Snow, snow, and more snow! Are you beginning to notice a theme here? I sure am. We’ve gotten ten inches over the past few days & the forecast calls for at least another 10-15 inches by tomorrow night. I am actually writing this on Thursday (pre-scheduling the post for Friday) because I probably won’t have an internet connection tomorrow. I will be up in the mountains & most likely snowbound.
Well, I plan on keeping busy & keeping warm this weekend. I hope you do the same where ever you are. I recommend hot cocoa, snowman building, and warm blankets. If you are someplace warm, soak up the sun & be glad!
Here are this week’s Carousel links. Enjoy!
1. polaroids from marrakech, morocco: Beautiful photographs from the Our Labor of Love blog. Just looking at these make me warm inside, perfect for a cold Winter’s day.
2. Be Indispensable: “It’s so sad because people don’t recognize that they have to go that low and wait that long.” I love Gary Vaynerchuk, this guy is probably the single-most passionate individual I’ve ever come across. Enjoy this quick video where he talks about what you need to do to become indispensable. Then go search him on YouTube when you’ve got more time—guaranteed inspiration.
3. On the importance of “No”: “There are moments when we say ‘yes’ to others and in fact are saying ‘no’ to ourselves.”
4. 5 ways to escape the escapist weekend: Perfect advice to make the best out of this coming weekend & then all the rest!
5. How Do You Treat Your Food?: I love this post from the Epic Self blog. It is so important that we apply conscious living to every aspect of our lives—especially when it comes to what we put in our bodies! Being mindful about what we put in our bodies is just as important as being mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions.
6. Stillness is a Powerful Action: “Let stillness become your most powerful action. It could change your life.” Another great post by Leo! I’ve actually been practicing stillness in my life much more frequently than ever before. The results are amazing—I feel calmer, more energized, and ready to take on the world. Stillness in the middle of a hectic day is priceless.
7. In Defense Of The Death Penalty: Fascinating post by Tim Brownson about the power of our beliefs & values. Don’t be too put off by the title—there’s a twist.
8. Creating a Happiness Plan: Attention, everyone! Do you have a happiness plan. If not, what are you waiting for? This post will set you on your way.
9. the perils of justifying yourself: Leave it to Danielle to press your buttons & make you think. Do you justify yourself? You need to read this.
Alright friends. That’s it for this week’s Carousel. I hope that you love each of these posts as much as I did. I’ll be braving the blizzard for the next few days. Wish me luck. Have a great weekend and, as always, spread love & light.
Keep an even keel and even when times are difficult, be positive and things will eventually turn for the better. Reach out to friends and family, trust yourself and try to do a little good each day.
Thanks for the thoughts, Lou. Excellent advice.
Wow, very good stuff. Life can be such an adventure. That adventure is not always fun. I have heard that those things that do not kill you make you stronger. If that is the case my wife and I are giants in the land. We have had our fair share of ugly stuff. Through it all we have clung to God and one another for the strength, love and guidance to get us through. One day at a time, that is all that we can do. None of us are promised a tomorrow so the best we can do, is to do the best we can with what we have today.
I’ve heard that, too. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Although–during the dark times–it can be difficult to accept, I do believe that it is the truth. Thank you so much for your presence here, friend. <3
As I submit my novel and listen to the crickets chirping, I can say with certainty that I am in the midst of one of those valleys of life. It is the loneliest place I’ve ever been, to have created something, to keep putting it out there, and to get………..nothing. I heard so many horror stories about rejection letters, and I cannot even get one.
In our darkest places, we still have to believe in ourselves, to pull from the buried reserves of inner strength that will move us forward. Heck, some days I have to pour figurative gasoline on the cold embers that remain in the dirt at the very bottom of that pit of buried reserve. It isn’t easy, but it’s all part of growing. When we stop growing, we die.
Just reading your comment gives me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I haven’t written about it, but in my past life I was a poet. That’s what I went to school for. It is “what” I was, and more importantly “who” I was. I defined myself by that word and by my ability to succeed at being that word.
I remember the cold, nauseating impact of rejection.. after rejection… after rejection. It was so incredibly hard. I had to learn two things and I hope that these things will help you, too (even if in the smallest of ways):
1. A word (poet, novelist, writer, accountant, coach, speaker) can never define us. It’s a simple sentiment but gaze at it, it’s quite powerful.
2. A thousand horrible rejections will be washed away with one simple acceptance. It took years for me and then one day I was published in the Columbia Review. I know that it will happen for you, too. Don’t give up.
Best of luck wading through these dark moments, my dear friend. I am thinking of you & sending you bunches of love & light. xo
Hey Dena, I loved this article. I really needed to be uplifted. I am definitely going through some hard times in my life right now. Being unemployed and having a hard time finding employment, not know how I am going to pay my bills, but I realize I am not the only one who is going through what I am. I will keep taking it one day at a time, continue to look, and know that there is something out there for me, but that God has not led me to it yet, or it is not the time right now. I have to remember that I have a great family, and a Masters Degree in Social Work that I am almost done with that no one can take away from me. Thank you for the great message.
You are so welcome Michelle. I am so proud of you. Keep pushing forward. <3
Dena…. I love you!! You are the best and this makes my Friday. I am going through a transition at work where I am being pulled in a thousand different directions. Hard times….yes. But could it be worse. Of course. So I read your post and I smile becasue you remind me that life is life, and what happens- happens. I need to stop worrying about how it could be simpler and focus on what I can do now. Thanks Again.
You are so welcome, Meg! I am so happy to hear that this resonated with you. Best of luck through the transition. XO
Awesome reminder of the power of God.