TGIF

TGIF

T- Thankfulness
G- Giving
I- Inspiration
F- Forward

I trust most of you have seen the letters, TGIF, which usually would stand for people's elation that it is Friday... The last day of the week, the work is over from punching a time clock and the fun filled weekend is about to start.  "It's 5:00 o'clock somewhere" attitude, right?

Just in case you have forgotten about the laws that changes many moons ago where the work week was no longer just Monday through Friday, I shall brief you on it.  It became a Saturday ideal which then crept into our Sunday being fair game to serve the public for their worldly desires of convenience  instead of savoring that day for rest, family and above all, serving God.  (but this will be another topic- so stay tuned)  In doing so, those letters, TGIF may no longer be fitting for all to use on Fridays.  I know that nurses work weekends, and waitress' work weekends and so does cashiers for grocery stores, department stores and more.  So how did the acronym become such a cool thing to repeat?  Even a food chain is named this.  What about all the other days of the week?  We really need to thank God for them all.

So I came up with my own version and I hope that it allows us to think a little deeper than Friday and use it to be our daily dose of happy...each and every morning- fill your heart with TGIF.

THANKFULNESS is more than just the feeling of excitement and happiness when what we get wrapped up in a pretty box is something we have wanted.  To be truly thankful, is to see each and every step of our way in gratitude that is far deeper of an emotion than a surface smile.  Thankfulness comes from understanding that even the curves in the road of our journey in life has a purpose... Missing the bus gives us time for that extra hug we give our child before we rush to work and they have their long day of learning..  Spilling the coffee on our outfit and having to change serves an unforeseen purpose that was meant for us to be delayed..  traffic jam, accident, maybe that we forgot to turn off an appliance, or should the phone ring and we needed to hear that caller.  Thankfulness grows humility.  Humility- we all need and strive for in becoming the best we can be.  Be THANKFUL for the ups and the downs for it all has a purpose into making us what and who we are.

GIVING comes from the heart.  At least it should.  If you give from within yourself, the rewards are plenty.  Remember the rules "you give to give not to receive?...  what is funny, is the giving to others allows us to receive!  Receive that joy of highlighting someone's heart and brightening their day which in return floods our lives with the sun's rays also!  It can be a muffin, a pillow you made, a surprise visit by their office or even a special cup of latte... it is not about the amount of money spent.  It is about the amount of TIME spent.  Great things come in small packages and the gift of time comes in any size! 

INSPIRATION is like a cheerleader.  What inspires you?  What motivates you to being all that you can be?  Could it be a blog post, a billboard along the road, a message written on a chalkboard, or possibly the sermon from last Sunday?  Our inspirations come daily.  From the mouths of a friend, the service from a waitress and that of a child who innocently stares in your eyes with 100% of trust that you will love them and do them no harm.  Inspiration comes from YOUR ACTIONS as well as WORDS.  What inspires you?  What you DO can INSPIRE others.

FORWARD, meaning the future.  Live for Today, for it is our GIFT.  A gift of life given to us, for yet another day to have time to spread the good news of our purpose.  Our purpose of being the best we can be. Employee, Mom, Friend, Servant for the Lord, Spouse, etc.  Learn from Yesterday for it is our past, we can not change it, we can not fret on it and we can not live in it.  What we can do it learn from it.  Plan for the future by Paying it FORWARD.  Paying it FORWARD with love offerings to others.  Such as a visit to a nursing home to drop off flowers to a resident whom you do not know.  Giving some of your time to serving at the local soup kitchen or perhaps saying YES to the volunteer sheet at school or church.  Paying it FORWARD does not have to be with money.  In fact, I believe that you will find a greater reward by spending your TIME versus spending your money when it comes to this.  Most of us, can gratefully say, that we can toss a penny in a wishing well and not "need" that 1 cent. BUT... I ask you now...  A Penny for your thoughts, what will YOU do for another in the future?  

Today is a new day!  Rejoice - Dance - and Be HAPPY!!  TGIF lives within us all...  be sure to open these gifts and spread the news.  

TGIF= GIFT
Peace and Joy be with you, today and always
Melany~

Is it Wednesday already?

What have you done with your time so far in 2015?

Have you seen it as "day in and day out", "same day different year"," just movin' along", or perhaps not being able to grasp the thought that 14 days have already past!  Are you are still working on that infamous New Year's resolution plan???  Let's put a halt to all of that right now and make it REAL change.  Don't get me wrong, a "resolution" is alright (I guess) as long as you put your whole heart in it.  Statistically, fitness centers load up with people in the beginning of the year with all these plans of loosing weight and within weeks the attendance drops and the members fade away.  People set goals so high thinking they can master the list within a year (or less) and find themselves not able to achieve and dwindle away from their process it takes to getting there in the first place...  viewing themselves feeling as a failure instead seeing what they DID accomplish.  Let us forge onward with the Power of Positive Thinking to lead us.

Consider taking time each day to be about learning in 2015.  Learning about yourself. The more we know, the more we grow...both inside and out.  Not only is this great for us but all those whom we meet.  Did you realize that HOW we interact with others sends ripples of effects around and around and around?  How we interact begins with how we FEEL...how we feel ABOUT ourselves...how we FEED our soul,.. and WHERE we learn from.  Do you have the greatest of teachers??

