Welcoming The Merry Month of March

  7 Ways to Cultivate Joy   By: Chuck Swindoll

Want more joy in your day? Cultivate it! Joy springs from viewing the day's events from eternity's perspective. With this intentional focus, you're sure to see today differently — with more joy and conviction that God is at work in your life.

1. Rehearse with God the reasons you trust Him. Tell Him which of His attributes is your favorite right now. Read the praises of Scripture back to Him — begin with Psalm 103. Join with another believer in prayers of thanksgiving, and delight yourself in His character.

2. Keep a "joy journal." Record the reasons you have to rejoice and the reminders of God's faithfulness that you encounter in your everyday life. In addition, why not press a leaf from your prayer walks into its pages or include a photo of a person that brings you joy each time you remember him or her? Think big — expand your journal into a "joy box" or a "joy drawer" that brings floods of joy each time you open it.

3. Surround yourself with joyful people. Joy is contagious — so build relationships with friends whose lives exhibit their confidence in God. Pray for each other that your joy in Christ would continue to increase.

4. Approach life's challenges and trials redemptively. God doesn't waste the difficult circumstances of your life but uses them to develop His character in you. Review Romans 5 and James 1 for help in processing pressure productively. Joy will sneak up on you when you view your hardest lessons as gifts from God.

5. Make praise and gratitude a habit. Has God met a need? Praise Him! Have your challenges given you greater opportunities to see Him work? Thank Him! Joy flows from a grateful and responsive heart. Before you turn in at night, write down three to five blessings in your "joy journal." Make it a habit, and watch your joyful attitude grow.

6. Fill your mind with music. Listen to, sing, and meditate on music that draws your heart nearer to God and His Word.

7. Take the long view. Investors advise their clients not to worry about the daily ups and downs of the stock market — what matters is the long view. Does life present incredible challenges today? Are your reserves at a low, or are you enjoying a content plateau? Regardless of today's events, take the long view. Remember that God remains in charge of your days and will faithfully develop His character in you.

Remember, joy springs from viewing the day's events from eternity's perspective. Trust that God controls your life's details (Romans 8:28), that He hears your every request (Psalm 116:1), and that His joy will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Adapted from "Seven Ways to Cultivate Joy," Insights (March 2001): 2. Copyright © 2001 by Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide

 "In thy presence is fullness of joy.

"Psalms 16:11

Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ.La Dolce Vita Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ.

February had wisps of ups and downs but nothing whatsoever to dispute it as the sweet month of loving! It blew by so fast each day laced with it's own silver lining. How I wish I jotted down each day's blessing. It is currently my one big boo -boo, how I let the days pass without having written down what would've been so delightful to remember. I won no lottery, nor did I accomplish something earth shakingly grand to give me distinction, but there was a charm to the days that was precious to my heart. Right now let me try to recall some of it.  
1. Valentine's Day was SO special! The cake in this picture (above) is a testament to that! 

2. I bought the most gorgeous flowery plants that set my garden a' bloom. Now I know that this may read so ordinary, but for me the memory of coming across someone in a street corner selling blooms while my husband and I were driving by just at the most opportune moment when I was thinking of getting some potted beauties was smack serendipity.

3. I love that I found a means to watch Downton Abbey! 

4. The grandest thing February gifted us was the fruition of husband's hard work. True, you harvest what you plant! I am so proud of his accomplishments.
 

"Let yourself feel your heart wide open, knowing now that you hold the magic. See the image stamped permanently into your consciousness, and breathe in the words, “When I stand in being a warrior for love, all things come as they should.”
~ Debbie Ford

Live, Love & Laugh

February Musings on the Wisdom of Celebrating Felicity

Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥

Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home;it's supported by seven hewn timbers. The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out,table set with silver and flowers; Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place and invites everyone within sound of her voice; 

"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come have dinner with me! I've prepared a wonderful spread--fresh baked bread, roast lamb,carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning. ~ Proverbs 9:1-6

Thanks a million dee' to chance that I read this verse early this morning after the events of having gotten' out of the wrong side of the bed and behaving like a half twit' bat  towards someone - ok - towards one of my sons who was frantically searching for a sock. But by golly' I have not been remiss in warning everyone that I am barely human before 9 am and goodness knows what groggy creature I may be at barely past 5  with nary a slug of coffee, bah!

