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!

Christmas Fair - Emmanuel Centre! - more giveaways!

It is approaching at a phenomenal rate, as it does each and every year around this time, the reminder that Christmas will soon be here.  Each year I have been taking part in EEC Christmas Fair and will be having a stall selling some of my art and crafts.  It is a really lovely event that ends with a concert. 

There will be a wide variety of stalls, with lots of gift ideas for those who are seeking inspiration and want to get in early with their shopping, lots of tasty treats from the international food court, and activities to keep the whole family engaged.  it is an event not to be missed and you will be able to finish your evening with the Westminster Community Choir and be engaged in so much more.

Venue:

The Emmanuel Centre, 9 -23 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3DW

***Prize Draw***

Come down and say hello!

I will be running a free prize draw for all those who attend the show and sign up to my mailing list.  You could be in for a chance to win a copy of:

 Crafting with Nature in a Weekend: Over Twenty-five Inspirational Projects

It is full of ideas for some lovely things that you can do with the materials that you can collect, and some of the things that you can make are delightful!

I would love to see you at The Fair you will definitely have a lovely time on the day. 

For those of you who won't be able to attend, don't forget the free bonus giveaway that is available for signing up for the 'My Color is Beautiful Art' Course.

I am excited to be able to offer a bonus gift for all those who register HERE for the course.  For everyone who registers here you will receive a free paper and embellishment pack, filled with lots of goodies for you to use as part of my lesson on the course and for any other creative activity that you might have...

I will include in the pack a selection of:

• Paper ephemera
• Patterned and hand painted papers
• Handmade paper
• Die cuts
• Ribbons
• Findings
• Handmade Stencils
• Beads and embellishments and more

Once you have signed up via my link I will arrange to have the kit sent out to you before the course begins.

If you have already signed up else where for the course and would like to purchase a paper embellishment kit you will be able to do so from the beginning of next week for $7.50 including P&P.

Register here now and receive your free bonus embellishment kit by clicking the button below!

I will be sharing over the weekend some images of the pack and how you will be able to put the contents into creative use!

UBC - Day 31 - Celebrate your life

Art Work - Amanda Trought - Realityarts

Welcome to day 31 and the final day of 'Tips for Carers' in the Ultimate Blog Challenge

Each day I have brought you a different aspect of my experience as a carer, to inform you, to bless you and give you some pointers if you are going into the role, or have been in it for a while and just need some new ideas.  There is no ‘one size fits all’ but it is important for us to share our experiences with each other, and share those things about our lives that make us unique.

Each post hopefully allowed you to shine new light into your situation and see it differently.  I hoped you tried to some of the suggestions or altered them to suit your needs.  The one thing I remind myself of is that life is precious and we have been paced here for a purpose. 

As I look after my mum I try not to loose sight of who and I celebrate the life I have knowing that I can make an impact.  In life we have to make the most of what I can do, knowing each day brings along the gifts of life, celebrating those things that we are grateful for.  We each have something that is special within us and whilst we are all in different circumstances and situations we have to find the strength to be more than the role defines. 

I recommend that you make sure that you make the most of your time, eat well, get rid of those things that are toxic in your life, and try and give the best of yourself, enabling your light to shine on those around you, especially the one you are caring for.  Celebrate and love yourself and If you can find the joy, peace, hope and love in your current circumstances, each day will be a miracle.   

As a carer, I don’t allow myself to be defined by the name,  As I work my way through the role   sharing my experiences and building relationships, I seek help, I ask, and manage to get through each day with a story to tell it is not an easy road, but it can be fulfilling.   You are precious, you are loved, and you are appreciated for everything you do.

For now, take a moment to celebrate your life, take time to unearth some of those dreams that were hidden and do one thing that will be a blessing to your life and the one you are caring for.

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts from the Journey of a Carer.