Books Can Shape Your Life

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.  
~James Bryce


I love it when my blog readers actually request that I write about something! It takes the pressure off or coming up with my own topic! :) (Thank you anonymous requester!) 


I got a surprise email this morning that said this: 


"I would love to know your top ten list of books that inspired you or somehow made a difference in your life. I'm sure other people would love to know to, hopefully help inspire them."


Wow. What a great request. Ironically, right after reading this I was packing up boxes for my new office and ran across a ton of books that I've collected through college and teaching HS. 


So, in no particular order I will list the books that have impacted me, inspired me, and shaped me to be who I am today. My hope is that I can share all of these books with my children someday and that the stories will tug at their hearts just as they did mine. 


1. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret.  - Judy Blume
I recall being in 4th or 5th grade when I first read this book. Blume's candidness about pre-teen girls was something that I craved yet didn't know I did. This is where I learned a lot about a life that I didn't know yet. I've already shared this jewel read with my own 10 year old and she loved it just as much! 


2. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
I knew from a young age that I had a unique love for reading. I knew that I enjoyed literature and if I could've taken English and only concentrated on the literature portion, I would've been in heaven. Sophomore year was in my first honors class and can still to this day envision Mr. Chappell reading to us and with us. His love of literature and this book, make ME love the story of two men down on their luck. Years later, I found myself actually getting to teach this book to my own sophomore class. :) 


3. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Freshman year. I fell in love with the story about a young girl, Scout, and her brother, Jem. I got caught up in their mischief, curiosity and lessons about life. I dove into this story and didn't come out until I was finished. The movie is just as good and is definitely something everyone should see or read in their lifetime. 


4. Our Town - Thornton Wilder
Another HS favorite. I truly related to Emily and her young perspective on life and not taking anything for granted. After losing my brother at a young age, I'd already learned this lesson, but this story was a reinforcement of that lesson and it hit me hard. A few years after reading it, I was an "extra" for the school production and still have great memories of those rehearsals. 


5. Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch
This is one of my favorite books because it goes against a lot of what I was taught. I like to read - everything. Even if people that were friends or family would have harsh things to say about what this book contained. I read all three volumes in a matter of days and came up grasping for more. It made me think outside of that "this is what's normal to believe" box. 


6. The Purpose Driven Life -  Rick Warren
Everyone and everyone should read this 40 days of finding your purpose. I read it alone, with someone, and then volunteered to be the leader of a group study. It touched my heart that much. It helped me think through many of the trials and struggles in my life and make peace with them. 


7. Simple Abundance -Sara Ban Breathnach
I'm doing a 365 brief study of this book now (find it here). It is my second time to go through the book in the last 10 years. It forces you to really take a look at yourself, your likes, dislikes, beliefs, dreams, and priorities. The main thought is gratitude. You keep a gratitude journal, create a "dream" board, and do numerous other challenges as you discover the you that is not mom/wife. A must read for all women. 


8. Love Dare -  Kendrick & Kendrick
The idea stemmed from the book and movie Fireproof.  If you haven't read or seen either - do. it. now. I don't care if you're married or single. You must take time to watch this. Jason and I have done a version of it and honestly nothing but good can come out of you trying it at least once. 


9. A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
Another controversial (in organized religion community) book. I reaped HUGE benefits from reading this book. It took me to a whole different realm of living, breathing, and being. It also, healed wounds and brought me to a better realization of different situations I've experienced in life. I keep it in my car, even now, to do a quick read while waiting to pick up kids, if I'm having a rough day, or just need a new perspective. 


10. The Shack - William P. Young
There are no words. Really. I avoided this book like the plague b/c I knew a little of what the story line was. But, alas, just as God did with When God Winks, He put that book directly in my path over and over and over until I gave in and read. I couldn't stop. I read and read and read. I had no idea how it would take me on such a raw emotional journey. I didn't anticipate the sobs and deep hurt. I also didn't anticipate the healing and the understanding I would have at the end. 

Celebrate!

After taking a much needed break from work and the world, I'm back! 


