Simple Pleasures Bring Joy & Contentment
There are many simple pleasures in life that can bring joy and contentment. These are small, everyday moments that can make us feel happy, relaxed, and fulfilled. Some examples of simple pleasures include:
- Savoring a delicious meal or snack
- Slowing down to brew a cup of tea
- Journaling 3 things you are truly grateful for
- Going for a walk or spending time in nature
- Diffusing your favorite pure essential oils
- Listening to music or playing an instrument
- Reading a good book or watching a favorite movie
- Spending time with loved ones
- Playing with a pet
- Reading God's word and dwelling on Zephaniah 3:17
- Engaging in a hobby or activity that brings joy
- Taking a warm Epsom Salt bath with relaxing essential oils
- Getting a good night's sleep
These simple pleasures can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere, and they can help us to feel more present, focused, and grateful. They can also provide a sense of balance and well-being, and can help us to cope with stress and challenges. By taking the time to enjoy these small moments, we lower our stress responses which can enhance our overall well-being and happiness.
Phillipians 4:8
Philippians 4:8 is a familiar verse from the Bible that my dad often quoted to me at various times when I was growing up. Well, he didn't exactly quote the whole thing but he would say "Whatsoever...." (King James) and I knew what that meant. Looking back I can see this was a little code word we shared. This verse encourages us to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This verse is often called the "thinking verse" because it encourages us to think about things that are positive and uplifting, rather than dwelling on negative thoughts and emotions.
The verse begins by urging us to focus on what is true. This means focusing on things that are real and authentic, rather than on falsehoods or deceit. We are also encouraged to focus on what is honorable, which means things that are morally upright and virtuous.
Next, we are encouraged to focus on what is just, which means things that are fair and equitable. We are also urged to focus on what is pure, which means things that are morally clean and unblemished.
Additionally, we are encouraged to focus on what is lovely, which means things that are beautiful and pleasing to the senses. We are also urged to focus on what is commendable, which means things that are worthy of praise and admiration.
Finally, we are encouraged to focus on what is excellent and praiseworthy. This means focusing on things that are of high quality and that are worthy of our attention and admiration.
I must admit that dad’s admonishment of this verse in my life has caused me to pause more than once before taking in a particular TV show or movie. There are many shows I would never consider to watch because they come with the rating of R or MA. I immediately know they will not fit into these parameters.
Science is now catching up to what God's word has told us....Your mind literally expands on 'whatever' you focus on. I'm very thankful to have been taught from an early age to focus on the above list. I believe it has made life so much better. What are you focusing on? You have a choice.
Philippians 4:8 is a verse that encourages us to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. By doing so, we can cultivate a positive and uplifting mindset that encourages good.
I hope you have the best day ever!
One of my greatest regrets as a mom is that I did not know better about chemicals in our environment that directly affects not only our body but also our brain health.
Let me tell you a story......
Once upon a time there was a mom who loved her kids with a fierce passion. This mom was very intentional regarding media and social influences on her children’s lives. She made healthy meals 'from scratch' to nourish her children. It was important to her to give her children the best life possible. Unbeknownst to her, lurking in the background, were a lot of chemicals (she had unwittingly bought and brought into their space) silently affecting the body and the brain of those living in this home.
In fact, each bedroom had its own chemical fragrance producing wallflower quietly pumping out toxins hour by hour, day after day as they studied, as they slept. After this mom would cook healthy meals, if there was residual food odor remaining, she would fumigate the children’s safe space with a few squirts of chemicals and in a breeze the food odor was gone. She was unaware that the chemicals lingered longer to be inhaled into the children’s unsuspecting lungs and were absorbed through the skin - both ending up in their blood stream where it affected their young bodies and developing brains.
This adoring mom happily washed her children’s clothes in Tide and popped them in a dryer with Bounce dryer sheets. One of her favorite things to do was to light a candle in the kitchen when the kids were home. Scenting the air with pumpkin spice or sparkling cinnamon just smelled like love.
Valentines Day prompted the purchase of pink, red and white M & M's for the kids so they would know she loved them. Easter morning there were always baskets of treats for the kids - Skittles, M&Ms, Doritos.
Birthday parties meant sodas and pizza for everyone. Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, Diet Coke.
Halloween through New Years meant ample opportunities for an increased amount of sugary candy, homemade fudge and caramel apples as well as sugary baked goods of Apple Pie, iced sugar cookies, Fudge brownies, and Cherry Delight. That usually meant less vegetables and water. She just didn't understand why 'the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' always seemed more like "Sick Season" filled with colds, flu's, sinus infections, strep throat, bronchitis for one or more family member. But never fear! Mom is here with all the OTC meds of Dimetapp, Sudaphed, Nasonex, Miralax, Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, Mucinex and Vicks Vapor Rub. If it really got bad she would use the humidifier WITH the Vicks Vapor Rub. And then there would be the Rx meds the doctor was eager to prescribe. Guafenisin, amoxicillin, Z-pack, a muscle relaxant - just in case - something to quiet the cough and codeine so you could sleep at night.
