As I mentioned i will be doing 4 recipes a month so here's another one. BTW, since i decided to do try new receipes until the last few days in August.... im counting the spicy tempeh chili recipe one of my four recipes.
The below salad was found on Beth's website:
http://bethsjourney.com/three-good-things/
After running around all day and finally settling down to make this i realized i didnt have two items: feta cheese or tomatoes. sigh so i decided to throw two other items in ..now i know they dont resemble each other at all (added shrimp and avocado) so the recipe looked like this
1/2 cup chickpeas (1 pt)
½ red onion, chopped
Avocado (1)
1/2 cucumber, chopped (mini persian cucumber)
fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (0 pts)
1 tsp olive oil (1 pt)
10-15 shrimp
I added "21 seasoning salute spice" from tjs on the shrimp while it was cooking and a little bit of lemon powder and basil seasoning. Another winner! i think this will be my lunch for next week. filling! Its amazing how much ive grown to like beans.
Recipe-Tempeh Chili
In exploring my pescatarian lifestyle I decided to try four new recipes a month. Today's recipe involves tempeh. I've seen tempeh and even saw recipes for it but wasnt sure i was ready to actually try it. I dont know tofu and tempeh scares me for some reason. i think after eating that chickenless item back in January it's been hard getting back on the horse and try items that some people substitute for meat. But its now time to get on the horse. After all im supposed to be getting out of my comfort zone right. So..I decided to try a recipe that involved chili which i love and never have alot of it these days and tempeh. I was going to go to my fav spot allrecipes.com and just do a search for meals but i realized most things from there needs wayyy too much ingredients and from reading one of my fav bloggers postings of her recipes she requires few ingredients and she is a bargin shopper so i knew when i saw her spicy tempeh chili I had to try it.
The recipe can be found here: http://bethsjourney.com/spicy-tempeh-chili/
There were three things i added to the recipe (sour cream, shredded lite cheese, and taco seasoning (taco seasoning was made instead of bought) since I couldnt find the one I bought at TJs.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/taco-seasoning-i/detail.aspx
i made this minus the chili powder.
This tempeh chili was delicious. I did not miss the meat. I will be making this again! I loved this chili was (5) 1 cup servings because i could spread this out over three days which is awesome since I'm trying to do more meal planning,
if my camera phone was working i would have taken a pic
The recipe can be found here: http://bethsjourney.com/spicy-tempeh-chili/
There were three things i added to the recipe (sour cream, shredded lite cheese, and taco seasoning (taco seasoning was made instead of bought) since I couldnt find the one I bought at TJs.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/taco-seasoning-i/detail.aspx
i made this minus the chili powder.
This tempeh chili was delicious. I did not miss the meat. I will be making this again! I loved this chili was (5) 1 cup servings because i could spread this out over three days which is awesome since I'm trying to do more meal planning,
if my camera phone was working i would have taken a pic
Let Go
I was glad to accompany my best friend Carey on the Women's of Faith Conference. There were several nuggets of truth that I gleamed from the conference which I will talk about in another posting but today one of the items discussed came to my mind as I was walking home. Let go of some things in your life. Ok that wasnt a verbatim point and its 1:07 in the morning but basically it was about letting go of things that are no longer in season. But when the thought came upon my mind it was about giving yourself a full month to let go of most of the things that give you joy and keep you busy in your life. Take time to study for your upcoming exam and work on your body...building a habit of what healthy looks like long term. I decided to not:
- see any friends this September unless they really need me
- volunteer
- go to meetups
- spend money on food out (the idea to cook more...to explore my pescatarian lifestyle)
- skip the gym or exercise (get back to working out 4-5X a week)
I cant thank Carey enough for letting me be her +1, the lovely journal and tshirt she bought me and girl time.
Girls weekend/Boston Artist Date-Rocks!
I saw Carey for the first time in like 8 months in Boston! Yay! We went to my home away from home (Moroccan Suite I stayed in last Fall). It was so great to see her. We walked, talked, laughed, watched movies, ate (italian and mediterrian theme night), drank wine and cried. It was so relaxing being in the suite with my best friend and exactly what I needed. Definitely a welcome change from the fast pace life of NY!
On Sunday she left early and i had my artists date planned in which I would draw in the park and take a relaxing swan ride. After getting a bit turned around on the subway I found the park with no problems (yay). As I was walking I saw a sculpture that caught my eye (man looking up) and it wasn’t until i was drawing for about an hour did i notice the name plate said Religion. I thought that was so funny. As I was drawing i seemed to catch an ..um...spectator who stayed with me for 45 minutes as i drew and interrupted me to ask questions. I really wanted him to go away but I didn’t want to be rude but I found such joy in drawing and being among nature. When he came he made me a bit nervous especially since he drew a small crowd to me as i was drawing but I tried to remain focus. I was so glad I was allowing myself some alone time. There was sprinkling rain off and on so i knew my swan boat was out of the question. But after an hour and some change the brightest sun came up. So I thanked my spectator for keeping me company and went off into the park looking for the swan boats.
The path I took led me to some ornate beautiful homes and I realized I was in Beacon Hill (another location I wanted to visit but didn’t realize I would have time). Oh Beacon hill such historic and affluent homes. As I was walking I was directed to a side street where I could see water and I said omg is that the esplanade …the third location on my list….i walked up this curvy bridge and it was. It’s so lovely…..there was a folk music playing….water where you see sailboats, canoeing, kayaks, family time. It was a wonderful sight. I wished one I didn’t have my bags and two I could really explore it since there is a path for joggers. I stayed for maybe 20 minutes. Which was a lot because I didn’t think i would see that much of it. I came down another street and there was Public gardens where I saw a few sculptures and rode the swan boat. The day was perfect! So instead of using a cab I decided to walk..after all ive been walking for close to 4 hours. So of course I got directions and of course I got to a point where the street ended so I was going to ask one girl for directions but she walked too fast and then I saw another girl. We will call her God-send Emma! She was wonderful..she walked me all the way to South station. I would have never found it. Thank you God for sending her and giving me the desires of my heart. Emma and i talked all the way there and she’s going to be attending school in nyc in fall. Thanks to her I had 20 minutes before my bus was to leave. Wonderful Boston Weekend!
On Sunday she left early and i had my artists date planned in which I would draw in the park and take a relaxing swan ride. After getting a bit turned around on the subway I found the park with no problems (yay). As I was walking I saw a sculpture that caught my eye (man looking up) and it wasn’t until i was drawing for about an hour did i notice the name plate said Religion. I thought that was so funny. As I was drawing i seemed to catch an ..um...spectator who stayed with me for 45 minutes as i drew and interrupted me to ask questions. I really wanted him to go away but I didn’t want to be rude but I found such joy in drawing and being among nature. When he came he made me a bit nervous especially since he drew a small crowd to me as i was drawing but I tried to remain focus. I was so glad I was allowing myself some alone time. There was sprinkling rain off and on so i knew my swan boat was out of the question. But after an hour and some change the brightest sun came up. So I thanked my spectator for keeping me company and went off into the park looking for the swan boats.
The path I took led me to some ornate beautiful homes and I realized I was in Beacon Hill (another location I wanted to visit but didn’t realize I would have time). Oh Beacon hill such historic and affluent homes. As I was walking I was directed to a side street where I could see water and I said omg is that the esplanade …the third location on my list….i walked up this curvy bridge and it was. It’s so lovely…..there was a folk music playing….water where you see sailboats, canoeing, kayaks, family time. It was a wonderful sight. I wished one I didn’t have my bags and two I could really explore it since there is a path for joggers. I stayed for maybe 20 minutes. Which was a lot because I didn’t think i would see that much of it. I came down another street and there was Public gardens where I saw a few sculptures and rode the swan boat. The day was perfect! So instead of using a cab I decided to walk..after all ive been walking for close to 4 hours. So of course I got directions and of course I got to a point where the street ended so I was going to ask one girl for directions but she walked too fast and then I saw another girl. We will call her God-send Emma! She was wonderful..she walked me all the way to South station. I would have never found it. Thank you God for sending her and giving me the desires of my heart. Emma and i talked all the way there and she’s going to be attending school in nyc in fall. Thanks to her I had 20 minutes before my bus was to leave. Wonderful Boston Weekend!
Morning Pages-July 17th
I've not been good with my morning pages lately. But my Morning pages partner texted me today as we always text each other and I realize today i need to do pages. I didn't know what i was to write about but i knew i was to write and that my morning pages would be evening pages.
Today i went to my sketching group and i would like to say it was good to draw but i wasn't enthused about my drawing or being there. I'm sure that's due to me pmsing than me not wanting to be there. The funny thing i did know was i was so upset i grabbed the sketching book Carey gave me for a Christmas or birthday present years ago because i was saving it for something special. Its not until 10:17 pm did i realize im going to use this book as a visual journal, as a sketchbook to get back to the basics of drawings, to use it as God sees fit in me discovering some new territory in myself. Perspective is a powerful thing. Its by no mistake God brought to my remembrance a book i got months ago called "The Creative License." Giving Yourself Permission to be who you really are. That's exactly the place I am in life and in my art. Just not sure how to execute it and i believe God gave me a word and it was in this book pertaining to drawing but very much the word J told me to do this year which was get out of my comfort zone. This book told me to slow down. To move away from rational and literal and stretch myself to see things anew become more adventurous. Feel safe and confident in what I'm doing and comfortable in moving in fresh and exciting new directions.. Get into the habit of living and thinking and seeing in new ways on a regular basis. Just reading those words my spirit did a leap. So from this day forward that's what I'm going to do.
I have an upcoming girls weekend with Carey (yay) and I decided on Sunday when its time to check-out I'm going to stay in Boston for a few more hours and have a creative artist date. I'm going to ride a Swan boat..they consider it a Boston experience "enjoying a natural splendor provided by the 24 acres of the Public Garden." I'm going to draw. I'm going to walk. I'm going to explore. I figure after a relaxing girls weekend why not cap it off with an artist date.
Today i pray for myself and anyone else who may need to move in fresh and exciting new directions. I pray for the patience and dilengence to be still and see what God is telling us.
Today i went to my sketching group and i would like to say it was good to draw but i wasn't enthused about my drawing or being there. I'm sure that's due to me pmsing than me not wanting to be there. The funny thing i did know was i was so upset i grabbed the sketching book Carey gave me for a Christmas or birthday present years ago because i was saving it for something special. Its not until 10:17 pm did i realize im going to use this book as a visual journal, as a sketchbook to get back to the basics of drawings, to use it as God sees fit in me discovering some new territory in myself. Perspective is a powerful thing. Its by no mistake God brought to my remembrance a book i got months ago called "The Creative License." Giving Yourself Permission to be who you really are. That's exactly the place I am in life and in my art. Just not sure how to execute it and i believe God gave me a word and it was in this book pertaining to drawing but very much the word J told me to do this year which was get out of my comfort zone. This book told me to slow down. To move away from rational and literal and stretch myself to see things anew become more adventurous. Feel safe and confident in what I'm doing and comfortable in moving in fresh and exciting new directions.. Get into the habit of living and thinking and seeing in new ways on a regular basis. Just reading those words my spirit did a leap. So from this day forward that's what I'm going to do.
I have an upcoming girls weekend with Carey (yay) and I decided on Sunday when its time to check-out I'm going to stay in Boston for a few more hours and have a creative artist date. I'm going to ride a Swan boat..they consider it a Boston experience "enjoying a natural splendor provided by the 24 acres of the Public Garden." I'm going to draw. I'm going to walk. I'm going to explore. I figure after a relaxing girls weekend why not cap it off with an artist date.
Today i pray for myself and anyone else who may need to move in fresh and exciting new directions. I pray for the patience and dilengence to be still and see what God is telling us.
