What to Remember as the Year Comes to an End

As the year comes to a close, it is a time for reflection – a time to release old thoughts and beliefs and forgive old hurts. Whatever has happened in the past year, the New Year brings fresh beginnings. Exciting new experiences and relationships await. Let us be thankful for the blessings of the past and the promise of the future.

~ Peggy Toney Horton

Hope

Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,

Whispering 'it will be happier'...

~ Alfred Tennyson

Write it on your heart

that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day

who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;

begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit

to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning."

~ T.S. Eliot

Dan Fogelberg - Run for the Roses (from Live: Greetings from the West)

Run for the Roses

Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be growing up strong
All the long, lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red
And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
You fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance
From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It's breeding and it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you
And carries you home
And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance

Songwriters: Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne (from Live: Greetings from the West)

Daniel Grayling Fogelberg was an American musician, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his 1970s and 1980s songs, including "Longer", "Same Old Lang Syne", and "Leader of the Band".

In May 2004, Fogelberg was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. After undergoing therapy, his cancer went into partial remission. In August 2005, Fogelberg announced the success of his cancer treatments. However, his cancer returned, and on December 16, 2007, Fogelberg died at home in Deer Isle, Maine, at the age of 56. Fogelberg was cremated and his ashes were scattered into the  Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine. 

The world lost an amazing musician. 

Mix glitter in my ashes...

 

Do not underestimate...

 

Do not underestimate someone who has lost everything and is still here to tell the story. Do not underestimate someone who has fought dearly for sobriety. Peace. Forgiveness. Self-love. Freedom. Authenticity. Truth. Do not underestimate the lonely. They have braved wars that only those who understand the absence of human connection, can do. Even now. They are holding it all together while coming so wildly undone. And sometimes we may see them unravel ever so softly. Or loudly. Or however their soul unties its cage the best.

Do not underestimate the ones who have suffered the kind of grief that does not seem to end. Who have been broken in places you did not even know existed. The ones who fell into silence because their lungs had no words left to speak. We will not always be strong. No. But we are enduring.”

— Ullie Kaye

[ Artist: Natalie Shau ]

From Wanderings on Facebook

Not There Yet

 

Have we lost touch of the beauty of an aging woman? She is powerful beyond measure; she has an essence about her that screams strength, wisdom and knowledge. She is a role model, she has many stories to tell. She shines where she stands. She is outrageous, she is wild, but most importantly she is free of the demands that society puts on her. She is confident; she believes in herself, she lives her life by her own set of rules.

She finally becomes comfortable and settles into her life. She gets this time to experience things that she felt that she never could before because now the rules have changed. Her life is written on the lines on her face, the grey in her hair, and the age on her hands, and the shape of her body changes but it doesn't mean that it cannot be loved.

Why do we not look up to these women? We can learn from them and be inspired by them, and understand that age only strengthens beauty. It’s time to praise these women for what they have been through; they have survived life, for they are the brightest shining lights leaving their mark, with grace, charm and elegance. So here’s to the older woman, may she continue to shine.

~ Mary Costanza

[Image: Jonas Peterson]

From Cosmic Dancer on Facebook

p.s. I'm not there yet, but admire those who are.

Hibernating

 

Winter is a time of rest and hibernation, of waiting for the light to return. Just like seeds that wait silently in the ground, full of potential, we can just 'be'. During the dark months, plants submerge their energy into their roots.

We can learn much from the seed and the natural environment. We too are a natural part of the earth and are affected by the seasons. We would do well to go with the flow of these natural cycles.

It is not a time for doing too much. We need to slow down and pace ourselves, to preserve our energy - our energy levels are not as dynamic as during warmer months.

~ Tabitha Gale ~

Artist Credit : Helen Warlow

Borrowed from Seredipity Corner on Facebook

Merry Christmas

 

What A Wonderful World | Sarah Kroger (Official Music Video)

My cousing sent me a Louis Armstrong video of this one and this version came up in a feed for some reason. I had never heard this version but she did an amazing job. 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Coping

I found this on Google and thought it was very helpful. I sometimes feel lonely and reading this reminded me I am not alone.

Here are Proven Ways to Cope With Christmas When You're Feeling Blue

Karen Trefzger

Christmas is a season for joy and connection.  But what happens when the lights and bustle make you feel sad and lonely – excluded from the joy and connections that others are making?

