A little encouragement for your Sunday, and as you start a new week:
The last month or so has seen lots of heaviness in the world. Not to mention the last several years. I'm not going to mention any specifics here because we all know what's going on. But I've just been thinking...
We, as human beings, are not meant to know every single thing that goes on in the world. We are not supposed to know of every crisis, catastrophe, tragedy or disaster that takes place. As heartbreaking as things can be, we just aren't meant to take all that upon our shoulders. We can get so caught up and consumed by all the news and information out there, that it begins to affect how we live.
We aren't able to do our normal, daily tasks or work. We aren't able to sleep. We aren't able to care for those around us. We end up stressed, depressed, scared, confused, and our day-to-day gets affected.
It is incredibly important to protect your peace. This is critical.
I've learned this lesson a lot over the past few years. My personal way to do this is to not read, watch or look at the news. I'm aware of things going on, but I just can't and don't know more than the "basics". Turn off your phone. Avoid social media. Mute or block accounts if necessary that are not good for your mind, and heart. Live your life.
Breathe in fresh air and get out in nature. Read a good book...there are a million reasons why I don't read heavy books anymore and this is one of them. The world is heavy enough. Light a candle and have a peaceful and fun family dinner together. Just live life. Yes, be aware of what's going on in the basic, general ways, but don't know so much. It's just not healthy. Be concerned for those in difficult situations, but don't be consumed by it. You can't ignore your own heart and mind and especially not the ones around you.
I saw someone talking about this in such a beautiful way and I really needed to hear those words. So I'm writing this as much for my own encouragement as I hope it may encourage you.
I always want my blog to be an escape from the heaviness of the world…and instead be a place of calm, peace, beauty, whimsy, inspiration and encouragement. I feel very strongly about making this corner of the web a refuge, a safe haven, a comforting place. I want people to be able to come here and feel a bit of hope and beauty and loveliness. I want people to come here and feel as though they are truly welcomed with a cup of tea and a biscuit or two and a place on the couch. I want to offer this to people as best I can in this space...I just think that if people can come to a happy, hopeful, inspiring place, it can serve as a weapon against all the heaviness of the world. As Sarah Clarkson has said before...
Read books. Fight evil. Claim beauty.
That is something I strive to live by, and in fact, I have it written on a little card on my bookshelf so that I see it, and often. Because quite honestly, I need to be reminded of everything I'm writing here today all the time.
All I know is that I have received what I hope to give to others, and I know just the difference it has made for me, and I want to share that here...just simply continuing on with what I've already been doing really. I'm just one little random person in this whole wide world, but I can offer that to folks.
This will be a place of comfort, inspiration, beauty, whimsy, coziness, homely celebrations, of encouragement and loveliness. Heavy subject matters, controversial topics, politics, the news and headlines...you can come here knowing that those things will not be discussed in any way, shape, or form. Again, borrowing some words from Sarah Clarkson, I firmly believe that we still need to "be alive to the beauty of the world." There's still so much beauty and good and magic out there. Let us not forget that. Dear ones, fight evil and claim beauty. We're in this together.
You're very welcome here...
so get cozy, make yourself at home and settle in...
I'm so very delighted that you're here!
Note: I'll be taking the next couple of weeks off from my regular posting and preparing for and celebrating Thanksgiving...but I'll see you all in December! Until then, my dear reader friends, may you have a wonderfully happy Thanksgiving! ♥