Spiritual Direction: The Feeling of Being Loved

Savor Your Life: The Feeling of Being Loved from Robin Norgren on Vimeo.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Laura Gaffke: I Find Beauty in this Moment

 

Savoring life to me means living with deep appreciation, love and respect for the many gifts I have been given. Making the time to journal is one of the ways I reflect, savor and appreciate the simple treasures which add so much meaning to my life. A few things I am currently savoring...

I savor leisurely mornings, gently nudged awake by only the sunshine peeking through my window or a morning when I don’t particularly want to get up and my husband surprises me with a hot cup of coffee in my favorite turquoise flowered mug. I savor the grinning, magenta tipped rose sitting on my bedside table, feverishly yelling “hello, come draw me” and taking the time to do it. I savor time to myself and seeing someone smile, especially if I helped put it there. I savor my silly little kittens who are always in the moment and quick to forget the past. They remind me to pause, play and be present to someone other than myself.

I savor my deep, generous friendship with my confidant & business partner Tina Hirsig. She has enriched and forever changed my life through her perspective and her “being” in the world. I savor all that I have learned from her about acceptance, following your dreams, staying the course and riding the waves. I savor relationships, my family, understanding and people who help me be a better person and live with an open heart. All of these magnificent gifts make my life rich with meaning and full of love.

With gratitude,

Laura

Bio

Laura Gaffke had the pleasure of growing up in New Hampshire where she was fortunate to have the mountains, city and seacoast all within close reach. Her diverse surroundings imprinted a deep connection with nature and compassion for the environment. It also invoked a desire to explore such places as England, Norway, Paris and the whispered magic of the Amalfi Coast. She believes happiness is a state of mind that can travel with you anywhere. Her vibrant use of color reflects this positive attitude and the joy she seeks both within and the world around her. Laura finds inspiration and meaning in tranquil mornings alone with her journal, in the hushed beauty of a freshly picked iris, engaged in rich conversation with friends and on peaceful beach walks which quiet her busy mind, giving form to new ideas.

 WEBSITE: http://www.lauragaffke.com

BLOG: http://lauratwotina.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/LauraGaffkeArt

SHOP: http:www.lauragaffke.etsy.com

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lauragaffke/

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/#!/missosally

Joy Prayers: Look at All the Promises You have Given me

Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. 

Psalm 149:5

Lord, 

you instruct us

 to take every thought captive

 in light of the magnificent power 

given to us

 through the resurrection power of your Son Jesus.

  Holy Spirit

 counsel my mind 

as I wake up in the morning

 to watch for ways God is working in the world

 and

 give me tangible ways

 to join in with what you are doing in the world

 through my words,

 actions

 prayers

 in the midst of whatever is going on.

Release me

 from negative thought patterns

 that pull me into despair and hopelessness.   

I rebuke any harsh thoughts

 I let play in my head

 about who I am.

  You see me.

 You know me.

You know the plans you have for me.

  And You have not forgotten the promise you have given me.

I speak my promise now:  _____________________________

And as I lay down to sleep Lord
remind of how faithful you have been throughout the day 

Remind of your constant faithfulness to those around me.   

Fill my heart with the joy that reminds me of how blessed I am to call you Lord.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Free Life Coaching Session: Savoring the Little Things in your Life

Savor Your Life: The World Needs you to Share What you Savor from Robin Norgren on Vimeo.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Now Available: The Joy Sessions

"Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that which I was created...
not the successful doing of a thing"
-Oswald Chambers
This book is an invitation to invite more joy into your life. Prayers, bible stories, stories and action steps set up in a journal format to walk you onto the path of joy.
Initially I think we all buy into the idea that we can become whatever it is we want to be. We set our sight on something that feels important or equates to what success looks like. We strive and pursue this goal with all our energy and we make it to the finish line. We acquire the degree. We buy in a little more and attain that second degree. Then we move on to certifications. Now that those are stockpiled, where is the golden ticket of joy?
These accomplishments many times are just little illusions spinning in the wind that, unless we are able to really bring them together in light of what we are created to be, start to feel downright oppressive. NOW what are you going to do?
You spent all that money on your future, drowning in student loans and you decided you are best fit for running a catering business? You want to work with the homeless? That is not very lucrative you know. What will your family think? Your friends? Can you really get past the guilt of all the investment you put into that 'other thing?'
Joy. Where does it come from? It seems to me that it comes from a place of contentment. Even if the title or the label does not align with the degrees and the certifications, you have to decide what you can do to bring yourself into alignment with what you are created to do. And that takes courage. It takes determination. And it takes acceptance that the 'thing' you were once going for really is NOT the thing
I invite you to take the journey toward a deeper, more fulfilling awareness of what true joy means. 

