Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 83 - Transitions

It has been a weird week as we get ourselves settled here in Barbados and find a routine as individuals and as a family. Without family or close friends here I have found myself experiencing a feeling of displacement.  

My week largely focused around looking after my mother who has dementia and then everything else came after, now being so far away I try to create routines in an environment that had previously only been a holiday destination and it feels weird.  

I retreat to my studio, but even that felt unfamiliar, a larger space that holds so much promise, but I didn't know where to start.  But you need to start somewhere, and so I regroup.

At the moment I am reliant on others to do their part as I try and sort out my official papers for my time here and I guess that is the biggest thing that is contributing to to my feeling of displacement - I am not use to having to rely on others and on top of that I miss my family.

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

I think about what I am grateful for and what I celebrate and I am truly grateful for the experience to be in a warmer climate and appreciate our environment.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the experience  and hopefully be a blessing to many far and wide as I share my creativity.

I am on a creative journey in my journal 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 - New Sculpture - Elouise

For a long time as an artist I have been searching for that medium that would help me feel as if I fitted in.  I went on a journey exploring different mediums and styles, and it took a lot of pushing, and prodding, getting out of my comfort zone and sometimes just trying again.

After a while I became happier with what I was producing, understanding that we all have those moments of feeling as if we are not good enough and that critical voice can stop you in your tracks if you let it.

You can hide that gift, or talent and never embark on that thing that would change how you looked at yourself and your art.

Today I celebrate and I am grateful to all those supportive voices that cheer me on, who encourage and who are leading the way themselves on their own beautiful journey.

This sculpture I have called Elouise, as I was making her I was reminded about the ties that bind us - the ones that are external and the ones which we bind ourselves with.  She is in the process of breaking free and finding her joy and passion which is to dance.

I hope as you step out of your comfort zone you are surrounded by those who are your cheerleaders and supporters and you take that brave step to silence your critics despite the shape or form they make take.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 76 - Vision

I took another break from the routine, not really knowing why I couldn't write about the things that I was grateful for, but I guess not feeling quite on top of things.  I told myself that some time out would enable me to look at things from a different perspective.  

Life goes on in its own merry way, people come and go and at the end you have to decide what to engage with and what to leave.  Life has at times, a way of putting things in to perspective.  We cannot run from those things we are not quite comfortable with, neither can we run from ourselves, but facing the uncomfortable and facing ourselves can be really difficult, especially if your not quite sure what you really want.

My plan at the moment is writing down all the things I want in my life, from the very small and controllable -  like ' I want to get fitter' to the big dreams of wanting to travel round the world and bless people with my art and creativity.

As I work through my lists of 'wants' I am looking at how I can make them SMART and attainable, and I am grateful for the ability to dream and dream big, to take those steps one at a time, each and every day to not only see my dreams come to pass, but to effect the lives of millions of people in a positive way.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

I am grateful that it can start with the seed of an idea and really take root in the hearts and minds of others.

Take a moment to thinks about what you are grateful for today, leave a comment if you dare!:)

I am on a creative journey in my journal 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 Celebrations - Week 75 - Travel

I had quite a few of weeks break from the Gratitudes and Celebrations post, not because there wasn't anything that I could think of for being grateful, but I had spent a few weeks away seeing family and friends in the States.  

The trip away made me realize even more that each and every day is a gift to be treasured and not taken for granted. We got our first taste of bad weather and snow when we landed in New York on route to Richmond, Virginia, the flight was a bit hairy as we had to circle the airport for about an hour waiting for a spot to land and the runway to be cleared of snow.  As fast as they removed the snow more fell, and the skid of the final landing which was felt by many made us appreciate the skill and the composure of the pilot and crew on the plane.

Sometimes being away from your every day routine also shines fresh light on your life, and whether you can take a two week break as we did or if you can only get away for a few hours, it is something you should do on a regular basis.  Going away to a colder than UK environment was strange for us but we were excited to see folks and make use of our snow boots and see if the rest of the world copes better than the UK when it comes to snow, rain and leaves on the train lines.

The trip reminded me of the book that I brought my son when he was little - 'The Relatives Came' it is a lovely book about a family driving to see their relatives for the summer in Virginia, how every one mucks in and makes room for each other, the kids play the adults share memories until it is time to pack up and go back home.  It was something that we would do when we were kids seeing cousins and having adventures.  It was funny that the story had them travelling to Virginia and it was where we were going to visit as well.

