January 23, 2008

January is almost done. February is on the horizon. What are your plans for the next two years? What dreams do you need to reawaken? What new lessons would you like to learn? My new e-workbook, Ten by Ten.. Ten Things I want to Do/Be/Accomplish is free for you at
http://www.joyfulacquisitions.com

The workbook consists of simple instructions and room for 10 pages of things you want to do/be/accomplish before 2010. It also includes a photo page for posting photos of your dreams come true. Give it a try.
and P.S. -- If you are unable to commit to the time to create your pages, maybe your dreams are just not large enough to excite you -- go back and rethink those dreams and come up with something that thrills you so much, you grin from ear to ear! that's when you make a page!!

Starting Over -- Again

Life just seems filled with "starting over" projects sometimes. It seems we are forever saying goodbye and hello, doesn't it?

One thing is certain in life and that thing is Change!

So today, as I relaunch my life for the zillionth time, I hope you will join me -- in accepting that change is inevitable, in learning that we grow with each change, and in prayer that my changes are for the better.

Have a happy Friday! And if something is holding you back, give it up, make a change, and move on. The world is full of wonderful things! Don't you think?

Image yourself a wonderful time

This is the time to make your dreams come true. Download my free workbook -- Ten by Ten -- Ten Things I want to Do/Be/Accomplish/See! This is a great way to make imaging/treasure map pages of your dreams and it even has photo pages for your celebrations. Ten by Ten
http://www.joyfulacquisitions.com

My Little Flashlight

I am writing my first e-books. What a learning experience! Every time I think I have the first one ready, I find out I must learn something new. When I started, I read an uplifting article that said you could walk across the USA in the dark with just a flashlight -- going a few steps at a time. So I mentally grabbed a flashlight and told myself that I would take this project one step at a time. Each day I try to move forward with things I know to do. Sometimes I seem to receive Divine Inspiration on what to write. Sometimes I receive an e-mail or a phone call that gives me the next step. On other days, I will receive encouragement to continue. And somehow it is happening. Most of the time I feel really in the dark about what I am doing, and yet........my little flashlight keeps leading the way. I am learning. I am growing. It is an adventure! My first free e-book should be available within a week or two. You will also be noticing some changes in this blog -- we may even change location. So be aware!

and if you have an "impossible" task ahead of you, I'll be glad to share my flashlight!

Black Friday

It has been a wonderful restful day. I have never understood why the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday for the media. For me, it is a day of rest and reflection, a time to think, read, make new lists, and prepare for the upcoming holidays - on paper. I have no desire to shop today -- not even on line. That chore can be done later. Today feels like a "snow day". The world is in slow motion and all is well. The refrigerator is filled with leftovers. There is more than enough for dinner. I am thankful.

Tomorrow is soon enough to start decorating for Christmas. I choose to relish this day and its quiet as a day of completion and thanksgiving that Thanksgiving Day was such a joy! And again, I am thankful.

A Delightfully Magic Afternoon

Saturday afternoon, the grands came to visit. Jessica is 5 years old and Zachary is 4 years old. They were immediately attracted to our front yard which is filled with bright yellow leaves. Jessica made leaf bouquets, and Zach set about making leaf piles. Within a few minutes, both of them were running and jumping into the pile of leaves. Grandpa (Poppy) soon joined them and within minutes, he was lying face down on the ground and the children were covering him with leaves. Then they all took turns covering each other and jumping out of the leaves like a jack-in-the-box! I saw little Jessica press a leaf against her cheek in absolute love and appreciation. What a beautiful sight! A picture of fall blessings! I watched and grinned from the front porch. Is there anything more joyous than happy children playing with nature's gifts? Children seem to know instinctively how to play in nature's bounty. Leaves, snow, beach sand -- all provided, it seems, for children's play. The activity is the same, whatever the season -- pile it up, pick it up, roll in it, make a hill, jump on it --I can imagine children around the world play exactly the same way, don't you think?

I am thankful to live in a part of the world that allows all four seasons -- and especially thankful for the joy and laughter of children. Have you noticed the awesome colors of the leaves this year?

Have a gloriously happy Thanksgiving Day and remember the Thanksgiving blessing that is posted here--just in case you need it. and as always, I am so thankful for you all!

Thanksgiving Blessing

Our first Thanksgiving after our brother's death in 1988, my sister gave this blessing to us. We have all treasured it since and would like to share with you now. Nancy found it in an old Ideals magazine that mom had kept. I hope it will mean as much to you as it does to us.

Grace for Thanksgiving Day
Alice Kennelly Roberts

Dear God, wherever we may be
On this Thanksgiving Day
Gathered with loved ones in our homes
Or many miles away--
We bow our heads, remembering those
Who shared Thanksgiving past
Those who have walked with us awhile
Whose love will always last.
We thank Thee for the joy of friends,
The food before us set
And for a tiny Pilgrim band
Whose trials we can't forget.
Help us to sift the good and bad,
The hatred and the strife.
Grant us the wisdom and the strength
To lead a useful life. Amen.