• ♥ • All survived and it is a pleasant afternoon presently with me recalling that half a minute charged dawn mini-drama which all but placed an imperceptible dent on what is blossoming to be a pretty memory of a charming February. Much have I to recall of laughter and felicity and perhaps, yes, perhaps I could give myself a little pat on the back for somehow keeping "me" together during crookie' moments when times weren't so favorably right and I had the power within me to actually make things worse -> only I didn't, hahaha! Wee'..a bit grown wiser may I becoming? Perhaps, perhaps...

I am grateful for the inspiration of the Highest Wisdom who reigns me in and soothes my being when I whisper a prayer that twines around • ♥ • "please, I want to be strongly gentle...not riled or rattled or rock frenzied by muddled circumstances...let me be the bearer of wise silence when someone unburdens on me, patient and understanding and courageous in holding forth my two cents worth unless genuinely desired.. ♥

  And since it's February and one can be more than pardoned for being a little bit brash with bold pronouncements of "charmed living," (hehe!) it is Without Apology that I flagrantly brandish pictures of  --->
Living My Own Style of A Charmed Life!

"If you celebrate your differentness, the world will, too. It believes exactly what you tell it through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to care for yourself. Tell the world you are one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated." ~ Victoria Moran

Tis' with a strain of awkwardness that I try to live the above wit, for hooked maliciously on a strand of thought is a hair of guilt that I don't deserve to enjoy - anything; that every moment I cherish is selfishness on my part when there are so many I know wallowing in misfortune of some sort. It sounds mighty crazy but this truth brings out the most unsavory unladylike and quite repulsive side of my character; for instead of enjoying the moment and being grateful of life, I unconsciously reflect negativity, become gravely withdrawn and stoically project an ill perceived manner so flagrantly unbecoming. Thank goodness, that the great God in his marvelous mercy worked with time, and I daresay, through the love of my partner causing my inner person to relax and mellow and be serenely healed, if I may say so, of myself.  

Today, I fondly welcome these chains of beautiful simple abundance moments that always present themselves to me. I laugh, I love and live with a focus on the moment. And when I find myself being led to thoughts of doom, I wrestle it captive to the love of God. It's not easy. But I am not alone.

Now here's that bit of chocolate cake I had last luvy duvy' Valentine's day, hehe!  Bit of a surprise really - I wasn't expecting to go out that evening. The LOVE had a very hectic day and I preferred to celebrate a quiet evening at home. My cell rang mid- afternoon and he absolutely insisted that we go out. Wouldn't even tell me where,  so I was seamlessly thrilled by the mystery of it all, haha! Round 6 pm he picked me up and still - wouldn't divulge much info, until we reached city proper and stuck in traffic  gave the restaurant a call to make sure our table would be held  in reserve for us. Dawned on me, but of course, where else would it be most perfect to spend a lovely night but at TITANIA's Wine Cellar!  We had been there once  about a year ago for a platter of cheese and wine, and vowed we would be back for the whole deal as I was enamored with the place. What perfect timing!

How can I describe it - that night - except to say that both the place, the food and the crowd merged into a frolic of red upholstered loveliness  - quite a heady aura of "Phantom of the Operaesque" romance cloaked with a wonderfully fortunate ending. Suffice it to say, the evening qualifies as one of those memorable Valentines I would with fondness recall when I get to be all crinkly old (cute) and grey. 

Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥
Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Embracing January

Six things are requisite to create a happy home. Integrity must be the architect, and tidiness the upholsterer. It must be warmed by affection, and lightened with cheerfulness, and industry must be the ventilator, renewing the atmosphere and bringing in fresh salubrity day by day; while over all, as a protecting and glory, nothing will suffice except the blessings of God." ~Rev. Hamilton 1878 

WEEKEND - As I write I am sourly pickled in the thankless labor of *wheedling* out clutter from the home. It is a most unpleasant task and I am' half tempted to shirk the tiresome responsibility, eat a cake, and let it be. The work is laboring and ungodly languorous in its dopey senseless cloying cycle, sigh!  And no, I do not, honestly speaking, relish this drudgery one bit. ( Dear reader, I am complaining ridiculously in my mind through the tap tap of my fingers but not a single whine will be uttered by my person to a soul. ( i'll try....) 

