the eyes are the window to the soul :: learn to see
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I ran across this quote recently and thought it was so good. It is so cool to have people in our lives who can see and hear beyond our words. People who see that the light has gone out of our eyes, people who can hear the difference between what we are saying and what we really want to say.It is also really cool to be THAT person. To be the person who can see and hear when those you love need extra hugs, words of affirmation, extra time, permission to be sad, a bag of groceries, a cup of coffee.......the truth spoken in love.....the days are fleeting, and only what we invest in others will truly last. Take the time to truly see others....to hear them...and to love them.xo,Barb
patience in anger :: peace and deep breaths
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The older I get, the more and more I realize how true .....and ultimately peaceful this concept is. When I am really riled up, I can tend to be a hot head and I definitely speak my mind! What is in my mind ....should not always come out immediately though.
As I deal with frustrating situations with my children or spouse, weird people, unfairness, irresponsibility on my part as well as others, loss, change....or whatever it is....I am learning that it is totally ok to say "I need a moment" or "I need to go work for a bit until this anger subsides".
If I compare the two instances side by side, I always regret the heat of the moment things that are said.....but when I have taken time to step back, think, pray, and try to understand the situation it always ends in a completely different way.....and in a way that I am much more peaceful about.
Take that moment.
xo,
Barb
work to do
image found here
This is going to be a raw and real moment between you and I.I am known for speaking my mind, for being passionate, for taking risks, for not holding anything back....and all of these things are good and have their place....but like I have always told myself and others....strengths are also weaknesses....and we need to learn to exercise the strength side more than the weakness side.This quote literally hit me in the depths of my soul. What if my words were tattooed all over my body? Would I be a thing of beauty to look upon? Or would I want to hide from others.... to cover every inch of my skin with layers of clothing because my words are so putrid and ugly?I am striving (boy am I striving) to let my words always be seasoned with power, love, and intentionality.....but there are many days where I utterly fail. Thank goodness for grace and the fact that my words are not permanently engraved upon my skin.I've got work to do.xo,Barb
hope over fear
There are times in life where fear can make us feel desperate and hopeless. We grasp for control, which we think is security and freedom, only to find that it brings a cage of bondage and despair.Hope is a powerful thing, and wills the mind to overcome adversity. When you talk to your soul, what are you telling yourself? Are the thoughts of fear, inability and insecurity winning? Or, are you propelling yourself forward with thoughts of courage and hope?Turn fears and disappointments into opportunity for good....and set your mind on this: hope over fear.xo,Barb
peace :: priorities
If I have seen and learned this once...I have seen and learned it a million times. The constant fight to keep what is real, pure, everlasting, and significant before and above the superficial, fake, dust to ashes, status quo.Culture tells us to rage, primp, plump, add, take away, live for the moment, fit in, stand for nothing, fall for everything....and I for one will fight against all of that until the day I die.Give me peace like a river that floods my soul..... any day.{image via pinterest here}xo,Barb
the old and the new
Never stop learning. Keep moving. Keep Creating. Do the work.
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stay sparkley
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Sometimes, in the heat of the moment it can be hard to not let the pressure boil over and out and onto those around us. It is in times like these that it is important to remain humble, exercise mind over matter, stay focused on the task ahead, and know that life is full of seasons....that all come to an end.
Let your sparkle and joy be the thing that others remember about you, and may we not wound others because of our own discomfort or frustration.
Love.