December 27, 2024

This morning I started writing in my fresh, new journal.

It's like starting a new chapter.

Which I am...continuously....always, it seems.

I have been setting some intentions for the new year.

Getting them on paper.

Little things really, like writing more letters,

more time connecting, more self-care, and 

what I can eliminate to keep life more simple.

Focusing on what's important to me.

A roadmap to refer to if life seems to start going

sideways, and I have to find my footing.

It's good to have some tools ready.

I don't have any resolution to set.

If I need to start, or stop something, 

I just do it.

But... a new year does give me a sense of a fresh start.

So I'm taking all that I learned this year...

packing it in my carry on, 

and rolling into the New year stronger, wiser

and open for whatever.

Some Journal notes:

Be still so He can strengthen you.

Trust God in every situation.

God knows what He's doing in your life.

He always knows what's in your best interests,

and acts accordingly.

Draw close to Him rather than your circumstances.

Pruning is necessary for spiritual growth.

It can be frustrating and scary to lean on God,

and not your own wisdom.

It is always best.

You can trust Him.

He won't steer you wrong.

"Doubts and fears poison the mind and body

and imagination runs riot,

attracting disaster and disease."

Trusting that you are doing the very best you can will 

increase your peace.

You are responsible for your effort & 

not the result.

The consequences of the action are up to God 

& the Universe.

Be nicer than you think you should be.

There are countless ways of looking at life.

Keep an open mind.

Believe in yourself & respect that others

are entitled to do the same.

You don't have to invalidate anyone else's views

in order to validate your own.

It's alright to disagree.

"Think for yourself & let others enjoy

the privilege of doing so too."

~Voltaire~

When you start believing, 

you'll discover that all things are really possible.

be well...

xoxo

💝

P.S.  About the Nativity tray..."maybe new tradition",

I read in a book that it was an English medieval tradition,

and it served both animals and humans...on Christmas Eve.

To leave a tray out with gift offerings for the passerby.

So I took a tray, and lined it with cloth,

and placed on it,

a small dish of cat food 

a small dish of dog food

cranberries

2 cookies stacked

hay

sunflower seeds

and a fleece hoodie.

I was going to place it on the porch, but Brandon thought that

might be kind of  creepy if a passerby was on our porch...

good point.

So I walked it out and placed it near a bush close to the road.

Not your average sight, but that made it even more fun for me.

(Pretty sure my neighbors get me.)

Waking up early, I  snuck outside to see if anything took the offerings.

Both bowls of food were empty and undisturbed.

One of the two cookies were eaten.

(which I thought was kind of cute)

and the sunflower seeds were a little scattered and

half eaten.

We all had our own version of what we imagined.

It was fun.

It served.

I think I'll do it again next year.

💝

Sharing the amazon link to Simple Abundance

by Sarah Ban Breathnach

(the book I speak of..)

Copy and paste in your browser: 

https://amzn.to/4iMpduB