I truly believe if you:
1.  open your eyes to seeing all those small victories in life,
2.  center your goals on simplicity and
3.  have your heart in the right place at all times...Then grand things will take place in you, through you and because of you.

Rejoice in knowing that YOU MATTER!  Being a stay at home mommy or a leader of a great company, YOU matter.  Being a fruit farmer or a fashion designer, YOU matter.  Being an elderly person whose life may be nearing the end or a brand new infant whose life has just begun...YOU matter.  Never feel any less because you didn't reach some goal and Never feel to great that you don't need a goal.  For we all need to strive to be our very best in all things, in all ways and... always.  So let a ripple flow through you to help with the wave of positive thinking and shed yourself of negativity that may shadow your journey.

Make 2015 the Best of YOU....by being: Simply You.
Melany~

Happy New Year, Day 5

So after taking a long winters nap "z z z"  (not really<--- who has time for that!) I am starting 2015 fresh and new.  Actually the past few weeks has been enjoyable, rewarding and most of all relaxing.  While rejoicing with family, mixing in friends and tossing in some good ole fashion days of wearing only pj's... I can say that 2014 ended with peace and happiness.  I can only hope that the same was for all of you.

Now back to that "nap" thing.  YES..  you do need to take the TIME for it..  We all have the same 24 hours, yet it is about TIME MANAGEMENT that allows for us to take care of ourselves as well as the needs of the day, the TO DO list, if you will and all those "hundreds" of other things that we must do.  But I once heard the advice of "naps are essential" and OH how true that is.  A power nap can make the world of difference.  In attitude, GRATITUDE and overall feeling of inner strength.  We tend to work and work and work.  Whether that be a paid job outside of the home, a virtual job in the home or the task of parenting and stay at home "16 hour" job!  

So take the time to UNPLUG, SIGN OFF and RELAX.  15 min of your mind being mindless allows you to focus more on calm that will shed the light to a new you.

Happy Days are among you, open this GIFT of the" present" that we are blessed to have today and say, Thanks Be To You.

Blessings of joy,

Melany~

The Joy of Giving, in this Season of Receiving

Psst, Have you heard???

December 25th is coming very soon!  Just in case you are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of your To Do List and lost track of the days that seem to whiz by at this time of the year.  I have to pinch myself to the reality that Christmas Day is next week!  I have so many notes on my date book such as: finishing up work details, cleaning our home, tidying up my shopping list and adding the ribbons & bows to our gifts bags, etc.  But some of the best times I have allotted to my schedule is FAMILY, FRIENDS and FUN!  What kind of week goes on without having loved ones surround us?  

Have you ever heard the saying,  " All work and no play" ?  ewe!  I prefer the saying that goes like this... "Work hard and Play hard".  I truly believe, in keeping with our purpose in life, that no matter what we do, Do it the BEST we can.  So whatever work you are called to perform, do so with all your heart, give 100% and know that at the end of your shift, you have done well.  Go joyfully to the next step..  Could that be coming home to your children, preparing a family meal, or possibly sitting in a comfy recliner and squeezing in a 15 minute power nap.  No matter which step is next..  Do it, also, to the best of your ability.  Happy parents sets the mood for having happy children.. They too have had a long day at school and can use a release from their "job" ...Having other family members join you and take part in the meal preparation, not only gives them participation experience but also makes the responsibility from refrigerator to table to clean up spread among many versus just the one and only.  And if you are lucky enough to have a 15 minute slot to grab a power nap..  AHHH, say Thank You! and Do that step with giving it your very best!

Often times, during this season, we cram, squeeze and double up our calendars with extra activities.  We stress even more.  Then top if off with trying to shop for all the wish lists that have been handed to us .  We have ourselves traveling from store to store to get that "perfect gift" for everyone.  I, personally do not feel THAT being positive, joyful OR the direction I want to follow nor teach our children.  Finding peace and harmony during this season is more like it.   So how to do this?  EASY!!... the JOY of GIVING, is realizing that it is not the amount you spend or the total number of gifts you buy.  Christmas presents should not be a stress or put you in debt.  December 25th is truly a Season of RECEIVING .  Here is part one:
so let's try stepping outside of the commercialized box. By doing so, here are some examples:

Keep local small business at the forefront of your purchases.  Give a gift card for:  a massage, nail or hair care service, car detailing, a house keeper for a month, a product from their favorite direct sales representative or a paid meal to a small family owned diner.  This form of gift, not only helps small companies thrive, but it also allows treats to our loved ones, by thinking outside of the commercial "box".  Think of this as some ideas in the Joy of Giving..  

In this Season of Receiving... I do not mean the pretty wrapped boxes..  I am referring to the world receiving of the birth of Christ.  December 25th is much deeper and more than the hustle and bustle that TV ads and people have made it on the surface.  December 25th is and has been our greatest gift, from our loving and giving God!  WHO can top that?  So allow yourself the Joys of Giving but savor this Season with the Receiving of Jesus as the gift that gives and gives.

