“Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.”

-Jim Beggs

Will you please be a trier along with me? Pretty please?

Thoughts are part of our lives. {Who knew?}

In an average day it is estimated that we have around 60,000 thoughts.

Have you ever wondered how many of these thoughts are happy thoughts?

It is known that happy people think more happy thoughts than unhappy people.

If we think happy thoughts... we create happy perceptions...

we create a beautiful aura of light around ourselves...

which leads us to happy events.

And so we create a exciting circle (where we become even happier).

Happy thoughts connect us with the light, confidence and courage to act...

to the power to believe.

To live our lives according to our hopes and dreams not somebody else´s.

Jealous, angry and fearful thoughts and feelings take us away from our own path...

our own purpose.

But a straight path doesn´t admit compromises.

This negative thoughts strip us of our power and ability to act effectively.

If we think fearful thoughts we become afraid and act defensively.

The route to a happier life is through changing this focus

from staring at your heart challenges and

tears to looking outward and becoming a blessing to another.

Which ALWAYS brings someone a smile and you too.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine brightly upon you

and give you peace...and many happy thoughts too.

Image via: I heart this Words on thoughts: From one of my files.

I really don't know where this came from but read it and thought it good.

{What Peace Looks Like To Me}

I found this image in my phone from a couple of months ago.

No, I did not take my makeup off to go to sleep, so the eyeliner is a bit crazy...oh well.

We were trying that night to see who could stay awake the longest...I will say, she won {wink}.

I always lay my hair up on top of the pillow because it gets all

curly-wild at night and in my face when I wake.

My niece was having a night over and she looked to me when she woke, smiled and said...

"Kiki, you hair looks like one of those pencils

with the hair that you twirl and it gets all crazy!"

It did look like that! We giggled out-loud!

So, she did her hair the same and at 6:15AM we captured this picture with my phone.

She is delight and full of giggles, she speaks words of wisdom straight to one's soul as

if Yoda talking. I love that about her, she is wiser than her years. She has had to be.

She inspires to show the world to see that one should not take one-second for granted,

but breathe-in, breathe-out and enjoy so much this adventure called life.

She has taught me...

...how to give a hug and mean it genuine as a gift to warm another's soul.

...how to giggle {Literally, she had specific instructions to this, as in step # 1, 2, 3!}.

...how to whistle {I still can't whistle, but she says she can hear it...faintly. I smile!}.

She is such the consummate encourager.

She still teaches me to learn from life challenges and let hard things rest, or go

....and hold close to the heart moments perfect.

I realize I bring her peace and a solid place to just rest and find a gentle smile.

She is sunshine-amazing and imperfectly-perfect to me in every way.

She is not my daughter, but to this day she is my greatest blessing in this life.

And I love her.

I pray her life peaceful, beautiful, adventurous, protected and just amazing.

"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets, Jesus explained.

The truth is they are more shadow than reality. So they seem bigger in the dark.

When the light shines into the place where they live inside you,

you start to see them for what they are."

-The Shack

One just has to have a bit of COURAGE to simply allow a bit

of light into those dark and real places of us

and gain this kind of amazing glow.

I mean seriously people, I desire to be a perfect woman. I just do. I still do.

But, have become real where light may have a chance to shine on it's own.

My motives changed in my heart and melted as I learned what selfless love is.

I desire to love selflessly with an open hand. I just do.

I tucked neatly in a work-in-progress box titled, no less {Darkness} that holds truth of

the human condition of me lay hidden. Gasp!

But, I had it tied neatly with red ribbons and a really pretty red bow!

I mean don't we all have one of those boxes tucked in the secret of our souls? Or is it just me?

So I set off on my merry way to be perfect and not human. To capture in me the perfect soul.

La, la, la... I am determined after all.

Ok , not so la la la...but more la la rrrrrrrrrrr, try hard and be perfect and graceful.

Who am I kidding? I mean seriously people!

I thought I could overcome all of me. Not be human kind of overcome.

Silly me, but determined {smile}.

What if we became at least willing to turn our face and allow

His shining this true light into all the dark areas to make our soul shine real.

To be used in the long run to help others shine too?

Just simply shine from the inside out.

Not because it is proven perfect, but a soul that glows His kind of real light because

He allows it to shine that becomes a gift to give selflessly.

I now see it possible.

So are you ready to smile and shine light?

Just simply shine. I hope you do too!

Sending you HAPPY in your soul and SHINE!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”

(Philippians 4:6, NASB)

I received this in email this morning and just thought it worth posting.

So many people today are living uptight, worried and anxious about the future, filled with frustration and concern. In the natural there may be good reason, but understand, living that way is not God’s best. God doesn’t want us to be filled with anxiety and frustration; He wants us to live in peace. You can find rest in Him knowing that no matter what is happening around you, God Almighty has His hand on you.

