by Cathy Baker | Photography/Blogging |
Eight years ago I linked arms with other word-lovers and began blogging. {I shared a snippet of how the journey began in this post.}
Today, however, I’m sharing four unexpected things I’ve learned since I began blogging:
The Time Required
Some of you blow me away with the speed in which you create a post. I stand in awe. I can count on one hand how often I’ve whipped up a post in less than an hour…or two. I usually don’t write it all in one sitting. My perfectionistic tendencies tend to hit the draft button multiple times, unfortunately. Suffice it to say, what I thought would be a quick way to express my thoughts has evolved into a love affair with the mingling of life and words. I wouldn’t change a thing.
There Are Clever and Creative Ways to Cut Prep Post Time
I wish I’d known this when I began blogging in 2008. Of course, I didn’t know social media whiz Edie Melson back then either. Today there’s a plethora of information waiting to be leveraged, some of which I’ll share at the end of this post. I’m trying to cut my prep time by setting a timer and rebuffing the bully within when it tells me everything must be perfect for it to be meaningful.
We Must Embrace the Learning Curves
My insecurities can sometimes send me scurrying like a squirrel trying to dodge headlights but gradually they’re disappearing, one by one. I’m learning how to operate my new camera, how to manipulate images, and create memes, among other things. All this, while spiffing up my SEO skills, has given me creative whiplash. But hugging these curves have helped me progress along this spectacular blogging journey!
Some of My Sweetest Friendships are Forged through Blogging
I knew when I began attending my local writer’s group (Cross N’ Pens) that my circle of friends had eternally shifted upwards but I wasn’t prepared for the friendships developed through blogging. Although miles divide most of us, the distance is shortened when we support and encourage each other through social media. The eternal circle continues to widen, grow, and deepen. And for this one fact alone I will always be grateful for the blogosphere.
What’s one unexpected thing you’ve learned since beginning your blogging journey? Please share in the comment section.
Additional Resources:
The Write Conversation
Fistbump Media (They switched my blog from Blogger to WordPress and continue as my support – amazing group!)
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Home |
Maybe it’s the sentimental clutter crying for relief in my attic. Or perhaps it’s the upcoming move signaling a fresh start. Point is, Joshua Becker’s latest release, “The More of Less…Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” left me questioning what spiritual clutter might be discovered beneath my sentiment-driven, what-if-I-need-this-some-day, because-two-of-something-is-always-better-than-one kind of debris.
My desire to tuck away pretty things began at an early age. As an eight-year-old, I hid a true blue Easter egg in my headboard bookshelf. Why? Because I wanted to know it would be there when I felt the need to gaze at beauty for a moment. It didn’t take long to figure out that even beautiful things eventually decay…and reek.
It wasn’t, however, until I was in my thirties purchasing Beanie Babies {Did I really just admit that?} for no apparent reason that I began realizing there was more to those purchases than a fuzzy little feel good. Thankfully, they ended up in the hands of children in an overseas orphanage but unfortunately that was not the “why” behind the purchases years prior.
Those are just two snapshots from my past but even today when I find myself aimlessly wandering up and down the aisles of Target I have to ask myself the “why” question. I don’t want to subconsciously find peace and, dare I say, joy, in all the wrong clearance spaces.
Joshua’s latest release, “The More of Less” is a daily tool in my back pocket. The pages hold clear and concise wisdom, less a beating. The tone is conversational, friendly. It’s an easy but enlightening read, to say the least.
Snippets from The More of Less, some paraphrased:
- Minimalism: the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them.
- The beauty of minimalism isn’t in what it takes away. The beauty and the full potential of minimalism lie in what it gives.
- Decluttering will help you clarify your purpose and values.
- Remember, the goal of minimalism is to unburden our lives so we can accomplish more.
- In the end, your particular practice of minimalism is going to look different from that of everyone else because your life is different from that of everyone else. You may have a large family, a small family, or no family. You may live on a farm, in a house, or in a studio apartment. You love music, movies, sports, or books. You practice art, or maybe you don’t. Maybe you believe you were put on this earth to host beautiful dinner parties or offer your home as a place of respite and retreat for others. Follow your passions to the best of your ability with the resources you possess. Fulfill your purpose with great focus by removing the distractions keeping you from it. And find a style of minimalism that works for you, one that is not cumbersome but freeing.
- The more you believe you are not influenced by advertisements, the better they have done their job.
- Generous people have less desire for more. They find fulfillment, meaning, and value outside of the acquisition of possessions.