Maybe you're at home wondering, "Where are my party invitations?  Why does everyone else have someone to decorate the tree or make cookies with?  Why don't I have a hand to hold?"

We're all in this together.

That ache – that wish for connection – is what makes you exactly like everyone else.  All of us want to connect, even the introverts among us, even the curmudgeons.  (Just imagine how lonely Scrooge was, sipping gruel in his cold dark house on Christmas Eve.)  And all of us want to be happy, sometimes to the point that we refuse to feel sad, even when it makes sense.

If you've recently lost your job, are going through a breakup, have been ill, or are simply feeling overwhelmed by the problems and complexities of the modern world, sorrow is actually a sane response.  It's normal and okay to feel sad.  But we may be so conditioned to feel positive that we don't let ourselves experience negative emotions.  We don't give ourselves permission to even have them, which means we don't do well at processing them.

When my son came out as transgender almost 9 years ago, my husband and I were blindsided.  My first emotion was that the daughter I had raised had died.  It felt like her name and identity were being erased.  And then I felt guilty for my emotions, because I hadn't actually lost a child.  I didn't know at first how to tell family and friends what was happening, so I didn't.  I didn't talk about it, and I tried very hard not to feel sad.

As I found out, that doesn't work very well.  Sadness affects us mentally and physically, and if we don't process the emotion, we lose part of ourselves.  When we're set on being happy all the time, we miss out on part of what it means to be a human being.  We stop feeling and start lying.

Sadness teaches us patience and empathy.  Expressing sadness (especially crying) can actually be soothing.  Receiving sympathy and encouragement from close friends and family makes us feel connected to them – and connection helps us heal.

If you're sad, don't fold yourself up into a little ball of sadness.  Find someone who will listen without interrupting or trying to "fix" your feelings.  And reach out to do something for someone else.  MRI scans show that our brains light up with feel-good chemicals when we're generous and kind.  Like Scrooge buying the big prize turkey and having it delivered to Bob Cratchit, you can give to your favorite charity or pay for the coffee of the person in line behind you.

How to survive a blue Christmas

Realize that lots of people are lonely.  It's an experience you share with many, many others.  How ironic to feel cut off from all of them – the community of the lonely.

Author Mari Andrew suggests that you light a candle and send happy holiday wishes to all of your fellow lonely people.  Lonely, together, all wishing each other well.  That sounds nice.

But there are more practical ways to connect.  Here are some easy ideas:

• Smile.

• Merrily greet your neighbor, even if you don't know their name.  (You could introduce yourself.)

• Put away your phone and strike up a small conversation with the person in line next to you, even if they're a complete stranger.  You can find something to talk about. 

• Write a sincere and specific thank you letter to someone who has meant a lot to you.

• Show up with your contribution at the coat, toy, or canned food drive, and meet someone else who has cared enough to bring a contribution of their own.

• Attend a community tree lighting or a religious service and join in the carol singing.

A good life isn't about being happy all the time.  It's about pursuing a purpose.  It's about being thankful for what you have.  And it's about letting yourself feel the full range of human emotions, including melancholy when things don't go the way you hoped.  Feel what you feel, reach out to others, and know that you'll come out the other side with a bit more hope and resilience.

https://www.maximumgratitudeminimalstuff.com/2022/12/here-are-proven-ways-to-cope-with.html

You don't have wrinkles

 

You don’t have wrinkles
You have memories of smiling, thinking, laughing and expressing yourself fully

You don’t have sagging skin
You have a body that enables movement and vitality

You don’t have eye bags
You have skin that supports your ability to see and interact with the world visually

You don’t have scars
You have markers of strength, sturdiness and survival

You don’t have stretch marks
You have a body designed to create, nurture and sustain life

You don’t have pigmentation
You have a constellation of colours
That brighten and enhance your complexion

You don’t have cellulite
You have systems in place
To protect and sustain you
In case of famine or scarcity

You don’t suffer from shortness or tallness
You have a unique, beautiful build
That complements your individual features and nationality

You don’t have a body or identity that you are destined to dislike forever
But one that you may learn to love and embrace
Through enhancing it
Or changing the way you choose to see it

And you don’t have to appear perfect
As life was not meant for looking flawless
But for fully living.

