Saturday 20 February 2016

Saturday ponderings . . .



"Sometimes, my dear sisters, you feel inadequate and ineffective because you can't do all that you feel you should. Rather than continually dwelling on what still needs to be done, pause occasionally and reflect on all that you do and have done. It is most significant. 

 The good you have done, the kind words you have spoken, the love you have shown to others, can never be fully measured." 
~President Thomas S Monson

I read this note this morning, put onto the facebook page of the President of our Church to the women of the church.  Oh, he is a dear sweet man, who has such a tender heart for all people . . .

This is a message for all women.  Not just for women of the church so I think we should all take it as such.   Because don't we women have a tendancy from time to time to demean all that we do and have done?  I know I do.

 

I often dwell on the shoulda, coulda, woulda's instead of on the good things that I have done.   I think self examination is a good thing, and that . . . when we can do better, we should do better . . .  but I also don't think we should demean all the good that we have already done.

Was I the best mom and wife that I could have been?  Probably not.  I can look back and think I should have done this or that or the other  . . .  but in reality . . .  I was the best that I knew how to be at the time.  I tried my hardest and did my best.  And that is enough, or it should be  . . . nobody should ask or expect any more than that.



 

Was I the best wife?  Or the best daughter?   The best friend?   . . . I think as women we sell ourselves short a lot of times, by comparing ourselves to what we see in others, or at least what we think we see in others.  We are our own worst critics.  Nobody but God knows for sure what is real and what is not . . .  for only He can see into the heart.  Some people put on a really good face . . .  only letting us see what they want us to see. And what business is it of ours anyways?  We must not, should not . . . judge.

We look at film stars and models and celebrity . . .  and we see these perfect women who are always beautfully made up and well dressed and beautifully shaped . . . and we feel inadequate.

But we don't see the hours that went into making them look that way, the stylists whose jobs it is to make them look good . . .  the trainers, dietitions, etc.   Not to mention photo editors who shave off a pound here or there, or erase a wrinkle or two or three.

We look in the mirror and instead of seeing a beautiful smile or eyes that twinkle, we see a big nose, or too many freckles, wrinkles . . .  age spots . . . chin hairs.

We think we need to be perfect . . .



If you are kind to others . . .  that is enough.  It you always try to put in your best efforts to all that you do . . .  that is enough.  If you act with love  . . .  that is enough.  You . . . as you are  . . .  enough . . .  which is not to say that we cannot improve.  Improvement is always good  . . .  but we need to celebrate who we are now, and to know that who we are is enough.  We need to learn to be kinder to ourselves.

So what if the toast is burnt, or the gravy lumpy . . .  and maybe the house untidy from time to time, and your hair a bit messy, or  you carry a few extra pounds, your hair is grey, your skin has wrinkles.  At least you made the toast and the gravy . . . joy and contentment.  Enough.

Enjoy your life.  Find the rainbow.  Learn a new skill.  Be kind.  Love people.  Love yourself.  Be happy with what you have now, who you are now.  Let it be enough.  Laugh.  Cry.  Just be.  Enough.

Does a rose ask itself is it pretty enough?  No . . . and I have never seen a rose that I didn't love or think was beautiful . . .  even the seemingly tatty ones.

Time to celebrate the unique you that is you.  Today and every day.  Know . . .  you are enough.  Love you.




Aren't these beautiful images this morning.  It is all the art of Emile Vernon.  He was a French painter of portraits, figures, still-lifes, landscapes, flowers and fruits.  I think his work is beautiful.

Talents are amazing things.  I believe all people have talents.  With some it is the talent of being able to put others at ease, and with others it is the talent of being able to bring life to a piece of plain paper by swirling a brush across it in an artful way, or stringing words upon it's surface in a very readable way.  ☺  It's all good.

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .

ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ
I no longer have patience for certain things, 
not because I’ve become arrogant, 
but simply because I reached a point in my life 
where I do not want to waste more time with 
what displeases me or hurts me. 
I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism 
and demands of any nature.
I have lost the will to please 
those who do not like me.
~Meryl Streep
ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ

Spiritual Enlightenment

 photo DSCN5388_zpsx8vbkzry.jpg

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Coconut Toast.  Now this is different, in a rather tasty way.


