I’m a Brave Girl

Tags

brave girls club, sleep

Sleep is just around the corner, waiting for me to catch up, to give in. This is a welcome change from the days of insomnia I dealt with last week. Could it be that the Sleepytime Tea really does make me sleep? Who am I to argue when for three nights, I have had a cup and for three nights, sleep has stalked me, calling for me to come to bed. Even before I am ready to give up on my to do list, on my creative searching.

Before I allow sleep to have its way, I just want to recommend a site to you, one that I just discovered over the weekend. I love surfing around and stumbling on these types of treasures. This is for all the ladies in the house.

Check out Brave Girls Club. The camps sound so wonderful and if they weren’t concentrated in the northwest, I might be able to consider registering for one. However, I think the true jewel is the Daily Truths Email. Sign up and receive messages such as this each day:

Dear Vivacious Girl,

Sometimes you are entirely too hard on yourself. While it’s SO GOOD to have big
goals in mind for yourself, to shoot for amazing things and to expect wonderful
results….it is impossible to always have everything go exactly as you hoped,
planned or worked for. Oftentimes, things go wrong, we don’t do as well as we
wanted to, or we just reach our wit’s end and have a complete meltdown.

Remember that life just works this way, it isn’t just you. Some days are better
than others, some days we would rather just forget. Hard days are sometimes life’s
way of slowing us down and making us rest, or making us look for better ways to do
things. It’s never productive to say mean things to yourself, to beat yourself up
over what didn’t happen or what mistakes were made, or to tell yourself that you
should or shouldn’t have done things the way you did.

What you CAN influence is the way that tomorrow goes. So, decide today how you want
to feel tomorrow, and decide that you will work to feel that way no matter what does
or does not happen. Tomorrow is a new day and it can be a great one.

Give yourself a break and be SO KIND to yourself. You already know what you need to
work on, so stop beating yourself over the head with it. Give yourself the kind of
encouragement you would give to your best friend.

Be good to yourself, you deserve it…you are such a wonderful, amazing girl.

xoxo

How beautiful and full of love! I don’t know about you but I need to hear words like this every day. I look forward to anything that may be upcoming from this site. Check it out for yourself and sign up for those Daily Truths.

It Will Be OK

I need a support system.

Because on a day like this, when I have such a wonderful vision in my head of what my life is, what it could be, yet my body is not cooperating and hasn’t been cooperating for a while now, yes, on a day like this, I need to be reminded that it will be ok.

Because on a day like this, which is just another in a stream of days, when it seems that nothing I say or do is the right thing for some of the people who live here and I have to just dig deep inside and know that I am trying my best to be loving and patient and kind and to be the parent not the friend and yes, I fail at that sometimes but I am trying, on a day like this, I need to be reminded that it will be ok.

Because on a day like this, after a night like last night which again was one in a stream of nights, when I am struggling with my anger toward unjust systems and how even those with the best intentions seem to be perpetuating inequality and may not be silencing the voices but certainly aren’t making a lot of room for the voices and I am not even sure what to do but am tired of being angry, yes, on a day like this, I need to be reminded that it will be ok.

I need a support system. And maybe you need one too.

So on a day like today, when a migraine has detoured my plans, when parenting isn’t so easy, when I am struggling to know how to use my voice as a woman, yes on this day, I say to you as you face whatever wall that is in front of you … It will be ok.

if you are alone today. | Magpie Girl (Rachelle Mee-Chapman)

Tags

Flock, meditations, Rachelle Mee Chapman

It happened again today, that confirmation, that convergence of similar thoughts, reminding me that I am not alone. Literally, the reminder was there. I am not alone. You are not alone.

I recently joined Rachelle Mee Chapman’s online community, Flock that offers beautiful creative and spiritual support. Today I quickly subscribed to Rachelle’s podcast and put the most recent on my ipod before heading off to work. Little did I know it was only about a minute and half long. However, I was so profoundly affected by the words that flowed into my soul that I played it over and over and over for my 30 minute drive. I wanted it to become part of my heart.

Her message is to me and to you, it is the message that I am wanting to share also … You are not alone. Go listen to it. Make it your meditation.

if you are alone today. | Magpie Girl (Rachelle Mee-Chapman).

Here’s a nibble to tempt you:

I am with you.

I am with you in
the ache.
In the longing that is
a dream deferred.

In the trying and the failure and
in the next attempt
I am with you.

Grace and Peace.

Cynthia

Friday Felicitations

Last week, Megan gave us a challenge to accept and embrace the compliments that are gifted to us, to believe in ourselves and exchange our negative thoughts about ourselves with positive expectations. I am so pleased that she took a little idea I had to go further with that challenge and ran with it … giving us Friday Felicitations.

It’s time to help each other throw out all that negative thinking and acknowledge those things we have to celebrate. Friday is now the day to blog your compliments, your accomplishments, something nice someone said to you, or maybe even something you are striving to make better. Go ahead, announce yourself to be happy and fortunate.

So without further delay, here are my Friday Felicitations:

1. I have created several art pieces this week that I really like. Tammy has commented on my favorite one, Sunset Window, and complimented my blending. It was the first time I had spent time actually blending the oil pastels. I didn’t have a blending stump, my fingers were rubbing raw, so I used Q-tips. I was very pleased with the results.

2. I went to a jewelry party last night and to be honest, felt a little out of place. I am not much in the bling for the bling’s sake. I want my adornments to have meaning, thus my favorite dragonfly earrings. I did win the on-time prize drawing and picked a beautiful, black lacy scarf to tie around my head and one of the ladies said, “Oh that is you! You can absolutely wear the scarf.”

