Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 69 - Knowledge

At what point in your life did you realize that you had a purpose?  That the life that you were leading meant something, if not to yourself, it meant something to someone else.

We often stumble around our lives as if we were insignificant, and didn't matter.  It is not always our fault, but has a lot to do with the circumstances and situations that we find ourselves in.  From the years of neglect, and abuse there are many who have had to live through so many bad experiences that for others they could never come close to imagining how hard or bad the situation could have been.

Yet still some make it through, they have a strength and purpose of who they are called to be, and the life they have been called to lead.  I feel that we all have this calling on our lives to be more that we think we can be.  It first starts with the having the knowledge of who you really are.

Despite the situations and circumstances we all have a deep seated yearning to make a difference to our lives and even if you don't go on to change the life of millions, you could be instrumental in changing the life of just one, who then goes on to impact the millions.

Don't be afraid of knowledge, growth or of your calling and every time you feel afraid, know that even if it is only one person in this world whose life you make a difference to, then you have done something worthwhile.

I am grateful for the life I have been given, and I celebrate those lives who I may impact through the things that I am passionate about.  What can you learn about yourself today that could help someone else tomorrow?

I look forward to hearing about your journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 67 - Shine Your light

When we switch on the light or lamp we don't try and hide it or put it under cover, we don't put our light under the bed but we use it to illuminate the room.  When we think about all of the lights that are in our home we use them to allow us to see better, to locate those things that are hidden or out of view and to enable us to do other activities as well.  

As this light shines it not only shows us the thing that we are looking for but it also shines on other things as well.  If we wanted to focus the light we might use a torch or spot light, but generally speaking the main light is the one that will brighten the whole room.  There are some things that we don't want in clear sight and we might put them away in draws and wardrobes behind doors that invite a peek or we hide them behind other things.  As a collector of things there comes a point where you have built up layers and layers of things and barriers build up stopping the light from reaching the four corners of the room.

The bible tells us that we are to shine our light and my understanding is that we have to be all that we are created to be, without hangups, doubts, insecurities, and fear, and where these things are present then we have to work at doing something about it.  We have all been given talents, abilities and gifts, some of which we haven't yet seen manifest, we are to make sure that we are using and making the most of them, we shouldn't hide them under stuff or the cares of the world, we can't lock them away and pretend we don't know we have them, carrying them around in your bag or backpack afraid of your potential.  

When we are using our gifts talents and abilities it can impact like the torch on specific areas at a time or as with the main light switch in the room it can impact on many people from different walks of life and in different ways all over the world - look at the many gifted and talented people that have impacted on the world that spring to mind and have inspired you.

I hope to shine my light through my art and my words bringing meaning, wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and also to be effective in helping others to think about what they have been gifted with or to work on those things that they have been yearning to do in their hearts giving them the courage to make that step,  I think we all have that ability to inspire someone else and we can't take it for granted.

As you learn to shine your light and be more than you thought you could be others may try to stop you and those who will want to accompany you for the ride, but more often than not it is the journey that you have to make by yourself discovering your strengths, you have to be willing to do the work and take the necessary steps to get to that place where your insecurities no longer stop you but enable you to soar!

I am grateful and celebrate today the light that I carry within me, one that we all carry and it is our responsibility to use the talents that we have all been given to help others and be a blessing to others. I hope as always that my words carry encouragement and that when you have read this post that you feel encouraged to shine your light, to think about how much more you could get from your life if you turned it up a notch.  What ever has been laid on your heart in a years time you will have wished that you started right now!

Gratitudes and Celebration - Week 66 - Listen

Well we made it again, we have got to Friday and this is something that we need to be grateful for.   As a carer to my mum I spend a lot of time driving back and forth in looking after her and my own family, and this gives me a bit of time for reflection, to mull over things and even unravel those complicated things that rear their head from time to time to seriously try you!

I have learnt that I need to take time to listen and not just jump in without taking time to consider, contemplate then make an informed decision.  I have found that we can get so caught up in the circumstance that we end up running from one point to the other without feeling if you have actually achieved what you set out to do.

When we listen with the two ears that we have we can see things from many sides and come to a range of conclusions but only one might be the right one for us.  I challenge you to take a moment right now as you read this post to listen to your surroundings, and if you get the chance take a moment and do something else down this list, there is so much that we miss when we rush around.....

Listen - take some time today to listen to your surroundings.  