May you enjoy every moment of your Satuday!  Have a great weekend!  Don't forget  . . .

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!


9 comments:

  1. Morning Marie, just been checking out that lovely recipe for coconut toast...I think that would be delicious, I wouldn't use so much sugar as I'm not keen on sweet stuff but altogether it looks delish...and I know Mary would love it, will ask Peter to get me some coconut when he does the shopping later today....your blog was also such a delight to read. I so agree that we do seem to criticise ourselves instead of looking at the good we do....Gosh that was a big gust of wind, I just heard the chair fall over on my wee deck...the forecast didn't say anything about yet another gale....Wonder what you are doing today ?...whatever it is I hope you enjoy yourself, keep dry and warm if you have to go,out God Bless xx

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  2. What a beautiful and thought provoking post. From the quote at the beginning to the thoughts after it, it teaches so many important lessons. It is easy to focus on the negative and then we forget that the time we lost it etc we were so tired, or bored with the repetition of certain things, feeling so broke etc and one proverbial straw broke our resolve. Sigh. To forgive oneself is a life long lesson I think. Thank you for the timely lesson.

    Enjoy your day. Mine started with a little rain. Just another tease but a beautiful thing nevertheless and a day that dragged on but was successful. God bless.

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  3. I only used half the sugar Sybil, and it could have been a bit sweeter, but I have a sweet tooth, which I KNOW I shouldn't have! Probably what gave me diabetes in the first place! I haven't done anything exciting today, just shopping in the rain. Oh dear, I just remembered, I usually do a how to spend a week post on Saturday. Oh well, will just have to do it tomorrow! No gales here, just rain! Love and hugs! xoxo

    Thanks Suzan. We need to be a bit easier on ourselves and on others. You can have some of our rain! I'd gladly package it up and send it over! Love and hugs to you too! xoxo

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  4. It is sad but true that so often we worry about what others do or may be thinking. I've found that it takes most of my energy just to keep myself on track and like Meryl Steep, I think I've reached that point in my life too.

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  5. I was just going to mention the beautiful photos that accompany your post this morning..

    I get you..have you see Christie Brinkley(sp?) LOL? My age.

    Some Marie ..though are getting so much work done they look frightening.
    I am never doing that.
    For vanity? Never.
    For medical reasons as a must.Yes.
    Watched a movie w/ a genuine beauty last night..Testament Of Youth..Netflix..loved it.
    I will play in the kitchen today.
    And just be me.
    Enjoy the rest of the day~

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  6. I have to agree Pam. I feel much the same! Life's too short! xoxo

    I know, Christie Brinkley, others . . . so plastic looking. Dame Judith Dench. She is class. She has had no work done and is beautiful. I think even more beautiful beause she has chosen to be real. I will have to look up that film! I can't wait to see what you cook up! xoxo

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  7. Hi Marie!

    I love, President Monson, and I know that his words are inspired and what, God, wants us to hear. Thank you for sharing that beautiful thought.

    We ARE our worst critics! It has taken me many years to accept my big nose, my round shape, my less than petite feet and those little wrinkles around my eyes. My big nose has always been able to smell all the goodness in my kitchen and garden, my round shape looks just like my sweet grandmother's, who I loved. My large feet have helped me stand in holy places and taken me many miles. And, those little wrinkles around my eyes, are because I love to smile and laugh! I think we are all beautiful! What would the world be like if we were all clones of each other?! Thank you for your beautiful thoughts today, they were just what I needed to hear, and pass on to all the beautiful women in my life . . . including you!

    Have a great Saturday, and a very blessed Sabbath!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  8. Hi Marie - I am a first time visitor to your lovely blog - coming over from Barb's Blog. This is a great post and one I really do need. Wow, I am also my own worst critic. What comfort to know that when we do our best and come to Christ, his atonement makes up for all we lack. Have a wonderful Sunday. I love your blog and will be back!

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  9. I love how you have been able to find positives from what you see as your bad points Barb! In reality you probably have none of those things, or at least not that anybody else notices! May your sabbath be truly blessed! We are in our home Ward this week so I am really looking forward to it! xoxo

    Welcome to the blog Deb! It is always nice to make a new friend! You have a wonderful Sunday also! xoxo

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