INSPIRATION FROM BELLA GRACE Issue 12

Reading the Touchstones of Happiness, 75 of them from various individuals reminds me of some of my own.

My morning cup of French Press coffee with Jesus.

The day my brother came to us, only a few days old as a foster child. And again, when our parents brought him back home from a hospital in Virginia where is biological mother had left him, then decided to let us adopt him. We got him back before his first birthday. Thinking of him makes me smile.

A sweatshirt he gave me which I wore until it was nearly in tatters. I was able to save the front of it and a friend made it into a small pillow cover. Now I can hug it lovingly, like I am hugging him.

Fresh flowers bring me joy, especially tulips, calilies, and daisies.

Books, books, books.

My Tiffany Bracelet from Becky. And remembering how I met her…at my Tiffany Reception hosted by the Regional VP of Tiffany’s for my newly published book.

Walks along a sandy beach at the ocean.

A fresh new legal pad of paper, a favorite pen…and the beginning of a new writing.

Or a clean white Word doc writing with the keys on my tablet as I sit in the Barnes and Noble Café.

Quality time with friends, face to face.

What are some of your touchstones of happiness?  Would love to read yours.

http://bellagracemagazine.com

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Quiet Time Alone and Lessons Learned

Yellow tulip (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A few days ago I posted that I would be away, at least for a while.  I needed time alone, frequently in the dark, time to reflect on a recent issue that came up and my life in general.

At one point, a light came on in my mind and spirit.  I realized that the issue, bad as it was, that I was learning a lesson mostly unrelated to the issue.  It strengthened my reserve to be more disciplined and focused, to organize my time better in order to accomplish not just the daily things, but especially to do what God has been telling me to do…WRITE 🙂

I found a book in Barnes & Noble the other day titled “anything” by jennie allen (yes she spells it all with lower case).  It is about her journey and “the prayer that unlocked my God and my Soul.”   Although her website says it will be in stores Spring 2012, well it is Spring and it is in the stores.  http://jennieallen.com/projects/anything I also recommend you watch the 3 minute video clip on her site.

So, one afternoon I went to Starbucks, got a Grande coffee, and set out in the sunshine while I read and made notes as I remembered parts of my own life.

I will always be learning lessons, and aiming to be better…as a person, a friend, sister, volunteer, writer, blogger, in whatever capacity I am in this life, and mostly as one of God’s children.

I thank all of you who replied to my last post on April 10^th with all your kind thoughts and encouragement.  YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I am so grateful for these times which make me look at my life, to know my faults and learn from them, to know that no matter how imperfect I am God loves me and sends others in my life who lift me up with their love and encouragement.

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Fire in My Soul

Set your soul on fire…

This is how reaching up, reading, striving to be better, and how other writers can stir the fire in our souls to do better, AND how we can find at least one person who creates in us the desire to BE better, as a human being, a friend, companion, etc.

For years, a huge part of my life has been striving to be a better person, to shed the less than good parts of myself. It is a long and difficult journey to say the least. As I have grown in maturity, I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people in my life who have at least one special quality I’ve wanted to emulate.

Some of life’s experiences have forced me to be better, to do better. Those are the really tough lessons that make us stronger and better. I have been reading much the last several years or so, searching, getting inspired, learning something from each book read.

One book I purchased a few years ago was SHINE by Larry Thompson whose Project Rise & Shine is for people who want to truly SHINE by living the life using the gifts/talents God has given them. His book is partly a workbook, asking questions that make us look deep into ourselves, finding all the awesome things about ourselves many of us don’t remember or not aware of…like what is special about us, what is unique, what are the wonderful things we have accomplished in our lives. Powerful stuff to become aware of, be grateful for, and love about ourselves.

Then I read the book Fierce Conversations (Achieving Success at work and in life, one conversation at a time) by Susan Scott!!!!!!!!!! Wow! EXPLOSIVE…fierce and intense! From the beginning I was so inspired… My spirit, my soul cried out…’I want for all who encounter me for any reason, but especially those special close friends, family, business associates – I want to be a breath of fresh air, inspiration for hope, feeling peace, and to know they are loved.’

I want to be the very best I can be in every way, so that even in a small way I may encourage or inspire others who come into my life.

Written in 2005

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My Book…Little One~End of Journey Alone

There are now copies of my book at the Greenville, SC book store FICTION ADDICTION http://www.fiction-addiction.com/ on Woodruff Road.  Thank you Jill Hendrix, Owner.  Special thanks to two of my friends, Wendy Morris and Richard Peck for suggesting I contact Jill. 

Little One~End of Journey Alone (current book cover)

LITTLE ONE has already been on an incredible journey.  She is about to meet someone really special, who will introduce her to a very unique creature.  The three of them will begin a new adventure together.

This new journey will take Little One to a place, the likes of which she has never seen before.  It is a place of beauty, a place of dreams.  It is a place where she will rest, and find out why she has been alone.  It is a place where she will meet characters that most people don’t even believe exist.  These new friends will help Little One prepare for the beginning of another journey.  A few of her new friends will join her on the next journey.

