love.
Hello February!
LOVE is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Not just because Valentines Day is coming up. And not just in the romantic or even parental sense. So regardless if you think you have a "special someone" in your life right now ... stick with me on this. We all need to have more love in our hearts right now.
There are a lot of pretty rotten things that swirl around us. This world is a crazy place. We may have people in our circle of influence that are choosing to do hurtful things. Hearts are breaking. Decisions are being made about our communities, our schools, and our countries that we can't control. Natural disaster is causing so many to lose hope.
There's no doubt about it: It's a tough world out there.
Turn inward for a moment. Think about your heart and where it is right now. Are your thoughts and your actions portraying love?
AT HOME. What is the feeling in your home lately? Is your home a haven and a refuge from the world? When someone messes up, how do you react? When your child walks in the door from school or your husband walks in from a long day at work, how do you greet them?
Because I know that 90-95% of you reading this are women, I am directing this to you: YOU are the heart of your home. YOU set the tone. YOU have the greatest influence on your family. I truly believe that. Are you setting the tone of love? Are you frequently and sincerely and proactively reminding your family how you feel about them through your thoughts, words, and actions?
EXTENDING LOVE OUTSIDE YOUR HOME. If we all had a little more love in our hearts, I believe there would be less criticism, less driving frustration, less bickering about how people are doing their job, less gossip, and absolutely less hurt.
Let us increase in our desire to strengthen and uplift those around us. Use kinder words. Hold back when you have the urge to gossip or criticize. Let go of that grudge. Serve someone. Serve someone today. If you have specific ideas for how you can increase love in your heart and in your home, feel free to share in the Comments. I'm certain someone else will benefit from your experience.
To truly love is to act in love.
Love,
Becky
Labels: love
at
5:44 AM
39 Comments:
February is a rough month for me...two years ago this month I lost a child a week before his second birthday. This year I'm trying to channel my feelings into something that has been overdue: forgiving an old grudge that has been festering. I'll be blogging about it this month, as well as working on forgiveness in my own life. Thank you so much for your post, it really hit home with me this morning.
Great thought-provoking post, Becky! Coffeemomma-I'm sending warm thoughts your way!
For me, one simple thing always helps and that is to breathe and think before speaking. It is so easy to blow a simple thing waaaayyyy out of proportion. If you take a breath before scolding a child (or even a pet), hold your tongue for a moment before making a smart-mounthed comment to your spouse. You give yourself the chance to look at a different side of the situation before turning it into something that can ruin everyone's day!
So sorry for your loss Coffeemomma!! I can't even imagine how tough that must have been and continue to be.
Becky, thank u for making us stop to think about "things" and put them into a different perspective.
In our often busy lives, I do believe we are all guilty of forgetting some of the little things.
I am guilty for it myself sometimes. Went to a b-day party with ds yesterday and w/o dh cause he was STILL sleeping at nearly noon. I was angry and disappointed and let it be known.
However, we just never know what life has in store for us and what if........something was really wrong. What if.......we didn't make it home?!
As hectic, chaotic, or what have you life may be, let us all stop and make a promise to show love more often.
I agree wholeheartedly and THANK you for making us realize how impt. it truly is.
Your blog is an amazing place... not only for creativity and scrapbooking, but spiritually and as an all around uplifting "place". A specific idea for me is a simple one, but one that I use often with my kids. When the kids are "fighting", or the kids/husband are asking for things when I am stressed out or busy with something that I think is important, I will often take a deep breath while counting to 10, breathing it back out for a count of 10, and then put on a smile and go help my children/husband with whatever it is that they need/want. I want my home and their memories of me to be one of happiness, helpfulness, warmth and selflessness. It can sometimes be all too easy to blow up at our kids/husband, but this helps me... and I find that it can also diffuse a situation that might otherwise get more fired up. love, rosa
Becky!
So beautifully written and such a sweet & loving reminder that as women we ARE what sets the tone in our homes. I love it and will pass it along....THANK YOU!!!
