Summer Wanderlust

Do you get that bug for a road trip, or running away sometimes? I do, I wonder if mine is more of a running away thing, than a road trip thing most days... remember that escapism I talked about a few days ago... Ya, it's probably that.  But I digress...

These are fun, summer prints, full of wanderlust and beauty. They scream summer, sunshine, and salt water.

Did you know that the word Aloha and Mahalo, are more than just words? Did you know they are blessings? I just learned this...

Mahalo: 

[Ma = In] + [hâ = breath] + [alo = presence, front, face]"(May you be) in (Divine) Breath."

And when I think of it, I think of... may you stand in front of the Devine... The one and only, may the God of the universe see you, know you, love you.

Aloha: 

[Alo = presence, front, face] + [hâ = breath]A"The presence of (Divine) Breath."

And when I think of Aloha, I think of The Devine is here, present with us, all around us, and in us. It's a beautiful way to greet someone.

When I start to learn the definitions of words, it changes my vocabulary. We lived in Quebec Canada for over 10 years, where French is the first language, and I had to relearn a lot of french just to survive in our little town. In the beginning I would always greet people with a simple Bonjour... which means good day. But then one day it clicked, there is also another greeting "Salut"  which in typical every day French means Hi. Sounds innocent enough, but then I remembering hearing about the "Armée du Salut" which is the Salvation Army... and I looked a little closer at the word Salut- and it means Salvation.  So now when I greet people, I greet them with a friendly 'Salut'... a blessing...

Another one that I learned, was after a Merci! or  thank you in Quebec we have three choices: 1. De rien (which means 'it's nothing'), then there is the colloquial 2. Bienvenue (which translates to 'Welcome'), and then there is a third option which is old French, 3. Je vous en pris... (which literally translates to, 'I'm praying for you')... so guess which one I use?

I find it so fun to learn about language and use it with purpose... what are some of your favourite words that you use intentionally with purpose and blessing? Do you choose your words, or do your words choose you?

Share the love,
M.

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MAHALO
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ALOHA
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Do I believe the Hype? + Happy Birthday To Me!

So according to studies, I'm getting old. Not studies on me, but rather on our feminine reproductive organs... by the time you are 38, you're uterus is basically a dud... all your good eggs are dead, and all that is left, is well duds... Oh and let's not mention the craziness of hair loss, weight gain, wrinkles and everything else they can throw in to scare the poop right out of you (oh and poop... ya, you'll probably never poop again!) This information used to scare me. It used to freak me out... and I'm kinda freaking out, that I am not freaking out.

Guess what... 38 is well-  just that, 38. It's a number, it's how long I've survived this crazy world of fear mongering and freak outs, love and laughter, chocolate and hugs, nieces and nephews, brothers (I got a few when I married my hubby) and sisters (my own partner in crime Sarah, plus I also collected a few more when my brothers all got married), my friends- my girlfriends, I'm not even sure this adequately describes these women who support, hold, up, pray for, and constantly bless me. It's been a sweet ride, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I wouldn't trade this body, these lines, my silver hair, or my experiences for anything... Living this life, not necessarily the one I had planned (read more), but the one that was planned for me- has given me the ability to trust, rest and rely on God to know... I don't need to know... He knows.

My mom always tells me when I'm feeling frustrated and I'm going on, and on...
 "but God, why, why me, why us... I'd really like to know!!"
She always tells me;
 "hun, you are on a need to know basis -and you just don't need to know."

So today for my birthday my wish is this... God whatever you have for me, whatever you have for us, give me the confidence to boldly go, boldly take that step, boldly believe and boldly trust in you... all the days of my life. With each passing day, and each passing year, this gets easier, less complicated, more simple, and very rewarding... Because God is good... always. 

So Happy Birthday to me! and to all of you celebrating today with me... Today is a GOOD day to have a GOOD DAY! Share the love, and your life lessons...
M.




PS. apparently someday soon, in our 40's ladies... our upper bodies actually become larger than our lower bodies?? SERIOUSLY?


and what is this little nugget of gold?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-27466/Is-woman-best-38.html

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Just Breathe.