This dusty distress must be dealt with and there is no one else to do it but me. Or, yes, actually, there is; I have a regular cleaning lady who comes in every 7 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon. I can put her to the task but that would be freewheeling and unbecoming  of me, to say the least. It  is  enough that the sweet lady helps me so  quite expertly with the laundry. 
 Tweedling around inside cabinets and closets, sorting through books, old clothes, worn out bags, shoes, as well as, the gathering, sorting and filing of old documents, plus, a spade of other  dee' dums is solely to be my primary occupation for the next three days as entered in my weekly plan. Ah, this is not how I envisioned my "sparkly" 2013 to be, haha! --The heavens seeming sympathetic to my plebeian plight has gently showered tendrils of encouragement for me to grasp. It has come just when I most needed it as all the nitty grittys have me slowly sinking into a pit of deploring discouragement; tired, flustered and feeling unwell. 

The "15 Day Clutter Free Challenge" is a working blessing. As I go through a fresh routine of totally organizing and rearranging the inner storage of my home, I catch myself reeling from the bombardment of inner de-cluttering summons appearing one to the other in ferocious maniacal proportions! Ah, it is painfully herculean work, this fumigating of the insides, as I am time and again affronted with my own beloved antiquated flaws that have outlived their adolescent prime and desolately need disposing. More often, I am flustered and aghast with my sheer inability to live the education of what I have so meditatively poured my mind into that I cringe with frustration, my voice bleating thin, wan and weary. And then I realized that this is it - or that was it - what it was all about!

As my home comes to a new order, so does my whole way of being.   The process is messy but the outcome is serenity. Yes, January,  I embrace your beauty and grace and all the lessons I faced. And your remaining days I weave through my life with peace living this quote at heart:

" Perhaps now -- of all times-- when I am nearly bowed under physically, emotionally and psychologically by the minutiae of the mundane, is the very moment I need the reverence of poets who bear witness to the sacredness of  the ordinary. then perhaps I shall see, not just other people's belongings, but all the beauty, joy, and abundance that literally lies at my feet. "
                    ~ Sarah ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Prayer while organizing:
By Glynnis Whitwer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me so much responsibility. It shows Your trust in me. Help me to be a good steward of the assignments You have given me. Help clear the clutter in my mind as I work through this exercise. Bring things to mind that You want me to remember. It feels overwhelming to me right now, but I know with Your help, I can manage this. In Jesus name, Amen.

Lord, You know how hard it is for me to focus sometimes. It’s hard to figure out what needs to be done. I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I know You aren’t a God of confusion, so I ask for Your wisdom and clarity to help bring order to my chaotic mind. In Jesus name, Amen.

A night to remember

♥ January 2013
“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.”
~Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy again! Happy oysters, how appropriate! In manifesting a sparkly joyful day, the phrase "happy again" is a mantra I aim to whisper every hour the whole year through! I am both a dreamer and a realist ( the latter to a certain degree, heh!) knowing that itzy bitsy challenge are prone to pop up every once in a while; not to fret and not to fear for I have a stock of good perky memories and a particular penchant for the giggles to slide me through the ( just a few, I dare declare ) rough edges of life. Oh, here's a particularly Zen quote that definitely speaks of those times:

The Buddha confirmed that it is possible to live happily in the here and the now — even if you still have lots of pain and sorrow within yourself. Mindful breathing helps you become fully alive. And when you are really there, you can touch all the wonders of life that are available in this very moment for your enjoyment…for your nourishment…and for your healing. ~ TNH

Oysters make for divine happy memories, and yes, I'm an oyster lovin' gal' (true and true!) and can  slick up a bushel full if dared! In between Christmas and NYE, the Honey Doo' and I had a plate of some fancy baked beauties that cost as much as a basket load had it come from a plain wet market and steamed cooked at home. BUT, it's truly fun to soak in those once in a while refinements of glittery "ambiance" that a mighty fine tootsie place with all the right lights can deliver; so we enthusiastically plumped ourselves a seat, ordered quite decisively, excitedly divided the lot, left the fresh green decor untouched (haha!) and enjoyed the platter! We also had a tempting tasty full round of pepperoni pizza, a delicately melty' eggplant parmigiana washed sweetly by a fresh brewed slush tea and a margarita (later on) on the side. 

