HOW DO YOU BREAK A BAD HABIT - JUST STOP IT!!

This video link I have included here is absolutely hilarious and so true that it makes all the times I have struggled with change seem ridiculous. I am involved in a business program that addresses the power of our intentions. What we intend to do is what we do. We usually try to convince ourselves that we are "intending" to do something else but, if you want to know what you really want, notice what you are doing. Sound simple. It actually is.

If you want to change what you are doing, change the power of your intention. If you want to change your child's diet successfully, you must be highly motivated to do it and then put the structures in place to support your decision. Figure out why you want to do it then increase your motivation so it is 10 times greater so that you can't wait to tackle the problem. You then must design a fail safe plan to make it work. Take time to ensure that this plan has included steps for unexpected emergencies and even a plan for when you want to bail on your plan.

Rather than view change with such a serious energy, try lightening up on the topic. Focus on what you really want and then design the most exciting and fun based way to get it. If you are stuck, ask your kids. They are masters of fun and don't even have to think about it.

Watch this video which has had thousands of hits on YouTube. Clearly, I am not the only person who stumbles with change when I really just need to "STOP IT!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhQGzeiYS_Q

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CHRISTMAS: THE SEASON OF WAITING

The snow that was falling over the last few days was a reminder that Christmas is on the way. As our little grandsons returned from a holiday in the sun with anticipation of playing in the snow the next morning, their waiting was disappointed as it was all gone when they woke up.

For me, Christmas is a season of waiting but a reminder, as well, to enjoy the little moments. In the Christian tradition, tomorrow is the beginning of Advent which is the time of excitement and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. For many little children it is the anticipation Christmas morning and belief that Santa will slide down their chimney and leave something special for them. For many others, the waiting is simply for the holiday to be over. Their loneliness, sense of isolation or inability to provide even a small gift for their child because of their difficult financial circumstances makes the season one of sadness rather than joy.

Other people have lost loved ones this past year and will be struggling through their grief as they find a way to cope with the empty chair that now sits around their Christmas dinner table. They, too, often long for the season to be over.

Waiting can be a difficult thing to do. We hope for something wonderful yet sometimes are disappointed. For me, this is the reason for faith. It is faith that helps me trust that something new and wonderful can come from even the most challenging circumstances. It is faith that allows me to trust that even though there are many things I can't understand in the moment, there will be brighter days ahead. It is faith that life is unfolding as it should that allows me to embrace the joyful moments in my life rather than always be in a state of waiting for something different than what I have.

As I wait for Christmas, wait for the shopping to be done, wait for our son to return from overseas to join our Christmas table, wait to see whether a publisher will agree to take on my book, and wait for the safe arrival of our next little grandchild, I am committed to being thankful for the moments I have. My faith seems to have grown stronger as I have aged and it seems a little easier to trust that my life has purpose and that it is only my job to listen. I don't have to wait for the big things in life to arrive but can find the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas in the every day moments of the year.

As I was searching the internet for another topic I came across this most beautiful advent video. It is one of the most beautiful videos for Christmas that I have ever seen so I share the link for you to enjoy, as well. May the waiting in your life be peaceful and may you always find the faith and trust you need to know that there will always be something wonderful on the other side.

The link for the video is below. The website for the other beautiful videos prepared by this woman is http://msainfo.org


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwPI1U5bNI0

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AN AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL WEBSITE TO ENJOY!

This website is the most beautiful and inspiring one I have ever seen! The link to one of Andie's movies was sent to me this morning and it led me to explore where it came from. The movies on this website offer inspiring messages of faith on a multitude of topics. Whether it is a movie for a precious, forever friend or one to help you cope with the sadness of death, there are many to enjoy. When you need to be uplifted, encouraged, or are looking for a way to share your gratitude with someone you love, take time to scroll through this website - you might just find the perfect one. Enjoy! The link is www.andiesisle.com

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WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

Take a few minutes to watch this lovely video. What do you believe about the beauty of this planet? What do you teach your children? Do you take time in your day to enjoy the wonders around you or are you rushing so fast you barely notice. Today is Remembrance Day and there are so many people who are not here to enjoy the beauty this world has to offer so take a few minutes to remember them and their families and to enjoy the gift of life that you have.

The link is http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

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BLISSFUL REST IN THE MIDST OF A BUSY LIFE

This beautiful picture was taken by Linda Wilson, a friend of mine, and it captures perfectly for me the sense of peace and calm I am seeking as I go off on another silent retreat this weekend.