CLICK HERE to download your copy on your Kindle $2.99

Julene Ewert: How Do you Savor Life?

photo credit

"How do you savor life?" A big question. I believe everyone has a different way of savoring their life. What resonates with me is the word "slow." 

To savor, is to go slow and be mindful. I don't mean moving at a snails pace, which sounds so wonderful. I tell myself to go slow, and that this is a moment I should savor. You feel it. You know deep in your soul that this moment right now is so very special and it might not happen again, ever. I need to let the moment wrap around and fill me. 

My savor moments are small, fleeting and random. Like letting my cat sit on my lap (we both need each other). Tucking in my child at night with one last smile and kiss, catching the last glimpse of the setting sun, or leafing through the latest art or spring seed catalog and dreaming of the possibilities. I love to wrap myself in a quilt that my grandma made. So many simple little things to savor.  

 Your soul needs "savor moments" just the same as your body needs air. 

Savor=breath  

The note below, I look at daily.
"The aim of life is to live,
and to live means to be aware,
joyously, drunkenly, serenely,
divinely aware."
-Henry Miller

Bio: Hi, I'm Julene. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to look at my art. I love to use common materials in surprising ways. I love finding and using bits and pieces of objects from the past. I dream of a day when old houses and trees will speak. You can see strong influences from my grandmother - she loved to sew, quilt and do embroidery. My inspiration comes from nature, travel and everyday life. My art is whimsical in spirit, and expresses an honest and playful view of my world. I often say I have a problem with colors, I LOVE them all! When I begin a painting, the idea is somewhat formed. But what finally emerges is something truly remarkable - it is always something that is personal and close to my heart. It often surprises me how true my art reflects my soul.


My artwork can be found in galleries, gift stores and homes globally. I find my passion where I live in Moscow, Idaho, an undiscovered part of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My husband and son give me inspiration and brutally honest critiques. In keeping with my values, a portion of profits goes to support women in their small business endeavors via kiva.org. You can read more on my Blog.

Website: CLICK HERE

Joy Prayers: The Times When I Wanted to Give Up

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. 

Psalm 126:6

God

you have given me seeds to sow in the Earth

through

my talents,

my time,

my energy.

I have tried to be faithful

with the work 

you have given me to do.

There are times that I have wanted to give up Lord

but

you were faithful to keep the vision alive within me.

There are times 

when I ignored the vision,

so tired of waiting for the work that was planted 

to produce a harvest.

I have become 

bitter,

envious, 

angry

yes to the point of tears sometimes,

yes to the point of wanting to give up.

And yet you were still there Lord

wiping my tears, 

helping to carry the seed to sow. 

I pray Lord 

for the returning of the harvest,

for the seeds sown 

to break out into bountiful sheaves

too numerous for me to count.

I pray God

knowing that what the seeds are producing now

is EXACTLY 

what you have planned for it to produce.

Renew my patience

as I trust that your timing is perfect. 

And your provision is always

more than I can ask or think.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Free Life Coaching Session: Letting Go... Easier Said Than Done

Savor Your Life: Maybe It's Time to Let Go from Robin Norgren on Vimeo.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Where is All that Glitter Coming From?

Joy Prayers: Sing the Songs of Hope Inside YOU

photo credit

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Lord

 I want to have a song in my heart 

at all times.

  I want to feel your presence through music.

  I want to reminded that

 whatever trouble I am facing,

 whatever circumstance that seems 

insurmountable,

 the joy of the Lord is my strength. 

 When I am in nature

 I want to remember that you provided 

these reminders for me

 to remind me 

that you are alive

 and 

that you have not forgotten me.

  You 

God

 are awesome

 and

 I wish

 that your Holy Spirit

 will call forth

 more songs of joy

 in me.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Free Life coachng Session: Sometimes the Answer You are Waiting for Just Takes Time

Savor Your Life: Are You Willing to Wait for the Answer You Need? from Robin Norgren on Vimeo.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

The Time Has come to Let your Voice be Heard

Fuzzy White Technology: How to Savor Your Life

One ritual/activity I do that helps me to savor life more:
My morning routine is a priority for me.

It is non-negotiable.

I ease into greeting each day in a way that honors my natural rhythm.

I am a morning person, so this is the best time for me to prepare spiritually, emotionally and physically for whatever the day ahead will bring.

I grab my favorite mug and fill it with my favorite coffee. The very ritual of coffee preparation is soothing and done with intent.

I journal for a few minutes about all the things I am grateful for at that moment in my life. I read for awhile, from my Bible, from books and blogs, and let the words and beautiful photographs nourish my soul.

I write down all the serendipitous and miraculous things that have happened the past 24 hours. There are always more than you realize when you take the time to remember them.

How grateful this practice makes me. I sit and dream. I let my mind wander to all that is possible for me, for my life and for my future.

I can envision some pretty wonderful things coming my way. I let the feelings that come at that moment grow within my heart and take root in my soul.

Then I move. I walk, run, do yoga, whatever feels good to me that day. I connect my body and mind through exercise and this is a very meditative time for me.

This is how I greet the day.

I savor my quiet, morning ritual and ultimately I savor my life more, because I am grounded, connected, calm, and at peace.

 Bio:
Kim White is co-owner and social media director at Fuzzywhite Technology LLC, a mobile application development company in Centennial, Colorado. A married mother of two, Kim runs her business alongside her husband, while she also runs to keep fit. She makes time to begin each day in a quiet, purposeful way before the fast moving world of social media comes to life on her laptop. Writing, reading, blogging, drinking coffee, chatting with people all over the globe and dreaming up the next greatest mobile app fill her days. Kim can be found at www.fuzzywhite.com and of course @fuzzywhitetech on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Ready to Try Mixed Media? Let's Put a Bird on It

Ready to try Mixed Media Art?

Find Your Creative Voice Through Mixed Media Art Series:

Session 1: Put a Bird on It

We will be playing with birds and owls in fun and whimsical ways.

What is mixed media art?

A mixed media painting is one which combines different painting and drawing materials and methods, rather than only one medium. Any materials can be used, including collage items such as pages from magazines, newspaper, photographs, fabric, soil, or packaging. Or a mixed media piece can be as 'simple' as using two mediums, such as acrylic paints with pastel on top.

 In these sessions, we will use acrylic paint, watercolors, pens, pencils, collage paper

What can I expect in these sessions?

The workshops are a combination of discussion and exploration into your creative life at whatever stage you are at. The beauty of mixed media art is that you can be a beginner or a seasoned artist and find satisfaction in the work you are creating. Since there are no real 'rules' you are following, you have the freedom to explore and deepen your creative voice without a set of formulas to gauge your creations.

 

What kind of art background do you need to have to take the class?

These workshops are geared to anyone who wants to come and explore this medium for the first time or is a more seasoned artist who wants the community and fun of being in a creative environment.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Chandler, AZ

 1-3 p.m.

Cost $30

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Joy Prayers: My refuge is Hidden in the Joy I find in You

 photo credit

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11

Lord

I am so glad that I am able to take refuge in you. 

  You are 

my safety,

 my shield,

 my strong tower.

  Thank you for your protection that is wrapped around me 

wherever I go,

 whatever I do.

 Help me to sense your presence more in my life Lord.

  Let the mere sound of your name

 Jesus

 restore a deeper sense

 of joy

 and peace.

  Release more joy in my heart

Remind me again 

of how faithful you have been to me.

  Wash me

 with gratefulness

Comfort me 

with solace.

Find more of my work CLICK HERE

Free Life Coaching Session: What is Your Hesitation?

Savor Your Life: What is the Real Reason You Won't Make a Decision? from Robin Norgren on Vimeo.

 Find more of my work CLICK HERE

The Whispers That you Hear From Nature...

Find more of my work CLICK HERE