Jessica
And, where did you get your ceramic love letters??? Love them!!
Hi Becky! What a great way to start of a week, what a great post. I very much agree. I learned that when I am in a bad mood it carries over to the kids, if I snap at them because of that bad mood it's like a domino effect and makes them moody and not listen. I learned that when you just give your child a silly hug or a silly kiss it makes them laugh and forget about whatever was bugging them or what they were mad about.
I am trying to be a better mother, wife, person and not let the rush of every day life get in the way. It's hard sometimes, but life is so much better when you are kind to others even if they're not kind to you. It's much less stressful to be nice than it is to be moody and frustrated. Life is too short!
Coffeemama my heart goes out to you and giving you a big cyber hug!!
Sandy
:0)
Becky,
Thanks for the reminder, I needed it. I will make it my goal to serve someone today.
Coffeemama, you are in my prayers ;)
Thanks Becky for the reminder. We're in the middle of a huge transition (moving to another state) so we're all a bit more on edge. Trying to remain calm through everything is key.
Coffeemama, I truly understand your situation. I hope you can find peace as you grieve for your precious child. It always breaks my heart to hear of another parent that has had to bury a child. It hurts, even two years later. For me it's been 3.5 yr. But I do know their birthdays and anniversaries do get a little easier to get through over time. Not that it's ever easy. Many hugs to you!
Becky,
I felt like this post was for me as this very topic has been on my mind and in my heart a lot lately. Thank you for putting it into words so beautifully.
Coffeemama I am praying for you and sending a hug your way.
Wonderfully said! Thanks for the words and thought!
Totally love your encouraging words today Becky! You are right on about it! Thanks!
Wendy High
Becky, Love your thoughts and I agree 100% with them. I strive daily to provide a clean, loving enviroment for my family with a yummy meal at the end of the day. I'm not perfect but I try everyday because my family is worth it!!:)
This post has been removed by the author.
Hi Becky - thanks for the beautiful post. You are such an inspiration. I always read your blog, and then walk away and try to be a better person! I have said it for years - I don't know how you do it all, but I am so grateful that you take time out of your very busy life to inspire us!! Have a great day!
Coffeemama - you will be in my prayers this month!
Coffeemama--will be praying for you today! God Bless You!
Thanks, Becky, for this much-needed reminder! One of my goals for 2010 is to quit gossiping--I am trying to really stop and think before I speak: "is what I'm about to say going to be helpful and make someone feel good?"--and if not, I am trying not to say it.
Have a great week, everyone!
what a great post! thanks, Becky.
I enjoyed your post Becky. I feel like Satan works overtime at our house somedays... people are bickering first thing...and it doesn't take long for the feelings to spread. When I feel everyone getting wound up I try to play some instrumental songs from church, they help change the tone from cranky to..... not so cranky. I love to play "If the Savior stood beside me" -- it helps me remember that I need to be a good example to my children. I try to remember that I am showing them how to mother my grandchildren.
Thinking of you Coffeemama.
Thank you Becky, I needed these words today. I woke up this morning thinking, New Month, New Me..not sure why. I've been thinking a lot lately about my mortality and how I can truly be the best I can be as a wife, mother, sister & friend. So thank you, I will pay it forward today.
Carolyn
Love your post.
With a renewed spirit, I am trying to set a loving tone in my home through my actions. I can see the results!
I am loving Project Life. It reminds me that I have so much to be grateful for and the pictures require me to acknowledge that on a daily basis.
well said! :)
I really really enjoyed your surprise visit the other night--- SO great to have some rare one-on-one time chatting away with you! Thanks again for that-- and PL, of course! ;)
can't wait till the fam meets again.
LOVE you! :)
I *LOVE* this post!
It is just what I needed this morning. One thing I used to do with my kids during the month of Feb. to teach service is what I call Service with your heart. I got a wooden heart and painted it red (or any kind of heart would do)and then it gets passed thru the family as service is done- for instance I made one of the boys beds and placed the heart on his pillow and he then emptyed the dishwasher for his brother and left it inside the dishwasher for his brother who then found something he could do for someone in the family and left the heart there for that person. It is a very fun thing and gets the kids to look around and see what they can do for their family members. With today being Feb 1st and being a Monday, I just figured out what FHE will be about tonight and it is just what our family needs right now! Thanks!
thank you for the love you have spoken of today!
Thank you for this. I have not been setting the tone I want these past few weeks, and that needs to change. Since I'm participating in LOAD 2010, and tonight's layout is supposed to be about new beginnings, I will create a layout on the new tone I am going to be setting for my family. Thank you for the reminder.
Sometimes we get so caught up in everything going on around us we forget to just take the time to be kind and show people you love them! I really needed to be reminded of this today. Kim
thanks...is so good to be stopped and reminded of this simple but SO SO powerful message...
Hear, hear!!! Thanks Becky for speaking from your heart. You're so right about us ladies setting the tone in our homes. I just had lunch with my 6-year-old at school - I was taking cafeteria pics of all the kids for their scrapbookds thanks to your inspiration! - and it was really nice to just SLOW DOWN and take the time to sit with my kid on my day off and eat slowly (somewhat), have a real conversation and actually LISTEN to what he has to say. I realized I need to do this more often with my little guy. Just so hard as a single parent... but, anyway, thank you for posting this and reminding us about how much LOVE and being POSITIVE can work wonders in our lives. ;) BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!!!
ooo 'circle of influence' that so got me thinking!! thanks!!! :) congrats on PL btw!!! so great to see someone Real making a difference!
We are going to do this project in our family for Lent but it would work anytime. Draw a picture of a tree on a large piece of paper with branches for each member of the family. Cut or punch out leaf shapes from colored paper. Tape the paper with the tree to a wall, refrigerator or bulletin board. Every time someone in the family does an act of kindness for someone else, says a kind thing, helps someone out, etc. they can glue a leaf to the tree. By Easter our tree should be filled with the growth of our love and kindness.
To all who are grieving over the loss of loved ones, may God's love wrap tightly around you!
I still love the "random acts of kindness" as a way to show love to strangers. This past December, I paid for drive thru orders for folks behind me in line. I tell you, there aren't too many thrills like that! So much fun to brighten someone else's day.
Thanks for this post....I am pregnant and at this moment i am just exhausted and dont feel good but my husband and 2 1/2 year old still need me just as bad and this post has made me think hard to breath before i saying anything to them.....thanks again becky
Coffeemama my heart and prayers go out to you.
Hi Becky,
Kind off topic (somewhat) but could you let us know what you & your kiddos are doing for their valentine cards this year? I love your ideas and found quite a few great ones on the internet.
Thanks
Carolyn
Coffeemama My heart aches for you!!
Becky, I really loved today's thoughts too! I find that if I am SURE to say my morning prayers it is easier to be patient and kind and slow to anger with my children. That helps ground me and have the spirit in my heart so that I can be the stable happy center of the home. And lots of snuggles and kisses don't hurt ether ;)
beautifully said!!
Thank you for the reminder.
This was for me today. Thank you. I need to stop making excuses and stop waiting for someone else to take the first step forward. I can only control myself. Thank you!
Becky thanks! This is just what I needed today, some things just not going my way but I have a choice in how I will react-thanks for reminding me of that. You are so inspiring! I love your blog-I check it out everyday!!
You know I love you.
Coffeemama - my heart breaks for you...I will be praying for you.
Something we can do outside of our home to be kinder to others - pay for the car behind you in the drive thru at Starbucks, McDonalds, etc. You will be amazed at how surprised not only the car behind you will be, but how the cashier reacts! It affects all three parties involved and could really cheer someone up or help them have a better day.
Post a Comment
<< Home