Breathing- a natural phenomenon of taking in air and nourishing our cells which our bodies do it without us even thinking about it... and yet sometimes in this world we live in, with the hustle and bustle, we still forget to just breathe.

We hold our breath when we are nervous, we hold our breath when we are frustrated, we breathe shallow breaths instead of deep nourishing breaths...

Breathing deeply can change your body and your mind. Take a moment, even though it may not seem like there are enough moments in the day, take one, just one and make a conscious effort to stop, now take one long deep breath. Take a moment to look around your world and breathe in gratitude and breathe out thanksgiving.

Gratitude and thanksgiving will change your heart, change your mind and ultimately change your world. I know this to be true. I am living proof that gratitude can change everything.  I make a decision daily, a conscious -albeit sometimes difficult- effort, every-single-day, to look around me and be thankful.

What are you thankful for today?
Share the love in the comments below...
M.

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Comparison

So, you know when you skulk around Instagram, your favourite blogs, and Facebook instead keeping your head in your own work... well... Have I got a little story for you;

Yesterday I took a day off from "working" and I did domestic stuff. In the spirit of honesty,  I finally unpacked from our China trip (some stuff but not everything),  I did some laundry, I cooked a meal, I cleaned out a closet and I stalked all of my favourite people online.

I went to bed last night feeling overwhelmed -not because I was so excited to see what other's were doing and feeling encouraged. No, I was overwhelmed because I felt like I wasn't doing enough. I don't have enough Christmas prints ready to go, I haven't even thought about doing a new Advent Calendar yet, I don't even have my own christmas cards printed. I need to be printing things and having them available on Esty. I need to have an open house and sell some of my Printables all ready to frame for our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015 trip. I need, I need, I need- ack!

What have I been doing all year? How am I not being as creative, as productive, as awesome as everyone else.

WAIT!  STOP!  HOLD THE PHONE GIRL! 

Melissa! (or insert name here___________________) Stop comparing yourself to others and get your head in your own work and just be creative.

Stop worrying about what other's are doing, stop looking into their proverbial 'bowl' to see if they have more than you do. I once read somewhere:  the only time you should look in someone else's bowl, is not to see if they have more than you, but instead to see if they have enough. Are they ok? 

This sweet image is from:
www.chibird.com

So I'm being honest... because frankly, I dislike this feeling, I dislike looking at others and feeling that I am not enough, and I think I'm probably not the only one...

I saw this awesome little design from ChiBird and I wanted to share it, because we're all different, we are all kinda awesome. And when it comes to creative work, creativity and productivity... the only person to compare yourself too is you. Am I doing all that I can do? Am I the person I want to be?




There are only 24 hours in the day, (Melissa, or insert your name here______________) you can't do everything, but do what you do well... and sleep tight at night knowing you are awesome.

Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt for saying:  Comparison is the thief of Joy. How true. Yesterday I had my very own experience with this. So I've created a print that I will be printing off and sticking to my forehead,  because it is all too true. Comparison IS the thief of Joy.  Booyah!

Share the love,
M.

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Frankly Darling...

I don't give a hoot.
Whoo me?
Nope I never feel like this.
Ever. I always care.

Ok, I'm lying- sometimes I just don't give a hoot. I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately... I often worry about things that aren't any of my business, my concern, or anything I need to even be thinking of.  Do you find yourself tangled up in this web of 'false responsibility' because it makes you feel valuable or worthy?

I've taken to reminding myself often "not my circus, not my monkeys" sometimes I have to say "not my circus, yes my monkeys" and still have to let it play out as it will.

I can't control everything, cause If I could, let me tell you... lol no, seriously- sometimes we just have to stop, let it go, and not give a hoot how it turns out for our own sanity! Sometimes we women tend to try to fix everything, for our spouses, our children, our friend's children, our parents - and the list goes on! But you know what... you don't have to fix the neighbourhood... you just have to live in it :)

I mean of course apathy sucks! That we take no part in- for causes that we need to stand for, we stand! For changes that we can make, we make! To fight the good fight, we fight! - I'm not talking about this sort of thing, I'm talking about the little stuff that we burden ourselves with, the stuff that tires us out so that when we do need to fight, apathy is just an easier choice.

