Hope

Those few of you who have followed my blogs over the years know that I like to pick one word to focus on during the whole year. For 2011 it was "confidence." The year before was its close cousin "courage." This next year, the word I've chosen is "hope."

I need it. I have spent most of my life letting fear be my guide and controller. Risk management comes naturally to me. But it's kept me from experiences and relationships. I'd much rather let hope be in charge. I'd much rather focus on the faith and possibilities of opportunity management. I'd rather trust. I'd rather be positive.

Unfortunately, this winter has been a little dull for me so far. As you can probably tell from the lack of December posts, not a lot inspired me. I was also very busy. Now things have slowed down. Yesterday, I decided I wanted to share what I've been thinking about in the way of honoring my preferences. I had the hope that if I took a picture of a glass outside it would be a good illustration of my post.

I brought a towel outside, spread it out on the ground, lay down, and took a few pictures. It was so invigorating just to be outside in the cooler air, to listen to the sounds of the neighborhood and nature, and to feel the warm unseasonable breeze. I decided it wouldn't be the last time I lay down on the grass this winter.

When I got up and was on my way out the gate to the front yard, I saw the feather in the picture above. It surprised me. So pretty and delicate. I was filled with gratitude for its presence and simple beauty.  It gave me hope and the realization that if I keep looking, if I don't give up, this dull winter can be just as happy and bright as any other. Spring and summer will come again.

I believe life can be light as a feather if we let it and if we turn to the Lord for help with the heavy things. I have the hope that practicing hope will help me make 2012 a good one.

Honoring My Preferences

A while ago when my husband offered to get me a drink, he automatically started filling up one of our little colorful plastic cups that I always use. We've had them for years. They're a perfect size for children. "Oh, but you prefer a glass glass, don't you?" he said. Then without waiting for my full response, he poured my drink into a glass like the one above. I felt loved and pleased by his acknowledgement of my preference. Then I was a little sad and surprised when I realized how rarely I do this for myself. Sometimes I don't even know what I want. Little things matter and bring me joy.

The habit of ignoring my preferences probably came from years of self-sacrifice as a wife and mother. There's nothing really wrong with that. Now I realize it wasn't necessary to give up some simple pleasures. I want to get back in touch with those preferences. They are part of who I am and they make me happy. So one of the resolutions I have is that when I discover a preference and I can honor it, then I will. If I want to use the bright orange bowl, I'll use it. If I prefer the softness of the light brown towels, I'll use one. If I'd rather have dark chocolate than light, I'll eat some. If I'd rather ride my bike or dance around the house than walk on the treadmill, I'll do that.

Yes, sacrifice is still an important part of my life. Sometimes I encounter things and situations I don't prefer and because of love, I bend. But when I have the opportunity, I want to show myself a little more love and give myself a little more joy by realizing and acting upon my preferences.

A Dream

(Image from Wikipedia)

It's a surprise and she doesn't usually like surprises, but he knows this has been her dream. He makes arrangements for the two of them to fly to the Oregon coast and stay for just one night in THIS bed and breakfast. The place is the former home of the keepers of the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Before they go, she does research and discovers the bed and breakfast is haunted by a ghost named Rue. Rue is a friendly ghost (she only protests when the place is remodeled) so that's okay.
They go to the bed and breakfast and have a lovely time.
Alas, it was only a dream.

Cake Stand

Before Christmas, my children kept asking me, "What do you want?"

I have trouble wanting to want things. I like the minimalist way of thinking. I've moved twice in the past year, so I've learned to see too much stuff as a burden. But when people kept asking me what I wanted, I couldn't help but think of a few things that would be nice to own-- like a cake stand. I like parties. I've seen cool displays of cakes where they used stands of all sorts. So when my  older daughter asked, "What do you want for Christmas?" I said, "A cake stand."

We went to the mall to see if we could find one. I'm not a fan of malls. Sometimes I feel psychologically and spiritually mauled in the mall. But we found cake stands. The ones I liked most were clear glass and very expensive. I didn't even entertain the idea of having one with a lid.

Imagine my surprise when I found a cake stand in a thrift store-- with a lid. Yes, it was covered with awful paint both on the lid and the stand, but thanks to my sliding glass door painting experiences, I was pretty sure I could scrape that paint off.

<-- BEFORE

Who needs to decorate a glass container when you have a beautiful dessert that can show off itself??!! Fortunately, the paint scraped off easily.

So now I have a cake stand with a lid. Yeah, it cost me $19, but I looked on-line and saw similar stands for at least $50. The lid will come in handy. Our daughter who has Down syndrome and autism LOVES cake and has dug into a few when unsupervised. This lid will prevent that trauma. Then I think of outside parties with bug-free cakes, cupcakes and pies. It was energy and money well spent.

Merry Christmas!