“What in the world am I carrying??”

I still vividly remember the steamy Spring afternoon — sitting in my minivan, parked and watching my sons practice baseball — I read a devotional based on Matthew 11:28-30. Things like trusting God, light burdens — and rest? Honestly, I don’t remember much of the content, but I do remember saying:

“If this is true, God, then why do I feel like I am carrying a Toyota truck on my back?”

While I have to admit I went on to throw a small pity party, I was also being honest with myself — and with God. I was exhausted. At that particular moment, I was sitting amidst papers that needed to be graded, lesson plans that needed writing, and a massive bag of mail to be sorted.

And when I finished there … [Click here to continue reading this post at Blissfully Domestic.]

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.
~Douglas Pagels

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Autumn is a predictable season of change for me. Perhaps because it is a cooler, more relaxed version of Spring? I mean, Spring is a busy time with its longer days, shoots of green and blooms of bright color! As a contrast, Autumn definitely has its watercolor sunsets and hues of yellows and reds … But the days a soothingly shorter, planting chores are replaced with harvest and clearing.

This ease typically serves to sooth and inspire me toward new horizons …

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal”  (Philippians 3:12-14) … Dancing on down the proverbial Yellow-Brick Road. Um, but in real-time — not in am imaginary place where I am in search for what is already mine.

I rejoice to be in a season in which the {sowing} of two years time is yielding a harvest of dreams-come-true. ♥ With a plan in place, I simply need to follow the directives of my {creAtive map} …

This will also require me to ease off my tendency to be hyper-focused on {the big picture} as opposed to the {brushstrokes of each day}. I have been reading The Joy Diet (Martha Beck) and participating in The Next Chapter book club. Last week’s chapter sparked ideas regarding the “how-to” of changing my focus from what Beck refers to as “eagle vision” (big picture; sky view; end goal) in order to utilize more “mouse vision” (brushstrokes; cloud shapes; steps to getting there). [More regarding my discoveries in that chapter...]

Learn to alternate mouse vision and eagle vision. … stop and focus on the biggest, most important goals in your real life. Then, switch your focus to the task in front of you. Do they align? If not, you may need to adjust your immediate behavior slightly to create large changes in trajectory over time. ~Martha Beck

A good photograph is knowing where to stand. ~Ansel Adams {As in life and attitude … ~SG}

Although I am enjoying the inspiration and accountability of the Art Every Day Month {gentle} challenge, I have yet to get into a rhythm of steps. Such as: posting and linking with the group. However, it is encouraging that said reality is a complete non-issue for me.

Today’s {aRt} was collage journaling and photography of said journaling. In fact, that is the practice I have granted {Art Every Day} status. The host for this practice is a new bound journal with lined pages — in which I also incorporate daily to-do notations {and other randomisms}.

Having these key elements of my planning process in one place allows me to feel artful as well as productive!

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of the hustle-bustle with no clue as to what we could be grateful for. Life is hard; it hits us in the face from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we snuggle-down to sleep at night.

So how can we discover gratitude? More …

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. ~Amelia Earhart

Photo Credit

The winds of change breeze by us every day. However, we can become so wrapped up with Busyness that we don’t feel its the gentle, refreshing touch.

Two questions:

1. What activities do you enjoy doing?
2. How many hours per month/week do you actually engage in said activities?

These two questions have been posted in the back of my mind for the past several months. Recently I realized {again} that I have a long list to the first question. And that the answer to the second question was not something I readily admit.

For example, I have a camera with me at all times. I enjoy capturing moments of my life via photos. I have amassed quite a library of images — eclectic, themed and … not very well categorized. Something I would enjoy doing is reviewing my photographs and creating collections, organizing them in a way that I can easily access them.

I am doing this — a little bit at a time: my account

Change can happen.

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While life has been fabulous and busy and joy-filled, eclectic and exciting and new … It has also finally settled down from the racetrack pace of the past two months. Thus the mundane and routine (same thing?) resume. And I become prayerful to ask for a steadfast spirit.

Distraction is something I deal with regularly.

The image I included was captured during a particularly crazy afternoon that included car repair, a hail storm and a miscommunication {of epic proportions} with one of my sons. And, as is my habit, I clicked pics to pass the time and keep myself focused on moving through said afternoon.

I employ {a creative methodology} to ensure perseverance doesn’t completely slip away. It involves {cue cards} and {collage journaling} and {planning calendars} and {accountability partners}. However. Sometimes.

Even said methodology has its limits.

And I get to the point where I feel uʍop ǝpısdn. Like I have fallen and can’t get up.

Thus … Today I am opting to stay parked-in-place. After all, being uʍop ǝpısdn has its unique views.

It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.  ~Albert Einstein

Photo Credit

So-o … Do you plan? Do you consider what you will do with the hours {minutes and seconds} within your days? Do you write down what you will do with the hours {minutes and seconds} within your days?

I have a very inspiring friend {who also is my faithful accountability partner!} who keeps me on-track. After being on vacation for the past two weeks, I was feeling a little scattered. Okay. A lot scattered

However, after she and I met online I was able to refocus. I pulled out my lists and my planner and began to map out the next leg of my journey.

Her encouragement and zeal allowed me to regroup and to remember: Every moment offers an opportunity to begin again.

It seemed as though once I got started … Everything fell into place.

Need some creative planner ideas? Visit Right Brain Planner … For some quick tips to getting started — or unstuck, click here.

Each day is a limited time offer: What will you do with this one? The clock is ticking …

Photo Credit

There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. ~Vicki Baum