I don't know about you, but it's always good to get away from the grind and take some time sleeping in, playing video games, going out whenever I want, getting dressed or not. 


And here's a little secret: I only put makeup on 3 days out of the 2 weeks I was on vacation. :) 


I took a hiatus from my 365 Days of Gratitude blog as well. It may be ironic, but I think taking breaks from some of our commitments is a huge step in learning to live simply. 
___________________________


Today as I listened to the church message I thought a lot about the topic: "celebration." 


Most holidays we are mindful of our blessings and of celebrating and do so in style. 


But then what? What happens after that post holiday euphoric letdown? 


This. Find something to celebrate everyday. 


I gotta feelin' that if you set your mind to celebrate something everyday, you will! 



____________________________


sleeping in
the smell of coffee in the morning
the sun shining through the window
the fire crackling in the fireplace
watching my girls play together
listening to baby J giggle at something simple
feeling a snuggie while watching a movie
reading the words of my girl after church
looking at my favorite lamp and how it lights the room
working out with Jason
laughing at 3 AM 
loving where I am in this life
the anxiety of starting something new
being still
the feeling and smell of homemade peppermint sugar scrub
being caught up on laundry, dishes or other chores
discovering a new workout
eating blackeyed, peas, cornbread, salad, and lamp chops for the New Year
learning that someone else joined 365 Days of Gratitude - to my surprise
Waking up knowing that it's a new day with new possibilities and challenges
_______________________________


Find ways to celebrate what's happening in your own life. It doesn't have to be a special occasion to make a cake, wear diamond earrings, or use the nice plates. 


Celebrate your moments! 2011 will be full of them even in times of struggle and despair, just open your eyes! 

Stop. Simply. Be.

I do not believe in something without trying it myself. I began 40 Days of Thankfulness, asked people to join and continued doing it with them. 


I started 365 Days of Gratitude and am now on day 35. I did not think I would be able to keep that commitment at all. But now with 200 members in that group, a new blog site dedicated to it, and a new challenge to go along with our gratitudes, the idea is spreading. 


So the idea of Gratitude and Simplicity is in my head every minute of every day. Even in the sad moments, stressful moments, and moments of unexpected change. 


As I spend the day sitting with Jace, holding him, playing with him, feeding him, I'm reminded how fast my time with him is in this moment. This day my oldest turns 10. Just yesterday she was the same age and I was watching her try to crawl. 


So, I try at least once a day to stop and do something silly with my kids. We all need to take a break from being an adult for a few hours. Reading books, watching Justin Bieber videos, playing the Wii to WIN, making cupcakes or cookies, making a snowman or s'mores. . . .


The people you hold dear and near will thank you for it. 


In the chaos and craziness of the season, please, please, please stop. Take a simple moment to do a simple thing. In the simplicity we find authenticity, love and gratitude. 

My birthday gift to YOU!

Yes, friends. Today I turn 34. It's actually quite difficult to fathom that I've spent 34 years on this earth. Wow. #gratitude

To those middle school kids last week, I seem old. To those kindergartners, I seem ancient. To those mentors, I seem young. To my parents, I still am a baby. :) 

Age is all in your perspective. How you see it, is how it will be. 

If you've followed this blog for any significant amount of time you know things things to be true about your writer: 

1. Live simply. 

2. Love in all things.

3. Gratitude is the key to being able to breathe through your life. Being grateful doesn't mean life is perfect, it just means overlooking the "blech" parts and finding the "ahhhh" parts. 

4. Find simple things to pamper yourself and rejuvenate your day. 

5. Music speaks to my soul every day. It supports my emotion no matter what it is and gives me hope. It reminds me of love. It encourages me to dance. It bonds me and my children, my and my husband. I love every kind of music you can think of and jazz is one of my favorite things to listen to while sipping on some great wine! 

I could not live without any of these things. I would be miserable without them. 

So, for my birthday I'm giving YOU a present. 

1. Here is a great holiday tradition to start with your family at any time! You can readjust it to 10 days, 5 days. Remember that kids love simple things just as much as you do! 