3. I had a nice visit with my mom today while taking her for a annual check up. We chatted about Christmas and have wonderful plans to have a great time. This is a VAST improvement over last year, for the both of us. I don’t even remember last Christmas. I am so excited about this season and loving the Christmas music even, that I may have to erase scrooge from my list of “who am I?”

4. I made the best lasagna EVER for my two daughters who share a birth-date. Everyone said it ws the best I had ever made.

5. I added some elements to my blog this week, an intro/explanation on the left side bar and some favorite quotes on the right side bar. I have been trying to get that done for months. So glad it is done.

Now on to my favorite part of Friday Felicitations … giving a shout out to others.

1. My friend is back sharing her journey in the emerging conversation. Again, one of those odd coincidences that we share. I was going to her blog today to comment and fuss at her for not posting more often and Ta Da! She had posted today.

2. A new friend who said mine was her new favorite blog to read can be found at My True Self. I just want to honor Jennifer for sharing her incredible story of sexual abuse and healing. Protect that voice so that you can continue to impact others life with the truth of your own.

3. Melba will be starting something new and fun at the New Year. I have loved her Mixed Media Memoirs and look forward to the challenges and fun activities she has in mind for all creators.

4. Tammy has my favorite blog about the living a lifestyle of learning. She gives practical, encouraging and challenging advice. I have to respect anyone who recognizes the depth of Supertramp’s lyrics.

5. Of course, since she launched her new business blog this week, I must give highest kudos to Megan.

Now go forth! Freely receive the gifts of belief this week, look for ways to pay it forward and join us next week for Friday Felicitations.

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Immersed in the Mystery,
Cynthia

Related Tags: Friday Felicitations, Flaming Renaissance, Living Abundantly, Revivified Hermetriss, My True Self, Mixed Media Memoirs, Be Alive Believe Be You, Just Enough, Nothing More

not a complementarian but a complimentarian!

A few months ago, my prayer team prayed for me and there was an incredible experience of God using His people to encourage me. One specific word from the Lord for me was. “God wants you to dream for yourself. You dream for everyone else but you don’t dream for yourself and God wants you to dream for yourself. O and God wants you to know that it is ok to read fiction.” I could have written the first part of that off as a generic word but the last half was so specific to my life. I have considered it a waste of my time to read fiction. I read the Bible, Christian living, non-fiction books about homeschooling, homemaking, some artist manuals but it just seemed to indulgent to waste time reading a story. So, I knew that God was encouraging me to dream and to nurture my ability to dream through fiction.

Why don’t I dream for myself? I don’t believe in myself or my abilities. I see each flaw, each mistake, each poor choice and can spiral into a tirade of negative blows to my heart. I don’t want to fail, so many times, I don’t try. Even when I am complimented and affirmed, I have a difficult time receiving and believing positive comments. My friends and family are incredible and see potential and good in me but I write their words off as uninformed and coerced by their relationship to me.

There are negative labels from my childhood that cling to me and the absence of positive labels is louder even. So, what to do? Continue in a frame of mind that won’t let me dream, reach and succeed? Or can I take to heart lyrics from my favorite band, Sister Hazel:

Hey, Hey
Did you ever think
There might be another way?
To just feel better,
Just feel better about today

Oh no-
If you never want to have
To turn and go away,
You might feel better
Might feel better if you stay.

Yeah yeah
I bet you haven’t heard a word I’ve said
Yeah yeah
If you’ve had enough of all your trying
Just give up
The state of mind you’re in:

[Chorus]
If you want to be somebody else,
If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself.
If you want to be somebody else
Change your mind, change your mind.

Hey hey-
Have you ever danced in the rain
Or thanked the sun
Just for shining- just for shining
Or the sea?
Oh no! Take it all in
The world’s a show,
And yeah, you look much better,
Look much better when you glow.

Yeah yeah
I hope you heard every word I’ve said.
Yeah yeah
If you’ve had enough of all your trying
Just give up
The state of mind you’re in:

[Chorus]

Hey hey-
what ya say
We both go and seize the day.
’cause what’s your hurry,
what’s your hurry anyway?

Yeah yeah
I hope you’ve heard every word I’ve said
Yeah yeah
If you’ve had enough of all your tryin’
Just give up
The state of mind you’re in:

If you want to be somebody else,
If you’re tired of losing battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else,
Change your mind, change your mind.
Change your mind, change your mind.

Out of your mind, out of your mind,
Just close your mind.

And even more importantly, can I submit myself to Paul’s encouragment:

Romans 12

1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Megan has a challenge for us:

I think you and I need to make a change. I think we need to start recording our compliments. Blogs, journals, random post-it notes, it’s time we started writing them down and sharing them (the more you repeat something the more you remember it). After all, if I’m going to let someone else’s words help form who I am as a person today I’d sure prefer it be the positive words which inspire confidence and hope, rather than the negative ones that hold me down under fear’s thumb.

I am standing alongside Megan and all others who need to believe the good things about ourselves so that we can move forward into the wonderful life God has planned for us. A fun idea is floating around in my head … will probably have to wait until next week to implement it so until then, here’s me list of compliments that were handed to me this week. I accept them, I receive them, I believe them.

• Several people have complimented my Breathe In journal art, calling it gorgeous and beautiful.
• My friend told me that I undo her … which just means that I take her deeper into her walk with the Lord, causing her to examine herself and her motives.
• My children have told me several times this week that I am the BEST!
• A friend told me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, meaning my thoughts, my questions, my journey with God and that a voice that is needed.
• My husband thanked me for being truthful even when it can be difficult to be so

Go forth … Compliment others and yourself … and BELIEVE!

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Immersed in the Mystery,
Cynthia

Related Tags: Sister Hazel, Change your Mind, Romans 12, Compliments, Believe, Living Abundantly