Your light is a gift to the world

Illumination

"This painting is my interpretation of feeling illuminated with inspiration and reassurance, and finding hope, answers, or that your path has been made clear. The lantern represents the woman receiving light and keeping it close to her, while it also serves to illuminate the lives of others. We prepare ourselves to be enlightened along our way and as we do so in faith, we will be illuminated." ~ Annie Henrie

I received this picture for Christmas. I love it. It is by one of my favorite artists Annie Henrie. She was inspired to create this beautiful picture from a scripture in Mathew. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." ~ Mathew 5:16. May you also find that your light within is a gift not only to yourself but to those around you, for it is the truth.

You see, God's children had a need and they were asking a question. For God so loved the world that He gave it you. He gave the world you to fill the need and answer the question. The trick is, will you put forth the effort to discover the answer that lies within you and share it with the world.

God created you as a unique and precious gift. It does no one any good, least of all you, for the gift to remain unopened and unused. The irony is that just like a child who sees a cookie, asks for it and is in eager anticipation of receiving it; so is the world in eager anticipation of receiving what only you can give.

You see the world is eagerly waiting for what you have to offer. The longer they must wait, the more the anticipation grows. All that is left is simply for you to give. Give of yourself the way that you have always dreamed of doing. Love as big as your heart yearns for. Give of yourself without holding back. Leave no words of encouragement that you can give unsaid. Step out of your comfort zone and chase your dreams, whatever the outcome.

In any area of your life or with any person you choose to do it, you are only giving what has been wanted from you all along; which is for you to live, love and give as much as you can, as big as you can, as often as you can. In doing so you are filling the needs in the lives of everyone you touch. You are answering the questions that have been keeping them in the dark for so long. You become a beautiful expression of the light and love of God that never was until you arrived in the world.

So instead of constantly worrying over what people are thinking about you, what if you simply ask yourself this question, "If I really am a gift that people want, how do I want to give the gift today?"

And as an instructor has told me, "You are the gift and the gift is perfect, even if the wrapping can use some work." The funny thing about wrappings is that no matter how many hours we spend on making them look perfect, more often than not, they usually end up torn and discarded while the gift goes on to be cherished and loved.

Attitude of Gratitude

I am grateful to be writing again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started writing again. I also recognize that it is only because of my insecurities and self doubts that has kept me from doing what I love. When I worry about what others think about what I am doing, keeps me from doing what I love. When I do what I love without concern of others thoughts, I am free and from my freedom other people usually love what I do. But you can't please everyone, so let them be responsible for their own happiness.

Quotes to live by

"You never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you have." ~ Unknown Author

I'm Back

This year became so busy with school, my family, and playing Noah's ark. We had a flood in our house this summer from our toilet backing up and running for 3 hours. Since it ran for so long there were only 3 rooms in our house that were not affected, my bedroom being one of them thank goodness.

However, since this was sewage it was considered a category 3 flood and hazardous which meant the family was moved into a hotel until repairs were completed. So we spent 3 months in a two hotel rooms with 5 kids, 2 adults and 1 dog. Luckily there was a swimming pool so all of my boys learned how to swim this summer without floaties. Yeah!

I also began working on my final project with my group so I could finish my program and graduate. I was terrified of doing the project which is called a Breakthrough Saturday. A short description is that you have a small group that must create, source, and put on a workshop for a minimum of 10 people. Each person in the small group must speak and present for a minimum of 15 minutes. Yikes! Actually I am eager to share my experience with you later. It was amazing!

I also completed my Movement into Mastery program and graduated in October. Yeah! I have to say this was one of the hardest things I had to do and the most rewarding. It wasn't that the work was really hard so much as how much I was asked to grow past my comfort zone. All in all it was so worth it.

I just want to say Hello, I'm back. I am excited about writing again. Merry Christmas.