Mind/Spirit: New Artwork

This lovely new metal art piece is now hanging in my living room. I love it!
It makes me smile when I add something I really like to my home and well my life. If you think about it - we create our surroundings and I will agree women "get this" more than men - but I think God created us that way. We are "nest-fluffers" by nature.

It brings me some happiness :-) I think it causes us to use our mental abilities (to figure out what is meaningful to us) and it also causes us to feel filled-up spiritually when home improvement and decorating endeavors are successful.

Here is the thing - be thoughtful and purposeful in your selections.
You are adding this decor to your everyday life.

Now let me tell you about this particular purchase.
 I love metal wall hangings and I wanted something found in nature.
So, I started to research symbols in the natural world and when I found that the Moon is predominately a symbol of femininity and womanhood. I was drawn to that (there is way too much testosterone in my house!) Then when I went on a shopping/discovery trip I found my new addition.
As you noticed there are a lot of stars on the piece so I was hoping that popular symbolism for stars was something good (hahhaha), since I had already purchased it.

Stars generally symbolize adventure, mystery, and excitement!!! Yay!

So when I see this artwork everyday I think "A new woman ready for a day of adventure".

Or I smile and say "Let me live life today as full and dependable as Mrs. Moon does."

Getting inspired to keep a lovely & enjoyable home experience is a trait of a virtuous woman!

From Proverbs 31 v 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
And from  v 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Mind/body/spirit- moments of clarity

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever let yourself down and acted so out of control that you barely recognize yourself? I have, and I am tired of "losing" it. My personal goal for this week is to be able to stay on track with my diet/exercise/bible study/prayer. I feel like I am split into 2 types of people, but this only convinces me more and more with each day that I need God to help me be the virtuous woman that He intends for me to be. The flesh is weak and my heart aches for transformation (mind.)
What I mean about 2 types of people is something akin to what Paul was referring to when declaring (paraphrased) I do not want to do what I do.

My problem is deeply rooted in having too big of an emphasis on "people". I want praise, attention, and adoration from others. I have always felt like there is an empty spot in my being that is based on the reality of feeling un-loved and unwanted.
The fact is God loves me and he wants me to be happy "just being" His child. God's love is really the only one that truly can be depended upon.
People can never give you enough to make you truly joyful.
Looking for love and fulfillment in alcoholic drinks won't work and causes others to lose respect for you.
Looking for love and  fulfillment in food  doesn't last very long and brings your view of yourself down.
Looking for love and fulfillment in others' opinions of you; will only result in dissappointing perceptions of you sometimes. Very inconsistent and so subjective.

What to do?
Look at life in a different way - Instead of always asking "what can I get out of life?"  ask "what of my life can I give to serve the Lord?"
Excerpt from Virtuous Woman << Family Life ;The virtuous woman is a woman of strength. Though the weaker vessel, she is made strong by wisdom, grace and fear of God. Perhaps one reason for the rarity of a virtuous woman is that she is seldom sought. Too often the search is made for accomplishments and external qualities rather than for godly internal worth.



I have bought into the concept of being valued for the wrong things -- I am hoping my internal/external changes and growth will be consistent from this point forward.

 
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spirit: what motivates you in your Christian walk

Yesterday at church I was highly aggravated with the sermon that was being delivered by our dedicated preacher. You see, he was giving examples of how bad things happen (really bad) to people that are very good people. John the Baptist, Job, Joseph etc. I have known these bible stories, and always heard sermons about how we are always going to face tough times, but I had never digested the fact that there is no guarantee that our life will be any better because we live a Christian life, or that we will not necessarily be rewarded with comforts and/or adoration from others.
I was slapped in the face with an angry feeling that bloomed out of "this is not real motivating to live a moral Christian life". I have to say that what has come out of the sermon for me has been life-changing. 


I realized that I was looking to other peoples's opinions for fulfillment, and happiness. I am doing good "expecting" a reward (usually in the form of being adored).

The fact is now evident; that we should be motivated by the desire to please God and not by what goodness we can gain.  

If you look to people appreciating you as your main source of happiness then you will be let down everytime.

I will strive to be motivated by a pure humble desire to please our sweet heavenly Father.

mind/spirit: what to do with myself?