The glaze torched Crème brûlée with a cup of (true blue) Italian coffee lent a smooth refined ending to what was an exquisite evening of pleasurable tit for tat'...-- 2012 was such a serious hard working year, we rarely found the energy to just go out and relax, preferring so much more the familiar soothing corners of home. -- It felt good that night to mindfully be settled among a festive holiday crowd of diners whilst ( luv' the word) a succession of  soft croony'  classic Christmas songs gently wafted through the setting. We had a chance to look back that night and voice out a few realizations discovered between us. It surprised me to realize that preferences and tastes have so evolved, but still we do share the same "likes"  than ever before! We were actually searching for a jazzy place when we started the night, but as fate would have it, our footsteps were guided towards a beautiful corner where soft music was playing and everything was a twinkle relaxing, Right there we decided that such places are definitely us. I liked that. I like it when  something jives so deeply with not just me or him but both of us as one single entity. Joy! 

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy.
~ Job 8:21

2013- A Year That Promises Sparkles

Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥
She who leaves a trail of glitter always sparkles! ( and is never forgotten too, haha!) And that's what 2013 will be for me - a - trail - of - sparkles! I am setting out to make the coming year a jolly, joyful, mirthful, laughter filled year. I dare declare it my jubilee year; 365 days of purposely planned and carefully crafted effervescent days of  joy.- I mean that - or my name isn't Lady Prism, haha!

The way I see it, you and I are both vessels of light. I am - You are- light incarnate! We are meant to shimmer and  radiate. Whatever religious affiliation, ideology, conviction, race, color or creed, Christmas is for all. It is the rekindling gift of light by the Christ, our Redeemer, offered to every single living thing on earth, be it man, woman, child or creature. Let everything that has life praise the Lord, the Good Book says, for He has come to give us joy, a joy the world cannot give.

The Christ of Christmas I know is the spirit of the loving Nazarene, a beacon of love and light, who without earthly political agenda set out to boldly speak of hope, forgiveness and redemption. His message was one of living on higher ground through the practical application of kindness towards self and neighbors. Such a very simple, plain preaching devoid of religious hysteria it was hard to take then, and hard to take now.

And as we are reminded by the season to live in joy, I am personally filled to the brim with a hope of having my light within rekindled luminescent.  A happy me means a happy community of those around me.  I want my happiness to flow because I want my joy to touch you. Being happy takes conscious effort. It takes work. It takes loving discipline; a positive focusing of thoughts hinged on faith. Whatever is good, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of praise, think only of those things, the Good Book says.

Being happy takes planning, organization and  execution. The world created out of chaos was formed into order, so should our lives be. It takes sacrifice at times, a giving up of temporal enticements that appear exciting at the present moment but lead nowhere except to  the inner enclaves of spiritual destitution and moral disaster - for if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be.  Happiness takes courage and a dash of bravery too! It takes giving up and  letting go. It takes an open heart and an open mind. Happiness is not only being with people, it is at times wrestling with a loneliness so deep, facing whatever need be, then plodding on until the clouds break through and light bursts forth again. Happiness is consciously casting out whatever dark thoughts that assail the spirit during downtrodden days, believing that we are never truly alone. Happiness is the mastery of patience, the generosity of understanding, and the charity of forgiving - everyday.

These words I write simply because in times when I feel less than shinning, it would do well to refer the fact that I am a person who chooses to be happy. I am created for joy. My happiness does not hinge on objects to own or people to possess. It isn't hooked on how I am perceived by others either looked up or looked down upon. My happiness is not flared by the grand theatrics of a howling, drinking partying crowd, nor seduced by ominous racks of designer must haves. It isn't rocked by despairing days or rendered arrogant by triumph. My happiness stems from a confidence that I am esteemed by a God of Love and, that my worth is far above rubies. My fave Max Lucado book says it all - God wants you, just the way you are. And this, this is the happiness that makes me sparkle. This is my light. A light that you and I both share, magnificently lit from an everlasting radiant Divine source that kindles from within.

“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

~ Matthew 5:14

The Gift

Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥

 Hiked off to the beauty parlor just after this hatty photo was taken (oweee' haha!). I feel so sparkly tootsie' as the nice lady made sure my hair got all the pretty pampering it (desperately) deserved.

