Lately I've been enjoying myself. Really trying to figure out what truly makes me happy, and what will make life happier and more deliberate for me. To start out with I thought about all the things that I've loved doing in the past and why I loved doing them. Why am I'm not currently doing them, or not doing them very often, if I loved them so much? We all have a bucket list of some sort too, right? There are many things that I would really like to try.
My list included many types of art forms: sewing, crochet, jewelry, card making, painting, scrapbooking..... I LOVE CREATING! But also included things like being outdoors walking, taking pictures, travel, getting my hands dirty, exploring, being among nature and just taking it in and enjoying it, and especially enjoying it with my family and others
.
In approaching things this way, I have tried new things, and I have also tried old things in new ways. I've pushed past my thought of "Oh, I couldn't do that," or "there isn't time for that," and have just gone for it! I've let myself make mistakes and have been okay with it. I've discovered that some "mistakes" truly turn out to be quite beautiful! I've let myself enjoy the process as well as the final outcome.
I still have so much left to discover, but thus far I've recognized in myself real joy when I am creating. I've also discovered that I have the tendency to be at opposite extremes when it comes to doing things. In some things (most things) I'm all for hurry and let's just get it done, and yet at other times I over analyze decisions, perhaps to an extreme. I'm learning to embrace this realization, about myself, Not just embrace it, but to also recognize why my response is what it is.
Sometimes I over analyze for fear of making a mistake or letting someone down, perhaps showing that I'm not perfect. If this is the case, my reasoning (conscious or not) behind over analyzing, then it is very healing to allow myself --give my self permission-- to be swift, even if it means making a mistake. It's especially freeing when it's a piece of art that I'm working on. :)
It's not healthy to always be in a hurry either. I've been more aware of how frequently "hurry up," and "lets just get it done" are in my vocabulary. I've tried to make it a conscious effort to recognize when something truly does need to be done swiftly and when it can take a bit longer. Kids can especially help with this if their natural tendency is to take life a bit more freely, or at a slower pace. Slowing down some to enjoy the process has brought perspective and appreciation in new ways.
Either way, swift or analytical, I give myself permission to recognize what is best for me and for my family, and in doing that I am meeting my goal of a more deliberate life!
Best Regards!
~Jen
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
A Thought on Thursday: Time Management
Today's thought is brief. I share with you a thought I had during a moment of contemplation about organizing what is going on in my life. I always like to look back at my mission statement, especially when things seem to be spiraling out of control. It helps to provide perspective. I leave my thought with you to ponder, and then to act upon appropriately.
"Time management is more than managing time; it's knowing what's most important and acting accordingly."
Best Wishes
~Jen
"Time management is more than managing time; it's knowing what's most important and acting accordingly."
Best Wishes
~Jen
Thursday, March 12, 2015
A Thought on Thursday: An Answer to Prayer
Answers to prayers come in various ways. With things a bit more hectic recently, I needed a few answers. This week an answer came to me while reading my scriptures, through a verse of scripture. It spoke to me so much that I pinned up a portion of it on my vision board so that I can see and think about it daily. So, for my thought today, I share with you this scripture, the answer to many of my prayers.
It can be found in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, Section 78, verse 18. It reads, "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessing thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."
The part that I pinned up on my vision board reads, "...be of good cheer, for I will lead you along...." It has now daily reminded me to find joy, even in the mundane and difficult parts of the day, and to be of good cheer, having hope and faith in my Savior, knowing that He has, and will continue to lead me along. Choosing to be happy and pray for the ability to do so, truly has made this week a lot better, even though other challenging circumstances have not changed. Want another challenge yourself? This week, seek to find happiness and be of good cheer! Added to showing gratitude, it's an amazing combination!
Cheers!
~Jen
It can be found in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, Section 78, verse 18. It reads, "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessing thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."
The part that I pinned up on my vision board reads, "...be of good cheer, for I will lead you along...." It has now daily reminded me to find joy, even in the mundane and difficult parts of the day, and to be of good cheer, having hope and faith in my Savior, knowing that He has, and will continue to lead me along. Choosing to be happy and pray for the ability to do so, truly has made this week a lot better, even though other challenging circumstances have not changed. Want another challenge yourself? This week, seek to find happiness and be of good cheer! Added to showing gratitude, it's an amazing combination!
Cheers!
