A fresh look

A little humor goes a long way!
from Wall Vinyl

Around this time of year, winter doldrums seem to be closing in. How can we take a fresh look at our surroundings to renew ourselves? Here are a few ideas:

1. Let's be grateful for what we have. Aren't you glad to be you when you read the news, turn on the TV, or hear about hardships others go through? Me too! Let's focus on what's GOOD rather than our challenges when we can.
2. Add color and spice. Whether it's to our food, our living room, or our life, incorporating bright tastes and hues cheers us and perks us up.
3. Change things around. Is what we're doing not working for us? What small changes would provide a boost, right now?
   
   Here's an example: I hate (yes, hate, not merely dislike) walking up our driveway and street to where my walk levels out. The steep hill daunts me and I'm resistant to the effort, even though it's not physically difficult. Something about that slope repels me, especially in winter.
   
   I've begun driving to the top of the hill, parking the car, and walking for 2-3 mostly level miles before running errands. Sure, driving is ecologically unfriendly. It would be healthier to walk out my door, tromp to the top, and cruise the flats before descending to my doorway. But I've talked myself out of walking for 4 months.
   
   It's definitely time to shake things up a little. Though skipping the steep hike is not the best possible plan, avoiding the hill is working for me! Which routines could use tweaking for your maximum benefit?
   
   

   

   Imagine living in this calm, clutter-free space,
   from Apartment Therapy

4. Find one word to motivate and focus your attention. Some of us chose one word as an anti-New Year's resolution. (If you don't have one, what concept resonates with your spiritual life, mental health, and physical well-being? Condense it to one word.) Let's align our activities with that so we don't waste our time and energy to reap regrets ... or nothing at all.
   
   My word's gratitude, releasing the past to embrace the present and future with a thankful heart. What's yours?
5. Live one day at a time. Life may feel overwhelming or grey. Usually we can take one step after another, even when the pace is slow or halting. Put one foot in front ... again and again to see where the path takes us.
   
   If the way is cluttered, simplify your expectations and your surroundings.
6. Look ahead in anticipation. "I'm an optimist," said a key donor who who helped raise a pledge for $330 million within a month. His goal was to save artwork in the Detroit Institute of Art from the auction block.
   
   "Did you think you would be this wildly successful?" asked the NPR interviewer this morning.
   
   "Well yes. Remember, I'm optimistic and always hope for the best."
   
   What a great attitude. When things look darkest, a rainbow or a ray of sunshine my begin to emerge. Let's not miss it!
7. Finally, share your life and resources with others. Focus outwardly to be happier! Volunteer. Give. Spend yourself on behalf of other people. What you gives comes back to you - even if it's just a realization that God is good and we have a lot to share.

Read more:

*Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 ESV

*Surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4 ESV

*The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

*Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, we praise your name. Lord, we worship and adore you, for you are our strength and our shield against the evils that we encounter daily. You are always faithful and never fail your obedient children. As you direct us, we trust in your divine wisdom. Amen.

Need inspiration? Start something!

I rarely tear up. However, births and growth (spiritual and otherwise) make my eyes well up. An unexpected sources of inspiration - and happy tears - showed up at Apartment Therapy this morning.

If you're a regular reader, you know my view of humanity: each person is unique, wonderful, and gifted. God made us as we are. He likes us! and sets us loose to use our talents, training, and experiences in our location.

WE get to choose, each day, to: 

• develop self and enjoy life to the max, OR
• stay small and hidden to live an unfulfilled, fulfilling life.

Need inspiration on being true to yourself while helping others? Click here for the story of an amazing Before & After by an ordinary couple. She works with refugees and he works in construction.

The abandoned house falling into ruins across the street? She sees the opportunity. He has the skills. She has the network. He has friends who can help.

Before and After - Ruin to Refuge

Together they roll up their sleeves and get to work. The result? Pure joy. Win. Win. Win. Check out the full story here.

What's your gift to the world? Here are a few ideas to help you find a place and passion that can change the world (on a small or big scale):

1. Start with who you are. God made you. He likes you. He put you where you are. Tests like Strengthsfinder 2.0 and Myers-Briggs can help you examine your strengths and passions. Ask your friends and coworkers for their view on what's important to you, too.
2. Look around you. What needs doing? More particularly, what needs doing that excites you or gets your mind churning with possibilities?
3. Ask God's advice. He's strong enough, smart enough, and willing to steer you in the right direction.
4. Find people to help. Ideas, skills, and willing hands are all around you. Don't drop an idea or go it alone if a project seems beyond your ability. Look for partners who will boost what you do into reality - or something bigger still!
5. Take small steps toward making a difference. This might mean talking things over with others, planning a project, getting out your hammer and toolbox, preheating the oven, walking to the neighbor's home or office, or assembling cleaning supplies.
6. Get to work. Jump in and DO IT. God made you to create and contribute to the world. (If you were unimportant or irrelevant, he would have made someone else like you and put him or her where you are.) Yikes, it's really YOU through whom God wants to show up this time, in this place. Get moving!
7. Admire the results. Be happy when God uses you. Savor the satisfaction - even God admired his work every day of creation. (While he comments that sun, moon, starts, plants, and animals are "good," he rocked it out of the park with "VERY GOOD" when he made us. Cool!)

Please share your contribution or projects in the Comments below. We'd love to know how you - yes, you! - fit into the world around you. Thanks!

Read more:

*Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27

*See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

*"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

Moravian Prayer: Father in heaven, we recognize that you are the Alpha and Omega, you are the beginning and the end. We also know that you have no ending and will be with us forever. You who are, who were and are to come, be all power and glory in Christ our Almighty Savior. Amen.

Smile and clean up that mess!

I'm a perpetual fan of Apartment Therapy, a design, decor, and home arts blog. This morning's post was hilarious.  Maxwell is in the middle of a 20 Day Home Cure. Enjoy this link, which may bring a smile to your face as it did to mine: Clean One Room!