When I came in my roots were all but bare pronounced with strands here and there jutting on ends like misshappen twigs in trajectory. The young miss seriously contemplated what probably appeared like an obtrusive swallow's nest atop my head, then turned to a senior stylist and openly discussed the acute condition before her. After exchanging random numbers of what I believe were mysterious mixes of shades and exact procedures for "reviving" my limp crestfallen mane, my good lady intently explained what was to be done in the hopes, most likely, that I would comprehend the gravity of what she has to deal with, haha!

Quite a "rare" thing for me to visit the shop as I prefer to style myself by my lonesome self - sometimes good, sometimes bad. Took all two hours to get me all together, but wow, oh yes, I was so pleased with the aftermath, couldn't help but faintly swing my head every now and then loving the lemony scent and feeling the delicate silky feel of hair brushing skin. I wish I had a pic of that moment of new me, hehe! A little simple pampering truly makes the spirit glad.

2013 is a year for the sparkles! Oh yes, it is! That's my word for it. --> Shine and Sparkle! I am wiping the slate clean, starting beautiful   and positive, more than ever before! With passion I am very very grateful for the blessings of 2012, and somber in humble acknowledgement of those moments wherein I knew I could have done or acted wiser. -- Now when it comes to gifts, it bears acknowledging that one of the greatest gifts I am truly thankful for is - my husband of 23 years and 8 months. Nothing can be of more value than to be with someone you saw through your young 20's, someone who grew up with you through the best and the bad, someone whose presence is constant, stable and reliable. I have many dear friends and I love them all, but as the good book says, there  is that one friend who stands closer than a brother; a friend who will give his very life for another. I am blessed that in my life I know I have that kind of friend in him.

And then of course I am also grateful for my two grown boys. Both in their early 20's, they are proving to be such good friends to me as well! I am much pleased and happy that they have weathered the tumultuous teen years intact (haha!) and are now braving to create lives of their own. 

On Higher Ground

Each of us makes our own weather, 

determines the color of the skies, 

and the emotional universe which we inhabit. 

~ Fulton J. Sheen

Possessing a cottage by the sea, living lulled by wavy foamed lazy waves and taking leisurely walks in warm sugar bleached sand is a romantic notion that buoys my Piscean  fancy. -- The cottage: stony rustic with wistery climbing bounganvilla on its tiled clay roof, or vintage white timbered with a white porch facing the waves, or tropical quaint bamboo(ed) `with latched windows accented with dangling yam purple orchids and mango yellow flowerbells -- 

Or it may not be the dream of a sea but of an idyllic provincial cottage (a happenstance convenient10 minute drive to the city, haha!) complete with trellises of sweet yellow bells and fun hello's of friendly neighbors. 
---- little whimsy dreams because in reality I live neither by the sea.....nor  in some seductive romantic back road inn..fronted by a landscape of bliss. ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ

There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot,
 but there are others who with the help of their art, 
their intelligence, transform the yellow spot into sun. 
~ Pablo Picasso  

  Nevertheless, I wear this weather of blue skies in the inner insides of me and have colored my homes ( yes, each one I've lived in to where I am today) with the strokes of my emotional universe --> being that what I described above . And it delights me when friends smile and coo' "what a pretty space you've created" ( I have to articulate this because sometimes I forget and grumble and fret so).

 This is how I want to live forever and ever -- > taking a yellow spot and transforming it into the sun --> taking something mundane and working my miracle to make it come alive. Each day to live this way would be such a pleasure.   
 ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. 
  
A tender reminder this is for me --> to trust that I am guided in my path. In moments of doubt and questioning; when a bite of fear sinks deep in my soul and I let slip how very well I am infused with strength that comes from above, it would be well to acknowledge the oft evoked phrase that goes "...we have not been given a spirit of fear but of love". 

Yesterday I was very much uplifted by what I chanced at a women's devotional website.
 
"My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay
Though some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.


Lord lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven's table land
A higher plain than I have found;
Lord plant my feet on higher ground." 

 Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥
  
Today's musing leads me to the following insights:
1. We each make our own weather.
2. We determine the color of our skies.
3. We determine the emotional universe which we inhabit.
4. We can transform even a spot into something pretty
5. We are a spirit of LOVE
6.  We can live on higher ground.
 Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥¸¸. ,•ღ. ℒℴνℯ •ღ. ℒℴνℯ♥¸.•*”Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥

- all photos and paintings by me :D