Words by Tahlia Hunter from Facebook with the following note:
Inspired by a post by the very talented Donna Ashworth. Check out her page for inspiring and uplifting words that are similar to mine: https://www.facebook.com/ladiespassiton
Artwork by Lisa Aisato

never gone

Kindness

 

Auguries of Innocence

 

To see a World in a Grain
of Sand, And a Heaven in a
Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of
your hand, And Eternity in
an Hour.

A Robin Redbreast in a
Cage, Puts all Heaven in a
Rage.

A dove house fill’d with doves
and pigeons, Shudders Hell
Thro’ all its Regions.

A Dog starv’d at his Master’s
Gate, Predicts the ruin of the
State.

A Horse misus’d upon the Road,
Calls to Heaven for Human
Blood.

Each outcry of the hunted
Hare, A fiber from the Brain
does Tear.

He who shall train the Horse
to War, Shall never pass the
Polar Bar.

The Beggar’s Dog and Widow’s
Cat, Feed them and thou wilt
grow Fat.

The Gnat that sings his
Summer song, Poison gets
from Slander’s Tongue.

The poison of the Snake and
Newt, Is the sweat of Envy’s
Foot.

A truth that’s told with bad
Intent, Beats all the Lies you
can Invent.

It is right, it should be so;
Man was made for Joy and Woe;

And when this we rightly know
Thro’ the World we safely Go.

Every Night and every Morn
Some to Misery are Born.

Every Morn and every Night
Some are Born to sweet
Delight.

Some are Born to sweet
Delight, Some are Born to
Endless Night. "

Poet's Corner / Esquina Poetica on Facebook
William Blake, Auguries of Innocence 

Amy Sol Art

At some point in your life

 

At some point in your life
You learn the difference
Between love and attachment
Promises and potential
And actions and words
And to allow a person’s behaviour over time to reveal who they truly are
Rather than their positive intentions

At some point in your life

Rather than awaiting the approval, validation and acceptance of others
You learn to water your own garden
Uplift your own spirit
Nourish your own soul
And become your own best friend
Understanding that the power to feel good about yourself
Build a better life
And rewrite your story and destiny
Has existed within you all along

At some point in your life
Rather than remaining trapped in a perpetual state of fear, self-doubt and insecurity
You learn to face the world boldly and confidently
With your head held high

And to view yourself
As the hero of your life
Master of your destiny
And creator of your reality
And to not give anyone else the permission to shape how you view yourself and your potential
Through taking full responsibility for yourself, your life and your actions

At some point in your life
Slowly but surely
You learn to approach life
From a perspective of love
And not allow the mistakes, fears, insecurities and limitations of others
To colour and shape your vision
Of what is possible for your own life
Or prevent you from seeing the beauty that exists in the world

And at some point in your life

You learn to recognise your worth
And say no to what doesn’t promote growth, health, happiness and healing
Or anything that holds you back and keeps you feeling down
In order to soar freely
So that you may embrace life
For the truly magical adventure it can be.

Words by Tahlia Hunter
Inspired by a poem by Jorge Luis Borges, revised by Veronica Shoffstall
Artwork, "Carried away by memories" by Catherine McMillan, Art

Sunday Sermon

My favorite Bible verses:

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and He shall direct your paths.

Full Chapter

Proverbs 3

New King James Version

2 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;

14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;

20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.

23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26 For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;

32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.

33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.

34 Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+3&version=NKJV

Happy Saturday

 

I choose to remember you

I choose to remember you
Not by how you hurt me
But by how you taught me to heal

Not by how you left me
But by how you taught me to never abandon myself

Not by how you broke me
But by how you taught me to rebuild myself

Not by how you dimmed my light
But by how you helped me to shine

Not by how you kept me trapped in a place of comfort
But by how you empowered me to leave my comfort zone

Not by how you left me feeling weak
But by how you taught me what it means to be strong

Not by how you tried to control me
But by how you taught me to be free

Not by who you told me who I was
But by how you taught me to define myself

And above all
I choose to remember you
Not by how you were unable to love me
But by how you taught me
To love myself.

Words by Tahlia Hunter
Artwork by Thomas Dodd, "The Dream"

THERE WILL BE DAYS

 

THERE WILL BE DAYS

There will be days my friend,
When you feel like you just can’t go on.
Just keep swimming.
Breathe in and breathe out and wait for the light of a new day to dawn.