This time last year was my first retreat and the entire experience was new. I had no idea what I would find in the silence and wondered if I could even be quiet for 3 full days without going crazy. What I discovered at that retreat has transformed my life. I now sit quietly in contemplation for 20 minutes every day. It connects me to myself, to my soul, and to God. It allows me to find a depth of rest I have never experienced before and I can feel the physical longing of my body as the weekend gets closer.

The busy pace of my life and the pressing deadlines of my book are already beginning to fade in importance and I am ready to simply sit. It is a gift I intend to offer myself every year and is a wonderful invitation to rest in the midst of a very busy and fulfilling life.

I hope that you, too, find ways to simply sit and allow yourself time to notice those deep inner messages that are trying to find their way to the surface awareness of your mind and heart.

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THANKSGIVING - WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?

Thanksgiving always brings memories for me of years of turkey dinners with little children at my feet. For many years I have been the one cooking the turkey dinner for our family and I love the atmosphere the day creates at home. As our children have grown they have begun to create more and more of the food but the menu rarely changes. The old standbys of squash and apple bake, multiple pumpkin pies to address the various dietary needs, delicious potatoes mashed with dairy free/ gluten free butter and rice milk, and stuffing made with rice instead of bread crumbs. For over 25 years this has been the recipe for our festive dinners and everyone loves it. As new members have been added to our family they have graciously come to love these traditional dishes, as well. Yes, our menu has a few changes from the traditional ones but it doesn't matter one bit. We have found ways to embrace what we need and have made it work in a fun and joyful way. We are living proof that it is possible to change your diet and still have fabulous food and a wonderful time.

This year as I watched our grown children create amazing food that adjusted to everyone's needs so no one felt excluded or different, I smiled a particularly proud smile. Our daughter made a special dessert that was perfect for my diet and I was the beneficiary of the care of our grown family. Our son and daughter in law made the veggies and cranberry and our grandsons even designed the table center for me. They did much of the work as I was out of town and loved every minute of it. They appeared in the afternoon with dishes and ingredients in hand and had a wonderful afternoon creating together. I was given the best job of all, however, - to play with our two little grandsons. Alex loved Thanksgiving and was so excited about the polka dot birthday cake he and his mom had made for his Auntie Jodie and Gabriel shrieked with delight as he took his first few steps on his own.

I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons. It is the weekend our now 24 year old daughter was born and I remember the day as if it was yesterday. The food is delicious and it is usually the first time since the summer that most of us are able to gather together for a meal. As happens with most families, however, we often miss someone and this year our son Steve is working in Bolivia until Christmas. We missed his laughter and ability to eat an entire pumpkin pie on his own but he called from across the world to say hi to us all. We are so proud of what he is doing.

As I said grace on Sunday I felt most blessed. The family that Ken and I have nourished for over 32 years was sitting around our table laughing and celebrating together. The experience of watching them share stories, encourage each other and play with the two little boys who loved having an audience made both Ken and I so very thankful. While we have had some adversity in our 35 years of marriage as we have raised this family we have weathered the storms and celebrated the successes and now feel simply blessed by it all.

What am I most thankful for? Hmmm It is difficult to put into words. I think it is just for the experience of living and thriving through it all. It hasn't always been easy nor has it always been difficult. Life is about the ups and downs and all those "regular" moments in between. One of the things I am learning to do more at this stage of my life is to be more mindful of the moments. I am more aware of the small pieces of my day. My life is busy and rich but I mindfully stop at regular intervals to simply experience fully whatever I am doing. Yesterday as I walked in the sunshine behind the electric John Deer Gator that our grandson was driving down the sidewalk collecting leaves for Thanksgiving, I savoured the moment. He was so full of enthusiasm and excitement he was bursting and his joy was contagious. This is the way I want to live my life - fully experiencing the moments with fewer regrets about yesterday and fewer worries about tomorrow. I already have two wonderful little role models to learn from and I pray we have many more over the years. It takes me back to the joy I felt as we raised our own children except now I have a little more time and a lot more wisdom to remember to enjoy the ride as I go.

I pray that you, too, found something to be grateful for this weekend and that you can carry the energy of that into the next year. The moments pass quickly so savour them and create rich and meaningful traditions for your family and friends along the way.

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OOGY - AN INSPIRING DOG STORY ON SURVIVING ADVERSITY

Take a minute and watch this heartwarming story about an amazing dog. It is about the power of the love of a family to help a dog survive and the power of the unconditional love of a dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfvxk_n6lgA

Animals have such a wonderful ability to offer healing, support, and encouragement to people in all walks of life. A dog sitting quietly beside a resident in a nursing home, walking with a person with limited vision, or cuddled in the lap of child in a wheelchair offers a type of healing and peace that can't be found any other way. The unconditional acceptance offered by a loving dog is a welcome respite for almost everyone.

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