someday I'll own a knitting store...

images: weheartit, google images

someday there will be romance...

images from weheartit

Olive Hoover

Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite movies, It is hilllllllarious!!

Today after watching it I got to thinking about how much we can learn from Olive Hoover.

Olive, like so many of us, is just a girl trying to get along in the world, trying to be herself and trying to feel beautiful in the skin she is in.

Olive enters a beauty pageant and although she is nothing like the other girls she gives it her best shot and at no point does she give up. She "kicks ass" and does so with as much courage and dignity as she can muster.

Sure she isn't the prettiest girl out there and her dance isn't exactly appropriate for an eight year old but all she is trying to do is her best, she is just being who she is and wanting to be accepted and encouraged.

Olive has the support of her family and together they shock the beauty pageant industry and get banned from ever entering another pageant again- but that's not the point, the point is Olive took on the world with courage and determination, she stepped out onto that stage with confidence and a belief in herself. While people started wallking out she kept on dancing.

Don't we all deserve to feel as confident and beautiful as Olive believes she is (as well as a pair of those killer pink cow-girl boots!)

image via weheartit

five more sleeps...

image via weheartit

someday I'll have a window seat

someday I'll learn to ride a bike...

images via weheartit

specs-appeal

image via weheartit

the one thing I know

I bought Kate Miller-Heidke's new album on Saturday. I was dissapointed at first but now I must say that my two new most favourite songs are on this album.

image via weheartit

how do you find the balance between being cautious and being open to finding love

image from weheartit

The things I miss most about you...

someday I'll have a library

Images via weheartit

Someday I'll fly away

I like you better when you're not around

picture courtesy of lelove

A favourite of mine...

I am struck by the fact that the more slowly trees grow at first the sounder they are at the core and I think the same is true for human beings. We do not wish to see children precocious, making great strides in their early years like sprouts producing a soft and perishable timber, but better if they expand slowly at first, as if contending with difficulties, and so are solidified and protected. Such trees continue to expand with nearly equal rapidity to extreme old age.

Henry David Thoreau

Image via We Heart It

Search for a Guru

I have to share another section of my current read with you, We are now in India.

"the yogis, however, say that human discontentment is a simple case of mistaken identity. We're miserable because we think that we are mere individuals, alone with our fears and flaws and resentments and mortality. We wrongly believe that our limited little egos constitute our whole entire nature we have failed to recognise our deeper divine character. We don't realise that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme Self who is eternally at peace. That supreme Self is our true identity, universal and divine. Before you realise this truth, say the Yogis, you will always be in despair, a notion nicely expressed in this exasperated line from the Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus: "you bear God within you, poor wretch, and know it not." "

This passage and the current situation in the book got me thinking about the benefits of a Guru someone to teach you how to get in touch with your "divine self" I started thinking about whether everyone should look into this, in the book the Ashram is full of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian and it got me thinking about this notion of needing to find my divine self, then I read the above quote and I was struck by the overwhelming feeling of comfort, I have my guru and I know that I possess the love of a Divine self, for I have Jesus. He is the divine character that teaches me to live and who is eternally at peace, now I just have to work on being eternally at peace myself.

As for the Philosopher's quote, is he a "poor wretch" because he has God within him or because he doesn't know it?
Excerpt from "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

Image via Audrey Hepburn Complex

What's your word?

A friend lent me a book recently and I am slowly digesting it's story. I read a section the other night that stuck out and got me thinking... let me explain...

After visiting Rome Liz sits down with her new Italian friend and the following takes place; "Giulio said, "Maybe you and Rome just have different words." What do you mean? He said "Don't you know that the secret to understanding a city and it's people is to learn - what is the word of the street?" Then he went on to explain, in a mixture of English, Italian and hand gestures, that every city has a single word that defines it, that identifies most people who live there. If you could read people's thoughts as they were passing you on the streets of any given place, you would discover that most of them are thinking the same thought. Whatever the majority thought might be-that is the word of the city. And if your personal word does not match the word of the city, then you don't really belong there. "what's Rome's word" I asked "SEX," he announced"...

The conversation goes on to discuss cities around the world and what their word is, for example New York City "it's a verb, of course. I think it's ACHIEVE"
Los Angeles "SUCCEED"
Stockholm "CONFORM"
Naples "FIGHT"

The conversation diverts to words of people, Giulio asks "what was the word in your family when you were growing up?" and then "what's your word"

In a book that's catch phrase is "one woman's search for everything" she throws around a few words she has been such as wife, depression, marriage etc and then gets stuck on what she is now.

It got me thinking about what my one word is, what word describes my thoughts and actions and would be an appropriate headline for my life, I went through a few words that I thought might fit but none of them seemed right or maybe they just challenged me, some words I toyed with; ACHIEVE, CONFORM, DEPRESSION, SINGLE, SEEK, PASSION, POWER, SEX, none of them adequately described me or my thoughts, finally settled on the word that I think sits well with me and I'm sure that as my life continues the word will adapt, but right now I think my word is "BE"

What's your word?
excerpt from "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

Image via We Heart It

Beyond Human Forgiveness

I have been thinking about my earlier post about forgiving those who hurt us and how hard it can be to do, and then I got to thinking about the forgiveness offered to us by God.