2. A great friend (JL) has offered to giveaway one of her products! I've chosen to giveaway something to pamper your body!  You'll love it and it will force you to pamper that skin! 

3. A great musician agreed to giveaway his CD. Jonny Blu will send an autographed CD to you! 

So - the rules. 

Be a follower. 

Comment one thing you did to enjoy life today! 

You only have until 12 AM December 7 to post and enter! I'll pick a winner for #2 and #3 and notify you! 

big love and gratitude. . . 

Small is Great

Some of the greatest things in the world, are often the smallest. 


Newborn babies
A loving glance
A helping hand
A smile


Most of you know that I've began a huge undertaking. I've committed to doing 365 Days of Gratitude. One acknowledgement of gratitude per day, one blog per day, one tweet per day, and usually one journal entry per day.


I seem to have found a pretty good rhythm for seeing that all get posted. Though, it's not been easy each day. 


During every single time I've taken time to consciously give thanks and send it out into the world, I realize that at a certain point - usually about day 20 ish, I find that it's not as easy as I thought it would be. 


Things happen and don't always go my way or as planned. People disappoint. Circumstances develop. 


This is exactly why being grateful everyday is necessary. The practice of gratitude teaches us, grooms us for those days or times that may be difficult. The practice helps us to realize that IN ALL THINGS we should be thankful. 


This past holiday week, I've found that I've been more grateful for the simple, small things. 


Small tree, simple ornaments, hanging lights, making hot cocoa, playing video games, listening to the girls play for hours on end, watching Jace delight in the newness of the holiday season or squeal in excitement when he sees a sister, being able to relax with my husband, cooking with no pressure, letting the day take us where it may, giving up control. 


Life is not perfect, but we must be able to see all the perfect moments within it and be thankful. 

365 Days of Gratitude & Simplicity Day 14

November 23, 2010

*All content has been taken from SImple Abundance. Some content has been shortened for the purpose of 365 Days of Gratitude. 

The Gratitude Journal

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.  ~Melody Beattie

It's been exactly 14 days since we first started this journey. I asked in the beginning that you go out and purchase a journal. My hope is that if you did you took a special trip to find one and that the journal reminds you, pulls you in each day in order to record your thoughts, questions, and gratitudes. 

If you haven't found your journal yet, and your are following along in this extensive part of 365 Days, you must get the journal. It is not an option. It doesn't have to be expensive. Here's mine: 

It cost exactly $2. It's purple and is soft to touch, has a ribbon bookmark and makes me smile because purple is one of my favorite colors.  

The point of the journal is to practice being conscious and writing down specific gratitudes. 

As I've said, I've went on this journey before and the transformation after the first several months is amazing. You will begin to find yourself more content that you ever thought possible. 

"Gratitude is the heart's memory." 

Today's challenge: If you haven't already, GO GET YOUR GRATITUDE JOURNAL! :)  

Today's exercise: Write down 10 things you are grateful for in this moment. 

365 Days of Gratitude & Simplicity Day 13

November 22, 2010

*All content has been taken from SImple Abundance. Some content has been shortened for the purpose of 365 Days of Gratitude. 

Gratitude: Awakening the Heart
"The eyes of my eyes are opened. ~e.e. cummings

The author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, writes " One ordinary morning I realized I was emotionally and physically exhausted from concentrating on things I wanted to buy but couldn't afford. I felt trapped in a vicious circle. The more I focused on lack and on what I didn't have, the more depressed I became. I hungered for an inner peace that the world could not take away. I surrendered my desire for security and instead sought serenity. As I started my life's inventory of assets my list grew and grew." 


This attitude of gratitude is the road to learning how to live our lives abundantly. When you begin to give thanks for everything - big and small, in all things,  the flow of thankfulness comes so fast and furious that we cannot help but begin to live in a serenity that never was before. 

Today's challenge: Open your eyes to and give your life another look. Are your basic needs met? Food? Clothes? Is there a regular means of income? Do you have your health? Can you walk, talk, hear? Do you have family and friends?  

Today's exercise: Write down 10 things you are grateful for in this moment.