{Told you it was good!}
As I clear out the physical clutter in preparation for the move, a subtle, more insidious kind of clutter lies in wait. I find evidence of mindless shopping. Clothes with fancy tags but little wear. Books that wouldn’t be read anytime soon but bought because I refused to deny the rush of happiness that surged through my veins. Misplaced values and unhealthy dependencies now made visible because I {finally} took the time to look at the “why” behind the purchases.
Peeling back the motives behind our “stuff” allows us to discover not only what we value but also where we find it.
Although you may have enjoyed a large house in the suburbs with the accompanying comforts of life in the past, perhaps now you are thinking more about the value of experiences over possessions. Maybe you are more focused on leaving a legacy than adding to a pile of possessions. {To the Baby Boomers, like me.}
Did a particular excerpt from Joshua’s book resonate with your current circumstances? If so, please share in the comment box. It’s always nice knowing we’re not alone.
Amazon: The More of Less, by Joshua Becker
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by Cathy Baker | Ideas, Writing |
Life has been a whirlwind in recent months and I don’t see the winds dying down for awhile. So I do what I do…make lists.
I hope some of these things I’m loving right now will resonate with you and perhaps even prompt you to consider your own surroundings along with the many blessings tucked in between your days.
- Spacious places. Psalm 18:19 is my go-to verse with this next move. “He brought me out into a spacious place…”
- DW Home Hand-Poured Candles. Vanilla Bean, to be specific. I purchased every last one TJ Maxx carried – to the tune of 35.00+ worth. Yes, they’re that delicious.
- Poetry. I love to read it …and write it.
- My church. It’s a church that loves well, no matter what.
- My great-grandparent’s bible. Its underlined scripture hints at the legacy they would leave behind.
- Peppermint Snow. Dee Dee Parker’s Christmas novella that’s sure to be a best-seller one day!
- Exchange Coffee. My local coffee shop makes the best lavender lattes, hands down.
- Pride & Prejudice, A&E version with Colin Firth. And only this version. Swoon-worthy.
- The original scent of Downy softener. It reminds me of my grandmother’s laundry days.
- A charm bracelet with each of my grandchildren’s names forged on a separate heart. {They are my heart.}
- Vintage VW vans. Because everybody has a little hippie in them!
- My well-loved cookbooks.
- Blogging. Absolutely. Love. It.
- Soft breezes on scorching hot days. A reminder that refreshment can rise even on the driest of days.
- Owls. Maybe it’s a throwback to the ’70s but I love them.
- Tiny houses. {Especially as an Airbnb on our future property!}
- Chickens and goats and rabbits, oh my!
- Pastures & ponies. These two ‘p’s’ equal a third: Peaceful.
- My bible. I’ve had it since 1991. Its pages paper-thin and lovingly marked.
- White walls, chalkboards, and Mason jars decor. {Does that count for 3?}
- Girl gatherings. It’s been a while since I’ve hosted one of these but once we get moved preparest thou!
- Chenille blankets. Vintage chenille blankets. Soft, warm, and plush comfort. {Especially on snowy days.}
- The way my grandchildren smile when we first see them. {Be still my heart.}
- Music. The gift of music meanders its way through the soul like nothing else.
- Rainy days when I don’t have to be anywhere. Showers falling, coffee in hand, and a good book. {Exhale.}
Do any of the above items trigger your own love-fest? I’d love to read 25 things you love, so if you decide to do the same on your blog please let me know. Even if you decide not to publicly share your list, I encourage you to make it anyway.
It will do the soul good. Very good.
Did I happen to mention the cupcakes at Exchange Coffee? Okay, that makes 26.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Waiting. In line. In the waiting room. For the results. On the pain to pass. To hear God answer our prayers. To see our prodigal come home. To be in love. For Fall, or for vacation, or retirement.
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” Joyce Meyer
Notice the title of this post is written in the present tense. I don’t have this waiting thing licked. I write with bare-skinned knees from flat-faced falls and carry band-aids in my pocket for future ones. But as a daughter of the King I’m confident there will be no lasting scars. Still, the process of waiting remains, and I have much to learn. Here are a few things I’ve picked up so far:
1. Misguided Expectations Eat Your Lunch and Devour Your Dessert Too.
In recent months, four friends sold their homes within 24-48 hours. When ours recently hit the market, I expected no less. So when no one called within the first several hours I was convinced something was wrong with the phone. I didn’t realize how much I’d allowed my expectations to get out of whack until I found myself in quite the funk…for days.
I confess my unbelief because, well, that’s exactly what it was⏤not believing what God has for us was His absolute best, regardless of the wait. And then I came across this post, {Above all, Trust in the Slow Work of God}, by Shawn Smucker, featured on Emily P. Freeman’s site. To me, it was a simple nod of acknowledgment from my Heavenly Father saying He is with us in the waiting room. We wait, God works.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9
2. There’s a temptation to devour anything more than the Word.
Do you spot a pattern here? First, there’s talk of devouring desserts and now this. I wish this was a good thing, but it’s not, at least for me. There was no longer any doubt that I was an emotional eater during our wait. Stress must weigh in around 500 calories per bite. Sigh.