There will be days, my friend....
When nothing seems to be making sense.
It’s not supposed to.
Clear your mind and open your heart, the answers will come in time.

There will be days, my friend...
When the pain rises up and engulfs you.
Be kind to yourself.
Lay low and let the tears flow like a river, release, open the floodgates, let it out.

There will be days my friend...
When it feels like the whole world is against you. When it feels like you cannot do right for doing wrong.
Just sit it out.
Tomorrow is a new day and these feelings will pass. I promise.

You see, life is all things, from one day to the next.
It is beautiful at times, wondrous, amazing and joyful - then it is awful, miserable and heart-breaking.
And the cycle goes around.
It is as it should be.
Everything is as it should be and you, you will be okay.
Have faith.
Keep hope in your heart.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Donna Ashworth
Image: Joanna Wedrychowska, Deviant Art
Borrowed from Donna Ashworth Facebook page

Donna Ashworth is amazingly talented and has quickly become one of my favorites on Facebook.

Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier
Born in London, The United Kingdom May 13, 1907
Died April 19, 1989

This first quote is one of my absolute favorites of all time. What a wonderful experience that could be!

"If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again."

“Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.”

“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”

----------

"...are you happy?"

"I am content."

"What is the difference?"

"Between happiness and contentment? Ah, there you have me. It is not easy to put into words. Contentment is a state of mind and body when the two work in harmony, and there is no friction. The mind is at peace, and the body also. The two are sufficient to themselves. Happiness is elusive--coming perhaps once in a life-time--and approaching ecstasy."

"Not a continuous thing, like contentment?"

"No, not a continuous thing. But there are, after all, degrees of happiness."

— Daphne du Maurier (Frenchman's Creek)

Sir Francis Bacon

 

Sir Francis Bacon
Born in Strand, London, England November 13, 1560
Died April 09, 1626

The first is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I wish I had done this in my life, but is there still time? Sharing the others to illustrate the genius of Sir Francis.

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand--and melting like a snowflake...”

“There is no exquisite beauty… without some strangeness in the proportion.”

“Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.”

“Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.”

“It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.”

That Moment

 

THAT MOMENT

There will often be much left unsaid
when someone leaves
and so will commence many days
of asking yourself
was I enough
did I do enough
did I love enough?

You will replay the final moments
and your heart will fear
that they felt pain
that they suffered too much
and that will haunt you in the night.

But I believe
with all my heart
that heaven rinses those souls
of their pain
their hard memories
their regrets
and their fear
washes all of that away
and leaves only peace.

And that heaven exists
in that moment
that washing away
that deliverance of peace.

There will be much unsaid
when someone leaves
but none of it will matter
becuase they will know
in that moment
they will know.

From Loss by Donna Ashworth

Sunday Sermon

 

"He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge.
His truth is your shield and armor." Psalm 91:4

I blogged this originally on September 11, 2011. I matched a photo a former co-worker sent me with the verse and blogged it on another of my blogs. I love the verse and the pic.

Footprints on our Heart

 

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same ..

~ Flavia Weedn ~
Artist Credit : Shawna Erback

Borrowed from Seredipity Corner on Facebook

Hobby

One of my hobbies is creating word memes for my Pinterest boards. I have previously included some on this blog  also. On Sunday I tried creating some in the shape of a Christmas tree for fun. I think I can do better, but this will do for now.

 

Rudolph

I did research this and learned it is not entirely true. The account of that event shared below, while essentially correct in the broad sense, was not developed by a man who was seeking to bring comfort to his daughter as her mother lay dying of cancer and who subsequently sold his creation to a department store chain. Instead, the Rudolph character and story was developed for commercial purposes by a Montgomery Ward copywriter at the specific request of his employer, and that copywriter then tested the story out on his own daughter during the development process to ensure it would appeal to children. I still find the story touching so sharing anyway.

As the holiday season of 1938 came to Chicago, Bob May wasn’t feeling much comfort or joy. A 34-year-old ad writer for Montgomery Ward, May was exhausted and nearly broke. His wife, Evelyn, was bedridden, on the losing end of a two-year battle with cancer. This left Bob to look after their four-year old-daughter, Barbara.

