Joy Dare
Three Gifts of His Promises
This dare is difficult for me because I do not know His promises. So, I did a little research, the best I could do with the few minutes left of the evening, and found that promises are plenty. I am revisiting my beliefs and exploring religion/spirituality more in depth for the first time in my grown adult life. I do not want to inadvertently be disrespectful to those who are well versed in the Bible and following of God, so I feel more comfortable answering in terms of promises to myself and my fellow man for the time being.
882. The gift of a happy heart to treat others as I wish to be treated.
883. The gift of easing a mind and heart with a compliment or a helping hand.
884. The lightening of myself when focusing on not worrying, being kind, living in gratitude, putting my best foot forward in all I do.
885. A peaceful night with the girls.
886. Good news from Andy that 2 teams of 10 of his competing students made it through to the finals tomorrow.
887. People having passion for what they do, and witnessing this first hand by watching Andy.
888. Getting to try Indian food today. I have only had Indian food one other time and it was so long ago that today felt like my first introduction. So many new flavors and spices! Delicious.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Start #1: Gifts 871...
Joy Dare
Three Gifts Entwined
871. My fingers entwined in Andy's as we hold hands at night in bed.
872. My girls arms entwined in mine in many exuberant hugs each day as the moment strikes us all at different times.
873. The lives of those who come and go into my life at just the right times.
874. Reading Ann Voskamp's words that echo my own thoughts of how much can you really fit into a day, for what purpose is it all there, and making time for gratitude.
874. Day three in a row of meditation moments and twists in the morning in an effort to release anxiety and worry.
875. A full refrigerator.
876. A thoughtful coworker who just gifted me a box of scrap booking materials for the girls that she won't use anymore, her recycled issue of Real Simple issue that addresses use of time, budgeting, and as Andy so graciously pointed out to me last night that I missed - being more optimistic;), and a turkey sausage that her boyfriend refuses to eat.
877. Lunch with new, smiling ladies today.
878. Learning lessons from both of my girls today. From Lily - it is okay to give money to friends if that is what you choose to do based on the information you have at the time and it is what you feel in your heart you want/need to do. From Emmy - there is nothing wrong with asking for what you want/need, like asking your sister's first grade teacher during her conference if she has a lollipop you can have. I tried to "correct" both of them today, but in reflecting back on these moments, I see how beautiful they both really are and that I am the one who gets to learn.
879. Resilience - how easily we forgive each other in our household and how quickly we all move on.
880. Help and concern from immediate family.
881. Another great Daisy Girl Scout meeting tonight with Lily: picking up trash at a park; making necklaces out of rocks (repurposing), paper, paint and modge podge (wow, never used this stuff before - so fun!); collecting a donation for tweens at a shelter; singing, and; wishing a positive thought to each person in the circle to close the night.
Three Gifts Entwined
871. My fingers entwined in Andy's as we hold hands at night in bed.
872. My girls arms entwined in mine in many exuberant hugs each day as the moment strikes us all at different times.
873. The lives of those who come and go into my life at just the right times.
874. Reading Ann Voskamp's words that echo my own thoughts of how much can you really fit into a day, for what purpose is it all there, and making time for gratitude.
874. Day three in a row of meditation moments and twists in the morning in an effort to release anxiety and worry.
875. A full refrigerator.
876. A thoughtful coworker who just gifted me a box of scrap booking materials for the girls that she won't use anymore, her recycled issue of Real Simple issue that addresses use of time, budgeting, and as Andy so graciously pointed out to me last night that I missed - being more optimistic;), and a turkey sausage that her boyfriend refuses to eat.
877. Lunch with new, smiling ladies today.
878. Learning lessons from both of my girls today. From Lily - it is okay to give money to friends if that is what you choose to do based on the information you have at the time and it is what you feel in your heart you want/need to do. From Emmy - there is nothing wrong with asking for what you want/need, like asking your sister's first grade teacher during her conference if she has a lollipop you can have. I tried to "correct" both of them today, but in reflecting back on these moments, I see how beautiful they both really are and that I am the one who gets to learn.
879. Resilience - how easily we forgive each other in our household and how quickly we all move on.
880. Help and concern from immediate family.
881. Another great Daisy Girl Scout meeting tonight with Lily: picking up trash at a park; making necklaces out of rocks (repurposing), paper, paint and modge podge (wow, never used this stuff before - so fun!); collecting a donation for tweens at a shelter; singing, and; wishing a positive thought to each person in the circle to close the night.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Start #1: Gift 870
870. So thankful for Andy in my life. I have been a bear to be with since Sunday (well, Andy may argue that I, in our lifetime together, traverse the miles between bear, bear cub, and back again). Emotions have been coursing through me, roving, not quite sure where they belong yet; some of them are lashed out in hasty words, others are held in - percolating, while still others are jotted down in a notebook at my bedside table. The words that have recently escaped before their time have been based in fear and insecurity, and a fraction of hormone surge.
