bits of sunshine

12.20.19

sometimes you have to stick up for yourself.  don't let that person put you down over and over again.  point out what it is they do or say.  and then tell them what you expect in the future.  clear is kind.  unclear is unkind.  and you deserve clarity.  go with strength; speak with clarity; be wonderful.  

12.16.19

breathe - so many times in a day i remind myself to breathe.

when i step outside - breathe deep - and feel-taste the air.  lately, it has been breathes of cool, damp air.

when i have been sitting for a while - working at my computer - a deep breath - filling my lungs all the way to the bottom.

when i am standing up to stretch - breathing deep into all my muscles.

when i think about the list of work to-dos and meetings this week - a breath to remind myself that even though the calendar is full, i can take a moment to breathe, to drink coffee, to look out the window, to walk the long way, to connect with people.

when i take a moment to read some thoughts about advent, about christmas, about joy and light - a deep breath to invite the merry and bright, the good news into the core of my being.  

when i count gratitudes - a deep breath - gratitude for breath and life and health.

when i wish that i could spend days during this season with some far-away family and friends - a deep breath to remind myself that i will send my love, i will make the phone calls, i will text the pictures, i will connect in the ways that i can this year.  

when i am with ben and maddie and isaac - a breath to remind myself to savor the moments, to mark the goodness and make memories.

and when i lie down at night, a deep breath to settle in, to invite rest. 

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here's to deep breaths and joy and merry and bright, my friends.

go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful.

love, e

12.11.19

nourish - 3 lists

nourish myself
a walk
sweet potatoes (all ways – baked, roasted, mashed, cubed, fried, etc)
music (listened to, played, or sung)
writing and reading (good words)
sleep and rest (enough of each)

nourish others
homemade cookies (or apple pie bars)
coffee or tea or hot chocolate
listening ear
kind words
providing for rest

nourish as a concept
care for
hold up – support (with encouragement)
nudging (gently) (sometimes shoving)
sharing food and water (giving nutrients)
edify (joyful encouragement)

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i just gave myself 15 minutes to sit with this word, this idea, this way of being - nourish -

i hope that you, my friend, will give yourself 15 minutes to take some deep breaths and think or just rest. 

also - this post is full of ideas for rest and nourishment in this season of busy days.

go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful.

love, e

12.10.19

peace - this morning - in my office 
christmas music playing
heater humming
knowing our days are held in His hands
knowing that His peace passes all understanding
reminding myself to breathe peace all through myself – no matter what today may bring

12.5.19

tonight, remembering the feeling of room temperature fluid running cold into my arm through an iv.  feeling so very grateful that that was long ago, that i am home, in my own house, that i get to sleep in my own bed.  praying peace and healing for my friends who are in hospital beds, who don’t know when next they will sleep in their own beds.  
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i will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord make me to dwell in safety  ..... psalm 4:8

12.4.19

gifts today: 

kyla not being able to wait to give me my christmas gift - beautiful earrings from girl ran away with the spoon

a few extra minutes to sit in my backyard in the sun in the fresh air

a coffee meeting with a co-worker who is also a friend 

all four pattens doing the grocery shopping together

conversation that helped isaac and ben and i understand each other better 

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listing #justfivethings with michelle 

12.3.19

Sometimes you need to sit lonely on the floor in a quiet room in order to hear your own voice and not let it drown in the noise of others.~ Charlotte Eriksson ~

some days are like that.  time to sit on the floor.  with moments for quiet, for alone. 

and sometimes i sit in the living room, on the couch, while my family sits at the table, my son making crazy music - sort of a hum, sort of a trumpet, sort of an elk call . . .my daughter laughing and laughing . . . my husband tying flies and finding his own quiet in the midst of the joyful cacophony of teenage music and talking and laughing and riotous story telling.  

yesterday, i took about ten minutes for myself, in the sunlight, in my backyard, just me.  breathing and feeling the warmth through my jacket, sitting quietly and listing gratitudes.  

today, i did not take time for listing.  but i did take time for tea with a lovely girl.  and i took time to sit at the table and eat supper with my husband.  and i am writing this post, here on the couch, with my family bumping all around me. 

tomorrow, i will look for some moments to take for myself, for quiet, just a few.  

 

 

12.2.19

violets bloom in east-facing windows, and only when they feel at home.  so far, so good on staying awhile.  the violets and i agree we should stay awhile, and then longer still.  

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{in the spirit of the _habit_ posts i used to love on flickr} {one image with 32 words or less}

12.1.19

on the first day of december:

woke to sun shining 

drank a lot of coffee

wore a cozy sweater and slippers

watched/listened to a word-by-word teaching on philippians 1:3-11 

prayed with my family

packed up some snail mail - a tiny gift, some samples of fabulous shampoo, and socks to be replaced

checked over the list of christmas card addresses - in preparation for the arrival of the cards i ordered yesterday

helped isaac cover the seat for his snowmobile - painters canvas, upholstery tacks, thread, and hot glue

made stir fry with left-over turkey and left-over veggies

thought about getting out the christmas tree - but didn't just yet - maybe one evening this week

did some laundry

and will end the day watching the downton abbey movie 

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sending all of you my best wishes for a merry and bright december

also - some tips for steering clear of the crazy, and doing more enjoying and less stressing

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go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful.

xoxo, e