~Jen
Thursday, March 5, 2015
A Thought on Thursday: How'd it Go? and Lessons Learned
How did your week go? Were you able to take on last weeks challenge and express more gratitude? I was able to in some ways. I also learned a valuable lesson. Let me share it with you. The last little while has been a little rough for me with the stresses of life, the anniversary of my daughters passing, and other personal things going on. I've tried to be optimistic, deliberate, and even cheerful, but have fallen short here and there--and well, we'll leave it at that. :)
Actually, part of the reason I gave last weeks challenge, was that I was feeling the need to reach outside of myself, to look outside what was happening immediately around me, and seek to serve others. It felt great to do this, but there were times when I was slow to express my gratitude and this is where I learned a valuable lesson.
A friend of mine learned about the anniversary of my daughters passing. She did not know her, but she is very aware of many of the struggles (and joys) that I have with my son, who has the same terminal disorder as his sister. She spent the day writing me a beautiful poem about motherhood, life, my kids, friendship.....and brought this, along with some delicious banana bread that night.
It truly did mean a lot to me. I was grateful. I believe that I said thank you when she came, but also planned to bring her plate back with a note expressing how truly grateful I was. You know, do a little something extra? Then a day passed. I saw the plate as I cleaned up the kitchen numerous times throughout the day, and each time said, I really need to write that note; what she did meant a lot. I saw the plate again, cleaning up one last time before bed, but feeling drained, I went to bed, thinking tomorrow I will write. Well, I didn't. I meant to, but didn't.
A couple days passed and I got a text message from my friend worried that she had offended me or overstepped in some way, expressing the desire to work past it if she had. I quickly responded, No! What she had done for me meant a lot, and that it was me who was slow in expressing my gratitude, and if anyone, it should be me asking for forgiveness.
Lesson learned. I love to make homemade cards and wanted to do this for her, and perhaps fill her plate back up with a delicious treat, but in this case I should have just walked the plate back and once again expressed how much it really meant. Instead I left her wondering. Do you ever do this, want to do something extra special, but are slow in acting? Like I said last week, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." (William Arthur Ward)......and I was guilty once again."
I also learned an even greater lesson from my friend. She had very obviously spent a lot of meaningful time in her gift. She could have decided to be upset with me, angry, perhaps bitter. However, this is not her, and instead, she reached out to me once again in compassion and seeking clarification and renewal of our friendship if needed. A true friend.
Actually, part of the reason I gave last weeks challenge, was that I was feeling the need to reach outside of myself, to look outside what was happening immediately around me, and seek to serve others. It felt great to do this, but there were times when I was slow to express my gratitude and this is where I learned a valuable lesson.
A friend of mine learned about the anniversary of my daughters passing. She did not know her, but she is very aware of many of the struggles (and joys) that I have with my son, who has the same terminal disorder as his sister. She spent the day writing me a beautiful poem about motherhood, life, my kids, friendship.....and brought this, along with some delicious banana bread that night.
It truly did mean a lot to me. I was grateful. I believe that I said thank you when she came, but also planned to bring her plate back with a note expressing how truly grateful I was. You know, do a little something extra? Then a day passed. I saw the plate as I cleaned up the kitchen numerous times throughout the day, and each time said, I really need to write that note; what she did meant a lot. I saw the plate again, cleaning up one last time before bed, but feeling drained, I went to bed, thinking tomorrow I will write. Well, I didn't. I meant to, but didn't.
A couple days passed and I got a text message from my friend worried that she had offended me or overstepped in some way, expressing the desire to work past it if she had. I quickly responded, No! What she had done for me meant a lot, and that it was me who was slow in expressing my gratitude, and if anyone, it should be me asking for forgiveness.
Lesson learned. I love to make homemade cards and wanted to do this for her, and perhaps fill her plate back up with a delicious treat, but in this case I should have just walked the plate back and once again expressed how much it really meant. Instead I left her wondering. Do you ever do this, want to do something extra special, but are slow in acting? Like I said last week, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." (William Arthur Ward)......and I was guilty once again."
I also learned an even greater lesson from my friend. She had very obviously spent a lot of meaningful time in her gift. She could have decided to be upset with me, angry, perhaps bitter. However, this is not her, and instead, she reached out to me once again in compassion and seeking clarification and renewal of our friendship if needed. A true friend.
So I take from this week many lessons learned, added to gratitude for friendship, and the chance to continue to better learn to express my gratitude to others.
Thanks for reading, and best wishes for a wonderful week ahead!
~Jen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)