We have myriad opportunities each moment for creativity. We are creative beings who have innate needs to create daily. As women, we have times when we feel more energetic and creative than others: some explain creativity with the phases of the moon or the changes of seasons.  Whatever you find boosts your creativity, go with it!  Embrace it!  Live it!  Love to create!  And love what you create!!!!!

I feel much healthier when I am creating–whether through quilting, cooking, creating friendship, creating activities that build self-esteem within our children, painting, singing, or writing.

I know of a website devoted to the creative power of women, especially as a mode toward health and healing from addictive behaviors or eating disorders. The site is Her Power.

What will you create today?

How many times are our lives like that? The “storms” keep on coming and coming, and despite momentary reprieves, we can’t do anything about it. But there’s a really nice thing about weather (and life): eventually, the sun does come out. Anyone feel an “Annie” song coming on?

See, my life was pretty stormy there for a little while. I had storms in my family, in my relationships, in my health, and in my plans for the future. And I’ll be quite honest and say that there were times I didn’t know how, or even if, things were going to work out. But guess what? They did! Okay, so everything hasn’t resolved completely, but things have most definitely turned around. It’s been a miracle. There are still some clouds that haven’t gone away, but “I can see clearly now; the rain is gone…

…it’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiney day-ay-ay!” In fact, it already is

During this time, there have been other friends I have visited in the hospital.  I see family members with them and I see them alone.  As I walk past the different rooms, I notice if a patient is there or not.  I notice if the bed is made and waiting to help a new person or if it is messy from a patient leaving for a procedure and waiting for them to return for rest and more care. 

As I have gone to the hospital frequently, I have learned some life lessons too.  I have learned to smile and laugh amid adversity.  I have learned that we can “find the silver lining” in the struggles of our life.  I have learned that sleep can help you feel better.  I have learned that friends make your burdens easier to bear.

Mostly, though, my experience has taught me, once again, the enormous value of friendship.  It seems that there are people we are meant to have as our friends.  Friendship connects us like families.  We learn together.  We grow together and we help each other.  The other day, I shared with my friend who is sick how she has helped me.  She was unaware of the strength and support I feel from visiting with her and her family. 

Friends see the best in us.  They help us with our struggles and trials.  We help our friends through their struggles and trials.  I like to think that a friend is our cheerleader:  the person who constantly believes in us and that we can make it.  And even when we fail, our friend helps us to succeed again with encouragement and love.  A friend sees past the exterior and looks deep within our hearts and understands what we feel.  A friend asks how he or she can help and doesn’t assume that they know what is best for us.  A friend is a precious gift.

So, I watch my friend’s daughters as they stroke the hand of their mother, as they rub lotion on her arms and shoulders, and as they look at her with love.  What an honor it is to share these moments, as well as the moments when she lights up as her husband enters the room.  How grateful I am for this gift called friendship.

How will you strengthen a friend today?

“La-de-da-de-da-de-da-de-da,”  sings the infamous Professor Harold Hill to the tune of Minuet in G.   “La-de-da, la-de-da.”  He teaches his students that if they can “think” the music, they can play it.

Now, I have had some conversati0ns lately with dear people in my life.  Some of them expect (and think about) the worst possible scenarios that could happen to them…you know…gain a zillion pounds that they will never lose, have a loved one die in a tragic accident, never be able to get a job, and on and on and on…I know, I do it, too.  (In fact, when my husband recently flew across the country to attend a funeral after the sudden death of a family member, I fretted for days thinking about what I would do if he didn’t return.  Silly me…he came back, held me again in his arms, and drove me home from the airport after flying all day.  He was fine. )

The flipside of that is the dear people in my life who expect the blessings to flow freely and see the joys in life.  They think happiness.  They think love.  They think friendship.  They think service.  I love to be around these people, because they radiate joy.  Just thinking positively sends amazing blessings to them.

When I think, or hear people say over and over to me, that I look great, I start to think that.  Then I radiate beauty.  I don’t believe it’s because I am any more beautiful than I was a few months ago…I just feel it now…like Professor Hill’s students felt the music.  When I read positive literature, including daily scripture study, I combat the negative energy and self-talk, and I start to “think” on blessings.  I radiate gratitude.  Not that I’m any more blessed than I was a few months ago, but I am feeling it now.  See? (or should I say, “Think?”)

So, what will you think about today to transform you into the magical person you are?  You are loved.  You are amazing.  You are beautiful.  You are positivity.  You are wonderful.  You are blessed.  Truly you are, don’t you think?

And also, I have this long-running joke with several of my friends and family about being God’s favorite. And you see, I don’t have to feel bad about saying that because God is limitless, and can have as many favorites as He wants, so my being His favorite doesn’t mean I’m any better than anyone else. Make sense?

