Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Song

This song struck a part deep within me, and I’m certain will resonate with so many, far and wide.

Tell Me You Love Me, by Demi Lovato, with the choir joining her in the video, stirs the soul.  We have a longing within us to be accepted, to be told we’re loved, especially on days when we’re struggling.

Tell me you love me …

Words so hard to speak as it leaves us so vulnerable when we’re standing there in front of someone wanting, needing to hear those words.  Will they say them back?  Better yet, will they make you FEEL it?

I shared this song with someone near and dear to my heart months ago.  They were visiting their mother’s grave on either the anniversary of her passing or her birthday, I can’t remember which, but those are what I refer to as “tender days.”  You NEED to feel love even more so on those days.

And the song played … and the tears fell like rain …

Tell someone you love them TODAY!  

 

 

Whole

This whole 31 day challenge has been just that … a challenge for me.

I lost my umph … my will to write.  Depression crept in and left me at a loss for words.  Life circumstances stole a part of me for a little while.

But, I snapped back.

A few days into the challenge, I fought the will to just let it all go and actually caught up.  I had to write and schedule several posts a day, which might delight some of my readers while making others wish I was still on a hiatus.  Ha!

But I persevered.  I wrote.  I scheduled.  I begged Greg to write some as well to not only fill the gap but to let his voice be heard, and HE DID!!!!  (I love it when he writes!)

And finally I no longer had to scramble to get the words down or the posts written.  They flowed … and I didn’t have to sit and stare at my computer screen long before the words started coming after thinking briefly on each prompt word.

That’s the thing with life.  You never know what is going to be thrown at you that might zap your energy for a little while or steal your joy.  The thing is this; DON’T STAY THERE!

It’s okay to take a break; regroup.

But get back in there and fight the good fight!

Don’t let depression win.  OR any other joy stealer that is out there.

Rise above it …

Stretch … yawn … extend your arms in front of you with your fingers intertwined … press them palms outward … crack your knuckles … roll up your sleeves … and begin again.

 

 

Capture

As the self-proclaimed “Picture Queen,” you know I love taking pictures!  Anyone that is near me is subject to be in a picture no matter what they’re doing.  At work?  Picture time!  I love whipping out my phone/camera to capture moments when my coworkers are acting anything but professional.  Those pictures are for my viewing pleasure only; although some occasionally will make their way to Facebook.  Oops – sorry, not sorry!

With my family, though, I take a BUNCH of pictures because I want to capture the moment we’re in.  I want to live it, yes.  But I want to take the picture to reflect back on how I was feeling at the time it was taken.

Holidays when everyone is gathered around looking their best – we are snapping away.  We must have pictures by the tree, pictures on the lawn in front of the house with the colorful Fall leaves around, even pictures on hayrides enjoying the wonders of the season.

Vacations – everyone takes hundreds of pictures on vacation. No?  It’s just me?  Okay …

Babies!  Who doesn’t love taking pictures of their sweet babies to share with others?!  I said a long time ago that my babies might have flash burns on them (if there is such a thing) from all the pictures I have taken through the years.

But they are our treasures long after that moment has passed!

There are those who do NOT like being in the pictures because they’re afraid they don’t look good enough or take a good picture.  Girlfriend, please!  Get IN the picture.  So what if your makeup isn’t perfect, your hair is a mess, or you feel you gained too much weight from Halloween to New Year’s Day – GET IN THE PICTURE!  Your family will want to look back on the good times shared with you.  Let them see your beautiful face smiling back in all of those pictures that they will surely cherish.  Don’t take that away from them.  That’s their joy in looking back over them time and time again.  Let them see you IN them, not just know you were there behind the camera capturing the moments.

 

 

shirley

Light, Love, Hope

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. She enjoys spending time with them on their ranch in the deep South with their three paint horses. Always looking for an adventure, she looks forward to hikes in the mountains chasing waterfalls, or scouring the coast for beautiful lighthouses! Shirley writes to encourage others and often times shares things that motivate and inspire her. She believes in living life to the fullest because no one is promised the gift of another day. Join her as we honor our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, and our Almighty Creator, God above!