... Living inspired by the beauty of life, one post at a time.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Heavens perspective

Fluttering Humanity


We spend our lives trying to fit in, be accepted, play by the rules and do the right thing and yet over time our dreams can seem more elusive leaving us feeling alone, dejected or empty. As the years pass the gap between reality and possibility widens, or so it seems. Fears creep in and we feel thwarted at every turn. Doubts whisper more persistently ... the world tightens around us. The distance between hopes and dreams seems insurmountable. Talents, skills and abilities have been discarded becoming a faded memory. We may have buried what makes us unique, individual and altogether lovely under a pile of societal expectations, family pressures or life's adversities. The freedom to be our unique selves has escaped us as we are swept up in the day to day business of life and the various roles we play as wife, mother, lover, confidante, nutritionist, disciplinarian and so on. Life can become defined by what we do instead of by who we are. 


However


We get to play an irreplaceable role in our own lives. Unlike a play or performance, no one can play our part as well as we can. The world is our stage and an understudy just Will NOT DO! This is not a dress rehearsal. This is it! We have this time, this moment in history to be all that we were created to be. 


Fly free - my art @ A Soul Soiree


 I can just imagine the details of our lives being scripted with minute exactness, deftly written within the throne room of heaven. Discussed in hushed tones throughout the hallways of heaven as angels come and go, sneaking a peek at the masters plans as the vastness of eternity echoes in the distance. The air is alive with electric undercurrents as hope is forged, destinies formed and lives purposed. Limitless potential is carefully wrapped within our frail humanity and embedded deep within our core. The seeds of purpose and destiny sown in anticipation. Who are we then to question the validity of such a master plan? Who are we to allow such potential to go unmet? If we could but see from heavens perspective - our life divinely appointed for a time such as this!


We who are divinely designed, artistically crafted and so irresistibly delightful to the core, truly are altogether lovely!


So my beautiful friend, dig deep into your heart and soul and unearth what makes you unique, individual and altogether lovely. Allow the breath of heaven to do its work through you and in you today.  


my art @ A Soul Soiree 
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capture, celebrate, cherish
and linking up with

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunday snaphot




capture, celebrate, cherish

and a link up with the
 Devotion Mama

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Gazing out to sea

One of life's simple pleasures is 
gazing out to sea and contemplating life, 
being swept up in the wildness of the ocean,
feeling the enveloping and permeating presence of more.
Knowing that there is something more significant out there,
that life is magnificent, wonderful and there for the taking.




capture, celebrate, cherish


Project Simple Pleasures2

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rain Falling

The rain is falling outside. I love this quiet falling rain, its gentle soothing sound where tranquility abounds. Mesmerised by the rivulets of water streaming down the window, I am lulled into a state of reflective contemplation. My mind wanders down a well trodden path of inner observations as I carefully consider, thoughtfully examine and intentionally muse upon the life that continues to expand and widen before me. A graciously redeemed and heaven bought life. I take this moment to cast light upon my innermost thoughts, my deepest feelings and secret longings. I open the recesses of my heart and delve deep. I go past recent hurts and on through the pain of yesterdays .... pushing through the long ago aches of years gone by. I arrive at the securely guarded gates of my heart.




It seems a little overgrown .... a few cares have got in the way. Gently I brush the surface of the gate and cast the cares aside. I step through its arc and walk up the worn and deserted path. I can make out the imprints of a heavily ridged shoe edged into the dirt. I muse about who may have gone before me? Who's shoe walked this path I now tread? Arriving at the door to my heart, I lean heavily upon the wooden expanse. Pausing for a moment I take in a deep breath and give the door a gentle push, expecting it to slowly open. It does not! Curiously I peek into the key hole where dust and dirt remain. I can see nothing. I jiggle the handles expecting this action to bring a creaky release. With greater determination I lean in and heave with all of my weight. The sturdy doors do not budge. It would seem that they are locked tight. 




Frustrated I flop down and survey the horizon of my soul. Its quiet here in this place, alone with my thoughts. I wonder why these gates are so secured? ....  I think about the reasons, the facts and an undeniable truth. I consult with reason and listen to sound judgement. I confront reasoning, understanding and intellect. I wonder about this place. I allow the thoughts to come and go and remain so very still in this space between hope and suspended horizons.




A glimmer of light catches my eye, its resplendent glow inches forward and creeps from beneath the door and I wonder at its brilliance. This luminescent embrace spreads out, creeps forward and encircles me. It holds me securely. I hear a voice beyond the doors and wonder at is origin, so sure and strong and full of grace. A tremble escapes my soul, a fear dissipates and is discarded. A doubt becomes dislodged. I hear a sound as gentle as falling rain begin to call my name. Slowly, very slowly the doors begin to open.