New Art Supplies
I know it may be weird to make a blog post strictly about artist supplies but if only you know what one particular artist supply in general means to me. You know why I'm creating a post for this. I've had my eye on an traveling easel for amazon for months and there was always an excuse...I don't have any money (eventhough its really inexpensive). Likely excuse...uh huh...what i have spent on dinners out could have paid for my easel over and over again. The question in my head that swirled along with the previous excuse-- do you know what an easel means...shut my mouth..it denotes I'm an artist. The last time I had an easel was when i was 12 (I think) along with an an artists kit that was on my Christmas List. Now at the tender age of 31...I'm getting another easel...my easel...it's a wonderful moment. I usually cry at everything and i want to shed a tear here but can't so let me just say YAY! To nurturing the inner artist and telling her its okay to play. This easelwill be come in handy especially when I'm figure drawing..so excited. I also bought a sketching kit. Yay! It feels good to spend money on my art. Next month I'm going to order a canvas, paint brushes, and paints. Already have it saved in my amazon cart. Yay
Reminding God What He Said
Late last week I started a morning ritual of listening to Joel's message before I leave for work. As always Joel's message does my soul good. I hope to make this ritual a daily event but for now I'm aiming for 3x a week. Small Steps.
I love today's topic, "Reminding God What He Said." Joel said we need to find some promises from God and remind him what he told us. We need to put God in remembrance of his promises not our problems. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be honest with God on how we feel but we need to be reminded that's God's word is alive and powerful and God will change things in our favor when the time is right. We just need to stand on the promises. So I decided to find some promises i want to stand on. I'm sure later I will flesh out the promises more concerning certain areas in my life but I think the promises i have listed can cover several areas.
Oh and Joel gave this scripture in his message:Isaiah 62:6, 7
God you said:
I love today's topic, "Reminding God What He Said." Joel said we need to find some promises from God and remind him what he told us. We need to put God in remembrance of his promises not our problems. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be honest with God on how we feel but we need to be reminded that's God's word is alive and powerful and God will change things in our favor when the time is right. We just need to stand on the promises. So I decided to find some promises i want to stand on. I'm sure later I will flesh out the promises more concerning certain areas in my life but I think the promises i have listed can cover several areas.
Oh and Joel gave this scripture in his message:Isaiah 62:6, 7
God you said:
- To live by faith, not by sight 2 Cor. 5:7
- You will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; You will counsel me and watch over me." Psalm 32:8
- You are my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
- No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what you have prepared for me." 1 Cor. 2:9
- Trust you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge you, and you will make my paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5,6
- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
- You will supply all my needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:19
- I can do all things through you who strengthens me."Philippians 4:13
- If I abide in you, and your words abide in me, ask whatever I wish, and it will be done for me."John 15:7
- You are able to do far more abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think, according to the power that works within me, to you be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21
- You cause all things to work together for good to those who love you to those who are called according to your purpose."Romans 8:28
- Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about me, for you are my God. You will strengthen me, surely you will help me, surely you will uphold me with Your righteous right hand."Isaiah 41:10
- If God can clothe the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You know I need need these things. But seek your kingdom, and these things will be added to you."Luke 12:28-31
- You give strength to the weary, and to me who lacks might He increases power."Isaiah 40:29
- There is an appointed time for everything. There is a time for every event under heaven."Ecclesiastes 3:1
- See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do I not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Thank you Jehovah Jireh the Lord my provider for your promises. Thank you for being the Lord who is there , Jehovah-Shammah. I praise your holy name. These are the promises i would like to stand on. Lord help me to commit these promises to my spirit and my mind. Bring them to my remembrance when I need them. I love you!
Blue Drawing-July 3, 2011
Creative Every Day theme for July is Blue. Below is my soft pastel drawing in blue. It feels good to create something again so close together in days. I just finished June Creative Project and now I'm onto July . I love how my creativity seems to be blossoming where there is a blank piece of sketching pad and I have a theme and ideas start to surround my head on what i want to draw. Love it! Love my bff for finding this blog! Love the creator of this blog! I love how the author of this blog puts no rules on how you are to use the theme; she just wants the participants to be creative.
Creativity is meant in the broadest sense, so it doesn't have to be something art related. Your creative acts could be in cooking, taking pictures, knitting, doodling, writing, dancing, decorating, singing, playing with your kids, brainstorming ideas, gardening, or making art in the form of collage, paint, or clay...or whatever!
You do not have to post every day! I know for myself that having to post every day for a year would be too much. You can post about your creativity in whatever form you like, whether that be once a day, a few times a week, once a week, or once a month. Do what works for you!
This is a low pressure challenge, with the idea of bringing more creativity into our lives. I will not be the creativity police. I hope that we can all find ways, simple and grand to express our creative selves. Have fun with it.
Also, keeping with the blue theme I made blueberry pancakes for breakfast!
Metamorphosis Drawing-June 28
As I mentioned in the previous post, one of my purposeful tasks is to be creative on my day off. I looked at my original start of a drawing i started on Fathers day that featured me as a child with my dad. Originally it was going to be a late fathers day present that I stopped for the night. A few days later I decided I wanted to develop it into something more. The person I am..the road I've taken maybe. I didnt know. Transformation maybe.All I knew is I wanted the Lord to have his way with the drawing. So tonight when I was started to think about a creative project I looked at the drawing and said why not. The Lord brought back to my memory the link Carey sent me months ago titled Creative Every Day and when i looked at the word for the month it was metamorphosis. Which i thought was perfect especially considering my ideas. When I hear the word Metamorphosis i always think of a butterfly. I started with a face portrait of me as a college student and then one with me on my wedding day ..wiped away my dad and then the drawing morphed into something else. i feel like its not done but for right now I'm going to leave it as it is. I dont think its my best drawing to date but what I'm learning through Artists way is bad or so so drawing is how you get to good drawings. I cannot be fearful of bad drawings.Its about expression in whatever way it comes out.
Love this Song
This song is like 3 years old but its new to me. I heard it at Hillsong the first time i went (a month ago) and was in tears. I just found it not knowing the name. Now I will always now. From the Inside Out
Rejuvenated
Last Tuesday, as I was packing for my DC work trip for several days. I was throwing a tantrum in my head saying, "I dont feel like going. I'm exhausted. WAhhhh. Why Can't I stay." Of course I dragged myself on the afternoon train and fell asleep.Little did I know it was exactly what was needed.
I woke up frantic because i was on a train that DC isnt the last stop like normal but luckily i was one stop away. As i got off the train I felt a bit different and couldn't place why. Got in a cab to my parents house and engaged in a convo with one of the most talkative cab drivers ever. He mentioned what a beautiful smile I had and how that made his day because most people get in with a grimace and an attitude. He went on to say we have no idea the gifts we can give people even when we think we have nothing. A smile and a kind word is alot. I thought what a suprising and beautiful statement that was. As I talked to the cab driver I realized how much alive I had become..even dare I say my ol' chipper self which i havent seen in so long because shes been buried in exhausation during the weekday. I got my hair done which always make me feel better and drove back to my parents and was in bed by 11:30which never happens in NY. Let me say it was the most sound sleep.
I woke up early (7 a.m.) to get ready for work (I know for some 7:00 is a normal time (and dare i say even late especially for my wonderful friends who are mothers) to start to get ready for work so you can get there by 8:30/9 but in NY I dont get to work till 10:30 so its early for me). Anyway, I noticed I was not exhausted as I am normally and I did not hit snooze my normal 10 times. When I got on the subway, a passenger said good morning and at first I had to look around to see who she was talking to. I quickly realized it was me and returned the greeting with a smile. Sadly, I cant remember the last time I received a greeting on the subway. I went to work and was showered with love and hugs as always. That never gets old because NY office is never like that. My day was packed but suprisingly by the end of the day i was energized. Without going into the details of the rest of the week which pretty much followed Wednesday. I realized DC rejenevated me. First time ever! In the midst of my complaining about coming here I didnt realize it was the very place that could rejuvenate me. I remember in that instant the Lord ways are not our ways. I feel like God totally turned this trip into what i needed physically. Eventhough DC was causing me the exhaustion for all the back and forth he was able to use that same thing to bring me rejuvenation. By Thursday I put the pieces together and realized this. God took me away from the busy nature of my beloved NY where I'm constantly on the go. A place that everyone is going at such a fast pace to DC. Robin even mentioned to me the solace could also be in NY my schedule is so packed. When she said that theres so much truth. I dont get home until 10ish in NY. In DC I'm at my parents home by 6pm and i just chill out ...nothing additional.
At the end of my trip in DC I returned home and hubby even commented on how happy i seemed and was kind of approaching me like im not sure how to take this especially because i had a bit of zen-ness on top of it.lol!
I was so looking forward to Monday and today because eventhough I had a busy weekend I took off those days because i knew i would need them...not knowing DC would rejuvenate me. I told my boss i was taking off those days there was no permission in my voice. Like i was telling Carey I realized I needed some self care before i burned out. So my voice was emerging because we are talking about the betterment of me.
Its nice to be off. But why is it your days off never turn out like you want them? Yesterday went by so fast with cleaning the house which i find theraputic and listening to a professional development class and watching a romance. Today I'm trying to be more purposeful with my day. First off I got up really early 6:30. Not intentional at all (lol) I thought it was 8:30 and to my suprise I was going to roll over but I said maybe its meant i start my last day off early. So I started to clean the house and then listened to one of my professional and personal development courses which was called "How to Develop Your Own Personal Statement." I've only listened to an hour of this audio book but i think this is exactly what i needed to listen to. Reminds me of the scripture in the bible where it says Write your vision down, make it plain on paper. I'm sure I'll do a seperate posting about this at some point because theres this exercise in the story that I'm going to try that involves getting by yourself in nature. On my day off I also decided to write in my blog and listen to Hillsong on youtube. i plan to have some creative time as well..just havent decided what yet but its necessary. I broke down in my last artists way group two sundays ago due to exhausation and not creating art and since then I've been feeling the need to create more and more. I even went to my sketching group on Sunday. Yay!
Over the course of the day i will meditate, pray, read the word, listen to Joel and to christian and nature infused music and have a glass of wine. Because i want to fill my well up today.
I woke up frantic because i was on a train that DC isnt the last stop like normal but luckily i was one stop away. As i got off the train I felt a bit different and couldn't place why. Got in a cab to my parents house and engaged in a convo with one of the most talkative cab drivers ever. He mentioned what a beautiful smile I had and how that made his day because most people get in with a grimace and an attitude. He went on to say we have no idea the gifts we can give people even when we think we have nothing. A smile and a kind word is alot. I thought what a suprising and beautiful statement that was. As I talked to the cab driver I realized how much alive I had become..even dare I say my ol' chipper self which i havent seen in so long because shes been buried in exhausation during the weekday. I got my hair done which always make me feel better and drove back to my parents and was in bed by 11:30which never happens in NY. Let me say it was the most sound sleep.
I woke up early (7 a.m.) to get ready for work (I know for some 7:00 is a normal time (and dare i say even late especially for my wonderful friends who are mothers) to start to get ready for work so you can get there by 8:30/9 but in NY I dont get to work till 10:30 so its early for me). Anyway, I noticed I was not exhausted as I am normally and I did not hit snooze my normal 10 times. When I got on the subway, a passenger said good morning and at first I had to look around to see who she was talking to. I quickly realized it was me and returned the greeting with a smile. Sadly, I cant remember the last time I received a greeting on the subway. I went to work and was showered with love and hugs as always. That never gets old because NY office is never like that. My day was packed but suprisingly by the end of the day i was energized. Without going into the details of the rest of the week which pretty much followed Wednesday. I realized DC rejenevated me. First time ever! In the midst of my complaining about coming here I didnt realize it was the very place that could rejuvenate me. I remember in that instant the Lord ways are not our ways. I feel like God totally turned this trip into what i needed physically. Eventhough DC was causing me the exhaustion for all the back and forth he was able to use that same thing to bring me rejuvenation. By Thursday I put the pieces together and realized this. God took me away from the busy nature of my beloved NY where I'm constantly on the go. A place that everyone is going at such a fast pace to DC. Robin even mentioned to me the solace could also be in NY my schedule is so packed. When she said that theres so much truth. I dont get home until 10ish in NY. In DC I'm at my parents home by 6pm and i just chill out ...nothing additional.