Andy patiently listens. He watches me while I flail wildly with my words and gestures. He offers suggestions for the things he knows he can help with that we have agreed to partner together on, like our finances. And for things he, like I, don't have answers for, he listens. In the craze of our days, he takes the time to hug, and fills small moments with his love for me and for food: The lone lemon wedge put in a small plastic bag in the bottom of my lunch bag today to add to the leftover homemade chicken soup he made on Sunday - this that I brushed off as unnecessary and a waste of time, to him is to love and to take care. Today, I am grateful to him for these thoughts and gestures, for this patience and softness, for him being my husband, and for the lemon wedge that I forgot to add to my soup so that we could talk about it tonight.
Andy patiently listens. He watches me while I flail wildly with my words and gestures. He offers suggestions for the things he knows he can help with that we have agreed to partner together on, like our finances. And for things he, like I, don't have answers for, he listens. In the craze of our days, he takes the time to hug, and fills small moments with his love for me and for food: The lone lemon wedge put in a small plastic bag in the bottom of my lunch bag today to add to the leftover homemade chicken soup he made on Sunday - this that I brushed off as unnecessary and a waste of time, to him is to love and to take care. Today, I am grateful to him for these thoughts and gestures, for this patience and softness, for him being my husband, and for the lemon wedge that I forgot to add to my soup so that we could talk about it tonight.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Start #1: Gifts 861...
Joy Dare - Dare You!
Three Gifts Redeemed
I feel like there is a much more profound meaning to this word, but I can't quite think in that capacity at this moment, so here's what I have:
861. Coupons!
862. Not in past tense yet, but a certificate for a massage that I have on hand waiting for the perfect moment.
862. A friend's offer for help Andy heal his wrist.
863. Coming around the bend into Sonoran Mountain Ranch after work tonight and seeing almost all at once how the desert is in full bloom here: bursting fuchsia blooms on prickly pear cactus, brilliant orange rods of flowers on yucca, some delicate pink fuzzy flowered bush that I don't know the name of and don't have time to look up right now, and so much more. This beauty was the first thing on my whole drive home that transported my thoughts to the here and now of what lay in front of me.
864. Homemade chicken soup for dinner last night (I forgot to include that one last night).
865. Talks yesterday and today of setting intentions and asking for what we want.
866. Lunch outside with a friend.
867. Reconnecting with family.
868. Waking up early this morning to make time for stretching, meditation, and a load of laundry.
869. Recognizing that my days need to be different, and working to ensure that they are, if even just a little bit at a time.
Three Gifts Redeemed
I feel like there is a much more profound meaning to this word, but I can't quite think in that capacity at this moment, so here's what I have:
861. Coupons!
862. Not in past tense yet, but a certificate for a massage that I have on hand waiting for the perfect moment.
862. A friend's offer for help Andy heal his wrist.
863. Coming around the bend into Sonoran Mountain Ranch after work tonight and seeing almost all at once how the desert is in full bloom here: bursting fuchsia blooms on prickly pear cactus, brilliant orange rods of flowers on yucca, some delicate pink fuzzy flowered bush that I don't know the name of and don't have time to look up right now, and so much more. This beauty was the first thing on my whole drive home that transported my thoughts to the here and now of what lay in front of me.
864. Homemade chicken soup for dinner last night (I forgot to include that one last night).
865. Talks yesterday and today of setting intentions and asking for what we want.
866. Lunch outside with a friend.
867. Reconnecting with family.
868. Waking up early this morning to make time for stretching, meditation, and a load of laundry.
869. Recognizing that my days need to be different, and working to ensure that they are, if even just a little bit at a time.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Start #1: Gifts 854...
Joy Dare - Dare You!
Three Gifts Almost Gone
854. This miserable bronchitis has almost left my chest.
855. The gift of this very yucky day almost done, and knowing that tomorrow will be a new day.
856. All the sugar in the house in its various forms and temptations is almost gone.
857. Removing Winnie The Pooh from my pillow last night when I climbed into bed as it reminded me that Winnie and Emmy were there snuggling with me yesterday morning.
858. Our neighbor and her daughter stopping by to see if they could whisk the girls off to the park after dinner. This gift gave Andy and I an hour to talk and clean, and the girls a chance to wind down from the day and get to know Audrey and her mom a bit better.
