Life, Laughter, and Love

LOVE is an action word --- and love TAKES ACTION.

People need to hear "I love you" at least five times a day.

Happiness is a by-product of life.

Laughter in a family is healthy to the soul.

People find joy in investing themselves in others.

It is a mistake to waste one precious moment of your God-given day in self-hate.  Accept yourself as God made you.  You are worthy because you are His.

I'm still enjoying perusing my journal notes from years past yet today.  Please bear with me as I revisit these notes and share portions with you.  I think these notes were written during a time I was spending deliberately creating a nurturing environment for my children when they were young.  The same principles can apply to anyone of any age, though, don't you think?

Have a wonderful day!  Be blessed!

The Art of Waiting

The Art of Waiting

Do waiting periods have value?  Yes!

They compel us to reaffirm or deny our belief in what is coming.

They cause us to attach value to the coming event.  The more we value it, the longer the wait seems.  And even the more we dread it, the longer the wait seems.

They allow us a time to change --- to change or reaffirm our beliefs and practices.

They give us tie to discover something new.

And they afford time for us to share our lives with others.

These are notes from my journal from a long time ago.  I wonder what I was waiting for?  I'm sure these are notes taken from something I had been reading.  They apply to my life, and possibly yours, as much now as they did then.  It seems like as humans we are always 'waiting' for something!  It appears there is great value in the process.

Thank you for your comments!  I have enjoyed and appreciated them.  It's wonderful to know that many of you journal as well.  I especially enjoyed a quote Brenda shared in relationship to 'how' journaling helps remind her to go forward with personal growth.  Here it is:
   
"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily." John C. Maxwell

If you have the time, read the other comments from readers posted the past few days.  I think you will enjoy the perspectives. 

A Country Diary

This year I have been enjoying reading a book called "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" by Edith Holden. On the first of each month, I read the verses and enjoy the artwork depicting the month at hand. The contents are inspiring and remind me to take time to enjoy the little things in life; the little things which bring forth authenticity and quiet calm in one's life.

Edith Holden recorded the countryside in which she lived by documenting the change of the seasons and all that was around her. The book, completely written by hand, includes her favorite poems, personal thoughts, and observations of wildlife around her home in Olton, Warwickshire village. Her artist's eye and hand helped her to execute drawings and paintings in great detail. The object of illustrations were things around her --- butterflies, bees, wild flowers, and birds. There's even a page about snakes!

Miss Holden held her book, which was essentially a personal journal, near to her heart and allowed no one to see it. For more than seventy years it remained, hidden away in the shelves of a personal library, until it was discovered again in an English country home. Written in 1906, it was first published in 1977. A full-color replication of her original, this book is one that brings forth an emotional response in the reader and sets the stage for quiet calm and beauty.

April's passages speak of tadpoles and grubs, the Wood Anemone, the Primrose, and the Dog Violet. Her paintings are authentic and so very lovely. If you have opportunity, this book is well-worth having in your personal library. At the very least, check it out from your local lending library so you can read it and see what I am talking about!

"Long as there's a sun that sets
Primroses will have their glory
Long as there are violets
They will have a place in story."

Wordsworth

Mother's Notebook

"A few months ago I rode a little vintage train up the Hood River Valley from Hood River to Parkdale, Oregon. We started out along a quiet, rocky river and then switched back and started up a woodsy incline. Finally we leveled off through the peaceful pear orchards of the high valley.

As we rode along, sometimes precariously close to nothing, I thought of the couplings holding each car to their power source --- that big, black, capable engine. I was mighty glad that the couplings held secure, keeping us moving safely along the tracks.

Prayer and faith are couplings --- the connecting links --- that hold us fast to God, our source of power.

Periodically I think of moments of hope and promise; a reminder that God longs to hear and answer our prayers. We must stay connected. We must receive His power.

Our prayers of faith will connect our fickle human hearts to His steadfast Divine Love power and keep us on track, bonded securely within His will.

Pray often, trust much, receive His love."

Written by Mom Marj; about 1995 and recorded in one of her notebook/journals

Mother's Notebook

Today I was sorting through some papers and books. I found several journals and notebooks that had been my mom's. Mother passed away about a year and a half ago. At first it was difficult to go through her writings, but time is mending my heart and I'm now beginning to be able to go through her notes and journals and smile at happy memories. The post that follows was written by my mother. I will be sharing bits and pieces of her writing in segments that I'm calling "Mother's Notebook". I hope you are blessed by her words and enjoy peeking into her heart with me.

Photo: Manzanita Beach, Oregon Coast

Choosing is Active, Wishing Accomplished Nothing

Mother's Notebook ~ Choosing and Wishing

I sat on the recliner in my back yard, wishing that I were sitting on the cool, sandy ocean beach a few miles away. I wished, and I wished. But I still remained in my own back yard. Wishing did not move me.

Finally I chose, or "willed" to get up and get in the car and drive to the beach. I was there within fifteen minutes.

Choosing is active, while wishing accomplishes nothing.

Choosing to love someone is an active choice and not a response of wishing or feeling.

Author: Mom ~ Marj
Photo: Newport Beach, Oregon Coast