Love and gratitude makes memories

 Without putting gratitude and loving action into your moments, they are but dust in the wind. What is life if you cannot remember it? Be grateful for it all and you will have a life to remember.

Winter camping

 Good morning!! Okay, packing is almost done!! Camping in the snow, here THEY come! Now to get ready for a girls sleepover

#malebonding #wintercamping

The infinite potential for the opportunity of divine strength through our weakness

 SO this morning as I prayed and pondered, a thought dropped in...

...Matthew 5:3-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-11....

...a thought about the wonders of weakness....about the power within honouring your weakness....it is exactly as it needs to be...so that greater and better still can have "room" to happen in our lives....AND in the lives of those around us....

....the infinite potential for the opportunity of divine strength....to "step in" and "act" on our behalf....the wealth of life lived, itself is from a beautiful place within the meek....how much more would you have to gain and appreciate when you are ready to be filled up....ALLLLL the way up from the very bottom even....

....so when you have hit it....that "ROCKstar" of a place called "bottom", and all you have is to look UP.... know that in that space between you and "UP" is the gift of ultimate and infinite potential, opportunity, and the bliss of God itself.

...breathe it in!

ESC

#loveinlife #lifeinlove #fill'erup #ThankYouGod

Take time and consider God

 How awesome is it to take time and consider that God took time and considered YOU!

As carefully as I watch and listen and smile at my children are the eyes of others around me watching as well.

We were made for consideration...made to be seen....made to be delighted in....made to delight.

EnJoy!!

Choose Light

 Good morning!! Let there be....God chose light first...I will do the same. Have a bright and beautiful day!

Skating love

 LOL can't tell you how excited I am to be skating again...WOW! Glad I trained well to begin with hehe. #loveice #lovewinter #figureskating #IwilltakewhatIcanget

Blessed to be able to see with loving appreciation

 Good MORNING!! Since our eyes are already open, let's take in all that we are blessed to be able to see with loving appreciation as well as clarity. Enjoy an AWEsome day!

Empathy in someone's choices

 Thank you Carol for your insightful listening and sharing....

“If her past were your past, her pain your pain, her level of consciousness your level of consciousness, you would think and act exactly as she does. With this realization comes forgiveness, compassion and peace.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

Allow space

 Alrighty...thoughts after a transformative weekend (shouldn't they all be?

...)

.....allow space.....

......for things to happen as they should.....for fuller expression and the "good" fruit that can come of it.....being witness to the illustration of another's pain....for the wonder of answered prayers to show up unexpectedly in your life.....for the hearts and responses AND reflections of children to reveal to you more about your own character....to play and marvel and delight....to suspend your decided solution to another's problem.....for love and growth to blossom in their own "quick" time....

The language of laughter

 Good morning!! Reflecting on the language of laughter...My favourite is; "HAHAHAHA, that's awesome!"....Heard two toddlers laughing this laugh yesterday as they played and it just opened up my heart and a huge smile on my face in agreement....Yes, their wonderment of what they had found was truly awesome. Have a great day filled with explorative and grateful wonder.

Why did this need to happen?

 The question...."Hmmmm...Why did this need to happen?"....

The answer.... < ..... ( it opens up our innate observation, it may suspend any finite conclusion or definition, and allows for gratitude in any and every situation....and even better still...a better question ....working on it....)

Take in all in with awe.

 Good morning! Well, you can never tell what will go on in the span of 24 hours, but I am grateful for the love of dear friends. Now to focus on gratitude as I was blessed with the wonder of opening my eyes this morning, so I plan to take in all in with awe.

#turntables #zealots #gratitude #forgiveness

So Fresh and So Clean - Air Filtering Houseplants

It's a high commodity nowadays.  Fresh and clean air is becoming a limited resource in our lives and society.  We have become less connected to our natural spaces and spend more time indoors or in man-made structures than we do in the great outdoors.

The benefits of clean, unadulterated, fresh air are many from mental clarity, to increased metabolism, to improved immune system....from your nose and through your skin  and all the way down to a cellular level, we need to consider how to BEST oxygenate ourselves for optimal health and life experience.

Starting in March, I plan to go GREEN!  My focus is to bring in the benefits of green (chlorophyll and photosynthetic exchange) into my personal environment...one of which will be some additional houseplants.

Golden pothos or Devil's ivy
(Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)

Now that our children are older and less interested in eating random plants around the house, it will be a great opportunity to invite more of our green friends in to live with us and help us to enjoy to beneficial exchange resulting in cleaner air and growth for us all.

There is a list of some of the best air-filtering plants that was put together through a NASA clean air study.  These plants help to remove toxic agents from the air that tend to lead to people getting sick, especially in indoor spaces.

Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

My mom had all of these plants (and more) in the house when I was growing up.  Honestly, we would play in among the plants as though we were in a jungle!  There were so many of them and it was so much fun.  Not as much fun when she had us cleaning the leaves as a keep-busy task during school breaks, but now I can appreciate it more :) .  She knew that they cleaned the air, and am I ever grateful that I got to grow up in that environment.  Now, more than ever, is the time to create an indoor "jungle" of my own.

Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

My family also had some of these plants planted outside (as decoration) in the tropics and I got to see how they thrived there as well.  Most of them are pretty easy to take care of and even some of the fussy ones will do well if you can get them in the right spot with the right amount of water.  You could always purchase a high quality air cleaner as well, but these add colour and interaction that a machine can't quite offer.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

 Also, household plants can contribute to increasing the negative ion balance in your home.  Electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, computers, appliances, televisions, and so much more all produce positive ions into our environment and for the most part, those positive ions will "ground" themselves on the most available and closest source of negative ions....YOU!!  That's right!  And it has been noted that excess positive ions  may be contributing to our fatigue and tiredness....(coffee anyone?!)   SO, again, plants come with another way to make our living environments that much better to enjoy.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')

The list I am referencing is available at Wikipedia that has a nice chart of what the plants filter from the air.  Here are some with images....

Pot Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

 Who knew that these mums that are available in the spring and fall in abundance at almost every place that sells flowers would be one of the best air filters for your home.  I have a few of these perennials (they come back each year) growing in my garden that I planted outside after being in the house as decoration.

Cornstalk dracaena
(Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')

 LOL, as I child I know that I asked my mom when the corn would grow from this plant.  It was one of my favourites.

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

 I had one of these while I was studying in University.  His name was Charley.  He was my friend :).  I even painted a still life with Charley as the focal point.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

 These are very easy to find and common as well.  They are perennial (if you want to plant some outside as well) and avid creepers, so make sure you either have as a hanging plant or you can have fun wrapping it around shapes or mini trellises.

(NOTE to reader!!!  Just so you know, the reason I have NOT had a jungle environment in my home is not due to a lack of trying....I love gardening...outside.  But I have not been the most successful at growing indoor houseplants.  I will admit, I am not the most thoughtful to my houseplants...I like plants I don't have to water much or worry about humidity or lighting, but I am choosing to REPENT of this in order to improve my health and quality of life inside (my house) and out.)

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "Bostoniensis")

With the above mentioned notice, THIS particular air-cleaning wonder has been a challenge for me to grow.  I think it's mainly due to the fact that we keep our home pretty cool, especially in the winter, and these are tropical plants, preferring higher temperatures.  BUT they are supposed to be low maintenance (like my sons' hair ) and my mom grows these successfully in her home, so its not that hard.  Low light and moderate watering and they take care of themselves for the most part.  Giving this one a go again this year.

Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

 Love that these plants (in the right place) will produce many little "babies" that you can transplant or share with friends.  The more the merrier :)

Lilyturf or Monkey Grass (Liriope spicata)

 Similar in look to the spider plant and creeps like grass.  I would give this a rectangle pot to spread out in.  Again, grows well enough inside and out and enough to share with friends too.

Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue
(Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii')

One word to describe these plants...HARDY!  Even though they are tropical plants, these are extremely LOW maintenance, so if you feel that you struggle with the lives of little green friends, this should be your first choice.  Give them enough room and they will grow and grow.  We have had these plants for over a decade (two of them)...moved in all seasons with them.....in it's original pot (I'm transplanting this year...promise!).....travelled and forgot to water... keep our home at cool temperatures...and have stuck them in the most awkward of corners and they are STILL ALIVE!  The kids have even pulled them out of the soil a few times...these are a must in my books (and they don't bite or talk ;) ). 

Advocate for clean air

Good morning!! Change is in the air.....ahhhhh. I am an advocate for fresh, unadulterated, clean air to breathe. And yesterday we got out into it and it was great. For March, I will be sharing the ways I will be making things more "green" inside and outside of our home...starting with indoor plants Have a fresh and clean day

Sunburn in February

 Good morning!! Rubbing olive oil on my sunburn, but was grateful for the intensity of the sun yesterday. And honestly, I don't get all the hype about TGIF....Although I am looking forward to bible talk tonight!!! Still in wake up/gratitude mode before I get going in the morning....just sharing the back and forth that goes on in my head....and I am grateful that the conversation in my head between grumpy and harsh critic and peaceful and positive cheerleader has matured over the years.....they work together pretty well to help get all needs met in a productive way.....now for some kisses to God #moreprayer #lovingtheword #breatheanotherday

V-day 2013

 HAHA another V-Day for the books...sigh....the opportunity for amplified gratitude, openness, encouragement and connection was had in a myriad of weakness and frustration....Thank you for hearing my rants, watching me cry, making me laugh, and sunburn to boot!!! It's a movie night tonight!!

