Stuff...

As I was walking into the Target Store today I noticed a few people walking out with big plastic bins. Now I think the bins serve great purposes but my first thought was " oh I have quite a few empty bins in my garage so that must mean I have less STUFF then I use too because they were all full at one time" and to me that is a good feeling. I am not a great collector or things but I do have "my stuff" that is taking up more room then it needs too. Like my HUGE pile of scrap material. It is taking up (and then some) a very big book shelf in my room. I have tapered it down ( I know it would be hard to believe if you saw it) and gotten myself to throw out piles - but the mountain remains. My goal is to make things out of the scraps but I hope that if there comes a point when I need to let go - I can. So in this present moment I am celebrating my empty bins and piles that I WAS able to throw out.

Pickles...

I made sweet pickles for the first time this week. It was SO much fun to take cucumbers from my garden and transform them. I love looking at them in the jars and because they are canned they will last until I need them, so when the cucumber season is over I will still have pickles to eat. My next attempt is to try dill pickles.
I'm the kind of person that needs a little help and support when I'm starting something new. After having done it, it seems really easy but not having ever experienced it, I felt intimidated. I am proud of myself for asking for help and it was really fun to do it with someone else. Even other things in life that aren't always intimidating it just is fun to do it with friends.

Thank you for being a friend...

Others Stuff...

In the past couple of weeks as I've been writing down my gratitude for the day it gives me time to pause. When I look around my life and see all the things people have given me or I've acquired from someone I am left amazed.  It's all a combination of others life's intertwined with mine. I love no matter where I look I can smile and remember the person who was attached to whatever it is and it's like a quilt that has been sewn together from random things - all mismatched and I LOVE it!

Mother Natures Resources...

A few years ago my mother because of health issues had to move from where she was living to a high rise for the elderly to be closer to my sister "just in case".  When she moved she gave me three used trash cans that were containers to catch rain water ( I used them for rain water too). So this morning as my trash barrels were full from our generous rain the other night I watered my garden and plants around the yard. I love using mother natures resources!!! I also am ( with the help of a dear friend ) making a collection of herbs (some local some not) to use for my family. Nature has so much to offer... in this present moment I am grateful!

Thanks - Giving

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  It doesn't come with a lot of advertising and consumerism. It's a day to be mindful of all the things to be grateful for.
Most days I am very grateful for so many things but I've started ( again) writing them down. It's interesting to see the list. At the end of the day I can't help but say "WOW" at all the things in my life there are to be thankful for. It's different to actually see it in black and white then to just randomly think of them during the day. I just like the work "thanks - giving", gives much to ponder.

A lesson...

I am working on being more of an observer in my world, to that which is happening around me. It helps me to be free of judgement for myself as well as others.
So the other day I observed in a situation that I was in how if you want something in life you must ASK! Doesn't always guarantee you will get it, but being wishy washy about the details leaves great interpretation for others.  Then that leaves you to rethink your wants and find clarity and then your can ask again or if the opportunity is gone you have learned the lesson for future desires.
As I was thinking about why I'm not always exact about the details was because the doubt creeps in and my thought is not "YES, this is what I want", it is more like "That would be nice". Fear holds my clarity and it's for me to claim it back, state my wants and then let go of the outcome. Sounds so simple... And it can be - when I let it!

Think to much...

The important thing is not to think much, but to love much;

and so, do that which best stirs you to love more.

Saint Teresa of Avila

I came across this quote and it spoke to me today. My tendency is to over think things. I like what is said - think less and love more! And then I thought what would I do today that best stirs me to love more? I'm not sure what it is, but as I ponder I will see how the day unfolds and let love lead me.