At the end of my trip in DC I returned home and hubby even commented on how happy i seemed and was kind of approaching me like im not sure how to take this especially because i had a bit of zen-ness on top of it.lol!
I was so looking forward to Monday and today because eventhough I had a busy weekend I took off those days because i knew i would need them...not knowing DC would rejuvenate me. I told my boss i was taking off those days there was no permission in my voice. Like i was telling Carey I realized I needed some self care before i burned out. So my voice was emerging because we are talking about the betterment of me.
Its nice to be off. But why is it your days off never turn out like you want them? Yesterday went by so fast with cleaning the house which i find theraputic and listening to a professional development class and watching a romance. Today I'm trying to be more purposeful with my day. First off I got up really early 6:30. Not intentional at all (lol) I thought it was 8:30 and to my suprise I was going to roll over but I said maybe its meant i start my last day off early. So I started to clean the house and then listened to one of my professional and personal development courses which was called "How to Develop Your Own Personal Statement." I've only listened to an hour of this audio book but i think this is exactly what i needed to listen to. Reminds me of the scripture in the bible where it says Write your vision down, make it plain on paper. I'm sure I'll do a seperate posting about this at some point because theres this exercise in the story that I'm going to try that involves getting by yourself in nature. On my day off I also decided to write in my blog and listen to Hillsong on youtube. i plan to have some creative time as well..just havent decided what yet but its necessary. I broke down in my last artists way group two sundays ago due to exhausation and not creating art and since then I've been feeling the need to create more and more. I even went to my sketching group on Sunday. Yay!
Over the course of the day i will meditate, pray, read the word, listen to Joel and to christian and nature infused music and have a glass of wine. Because i want to fill my well up today.
While Away From My Blog...
I identified with Albert Einstein quote of Insanity:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
When i look at my life, that is, the thing I want to change most which is my:physical appearence...my weight.
I keep trying to lose weight..serious weight 70 lbs worth just to lose and gain the same 15 lbs over and over again. That is Insanity! The boiling point has been reached ions ago. Getting back into a "program" has never been my problem. Sustaining it.Enjoying it. Being successful at it is. Everything starts in the mind and spirit. The time has come now to bring everything together. One day after I decided to join Weight Watchers because I've tried to do this on my own and it isnt working and I have to be honest with myself that it isnt working. So after my free meeting the next day I joined and it is the best decesion and I can tell that in just the month and a half Ive been a member. Ive found the support i need. I see the change in my eating habits. I no longer feel deprived.I am no longer caught up in the number but actually being conscious of the change happening in my mind.I just described all the things that are important for sustaining weight loss. Next, I looked at my exercise routine..Turbo Jam which is great but I felt i also needed something else to give me variety..so I tried variety of exercise classes two of which I love..Zumba and Hip Hop. Fun classes..not something I would normally pick because I have no rhythym but thats exactly why I need to take those classes. Because its not about what I cant do. Its about the experience. Its about the transformation that can happen. Its about I have no idea what one thing may parlay into another. I decided to get a pedometer and I started walking at least 2 miles a day.
With the aid of all these things I can see inches lost, based on the scale 5 lbs lost...slower than i may like but probably exactly how I need to.
I can feel the outer casing of myself sheding even with this minimal weight loss and thats because i'm no longer intrested in living a life thats not me giving 100% in everything. I'm intrested in letting the steph within bloom and come forth in full potential. I am no longer waiting from a far but making a conscious effort. I'm intrested in allowing my voice to emerge ..not always stuffing down how i feel but being as transparent as i can.Because we only have one life to live. God has given us this life to live it abundantely and ive learned that years ago and believed it and walking it slowly but surely but now its time tomake more of a conscious effort. Ask myself the questions of what I want out of my life. What skills need to be developed? What's holding me back? What can i explore? What is my vision? How can I develop myseld creatively as well?
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
When i look at my life, that is, the thing I want to change most which is my:physical appearence...my weight.
I keep trying to lose weight..serious weight 70 lbs worth just to lose and gain the same 15 lbs over and over again. That is Insanity! The boiling point has been reached ions ago. Getting back into a "program" has never been my problem. Sustaining it.Enjoying it. Being successful at it is. Everything starts in the mind and spirit. The time has come now to bring everything together. One day after I decided to join Weight Watchers because I've tried to do this on my own and it isnt working and I have to be honest with myself that it isnt working. So after my free meeting the next day I joined and it is the best decesion and I can tell that in just the month and a half Ive been a member. Ive found the support i need. I see the change in my eating habits. I no longer feel deprived.I am no longer caught up in the number but actually being conscious of the change happening in my mind.I just described all the things that are important for sustaining weight loss. Next, I looked at my exercise routine..Turbo Jam which is great but I felt i also needed something else to give me variety..so I tried variety of exercise classes two of which I love..Zumba and Hip Hop. Fun classes..not something I would normally pick because I have no rhythym but thats exactly why I need to take those classes. Because its not about what I cant do. Its about the experience. Its about the transformation that can happen. Its about I have no idea what one thing may parlay into another. I decided to get a pedometer and I started walking at least 2 miles a day.
With the aid of all these things I can see inches lost, based on the scale 5 lbs lost...slower than i may like but probably exactly how I need to.
I can feel the outer casing of myself sheding even with this minimal weight loss and thats because i'm no longer intrested in living a life thats not me giving 100% in everything. I'm intrested in letting the steph within bloom and come forth in full potential. I am no longer waiting from a far but making a conscious effort. I'm intrested in allowing my voice to emerge ..not always stuffing down how i feel but being as transparent as i can.Because we only have one life to live. God has given us this life to live it abundantely and ive learned that years ago and believed it and walking it slowly but surely but now its time tomake more of a conscious effort. Ask myself the questions of what I want out of my life. What skills need to be developed? What's holding me back? What can i explore? What is my vision? How can I develop myseld creatively as well?
TIRED!
Tired basically sums up why I have not written in my blog in over a month.Since early May I have been traveling back and forth to DC. I have been left literally exhausted where by the end of most days I dont know my name. Its great to see my parents and my coworkers in DC but after the fourth time in the same month ...the traveling has become a disruption to my life.Thankfully I only have one trip in July and I pray its stays that way. I just want to enjoy my time in NY and my girls day with Carey.
Synchronicity
Our artists way book talks alot about synchronicity and how if we look around we will see that happens more and more as we delve in this book.
In Week 5 artists way catchup ..forbidden joys excercise...one of the things on my list was to assist with a mural. Welp this weekend I decided to go to a church in my neighborhood that i found a little too late on Easter (services were over). Well as i was roaming through their website...i came across one of their links.. and it mentioned a school project where they were asking for volunteers to assist with a mural. How amazing! I just wrote that this is what i wanted a week ago and look what God has given me. God indeed gives the desires of your heart. The only bad thing is I can only help on the last day of the project..because when i found out about the 1st day happened and next week I'll be in MD for my god daughter's birthday so I have one final week. I'm excited! Better late than never! And hey im still assisting!
In Week 5 artists way catchup ..forbidden joys excercise...one of the things on my list was to assist with a mural. Welp this weekend I decided to go to a church in my neighborhood that i found a little too late on Easter (services were over). Well as i was roaming through their website...i came across one of their links.. and it mentioned a school project where they were asking for volunteers to assist with a mural. How amazing! I just wrote that this is what i wanted a week ago and look what God has given me. God indeed gives the desires of your heart. The only bad thing is I can only help on the last day of the project..because when i found out about the 1st day happened and next week I'll be in MD for my god daughter's birthday so I have one final week. I'm excited! Better late than never! And hey im still assisting!
Morning Pages-May 9
I read Joel's devotional this morning and the word suddenly came into my spirit. I've always liked the word suddenly because in an instance God can turn things arounds..it doesnt matter the circumstances, the people involved...God can turn any situation around. What can seems like a lengthy period of time is not in God's eyes ..his timing is unlike ours. So I'm reminded to be patient...reminded that God is in control and that he knows each of our situation. Eventhough it feels like we cant go on ...we can because of the strength God has provided us. We have to dig deep and find the joy. We have to dig deep and rememeber it wont always be like this.God has allowed us to stay wherever for a reason and when the time is right suddenly he will move. So today I lift up my family, friends, and myself to rememeber we have a Suddenly God. To remember God has no limitations. He can move us and anything according to his purpose in his timing. God heard our cries and we are not forgoten.
Joel's Devotional:
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land”
(Leviticus 26:5, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
I believe we are living in a day and age when God is accelerating His work in our lives! I believe that what used to take days, weeks and even years in times past, God will do in an instant in this day and age. In an instant, you can receive your breakthrough. In an instant, you can be promoted on your job. In an instant, you can receive your healing. In an instant, your relationship can be restored. In an instant, that child can change their ways.
Today, believe that God will take you further than you ever thought possible, faster than you ever thought possible. Trust that your times are in His hands. Know that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Just like in the days of old, God will accelerate your seasons, and He will thrust you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. I trust that my times are in Your hands. I know that You have a good plan for my future, so I open my heart and put my faith and trust totally in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Joel's Devotional:
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land”
(Leviticus 26:5, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
I believe we are living in a day and age when God is accelerating His work in our lives! I believe that what used to take days, weeks and even years in times past, God will do in an instant in this day and age. In an instant, you can receive your breakthrough. In an instant, you can be promoted on your job. In an instant, you can receive your healing. In an instant, your relationship can be restored. In an instant, that child can change their ways.
Today, believe that God will take you further than you ever thought possible, faster than you ever thought possible. Trust that your times are in His hands. Know that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Just like in the days of old, God will accelerate your seasons, and He will thrust you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. I trust that my times are in Your hands. I know that You have a good plan for my future, so I open my heart and put my faith and trust totally in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Morning Pages-May 2nd
The beginning of a new month..always seems like fresh possibilities...but that's also the beauty of a new day. Thank the Lord for renewing grace and mercy!
Today's devotional speaks to allowing yourself to create freely and allowing errors to reveal themselves as insights later..not to worry about the details. "Do not fear mistakes" Miles Davis told us "There are none."
I'm not sure i agree with Miles. at least not when i first looked at this quote because there are indeed mistakes. Mistakes that hopefully you learn from and you figure out this is what you do and this is what you dont do. Insights as the previous sentence in the devotional said. When I first read this quote I felt Miles was talking about something totally different than insights but when i reread the sentence I see Miles is talking more about fear ...not letting the fear of mistakes cause you not to move. There is danger in that. Mistakes can be looked at as a good thing (talking to myself so strongly here) because you learn so many things through mistakes than things you got right on the first try.
I thank the Lord for his guiding hand Especially in those times when I make a mistake and i want to give up. He surrounds me with his love and compassion and gentle reminder to not fear because he is with me.All that I need he has already given me.
Today's devotional speaks to allowing yourself to create freely and allowing errors to reveal themselves as insights later..not to worry about the details. "Do not fear mistakes" Miles Davis told us "There are none."
I'm not sure i agree with Miles. at least not when i first looked at this quote because there are indeed mistakes. Mistakes that hopefully you learn from and you figure out this is what you do and this is what you dont do. Insights as the previous sentence in the devotional said. When I first read this quote I felt Miles was talking about something totally different than insights but when i reread the sentence I see Miles is talking more about fear ...not letting the fear of mistakes cause you not to move. There is danger in that. Mistakes can be looked at as a good thing (talking to myself so strongly here) because you learn so many things through mistakes than things you got right on the first try.
I thank the Lord for his guiding hand Especially in those times when I make a mistake and i want to give up. He surrounds me with his love and compassion and gentle reminder to not fear because he is with me.All that I need he has already given me.
Week 5 Part I-Recovering a Sense of Possibility
My plan was to write about the exercises in this chapter but instead i want to remember what in the chapter struck a chord for me and then get into the exercises.