#ThankyouGod #uniquedesign #deeperrelationships #valentinedrama

Love deep

 I am in such DEEP love, gratitude, appreciation, and joy today. Know that the sun WILL shine BRIGHT, and there will be many smiles on the faces around me. #ohyeah #feelingGod #feelingGood #lovingthevibe #livingfull

Choose wisely how you "write" the story.

 Good morning!! Did you know that each story we tell ourselves and others carries with it negative or positive vibes? Choose wisely how you "write" the story.

Someone asked me about my Valentine's memories and honestly, I laughed as I shared them, but the memories weren't really all that good...LOL. My most loving times and moments seem to happen outside of commercialized events though...like last night ....where my dad and I shared in a great evening together on my hubby's birthday...what a wonderful surprise for us all...sang happy birthday, ate soup and cookies, talking on deep levels, laughing, honouring and praising each other's value and choices....enjoying his grandkids....(and love how he loves ALL his children individually and without favouritism,... what a great example that has been for me)

....so, for ALL of YOU,...enjoy a great day today filled with love and encouragement and I hope the same for you in ALL the days to come

Enjoy what those who have gone before you have enjoyed...considering your examples

 ...considering...success-ion...." the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both"

...sounds progressive...continual....

from Latin succedere to go up, follow after, succeed, from sub- near + cedere to go.

...so, to go up and go near to...

Have you considered what you have followed after, gone near to or went up to in order to ... "enjoy what those who have gone before you have enjoyed" What do you look to as an example? Have you considered putting yourself in their place (temporarily...use of imagination here)...? Or considered putting them in your place? What would you do? What would they do in your life that is different from what you are doing and being now? Would you want someone else in your place? hmmmm...just a thought

Fat Tuesday! WHAT would you give up for 40 days that you presently see that you indulge in?

 Today is Fat Tuesday (Mardis Gras). A day to splurge on indulgences before Ash Wednesday, when for 40 days, those who observe put a cross of ashes across their foreheads and partake in giving up something for 40 days as a fast to honour the 40 days of temptation and fasting that Jesus went through in the desert after he was baptized.

So after choosing to repent of (turn away from) those things that do not serve, then to go through a confirmation of your declaration (a testing of your faith), and then to be brought back to strength so you can endure a new life on the other side of your perseverance and faithfulness....could you imagine going through such a thing? OR do we go through this journey constantly in our day to day lives? Have you considered your likeness to this experience?

And WHAT would you give up for 40 days that you presently see that you indulge in? Chocolate? Sugar? Alcoholic beverages? Mindless eating? Late nights? Not encouraging others? Not encouraging yourself? Trash talk? Judgements? Isolation? Processed foods? Processed body products (with "synthetic" fragrance/parfum)? Shopping? Lack of budgeting? Lack of contribution? Lack of exercise? Lack of connection? Lack of consideration of self and others?.....ooooo...

....so for the next 40 days, and then the next, (and the next...when does it really stop? I don't think it does...) I am going to consider things and choose repentance in many areas and will keep you all posted (on most of it ) Feel free to share your observances or thoughts...

Make Today a good one worth watching!

 Good morning!! Getting dressed up and hanging with my son this morning, spending time this afternoon connecting with a friend and wrapping it up with hot tub time and hubby. That's the plan for the highlights...now to fill it in with wonder, laughter, good food, reflections, confessions, a few loving scenes , and of course encouragement. Hmmmm, I guess my "movies" are more romantic comedy, or family-friendly dramas

Make it a good one worth watching!

#nottheExtra #knowyourrole #havefun #expectbeautiful #loveandEncourage #honourpriorities

Don't wait

 HA!!! And you waited all week for Friday and guess what?.....YOU MISSED IT!!! It's Saturday!! (In Australia

)

Don't wait for what you THINK one day other than the one that you are in can offer for you....set the intention of a GREAT day in TODAY!! (regardless its name) #Hebrews3:13 #James4:13 #beinthemoment #breathe #gratitude

In spite of a migraine

 Good morning!! Migraine today, but today I write....after getting in touch with nature and fresh, crisp air. #breathe #inspiration #thankyouGod

To be IN spired

 An ex·cerpt from an upcoming collection....."If death is to expire, then to choose to live a life of love and inspiration is the very act of breath itself." ~ESC #chooselifefully

Life full through death?

 What would make you live and love life more fully? Death itself? ....why yes...Decide what there is in your life that needs to die so that you can live....

Nourished

 Good morning! Feeling stuffed...fed and nourished from the inside out. I have all that I need to get done all that I want to get done and more. Have a loving, living, and full day.

#lovequiettimes #inspiration #quenchthirst #morningwater