December ends 2018

Always renewable, Abundant energy is naturally there...

"Battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will in God's presence..."\

"...Continue to turn to God as Children, being Continuously Converted every day of our lives."  ~ Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest

 Art by Mary Wangerin

"...Earth is our chrysalis." ~ LeeAnn Taylor 

"For the Lord will go before you...
God of Israel will be your rear guard...

He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our "rear guard." ~ Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest

Inner peace, from the inside out

Joyous: "Joy is a special light...a sparkler which blazes freely when lit... Different from happiness, Joy is the capacity to accept things as they actually are and to be transformed by them into more awareness and grace. Every person I know who embodies Joy is not only realistic about life and its issues...sparkle no matter what the circumstances are. Now that’s real light!" ~ Gunilla Norris 12/29/2011

Keeping energy up

Life is infinite energy

Maximize: Meditation renews energy at the source

 Namaste'

Optimize energy so it is unbounded, fresh, and renewable.

Oh! and Owl peeping 31 Dec 18

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within" ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

 Art by Lucy Campbell

Quality of energy

Renewable energy though Restful alertness

SO much gratitude for my life

Unbounded - Use the power of Unity consciousness

"Value yourself enough to put your attention on the life you want to lead. Every step will be met by creative intelligence welling up inside you." ~ Deepak Chopra Day 5 

eXistential self - the artificial identity ... what I am listening to as 2018 ends

Wrapping things up Dec 23... opening up Dec 24 ... 25...

Christmas Canon - so beautiful

"DOE, A DEER, A FEMALE REINDEER: THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER CHRISTMAS"

Ender's Island sunset view, December 23, 2018:

God is with us: Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to you, O Israel!

Listen and watch here

Jesus Christ, the promised light and peace, come to us again in the approaching night, and shine within and among us for all time!" ~ Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas

Kestrel, cool name, really cool "coincidences" that brought us together

Macondo's Christmas Tree

"Noel: Alpha and Omega Among Us" by Ted Nottingham listen here

Prayer from Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas: Waiting in Joyful Hope 2018-19:

"Quiet St. Joseph, teach us to listen to Christ, our peace, and to do as he tells us so that we too may become a quiet source of peace."

"Receiving Spirit: The Inn of the Heart" by Ted Nottingham listen and watch here

 "The True spirit of Christmas lies in your heart." ~ Polar Express

"Until Christ is formed in [me]...I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth." ~ My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Visits to Violet and Velvet Mill

" We are like the little branch that quivers during a storm, doubting our strength and forgetting we are the tree – deeply rooted to withstand all of life’s upheavals."  ~ Dodinsky

ineXtricably connected

“You often feel tired, not because You've done too much, but because You've done too little of what sparks a light in You.” ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing you don't already know

Zest on Saturday at Velvet Mill in Stonington

December 2018 continues...

Ashlyn and her artwork: 

Bold faith displayed by Christ followers. "Bold actions for God lead to big results from God."

Chalene Johnson podcast episode 239: interview with Zach Bush

Density of meaning in humble words

Eat, Pray, Love : "If you could clear out all that space in your mind..." let the universe rush in ... love the whole world...Alright, Richard, get out from inside my head now. Richard: "Shut the door." great scene - check it out here

Focused Mission: Week 4 of Lifepointe Church - November 18, 2018

Ganesh : remover of obstacles - "Go all in" week 1 of "Advent Conspiracy" series Lifepointe Church

"How much more will I accomplish if I stay focused?" ~ Lifepointe Church
"Inextricable connected" p. 34 Braving the Wilderness
"Jack of all trades and master of fun." ~ description of Mary Poppins' Burt

Kleo at Chelsea Groton Bank was wearing a pin that said: "What would you like to learn today?"
Learning SO much lately. 

 thank you for sharing this, Lizbeth

New moon, New Worlds: "Dragonfly signifies a path to new worlds. They are about transformation and a change in perspective, energy, potential, maturity, depth of character, power and poise. It Navigates with elegance and grace ." ~ Unknown source

"Only the paradox [speaking truth while being civil] comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life." ~ Carl Jung as qtd. by Brené Brown in Braving the Wilderness

Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone. Brené Brown

Rejoice. Remain faithful. Receive Jesus in every moment. Read the Book of Luke

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

“That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed, without a doubt, a real superhero.” ~ Stan Lee

Unleash. Let go. Use our freedom to help others.