You know how I know that I’m my friend’s favorite? ‘Cause she tells me so every time I see her. It’s awesome, and I know I can always count on her to say something nice about me. I can’t tell you how many times her positivity and support have brightened my day when I really needed it.

And you know how I know I’m God’s favorite (well, one of them, anyway)? Because He tells me, or rather shows me, all the time! Every day! Like today, I had to go to the post office because I needed something postmarked today, and I didn’t really want to go because my favorite postal worker had moved to another office. I was afraid I was going to have to talk to the other dude who isn’t nearly as nice, and that he was going to fuss at me and treat me unkindly. But, I got my stuff and drove over there, bracing myself for the possible unpleasantness. I walked in and, guess what! My favorite postal worker was back!!!! And even through waiting in line, I was in the right spot and got to work with my favorite guy. He took care of me.

Yeah, he took care of me because Somebody else took care of me. I’m telling you, I must be His favorite or something

I’ve pretty much always loved baseball, as well as most sports, and country music. Until recently, no one really knew of my love for these things. Somehow, when I was a kid I got this funny idea that if I liked these things no one else would like me. This is a weird thing, I know…but that’s what I thought.

I’m guessing that this funny idea came from the fact that during a particularly impressionable time in my childhood the people around me just weren’t into baseball, most other sports, or country music. I’m not quite sure how this idea, that if I liked these I would be rejected, stuck with me but it was so important to me to fit in that I suppressed my love of baseball, most other sports, and country music.

Thankfully in recent months, I have slowly allowed myself to love these things for real and spend time learning about and listening to them choosing not to care too much about what other people thought. I created a Taylor Swift station on Pandora Radio and listen to it often. I purchased a Tampa Bay Rays hat and wear it almost everywhere. I watched part of the World Series on television and a handful of college football games when my schedule allowed. I embraced without reservation the fact that in my Athletic Training major I get to associate with athletes on almost a daily basis. I started going to more of their games.

And do you know what? My family didn’t kick me out for liking different things than they do and have still supported me with my love of sports and country. My friends still talk to me and I’ve made dozens of new ones just by possessing these interests more openly. I now know way more about baseball, which I love learning about. I like country music more than I ever thought I would now that I know more songs and artists, and most of all I love my life way more by being myself.

So whatever part of you there is that you might be scared to admit and share, I say go for it! You will be so much happier being true to yourself and those who really love you will love you still. I know…I tried it. There is such an invigorating feeling that comes when we choose to be who we really are and want to be. Whether it’s baseball and country music or flamingos and parasailing, I say go for it. Live your life fully and completely going confidently in the directions where you find joy.

How will you show others how awesome you are by being true to yourself this week?

Recently, a close friend came over to help me prepare a card and meal for another dear friend who was suffering a tragedy. As I prepared the meal, I thought of other meals by similar hands wanting to alleviate the pain of a loved one. I thought of times when women in my life had experienced similar circumstances when I was too young and unaware to help care for their needs. I remembered my mother, and my husband’s mother, and my dear sister-in-law who had similar experiences to my friend. I knew there were women in their lives who came in their hours of need to bring relief to my mothers and sister. My heart was full of gratitude for these women who had helped the women in my life. I thought of the family of my friend. I thought of them–across the miles–praying for their sister & hoping someone would be their hands to deliver a meal, their arms to comfort through a hug, their mouths to warm with a smile. I felt connected to all these individuals in one small moment. I felt part of a chain, linked together apart from time and space, bound through love which transcends earthly power. These connections we make in this existence are worth the sacrifices of time and energy, of personal preference and self-satisfaction. They are what bless us with support and success, with new energy and life. So, tragedy eventually brings hope, and sorrow yields to joy. I feel greatly blessed to, even if in a very small way, be a part of this experience and live, even if just for moment, in this connection.

As I am thinking of February, I am pondering the ways I can show love to those who mean so much to me by scattering some sunshine. Yesterday, I took a meal to a dear person whom I love. She has done much for me over the years, and, though I didn’t see her when I delivered a meal for her family, I felt blessed to return some of the sunshine she has scattered in my life.

Sometimes, I feel sunshine scattered into my life through a kind word, a gentle touch, or a sweet smile. I hope that, in the moments I spend with others, I am scattering sunshine as I read a story, share a treat, or laugh with a loved one till my cheeks hurt!!

In this month of hearts of pink and crimson, take a moment to scatter some bright yellow sunshine along your area of the world. You never know what may happen when you blend your red hearts with golden sunshine–you just might glow till March!!!

Happy new year, happy new year, happy new year to you!
Happy new year, happy new year, happy new year to you!
Author Unknown