Little bits of color scattered here and there. There is inspiration and light in others. This week I’m busy collecting what I find. Here’s some of it:
Music passed onto me from Scott
Riding skateboards, on our bellies, down our driveway with my kids. I felt like I was flying.
A list of scriptures mentioning the word “hope.” Passed onto me from Brandon
An amazing animation by Penelope Dullaghan that helps me understand the idea of letting things move through without effecting me.
A message about Reviving Breath. Passed onto me from Terrence
My husband praying for us while I cried.
Various other texts and emails and messages of kind hopeful words from friends. Sometimes it’s enough to just know someone else knows you’re struggling, and they care.
Benjamin Franklin’s principle of silence:
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
Mr. Glen teaching me how to clean cottonwood off our outdoor air conditioning unit, and the calmness that followed while completing a simple chore outdoors.
Feeling like I was hearing God tell me this morning that it’s okay to ask things of Him, just as simply as my son asks for a slush every time we pass-by Sonic. The answer is not always “yes,” but that doesn’t make the ask wrong.
Reading poetry from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow while soaking in a hot bath. Hearing him tell me how hard it is to read poetry if your mind is not calm, if your soul is not still.
Inspiring words from Valerie about my brokenness:
“As an egg breaks, a chick emerges. Breaking things pave the way for the new; trust that all is well.”
A quote from Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh:
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
These are all so many great pearls of wisdom to hang onto, praying for you Mandy
Mandy, you inspire me so much because you are so open and honest. You said in your other post that “The problem with being a writer (an artist) is you think you always have to have something wise and life-changing to offer someone.”
I want you to know that by simply being yourself you ARE offering up things of great value. The open-ness and real-ness connects to all of us.
A friend of mine recently posted this on her Facebook:
“We go through things in life and wonder “Why me God?”…..then we are told “For a reason.” I read the following this morning…..’Our afflictions are the price we pay for our ability to sympathize. He who would be a helper, must first be a sufferer.’ “Strange & difficult we may find it, But the blessing that we need is… behind it.”
Those words encouraged me because I have been through those down times too. I’m still working through one honestly. But I know that by going through my down and making it to the other side I will be able to be an encouragement to others.
Thank you for sharing your heart and not just being one of those people who pretend that life is always perfect. I will be praying for hope to flow into your life and inspiration to fill up your heart.
what a breath of fresh air….and I love those quotes from Kasie, too…
To Him who is able…