My love with the chapter starts with the 1st page where it says:
pg 91
Most of us never consider how powerful the creator really is. Instead, we draw very limited amounts of the power available to us. We decide how powerful God is for us. We unconsciously set a limit on how much God can give us or help us. We are stingy with ourselves. And if we receive a gift beyond our imagining, we often send it back.
I think this is so true on so many levels. I know i serve an awesome and powerful God but when certain situations arise i am so guilty at some point or the other of the questions-Can God do this? will he do this? or when God does do something i say are you sure God?
pg 92
More often. what we are talking about seems to be a conscious partnership in which we work along slowly and gradually, clearing away the wreckage of our negative patterning, clarifying the vision of what it is we want, learning to accept small pieces of that vision from whatever source and then, one day! presto! the vision seems to suddenly be in place. In other words, pray to catch the bus, then run as fast as you can. For this to happen, first of all, we must believe that we are allowed to catch the bus.
By listening to the creator within, we are led to our right path. On that path, we find friends, lovers, money, and meaningful work.Very often, when we cannot seem to find an adequate supply, it is because we are insisting on a particular human source of supply. We must learn to let the flow manifest itself where it will--not where we will it!
pg 94
As each idea comes to us , we must in good faith clear away our inner barriers to acting on it and then, on an outer level, take the concrete steps necessary to trigger our synchronous good. Ask yourself bluntly what next step are you invading. what dream are you discounted as impossible given your resources? what payoff are you getting for remaining stuck at this point in your expansions?
God as my source is a simple but completely effective plan for living. It removes negative dependency-and anxiety-from our lives by assuring that God will provide. Our job is to listen for how.
One way to listen is by writing morning pages. At night, before we fall asleep, we can list areas in which we need guidance. in the morning, writing on these topics, we find ourselves seeing previously unseen avenues of approach. Experiment with this two step process: ask for answers in the evening; listen for answers in the morning. Be open to all help.
pg 95
We startle ourselves by saying yes instead of no to opportunities. As we begin to pry ourselves loose from our old concepts, we find that our new, emerging self may enjoy all sorts of bizarre adventures.
By holding lightly to an attitude of gentle exploration, we can begin to lean into creative expansion. By replacing "No way!" with "Maybe" we open the door to mystery and to magic.
Exercises
What would I try if i wasn't too crazy?
Sample Answers (bold my answers):
1. sky diving, scuba diving. Sky diving, check! Not sure I'm ready for any more adventures right now. lol
2. belly dancing, latin dancing. check! loved both even though i was uncoordinated. taking a Liturgical dance class.
3. getting my poems published. framing some of my recent art.
4. buying a drum set. learning to drum in a drum circle.
5. bicycling through France. taking an excursion (tbd) on an Alaska cruise.
1. The biggest lack in my life is doing something I feel born to do.
2. The greatest joy in my life is God, my family, and my friends.
3. My largest time commitment is not sure. varies from week to week but something that is consistent is probably tv/movie time with hubby.
4. As I play more, I work less
5. I feel guilty that I am not using my talents more for God and that I dont have original artistic ideas.
6.I worry that I'm not good enough.
7. If my dreams come true true, my family will know love is one of the greatest gift God gave us and that we are indeed blessed.
8. I sabotage myself so people will
9. If i let myself feel it, I'm angry that I am not more adventurous, know what I want and go after it tenaciously.
10. One reason I get sad sometimes is I don't want to disappoint people.
List 10 things you love and would love to do but are not allowed to do. These are forbidden joys.
1. Enjoy dancing with complete freedom and abandonment.
2. Increase my art supplies and create a small studio in my spare bedroom (some supplies i want: easel/ variety of painting supplies and other artistic supplies outside of my norm mediums of pencils, sketchbooks, and pastels/charcoal)
3. Take more r&r/creative trips
4.Learn to cook healthy: vegetarian/non vegetarian meals/ethnic foods
5.Take interior decorating class
6.Take a pastry making class
7.Work on a stage design team
8.Assisting with a mural
9.
10.
I can't think of the last two items and its getting late..ill finish the remaining exercises later in the week.
My love with the chapter starts with the 1st page where it says:
pg 91
Most of us never consider how powerful the creator really is. Instead, we draw very limited amounts of the power available to us. We decide how powerful God is for us. We unconsciously set a limit on how much God can give us or help us. We are stingy with ourselves. And if we receive a gift beyond our imagining, we often send it back.
I think this is so true on so many levels. I know i serve an awesome and powerful God but when certain situations arise i am so guilty at some point or the other of the questions-Can God do this? will he do this? or when God does do something i say are you sure God?
pg 92
More often. what we are talking about seems to be a conscious partnership in which we work along slowly and gradually, clearing away the wreckage of our negative patterning, clarifying the vision of what it is we want, learning to accept small pieces of that vision from whatever source and then, one day! presto! the vision seems to suddenly be in place. In other words, pray to catch the bus, then run as fast as you can. For this to happen, first of all, we must believe that we are allowed to catch the bus.
By listening to the creator within, we are led to our right path. On that path, we find friends, lovers, money, and meaningful work.Very often, when we cannot seem to find an adequate supply, it is because we are insisting on a particular human source of supply. We must learn to let the flow manifest itself where it will--not where we will it!
pg 94
As each idea comes to us , we must in good faith clear away our inner barriers to acting on it and then, on an outer level, take the concrete steps necessary to trigger our synchronous good. Ask yourself bluntly what next step are you invading. what dream are you discounted as impossible given your resources? what payoff are you getting for remaining stuck at this point in your expansions?
God as my source is a simple but completely effective plan for living. It removes negative dependency-and anxiety-from our lives by assuring that God will provide. Our job is to listen for how.
One way to listen is by writing morning pages. At night, before we fall asleep, we can list areas in which we need guidance. in the morning, writing on these topics, we find ourselves seeing previously unseen avenues of approach. Experiment with this two step process: ask for answers in the evening; listen for answers in the morning. Be open to all help.
pg 95
We startle ourselves by saying yes instead of no to opportunities. As we begin to pry ourselves loose from our old concepts, we find that our new, emerging self may enjoy all sorts of bizarre adventures.
By holding lightly to an attitude of gentle exploration, we can begin to lean into creative expansion. By replacing "No way!" with "Maybe" we open the door to mystery and to magic.
Exercises
What would I try if i wasn't too crazy?
Sample Answers (bold my answers):
1. sky diving, scuba diving. Sky diving, check! Not sure I'm ready for any more adventures right now. lol
2. belly dancing, latin dancing. check! loved both even though i was uncoordinated. taking a Liturgical dance class.
3. getting my poems published. framing some of my recent art.
4. buying a drum set. learning to drum in a drum circle.
5. bicycling through France. taking an excursion (tbd) on an Alaska cruise.
1. The biggest lack in my life is doing something I feel born to do.
2. The greatest joy in my life is God, my family, and my friends.
3. My largest time commitment is not sure. varies from week to week but something that is consistent is probably tv/movie time with hubby.
4. As I play more, I work less
5. I feel guilty that I am not using my talents more for God and that I dont have original artistic ideas.
6.I worry that I'm not good enough.
7. If my dreams come true true, my family will know love is one of the greatest gift God gave us and that we are indeed blessed.
8. I sabotage myself so people will
9. If i let myself feel it, I'm angry that I am not more adventurous, know what I want and go after it tenaciously.
10. One reason I get sad sometimes is I don't want to disappoint people.
List 10 things you love and would love to do but are not allowed to do. These are forbidden joys.
1. Enjoy dancing with complete freedom and abandonment.
2. Increase my art supplies and create a small studio in my spare bedroom (some supplies i want: easel/ variety of painting supplies and other artistic supplies outside of my norm mediums of pencils, sketchbooks, and pastels/charcoal)
3. Take more r&r/creative trips
4.Learn to cook healthy: vegetarian/non vegetarian meals/ethnic foods
5.Take interior decorating class
6.Take a pastry making class
7.Work on a stage design team
8.Assisting with a mural
9.
10.
I can't think of the last two items and its getting late..ill finish the remaining exercises later in the week.
Return to previous chapters
My artists way group decided to return to previous chapters of the book to refocus and do some of the missed exercises which was great. Because even though Ive been following along with reading the chapters I haven't been good at finishing the exercises.
Unknowingly, until this moment week 5 is around the time I stop practicing my art on a regular basis and the last month i saw my art teacher. I know i stopped practicing my art but i never connected this to my artists way reading and how i stopped being committed to the exercises. Not a coincidence i dont think. As i mentioned before my art has been tied too much to my art teacher since i feel like God really used her to help me unblock my creative talent in a large degree and when I stopped having regular sessions with her my personal art stopped as well. It should have flourished instead of diminished especially since i felt/feel so free in my art..wanting more in dependency..starting to see what direction I want my art to go. Instead of practicing my art more i exercised more and went to more meetups and concentrate alot more on my walk with God. All absolutely positive things and clearly what i need to be fed spiritually and physically.
I wonder when i made the choice ..why is it a choice between all those beautiful much needed things and my art. Why do we impose choices in our life in places where a choice does not need to be made? Obviously shifting priorities happen? Times where we cant have it all even times we shouldn't have it all because there are lessons/preparedness needed before we take the next step. But there are also times we naturally without any thought just throw things away ..beneficial things. why? Why don't we second guess? Why do we choose that action?
This brings me to Week 5 chapters but before i reread that chapter i want to read the devotional for May 1st. I loved what I read because it reminds me that we start out as one thing but we need to remember that's not how we finish. Transformation is a wonderful thing! It can be scary but necessary. God protects us in every phase we go through. We are not alone. Unfolding is necessary in life.
Today's reading:
The lilies of the fields began as buds. We are asked to trust that just as they had a glorious and safe unfolding so will we. In the natural world, we see butterflies emerge from awkward yet [protective cocoons. We remind ourselves to trust that sometimes, we too are being protected in our growth. Our erraticism, our ungainliness, our panic--these, too are natural to the passage of things. The Great Creator experiences all his creation in the throes of shifting identity. The unfolding saga of life on all levels is one of the constant transformation. constant changing of form. when we cooperate with our need and desire to grow, we are cooperating with spiritual law.
Unknowingly, until this moment week 5 is around the time I stop practicing my art on a regular basis and the last month i saw my art teacher. I know i stopped practicing my art but i never connected this to my artists way reading and how i stopped being committed to the exercises. Not a coincidence i dont think. As i mentioned before my art has been tied too much to my art teacher since i feel like God really used her to help me unblock my creative talent in a large degree and when I stopped having regular sessions with her my personal art stopped as well. It should have flourished instead of diminished especially since i felt/feel so free in my art..wanting more in dependency..starting to see what direction I want my art to go. Instead of practicing my art more i exercised more and went to more meetups and concentrate alot more on my walk with God. All absolutely positive things and clearly what i need to be fed spiritually and physically.
I wonder when i made the choice ..why is it a choice between all those beautiful much needed things and my art. Why do we impose choices in our life in places where a choice does not need to be made? Obviously shifting priorities happen? Times where we cant have it all even times we shouldn't have it all because there are lessons/preparedness needed before we take the next step. But there are also times we naturally without any thought just throw things away ..beneficial things. why? Why don't we second guess? Why do we choose that action?
This brings me to Week 5 chapters but before i reread that chapter i want to read the devotional for May 1st. I loved what I read because it reminds me that we start out as one thing but we need to remember that's not how we finish. Transformation is a wonderful thing! It can be scary but necessary. God protects us in every phase we go through. We are not alone. Unfolding is necessary in life.
Today's reading:
The lilies of the fields began as buds. We are asked to trust that just as they had a glorious and safe unfolding so will we. In the natural world, we see butterflies emerge from awkward yet [protective cocoons. We remind ourselves to trust that sometimes, we too are being protected in our growth. Our erraticism, our ungainliness, our panic--these, too are natural to the passage of things. The Great Creator experiences all his creation in the throes of shifting identity. The unfolding saga of life on all levels is one of the constant transformation. constant changing of form. when we cooperate with our need and desire to grow, we are cooperating with spiritual law.
Ouch! Back
So as I mentioned on Sunday i had back issues. On Monday it felt better yay! but during the course of the day it got worse to the point every move i made was ouch, all the weight shifted to one side of my body and i was walking slumped over. I got home and when i moved my leg it hurt worse it was a struggle just to get in bed. Of course i texted my nurse bff and she said it sounded like sciatic nerve and i might need some back adjustments but try heatcompress, salt bath (which there was no way i could do because i could get down that far), and some advil. the heat helped a bit but i was still in pain. Tuesday turned around and the pain wasn't as bad but still bad. so i finished payroll from home and took a sick day for the rest of the day. Wednesday wasnt any better so i decided to see a doctor (my doctor just closed down her practice so i tried my new doctor who was out of the office this week...great). So off to the hospital I went because this isnt getting better. apparently i have a sprained back so they gave me muscle relaxer injection and Tylenol 3..it felt so good.So i was able to travel to DC for work on Thursday with no major back issues. I felt the stiffness again so i took my pills and knocked it right out. the sucky thing is i brought my rolling luggage so i didnt have to carry my laptop but by the time i got home I wish i did just carry it on my shoulder because lifting the bag irritated my back more. I am feeling better in this moment with the help of my pills. I have no idea why i am up at 430 though. Back to sleep I go.
Happy Easter!
Easter is definitely my fav holiday of the year because my Christ rose from the dead!To think about all that Christ did for my/our sins and what he is still doing is incredible. I read this lovely devotional on Good Friday from Joel
He is Risen!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
"…He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen…"
(Matthew 28:6, NLT
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We have a reason to celebrate today because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power into every single area of your life, today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack; but it looks like it's impossible. Business is slow. The economy is down. You've gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, "I'm not limited by those things. I've got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn't know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you."
Your part is to keep believing today knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for Your resurrection power at work in my life. Today, I give You my broken dreams, disappointments, failures and setbacks and trust that You will breathe Your life into me. I trust that You have a good plan for my future and are leading me into total victory! In Jesus' Name.Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
I woke up early on Easter...like way early like 2 am and started cleaning and figuring out where i wanted to worship. i was thinking about Journey since thats the church ive been going to for several Sundays now but didnt know if i wanted to hike all the way uptown so i decided to go to a church closer to me. Welp wouldn't you know that Sunday they were having services uptown. lol. So i decided for now i would wake up early and watch live Joel's Easter Service.I gave God some praise and thank him for all he has done and went back to sleep.
Woke up to my alarm and watched Joel live service. It was soo good and what i needed to start the day. The message didn't really do anything but the service up to that point was good. I got ready to hike uptown when realized i couldn't find my shoes..oh boy so that resulted in me being 20 minutes and leaving out the door and turning back around because i realized how late i was going to be. So i decided to go to a 3:00 service at Times Square...ive been there before ..not my ideal service because the church is so big and i never felt welcomed. Easter was no exception..no hello...just "If you dont have a seat in the main sanctuary go to the overflow room." ugh i hate overflow rooms...it seems so separate. So a lackluster praise and worship team sang and to my wonderful surprise the pastor wasnt go to speak but instead allow a musical that was written 20 years ago about Christ life to go in its place. OMG! It was so wonderful. I laughed and i cried and there was one cheesy part that the musical did that i couldn't explain but it was soo good. Then the pastor came up to do an alter call..people were leaving, childing making alot of noise. I was so annoyed.
But i had a great easter service putting together my two sevices of the day. Praise and worship with Joel and the Easter musical. Yay.
I left churcg and called J to let him know i was on my way home because he was making brunch for me instead of having our group brunch.
My brunch consisted of lemon corn waffles with vanilla and strawberry compote and a spinach, salmon shrimp frittata. OMG! so delicious. I wish my chef husband would cook more. Soo sooo good. Just thinking about it.Served with moscato wine and lime water. It was a good day with the exception of back stuffiness's which i woke up with.
He is Risen!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
"…He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen…"
(Matthew 28:6, NLT
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We have a reason to celebrate today because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power into every single area of your life, today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack; but it looks like it's impossible. Business is slow. The economy is down. You've gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, "I'm not limited by those things. I've got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn't know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you."
Your part is to keep believing today knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for Your resurrection power at work in my life. Today, I give You my broken dreams, disappointments, failures and setbacks and trust that You will breathe Your life into me. I trust that You have a good plan for my future and are leading me into total victory! In Jesus' Name.Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
I woke up early on Easter...like way early like 2 am and started cleaning and figuring out where i wanted to worship. i was thinking about Journey since thats the church ive been going to for several Sundays now but didnt know if i wanted to hike all the way uptown so i decided to go to a church closer to me. Welp wouldn't you know that Sunday they were having services uptown. lol. So i decided for now i would wake up early and watch live Joel's Easter Service.I gave God some praise and thank him for all he has done and went back to sleep.
Woke up to my alarm and watched Joel live service. It was soo good and what i needed to start the day. The message didn't really do anything but the service up to that point was good. I got ready to hike uptown when realized i couldn't find my shoes..oh boy so that resulted in me being 20 minutes and leaving out the door and turning back around because i realized how late i was going to be. So i decided to go to a 3:00 service at Times Square...ive been there before ..not my ideal service because the church is so big and i never felt welcomed. Easter was no exception..no hello...just "If you dont have a seat in the main sanctuary go to the overflow room." ugh i hate overflow rooms...it seems so separate. So a lackluster praise and worship team sang and to my wonderful surprise the pastor wasnt go to speak but instead allow a musical that was written 20 years ago about Christ life to go in its place. OMG! It was so wonderful. I laughed and i cried and there was one cheesy part that the musical did that i couldn't explain but it was soo good. Then the pastor came up to do an alter call..people were leaving, childing making alot of noise. I was so annoyed.
But i had a great easter service putting together my two sevices of the day. Praise and worship with Joel and the Easter musical. Yay.
I left churcg and called J to let him know i was on my way home because he was making brunch for me instead of having our group brunch.
My brunch consisted of lemon corn waffles with vanilla and strawberry compote and a spinach, salmon shrimp frittata. OMG! so delicious. I wish my chef husband would cook more. Soo sooo good. Just thinking about it.Served with moscato wine and lime water. It was a good day with the exception of back stuffiness's which i woke up with.
Productive Art Day out of nowhere
I was feeling kind of meh/frustrated just due to my body not cooperating with me so i took the time to get out on paper like my hubby always tell me and i created three drawings. It felt so good especially since i havent drawn in awhile.
Horseback Riding
I was so excited to go horseback riding on a guided trail since i enjoyed it so much the first time i went 3 or 4 years ago in VA (it was beautiful you could see the mountainside). So I was all geared up to go this time because i was suprised there was even a trail in NY. The subway ride took 2 hours from Brooklyn to Bronx and then i had to catch a bus (first time ever in NY..i didnt realize they only ran twice an hour and i just saw my bus roll by so of course i was going to be late). I ended up meeting some people on the bus after i overheard them asking about the stables and the driver said we misse dour stop it was wayyy back there. We got off and walked and one of the people actually the organizer called one of her friends to come get us.where we were walking was really beautiful near the water. Too bad we were late and had to get a move on.
So it was time to get a horse and i was a second person to get one so one of the stable guys brought me one and told me to hop on. Well our guide shouted "she's too fat for this horse..his legs are weak and cant carry her. This horse can only take skinny people or small children. Dont just put people on any hourse without checking with me." OMG! Can you say mortified!!! So i got off so embarrassd and they brought me a horse that was called "Grandpa" slower but smart. im like what a name but im not mad its slow. i look ahead and the guide is already giving instructions which i miss and my horse wouldnt go so she told me to kick my feet. now first off im thinking why is she the only one to go with the four of us. Last time each person had a guide in case the horse got out of hand so we started down the trail and the horses stopped to eat and we walked some more down the trail.
The next thing i knew Grandpa did a u turn and started galloping through the damn woods...i mean galloping. i was screaming and terrified cause i didnt know what to do and i didnt want to do the wrong thing and he throws me off. I'm crying and getting hysterical and wondering why the guide did not come after me. Finally i recognize that we are going back to the stables and i saw people upahead and started screaming help and some guy helped me. I was a mess and he asked if i was ok and i shook my head as i was wiping tears. Then he brought me back to one of the stable workers and she was like are you okay and i said yes. she said do you want to get down or do you want another horse. i said i want another horse a tamed one in between sniffles. she said ill call the guide to come back for you in the meantime. wth why isnt she coming back in the 1st place. i was done! so i got another horse which i didnt bother to know its name. The guide said are you nervous and i said yes so she hitched me to her horse and said why dont you just enjoy the ride. ill take care of everything. Fine with me so i let go of the reins. she was like you were a real cowgirl out there. uh huh. so she tried to make jokes and talk to make me feel better and shes like turn around to see your friends galloping behind us. no thank you. so since i wasnt in control it was better but i am done with horseback riding.
We returned to the stables and everybody wanted to take a pic on their horse...not me just get me off. The organizer ran up and hug me and asked if i was okay and nodded now.afterwards we went to eat at this seafood restaurant which was good and got to know each other a little better. My commute back was awful because the train wasnt running so me and two other members had to catch a shuttle bus and another train back. done done with that day and im still really sore two days later. Interesting to say the least.
Pics posing with the horse before the ride, me being hitched to the guide (see pink rope) and out at the restaurant after the ride
Volunteering
Volunteering has been on my heart for awhile but for whatever reason not until this last month or so did i begin to actively look for places to volunteer. I joined volunteer meetups hoping that this would give me the opportunity to volunteer and as i wrote weeks back i missed one opportunity and then another one presented itself on Saturday. The volunteer work was at a soup kitchen ---the morning shift from 8 am-12 pm. Now everyone that knows me i am a later riser than that but i figured it was about sacrifice and its about doing something from someone else. after dragging myself out of bed after such a long week in DC for work and visiting friends I arrived at the soup kitchen at 805. I was worried because i was late but come to find out i was one of the first people to arrive (I arrived along with another girl). After introductions the organizer gave me and the girl cake duty. I'm like oh Lawd that should be interesting but it was easy 5 eggs 1/2 cup of oil. spray can and pop the huge cake in the oven. We did a total of 8 batches of cake and it was such a nice time talking to the girl..come to find out shes a fine arts student so we got talking about art. Our next assignment was handing out color tickets to the homeless people based on age. I was overwhelmed how many people were there.You know theres a great need you cant walk down many corners without seeing many people holding up signs but to be face to face with people..ahh..that's something else. I breathe and said Lawd let me be your hands and feet.
My next assignment was the breakfast line serving beverages. I greeted everyone and asked what they wanted..some people had lots of humor...some thanked me for my service and there was one grumpy person but overall it was so nice serving. Then after an hour on the breakfast line it became self service and i was moved to the bread station for the majority of the time. ive never seen so much bread in my life (30 bags of bread). The goal was too slice up the bread to be served for lunch.
After being at the station for 15 minutes it was break time for us 12 volunteers over breakfast where the organizer told us about the soup kitchen and how it was started by two NYU profressors eventhough its not affilated with NYU and later the tradition is still going on. This place was to provide a space for peace and dignity for the homeless. Hearing that statement resonated soo much for me that i had a "this is it moment" this is the place i want to devote my time. I looked across the room and saw the Bless Scriptures (Matthew 5:3-11). It was definitely confirmed this was a place for me. she went on to say lunch time is their primary purpose but people started to line up early so they decided to include breakfast as well. They have a computer set-up and a social worker available during the time there. It was amazing to see how many men here and literally see a few women sprinkled about. The organizers went on to say everything is prepared by the volunteers and its about a healthy wholesome meal ...meatloaf, vegetables, salad, fruit, and cake and they serve it like a waiter in a resturant. There is no line service here. There 's is a koshery bakery that donates their breads and pastries because they cannot sell something from sunup to sundownand they do not want it going to waste. the more i listened the more i loved this place.
