As 2009 draws to a close, I challenge you to think back on all your achievements this past year. Write them down – call it your “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” list. Big or small, there are things you have done you should be proud of. Acknowledge them and CELEBRATE!
Stumped on what to write? Ask a loved one or someone you trust what they think you’ve accomplished. I think you will pleasantly surprised.
Remember to celebrate YOU.
kim Uncategorized
When I count my blessings, I count you twice.
Irish Proverb
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May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown
kim Uncategorized
Christmas Eve is a special time for us. We attend mass this evening and then have a quiet dinner. It’s nice. The quiet time we spend is a welcome relief from the busy-ness we seem to engulf ourselves in every year. We rush around to get things done and then – POOF! – the day has come and gone. Every year I proclaim “I will never do this again!” And every year I do the same thing. This year, I must admit, it wasn’t as hectic as usual, so maybe I’m easing in to the season better than in years gone by.
I hope you will be able to take some quiet time to pause and reflect.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
kim Uncategorized
I have been working on the oil painting for the entry of the NYC women’s shelter, Safe Horizons. It has been an amazing experience. The painting is 20×30″ and is very different from what I normally do. I usually paint realistically; this one is abstract art. Lots of symbolism.
I found myself getting very involved with the painting and what I was trying to convey. I actually was close to tears several times as I designed and painted. I hope, with all my heart, people will understand what the painting means and find inspiration, hope and encouragement when they look at it.
I will be posting a photo of it on my blog soon.
kim Uncategorized
Have you ever thought about what it means to ‘give’? What it means to the giver and the recipient? When you give a gift – to someone you love or someone you don’t know – you give the the gift of caring, hope and trust.
What do I mean by that? When you give a gift to a loved one it communicates you care about that person. When you give a gift to someone you don’t know (for example, donating to “Toys for Tots” or to a charitable organization that provides clothing, food or shelter to those who are in need) you communicate the same message – that you care.
You are giving the gifts of hope, trust and encouragement – hope that there will be better days ahead, trust that the future can be bright.
When you give from your heart, you not only give something ‘material’; the invisible gifts sometimes have more impact than what one can touch or see.
kim Uncategorized
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” Flora Edwards
kim Uncategorized
As I watch all the activities of people helping others in this holiday season, I wonder if the ‘gift of giving’ is there all year. Is the willingness to share time and talent with others who are less fortunate alive and well 24×7, 365 days a year? Am I missing the opportunity to see how people give with an open heart (day to day, week to week or month to month)? Am I too busy to notice?
I like to believe it IS alive and well 24×7, but brought to life more around Christmas. With the Christmas season we look for purpose and light in our lives. I believe this search leads us to want to share our fortunes, no matter how big or small, with others.
I’m interested in what you think about this observation. Do you think the gift of giving is alive and well throughout the year or does it only pop into gear between Thanksgiving and New Years?
kim Uncategorized
Good morning! Feedback from several people tell me the link to Enchanted Makeovers isn’t working quite right. I know if you do a Google search for Enchantedmakeovers, the site will pop up on the list. They are an “internationally recognized non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that transforms shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities—not just where basic needs are met, but spiritual needs for hope and beauty also.”
NEWS FLASH: The event we were working to put on at the shelter has been changed to a be more of a ‘presentation’ type of get together versus a sit down tea. So the crusade for cloth napkins is over. I want to thank those of you who volunteered to provide this amenity.
However, this doesn’t mean the efforts to help Safe Horizon are over! Terry Grahl and her staff work tirelessly to transform these shelters. We are still in need of donations of all sorts that will help make this dream come true.
Again, please look for Terry Grahl’s “Enchanted Makeovers” website to view the list of items still in need…..and to view the generous donors and donations.
Thank you.
kim Uncategorized
Several days ago, I posted information about a marvelous journey I find myself on – meeting “Dreamers into Doers” in NYC next month. We will be hosting an event at a NYC woman’s shelter called “Safe Harbor”. Donations are needed for the shelter. Please go to http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/
to see the list of items needed for the shelter. Hopefully there will be something on the list that jumps out at you and you can add to the efforts of helping these women who are on a path of New Beginnings.
My e-mail system is still not working right, so if anyone contacted me previously to donate vintage cloth napkins for the tea, I didn’t receive your note. If you can still donate the napkins, please use the ‘CONTACT’ form on my blog to reach me.
Thank you, in advance, for your open hearts so willing to help others who need and appreciate our efforts.
kim Uncategorized