Whilst in Virginia the weather picked up and we had some sunny days enabling us to get small doses of vitamin D, and we heard that folks in the UK had some lovely weather as well.  And it's funny that many a time we have gone away seeking the sunshine and the UK has a heat wave!  but you have to see the funny side of things.  The main thing about venturing to new environments is to get a different perspective or understanding, and you only get that by stepping out, doing something new, something different.

While visiting the states we took tours in Washington, Richmond and in our final destination New York with my cousin.  Travelling around we hopped on the metro (which is such value for money!) and we saw much of New York and the surrounding areas, and we have come back to the UK hitting the ground running trying to shake the jet lag and get ourselves organised. 

I am grateful and celebrate being able to travel to see different parts of the world, meeting people from different walks of life and coming back home safely.

I am on a 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 53 - Complacency

Gratitude and Celebrations Journal - week 53

I think that it can be easy to become complacent at times, and indeed I can say that no matter where you think you've come in your journey, you have to be vigilant, cause the very smallest thing can cause you to slip up and before you know it your back where you promised yourself you would never get.  

I have found this with my health and fitness, I had started the year really well and each month brought another excuse why I couldn't get out and train, and they were all valid reasons, but in the cold light of day were really a bunch of excuses.

Live...Gratitude and celebration Journal

I forced myself to go out early yesterday and kick start my training, I came back and was mashed for the whole day.  I hadn't realized how unfit I had got in such a short space of time.  You have to work at not becoming complacent and continue to remind yourself how far you have actually come and keep on making that effort.

Staying on track requires effort...

This is the first day of the second year that I have kept a gratitude's and celebration journal, and I have found that it helps me keep things in perspective, writing about different things helps me to reflect on my experiences while the art journal page that I do alongside helps to jump straight into the creativity and make the most of what has been presented using a range of different supplies.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to express myself in this way.

Prepare for the ups and downs of the journey

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 Celebrations - Week 52 - Celebrate how far you have come!

Gratitudes and Celebration - Celebrate how far you have come.

Approximately 52 weeks ago I decided to start a Gratitude's and Celebration journal, to capture and remind me of those things that I was grateful for within my life.  I shared with you how I made the journal and in the first week talked about 'letting the love in'.

The Gratitude's and Celebration Journal has served as a reminder to make the most of each and every opportunity.

It has been great working in a small way creating art on each page, and it has also made me focus on what was really important and what mattered in my life.  I have had my share of extremely sad times, as well as moments of joy, and all experiences there for a purpose and allow us to grow.The Journal has carried me through each and every week!

In everything, above all everything I choose to be joyful, and carry that joy with me everywhere I go.  While this is the 52nd week I have decided to continue with the journal, as I still have quite a few pages left to fill.

There is still so many things to be grateful for, I hope you continue to join me on the journey, and start your own Gratitude's and Celebration journal and spend time reflecting on where you are going.

Celebrating Joy

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Are you ready to live - Week 51

Are you ready to live the life you have been given?

I have a big birthday coming up in a couple of months and as I think back over the years I think about those things that have made a impact in my life.  There are some sad moments that are mingled with happier times.

How many lives have you touched?

Most of all I think about the fruit that has come from my efforts, and wonder how many lives have I touched, did I make an impact in someone else’s life, and what do my achievements mean.

You can spend your life thinking about what you should have done, could of done and when tomorrow comes all the things that you are going to change, but when the time comes you give another reason why you can’t start just yet.

Watching my son grow up and finish his exams, and each and every day becomes a young man who is getting more and more independant I am reminded that I can’t wait until tomorrow, I have to do what ever it is today, I have to make those changes today, I have to step up and do something different today, because tomorrow might not come. 

Are you ready?

I am ready, as I approach another year, to live the life I have been given right now, not make excuses of what I should be doing, but experiencing growth, joy, happiness, along with everything else that comes with it – even pain.  I celebrate and I am grateful for this life, and look forward to the many adventures that await.

What part of your life do you need to kick start and how you going to do it?

Gratitude's and Celebration - Choose...you still have a choice

You have a choice, don’t let doubt creep in....

You always have a choice, whatever the situation. You can choose.  You can make a decision whether you actually want to accept the results of a situation and choose a different path, or you can choose how you respond to a situation and whether it will have an impact on your life.

Whatever you do, you make the final decision.  What is it that you have been running away from.  Not making a decision is the same as making a choice, you have just chosen to do nothing and wait and see what happens, and in the end you may not like the results.