Victorious: AVA: Amazing Victorious Awesome :)

"What has my heart gets my Worship." ~ Big idea for Week 1 of "Advent Conspiracy" series Lifepointe Church

"eXhausting to keep working against yourself when someone truly sees you and loves you... we cracked open." ~ Braving the Wilderness by Brene' Brown

“You are only free when you realize you belong no place—you belong every place—no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.” ― Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

Zooming in and Zooming out to get a better perspective on the new job

December 9, 2018

``And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.`` Philippians 1:6

"Be relentless in your looking, because you are the one you seek." ~ Rumi

"December... An opulent month of ordinary miracles wrapped up in a reverie of romance. Glad tidings of comfort and joy." ~ Sarah BanBreathnach

Faith Hope Love - beautifully explained at min 13 of video below "Partakers of Divine Nature"

Gunilla Norris' CD "Warmed: Songs of Heart and Spirit" found! at Savoy Book 

"He who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9

"If we're open to it, the smallest of miracles can change our lives... even [a twisted ankle]." ~ Rob Lowe in Red Shoes for Christmas

"Joyously jumping up and down, and gambolling as they run, and swinging their small pale torches merrily. The woods are filled with a wild frolicsome life, and it is all perfectly silent." p. 259 Out of Africa

Karen Ann visited with us Friday eve, and invited to annual cookie baking events :)

Leitmotif : recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.

Metanoia : a transformative change of heart especially : a spiritual conversion 

“Not just words, but truth. Not just poetry, but revelations.” 

Ordered a few things form Amazon, finally, I've been been kind of "Out of it" in some ways lately.

  P - was a video that is no longer available - update soon with something Philippians maybe...

Quote from Red Shoes for Christmas, starring Rob Lowe: "No matter what difficulties you may face, God will be there... if you listen you'll hear it."

 Disclaimer: not at all sure about the contents of this blog website, but I do like the logo image

Special visit to Savoy Bookshop and Cafe' to see the fairy doors

Theosis : transformative process brought about by the effects of catharsis (purification of mind and body) and theoria ('illumination' with the 'vision' of God)...the purpose of human life...achievable only through a synergy (cooperation) between human activity and God...source

"Universe provided" ~ Sandi Gold (another opportunity for growth.

 

"Venus doing a moon dance." ~ John Kincheloe

"Warmed: Songs of Heart and Spirit" by RiverFlow
eXtent: (especially of a document) still in existence; surviving
"You in me, and I in You." ~ John 14:20

Movie Challenge inspired its own blog post....

Always and  
Because I love this movie and the movie Always, it was a tough call where to Begin...

City of Angels with Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage.

Dead Poets Society  I Discovered that more than 80 blog posts that mention the word "movie"

Enchanted, animation and live action combo movie

French Lieutenant's Woman - one of the many movies we watched while traveling in Texas early 80s

Gnomeo and Juliet - just 'cuz - it was fun, especially the music (Elton John and Lady Gaga)

Harry Potter, Hungry Games, Home, all were very entertaining. a blog post from 3/12

"Is That Alight?" by Lady Gaga - listen to this fabulous song from A Star is Born 2018 here

Inside Out:  

"Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, in the most delightful way..." :)

King's Speech - happened upon this one yesterday while straightening out a drawer

Lake House with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.