It was time to get back to work so more slicing of the bread for awhile and i got to meet more volunteers who were also at the bread station. I loved when i looked around there was so much diversity among the workers. Lastly it was time to cut the cake because other people iced..so i was the first one to start cutting...um can i say mine was not pretty the cake started falling apart ..it was a mess. The organizer said this is why i don't cut the cake. lol. and another guy said its beautiful but i know you're like he's lying. i said yes i do but I'm going to say you are not lying...you are trying to encourage me. lol. So i decided i wasn't going to cut any more cakes so one of my bread station people decided to grab a cake to cut and i decided i would plate them on the cart. she was having a hard time taking it out and said whoever did this did not put enough oil in this pain. i just said tsk tsk...yes my identity was hidden since she wasn't here when the cakes were done. lol. But a good time was had and that was my last assignment. I enjoyed it so much that i signed up for the following Saturday. Volunteering certainly does my heart good.No one else showed up from my meetup but i didnt care. I did something that was rewarding so i was glad i showed up.
My next assignment was the breakfast line serving beverages. I greeted everyone and asked what they wanted..some people had lots of humor...some thanked me for my service and there was one grumpy person but overall it was so nice serving. Then after an hour on the breakfast line it became self service and i was moved to the bread station for the majority of the time. ive never seen so much bread in my life (30 bags of bread). The goal was too slice up the bread to be served for lunch.
After being at the station for 15 minutes it was break time for us 12 volunteers over breakfast where the organizer told us about the soup kitchen and how it was started by two NYU profressors eventhough its not affilated with NYU and later the tradition is still going on. This place was to provide a space for peace and dignity for the homeless. Hearing that statement resonated soo much for me that i had a "this is it moment" this is the place i want to devote my time. I looked across the room and saw the Bless Scriptures (Matthew 5:3-11). It was definitely confirmed this was a place for me. she went on to say lunch time is their primary purpose but people started to line up early so they decided to include breakfast as well. They have a computer set-up and a social worker available during the time there. It was amazing to see how many men here and literally see a few women sprinkled about. The organizers went on to say everything is prepared by the volunteers and its about a healthy wholesome meal ...meatloaf, vegetables, salad, fruit, and cake and they serve it like a waiter in a resturant. There is no line service here. There 's is a koshery bakery that donates their breads and pastries because they cannot sell something from sunup to sundownand they do not want it going to waste. the more i listened the more i loved this place.
It was time to get back to work so more slicing of the bread for awhile and i got to meet more volunteers who were also at the bread station. I loved when i looked around there was so much diversity among the workers. Lastly it was time to cut the cake because other people iced..so i was the first one to start cutting...um can i say mine was not pretty the cake started falling apart ..it was a mess. The organizer said this is why i don't cut the cake. lol. and another guy said its beautiful but i know you're like he's lying. i said yes i do but I'm going to say you are not lying...you are trying to encourage me. lol. So i decided i wasn't going to cut any more cakes so one of my bread station people decided to grab a cake to cut and i decided i would plate them on the cart. she was having a hard time taking it out and said whoever did this did not put enough oil in this pain. i just said tsk tsk...yes my identity was hidden since she wasn't here when the cakes were done. lol. But a good time was had and that was my last assignment. I enjoyed it so much that i signed up for the following Saturday. Volunteering certainly does my heart good.No one else showed up from my meetup but i didnt care. I did something that was rewarding so i was glad i showed up.
Morning/Evening pages -April 5, 2011
Ive only been awake for maybe 25 minutes and one of the things I wanted to write before I left for work were my morning/evening pages. Before the day has started I wanted to get this in and just see how my day blossoms.
My artists way devotional today speaks of successful art is built on successful friendships. Friends are what enable artists to go the distance. I think that is so true..I don't know how far in my artistic walk i would go if God didn't surround me with a support system when it comes to being creative..hubby, Robin, Carey,and Kia. It's important whatever we do to have a support system, a cheer leading section. people who push you and ensure you stay on the right track.
Joel devotional speaks on not stumbling and how the enemy has placed all kinds of stumbling blocks in our paths. when we making the word of God our priority it helps us move forward with our eyes open. His words lights our path and helps us clearly see where to step.
My prayer for today that I get firmly on the course of making God my # priority that nothing goes on until i have my time with him. Because everything comes from him. He is where i draw strength from. I pray that through these morning pages a shift starts to happen in my life in my art when it comes to him. I read that God's gift to us is our talent but our Gift to God is what we do with that talent. I no longer want to hide anything that God has given me. I pray for unearthing to happen...for the roots to taken forth all over my life and my friends life. That whatever seedling , whatever talent God has given you that we all one day at a time do something with that talent. We all day by day meditate on the word day and night so we may be fed. So we may be strong when circumstances happen. I also pray that whenever we need some encouragement, some support, some love... that as always God will send in people to do just that and we will recognize that's nothing but God. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
My artists way devotional today speaks of successful art is built on successful friendships. Friends are what enable artists to go the distance. I think that is so true..I don't know how far in my artistic walk i would go if God didn't surround me with a support system when it comes to being creative..hubby, Robin, Carey,and Kia. It's important whatever we do to have a support system, a cheer leading section. people who push you and ensure you stay on the right track.
Joel devotional speaks on not stumbling and how the enemy has placed all kinds of stumbling blocks in our paths. when we making the word of God our priority it helps us move forward with our eyes open. His words lights our path and helps us clearly see where to step.
My prayer for today that I get firmly on the course of making God my # priority that nothing goes on until i have my time with him. Because everything comes from him. He is where i draw strength from. I pray that through these morning pages a shift starts to happen in my life in my art when it comes to him. I read that God's gift to us is our talent but our Gift to God is what we do with that talent. I no longer want to hide anything that God has given me. I pray for unearthing to happen...for the roots to taken forth all over my life and my friends life. That whatever seedling , whatever talent God has given you that we all one day at a time do something with that talent. We all day by day meditate on the word day and night so we may be fed. So we may be strong when circumstances happen. I also pray that whenever we need some encouragement, some support, some love... that as always God will send in people to do just that and we will recognize that's nothing but God. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
Morning/Evening Pages -April 4, 2011
For my artists way program I’m supposed to write morning pages but they have been such a struggle to me. I think there was one week since I started that I wrote 10 out of the fourteen days but it went to the waist side after that. I identify more with artist dates..that has become a priority for me and feel necessary morning pages not so much.
I read something in my artists way devotional that has me looking at morning pages in a different way ..it mentioned morning pages being more like a prayer which I like instead of always unconscious stream of thinking but then I wondered why am I picking between the two. For once instead of planning something out..loosely or detailed why don’t I go with the flow and see what comes out. Because I'm usually irritated at the outcome when I go with the flow. Example yesterday…i had my day fully planned out ..artists way, vegetarian food festival, church (from 11 am to 7:30 pm my day was planned). Brakes came at the vegetarian food festival when the line spread among 3 blocks and after standing in line for 20 minutes a lady said the wait is 3+ hours just to get into the event. I was so appreciative and floored at the same time…I was looking forward to do this for a week. So I said what am I going to do…go with the flow ..sure why not. I was miserable I tried to waste time and ended up buying stuff that I do not need and will be returning it today. I ended up lost in Manhattan for 45 minutes trying to find a church. I was just done done. Now I know I have to have a loose back up plan.
Today I'm reminded of intent. How each day we should be living our life with more intent. God came so we could not only have life but to have it abundantly. I feel like when I set out my week re: Sacred Friday words..I’m on the lookout how things play out for me in the week but I never am purposeful about any of the words so I think it’s a good idea to bring Grace Cards to Sacred Friday permanently because the two ideas may be a nice blend. I’m looking at how Carey chose to bring out her creative side in a different way and how I’m visually feeling and seeing these Grace Cards. Time passes by so quickly and I need to be doing more with it. I need to exercise my creativity. Carey has given me a tool…blog that speaks on being creative every day. That along with one of my blogs that sends daily tips sends me on my way. This book has been an extraordinary blessing to me. But Ive noticed Ive stopped doing the exercises because it requires a lot more than yes or no and I don’t know if I'm ready to uncover but Just in this moment I'm thinking if I'm not ready to uncover fully why am I here on this artistic journey. I want to experience true freedom like never before/king if I'm not ready to uncover fully why am I here on this artistic journey. I want to experience true freedom like never before.
In today’s entry it speaks to God being present everywhere. The act of making art is a direct path to contact with God, and we don’t need to travel anywhere to experience the grace of connection. I love this!
My prayer for today is that God favor and purpose in my life, my friends and family lives are realized. That we know that any dream/vision from God…. will come to pass. That we have no reason to fear anything in contradictory of God’s word to us. We need to stand, believe and take action on that word even if its one step at a time. We need to remember that God is present everywhere. He will never leave or forsake us. So in everything we do lets do it for God’s glory. Art is no exception to this. I need to make art because that’s an additional way that God is communicating through me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I pray that prayer over myself and anyone else who is dealing with insecurity, fear, and lack in any area. I love you Jesus! In Christ’s precious name I pray Amen.
I read something in my artists way devotional that has me looking at morning pages in a different way ..it mentioned morning pages being more like a prayer which I like instead of always unconscious stream of thinking but then I wondered why am I picking between the two. For once instead of planning something out..loosely or detailed why don’t I go with the flow and see what comes out. Because I'm usually irritated at the outcome when I go with the flow. Example yesterday…i had my day fully planned out ..artists way, vegetarian food festival, church (from 11 am to 7:30 pm my day was planned). Brakes came at the vegetarian food festival when the line spread among 3 blocks and after standing in line for 20 minutes a lady said the wait is 3+ hours just to get into the event. I was so appreciative and floored at the same time…I was looking forward to do this for a week. So I said what am I going to do…go with the flow ..sure why not. I was miserable I tried to waste time and ended up buying stuff that I do not need and will be returning it today. I ended up lost in Manhattan for 45 minutes trying to find a church. I was just done done. Now I know I have to have a loose back up plan.
Today I'm reminded of intent. How each day we should be living our life with more intent. God came so we could not only have life but to have it abundantly. I feel like when I set out my week re: Sacred Friday words..I’m on the lookout how things play out for me in the week but I never am purposeful about any of the words so I think it’s a good idea to bring Grace Cards to Sacred Friday permanently because the two ideas may be a nice blend. I’m looking at how Carey chose to bring out her creative side in a different way and how I’m visually feeling and seeing these Grace Cards. Time passes by so quickly and I need to be doing more with it. I need to exercise my creativity. Carey has given me a tool…blog that speaks on being creative every day. That along with one of my blogs that sends daily tips sends me on my way. This book has been an extraordinary blessing to me. But Ive noticed Ive stopped doing the exercises because it requires a lot more than yes or no and I don’t know if I'm ready to uncover but Just in this moment I'm thinking if I'm not ready to uncover fully why am I here on this artistic journey. I want to experience true freedom like never before/king if I'm not ready to uncover fully why am I here on this artistic journey. I want to experience true freedom like never before.
In today’s entry it speaks to God being present everywhere. The act of making art is a direct path to contact with God, and we don’t need to travel anywhere to experience the grace of connection. I love this!
My prayer for today is that God favor and purpose in my life, my friends and family lives are realized. That we know that any dream/vision from God…. will come to pass. That we have no reason to fear anything in contradictory of God’s word to us. We need to stand, believe and take action on that word even if its one step at a time. We need to remember that God is present everywhere. He will never leave or forsake us. So in everything we do lets do it for God’s glory. Art is no exception to this. I need to make art because that’s an additional way that God is communicating through me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I pray that prayer over myself and anyone else who is dealing with insecurity, fear, and lack in any area. I love you Jesus! In Christ’s precious name I pray Amen.
