees against a gray sky.

In the warm embrace of summer

I find fear of returning troubles

but I also feel the warm assurance in the embrace.

On a golden autumn day

I fear a season of grief

but I also welcome a season of a slower pace.

On a clear spring day

I doubt its lasting beauty

but I also realize it sending new beginnings in my life.

Day 187 Truth of the matter

Day begins.
Fatigue slows me down.

Miles to go before I sleep.

God's strength, not mine,

will see me through.

Day 186 Despite it all....God reigns!

My world is blessed

despite the fears.

My life is easy

despite the tough days.

My way is light

despite the dark passages.

My future is bright

despite the uncertainties.

As long as God reigns and

I allow him rule over me.

Day 185 Spirit of Christmas

How to find it, refind it, save it, nourish it:

• count your blessings daily


• know that God is ultimately in control


• create memories and remember Christmases past


• spend time with the Bibile


• pray


• eat less/walk more


• enjoy the season through your senses


• listen to the beautiful sounds of Christmas music


• watch White Christmas (or your favorite Christmas movies)


• smell the cinnamon


• taste the cider or hot chocolate


• touch live evergreens

This will work! Everytime!

Day 184 Stay in the L I G H T !

Day 183 New

a new month
a new start
a new week
a new chance
a new day
a new challenge
a new life
a new focus