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capture, celebrate, cherish


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Patience, perseverance and endurance

Winter in Australia

Today I ran 1.5 kilometres along the beach front. I had to really push myself and gave myself a really good talking to ... willing myself to step it up and push through the no go zone, that place somewhere between quitting and taking it easy. Other joggers whizzed past me, effortless it would seem as I co-ordinated my breathing and jogging routine. Two months on and I am hanging in there, focusing on patience, perseverance and endurance. I am choosing to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining ... the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I'm still waiting for the good-feeling endorphins to take over so I can really enjoy this thing ... I'm still waiting though (Maybe one day soon!!)  In the meantime I am mastering the art of 'mind over matter' and catching my breath has been a refreshing change.

Let us run with perseverance the race set before us. (Heb 12:1-2)

capture, celebrate, cherish



Friday, August 12, 2011

Beauty

This week the Gypsy Mama is on a beauty hunt... a search to discover what is truly beautiful in the hearts and minds of writers out there in the blog -0- sphere. She challenged us to write down where we find beauty.
'in the laundry folded in love, beds made, dinners cooked, lattes picked up for the husband at Starbucks. The red high heels, the swimsuit that shows off the wonder that your body has delivered, the family legacy of freckles. Even the tired eyes from being up all night with sick kids.' - the Gypsy Mama.
We get five minutes to write, so here i go ...

As I get older I am more and more awestruck by the beauty that surrounds us ..... from the voluptuous raindrop perfectly formed and balancing delicately on the tip of a leaf to the roar of the ocean pounding its resounding beat upon the sea shore. Beauty .... that small whisper flitting on the wind, the deafening shout of a mighty waterfall..... the kindness of siblings sharing, a friend in need, an old couple holding hands, a wrinkled face, a chubby grin, artistic flair, creative vices, colourful poetry, a tantalising musical ..... beauty is there if we but stop to see it and glimpse our world just a little differently.


Stop rushing, pause longer!

.... Take off the lens cap from your heart .... adjust the focus of your life, align your perspective and capture your hopes, dreams and future .... relish the beauty of life.



capture, celebrate, cherish

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Breathing space


My breathing space this week ... 

Life is not be measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.



Project Simple Pleasures2

Monday, August 8, 2011

Watoto Choir



Yesterday we had the privilege of seeing the Watoto Children's choir perform at our night service. This amazing choir of beautiful African children tours the world singing, dancing and sharing a message of hope. Many of the children have been orphaned or abandoned and have found a new family, life and purpose through the Watoto Program. The atrocities of war and the HIV aids virus have impacted many of Uganda's children. Watoto is rescuing, raising and rebuilding a nation by nurturing and caring for the lost children of East Africa. This story is truly inspiring.

Image Source

'Beautiful Africa - A new generation' is a dynamic, vibrant production touring late 2011 and into 2012. For more information about this new tour click here.


My adventures at Watoto

Friday, August 5, 2011

Link up with Inspired Lives

 Hey there lovely ... we would love to inspire you. If you haven't linked up yet with the amazing girls from 'Inspire me' then we would love to have you and be inspired by you. Please link up with the 'Inspire me' community here.



destined, devoted, daring

Do you need a little inspiration?

 Then check this out ... Indulge magazine - inspiration for the spirit, soul and body.

Indulge eMagazine desires to see women become ‘whole - spirit, soul and body’. The magazine celebrates the journey of exceptional women. Wives, mothers, sisters, aunty's, friends .... every day girls bringing something extra to the ordinary moments of life. 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Change


How do you respond when life throws you a curve ball?

Last week I found out about a few changes coming my way. 

It's not that they are really big changes, 
in fact they will be good changes.
But!!
It all means a change and shift in perspective.

It means change to my carefully laid out plans,
to my very exact expectations,
to my neatly ordered life,
to my weekend time,
kid time,
and my time.

This change got me thinking ...
about how easy it is to settle for ordinary ...
how we can so easily take things for granted
and just cruise through life on auto pilot.

It's not until change comes that we rethink, reevaluate and reset where we are going and what we are doing.

How do you gracefully embrace change or more importantly how will I embrace this change?

How will I grow, 
alter a mind set,
vary my expectations,
amend my outlook?
I had to pause, take time out and get my head around it.
I needed to prioritise, contemplate and readjust.
I think I have done that. 
I'm still processing it and getting good with it all.

But ...
No matter what,
I don't want to stay the same.


'Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.' - Maria Robinson.


Have you thought about a new ending lately?

Side note (the weekly linky is currently on hiatus indefinitely but please feel free to link up with my 'inspire me' page here.)





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