Human forgiveness is full of worry and rules about who should forgive first and we sometimes get caught up in these rules regarding who hurt who? who should apologise first? do they need to apologise? what happens if they don't apologise? God's forgiveness in so many ways is so much easier to gain.

God made the ultimate sacrifice by offering his son in our place, putting his son through death so that we wouldn't have to experience that, this act meant that us as sinful beings were able to be forgiven because the price of our debt has been paid. I know this gift didn't come without pain but I also know that this gift goes on and on and never expires.

While Humans remember the wrongs people make against them and struggle to forgive those who offend, God offers forgiveness to any who seek it and better than that he really does forgive AND forget!

I struggle to comprehend how this works and I have spent a lot of years believing that I'm no where near worthy enough to receive forgiveness and definitely not eligible to have my slate wiped clean- but it happened anyway. Regardless of my human failings when my struggles and mistakes are presented by me to God, the slate is wiped clean and I am free from all the hurt and pain.

The next step is to accept this forgiveness whole heartedly and then remember to forgive yourself the way you would forgive someone who has hurt you, acknowledge the wrong and then move on. I truly believe that accepting God's forgiveness and forgiving oneself is far harder than initially asking to be forgiven.

"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:10-12

Image via We Heart It

can it be true?

Is it possible for One Tree Hill to survive without Lucas and Peyton?

will we watch without them?

pictures from musizislife77.blogspot.com and sidereel.com

is romance still alive???

"You know I could have held you forever, but it still wouldn’t have been long enough” Jake Jagielski

"I love you too… but somehow it doesn’t seem to be enough " Andy Hargrove

images from:

http://spankyluvsit.blogspot.com
http://myonetreehill.freeblog.

I found the man I want to marry!!

I'll be your man

I'll understand

And do my best to take good care of you

Yes I will

You'll be my queen

I'll be your king

And I'll be your lover too

Derry down green

Colors my dream

A dream thats daily coming true

When day is through

I will come to you

And tell you of your many charms

You'll look at me

With eyes that see

And melt into my waiting arms

And so I come

To be the one

Who's always standing close to you

Reach out for me

So I can be

The one whos always reaching out for you

I'll be your king

You'll be my queen

And I'll be your lover too.

Isn't he just the most romantic man you ever met??

Photography by Rachel Thurston, courtesy of oncewed.com

Song lyrics by Van Morrison - I'll be your Lover

Playing Princesses

The door opened and in she strolled, head held high and strutting confident as a peacock, she wore a floor length fur trimmed cape in pastel pink and as she descended the ramp toward me I felt a pang of jealousy run through me. This usually quiet and reserved three year old had such an air of grace and poise as she walked into Kindy. She oozed confidence and beauty and nothing could stop her, she's three, she has a floor length cape and she gets compliments from those near by- what more could a girl want.

This scene reminded me of how much I would like to be a little girl again, the fantasy and adventure that each day holds and the ability to transform into someone else without trepidation or fear of ridicule. Childhood goes so quickly and yet we seem to always take it for granted- even as adults caring for children we are so ready to get these individuals to the next level, improve them, extend their knowledge of the world and prepare them for growing up. They are going to grow up, that's inevitable, but perhaps we should concentrate more on helping them enjoy being children before we put all our energy into helping them to lose their childish imaginations and intuition.

If putting on a pink princess cape made me feel as beautiful and carefree as this princess I would never take it off.

Olivia the Pig- created and illustrated by Ian Falconer

I heart Peyton Sawyer

mummy will you make me this dress??

pictures of Emma Watson at the London premier of the half blood prince, wearing vintage Ossie Clark. Found at fashionising.com

Men and Handbags

How do you ever find the ideal man?

How do you ever find the perfect handbag?

Two questions that have plagued the minds of women for generations...

I wonder if the answer to these questions is in fact the same- you can't!! When I think about the men and bags I have had in my life I can see that while they suited me at the time there was always something that didn't quite fit. Let me elaborate

Let's begin with my backpack. Not at all feminine, but practical. Carried all the extra items needed, the basic life supplies and was in the most part a comfortable item suitable for any terrain/weather. It was hardwearing and it lasted a long time, in fact in desperate times it still gets used every now and then. This bag has far too many pockets, to many places to hide things or lose things, too much space to fill.

The small black bag, stylish, sleek and goes with any outfit, unoffensive and fits nicely by your side. It carries just enough to be useful but always seems a tad too small. Its a strong bag with a designer label so to the outside world it's appearance is appealing and even at times enviable. To other women this bag appears to be just the right fit; enough room for the necessities while also making you rid yourself of all that extra garbage that you probably don't need, assisting you in recognising the important things to carry with you and what you can leave behind. Unlike the backpack it won't take everything and there is no way you can stuff in anything extra, the black bag has a small amount of give in it so that i extreme cases you can stuff perhaps one extra purse, or that extra cosmetic case or pocket mirror, but while it will allow some give it will also start to look pushed and uncomfortable, unnatural and like it will burst. This bag is appropriate and will always be safe and comforting although sometimes a little frustrating and restricting.