Come share with me the journey and adventures of Little One and her friends…

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Encouraging and Inspirational Day

Image via Wikipedia

I try to be faithful to my PostADay challenge and tonight I was going to say “This will be very short tonight because I am a couple of days behind reading the blogs I subscribe to, and want to get through them tonight.” The other issue was because I wasn’t inspired about anything in particular. Also, I did not want to a little lazy and just post another photo, or one of my previously written poems.

But then inspiration came walking in, so here I am.

While being out of work and searching for something new, one of the things I do is attend networking meetings as I did this morning. Today’s speaker told about her life and how she came to really KNOW herself. One of the ways she confirmed the person she is within was taking the Strength Finders 2.0 survey and reading the book which explains each of the 34 personality themes and the actions to take to be better at our true selves. She did a great job and definitely encouraged us to get the book and do the survey. At the end she said she needed a volunteer and asked who would help. I raised my hand and was the only one willing to volunteer, for what I did not know. It turned out that just by being willing to help I was given a copy of the book Strength Finders 2.0 by Tom Rath. There was nothing to help with. She just wanted to reward the willingness to volunteer. What a great idea. Getting the book was a great surprise gift.

Also during this time of transition in my life, I am learning more about myself, making personal transitions within, and working on my writing.

So, I will read the book and do the survey to confirm what I already believe to be true about myself; and enjoy learning what I may find I didn’t know.

OK, I am off to catch up on reading some of your blogs.

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Close your eyes. Count to ten. And then…

White Tulip

This was the suggested topic for March 17th, but I was out-of-town and not back until late on 19th. So today I decided to use this for my post.

“Close your eyes. Count to ten. Then imagine a beautiful ancient castle (tastefully remodeled to include central heating, ……….laptops everywhere). Now walk down the endless main hall, a hall filled with amazing rooms of wonder. Go into the 2nd room on the right. What’s inside? “

There are two beautifully carved wooden doors which open to my own special sanctuary. The carvings in the doors and together depict a scene from the story of Little One during a part of her journey.

As I walk through and into the room it is quiet peacefulness. Although a good size, the room looks and feels very cozy. In the center of the hardwood floor is a magnificent area rug. It was specially made by a tapestry artist and shows another scene from Little One’s story.

The wall on the left is floor to ceiling shelves lined with hundreds of books and some special items are on display. The opposite wall is visually divided in three sections with the center showing two or three of my favorite paintings. On the right are some of scenic photos I have taken over the years. The area to the left near the window wall has many pictures of people in my life.

Extra special is the outside wall which is all windows from ceiling to three feet from the floor where a long window seat was built and is covered with thick comfortable cushions.
It is a great place to sit and stare out at the magnificent view. There is a small section of the window with an etched work of art showing the vision of the dream Little One had in the first story of her journey.

There is a lovely desk angled at the right of the window so I can sit there at times and write with the light shining in over my left shoulder. The rest of the room has comfortable chairs and small sofa about, each with a small table next to them.  And there would be one special table in the middle of the room with a vase filled with tulips, would always include some white tulips.

Although this is my personal sanctuary I sometimes invite a friend or two to join me for a visit. And there are occasions when some children will come in for storytelling. All enjoy the room and the view outside. It is a very comfortable and peaceful space.

What would your room look like?

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Fire in My Soul

Set your soul on fire…

This is how reaching up, reading, striving to be better, and how other writers can stir the fire in our souls to do better, AND how we can find at least one person who creates in us the desire to BE better, as a human being, a friend, companion, etc.

For years, a huge part of my life has been to strive to be a better person, to shed the less than good parts of myself. It is a long and difficult journey to say the least. As I have grown in maturity, I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people in my life who have at least one special quality I’ve wanted to emulate.

Some of life’s experiences have forced me to be better, to do better. Those are the really tough lessons, but make us stronger and better. I have been reading much the last 10 years or so, searching, getting inspired, learning something from each book read.

One book I purchased a few years ago was SHINE by Larry Thompson whose Project Rise & Shine is for people who want to truly SHINE by living the life using the gifts/talents God has given them. His book is partly a workbook, asking questions that make us look deep into our selves, finding all the awesome things about ourselves many of us don’t remember or not aware of…like what is special about us, what is unique, what are the wonderful things we have accomplished in our lives. Powerful stuff to become aware of, be grateful for, and love about ourselves.

Then I read the book Fierce Conversations (Achieving Success at work and in life, one conversation at a time) by Susan Scott!!!!!!!!!! Wow! EXPLOSIVE…fierce and intense! From the beginning I was so inspired… My spirit, my soul cried out…’I want for all who encounter me for any reason, but especially those special close friends, family, business associates – I want to be a breath of fresh air, inspiration for hope, feeling peace, and to know they are loved.’

I want to be the very best I can be in every way, so that even in a small way I may encourage or inspire others who come into my life.

Written in 2005

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