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I am again alone; my husband is out "wheeling and dealing" trying to get people to sign up for a texting system for businesses, my sons are both at friends' houses, and here I am-- trying to stay on my diet and abstain from my favorite beverage of choice (ice cold beer). Oh yes, there is plenty of cleaning opportunities and laundry to keep me going (yuck). I have watched some t.v. (smithsonian documentaries) and Bravo brain mush as well.
I feel this way often and have decided to turn to the Bible for healing -

Putting Psalm86 into my own words has comforted me and I would like to share what I have written and in affect prayed out loud-

If you are feeling like me - make a cup of tea and read this aloud from your heart and then spend some quiet time with God. I pray that the following words help you as much as they are helping me through this evening:

Paraphrased 
Psalm 86-
Help me Lord, because I need it
I am devoted to You Lord
I trust and serve You
Please  bring me joy, because I
have been praying constantly
You are good to anyone who
calls on You, and I know
You forgive those
that call on You

PLEASE hear me and I know
you will answer me when I
am troubled

You are the greatest of all the
deities that any people have
ever believed in and the only
true God. One day, all the people
You have created will worship
You and bring glory to your name
Dear Lord

Teach me how to do things your
way Lord
Help me focus on You with all
my heart and NOT  to let other
things divide my heart

I want to live according to your
truth
I want to praise You and glorify
your name forever
I know You REALLY REALLY
love me!
Especially, since You have delivered
me from (just lying in) the grave
for eternity
I have many attacks, weaknesses,
and hardships
but, Lord You show compassion
and grace
You are slow to anger and show love
and faithfulness to all

Please help me have your strength
to show your love through me
Give me a sign of your goodness
that others (those that don't love
and appreciate me) may see and feel
ashamed and less than great compared
to You
THANKS for loving me and comforting me

Spirit: gratitude

I feel so blessed to live such a comfortable life. I have a nice home and "creature comforts" that I do not take for granted. I have a great job, and healthy children. My husband is healthy and has a great job as well. I am feeling so blessed because I have made a conscious effort to think about what I do have -- NOT what  I do not have or what I want. Have you ever noticed that it is hard to be grateful and sad at the same time.


I think it is important to reflect on what you are thankful for everyday - whether it be through a journal or just during prayer time or while meditating. 

Spirit/ Mind: Compassion

Image by YamiPaperDreams!.- via Flickr

I heard the song by REM that says "Everybody hurts" on my way home and decided to look up the lyrics. I think they are an anthem of compassion. We all need encouragement and Love! I think we should support each other and realize that EVERYBODY gets down and needs help sometimes.
Song by REM:
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on
'Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts...
Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts. You are not alone


After reading the lyrics enjoy this version (by the Corrs) of this great song



WE should try to be more sensitive to the fact that other people can be hurting and trying to be strong.
Sometimes a shoulder to cry on and an ear to bend is the best gift you can give.
I plan on challenging myself to be more sensitive to others' pain. I believe that showing compassion is one of the most important works that a Christian can do and besides  --- EVERYBODY HURTS!  

Image by dicktay2000 via Flickr

Mind- Good Question to ask-

Image by spisharam via Flickr

When in doubt on whether to do or not to do something - I have found that a profoundly good question to ask myself is: How will I feel about this tomorrow?


I think it works to keep me disciplined.
Facing tomorrow with no regrets creates peace in your life.

We oftentimes know what we should be doing or not doing and downplay the toll on our spirit when this knowledge is ignored.

Life is so much more enjoyable when we listen to our inner voice and create that peaceful life we all deserve.

"How will I feel about this tomorrow?"

Remember to put this question to work today.

Image by Stuck in Customs via Flickr

Body - play this and try not to dance!! :-)

Mind/Body/Spirit: 5 keys to living a good life;

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"Set high goals, give as much effort as you can, keep growing, live joyfully, and live honestly as yourself."


The Following is From - THE BLOG ENTITLED - Everyday Amazing (STARTSOMETHING.WORDPRESS)

Today, here and now,


is the only time guaranteed to you.


Tomorrow may come and if it does, things may be different.


You may be at a different place and in a different situation.






Take these words and live today with no regrets-- (noone ever regrets hard work) and gratitude for who and what you have got!

Image by UGArdener via Flickr

Body: adding free weights

Image by ...anna christina... via Flickr

I want to share what I have been doing for my work-outs through the week. I have done these work-outs for 10 weeks and I am really seeing a difference since adding the strength training.

Tues. and Thurs. - Cycle (spin) class and Zumba class.
Wed. and Friday and Sun.- elliptical or running plus (with free weights) squats, lunges (front, back and side, bicep curls, shoulder press, and many other arm/chest lifts. End the work-out with plank and more crunches on exercise ball.
Some weeks I skip Sundays work-out.


I have been feeling an allover improvement in muscle tone and I would suggest adding weights to anyone who is not already using them.

I am gonna keep with this routine --- got to get ready to go to the beach in June. I know I will enjoy the vacation a lot more if I feel confident wearing bathing suits and tank tops.

Summer is on it's way!