One night, Barbara asked her father, “Why isn’t my mommy like everybody else’s mommy?” As he struggled to answer his daughter’s question, Bob remembered the pain of his own childhood. A small, sickly boy, he was constantly picked on and called names. But he wanted to give his daughter hope, and show her that being different was nothing to be ashamed of. More than that, he wanted her to know that he loved her and would always take care of her. So he began to spin a tale about a reindeer with a bright red nose who found a special place on Santa’s team. Barbara loved the story so much that she made her father tell it every night before bedtime. As he did, it grew more elaborate. Because he couldn’t afford to buy his daughter a gift for Christmas, Bob decided to turn the story into a homemade picture book.

In early December, Bob’s wife died. Though he was heartbroken, he kept working on the book for his daughter. A few days before Christmas, he reluctantly attended a company party at Montgomery Ward. His co-workers encouraged him to share the story he’d written. After he read it, there was a standing ovation. Everyone wanted copies of their own. Montgomery Ward bought the rights to the book from their debt-ridden employee. Over the next six years, at Christmas, they gave away six million copies of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to shoppers. Every major publishing house in the country was making offers to obtain the book. In an incredible display of good will, the head of the department store returned all rights to Bob May. Four years later, Rudolph had made him into a millionaire.

Now remarried with a growing family, May felt blessed by his good fortune. But there was more to come. His brother-in-law, a successful songwriter named Johnny Marks, set the uplifting story to music. The song was pitched to artists from Bing Crosby on down. They all passed. Finally, Marks approached Gene Autry. The cowboy star had scored a holiday hit with “Here Comes Santa Claus” a few years before. Like the others, Autry wasn’t impressed with the song about the misfit reindeer. Marks begged him to give it a second listen. Autry played it for his wife, Ina. She was so touched by the line “They wouldn’t let poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games” that she insisted her husband record the tune.

Within a few years, it had become the second best-selling Christmas song ever, right behind “White Christmas.” Since then, Rudolph has come to life in TV specials, cartoons, movies, toys, games, coloring books, greeting cards and even a Ringling Bros. circus act. The little red-nosed reindeer dreamed up by Bob May and immortalized in song by Johnny Marks has come to symbolize Christmas as much as Santa Claus, evergreen trees and presents. As the last line of the song says, “He’ll go down in history.”

Not everyone loves Christmas

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgive yourself and let that self forgiveness transform you so you don’t repeat the error.

Forgive others for their mistakes however horrid. It’s not that they are not accountable; it’s that they are not accountable to you.

Melanie DewBerry

Trust

 

Sunday

 

Sunday Sermon

 

Hurt

When it comes to those who have hurt you:
Do not wish them harm
Instead, wish them healing
Do not wish them suffering
Instead, wish them transformation
Do not wish them pain
Instead, wish them growth
Do not wish them anguish
Instead, wish them evolution
Do not wish them sorrow
Instead, wish them self-awareness
Do not wish them torment
Instead, wish them empathy
Do not wish them retribution
Instead, wish them reformation
Do not wish them punishment
Instead, wish them learning
And do not wish them revenge
Instead, wish them the realisation of what they have done
And the desire to do and become better.
Words by Tahlia Hunter
Inspired by a poem by Najwa Zebian
Artwork by Bernie Anderson

Tennessee Williams

Everything that is tearing us
down today will become a
memory, and this memory will
be shared as an anecdote or
a story or a poem or a play or
a warning.

It will be shared with another
human being, who will then
understand that he is not
alone in his sadness.

This is why we show up for
others and tell our tales
and listen to others.

The great congregation
meets daily, and you are
someone’s angel today.

Tennessee Williams
Kerstin Jedwill Art
Grouping borrowed from Poets Corner/ Exquina Poetica on Facebook

Hello December

 

Dear December,

Come on in with your lights,

your music,

your promise of joy.

You make the harsh winter warmer,

the dark months brighter,

and bring us together,

in so many ways.

Let your festive graces,

warm our hardened hearts,

and remind us of what’s important,

each other.

And December,

please be kind,

to those who find your lights,

too bright.

Let them see that hope lives,

in every card,

in every invitation,

in every glass raised.

And for Christmas,

give them memories,

old and new,

like the precious gifts they are.

And show them what to do,

with all that love.