May you be blessed each and everyday with life's simple pleasures, through Jesus
Melany~

The Countdown Begins...

December is HERE!!!  Happy Dancing, Happy Prancing and.... hmmm MORE cooking , cleaning, shopping, thinking, gotta be, gotta go, gotta do....  EEEEKS...  

Now Now Now.... Let's pull back here, take a deep breath and close yours eyes (okay open them up so you can continue to read with me <--- haha)

We ARE in December and THAT is a blessing!  We get to experience the weather changes of the brisk mornings.  We see the amazing frost that graces our lawns like glistening diamonds.  We still get to use those muscles that were built up from swimming and tennis in the Summer, raking and picking up all those fallen walnuts on the ground from Fall to now using them on the shoveling of the snow that will most likely make an appearance more that once in the coming weeks.  So can we say... It does a body good things??  Yes! It does make you long for a heating pad, maybe even a dose of muscle pain relief, sure... why not!  Could have a massage or at least a NAP...but the bottom line is..  being thankful that we CAN.  We CAN do all things with the proper mindset.  Living with disabilities or natural aging, we modify what we can do, but we TRY our hardest and with that...  we still have a purpose.  We can serve cocoa to those who work to help us.  We can make little sandwiches to feed those who do things for us.  We can even make sure they have a small tin of baked cookies to let them know how much we appreciate what they do for us.  The very least that we can do is provide them with a smile, a hug and a true sense of caring for their presence in our lives.  This my friends is what we can ALL do.  God made us individual and purposeful and THAT is the true BLESSING.  When we can see that, feel that and know that, you can't help but being warm and fuzzy all over!  So, I may not be the girl behind the shovel digging out tunnels of snow this winter, however, I WILL be the one who has the mugs of cocoa to scatter around the neighborhood making sure everyone is warm...  I WILL be the one who has the home smelling like a delicious bakery and I WILL be the one who tidies up the porch to collect all the scarves, boots, mittens and coats to then hand out hugs and kisses to all the ones who steps over the threshold. I say WELCOME....  WELCOME Winter...

May you feel the chill of the winter months as a wake up coolness that opens you eyes to all the beauty that lies around us.  May you have the warmth of the Lord in your heart and in your homes to wrap you and keep you safe and at peace, this day and every day.

Remember, being Simply You is the greatest gift you can give the world.

Melany~

With the autumn days settling in after making its debut a few weeks ago...  I am really looking forward to the fellowship and table talks that our family will share in the coming months.  We celebrate the birthdays of our loved ones and the milestones of certain ages with great joy.  We give thanks for our blessings with a feast at Thanksgiving and we rejoice in our freedom and eternal life gift through God at Christmas. I am so blessed to be around many people that believe in the simply pleasures of life.

If you want to bring inner peace to yourself, try purging the clutter that our mind often hangs onto.  Box up those extra "things" in your home that are no longer needed, used or enjoyed and consider donating them to a homeless shelter or a community agency that can help those in need in your area.  It is an amazing feeling to see the smile of a stranger that receives a gift "just because".  When we sprinkle these little dustings of joy to others, we get so much more in return.  The heartfelt love inside is nearly indescribable and I challenge you to take a small step and pay it forward at least once this season.

 My husband was taught to never walk by the little red bucket and the chiming bell that you will often see and hear at Christmas in the front of some stores.  We have passed along that tradition and instilled it in our children as well.  Our youngest son scrambles to find the coins to place in that little slot and is so thrilled to know that such a small gift can make such big changes.  And trust me...I find the biggest change is in me.  The reality that one quarter, one dollar or even the time for volunteering to ring that bell, poses no sacrifice on my life yet the opportunity to actually a more managed way of my time.  You may ask...HOW?  God allows us to make choices and He sees in our hearts.  When we are stressed with work, cleaning, parenting and the added activities of the season, we feel the least thing we have time for is volunteering on top of all that..  But...  we do!  One 30 minute session at school, at the soup kitchen, at the church or even at a fellowship group can be found.  When we look for it and do it, we will be richly inspired by those we are placed with at that same time!  It is a ripple effect.  Life has a way of doing that.  Now that doesn't mean you HAVE to find 30 min. to volunteer. You don't HAVE to drop in a coin, and you do not HAVE to join any circles.  We can do only what we put our minds to doing.  Make baby steps to a plan of action and work towards goals.

I encourage you to sit and relax each day, unwind after the children go off to bed and take time for YOU.  Everyone needs a good 15 minutes to regroup and reflect and re-energize yourself.  By doing so you can bring so much more to your life, your family and beyond.

May you see all the positives that happen today and take a lesson from any negatives and learn it, release and let it go.

Be... Simply You, with a dash of fall colors for your added glowing exterior.
Melany~

Be... Simply You

This blog is for those who wish to find the simple joys that life has to offer without feeling overwhelmed by the ever changing, fast paced world in which we live in.
If you are ready to search your heart to open doors that are knocking, come, join the blog that will guide you to a more simplified life that answers tough questions with ease.  We were all made to be simple...  but WE have made our lives complicated.  Turn back time and relax while savoring every moment.
See you back here soon-
Melany~