859. Lily handling a lot this weekend. In her sensory driven world, Lily rode a horse while wearing a helmet and enjoyed a fun, but long and hard day, went to a party after, had her first sleepover at a good friend's that same night, went to an Italian fest today, and rode more spinning rides than I can count on both hands (most with the lights and blaring music that accompany). She did such an amazing job today and I'm proud of her for coming so far in her journey. She did tell me when she put her head on her pillow, "Mom, I feel like I'm still spinning." But I think the thrill was worth it;)
860. Getting to end the night talking with my dad on the phone.
Three Gifts Almost Gone
854. This miserable bronchitis has almost left my chest.
855. The gift of this very yucky day almost done, and knowing that tomorrow will be a new day.
856. All the sugar in the house in its various forms and temptations is almost gone.
857. Removing Winnie The Pooh from my pillow last night when I climbed into bed as it reminded me that Winnie and Emmy were there snuggling with me yesterday morning.
858. Our neighbor and her daughter stopping by to see if they could whisk the girls off to the park after dinner. This gift gave Andy and I an hour to talk and clean, and the girls a chance to wind down from the day and get to know Audrey and her mom a bit better.
859. Lily handling a lot this weekend. In her sensory driven world, Lily rode a horse while wearing a helmet and enjoyed a fun, but long and hard day, went to a party after, had her first sleepover at a good friend's that same night, went to an Italian fest today, and rode more spinning rides than I can count on both hands (most with the lights and blaring music that accompany). She did such an amazing job today and I'm proud of her for coming so far in her journey. She did tell me when she put her head on her pillow, "Mom, I feel like I'm still spinning." But I think the thrill was worth it;)
860. Getting to end the night talking with my dad on the phone.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Start #1: Gifts 845...
Joy Dare - Dare You!
A Gift Sung, A Gift Written, A Gift Painted
845. The many birds I heard singing today as they devoured the fruit of an overgrown pomegranate tree.
846. The raw words, emotions expressed by Ann Voskamp.
847. The 9 horseshoes painted today by Lily and her fellow Daisies at a Girl Scout outing.
848. A fun, beautiful day at Krazy Horse Ranch, Black Canyon City, AZ with an equally fun, beautiful, group of girls.
849. Being surrounded by nature, horses, and sunshine all day today.
850. Witnessing an intimate moment shared between a girl (my Lily) and her horse (for today) Snickers as they said goodbye.
851. Hearing from a dear friend that the time has come for her to be on her own, at the brink of the next chapter in her life. So very excited for her to have arrived at this destination and ready for the next journey.
852. Seeing another friend able to release, a much needed release, in the comfort of good friends.
853. So much quiet in the house, and a gorgeous AZ night, so peaceful that I can hear the crickets chirping outside through the patio screen door.
A Gift Sung, A Gift Written, A Gift Painted
845. The many birds I heard singing today as they devoured the fruit of an overgrown pomegranate tree.
846. The raw words, emotions expressed by Ann Voskamp.
847. The 9 horseshoes painted today by Lily and her fellow Daisies at a Girl Scout outing.
848. A fun, beautiful day at Krazy Horse Ranch, Black Canyon City, AZ with an equally fun, beautiful, group of girls.
849. Being surrounded by nature, horses, and sunshine all day today.
850. Witnessing an intimate moment shared between a girl (my Lily) and her horse (for today) Snickers as they said goodbye.
851. Hearing from a dear friend that the time has come for her to be on her own, at the brink of the next chapter in her life. So very excited for her to have arrived at this destination and ready for the next journey.
852. Seeing another friend able to release, a much needed release, in the comfort of good friends.
853. So much quiet in the house, and a gorgeous AZ night, so peaceful that I can hear the crickets chirping outside through the patio screen door.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Start #1: Gifts 839...
Joy Dare - Dare You!
Three Gifts Spoken
839. The gift of open mic poetry, the art and feeling of spoken word.
840. The gift of our president's art of speech, which I feel is very eloquent.
841. The gift of loved ones' voices - whispers in ears, and voices across miles by phone and Skype.
842. Learning the beautiful meaning, for the first time in my life, of a very beautiful word - Eucharisteo.
843. The gift of healing - so powerful for body and for mind. I feel like I get the chance to start over again, to live closer to what is really important (and figuring out exactly just what is really important).
844. An evening in with Andy and our girls - watching Mamma Mia, laughing, looking at recipes together of delicious things we would like to make, eating ice cream, just being together.
Three Gifts Spoken
839. The gift of open mic poetry, the art and feeling of spoken word.
840. The gift of our president's art of speech, which I feel is very eloquent.
841. The gift of loved ones' voices - whispers in ears, and voices across miles by phone and Skype.
842. Learning the beautiful meaning, for the first time in my life, of a very beautiful word - Eucharisteo.
843. The gift of healing - so powerful for body and for mind. I feel like I get the chance to start over again, to live closer to what is really important (and figuring out exactly just what is really important).
844. An evening in with Andy and our girls - watching Mamma Mia, laughing, looking at recipes together of delicious things we would like to make, eating ice cream, just being together.
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