Donna Ashworth

Donna Ashworth's book, LIFE: https://amzn.eu/d/9Y6E6kz

Visits

 

Patience visited me
And it reminded me
That good things take time to come to fruition
And grow slowly with stability
Peace visited me
And it reminded me
That I may remain calm through the storms of life
Regardless of the chaos surrounding me
Hope visited me
And it reminded me
That better times lay ahead
And it would always be there to guide and uplift me
Humility visited me
And it reminded me
That I may achieve it
Not by trying to shrink myself and make myself less
But by focusing on serving the world and uplifting those around me
Kindness visited me
And it reminded me
To be more gentle, forgiving and compassionate toward myself
And those surrounding me
Confidence visited me
And it reminded me
To not conceal or suppress my gifts and talents
In order to make others feel more comfortable
But to embrace what makes me me
Focus visited me
And it reminded me
That other people’s insecurities and judgements about me
Are not my problem
And I should redirect my attention
From others back to me
Freedom visited me
And it reminded me
That no one has control over my mindset, thoughts and wellbeing
But me
And love visited me
And it reminded me
That I need not search for it in others
As it lies within me.
Words by Tahlia Hunter
Artwork by Jungsuk Lee

Habit

Found this on Twitter and couldn't help but save it. Most of it is hogwash, but the learning a new skill is worth a shot.

For the next 6 months, become addicted to these 9 habits, and you'll be unrecognisable by may 2023...

1. Waking up at 5am. Waking up early means you're already ahead of everyone else.
Waking up earlier gives you more time to;
• Workout
• Plan your day
• Work on business
• Be more productive
It's a huge life hack and gives you more time to achieve your goals.

2. Writing down your thoughts before bed Writing before bed will improve your quality of sleep.
Here's what you can write down;
• Your goals for tomorrow
• What you're grateful for
• Any negative thoughts
This will improve your mental health dramatically.

3. Learning an online skill 30 mins a day
With inflation rising and taxes rising, an online skill will save you financially.
Here are a few skills I recommend:
• Coding
• Youtube
• Copywriting
• Digital Marketing
• Content Creation
You can earn $50-$250+/hour.
Art of Life
To learn a skill use these websites;
- Cody
- Lynda
- Udemy
- Coursera
- SkillShare
- CreativeLive
- Kahn Academy

4. Spend 1 hour a day exercising
To have a good mental health, you have to also have good physical health.
Exercises that have the best results;
• Running
• Swimming
• Lifting weights
These will strengthen and tone your body fast.

5. Sit in silence 10 minutes a day Your mind is racing with hundreds of thoughts every minute.
Take 10 minutes to:
• Sit in silence
• Practice mindfulness
• Give your mind a break
• Be present in the moment
This is an underrated habit for your mental health.

6. Create a proper sleep schedule
Sleep is essential for you;
• Performance
• Mental health
• Reducing stress
• Improving your mood
Do this for deep and quality sleep;
• No screen 2 hours before bed
• No eating 2 hours before bed
• Make your room cooler
• Use blackout curtains
And wake up at the same time, as your body will get use to the sleep cycle.

7. Take a 30 minute walk in nature
Nature is proven to help you:
• Get rid of anxiety
• Increase happiness
• Improve your mood
It's one of the best hacks for improving your day.

8. Read 20 pages a day
Reading will strengthen your mind and also:
• Increase your focus
• Increase your knowledge
• Increase your self-confidence
Just 20 pages a day will give you a huge return in life.

9. Drink 1L of water with every meal
Staying hydrated can be hard.
Water is essential for you:
• Mind
• Health
• Recovery
So take 1L of water to every meal and don't leave the table until you finish it.
Let's improve our lives together!

Follow me @Art0fLife_ and you'll learn more on;
• Building an online business
• Personal growth
• Writing
• Life

Simple habits that have huge returns:
• Writing
• Reading books
• Saving to invest
• Planning your day
• Compliment others
• Turning off the news
• Asking more questions
• Turning off notifications
• Walking 10,000 steps a day
Start cultivating them now.

Let it in...

 

Kris Kristofferson - For the good times (1999)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX094Nn4L_Y&list=RDoX094Nn4L_Y&start_radio=1

Sports Heroes Who Served: Singer, Songwriter, Actor Kris Kristofferson Is Also an Army Veteran

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2538793/sports-heroes-who-served-singer-songwriter-actor-kris-kristofferson-is-also-an/ 

When You Wish Upon A Star (Linda Ronstadt)

Photo found on Pinterest

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.