My indulgences⏤my dependency⏤are to be in the Word and I failed miserably. Truth finally gained traction as I clung to grace and mercy around every bend of my wayward ways.
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16
3. God isn’t a game player. He is a game-changer.
He doesn’t toy with our lives or with His time. Every breath is heavy with purpose. Being confident of this in the wait ushers in inexpressible peace. Everything God does in the lives of His children is motivated, spurred on, and poured out from a heart of love. Even His discipline is motivated by love. There’s no escaping it! He isn’t a God of love. He is love. In this, we can trust…and rest.
Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love. 1 John 4:8
No doubt there will be other lessons to learn in this waiting room of life. But I pray I’ll be found faithful, not consumed by circumstances but by the One who is sovereignly at work behind every word, spoken or unspoken, and deed.
Heavenly Father,
You are the designer of the waiting rooms we find ourselves in today.
The walls seem high, but You are higher.
The floor shifts at times, but You are our Rock.
The chairs, they confine us when all we want to do is run
but instead, we trust.
You alone know the precise moment in which to open the door and call our name.
It’s not a moment too late or too soon.
It is perfect timing
because Your love is perfect.
Help us to awaken every morning with a whisper of gratefulness on our lips,
and a heart bursting with anticipation,
confident that You are at work
while we wait.
Amen.
Are you in a time of waiting? If so, do any of the above observations resonate? Or do you have a different observation to share?
by Cathy Baker | Ideas |
The sooner we stop believing the lie that we must offer some grand gesture to make a difference, the sooner more souls will find rest⎯the kind of rest a good, good Father desires for His children.
Maybe you remember the above quote from last month’s post? It was there I first mentioned the idea of sharing a small {but meaningful} gift with someone in need⎯be it spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
So let’s look at three more ways we can fill a simple mug to the glory of God!
3 Ways to Fill A Mug With Encouragement
My love of mugs began way back when in a yellow-clad kitchen where my grandmother savored her morning cups of Yuban coffee served up in a thick-rimmed Homer Laughlin coffee cup. You might remember those cups from roadside diners or Howard Johnson motels back in the 60’s. These coffee cups with heft can still be spotted in local antique shops and estate sales. If this isn’t an option any thicker mug will do.
Here’s the question: Who are you praying for on a regular basis these days? Consider inserting a note inside a mug that says something like…Every time you sip from this gift, remember that just as this mug surrounds your coffee, my prayers surround you. You are loved, never forgotten. {Psalm 125:2}
Got a new neighbor? Go ahead and bake up those chocolate chip cookies but this time, stack them and place in a mug of your choosing, along with a simple note welcoming them to your neighborhood. Awhile back, I shared in this post how a friend of mine, Kim Rhodes, displays Christ in such an organic, authentic way by loving her neighbors well. Because summertime isn’t a friend to chocolate, you’ll want to drop this off when your neighbor is at home. It will also give you a chance to personally welcome them!
Who couldn’t use a God-kiss from time-to-time? Okay, God didn’t manufacture them but Hershey’s did, and we know all good things come from Him. {Pardon the stretch.} Nevertheless, we all know someone who could use an edible tangible reminder that God is with them right there, in the thick of their problem. Fill up a mug with Hershey’s chocolate kisses along with this note:
God Kisses
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
Each time you take a kiss be reminded of God’s goodness… and name each one aloud.
For all of the above mug ideas, remember to encourage the recipient to pass it on. But most importantly, stay sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. He may want to change it up…and if so, to God be the glory!
Is there one of the three above ideas that resonates with you today? Or do you have additional ideas to share? If so, please share in the comment section. Thank you!
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Maybe it’s the sentimental clutter crying for relief in my attic. Or perhaps it’s the upcoming move signaling a fresh start. Point is, Joshua Becker’s latest release, “The More of Less…Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” left me questioning what spiritual clutter might be discovered beneath my sentiment-driven, what-if-I-need-this-some-day, because-two-of-something-is-always-better-than-one kind of debris.
As I clear out the physical clutter in preparation for the move, a subtle, more insidious kind of clutter lies in wait. I find evidence of mindless shopping. Clothes with fancy tags but little wear. Books that wouldn’t be read anytime soon but bought because I refused to deny the rush of happiness that surged through my veins. Misplaced values and unhealthy dependencies now made visible because I {finally} took the time to look at the “why” behind the purchases.