The next time you’re tempted to worry or be anxious about something, remember this verse. God invites us to come to Him. In fact, the Bible says He rewards those who diligently seek Him. But notice, we can’t just come to Him any old way. He wants us to come to Him with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. Begin by simply saying, “Father in heaven, thank You for the privilege to come before You. Thank You for hearing my prayers.” As you come to Him with an open and humble heart, He will hear you and fill you with His peace and joy to live free from anxiety all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be anxious for nothing. I choose to set aside my worries and concerns. I thank You for Your faithfulness to meet every need in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Make your moments worth living today and kiss the sky because it is good.

Image via: B. Devotional JVO

Sprinkling Light and a lot of Fa La La

Yes, time for some fa la la la la....are you ready to catch some light?

I cannot believe that the time is here already to sprinkle light across the city.

It seems like time passes so quickly anymore in working much, but I am grateful.

Still though, I want to slow time down and kiss the sky and enjoy moments.

I am going to make it a point next spring to see a sunrise on a beach wrapped in a blanket.

Yes, I will stay in a hotel of course, and somewhere magical sounds delicious,

but wish to go out one night and sleep on the beach and

wake up to a sunrise with great smiles!

{ahem...oops...I got lost in the sand in my toes moment, smile.}

anyhoo...

Back to to fa la la...

For weekends now since the beginning of October we have

been lighting outside trees, fluffing boughs,

prepping ornaments and making wreaths pretty in the quiet....

ok, not so quiet probably, but you get my point

of this sparkly business I get to be a part of!

Only to present a whole bunch of joy and a city lit up with those

twinkle lights to all the week of Thanksgiving.

We are now in full time Installation of Holly Productions.

My families corporate Christmas decorating business,

to Deck the Halls and make this city beautiful.

Hopefully many smiles will present themselves as we work

and bring smiles to many because joy is good for the soul.

This kind of work is not for sissies! I am not even kidding you!

But hopefully we will find smiles and giggles true as we haul things many times our weight.

I pray everyone has a beautiful Thanksgiving

and that you smile so much with family and friends, just because.

Peace and gentle smiles to you always.

This devotional was sent to me this morning

and found it good so thought I would share.

Praying and hoping you blessed and full of great peace and smiles today!

So let your shine out a little. It will feel good.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NASB)

TODAY’S WORD

So many people today are living uptight, worried and anxious about the future, filled with frustration and concern. In the natural there may be good reason, but understand, living that way is not God’s best. God doesn’t want us to be filled with anxiety and frustration; He wants us to live in peace. You can find rest in Him knowing that no matter what is happening around you, God Almighty has His hand on you.

The next time you’re tempted to worry or be anxious about something, remember this verse. God invites us to come to Him. In fact, the Bible says He rewards those who diligently seek Him. But notice, we can’t just come to Him any old way. He wants us to come to Him with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. Begin by simply saying, “Father in heaven, thank You for the privilege to come before You. Thank You for hearing my prayers.” As you come to Him with an open and humble heart, He will hear you and fill you with His peace and joy to live free from anxiety all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be anxious for nothing. I choose to set aside my worries and concerns. I thank You for Your faithfulness to meet every need in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Devotional via : J.O.

{To Soar}

Hoping and well praying to that you not just kind of fly, but SOAR!!!!!

Above and beyond life circumstances today that can

make one feel pain or doubt or fear.

I pray you find amazing in your moments.

I read this verse this morning and it reaffirmed

this soaring possibility theory.

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31 {NLT}

He said it, not me! So I am going to take a chance and believe.

I like this verse and going to write it on

and all over my heart and thoughts today and shine gently

and soar above

my life storm below

knowing it is in His complete care that I can trust and land confidently!

I trust Him or I don't..., right? And I DO trust Him with every part of me.

I know that in all things like an eagle that soars above great storms

and circumstances it is possible to soar like this from experience!

It is the independent feisty in me and the way I am made.

I know that we all are made like this. We just have to believe it

and take that step of faith to believe and really trust.

If Eagles can do it, so can we!!!!! I am just saying it's true.

I am not talking about in a kind of soar way where

you try soooooo hard and land flat on your

face over and over in trying, trying and trying...ouch!

... that is too stressful and can leave a mark if you know what I am saying!

Who needs that? Not I in any way gently, but more talking about

the kind of soar that holds great hope

as if in complete ease and just in a word, beautiful and in graceful confidence

of the one that loves my soul beyond me.

As if sunshine and a breeze on the most gorgeous of days!

Set your mind on things positive and peaceful.

Breathe in and out and let your life show that hope, grace,

wisdom and joy are possible.

Because that kind of peace and hope is possible when our focus is

not on our circumstances but our faith in the solid good that

can come from everything.

So take hold of faith and just fly. Pretty please!

Have an awesome Tuesday.

image via: r. hardy

{Enjoy the Little Things!}

Life Reminder!

Enjoy the little things in life...

...for one day you will look

back and realize they

were the big things!

-Robert Braut

Happy Amazing Friday and Weekend to you.

Hoping you warm smiles through your moments.

Image via: i heart it.

{Grace and Peace}

I received this devotional this morning and

thought

it of good worth, so I thought I would share.

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus

Christ give you grace and peace” 


(2 Thessalonians 1:2, NLT)

Something to think about....

Grace and peace are such powerful forces in the life of the believer.

Grace empowers us and peace directs us. It’s like this:

grace is the gas and peace is the navigation system.

You need both to reach your destination.

The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s grace through faith.

We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness,

but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation,

but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is supernatural empowerment

to live the life God has called us to here on earth.

Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being.

Peace literally means “to set at one again.” When we are at one with the

Father in thought, word and deed, we can physically feel it on the inside.

We are settled internally. And nothing external can move

us from our position of peace.

Today, receive His grace and peace and let them carry you

into the destiny He has ordained for you!

Simple prayer if you are interested.

Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace and peace at work in my life.

I choose to stand in my position of peace by following Your Word.

Thank You for guiding me into the life of blessing You have prepared for me.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Be gently blessed and I pray that just overflows in shine to another.

I pray you the kind of peace and genuine grace today that

passes all understanding to sustain you

when things don't make sense, faith seems small and fear feels great.

I am learning this too, as I often don't

get beyond the human in me,

but desire with all in me to live this life true.

Somehow though God is teaching me as we learn to turn our faces towards

Him and not inward, and on our circumstances....

....only to find that grace and peace possible beyond comprehension

.

Words and Images via Joel O. and I heart it

I want my words and actions to truly reflect

fractals of grace and

genuine peace to reflect through this soul of mine. This image of the butterfly

seemed gentle and solid in a soul somehow to me

.

Hence the image if you were wondering how it correlates to the words above.

{Tuesday Thought}

"Courage is being scared to death 

and saddling up anyway."

- John Wayne

Some days I live in joy.

Some days I want to wave a white flag and surrender.

Do you ever feel that way?

I woke up...ok I did not sleep, rrrrrr....ugh...oh well....

So, I got quiet in my soul and found peace beyond life's circumstances, 

as I laid each burden and each hope down before God to keep my focus right on Him.

Always having to turn my focus to him I do. 

I am a stubborn girly at times...most of the time!

I desperately and gently want Him alone to find true 

in me and my walk real and shine His light bright!

No, I am not religious. I am just a real woman trying 

to do this life well and realize I can't alone.

I desire to give and find a real way to love people well and bring 

life a smile of hope to many the way He would hope I would.

I don't want to fail Him is what I am saying.

Is it just me or do you find it easy to love others, 

but hard to give yourself grace?

I fight this in me. It is real.

Soooo...I figure if sleep would not find a way, I would take on my day.

I got up and headed downstairs at 4:00ish am and worked out hard.

I felt weight of the world lifted off in glistening (sweat).

I love that feeling. But I like jumping out of planes too so who am I to say...wink!

I prayed...I said thank you God for my blessings 

and prayed for my people, and tried to listen too.

anyhooooooo......

Then got to work with a headache that is trying to take me out!!!!!!

There is nooooo southern comfort in ragweed!!!!!!!!

I want to keep a joyful and thankful heart. I just do.

and pray...."Dear Daddy, make this headache subside.

This girly needs to focus on her work. Pretty please...AMEN!"

...and then I found sinus meds in my purse...as if a gift from heaven I tell ya....

still waiting for it to kick in...any moment....tap tap tap! ;)

It is in those moments 

I remember I come from a line of what

we call ourselves....

Cold Mountain Girlies...

and remember my niece on a day I felt beat down say....

"We girls don't give up Kiki! We come from a line of Brave women."

She is nine and she is right! 

We dust ourselves off, find gentle peace and light, 

get thankful...and get back on the life saddle 

and ride into life Brilliantly.

I pray you ride life brilliantly today and really every day,

as if each second is your first breath, beyond all you feel that you find a 

grateful heart and just feel good through and through!

So to life I say Mwaaaaahhh, and kiss this life of mine as if kissing sunshine itself...

and look any fear in the face and Smile gently and keep a thankful heart

only to find real kind of joy and soul shine that is not dusted off because it is on the inside.

Sending you much soul shine that cannot be dusted off...so don't even try!

Praying you great joy today that makes you shine from the inside out!

And smile big...the end!