We are uniquely formed and fashioned by God and we each have a purpose on this earth.  It is our responsibility to make sure that we live and make the most of our lives however short or long they may be.  Don't listen to the negative voices that tell you that you will never be able to..... or that you will never achieve .......be an inspiration for someone else that is coming up behind you, to those that look to you for an example - extend your had to the next.  

I am grateful and celebrate today because I had another day to make a difference, I no longer take what I have for granted and will continue to make choices that will steer my life to it's fullest and highest purpose.

What choices do you have to make today?

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 47 - Don't let the energy drainers in your life

Don't let the energy drainers into your life - focus on what matters most.....

I have missed a couple of weeks of the gratitude's journal, which coincided with my making a healthier change. It has or seems to be full on, as I am also decluttering and clearing our home, waiting in for builders who come when they please even after making arrangements. The toothache has gone, the hay fever has come and the earth is still rotating. Did anyone see the full moon last night

As I was clearing the bedroom, well, I am still clearing, and just having a break, I thought I was making headway and it looks messier than when I started. The plan was to go through all the draws, remove what wasn't needed, wanted or broken and make room. But along the way something triggers a memory and as you follow it you leave behind a trail. The 30 days of change - Smoothie Love posts are coming to an end and will be replaced by a fitness change of sorts.

The image I did for today's post really speaks to the chaos, but there is method in the chaos and you can find beauty, you just have to see it through and be patient. Deciding what things to focus on in your life is so important and the way you prioritize will make the difference between something that will make a positive difference in your life or will add more stress.

I am grateful today and celebrate choice, and pray for discernment to make the right choices for the coming week.

What can you do for you that will really make a difference to those you allow in your person space? What do you need to focus on at the moment?

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Full of Inspiration!

Have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 45 - Focus on what you can do....

Gratitude's and Celebrations Journal - The beginning page

Right now, focus on what you can do......

Are you one of those people who have a long list of things that need to be done.  You start the week out with a plan of how everything will get done and then when the end of the week comes you find that there are bits of things done and not much you can tick off your list?

I start to see the image coming out of the page

With the best of intentions and resolve I set out this week with an arm load of tasks.  I have always been one of those people who want to maximize the use of my time so end up trying to do several things at once.  To a certain extent I do like working like that, but understand that sometimes you need to try a different strategy and prioritize and move down the list one at a time.

Gratitude and Celebration - keeping the focus

Summon the toothache - it knocked me for six, what started out as sensitivity or so I thought has turned into a full blown infection some how and as I take antibiotics and painkillers while I wait to get an appointment with the dentist to decide either get root canal or have the tooth taken out,  the pain seems to be travelling around my upper and lower jaw, back of my neck and rests in a dull ache in my temple - all this from one tooth!

Page nearing completion

Life still goes on, and this has forced me to think about the priorities of what needs to be done, being active and going for a walk took my mind off it temporarily - not quite the way I wanted to start my fitness routine:) but it worked.  I had to look at what I could do within what I am experiencing, the toothache reminded me of what we (I) take for granted, and how in a moment our health can change.  

I am grateful and celebrate that I am able to make the decision to take better care of myself and see some results over time.  Beginning Monday, I am going to take the next 30 days to kick start my health and will share with you tomorrow what I will be focusing on.  Check out my post from last year about an all round fix-up - taking health for granted.

Time to Focus....

Will you take the time to join me to a healthier way of life? What can you do for you that will really make a difference to how you treat yourself. What do you need to focus on at the moment?

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Full of Inspiration!

Have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 42 - Gifts

Nothing can compare to the gifts you have to bless the world

Gratitude's Journal - this is how the page started out

But you already know, and you have had a chance to see some of them.  Your gifts that you can sometimes take for granted have been given to you for a purpose.  

The page is starting to take shape!

Whether you teach, encourage, lead, or minister to others you are supposed to use your gifts to bless the lives of others and help others to locate and use their gifts to bless lives and so on until we are all blessing each other around the world, making that difference, being that miracle that someone prayed for, stepping in when there was no one else. 

When you start to use your gifts you will see the life that you are living in a different light and begin to uncover additional gifts which complement the ones you currently using and give you a totally new perspective.  

Whatever life you currently feel you have your gifts are unique to you, there is no one that can bring it in quite the way you can, and you have to be prepared to do more, be more and really be ready to see breakthroughs and successes unfold as you step out! 

I am grateful today for those gifts which reside within me and celebrate the lives of others that I will be able to bless through stepping out and using my gifts.

How will you use your gifts to impact on the lives of others today? 

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

Have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!