An inviting place for individuals to share inspiring ideas
One thing that does my soul good is living in a cLeAn HoUsE. And although I do my best, there are just those days where my house is anything but! In those times I remind myself of the quote by poet Wallace Stevens: “The ImPerFecT is our PaRaDiSe.”
The above picture is my version of “Happily Ever After”. What’s yours?
Here’s a video glimpse of my “Happily Ever After”.
Last May, Joplin, Missouri was ravished by a horrific tornado that claimed more than 160 lives. Being just a couple of hours to the northwest of Joplin, this tragedy hit close to home. Many people from my community have family and friends who were in Joplin on that devastating day.
Immediately following the tornado, there was an outpouring of donations and volunteerism. People joined together to help those affected. Our community shipped truckloads of water, clothing, toiletries and other necessities. It seems that sometimes the worst of circumstances brings out the best in people.
This coming Friday (January 13th) ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will air their series finale, which takes place in Joplin. One thing that makes this episode unique is “Extreme Makeover” typically builds a house in seven days, but this time it will build seven homes in seven days. The stories of the families involved will no doubt be touching to say the least.
The handsome fella 2nd from the left is Brett, a former student at Chanute High School when I was a teacher (back in the day). He was a volunteer, helping with the construction of the homes. I’m alway proud when former students go on to contribute to society in a positive way!!
The show will air on Friday, January 13th at 7:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time). That morning the show will be featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
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For more details visit:
http://thesuedesofa.com/2011/10/02/win-a-coach-purse-the-details/
My husband, a sports buff, was telling me this story about how a collegiate coach was CoNteMpLaTing whether or not he should take a different coaching position. It would pay more money and bring more presitge, however, it would require that his family move to another city. Both he and his family were very HaPpY where they were. Not only did the coach love his job and his life, so did his family. As the coach debated over taking the new position a very wise person told him this:
“Don’t MeSs with happy.”
Good advice.
It is so easy to always want something just a little bit better, even though in reality, you are actually quite happy with what you have. Maybe it’s the house and neighborhood you live in, but due to pressure from the {Jones’} you feel the “need” to get a newer or better one. Or take, for example, your job. It could be that you LoVe your job and are completely happy there. You just wish you got paid a bit more.
Next time you want to make a change, it may be time to ask yourself if you’re happy right where you are. You may find that even with circumstances less than IdEaL you still are happy. If so, are you sure you want to mess with “happy”?
;) Robynn
I always have a hard time getting back into the SwInG of things once Christmas and New Years are over. I get so wrapped up in preparing for the holidays that when they are finally over I find myself without any motivation to start anything else. To make matters worse I keep hearing about everyone starting their resolutions and I don’t even want to take down my Christmas decorations. It is like I am in denial that the holidays are really over!
Not wanting to let the winter blues get the best of me, I knew I needed to get moving and do SoMeThInG. Yesterday after I dropped my son off at nursery school, I decided to do something simple and bake brownies with my daughter. It wasn’t a goal on my Live-It List and it wasn’t a huge undertaking, but it was SoMeThInG. Not to mention they were pretty yummy and made one little 2 year old really excited to be “Mommy’s helper”.
Are you finding it hard to get yourself going these days? Reluctant to JuMp into your Live-It List? Don’t feel like you need to move mountains in week one. The year has just begun! Do something you enjoy that makes you happy and you might just find yourself ready to tackle your goals!
It is easy to start the year with a lot of aMbiTion (especially when you make your mile-long year “to-do’s” while being snuggled on your couch in your pajamas). You may have found that you woke up this week excited to start the year, but 2 hours later thought, “Ugh! How am I ever going to accOmpLish this stuff? I can’t do all of this!”
Some of my live-it list goals include doing a better job picking up after myself & spending more snuggle time with my husband in the evenings. By noon yesterday, I was quickly reMinDed that every day would present its own curve balls, causing these goals to be more difficult to achieve. I know there will be evenings that Doug is gone for work or days that the kids need before I finish picking up, BUT chipping away at it will be better than waiting to try again next January.
Just like anything in life, we need to take one day at a time and do the best with what each day offers. I will still try to iMproVe in these areas, but if the day doesn’t turn out how I had hoped, there is no reason to give up for good.
If you are already feeling overwhelmed at accomplishing the goals on your list, take a step back and make reaListic expectations for yourself. All of your goals may not happen by the end of 2012, but you will accomplish more (and feel better too!) versus having done nothing at all.
Good luck!
Lara
Wow. 2011 is over. Did I hear a sigh of ReLiEf?2011 was a PaiNfuL year for many people. I know of so many people who have struggled in incredible ways this past year. People who lost jobs, lost family members, people who were given grim diagnosis’, people whose spouse’s decided they suddenly wanted to call it quits, people whose dreams were dashed.
As the ball dropped on January 1, you may have found yourself relieved that 2011 was over. But maybe you also find yourself ReeLiNg from the aftershock.
WhErE To NoW?
In case that is you and hope seems no where to be found, I would like to share with you a verse I can’t get out of my mind regarding the New Year. It is found in Isaiah 43:18-19:
“FoRgEt the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NeW thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a WaY in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
2011 may have been your desert, your wasteland, but take HoPe!! 2012 is a new beginning and the WaY-MaKer is making a WaY for you!!
:)
Robynn~
The Live-It list challenge if finally here!! Increase your chance to win the purse by doing the following right now!
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Week 1 Live-It List question: Give 3 examples of “Live It” List Ideas to help Readers Brainstorm their own list, by commenting below. (feel free to use a screen name)
Lara & Robynn: For both of us the highlight of 2011 was, by far, sTarTing tHis bLog. We started this blog in effort to help people and the feedback we have received has been far more than we could have ever dreamed. And although our intention was to help others, we have grown and learned so much just by sharing our journey with you. Many thanks to our readers for assuring us that we aren’t totally cRazy :)
Robyn: For me, the highlight of 2011 was opening up my Etsy shop, RoByN’s NeSt. Through the Etsy community and Robyn’s Nest facebook page, I have met so many amazing people and friends who I would never have had the opportunity to meet. As many of you know…Etsy is what led me to Lara and in turn opened up the opportunity to write on this AmAziNg BloG with both her and Robynn! What a year it has been!
What will you remember as the highlight of YoUr 2011?
The Suede Sofa Blog 