Listen to your heart beat, 

Listen to your walking the sound of your feet as your shoes hit the ground, is it a squelching sound or a clip, clop of your heals on the sidewalk. 

Listen to the rustle of the wrapping to that thing you are opening is it paper or plastic,

Listen to the sound of the birds, flying over head or on route to warmer climbs

Listen to the wind, as it breezes past your ears, gently moving past your cheeks

Listen to the back ground noise, can you hear people talking or is it a tv in the distance

Listen to the tones, are they raised, or gentle caressing voices

Listen to the sound your car makes when you start it up

Listen to the tap taping as you write on your lap top

Listen to the heating coming on, the noise that the radiators make as they warm up

Listen to the sounds that your home makes, the familiar sounds, the footsteps of someone moving around

Listen to what your heart is saying about your current situation,

Listen to what your head is saying about your current situation

Listen to your creative spirit full of joy that can very often get lost in all the noise when we forget to listen

Listen to your voice

I am grateful and I celebrate the life that I want to live to the full, to the ability to notice so many things around us that we can often take for granted.   Those magical things that appear in the still, small voice, that breaths grace into our daily lives.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Listen

What can you hear when you listen?  Stop for a moment and take in your surroundings

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude and Celebrations Journal - Week 65 Nurture

Nurture

Welcome to today's post for Gratitude and Celebration.  I have a lot to be grateful for and many things to celebrate that I have been sharing here on the blog over the past few weeks.  So much has happened that I had missed a couple of weeks of posting on Fridays and now will be playing catch up.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Nurture

It is fitting that today the theme is nurture and I have had to remind myself that I need to make sure that I spend time on activities that will not only nurture and nourish my health, but also my spirit and creativity.

I have had the opportunity to go away get some sunshine and get the rest that I needed physically, and with all that we were doing in Barbados, I spent time away from my role as a carer and writing online on my blog, although I wrote in my journal.  

Whilst I missed and at times felt guilty for not doing something on my blog, I felt that time was needed for reflection and just taking time to notice my surroundings, which was very beautiful.  We all know how you can take for granted those things that you see around you on a regular basis, or most of the time in your rushing around and not stay in touch with your senses - when last did you feel the breeze on your skin?

Spending time in my journal helps to focus on what matters

In nurturing my soul I spend time in the word of God, allowing my heart to be healed, my mind to be renewed and taking another step into the adventure of life.

How will you spend time nurturing the different aspects of your life?  It is time to take stock and if you can take time out and refresh those parts that need to shaken up, before you begin again.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratititude's and Celebration Journal - Week 64 - Stars

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Stars

When we look up at the sky we can see the beauty of what seems like hundreds of stars twinkling, each with their own light shining for a purpose.  But in fact there are actually millions of stars each a planet in its own right and shining its’ light sometimes bright enough for the naked eye to see.

How are the lives that we lead impacting on others from afar?  Are we showing our best qualities, making the most of what we have and making sure that what is inside us can be of as equal value and not just for show?  Don’t let those negative voices stop you from being who you are truly meant to be.  In letting our lives be a true reflection of the love that God has for us we release others to shine like the stars that they too were meant to be.

I am grateful and celebrate the beauty that we have within us, and in the night sky - the great expanse before us holds many mysteries and insights.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitudes and Celebration - Prayerfulness - Week 63

Gratitude’s and Celebration

I think it is important to be thankful in all things, most importantly that we have breath for another day, but also for the things that we can’t see that bring blessings, change, new opportunities and grace into our lives.

Prayer is important to me, I pray to God who I have confidence exists, and who as far as I am concerned created me in his image to be all that I can be.  Prayer is a continual thing, not just for one day a week but for every day, each and every moment, and in every circumstance.

I pray for my family, friends and I pray for people I don’t know.  When I see an ambulance I pray for whoever they have been called out for that God touches their lives and they are healed, prayer is key.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

Today I am grateful and celebrate that I can pray, that I have the freedom to be able to pray openly and talk about my faith without fear.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Prepare - Week 62

Prepare Week 62

Welcome to Gratitude’s and celebration post.  It is late and I should have posted it yesterday, but I guess as the title suggest I wasn't prepared.  I've been trying to get myself into a workable routine where I get a mountain of things done, but started watching a film last night and before that did a number of other activities, stuff kind of got in the way.