Absolutely Charming
On day 2 of my mental health day i thought i had time to take my bubble bath i didn't get to yesterday before i went out to continue to fill my well on the things that i needed. But wouldn't you know after lighting candles..getting my glass of wine..the water ran out the tub:( Then i refilled and it was nothing but cold water:( I started to complain and then was reminded that eventough things don't go as planned it doesn't have to ruin my day.
I took a quick cold shower and met my friend Melody (hubby's college friend who is turning out to be my friend) at Grand Central. I told Melody that i was planning a mental health day on Friday where i wanted to take the metro north train to this town called Cold Spring that i heard was charming and asked if she was off and was willing to go with me. Immediately she said she would take off. Yay for company! So we were off to Cold Spring. What attracted me to Cold Spring was when i read this "...our visitors continue to find relaxation. Just one hour and 100 years from New York City, Cold Spring and neighboring Garrison are havens from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our landmark Main Street district is lined with 19th Century storefronts made for leisurely shopping and strolling. Antiques shops are filled to the brim with antiques and collectibles. Unique specialty shops showcase whimsical gifts, colorful home accessories and stylish clothing and jewelry. Or browse galleries and gardens, tour museums, see a play or take in a concert. Soak up the sun in our riverfront parks, then watch it set behind West Point and Storm King Mountain. The best thing about Cold Spring relative to New York City is that you don't need a car or a taxi to stay or get around." The description sounded like exactly what i needed.
As Melody and i talked and laughed on our journey to cold spring we came across the beautiful rivers...so calming.... houses in the mountains on the hillside which was gorgeous. The only bad thing was the weather..rain...yuck but i was determined not to let it ruin my day. We got off the train in a little over an hour and walked down a path and saw these charming houses (i would have taken pics but wouldn't you know my phone died on the way there). i was able to grab just a few pics when i was able to charge it at a place we stopped by later. Melody and i toured the inside of the antique shops, ate at a lovely restaurant that had ambiance but (cough) after an incident with the taste of the food or lack thereof ..Melody got indigent and told them we were not paying for our meals.so that was the end of that. i was so hungry and I'm not a happy camper hungry so I saw another place. It ended up having such a homey cozy feel (not my normal place i like) but it was so comforting like being in a living room. We were seated by the fireplace and there were books on the wall for you to read. It reminded me of what simpler times felt like. As for the menu unfortunately they didn't have much but batter fried stuff and no vegetarian meals so i settled on chili as did Melody and it was good especially on a cold rainy day. Comfort foods are that for a reason and i was reminded that simple things can also be wonderful. The unexpected can be exactly what you need at the time. I was looking forward to visting this restoration house with gardens that i looked up but unfortunately after talking to my waitress i found the restoration house isn't as close as what I had read had me to believe and its not the best time to go.She suggested coming back in a couple of months when its warm and then i could take the trolley there. i loved the idea of the trolley..it reminds me of OC so i will definitely be back. On the way back i didn't do much talking i just wanted to enjoy the sights and feelings of the river and being on the train and it all lulled me to sleep. This was a great day even though only one thing i got accomplished that was on my list it was exactly all i needed. sometimes i need to let go of my lists and let things unfold as they want. Be still and let God be God...
As I enjoyed my delightful time at Cold Spring I am reminded of Carey and I sacred friday words this week...
Beauty: Surround yourself with simple pleasures. Beauty is the language of the divine.
Gosh i found nothing but beauty in this town. Simple pleasures all around; Relaxation; Beauty of the river and the homes; Quaintness of the village, chili in a cozy dive bar, antique shops; a door in cold spring that had a sign that said "little blessings make each day beautiful"; gerbera flowers i bought yesterday that isnt my typical flowers i like but what i noticed today after coming back from my trip is the beauty in these flowers is they vary in size and colors. I'm reminded of the beauty that everyone of us have. We vary in shapes, colors, and sizes but we are all masterpieces of God. We all have unique talents.
Faith: Have faith. Every event we experience and every person we meet has been put in our path for a reason.
I believe God is reminding me of this very fact with my job and with Melody. Melody has been here for years but i never thought about striking up a relationship but I'm so glad we did.Because she provides the laughter in my life.
Ask: When we call upon the Divine for guidance and support, we will receive a response. Spiritual signposts will be put in our path to guide us to our highest good.
Who doesnt love signposts. Like i said in yesterday post Ive been channeling into my friends emotions this week and today i received a signpost in my path. My friend cory sends me a reply note to how Ive been feeling and he mentions when you are a great listener, you will some times wind up carrying the burdens of friends and even others as well.There is a song about lying down all your burdens at the feet of the Lord. well a few minutes later I read Joel's devotional that was titled "Find Rest." How appropriate!
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Matthew 11:29, NIV)
Sometimes the day-to-day pressures of life can cause unnecessary stress. In fact, many people lose sleep worrying about things or people in their lives. But God doesn’t want us to live stressed out and overwhelmed. He wants us to live a life of rest and peace.
When Jesus walked on this earth, He took time for Himself. He got away from the crowds. He spent time with the Father. That’s how He found rest. He was gentle and humble in heart. Do you ever notice that when you are stressed out or worrying about something, you’re less tolerant of others? You’re more likely to say something you don’t really mean. Today, God wants you to cast your cares on Him and live with a gentle and humble attitude. When you release your burdens and follow the example of Jesus, you will find rest for your soul. You will be rejuvenated and refreshed! You will find peace in your heart, and you will move forward in the abundant life God has for you!"
Confirimations!! Yay! I feel so good and im going to take some more time to veg out.
A Day to Breathe
I had such a rough week..nothing happened but alot of my friends are either stressed/depressed and since I'm so empathatic i have taken on their emotions.Also, im feeling less satisified with my job...I'm thinking and thinking how i can expand it and the direction it can go on but outside of general ideas I dont have anything. I did talk to my boss about myself and the other team members within my division that need developmental skills and i would be happy to be a coach per se. I also talked about how we are not sure how we fit in in this new strategic structiure..the vision for us etc. It was a really scary conversation because i never speak up and i was coming from a place of this is what i am and this is our team and what we need. I fekt empowered yet scared. My boss came back with exactly what i expected and appreciated...he has to noodle it and was glad that i approached him and whatever trainng i needed i can have it so i signed up for the coaching and mentoring seminar and strategic thinking for starters. But this week was really slow which can be good but not this week i was bored, exhausted emotionally and physically, and not knowing where to turn. i was also reminded to Be still and trust God is God. Hubby says its great that im feeling dissatisfication it means im ready to stretch myself. all i know is i needed some type of break because this heaviness was not moving despite my prayers and reading the word or maybe it was not moving fast enough as i saw it. Then it popped into my head i need a mental health day as my friend Cory calls it.
I planned to take one day (Thursday) because my co-worker has Friday off but my boss said to take off two days and i was going to object but Lord knows I needed it. So i planned to just totally veg out but of course days off always garner errands so i did those early in the morning and then planned a self love date with myself. While i was out i decided i wanted to have a sort of french theme so i got this lovely ham, onion, guyere cheese tart for lunch, a bottle of wine and flowers, cheese fondue for dinner along with spinach rivoli. For dessert blueberry tart and carrot cake. I'm watching a wonderful period piece Young Victoria which so far I'm really enjoying.
I needed to replenish my well which looks like is happening.I'm feeling 80% better with this day off. also i turned my phone off today so not to be distracted from filling my well.Overall im feeling like im breathing ..im relaxed and today was exactly what i needed.
I planned to take one day (Thursday) because my co-worker has Friday off but my boss said to take off two days and i was going to object but Lord knows I needed it. So i planned to just totally veg out but of course days off always garner errands so i did those early in the morning and then planned a self love date with myself. While i was out i decided i wanted to have a sort of french theme so i got this lovely ham, onion, guyere cheese tart for lunch, a bottle of wine and flowers, cheese fondue for dinner along with spinach rivoli. For dessert blueberry tart and carrot cake. I'm watching a wonderful period piece Young Victoria which so far I'm really enjoying.
I needed to replenish my well which looks like is happening.I'm feeling 80% better with this day off. also i turned my phone off today so not to be distracted from filling my well.Overall im feeling like im breathing ..im relaxed and today was exactly what i needed.
New thoughts about a scripture i read
In finding a new devotional to read I came across this scripture:
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.
Joshua 3:5
I love how that sounds and wondered the defination of consecrate. I feel like i have heard the term before but until now really want to hone in on the defination. I went straight to my life application bible which told me consecration is purfication. This was a ceremony that was often done by making a sacrifice or as in this case(this scripture) witnessing a great act of God. The bible goes on to say that God law in the OT stated several ways a person could be considered unclean and the various outward signs of uncleanniness to illustrate ma's inward uncleaness as a result of sin. The consecration ceremony shows the importance of approaching God with a pure heart. Very intresting..i wondered what else i may find on this topic. i found this article that mention in consecration our part and God's work together. Our part in consecration involves separating ourselves from evil by continually working with our heart so that we drink from earthly sources less and less all the time. But doing that is only half of what we can do for practical holy living. The other half of our part in consecration is that of actually drawing near to God and drinking. God designed us so that we have to be "drinking" from something. By our drinking from God, purity works it's way into our experience because enjoying God's presence becomes our preferred way of quenching our thirst, not sin or unwanted behaviors. By drinking from God, the earthly ways of unrighteous living become less and less attractive to us. But by our turning to God and drinking something else happens: God is able to do His part in consecrating us. By our drawing near to God and our letting Him draw near to us, God is able to prepares us for His use because He washes us holy all the while He is drawing near to us. We have to draw near to God so God will do his part.
I started thinking about consecreation and how tangible this word is. Think about our lives and gifts we want to use for God and for his purposes. Think about filling yourself up with God's word on a daily basis not only to strengthen you but because it is nourishment for your soul. Thinking about making God's business priority. think about making the first part of your day priority. I know my day is more beautiful when i start it with the Lord. I'm reminded now of this scripture which is becoming my favorite: John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
OMG! That closeness with the wonderful Lord that you cant even tell the vine from the branches because you are that tightly woven into each other. I found this excerpt that i think is a perfect closing to this post.
The Christ touch upon our lives, that is what we want for the best and greatest
service in God's Kingdom. I wonder how many of you have kept a quiet time alone with Christ today? I wonder how many of you have formed the habit of keeping a daily quiet hour, a quiet half hour, a quiet quarter of an hour, or even a quiet ten minutes alone with Jesus Christ? Friends, until we have formed that habit, I don't believe it is possible for us to know the blessing and the power of the Master's touch upon our lives. ... There are three essentials for communing with God: sincerity, concentration of mind and consecration of life. I can think of no time, when the soul so fully meets these conditions, as when we are alone with God. ... The quiet hour is not a time for morbid meditation, nor for careless and mechanical reading of the Bible, nor for offering thoughtless prayers: it is a time when you shall become acquainted with yourself. If we would give to God our best moments; if we would give to Him a fresh mind, a quiet spirit, and a receptive heart, then we must make the quiet hour a morning watch. We, too, must heed those classic words of advice which Ruskin gave to the students of Oxford: "Read your Bible. Make it the first morning business of your life to understand some of it clearly, and your daily business to obey it in all that you do understand." ... The keeping of the morning watch may mean less sleep, the forming of a new habit; it may mean self-denial and real sacrifice; but if it be God's will that we should seek Him first each day, He will give us grace and strength to pay the cost.
—Olive Russell, The Baptist Chronicle, Alexandria, La., Jan. 15, 1914
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.
