$hopping $ans $pending = $illy $avings!

There's this fun imaginary world called http://www.polyvore.com/, where you can play big girl dress-up to your heart's content.  Here's the fun part - instead of creating lessons in lusting and discontent and coveting, you just gather all these terrific outfits together and then use them when you do go to your normal shops, consignment stores and second-hand gently used boutiques.  The clothes on the site are absolutely over-the-top reDUNK-Qlous expensive (mostly), so you just laugh at the prices, put your dream outfits together, then let your creativity loose while matching the crazy $$$ items with something more realistic for most of us who live on planet Earth!  My Grandma used to call it "having champagne taste with a beer wallet."

Girls just wanna have fun (and maybe the occasional pretty outfit). 

10 Mood-Boosting Foods You Can Grow: Organic Gardening

10 Mood-Boosting Foods You Can Grow: Organic Gardening

Tender Talk Tuesday

Taken from http://www.coachlindabush.com/

Today we’re going to exercise the strongest muscle you have – your tongue. We haven’t been able as a society to tame it yet, but today you and I will work on it.

For today, I want you to be mindful/intentional of every word that comes out of your mouth. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Will it comfort/ease/help, or will it hurt, criticize and tear down? Is it something you would say in front of the person you’re discussing? Is it soothing, like balm on a wound, or is it a verbal bullet that sears through the soul like fire?

Just for today, for this one day only, say only something that will be kind… sweet… calming… use your words like a cozy warm blanket to envelope the spirit of everyone you meet. Wrap up your words like precious treasures with cheer, reassurance, humor that isn’t sarcastic or at someone’s expense. Refrain from any cursing or off-color remarks.

Even work on the tone of your voice – keep it soft, warm and loving. Cushion your volume with a gentle spirit. Often speaking softer causes people to listen more and pay attention, especially if you are one who relies on communication via yelling and repetition (i.e., nagging).

Find words of respect and encouragement for your husband/significant other, words of love for your children and friends, words of support for your coworkers and people you meet throughout the day. Surprise a stranger with a kind word, a word of thanks or praise. And if you have been using silence as a weapon, melt it with courage to be the first to speak – in love.

The power you wield with your words is more influential than you can imagine. Lydia Snider wrote that each day the average person will say 2,250 words to 7.4 other individuals. Will yours hurt or heal? Use them well. They may make all the difference to one person’s life today.

Blessings,

Linda

I was really touched today with a blog posting from the blogsite "Keeping It Personal" by Teri Johnson.  To read her whole terrific blog please visit her website by surfing to http://keepingitpersonal.com/2012/04/be/.  I appreciated her reflections and the associated Scripture verses.  As someone who is prone to dwell on the negatives and the what-might-be's, her blog was a timely reminder to me that God is always, always in charge, and that I need to seek HIM for my answers, my goals/dreams/visions, and my day-to-day living.  I pray you will enjoy her blog as well!

Blessings, Linda
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How can we keep the goal, dream, vision, and passion alive – when we experience setbacks and negativity? How can we live a life of contentment and gratefulness on our winding journey?



FIRST we must understand that it starts with ME – I mean YOU – I mean it starts with ourselves, each individually. We are responsible only for ourselves. Period.


When we feel restless, discontent, or if we find ourselves having too many pity parties alone – LOOK in the mirror – examine your life today – REFLECT on these 5 “P” words:


1. PATIENCE = Things happen on God’s timetable, not our timetable. We do not want to get ahead of His perfect plan.


“Stand firm, and you will win life.” Luke 21:19


2. PERSPECTIVE = Take a step back and look at the big picture. Ask yourself, how important is it really?


“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” Philippians 4:19


3. PERSEVERANCE = Press on – If you are confident you are going where God wants you to go, living in His will, don’t give up.


“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9


4. PURPOSE = Why are you where you are; today? Look for ways to be a light in your world, everyday, in every relationship, in every situation, in your current place – regardless if it’s where you want to be.


“Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21


5. PRAYER = Whisper this simple prayer, “Father, open my eyes to see, open my ears to hear, open my heart to know, what You want for my life. Amen” Expect God to reveal Himself to you daily. Look for Him.


“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2