February 14th was Valentine's Day. I found this Anonymous prose while browsing the 'net and am re-blogging it here. It seems most appropriate for the season. Remember to be kind to yourself for kindness starts at home before it can spread outward. Happy Valentine's everyone. As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it gets harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.Don't be afraid that your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.
This has been circulating for just about forever. It's a really old chestnut but I have to admit it is one of my favourites. And maybe it still has something to say...Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are and who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be: your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they seem painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength, will power, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.
Without these small tests, whether they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere, safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience create who you are, and even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart...
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you many never be able to experience it again...
Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen, let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high...
Hold your head up because you have every right too. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish.
Create your own life and then go out and live in it! "Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...Tomorrow is Not Promised"
As it will, the holiday season has rolled around to us again. This year a good friend of mine is experiencing her first 'empty' Christmas. Her children, either live too far away, or are too busy with their own plans and lives to offer her comfort. She faces this emptiness alone.
This brought back memories of 2005 when my family faced their first 'empty' holiday. I remember spending a lot of thought and energy toward finding ways to help us all get through what we all dreaded. Mom died in August and we faced it all in quick succession - my daughter's birthday followed two weeks later by my mother's and then Thanksgiving and finally the biggee - Christmas. I think I succeeded in bringing comfort to my family and with the thought of bringing comfort to my friend and those in situations like hers I am reprising an article I wrote in January of 2006. I hope you find a rope you can cling to.
In December (2005), my family and I attended a ceremony held at the funeral home which hosted the services for my mother. We were welcomed to "a place where grief and Christmas could come together, safely and appropriately". It was a lovely service - not overly sentimental yet warm and meaningful. And yes, I cried but I also laughed and yes, that really was okay.
It felt good to be in a place, where for a few hours, tears and joy were acceptable, were the norm, for a short while at least, was a place where you didn't have to worry about upsetting someone else or ruining their good time - because all of us were in the same boat.
There were tips and suggestions of ways to cope and make it through what is often one of the most difficult times of the year - it isn't just one day but a whole season. I took some of the pamphlets "I can't face the holidays!" to leave a couple in the lunchroom at work.
Friends and acquaintances, coworkers and even relatives often don't know what to say. Often we respond to "how are you" with "I'm okay". And there it ends, but what we might say instead is, "I'm doing okay but it is really difficult right now". To "If there is anything I can do, let me know", we might take them up on that. If you really want to have home baked goodies for example maybe invite the person who offers over to help you bake one afternoon. Or let them take you out to the mall, go for coffee. Don't be shy about it.
Grief saps our energies, our minds, our bodies and spirits. It's a time when we need to give ourselves permission to accept the gifts others offer us, and to give ourselves permission to be happy and sad at the same time.
Many of us are going through that kind of time, grief is about loss after all. December is the time many of us, no matter what our faith, face the pressures and dilemas of celebration and feasting, to be seen going about life as if nothing has happened.
When we grieve, we need to remove as much of this pressure as we can. Change things if that makes it easier for you, change a lot, or a little or do things the same way. But talk it over with your family. Do whatever brings you ease and comfort.
It's okay to be sad and happy at the same time. You are not losing your mind. It is the season and the time. You will get through it. I'm going to close this entry with one of the readings from that evening: In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we will remember them. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we will remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we will remember them. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we will remember them. In the beginning of the year and in its end, we will remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, we will remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart, we will remember them. So long as we live, they shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
May the blessings of the season surround and comfort you. May you find your island of peace.
Maureen Blakeley is a reiki master, crafter and self-confessed yarn junkie. Maureen loves to spin her own yarn. Some of her favourite knitting and crochet patterns may be found here http://themagickalewe.com. There are over 100 adorable patterns for you to choose from. Drop in and browse the collection today.
Continuing on with my search for the new and the different for the holidays this year I'd like to tell you about this beautiful card I found at The Kawaii Supply Shop Click here to go to Geisha Christmas Card listing.
If you are tired of the usual holiday offerings and want to add a touch of the exotic to your holiday card exchange you won't go wrong with this one. Isn't she gorgeous?
This card has a beautiful Geisha with Mtn Fuji in the back ground.
And on a separate piece of washi paper is printed
"Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for The New Year"
Add a touch of the east to your holiday spirit this year.
In Victorian shades of red and green this crocheted pair of fingerless gloves will keep your hands and arms toasty warm while leaving your fingers and thumb free. Each glove has a decorative tab held in place by an oversize white button. This is one size fits most. There is quite a bit of stretch incorporated into this design. The gloves fit loose.Make a fashion statement while staying warm and cosy in your beautiful arm warmers. Makes a great gift. You can buy these at ImpawsibleToResist.etsy.comMachine wash and dry. Recommended hand wash in SOAK and lay flat to dry. Soak is sold in themagickalewe.etsy.com as wool wash, the last step in setting the twist of handsoun yarn and the best choice for all your fine hand washables.
These very Kawaii or cute brooches are very unique and way out there. The Japanese have made a veritable art form out of fake food. Case in point, the components for these brooces were made in Japan. Little pots of curry sauce or gravy, plates of rice and shrimp, pork, asparagus and salmon pizza or platters of sweets are just some examples of these delightful creations.
They are called 'floating' because there is a part of the design that is set higher than the rest. For example the gravy boat of curry sauce is up above the plate and tipped as if pouring the sauce onto the food below. A serving of pizza is pulled up from the platter and ready to slide onto your plate.
My daughter got a few of the components from a friend of ours who lives in Japan and makes 'floating rings'. I was busy crocheting shawls and neckwarmers and hunting for buttons which gave her the idea of making brooches.
Me, I can't get enough of these. I think they are funny and these days, we all need a good laugh. They'll never be 'high' fashion but they are setting a fashion trend.
Japanese Glow in the Dark Natto Chan Christmas Stickers Making cards and gift tags for the holidays is an annual event at our house. Sometimes it isn't easy coming up with new ideas. We like to surprise friends and family with a new theme or style and spend a lot of time debating what that will be before we actually sit down and get to crafting.That's why when we were searching the web and nagging our friends for new ideas we were really excited to find these truly unique, at least to those of us in the west, glow in the dark stickers. Glow in the Dark Natto Chan Christmas StickersNow I'm a real fan of gadgety things and a sucker for glow in the dark anything so these stickers had me sold right off the bat. But they also feature a little anime type character that is part of the Kawaii fad in Japan. It is Natto Chan by Crux. Natto Chan and his friends are fermented soybeans (a Japanese delicacy). Yep, these happy little soybeans are cavorting around wearing Santa caps and other assorted Christmas or Yuletide themes.So Kawaii. So unique. So Now!!!I'll be pasting these stickers onto my holiday cards and gift tags as well as my parcels for posting. I'd like to see the face of the postal clerk when he/she sees the glowing Santa Soybean!!! (rofl)A limited supply of the glow in the dark Natto Chan Christmas stickers are available by clicking on the link above.
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The Ewe is from Southeastern Ontario. Southampton Creations is from Northwestern Ontario. Hello to you all from the Great White North.