At Christmas she loved to lavish gifts on her kids, filling their stockings was so much fun! Bath and Body Works always had the best deals at Christmas! She loved getting the particular scent of the one they each preferred. Body wash, Body sprays, and Body lotions. Hand sanitizers in those cute little holders would make sure they were protected when they were out. And then there were the scented hand soaps. Candy cane at Christmas time pumpkin spice at harvest time, cherry blossom at Easter seemed to be a loving gesture towards her children. She wanted to give them more than the bar of ivory soap she had grown up on.
She loves her kids with a fierce passion.
#Sometimesoldwaysarebestways #marketingiseffective #noskullandcrossbonesonmarketingmaterials #believingitdoesnt makeittrue #sometimesmomoneyequalmoproblems
TEN long years of little sleep, no sleep, very erratic sleep and the occasional good night of sleep. Sound familiar? Ever find yourself laying in bed, the house quiet and 'everything as it should be' but your mind just won't shut off the 'what ifs', the 'if only's' or, you find yourself tossing over to your other side(one more time) looking to blissfully drift off to sleep and end up thinking about how you would rearrange your living room furniture? These nights lead to a LOT of googling "how to get a good night of sleep." The following are answers I found that actually work. Magnesium Glycinate. I'm going to leave the science to the googles. My experience is that it seemed to calm my whole body down including my mind in a very gentle way. I began by taking 2 pills right before bed. Soon I was taking only one before bed. If you have ridges in your fingernails or are prone to leg cramps you are possibly Mg deficient.
Blackout Curtains. ALL lighting in my room had to go. No red glowing dots anywhere, no phone in the bedroom. I also bought an alarm clock with a dial to shut off the light. And yes, put tape over the power cord lights.
Lavender Essential Oil. On the tips of both big toes right before bed. Thank You massage therapist. Essential oils vary from being very beneficial to your health (Young Living won out after researching SO many others). While others can be detrimental to your health (most other essential oils - no matter what the bottle says). So when you hear me speak about essential oils please know it will only mean Young Living.
Diffusing Lavender + Cedarwood. All.Night.Long. I am a big fan of diffusing. A diffuser is something you buy to put water and essential oils in to be dispersed as an aerosol to make the room smell nice & to accomplish health benefits. In my case, the diffuser made ALL the difference in the world in how well and how long I slept. When essential oils are diffused we breathe the oils in and within seconds they are in every organ of our body and have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. THIS is why it's so important to only use the BEST essential oils.
Progessence Plus. It turns out I was estrogen dominant and my hormones were like an overturned apple cart. At first I used a bio identical (expensive) progesterone that insurance wouldn't pay for. And then I found this little gem! Progessence Plus. Created by Dr. Dan Purser out of a wild yam extract. Economical, efficient, and calming. Brought all my levels back in range.
So, this is my story of a long journey with many ups and downs. There is more to it but this gives you the high points that gave me the answers that I needed to find quality sleep consistently! Hit me up if you have any specific questions. I'm always happy to help!
Taking Tea is so much more than boiling water and adding a few leaves. It is a time to savor a place in our lives for the ritual of sharing. It is making room in our lives for the little extras that nourish the soul. It is a delicious time of tasting teas, enjoying a bit of food, but mostly...thoughtful conversation....or perhaps reflection if you are enjoying a solitary teatime.
Afternoon tea is a wonderful ritual that can bring people together and I think we can all agree that we need more of what unites us instead of dividing us! Women in particular are relational and I believe the simple ritual of taking time for tea together can be a 'tie that binds'. Taking tea is also a wonderful way to unite generations as it is easy to make teatime a multi-generational event.
A favorite Bible verse of mine is 2 Corinthians 4:7 For we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the power is of God and not of us. Hmmmm....Treasure in Earthen Vessels....This gives us each a chance to pour blessing into one another's lives. And that leads us to another verse in the Bible. Mathew 25:35 says "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Is there someone you know who is hungry for some friendship, thirsting for some kindness, needing a drink of refreshment, longing to be important enough to someone to be shown personal hospitality at your kitchen table?
There were times earlier in my life when my very sanguine dad would pop over and inquire if I had time for some 'tea and repartee'. I must admit that as a mom of 3 kids I wasn't always thrilled with the request...you know the drill...laundry to do, meals to make, dusting, vacuuming, etc. etc. etc. Adding one more thing to my day seemed to be asking a LOT. And then my heart would soften and I would say 'sure, come on in'. Being raised by older parents I seem to know that time was fleeting. And you know, sitting here almost 10 years after their passing I look back and see what tiny moments it really took from my life as well as all of the treasure that was being imparted into my life. I don't remember what meal I cooked, or room I dusted but I have very clear memories of sitting at the kitchen table and (mostly) listening to the generational stories. Included in that conversation were bits of encouragement and hope all tied together with a ribbon of love. Those memories have grown sweeter with age and I consider myself blessed to have had those connections.
This same kind of connection is available to you but it will take a little of your time. I think I can promise you that if you take time to make time for someone (young or old) it could make all the difference in the world. It's the little things that really are the big things in the scheme of things.
So much love, Liz
