Finding Our Hidden Gems

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."  ~ Peter Marshall

"Even if our efforts of attention seem for years to be producing no result, one day a light that is in exact proportion to them will flood the soul."   ~  Simone Weil



A diamond is only formed under intense heat and pressure. It's through extreme conditions that the molecular structure of the diamond is melded into place. And it is that  molecular structure that makes the diamond what it is. I love the analogy of the diamond because it shows that something of great beauty can be formed over a long time and out of great pressure. A similar analogy can be found in the pearl. An irritant or a parasite causes the oyster to secrete a substance to protect itself from the irritation. This substance eventually forms the pearl, but the irritant is the catalyst. 

Patience is a recurring theme in my life. Some of my greatest challenges in life have revolved around developing patience as well as my response to adversity and challenges. My normal reaction is to avoid stress, pressure and irritations. Sometimes in the midst of the pressures of life I lose site of the fact that God is continually molding us all into being His beautiful diamonds and pearls. Just like the sculptor who chisels away at the stone to create a thing of beauty, God is chiseling away those imperfections in our lives to uncover our true potential and our hidden gems. 

What can I learn from the diamond and the pearl? Things of beauty and value take time and often come out of much pressure and irritation. I can't expect results over night and transformation doesn't occur without change; change doesn't occur without some stress, pressure or irritation. This is a journey and along the way there will be trials and set backs, wrong turns and detours. I need to surrender to the process, strive to develop patience and count it all joy. Things are happening below the surface even if I see no outward visible effects. It will be worth it in the end. I just have to stay the course and not throw in the towel when things don't go as planned. Some things are beyond my control and some things are happening for a reason. I hope that I can hold on to the vision of the diamond and the pearl and realize that those circumstances that I view as pressures, stresses and irritants are part of the process of becoming who I am meant to be.

Wonderful Words to Live By

Sometimes great advice comes from unlikely sources.  I can't take credit for this advice, it is something that I found in my inbox today.  This is the most beautiful advice I have ever received in an email ...

 An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future.

If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen,

you have worried in vain.

Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

 1. Pray

 2. Go to bed on time.

 3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

 4.  Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule,

or that will compromise your mental health. 

 5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

 6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

 7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

 8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. 

 9. Pace yourself.

Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time;

don't lump the hard things all together.

 10. Take one day at a time.

 11. Separate worries from concerns.

If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.

If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

 12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.  

 13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet,

an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

 14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).

This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

 15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. 

 16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place. 

20.. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life…

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

 22. Every day, find time to be alone.

 23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot.

Try to nip small problems in the bud.

Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

 24. Make friends with Godly people. 

 25.. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

 26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you GOD ..'

27. Laugh.

 28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

 31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

 35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

 36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Miracles

I love the song "Ordinary Miracles" by Sarah McLachlan. If you haven't heard the song, it was from the movie "Charlotte's Web" and for some reason this song always touches a chord with me every time I hear it. I am reminded of those every day miracles that we often take for granted. Sometimes I get so busy with my life and my routine that I don't take the time to stop and appreciate those every day miracles, so today I wanted to stop for just a moment and express my gratitude for all the miracles in my life!

If you haven't heard the song, here is a link to the music video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4j_wrmpMnU

Ordinary Miracle
by Sarah McLachlan

It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

The sky knows when its time to snow 
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

Life is like a gift they say 
Wrapped up for you everyday 
Open up and find a way 
To give some of your own 

Isn’t it remarkable? 
Like every time a raindrop falls 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

Birds in winter have their fling 
And always make it home by spring 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

When you wake up everyday 
Please don’t throw your dreams away 
Hold them close to your heart 
Cause we are all a part 
Of the ordinary miracle 

Ordinary miracle 
Do you want to see a miracle? 

Its seems so exceptional 
Things just work out after all 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

The sun comes up and shines so bright 
It disappears again at night 
It’s just another ordinary miracle today 

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

One definition of a miracle is "a wonderful event occurring in the physical world attributed to supernatural powers".  As I am reflecting on miracles today, both the ordinary every day kind and the supremely supernatural kind,  I wanted to list some of the miracles that I am grateful for.

• my children - As a neonatal nurse I was always awed by the birth of a newborn baby and have always felt that the whole birth experience was a miraculous process. My children are even more of a miracle to me because it took me so many years to get pregnant. 
• seeds - It is amazing to me how these tiny little seeds can have all the things needed for a flower, plant, or tree to sprout and grow. It is even more miraculous when I plant a seed and something does grow since I definitely do not possess a green thumb! This year I tried my hand at my first organic garden on my deck...it was a very rewarding project! 
• sunsets- As I sit outside and watch the sunsets in the evening, I am amazed that each evening's sunset is different from the one before it. Such amazing colors and hues are in God's paintbox!
• snowflakes - Isn't it amazing that no two snowflakes are exactly alike?
• hummingbirds - I am amazed that these tiny little creatures travel such long distances each year and return to the same locations. I love watching these beautiful creatures!
• butterflies- It amazes me how a homely little caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly! 
• my mom - In my family we have all been hoping for a really "major" miracle...that Mom would be cured of pancreatic cancer. As I was thinking about all the miracles that I am thankful for and wishing that we had been granted this most important miracle, I realized that we really have ALREADY received quite a miracle! It is a miracle that over six years after her diagnosis we still have Mom with us and that she has had relatively few side-effects from her treatment and the cancer. I feel so fortunate to have had this time with Mom. She is my hero and I am incredibly blessed to have had this amazing woman in my life!

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.  Miracles are around us everyday.  We only have to open our eyes and appreciate the miracle!  So thank you, dear Lord, for all the miracles you give me and open my eyes so that I  can appreciate your miracles.


My favorite quotes on miracles:

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” .... Albert Einstein

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” ..... Buddha

“Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you.” ... Jon Bon Jovi

“The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is: a miracle and unrepeatable.” ... Storm Jameson

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” ... Helen Keller

“Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.” ... William MacNeile Dixon

Have a totally miraculous day!

DIY Cleaning Products

Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn't done it. —Evan Esar


I've been investigating switching from store-bought cleaning products, which are potentially laden with toxic chemicals, to more earth-friendly, homemade cleaning products.  I have found some wonderful blogs on DIY cleaning products via Facebook and Pinterest and have tried a few of the products and have to say that so far I like the products better than the store-bought products I was using.  They are cheaper and toxin-free and I can customize the scents by using my favorite essential oils!

Here are a few of my favorites:

From FrugallySustainable: http://frugallysustainable.com/
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
Homemade Cleaner for Windows and Mirrors
Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner - my favorite is the Soft Scrub recipe which is great for not only toilets, but sinks and pots and pans.  Love this one!

I can't wait to try these products on One Good Thing by Jillee  http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/
Top Ten Favorite Homemade Cleaners

With just a few common ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, borax, liquid castille soap, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, and essential oils you can make many of the products you currently buy at the store in your own home and save money and be assured that you are using a safer and more earth-friendly product.

I love being able to customize the fragrance by using scented liquid castile soap and essential oils!

Dr. Bronner Liquid Castile Soaps - my favorite scents are lavender and baby mild, but in addition to those two it comes in many different fragrances....peppermint, eucalyptus, almond, rose, citrus, and tea tree oil.

Essential oils:  Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine are some great ones to try in your cleaning product recipes.

You can find the liquid castile soap and essential oils at some grocery stores and at most health food stores.  I buy mine at Whole Foods, Publix, or Earth Fare, but if there is not a store near-by that carries these products you can find them online.


Happy Cleaning!