What are you concerned about today that you need to let go of? What responsibilities are you carrying that really aren't yours to carry, but because you are such a good person, you took it over?
What do you need to say "Frankly darling, I don't give a hoot" about today?

Let it go... breathe... the world didn't fall apart- nope it's not easy, it sucks to not be in control all the time, but on the other hand, the freedom that it brings is marvellous!

Let it go + Share the love,
M.

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It's Fall Y'all!

Apparently it's fall :) I have yet to feel that fresh crisp air and the crunchy leaves under my feet, but I know when I get home I will be greeted with my favourite season of the year... Fall. Autumn. Love.

Until then, I am hunkered down weathering out Tropical Storm Fung-Wong... affectionately known as Mario to the rest of the world.  So far Fung-Wong has graced us with some wind and rain... which means I'll spend my day inside, most likely worrying about the hubby at work, and creating pretty things! (Praying for more creating -than worrying- "who of you, by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  Matthew 6:22 )

Share the love,
M.

Don't forget to check out some of last year's fall posts: Every Leaf, Gratitude, It's Fall Y'all 2013, and Stuff It! 

If you haven't read about our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015  >> Please take a read and if you love free printables please consider giving a donation to help us on our journey! 

 

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I Wake to Make... pretty things.

'tis true :)
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M.

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Messy Missie.

I just looked around my house, and this is all I can say...
"creativity is messy, and I am *very* creative"

In all seriousness though, I've always kept my house tidy, but this year, my creative year, it has really gotten away from me. I need someone -anyone- to help me... I have so much stuff! I know I need to get rid of some of it... but when I look around my home I love to be inspired by beautiful things that I love,  that make me laugh or that bring back memories. I think I can give myself a pass on those things... but let's talk about the fact that I have not unpacked from my previous trip and I ought to be packing for my next trip. The next trip means serious packing, long haul, not just blasé packing. Oy! Get it together Messy Missie!

Oh well! for the moment I'm ignoring the mess and enjoying my coffee!
Happy Thursday!

Share the love,
M.

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Oh Darling...

Let's Be Adventurers!

This wasn't really my dream as a little girl, as a little girl I wanted to be a farming artist... I still want to be a farming artists, but I guess adventures will come first.

What adventure has captured your heart? What part of the world would you like to visit, or have you visited that has your heart?

This year has been a year of adventure for Duy and I. I am so humbled and honoured when I get see how others live, how other's do life. I can't wait for next year to go to Africa and live with a group of people for a short time, and see how it will change my heart yet again...

Where does your adventuring heart take you in your dreams?

Share the love,

M.

If you haven't read about our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015  >> Please take a read and if you love free printables please consider giving a donation to help us on our journey! 

 

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Find Joy.

Sometimes it is the simple things in life that bring joy. Today I am going to try not to let those simple pleasures pass me by. Instead I will notices them and acknowledge the peace and joy and they bring.

Finding Joy in the simple stuff, ought to be simple right? we shall see... life gets in the way of truly living sometimes- but don't listen to the voice in your head that says- shouldn't there be more? am I doing enough...

YES, you are doing enough, because YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Today choose to find Joy... in everything, loading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, cleaning up after supper, loving your kids, changing a diaper, listening to the birds...

Share the love,
M.

of course, my joy started this morning with coffee :)

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fruit.

I was talking about this recently with a friend... don't just talk the talk, walk the walk... easier said than done. This is a reminder to myself what the fruit of my life should look like... don't just say something, let your life say it.

oy,
Happy Monday!
May your life be fruitful!

Share the love,
M.

Scroll down for your free printables :)

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Let Your Freak Flag Fly

Probably one of my favourite quotes from a movie, ever.  I first heard it in the movie,  The Family Stone. Love that movie, love this quote.

Then I did a google search to find the quote, and I heard 'Let your Freak Flag Fly' from Shrek the Musical- How did I not know this existed? How could I not share this? Take a peek at the video then scroll down for a great printable!

I've included a black and white version for the office... Let's Celebrate what makes us unique!  Com'on let your Freak Flag Fly!

Handlettered by yours truly! Have an amazing Wednesday!
Share the love,
M.

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