The eel skin clutch, flamboyant, extravagant, luxurious and delicate. The clutch appears soft and comforting, flexible and decadent, however in reality it fits little inside and their is no room for flexibility it goes with just the right outfit and can easily appear out of place. It fits nicely by your side but it can become impossible to hold and while its appearance is magnificent the clutch is not always as comforting and decadent as it appears. The colour is gorgeous (crimson red) making it centre of attention, the star of an outfit and destracting onlookers from the face that holds the clutch. A beautiful bag that will always be fun but never practical, but every girl needs a bit of fun right?

So with these three bags now you all know why I'm single...

Picture: "As Long As I Have You" print by theblackapple, etsy.com

Life for Rent

this song started playing on the radio on my way home from work and I was reminded how temporary life on earth is.

"If my life is for rent... I deserve nothing more than I get, cause nothing I have is truely mine" I don't know what Dido's thoughts were with these lyrics but I know that these words got me thinking about heaven, and my purpose here on earth.

I was put here on earth for God's purpose. To love him, serve him and praise him above all things until that day when I can be with him in heaven. What we have now won't last forever it's here today gone tomorrow, the only stable thing is God and the hope and promise of heaven. Only a few days ago I was reminded to live life with a heavenly perspective, looking forward to heaven and living a life that is pleasing to God.

This is my goal- to please him, but I know I fall short everyday. I make mistakes, big and small, but somehow and for some reason I am still loved. This truth amazes me- there is nothing I could do that would make him love me less.

This life is but a moment in the eternal love of God. How often is it that we get caught up in the world and what it offers?

Dido's song reminded me that what we get- what we are provided with is all a gift and we should be thankful for anything that we get because it is all a gift it is all a matter of sustaining life until we are called home, isn't it?

picture courtesy of vlad.bailescu.ro

Forgiveness is a promise...

How do you ever forgive someone who hurt you so incredibly, the person who ripped the world out from underneath your feet and struck you over the back of the head with it, more than that how do you forgive them when they not only hurt you but also the ones closest to you- your family?
When you are dealing with your own hurt and seeing it also in the faces of the ones you love how do you forgive the one who caused it?
We are supposed to forgive, but how and why?
Why because until you decide to forgive someone the pain and the hurt you feel will stay with you, it will eat you up and ultimatley cause bitterness and anger that will affect not only your own life but also the life of others.
I always thought that in order to forgive someone they needed to first say sorry, but what if they don't say sorry, what if you hear nothing even remotely close or similar to an apology, does that mean you are off the hook? does that mean that forgiveness is not necessary.
I honestly believed that the answer to these questions was "yes" for me it was as simple as no apology, no forgiveness! It's never that simple.
The apology didn't come and the pain didn't cease, I had to come to a decision where I could forgive so that I could get on with healing. Waiting around for an apology that may never come feeds the pain and prevents the healing process from beginning.
So In my own time when I was ready I forgave, and from that point things started to get brighter, and while i was still hurt- am still hurt, I can deal with that pain more easily. How did I get to that point? with this simple quote... "forgiveness is a promise, not a feeling!" A promise to myself, a promise to God, and a promise to move on with living.

image via: signorafranca.com, "Stay Ali: Forgive me Fraulein LP"

Work in Progress...

two rugs

two cardigans

one skirt

four bears

a horse...

...and the list goes on

I am queen of unfinished projects. I love to knit, it is soothing and relaxing and a wonderful distraction from the world but sometimes i get to a point where there is just no desire to finish a project, i get distracted by something more challenging, a new book, a relationship, sleep whatever it is i just don't always get to finish all my projects.

At the same time there is something comforting about those unfinished projects, they stay there, they wait and they don't put any pressure on me to perform. Those projects won't leave and at any time I can pick up the knitting needlees and start from where i left off. I didn't say it made sense but those boxes of unfinished projects bring a sense of security, warmth and comfort.

Hearts don't break even.

Yes she's rash, she doesn't stop to listen, she is unreasonable and she ruins a beautiful bunch of flowers- but i know how she feels and at the end of the day maybe the only answer is as "The Script" says "a heart don't break even"
I've seen the world through a broken heart, my broken heart. Yes Carrie should have stopped and let Big explain but maybe when your heart is this crushed there is no opportuntiy for sensibilities.

Credit for the girl in the wondow.
I wanted a simple picture to sum up this blog, my view of the world- i found the above picture and looked no further. http://www.talino.org/

Introducing...

...Be! After viewing the wonderful blog my sisters have created i was inspired to offer my own thoughts and perspectives of the world, while also just trying to be me. So this blog may seem nonsensical and out of step but hey thats me. And this blog is my time to Just Be, Me.





Welcome to my world i hope you enjoy the view.