Joshua 3:5
I love how that sounds and wondered the defination of consecrate. I feel like i have heard the term before but until now really want to hone in on the defination. I went straight to my life application bible which told me consecration is purfication. This was a ceremony that was often done by making a sacrifice or as in this case(this scripture) witnessing a great act of God. The bible goes on to say that God law in the OT stated several ways a person could be considered unclean and the various outward signs of uncleanniness to illustrate ma's inward uncleaness as a result of sin. The consecration ceremony shows the importance of approaching God with a pure heart. Very intresting..i wondered what else i may find on this topic. i found this article that mention in consecration our part and God's work together. Our part in consecration involves separating ourselves from evil by continually working with our heart so that we drink from earthly sources less and less all the time. But doing that is only half of what we can do for practical holy living. The other half of our part in consecration is that of actually drawing near to God and drinking. God designed us so that we have to be "drinking" from something. By our drinking from God, purity works it's way into our experience because enjoying God's presence becomes our preferred way of quenching our thirst, not sin or unwanted behaviors. By drinking from God, the earthly ways of unrighteous living become less and less attractive to us. But by our turning to God and drinking something else happens: God is able to do His part in consecrating us. By our drawing near to God and our letting Him draw near to us, God is able to prepares us for His use because He washes us holy all the while He is drawing near to us. We have to draw near to God so God will do his part.
I started thinking about consecreation and how tangible this word is. Think about our lives and gifts we want to use for God and for his purposes. Think about filling yourself up with God's word on a daily basis not only to strengthen you but because it is nourishment for your soul. Thinking about making God's business priority. think about making the first part of your day priority. I know my day is more beautiful when i start it with the Lord. I'm reminded now of this scripture which is becoming my favorite: John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
OMG! That closeness with the wonderful Lord that you cant even tell the vine from the branches because you are that tightly woven into each other. I found this excerpt that i think is a perfect closing to this post.
The Christ touch upon our lives, that is what we want for the best and greatest
service in God's Kingdom. I wonder how many of you have kept a quiet time alone with Christ today? I wonder how many of you have formed the habit of keeping a daily quiet hour, a quiet half hour, a quiet quarter of an hour, or even a quiet ten minutes alone with Jesus Christ? Friends, until we have formed that habit, I don't believe it is possible for us to know the blessing and the power of the Master's touch upon our lives. ... There are three essentials for communing with God: sincerity, concentration of mind and consecration of life. I can think of no time, when the soul so fully meets these conditions, as when we are alone with God. ... The quiet hour is not a time for morbid meditation, nor for careless and mechanical reading of the Bible, nor for offering thoughtless prayers: it is a time when you shall become acquainted with yourself. If we would give to God our best moments; if we would give to Him a fresh mind, a quiet spirit, and a receptive heart, then we must make the quiet hour a morning watch. We, too, must heed those classic words of advice which Ruskin gave to the students of Oxford: "Read your Bible. Make it the first morning business of your life to understand some of it clearly, and your daily business to obey it in all that you do understand." ... The keeping of the morning watch may mean less sleep, the forming of a new habit; it may mean self-denial and real sacrifice; but if it be God's will that we should seek Him first each day, He will give us grace and strength to pay the cost.
—Olive Russell, The Baptist Chronicle, Alexandria, La., Jan. 15, 1914
Feelings about 47 day journal
Can i say im disappointed in the 47 day journal? I was expecting it to be a little more than it is. The introduction sounded great but after reading the scriptures and answering the same questions day after day its starting to get boring and i would like to complete the 47 day journal but im no longer intrested in wasting my time with things that i dont feel passionate about so Im going to find something else instead. Two good things came out of the 47 day journal: discovered a few areas that i need to work on and 2. forming a habit of reading the word on a regilar basis.
Weekend Plans Did Not Happen
I was soo looking forward to volunteering at the womens shelter community garden on Saturday and wouldnt you know I got lost and never found it. It was a suspicious neighborhood and i really didnt want to ask anyone for directions and the organizer did not give her number. I was so pissed especially since 1. Yvonne (aka as period) was visting and i literally had to drag myself out of bed and 2. i was lost and disappointed. Then Sunday i wanted to go to the Fricks museum but again yvonne reared her ugly head so i stayed inside and i didnt even realize until later it was Sunday because i missed church.
Lately i noticed the rare times when I am in a sour mood God gives me perspective (maybe he always has and i havent noticed it until now). Hubby told me one of his friends Anthony saw his ex girlfriend get shot dead. I was horrified by the news and lifted Anthony and his ex girlfriend family in prayer. missing meetups and cramps is nothing in comparison to someone seeing a person they love shot. senseless killings i never will understand it and until now didnt know anyone who has been shot or had someone they love be shot. This is so sad.This made me think about this life in broader terms.
In this life i dont believe God wants us to compare our lives with someone else because we all are on distinct walks. I also don't think we should ignore problems but i do believe God gives us perspective for a reason..to look above and not at our circumstance. i see why God wants us to love our neighbors. I see why God does not want us to focus solely on our problems and wants us to keep one another lifted in prayer.This actually sort of reminds me of last sunday in church where the pastor says he wants us to go on prayer walks ..basically pick a neighborhood and pray for the people in that neighborhood for 10-15 minutes. What a beautiful gesture!
Lately i noticed the rare times when I am in a sour mood God gives me perspective (maybe he always has and i havent noticed it until now). Hubby told me one of his friends Anthony saw his ex girlfriend get shot dead. I was horrified by the news and lifted Anthony and his ex girlfriend family in prayer. missing meetups and cramps is nothing in comparison to someone seeing a person they love shot. senseless killings i never will understand it and until now didnt know anyone who has been shot or had someone they love be shot. This is so sad.This made me think about this life in broader terms.
In this life i dont believe God wants us to compare our lives with someone else because we all are on distinct walks. I also don't think we should ignore problems but i do believe God gives us perspective for a reason..to look above and not at our circumstance. i see why God wants us to love our neighbors. I see why God does not want us to focus solely on our problems and wants us to keep one another lifted in prayer.This actually sort of reminds me of last sunday in church where the pastor says he wants us to go on prayer walks ..basically pick a neighborhood and pray for the people in that neighborhood for 10-15 minutes. What a beautiful gesture!
Exploring the City
I'm having a great time exploring the city (museums, food, outings). The more I'm out in the city the more I love this city. There's so much to do. I feel like my weekends im really taking the time to breathe in the day that God is blessing me with whether i have a planned event or I'm walking down the street and being still and really look at the colors, feel the wind... just allow myself to slow time in this fast paced city.
Food/Drinks
-I found a new restaurant-Anja Bar (i LOVE the space and the food) but it does not love my pocket so i know i will not be doing a 3 course dinner with them for awhile...definitely on the pricier side. But the appetizer(vegetable spring roll which btw i typically hate spring rolls) and entree (spicy maya shrimp with coconat basmati rice) was delicious...the dessert which was unmemborable was not.
-Dessert Crawl (anyone who really knows me knows i love desserts). It's only fitting I found a group that meets monthly and try different desserts (my rationalization is this wont interfere with my weight loss journey because its only once a month). This months crawl was a cupcake crawl (2 of the places Ive been too before, 1 place was new and their speciality is bread but now they've expanded to cupcakes (they should stick with what they know..cupcake was terrible). The fourth place is called Sweet Revenge....OMG! The best cupcake place YET. I love Crumbs because of the variety but my my Sweet Revenge cupcakes are decadent. The two cupcakes I had was: Mayan Chocolate – Cinnamon Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Chocolate Buttercream and Carnivale – Mexican Vanilla Cake, Spiced Apple Filling, Salted Caramel Frosting. soo good. its just so hard to find.
-Sake Tasting (which was great because ive always wanted to try Sake). i found two that was alright..i didnt love them but out everything i tried i would buy it : Dewazakura Tobiroka Sparkling Sake "Festival of Stars" (Yamagata Prefecture) and Kamoizumi Komekome Speciality Sake "Happy Bride:
-Ayza Wine & Chocoalte Bar-- (this has been on my list since one of my first visits to NY when i got lost and i said now is the time to cross it off my list. I ordered an appetizer wild mushroom tart which was pretty good and my free Sangria for liking them on facebook was enjoyable. the highlight of the meal was the chocolate: was decent but i loved my new favorite chocolate: Martine's piano (so cute an actua chocolate piano with caramel...yummy; Jacques Torres Love bug ...favorite chocolate EVER..i LOVE white chocolate but was not sure how i would feel about the lime ganache inside. It just melted in my mouth.
Other Activities
Gun Range with Kym (it was alot of fun...i wasn't about the sport of hitting the target but the fun of just letting go ...i tell you i can see how it could be a stress relief)
Art Museums/Exhibits
I am taking advantage of pay as you wish days and free entry to see the museums on my list. Thus far I've seen:
-Whitney Museum
-MoMa (I haven't been here since when i was visiting hubby before we were married)--America Society had an exhibit that had artistic images in a slide show playing against a ballet--it was quite interesting in a good way
-Rubin Museum of Art
Food/Drinks
-I found a new restaurant-Anja Bar (i LOVE the space and the food) but it does not love my pocket so i know i will not be doing a 3 course dinner with them for awhile...definitely on the pricier side. But the appetizer(vegetable spring roll which btw i typically hate spring rolls) and entree (spicy maya shrimp with coconat basmati rice) was delicious...the dessert which was unmemborable was not.
-Dessert Crawl (anyone who really knows me knows i love desserts). It's only fitting I found a group that meets monthly and try different desserts (my rationalization is this wont interfere with my weight loss journey because its only once a month). This months crawl was a cupcake crawl (2 of the places Ive been too before, 1 place was new and their speciality is bread but now they've expanded to cupcakes (they should stick with what they know..cupcake was terrible). The fourth place is called Sweet Revenge....OMG! The best cupcake place YET. I love Crumbs because of the variety but my my Sweet Revenge cupcakes are decadent. The two cupcakes I had was: Mayan Chocolate – Cinnamon Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Chocolate Buttercream and Carnivale – Mexican Vanilla Cake, Spiced Apple Filling, Salted Caramel Frosting. soo good. its just so hard to find.
-Sake Tasting (which was great because ive always wanted to try Sake). i found two that was alright..i didnt love them but out everything i tried i would buy it : Dewazakura Tobiroka Sparkling Sake "Festival of Stars" (Yamagata Prefecture) and Kamoizumi Komekome Speciality Sake "Happy Bride:
-Ayza Wine & Chocoalte Bar-- (this has been on my list since one of my first visits to NY when i got lost and i said now is the time to cross it off my list. I ordered an appetizer wild mushroom tart which was pretty good and my free Sangria for liking them on facebook was enjoyable. the highlight of the meal was the chocolate: was decent but i loved my new favorite chocolate: Martine's piano (so cute an actua chocolate piano with caramel...yummy; Jacques Torres Love bug ...favorite chocolate EVER..i LOVE white chocolate but was not sure how i would feel about the lime ganache inside. It just melted in my mouth.
Other Activities
Gun Range with Kym (it was alot of fun...i wasn't about the sport of hitting the target but the fun of just letting go ...i tell you i can see how it could be a stress relief)
Art Museums/Exhibits
I am taking advantage of pay as you wish days and free entry to see the museums on my list. Thus far I've seen:
-Whitney Museum
-MoMa (I haven't been here since when i was visiting hubby before we were married)--America Society had an exhibit that had artistic images in a slide show playing against a ballet--it was quite interesting in a good way
-Rubin Museum of Art
47 day journey-March 24th scripture
Luke 19:41-44
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Figure Drawing
I had a wonderful time figure drawing weeks back. ive always wanted to do it but never found anything affordable and honestly didnt think i should waste my time because i could never draw people well. Well thank goodness for meetup...for fours hours we only paid $12 for two models.I love good deals! thank goodness for nurturing my inner artist..its not about what i think i can or can no do anymore..its about experimenting. since i had two other meetups that day i didnt want to carry my large art bag so i carried my sketchbook and a few large pieces of paper. At first the drawing looked TERRIBLE but as we went along i think they came out beautifully.I loved how it was a mixture of 5 minute sketches and 20 minutes and you can totally tell which in my drawings. I hope more figure drawing is scheduled as the months warm up. usually thats not the case because when it warms up my sketching group goes outside but you never know. i really loved the experience of drawing human bodies ...before now i didnt realize how much i like the curvature of the human body. its so beautiful. Hubby thought this is some of my best drawings yet due to the artistic expression when i drew the bodies. i'm not sure i agree but i do think its good for my first time figure drawing.
I'll add pics later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)