Coloring with Freedom

Just Write....I love this link up! 
There's no topic to choose....just me and my words flowing out however I want.  That is such freedom! 
I love it....yet then I sit and ponder what I should write.
Thus, the dilemma.

I've learned that I like directions.  
I like to color within the lines. 
I'm happy to be the worker bee following along with whatever the queen bee dictates.
This is fine in some situations.  It's a quality that makes me a good team member. I'm easy to get along with because making waves is not what I do. 
And, hey, we can't all be the queens....those worker bees are pretty fantastic!

Yet, some days I know this characteristic holds me back, and too  much freedom paralyzes me sometimes. 
When I have a whole day ahead of me...and I know I have things to be done but I can choose when and how I do them?
Those are the days that I often accomplish the least.
Because there aren't any directions.
There are no lines for me to color within...so I scribble all over and don't create much.
But it's not the lack of lines that is the problem.
It's the lack of faith I have in myself.

If I can take freedom and embrace it. 
Let it open my heart and split my spirit wide.
Let go of the ever present need to perform and please.
Draw my own lines to help me stay on track.
I know I could soar more....and embrace the power that I often forget I have within.

I'm finding it a bit easier to do this as I age.
Maybe that's God's way of making up for the sagging body and stray gray hairs.
He's allowing me to gain wisdom...to be more confident in the person He created me to be.
His grace is helping me realize that "who cares?" if my endeavors measure up to anyone else's.

Open up the big girl crayon box and color away...that's what I'm going to embrace today!



Linking up with:  The Extraordinay Ordinary ~ Just Write

Linking up with:  Things I Can't Say

Snapshots of the Mind...and the Heart

Yesterday was a parish celebration...75 year anniversary. It was a gorgeous fall day...sun, wind, and jewel toned leaves creating the backdrop.

I found myself taking mental snapshots all day.

My 6'2" boy alter serving... sporting his beard that he's grown for the football playoffs.  Hiding his yawns & trying so hard to focus on the alter.

*SNAP*

My 14 year old baby...all coltish legs and swinging hair...patiently guiding the little kids through the games. Allowing herself to delight in the childish joy with them.

*SNAP*

Standing in the food line with a newly single mom...asking her to join our table which is full of laughter...seeing her eyes light up with relief that she belongs.

*SNAP*

Seeing my husbands eyes meet mine...countless times throughout the day. Feeling the same thrill go through me as it did when I was 18 years old.

*SNAP*

Walking through the parking lot with 3 of my dearest girlfriends. A huge "Winnie-the-Pooh" blustery gust of wind blows our friends wig right off. Saying..."It's not a party till someone loses their hair!" and watching her bend over in side-splitting laughter. .

*SNAP*

Feeling the love as these girls and I sing, sway, and raise our red Solo cups ...toasting the day, the joy, the privilege of being alive and in this moment

*DOUBLE SNAP*

My mental photo album is precious.

My heart photo album is priceless.

Linking up with: Just Write~ Extraordinary Ordinary

*This is the sixth installment of Just Write, an exercise in free writing your ordinary and extraordinary moments. {Please see the details here.} I would love to read your freely written words so join me and link up 

Let Your Light Shine

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. Nelson Mandela

 This quote and this picture came together and made sense for me today.

The quote is talking about shining...

letting yourself shine...

and I've always had difficulty with that particular phrase.

I believe it... I embrace it... but I don't always live it.

This photo is one my husband snapped of me in NYC about 18 months ago.

I love the way the different lights of Madison Ave. shine.

I remember how wonderful I felt at that time of my life. 

I was at my best mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I am not there now.

This quote spoke to me today.

The photo, especially the way the one light shines and highlights my head, spoke to me.

Maybe in a very small way God spoke to me.

Maybe He's reminding my that humbleness is a virtue...

but to humble myself

to the point where I meet countless other's needs but ignore my own,

is not what He desires.

To hide my "light" because I'm afraid of what others think

is not what He desires of me.

 When I do that I'm not being the person He truly created me to be...

and the people who are around me may not allow themselves to shine either.

I know in my heart what I need to do in order to shine.

I know that my physical self needs to be put back in balance.

I've lost my belief that I can do that.

This quote and photo reestablished that belief.

Late in life I'm learning that it isn't vain to shine.

God doesn't smile when I forget to take care of myself.

He placed a light inside me.

It can be a beacon..an invitation for others to shine brightly.

Shine for Him.

Linking up with "Sunday Citar"

Linking up with Weekend Hop   

                                                        

Linking with Just.Be.Enough    

Learning From the Young

When do we start to worry
about this need to be right?
Twenty-five kindergartners, bright eyes...shining..bursting
Hands flying up in the air
With nary a thought of "rightness".
Wanting their voices to be heard
Confident in their thoughts and answers.

Flash forward: middle school: less hands
are flying up in the air.
The smell of fear, embarrassment, humiliation
is wafting through the hormonal air.
Wondering if their answer is right.
Wondering if their hair is right.
Wondering if their clothes are right.
Wondering if they, themselves, are right.

Flash forward: adulthood: same basic worry
Just more subtle, just more grown-up.
Eyes scanning the conference room, checking
Eyes scanning the other women....checking
Eyes scanning their whole day...checking.
Do I fit? Am I right?

We can learn from the young.
We can embrace their bursting enthusiasm
Their philosophy that of course they're
Right. Just as they are. Right.
Because "right" isn't the best answer.
It isn't the best clothes... hair.
Job...children...church...talent...house...car.
Right is accepting ourselves as is.
Letting our own uniqueness shine out.
Secure in the knowledge that God
Created us exactly "right" for Him.

Inspired by:  Six Word Fridays~ word of the week is "right".

Linked to: http://dversepoets.com/2011/08/02/openlinknight-3/