#4 of 1,000 Blessings an Oasis

Everyone needs an oasis...a sweet spot to get away from the world.  My ideal  oasis would be lined with ocean on one side and palm trees on the other, however that is not something a Midwest girl is going to find close by.  Hubby bought me these chairs after a trip we had in Maine...we shared drinks from a local bar, sea side in chairs like these.  That memory alone is part of their therapeutic charm.

Today my oasis was a bike ride with Macey.  She chattered much of the time...and I had to keep slowing my pace so we could stay together...but it was heaven to be out in the quiet country and feel the wind in my face.

I'm trying to get better at sneaking away from the demands of my world, even if only for a very short time, to stop... to notice... to feel the warm sun on my face, take a walk and notice the people around me, to sit and be still, to grab my camera and view the world behind the lens, to listen to the rain fall from our front porch, to just be...

Finding blessings makes you stop to notice the small joys that show up along the way.

#3 of 1,000 Blessings Pestering Jack the Dog

#2 of 1,000 Blessings Inspiring Words

Today I am seeking comfort. I am searching for encouragement. On our recent trip to Maine I found this cute little note book to write down things. Things like funny sayings my kids come up with, savory tidbits of advice, bible verses I want to live, words that strike a chord with my soul.

Here are a few I have collected:

“but, anger makes us all stupid.” Heidi

“I love you six million!” Mamoo

“that there are no random acts. That we are all connected, that you can no more separate one life from another, than you can separate the breeze from the wind.” The Five People you Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom

But above all, I wish you happiness, even though I am aware you require my absence to find it.

Restless of the journey, confident in the destination.

Life is a gift even if it doesn’t come wrapped in a bow.

Turn that pain into power. – The Script

If you tell the truth it becomes part of your past. If you tell a lie it becomes part of your future.

Glasses are like shoes for your face. Macey age 9

The breaking of so great a thing should make a great crack. Shakespeare

Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be. Somewhere on Pinterest

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

I love God as much as the person I love the least. – Dorthy Day

A setback is a setup for a comeback.

“There is a crack in everything and that’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen

Wherever you are, be all there!

Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness – Simon Weil Gravity & Grace

Nothing can bring you happiness except yourself. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

And the one that found me today when I needed it…

“Every child is a message that everything is possible again; your past, your story, this world, it all has another chance.” Ann Voskamp

1,000 Blessings

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippines 4:11-14

I think all of us seek love and happiness, but I am learning that these things are not something you can just wish for, however something you have to work for. Even the great apostle Paul said he had to LEARN to be content. Happiness is something you have to open your eyes to and pursue.

I am guilty in this thinking "if I could only _____ then I would be happy!"

if these specific circumstances would change
if I only lived on the beach
If I learned to do this
If I got that promotion
If I weighed my ideal body weight
If I had that relationship
If I had money
If I could go on that vacation
If my body would not fail me
If my kids would listen to me

and on and on, etc

But life takes no prisoners and shows no prejudges...it happens to the best of us. Situations beyond our control will come and find us regardless of if we are a good person or not. Most likely there will always be something in our lives that will rob us from the joy we desire. Time doesn't stop while we deal with hard things, and we are only given so much time. How will you choose to spend time? I will choose to find joy amidst the drama.

I've been reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. She struggled with finding joy and believing in God after witnessing the death of her sister. She started a list of 1,000 things of which to be happy about. In the naming of her blessings she found Joy.

So I will pick up my camera and see if I can name 1,000 things. Do I have 1,000 blessings to experience? I cannot wait to see!

#1 A Sound of Music Twirl - Arms outstretched hair blowing in the wind.

Remember Lucille

Remembering our friend Beth who passed away 3 years ago this week! She left Macey Lucille the cow...remember (click here)?

So what are you thinking of these days

Thoughts can shape your Attitude
Attitude creates Actions
Actions make a Life

mascara

Today when I woke up the first thing that came to my mind was, what am I going to wear tomorrow for the party...and I wonder where I have misplaced my bare minerals mascara? That was kind of pricey....what could I have done with it? Then I laughed...I was worried about mascara.

When you go through a bad season in your life and the days and the nights blend together you wonder some mornings how to muster the strength to get out of bed. Some nights you never sleep. Some nights when you do sleep, you dream of what you are going through...it is as if your mind never stops. It is tiresome.

But today I thought of mascara...and laughed about it to myself all day. I'm going to be okay! I may not be able to change all the things about my situation that I wish that I could...I can only change myself. And maybe the changes that need to happen start within me.