Mary Poppins - Day 5 of Facebook challenge, my first favorite movie I used to own this vinyl

Out of Africa - included in this blog post "O is for..." from May, 2012

P.S. I Love You was the 1st movie I ever saw by myself at the theater, A Star is Born was the 2nd. 

Quest for Camelot 

Ragnarök : a series of future events, including a great battle, foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the Gods Odin, Thor ... and Loki)" wikipedia

Spirit and Sorcerer's Apprentice, both excellent! blog post here

Tangled and Tarzan, but excellent "kids" movies

Up - We saw it at the theater with Grammy and Grandpa Law
Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" is in the movie Immediate Family watch trailer here
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 
X - probably not a good idea to Google "Movies that start with "X" :)

You've Got Mail

Zootopia! 

Peace and Gratitude

 current project... reorganizing recipes...

 exactly 21 years ago today

"Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief." ~ Spyro Reignited Trilogy
"Don't cry, Shopgirl, Don't cry"~ You've Got Mail, favorite movies Day 3 

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference” - Kathy Calvin
"Heal the Habit of separation and inspire other to be whole." ~ Day 19 Deepak

"In the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:13

Junk and Java cookies for the big game
Knost quote "Patience is a gift of time we give ourselves so we can give the gift of peace to others."

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ― Marcel Proust

"Memories build the bridge between mind and heart" ~ Magical Christmas Ornaments Hallmark movie

Napatree with my pup

Oh what fun!

"Possible's slow fuse lit by imagination - Emily Dickinson

"Queued up to be a willing partner" ~ heard at work, apply to relationship with God

Reignited :) 

Transformation from within...

"Urging my notice" an expression I notice on a beautiful photo on Facebook

Vpk by Maharishi Ayurveda : Ayurvedic Herbals for Excellent Digestion

Westerly hosting the Westerly-Stonington Football game today

Xfinity upgrade is on my list of things to check into this week

You've Got Mail version of this song has been a favorite for Years

Zen and the art of... is my new go to "Z" today it is: Zen and the art of GRATITUDE

Things to Meditate Upon - one at a time

"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live." ~ Bertrand Russell

 thank you, Pamela

"Crystal Clear vision" - from one of last week's meetings

Day 15: Monday, Deepak mediation: "Finding Inner Balance" Tuesday, Domino's for Dinner :) 

 source  Image by Angie Wallace

Each moment of life is only as precious as is our ability to attend to it. ~ Guy Finley ~

"Frenetic" was my first week   source: Time Allen

Gunilla Norris' topic for the month of November is "Will"

"Heaven bend to take my hand..." ~ "Fallen" by Sarah Mclachlan was playing in the background 

"In willingness we let ourselves be available to what is yet unknown." ~ Gunilla Norris

Kindness a repeating theme this week, and THEN I noticed it was #worldkindnessday 11/13/18

Law Love abounds, Mom's birthday, and I got homemade soup from my baby brother, Bob xo

"Never underestimate the power of being seen." ~ Brené Brown
Open your mind and say, "Ahhhh-hhhhh." ~ Facebook memory from 11/16/08 John Kincheloe

"Paradoxically, the word “will” is in the word “willingness”... It seems to me to take some will to be disposed toward willingness." ~ Gunilla Norris

Qualities of determination and control are present in "will" but it is the quality of trust that is present in willingness." ~ Gunilla Norris

RiverFlow's CD, Warmed: 
Songs of Heart and Spirit, has raised $2000.00 for The WARM Center in Westerly, RI.

"To will is to have and intend a purpose. To be willing is more diffuse. It is to be available to respond and so perhaps to take up a particular action.

Uniqueness is the topic of Day 17 and also mentioned in the book I started listening to this week.

"Vicint" sanskrit word for to perceive, discern, observe, to think of, reflect upon, ponder, consider, regard.

"We are Watered" go deeper here
eXplore the feeling of being accepted completely by the universe


Zen and the art of Misty's new favorite spot: