Antsy in my Pantsy!

Do you get antsy when the seasons change? I do, I've got pent-up energy and no idea what to do with it! So I try to funnel it into a project, and then I end up frustrated because honestly, it's not the right time. I feel on edge like I've had too much coffee, and I can't seem to relax. The Holiday season is coming and I feel like I am living for the future waiting until I can decorate, and start to "enjoy" it... 

Do you feel me? Are you there too? are we in this crazy weird whirlwind together? Ok, I hear you... I know what we've got to do... we've got to RELAX. Like, really relax. Not lounge about, but just be in the moment breathe it in, and breathe it out. (I know, easier said than done, trust me, I know, I feel you)

As a beautiful reminder to you... below is a desktop background to keep you grounded during these antsy days of anticipation...

If you are a worrier around the holidays or live in nostalgia like I do... I have learned some tips and tricks to help me get through the holidays and keep my emotions in check, you can find that here: My Merry Christmas List.

Don't forget to head over to the website and subscribe, to be part of our Creative Hive, lots of awesome offerings there, while you are there, check out my new shop! (take advantage of free shipping to Canada and the continental USA!) there are many fun holiday hoodies to get you in the mood + plus I'm positive you'll be able to check some gifts off your list!

Share the love,

M.

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ^ FULL SIZE

Seek and Find.

I've been taking a little hiatus lately, ok-I've been being lazy and blaming it on jet lag and culture shock. In all honesty, the jet lag is real, the culture shock, well, I've been married to my Vietnamese hubby for 15 years (!!!) this August, so culture shock might be pushing it.

But I'm ba-ack... I'm feeling good and inspired and excited. It might have helped that my momma and I had a conversation this morning that changed my whole perspective. I've been feeling some anxiety lately and not wanting to adult anymore. I guess you could say I've been, what my sister-in-law calls, entertaining thoughts of escapism. Escapism, which according to google is defined as:

es·cap·ism

əˈskāpˌizəm/

noun

1. the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   And I couldn't agree more. I've been dreaming of the simplicity of childhood, you know- when parents took care of everything and we little people had nothing to worry about. I actually mentioned it to my friends that I'd like to live in a world where unicorns existed (and I was serious). But that just isn't reality. So I guess I need to buck buttercup, pull my socks up, and get back to reality and back to work.  

   
   

   I was looking for an easy way out of circumstances beyond my control, and I know that way out, I know that I need to go to God with my issues, (if you've read my previous posts, apparently I'm not learning this lesson very quickly). I had to take a few moments and repent for wasting so much time trying to find solutions for circumstances completely out of my control- Instead of casting all of my cares on Him, instead of giving it all to God, I had been trying to find solutions. If you need some encouragement about how we are to deal with anxieties and fears, here's a few: Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7,  Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:6-7,  John 16:33, Romans 8:28, Psalm 62:8, and there are so many more.

   
   

   How is it that I am back here again? How is it that this lesson, one I know the answer too, is one that I am continually struggling with?

   
   

   So this one is for me... Missie, seek and you'll find...  

   
   

   Are you looking for peace? Seek. Are you looking for Hope? Seek. Are you looking for answers? Seek. Stop trying to find a solution and seek God, He is the solution.

   
   

   Share the love, and happy seeking.

   M.

   
   

   
   

   
   

Breathe, You've Got this!

2016 a new year, new projects, new hopes, and new goals all sound well and good, but along with all of those crazy awesome new ideas and dreams comes along new anxieties, frustrations, and fear. What the heck?! Seriously I want to punch fear in the face. Taking a step out of your comfort zone to pursue a new career, passion, hobby... is often, littered with fear. Why are we so afraid of trying something new?

Apparently it's been studied and this pretty much sums it up:

33% will like what you do
33% won't like what you do
33% won't actually care what you do  (gasp! I know right!)

AND 1% (these are the people we don't actually care whether or not they approve of us- I added that part, and when I'm home alone, I have a more colourful word for this group of... well, use your imagination.)

