Happy New Year! Can it possibly be January and a completely new year? I just can't wrap my head around that fact.
The first two days of this new year have brought me to a new realization in my life....I need time to surround myself with something positive everyday for a small period of time....and I do mean everyday.
Lately, I feel bombarded with bad news.....the never ending struggles in our government and the endless fighting....news of innocent people being hurt and killed. My spirit is filled to the brim. I cannot take anymore. I am not one of those people who can see or read something and just move on....I'm not wired up like that. My spirit gets wounded and I seem to have more and more trouble recovering.
The only way I know to combat this is with time spent in something uplifting.....I am digging out the many beautiful books I own about the home, graciousness, manners, kindness and starting on a road to rereading them. Also, I want to do something kind for a human soul everyday....just a little something.
Sending you a kind blessing today. So thankful for my husband and my home and my faith in God which allows me to stay sane in this mad world.
I will let you know how I progress on this path. ♥
I'm doing the same thing! I haven't watched the news in a long time, except for the weather and sometimes a clip or two around that. Too much negativity for my sensitive self.
ReplyDeleteI'm still doing the 26 days of RAOK's for those lost in the Newtown, CT, incident. I love doing acts of kindness and will continue. I am working on new, positive self-talk and focusing on all my blessings. Thanking God constantly ~
xo
Pat
Barb, I love this! And you are so very right in surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting things instead of allowing the negative stuff to overwhelm you.
ReplyDeleteI was a very sensitive child, so easily upset when anyone around me was upset or bad things happened around me. My grandma used to say you can't stop birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair! So I refuse to let negative things make a home in my head! I try and focus on that which is joyful and beautiful. I firmly believe we get what we focus our attention, and I always want more joy and beauty in my life!
I am going to go re-read Living A Beautiful Life...care to join me? ;)
Tammy,
DeleteThat is the book I am starting with!!!!!
This book is so basic but it touches my very being and I hold Alexandra Stoddard responsible for opening my eyes to the small things in life like the kind of soap I hold in my hands when bathing. Yes.....I feel better already.
xo
Tammy, I love the quote about the birds flying overhead! Never heard that before! Thanks for posting it!
DeleteI am with you on this one Barb. If I don't find some time to just sit by myself and be still then I don't handle lifes stresses very well. I haven't thought about my manners books in so long. I will have to find where I have mine stored but they do bring out the best in me. I love Anne Ortlund and Emily Barnes. I have some digging to do.
ReplyDeleteMy last post went off before I was ready for it to go...so I am trying again, Barb...
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to what you are feeling. It can be such a helpless feeling. I'm trying too to see where I can do something positive to help someone else as often as I can, In turn it helps me too. In my case it may just be sending a card to cheer up someone's day. But it never seems to be enough, no matter what I do...so much hurt and need these days. It can all really weigh me down. So I need to "focus" on my word for this year. Focus, on uplifting things...not always easy. Thanks so much for sharing.
I know how you feel dear Barb! It is so sad that we can't leave the news on for an hour without most if it being BAD! I am with you on adding in positive thoughts and actions to make MY day a sweeter day! Enjoy your day dear friend! You are a blessing to me:) HUGS!
ReplyDeleteIts too easy to be overwhelmed by the non-stop barrage of bad news. Especially when the media seem bent on presenting nothing else. The Pope, in his Christmas address, made mention of this fact. While its not practical to entirely ignore whats going on both at home and abroad, I try to limit it now. I'm trying to spend more time with with positive people and lead by example. I'm at that stage in life where I get frustrated more easily and don't suffer fools like I used to. Perhaps that's a good thing though?
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds interesting; Living a Beautiful Life. I think I'll doodle on over to Amazon and have a look.
Ali xx
I am the same way, Judy! Have you ever read Ann Voskamp? I think you would love her.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aholyexperience.com/
BARB!!!! I know your name as well as I know my own. So why did I just call you Judy? Maybe because when I think of you I think of sweet Judy! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteTanya...you sweet thing.
DeleteNo, I haven't read this author....I will check her out. Thanks!
xo
Miss B...
ReplyDeleteToday I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that God will indeed make our paths straight. I so hear and understand your heart.
I wanted to come by and peck out this message to you and tell you I love you.
Blessings~xo~Rebecca
Hi, I couldn't find your email address. Just wanted you to know that today you've been featured on my weekly Welcome Wagon Friday post, where I welcome new bloggers to our little community. You should be receiving visitors shortly. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com
Hi. I am here by way of Brenda's COzy Little House. I could have written this post myself. I have had such a wonderful holiday minus headaches. But I have been a little depressed. Couldn't figure out why. Then realizing the tragedies lately....not just the Newtown......a some very sick struggling people in my life. It is pulling me down. I so agree with surrounding yourself with some happy things.
ReplyDeleteI miss my cottage by the lake.
So happy that your husband has retired. My husband stil has a few years but I can't wait.
Barb! You are blogging again. How did I miss that? So glad to see you. :) Happy new Year!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to find your new blog, thanks to Brenda! I really missed your Bella Vista Blog when you closed it! I have many of A. Stoddard's books, and love them all, you might want to read Happiness For Two, since your husband just retired. I always get that out and reread it around Valentine's Day. I have been married 38 years and my husband will be retiring in the next few years, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, it's so nice to meet you! Like Mary, above - I found your blog through Brenda. I am loving your posts and your photos. It looks like you have such a lovely home and are such a kind person. I am looking forward to getting to know you better through your blog as I read your posts. I'll also be adding your blog to my list of favorite blogs on my sidebar. I hope you come by and visit me and become a follower as well!
ReplyDeleteCame over from Brenda's. Don't let the bad get you down. There is always more good. I completely understand how you feel though. It's as if you take on the pain of others...so much empathy. Your blogs is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeletekaren
Love that you are reflecting on a daily basis. I am looking for the good in the day and what has made me happy. Looking forward to more posts!
ReplyDeleteBarb, my friend I am going to take a bit of you with me as I am making some major changes in my life for peace and calm. One being for now I have shut down facebook as I am sure you have seen. Not sure for how long maybe 6 mos maybe for good just not sure. I need peace and calm in my life and I need to focus on the Lord. To much drama for this ole girl and I don't want that. I will keep up with you via your blog and I will be sure to keep in touch with you via email and I hope you will do the same.
ReplyDeleteMy heart needs peace and calm and i know you can relate.
Hi, Just dropped by from Brenda's Cozy Little House. I'm on the same path as you. I don't have a steady diet of news because I can't take the negativity. I don't recover easily by being bombarded with bad news so I don't saturate myself with news programs. I have a couple of daily meditation books that I read each morning that help me start my day in a positive frame of mind. I've also taken out a book that I bought back in 1997 called Simple Abundance.
ReplyDelete