I know that I work much better when I am prepared and organised and so much gets done.  At the end of the day it depends what you want, and what you are trying to achieve that will determine just how much you do.

There are some things that you can’t prepare for and in my blog posts for the UBC challenge I have been writing about the unpredictability of dementia and the Carers Role.  I can plan for some things but not how it will affect my mum and the fallout and consequence of that.  We are thinking of making some big decisions over our lives and one of them is about going to live in Barbados, and what it will mean as family, how will we navigate through everything that will need to be done to facilitate it. 

I think about the facilities and wheelchair access that would be available for mum to live comfortably, wonder what type of support I would have as all my family are here in the UK.  We also have to think about Sekani and him going to university, not only getting a place but settling in a new environment, this all needs preparation and a lot of planning, and so many things seemingly out of my control. 

I am grateful and celebrate the peace that can come when we prepare and allow ourselves to go in new directions and experience different ways of living.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

UBC Day 3 & Gratititudes and Celebrations - Week - 59 - Savor

As a carer there are so many things that need to be done in order to get through the day.  You are not only thinking of yourself but another adult who needs your support for all their needs.   You can then find yourself busy in a lot of stuff, with deadlines and to do lists, busy, each with their own pressure and sometimes feel that you are rushing through life missing out on the blessings and relationships that are actually right in front of you.

You plan, and schedule, burning the candle at both ends, trying to reach a goal and then wonder why that headache that has been bothering you is still there, and when you start to think about it those aches and pains have been around for a while and so many things hurt.  The time that you crave to spend on those things that really matter and that nurture and minister to your soul are put aside and you are all timed out. 

What you need is balance and the time to savor, to sit, to think and reflect.  Among those plans and schedules and the daily things that you have to do - including looking after those you care for you have to make real time for those you love and to be with friends and share your life.  You have to notice the little things and take stock of where you are right at this moment and savor it, even if it is just for 5 minutes. I have found it important to savor the moments that I am able to spend with my mum, each special in its own way, where we can be in each other's company and just be still. 

I am grateful and celebrate the still times that I can organise just to be.  Without watching the clock or chasing another deadline, or worrying about what needs to be done but to spend time with those people that really matter in my life.

What can you to to take some time out to savor in your life right now

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts

Check out Silver Sunday which is an annual day of fun and free activities for older people across the UK. Led by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation, it celebrates older people and their contribution to our communities while combating loneliness and isolation. Everyone can get involved, and you can organise your own event, spread the word, or simply attending an activity. Silver Sunday will take place on 5th October 2014!

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 57 - Shine

Gratitude's and Celebration - Shine

Live your life and Shine!

How close to your purpose do you feel that you are?  Are there areas of your life that you feel that you haven't yet achieved that 'thing' or done all those activities on your 'to do' list.  We can chase after a number of different goals and dreams and still come up short, and I think it is because we don't commit and allow fear to creep in.  We wait for what we think we want without making a step, hoping to 'feel' great and then wonder why we reach a particular age and haven't done half of what we dreamed we would do.

Live your life...

Our life is meant to be lived, you are here for a purpose, and there are things that you want to achieve and know that deep down in your soul.  You have passion and drive for something, don't be afraid to step out.  When we hold ourselves back from achieving our purpose, and living the live we have been given to the full then we short change ourselves and others.  God didn't form and fashion you in your mothers womb to be stagnant and stay in the same place year in and year out.

He created your life to live to the full, to impact positively on other peoples lives, to be a blessing, but to also to be blessed yourself.  If you can't think of one thing to do then find someone to help until you work out where your passion lies.  Don't stand still!

I am grateful and celebrate life, we have the opportunity and ability to be amazing and do amazing things.....now it's your turn:)

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 55 - Appreciation

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

This year saw me celebrate my birthday, it was a big one, and I felt a bit off.  I wasn't sure if it was the prospect of belonging to a different club, or thinking back over my life - warts and all and either being satisfied or totally dis-satisfied.  To be frank, I didn't know how I was supposed to feel.

At the end of the day, the age is just a number. What is more important is how you live your life, your contributions to the society that you live and the type of relationships that you nurture and that nurture you.

I embrace and appreciate that another year is apon us and as I reflect over the years past I want to be able to draw out the positive encounters, the moments that made me smile, looking at opportunities to see the gifts in the sad times, making the most of the years to come.

I am grateful and celebrate another year in love, peace and grace.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal