Do the Thing You Love...

Amen to that! So sorry that I've been out of the loop lately, but I've had good reason. I've been fighting this horrible headcold/cough/sinus infection for TWO WEEKS. I rarely get this sick - the last time I was this sick was over 3 1/2 years ago. Yikes. And it is going around unfortunately...many people I know have it or are just getting over it, the hubs and babe included. My mom went to the doctor today only to find out she has bronchitis and walking pneumonia...keep her in your thoughts for a speedy recovery. I'm going to plan on sneaking over there sometime tomorrow with a little care package for her (shhhh).

Anyway, now you know where I've been. The time off has allowed me to do some really deep soul searching and introspective research on our employment situation and how I could and/or should contribute to it. As most of you know, the hubs' job was cut last August and he has not found anything as of yet. Not that he hasn't been interviewing...he has and has been all over...but no luck (that's another post in itself). Anyway, we're quickly coming up on nine months of unemployment (May) which is the same amount of time to hatch a child...I'm just sayin' - it's a long time to be unemployed. It could be worse, but it could be better.

So, the past month or so we really visited the option of me going back to work full-time in the world of design. I've been freelancing for the most part since 2001 (my main focus right now is staying home with our daughter), so returning full-time in a corporate environment or organized company concerns me since it tended to burn me out in the past. I immerse myself and become (overly) passionate about design - meaning I eat, drink, sleep it. I literally become my job. With a husband and a daughter, balance is essential. With freelancing, I was able to control my involvement. I dislike being burned out (as we all do) especially when it is something I LOVE to do. So, I evaluated everything...pros, cons, options...I prayed about it, made lists, researched topics on the internet, made more lists, wrote ideas, talked to myself...you can do a lot when you're sick and no one else (rightfully) wants to be around you.

In the end, I made the decision to reprioritize my life...Faith, Family, Friends, Freelancing...in that order. My focus will be on my family and making our home life better and less stressful and chaotic. I want to be a better child of God. I want to be a better wife. I want to be a better mother. I want to be a better friend. I want to enjoy my design work, crafting and sewing projects, or however I decide to enjoy my creative outlet. I have no doubt in my mind that with this order I will be led to happiness and satisfaction I cannot fathom. Do what you LOVE and you'll LOVE what you do. Right now, I'm just happy to BE (a child of God, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a creative).

What is YOUR favorite phrase that is your mantra? Mine?

Do what you love :: love what you do.

Visit Catherine's shop to find the featured sign above (image courtesy of Red Shoes blog and shop). She has all sorts of artsy and creative things to inspire you and add some cheer to your home. I'm hoping to order this sign (in addition to the one above) once we have some extra income.

Open Heart Parenting

As a parent, you often wish there are published books telling you how you should parent and what you should do. Recently, I stumbled upon a book that was getting a lot of buzz. I ordered it, started reading it and am very pleased with it to date. Upon mentioning it to my sister, she told me about a poem she had heard a ways back and gave me the author's name and the poem title. I found it online and immediately felt inner peace. Serious inner peace...like I haven't felt in a very long time. Please read the poem below by Kahlil Gibran.
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On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

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I now know my "true" purpose as a parent and welcome God's plan willingly. I will do my best to guide and nuture my child instilling a foundation of God's teachings, being a good role model and example, but allowing them to become exactly what God has intended them to be or do. This is an awesome message to parents, but you must have an open mind and open heart to embrace it. It's not an easy path, but trust in God - He does not lead you astray.

The book I have started reading that mirrors this mindset is Loving Our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk. You can buy it here on Amazon if you are interested. I suggest if you must get ONE book on parenting, that this be the book - it's full of amazing information of how to teach your children to manage their freedom and choices all the while developing a respectful and trusting relationship with them. My daughter is only 3 years old, however, I would like to see if I can't implement some of these principles to instill in her the independence of making good choices for years to come.

What are some of your favorite parenting words of wisdom?

(Image courtesy of Amazon.com)