So what do we have to fear? Letting ourselves down? because going out and trying something new doesn't usually let others around us down. Because the people who actually matter, you know the ones, our cheering section, the ones who see our talents way before we ever do, and are continually trying to convince us to pursue our passions, are not going to love us any less if we try following our dream, they are going to saddle up along side of us and enjoy the ride.

So in light of a new year, and in light of new possibilities (by the way, every day is filled with new possibilities, and the ability to stop one thing and start another, without owing anyone an explanation - but I digress) Let's Saddle up the horses,  let's charge forward with our hopes and dreams... and let's not forget to BREATHE, because We've Got THIS!

Share the love,
M.

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BREATHE, You've Got This!
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DECEMBER!

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Oh December- It's the most Wonderful Time of the year... can you hear it, can you smell it... It's beautiful, stressful, full of crazy relatives, phone calls, cookies, Christmas trees, extra stuff in my house, friends, wine, cheer, sadness, Advent, church, more people, food, chocolate, lights, snow, worry.... it really is the most wonderful time of the year... if we keep in mind what Christmas is all about.

Instead of worrying if you've done enough... know that Jesus did it all, celebrate that and know you are enough.

Christmas in our world can cause so much pain, hurt and frustration... try to focus on what really matters to you... don't load up your credit card, instead make stuff, don't spend money on stuff no one needs, spend time instead... don't do what doesn't fill your heart... gently bow out of invitations you don't want to say yes to- and do what does fill your heart, another evening with hot chocolate and popcorn watching a christmas movie with your family, is doing Christmas. Driving around looking at the lights with your hubby, IS Christmas. Don't compare what is important to you, with what is important to someone else... if you don't have time to decorate your house because it takes you away from spending time with those you love, don't decorate your house...

Pick and choose this year what will fill your heart and soul and make you happy... leave behind comparison, which leads to feelings of inadequacy - choose your peace and happiness instead... know you are enough, your children want you, not stuff... your husband wants you, not stuff... be present, be in the moment, capture it in your memory, and if you remember, take a few photos...  this will be the best Christmas yet!

Share the love,
M.

Check out my Advent Calendars:

Rustic Christmas CHEER Calendar, a fun and inspirational way to celebrate the Christmas Spirit throughout the holidays:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247817498/christmas-advent-calendar-rustic-holiday?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Calendrier de L'Avent en Français (Bible): 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247943589/calendrier-de-lavent-en-francais-25-4x6?ref=listing-shop-header-0

CHRISTmas Scripture Advent Calendar Version 2:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/258695253/christmas-advent-calendar-version-2?ref=related-4

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Relax- Don't Do it.

We've got 25 days until we leave (!) we are doing boring stuff like reading travel insurance policies, renewing the mortgage, paying bills, etc. trying to find and deal with everything we might need for those just incase moments. 

And doing a few fun things like visiting my dad, enjoying daddy-daughter time levelling a deck, having ice-cream - I'm allergic to milk, but somehow my dad seems to always be able to convince me,  ice-cream is always a good idea. It isn't. I ought to know better. But he's very convincing! 

We're trying to fit everything that needs to get done into a teeny tiny window of time... and I'm breathing... I'm relaxing, I'm freaking out, and I'm quoting : 

"How many of you can add even one day to your life by worrying?" (Luke 12:25)

along with: 

"do not be anxious [worried] about anything..." (Philippians 4:6)

I know we all have things happening that are bring anxiety, worry and frustration and great joy in our lives... and I know our upcoming Living Life On Purpose 2015 is all me, no one put this on our plates but me. So there is no one to blame, just me (oops) and I've often thought throughout this past year, Miss, what have you done?  (I'm sure the hubby has also thought this, more than once!) But that feeling so quickly passes when I just breathe ... "God, what I have done... I'm not prepared for this..." and I hear "you don't need to be prepared, I'll prepare you" and I'm flooded with peace... I really do feel that this journey is God led. It's only a reality because of that. 

What are you working on that is outside of your comfort zone ? And when you get frustrated, emotional, anxious, what do you do? Share with us, we are all looking for the secret recipe.

So Relax, don't do it- don't worry... just Share the love,

M.

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