Lessons from 3 Sisters May 19, 2008

In my Gratitude Scrapbook Album, these are pages of life lessons learned from my 3 elder sisters  (Scrapbookers, see tips and notes at the end of this blog).

 The 2 eldest were teenagers in the ’60s and on their own around the time I was born.   Regardless of the age difference, it was often said how much Jo and I were alike in character traits.   Good humour is important in our family, although I admit acquaintances may not see this side of me until we become closer in friendship.

I appreciated learning stories of JoAnn’s independence and adventures and can identify parallels in our adult lives.  My 2nd sister Chris gave me a profound piece of advice.  When I was debating a trip to Australia to follow my heart, she wrote, “You never regret the things you do, only the things you don’t do.”   Ponder that one when you’re faced with a decision.     

My 3rd sister Donna is 6 years my senior, so we had the usual sisterly quarrels.  We shared a bedroom and I was the kid sister always getting into her “stuff.”   She slammed my head with a pillow one night to stop me from grinding my teeth (there are better cures these days, but her method worked).   Donna had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities for looking after me and 2 brothers.  However, it is in our adult lives that I’ve grown to really know and love her.  My favourite moments are during our recent 3-week tour of Italy with Mom.  (My spiritual teacher James Arthur Ray  quotes Ram Dass: “If you think you’re enlightened, go live with your parents.”  I’d like to revise that to say, “… travel with them as adults!)

“When mom and dad don’t understand, a sister always will.” – Author Unknown

Too sweet? How about: 

 ”If sisters were free to express how they really feel, parents would hear this:  Give me all the attention and all the toys and send (Brenda) to live with Grandma.” ~ Linda Sunshine

For Scrapbookers or wanna-be Scrapbookers:

CHALLENGE:  Adding to the challenge posted in my 2nd Post, take your time, this isn’t a rush project.  I encourage you to focus on a positive lesson from a family member that you consciously implemented in your life.    Highlight this on a page with a candid photo that really captures who they are.   Write their descriptive character traits as a border around the page.

OPEN YOUR HEART:  After writing a sincere letter of love and thanks to them, send them a copy of your page or offer it to them as a special birthday or holiday gift.  I was pleased to learn that some of my family framed their pages.   Telling them today will mean you can leave this life without regrets of not telling them what you carry in your heart.

Gratitude brought me to this place May 10, 2008

Gratitude shapes who I am and is my daily life practice.  My glass is always half full, most times it is overflowing.  This is my choice.  In the pages of my Gratitude scrapbook, the images and stories hold many lessons for which I am grateful (like these lessons from my mom pictured here).  

TIP: Make a list of your family members and highlight one or two lessons you’ve learned from them in life.  CHALLENGE: Focus on the positives from those lessons (hint: there is always a positive) and give thanks for them – the lessons and your family.  These lessons shape who you are.  OPEN YOUR HEART: share your thanks with your benefactor(s). 

As a kid, I remember having a healthy attitude towards life.  In this lifetime, I chose to be born into a home filled with Love – 9 kids, not as much money, but a wealth of Love.  I distinctly recall the excitement I felt waking up each day and wondering what and who Life would bring into my realm.  Imagine having that feeling every morning?  

 

The responsibilities brought with each passing year as an adult dulled that excitement at times.  Sometimes it was lost altogether.  I’ve had my trials and tribulations – loves lost and dreams faded – just as you, my dear reader.  Yet there always remained this thread of Hope (or was it Faith?) pulling me forward from times of despair because I know in my Soul that I (we all) have a Divine purpose.  Each day that passes is another day of discovering the treasure that is Me.  Each day brings new lessons for you and I. 

 

Let us allow ourselves a few minutes at the end of our busy day to close our eyes and reflect back on the many blessings bestowed upon us.   Yes, it can be difficult (or perhaps even futile to try) to find what can possibly be good in a day of grief or tragedy.  What if it is only to give thanks for the experience of that which is lost? 

May you awaken to the abundance of blessings bestowed upon you as you move through your day.  Namaste

(thank you for your kind comments, I am grateful to all who share in this wonderful adventure of Life)

What are Scrapbooks for the Soul? May 8, 2008

 

From the American Heritage Dictionary and www.Dictionary.com …

scrap·book  (skrāp’bŏŏk’) - noun  a book with blank pages used for the mounting and preserving of pictures, clippings, or other mementos.

soul  [sohl] –noun.   the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part; the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments; the inspirer or moving spirit of some action, movement, etc.; deeply felt emotion, as conveyed or expressed by a performer or artist.

 

My purpose for writing is simply to open hearts.  My heart, your heart, all hearts.  An open book of our lives, our deepest passions and dreams, when shared with others, will open hearts.   By sharing my stories and life lessons, I hope to inspire social and spiritual interaction to bring about positive change in the lives of others so they may live in joy, truth and empowerment.    My stories and articles will appeal primarily to women and the men who wish to better understand women. 

 

Drawing from the above definitions, my vision is that Scrapbooks for the Soul are tools (traditional or digital books, blogs or other media) filled with personal stories, lessons, journeys, images, and mementos… bits and pieces of the Self that we choose to save and reflect upon, allowing us to grow and move forward in Life. 

 

I’ve been creating scrapbooks most of my life and teaching others the importance of celebrating their lives and the lives of those they love in scrapbook format for almost 9 years.  As I’ve held workshops with women through these years, I’ve noticed patterns amongst many of the women that I meet and of course, speak from personal experience.  Many women give so much of themselves to the men, children and parents who need them, that they have nothing left for themselves.  When they do give to themselves, guilt and shame knocks at their door.  I’ve witnessed all too often how the need to be perfect paralyzes.

 

As I walk my own spiritual path, I’ve come to realize that scrapbooks can be a powerful tool for dynamic change and personal growth.  As a result of my own study and practice, I have developed fun interactive workshops where women can explore their creativity, their dreams and goals, using scrapbooks and journaling exercises with a focus on GRATITUDE.   Unlike traditional scrapbooks that celebrate the past, these scrapbooks become tools to enjoy living more fully now and into the future…

 

This blog is just another of the resources I wish to provide for women to reconnect with themselves, rekindle their passions and dreams, believe in all they can be and create the joy they deserve in their life.  I caution you to not wait for “some day” or “one day”.  Those days may never come, or when they do, they catch us so unprepared that we miss the opportunities to live authentically and joyously.

 

Welcome to my blog and thank you for visiting.   This is a case of “leap and the net will appear”.  I don’t know all the technical aspects of blogging but am open to learn and quickly I will.  

I hope you will check back often.  I propose to write with humour, inspiration, creativity and honesty so that we can all learn, and open our hearts to MORE.  And yes, I will have images… as soon as I can figure out the technical aspect of that. ;o)