Good News Monday!

I have fallen in love with Caroline Schmitt's photography. Since I'm subscribed to her blog, I get these amazing infusions of GOOD to make my week beautiful. I particularly liked this picture. We are indeed ALL ONE.
You can find her blog here: http://iwilltellyouthewholestory.com/2012/08/20/we-stood-steady-as-the-stars-in-the-woods-so-happy-hearted-and-the-warmth-rang-true-inside-these-bones/

We stood
Steady as the stars in the woods
So happy-hearted
And the warmth rang true inside these bones
We grow, grow, steady as the morning
We grow, grow older still
We grow, grow, happy as a new dawn
We grow, grow, older still 
We grow, grow, steady as the flowers
We grow, grow, older still 
(Ben Howard)

Good News Monday - And a Challenge

This moving story of how one woman was on a personal mission to mother the world filled my eyes with tears. How many times am I apt to criticize and point out the shortcomings of those around me instead of trying to reach their hearts? This woman is inspiring to me - she channeled her own trauma into a force for good by making a personal commitment to helping other people's kids.

 "Spare some change? Something, anything! Trying to get something to eat." My grocery store and the sidewalk outside, are always packed after work. With so many customers jammed together, it must have seemed an ideal place to beg. But with four plastic grocery bags already cutting into my hands, I wanted the walk home behind me.

Repost - Lindsey's Story

This is one of my favorite guest posts I've ever had. I love Lindsey's voice and her sense of humor! Enjoy!! ***

I am a Mormon woman, but I do not bake fresh bread each morning. My home is not always spotless. I do not always have a smile on my face or a baby in my belly. In fact, my nuclear family of only two children is not typical within my religion, but it works for me. Even though I live in Phoenix ((where the summers, I am convinced, are the exact temperature of Hell)), you will never see me wearing clothes that show 90% of my skin. In fact, you will not even see me wearing a tank top. “Modest is hottest!”

mixed marriages

Source

I read the following article online on Huffington Post and I think it addresses an interesting topic in today's society. To our parents, certainly marrying within your religion was important, when your community was the church family you saw several times a week and your neighbors, who went to the same church or the Methodist one down the street. But today, with global communities and instant connections with people across the country or around the world - is religion really as important a foundation as we make it? One interesting thing in Islam I found was that Muslim men are permitted to marry "chaste Christian or Catholic" women. In my own life, Mark, though raised Christian, self-identifies as "agnostic" and although I self-identify as "Christian", I'm not sure if I fit the Billy Graham definition. Multi-faith homes can bring challenge and trials, certainly, but also can in many ways make you more

good news MONDAY! kindness rocks

I love random (planned) kindness. Wish I would have known this was happening in Dallas!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/kindness-captured-volunte_n_1699656.html

FORGIVENESS... and other ((impossible)) things

Source

One of the things that stands out to me most in Buddhism is their dedication to compassion and forgiveness. I recently watched a documentary called "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama"(it's on Netflix. You should watch it).

As I watched it, I was struck by the Dalai Lama's level of love and tolerance and forgiveness for those who had harmed him.

7 decisions... er... intentions

I love books. They often change my life. Some of my favorites are:
The Gifts of Imperfection – Brene Brown
The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo
Here if You Need Me – Kate Braestrup
The Forty Rules of Love – Elif Shafak
And The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.

I know, Andy Andrews is a tiny bit cheesy and a lot bit conservative and “inspirational” and “motivational” and I tend to shy away from those types. ((Ok, I don’t tend to shy away. I’m decidedly motivated and inspired by those types.)) Although I haven’t liked any other of Andrews’ books, The Traveler’s Gift was the first one I read and I loved the ideas it held. Part of the book was the Seven Decisions. Because I take things from books and integrate them into my

Guest post on another Blog...

A few weeks ago, my friend Katelyn Demidow asked me if I would be interested in guest posting on her blog. I immediately agreed, then said... "About what, exactly?" Can you tell your story? About your religious journey, and looking for God? She said. Of course! I started writing the post in my head immediately, and continued it on paper a few days later. As I was writing, it was surprising to me to see how far I've come. I've talked to my friend Janie about the transformation, but there is nothing like chronicling the past 4 years to really SEE how far I've come. Besides being an AMAZING photographer (she took my not-wedding photos!), she is also a thoughtful and challenging writer! I hope you visit Katelyn's beautiful, soulful blog and check out my guest post. www.gypsymothsol.blogspot.com