What I Made Wednesday {A Dreams Folder}

It's still Spring Break so today's project has more wishbone than backbone to it, but it's still something I think everyone should have: A Dreams Folder. I remember back in the days before Pinterest, I'd be looking through a magazine and find the most wonderful garden project. I'd rip out the page and stick it in a drawer. I found my drawer was starting to fill up and I didn't want my "some day" drawer to become my "junk drawer". I went out and bought a couple of fun, pretty hanging folders (no dark camo-green for this girl) and I simply labeled it "Dreams". I now had a place for all those ripped magazine pages. Every so often I'll go through that old folder and am, at times, surprised as to how many dreams actually came true. It's also a reminder of how many dreams still need to be stoked, rekindled, and how many should be extinguished all-together because my own wants and tastes have changed. It's a wonderful self-discovery tool, too!

And, with the invention of Pinterest, there's no excuse in not having a Dreams Folder. If, perhaps you are new to the planet, click here to get the scoop on Pinterest and get pinning! It's the easiest way to catalog what ever suits your fancy when it pops up on your screen and, the best part, you can keep it organized into categories. Wow!

I still find myself ripping out pages from magazines and, to be honest, I forgot about my Dreams folder until this morning. I think I'll be filling the folder more frequently now that I remember it exists.

Go out today and buy yourself a folder and label it "Dreams" and start filling it! Then, visit it every so often. You'll find it motivates, invigorates, and solidifies you as a person. Dream big, and happy dreaming.

I'd love for you to follow LOVD on Pinterest. Click here to see my board and click Follow All!

If you'd like a more challenging W.I.M. Wednesday, click here for last week's project! 

Elements of Happiness: Thanks Giving

We have reached the final installment (for now) of the Series: Elements of Happiness. It was my little attempt to share with you the journey I have been on for some time now, and what I have learned in the process. I say "for now" because I'd like to reflect more on the subject and, as I come to revelation myself, I'd like to continue to share with you my happiness platitudes. You never know who you are going to reach.

This 6th installment is one that is probably the most simplest, yet most important of all the Elements of Happiness. Yet, as we have all experienced, there is complexity in the simple. We make it so. It's because we want to make it hard, we want to make it difficult. We think if it's worth having, it's worth working for, but happiness doesn't follow those rules. The number one, most important action is Gratitude. Giving thanks clears the foggy view to expose all your current blessings. The mist rises and clarity ensues when gratitude is declared. This simple act can do even more than just put things into perspective, oh, so much more.

Gratitude Gives Back
Be honest, have you ever truly given thanks on a regular basis? I'm not talking sending out wishes to distant stars or hunting 4-leaf clovers; I'm talking about taking a moment or two to thank the Universe for all you currently have, for everything and everyone you currently enjoy. Gratitude lives in the past and the present, but it gives you a future. That's because gratitude follows the Laws of Newton; more specifically, the Third Law. If you've experienced the effects of giving thanks, you'll know what I'm talking about. However, if you have yet to put gratitude into practice on a regular basis, you'll be skeptical until you begin to try. For all the thanks you put out into the Universe, the Universe will give back, sometimes equally, sometimes giving you more than you deserve, quite frankly. It's a humbling experience, but when it begins to happen, it is powerful and amazing!

Change of Heart
Gratitude is a powerful thing and when you get it in motion, it's unstoppable. But, gratitude isn't just a noun, something you give to get, it's also a verb. Being grateful changes your perspective and begins to soften your heart and touches your soul. Suddenly, those things that used to matter to you are no longer that important. You begin to appreciate the way things are, right now. You begin to realize all that you do have IS all you need and this realization grows the heart "two sizes too big". Your heart begins to grow, your peace increases, and your acceptance comes along for the ride. With gratitude, your priorities begin to surface.

The World Gets Bigger
It's very easy to get into a "what about me" attitude in this world today. We rely less on our neighbors today, we're always watching our backs to see who's coming up from behind, because there's always somebody who wants to be where you're at. But, when you begin declaring gratitude, the ego gets set aside and true grace emerges because you look outside yourself to be thankful. Gratitude is not about you, it's about others. So, when you begin your gratitude journey, you begin seeing the beauty of the world's offerings, not the lack within your own world.
 

Hook, Line, and Sinker

Many play the "Jones's" game and even more are hypnotized by the barrage of advertising campaigns constantly reminding us that happiness can be bought, even if it is through a bottle of perfume, sports car, or tech-gadget. And, in turn, we think, yes! As long as I have the money, I can buy that happiness. So, what happens? You work more, to make more, to buy more, to be more happy. But, the reality is the happiness doesn't come. Why? Because advertising never stops. Once you attain that "false happiness", you'll realize that didn't do it so you'll look to the next thing they are trying to sell you.

How Do I Begin?

Slowly and simply: it's the only way to make it last. Gratitude shouldn't be complicated and it shouldn't be a chore. Personally, I have started a Gratitude Journal. Every Monday I dedicate that day's blog post to giving thanks from the simple and obvious like breathing and having hot water, to the petty like finding a good sale on sheets. It doesn't matter what you declare thanks towards. What matters is that you do it. You'll find some days you get mega-reflective and feel like your declarations are truly deep and meaningful. Other days it's hard to find the obvious like family, good health, and friends. You'll find that the more you do it, the easier it gets. And, you come to find out so much about yourself like where you hold your values and priorities in your life. But, the most important revelation is discovering how truly blessed you are in this life. Realization of one's circumstances always attains wisdom, and with that kind of understanding, leads to peace. All of that, together, is required for happiness.

Some people take a few minutes before they close their eyes for the day and think of all the things they are grateful for. Nothing is written or typed, it's simply declared in the mind. Whichever method you choose doesn't matter, the point is that the time is taken for reflection. Give yourself those precious moments to re-calibrate your life and find your own true North.

If you do this regularly, I can assure you, the Universe will reward you with so much favor, you won't believe it. But, you won't know until you try. It takes time, it takes effort, and it takes consistency, but you will reap the rewards. But, the true reward is your change of heart, your change on perspective, and your expanded world that awaits your love. Declare it and share it!

I hope you've enjoyed this Series: Elements of Happiness. If you have missed any of the previous posts, please click the links below.

1. Quack Like a Duck
2. Accept Yourself
3. Take Shelter
4. People Pleasers Need Not Apply
5. Letting Go 

       

Gratitude Journal Monday

Cherry Blossom time in D.C.!

Keeping weekends open and not knowing where you'll end up is always an exciting adventure. Super Hubby cleared his schedule on Friday and we ended up in Washington, D.C.! We had a blast, great weather, and luxurious accommodations. More to come, but let's get this gratitude journal going. I'm already 2 loads of laundry into my Monday and still haven't posted. YIKES! Well, better late than never.
Happy Monday!
 
431. I am grateful for Super Hubby's spontaneous idea to visit Washington, D.C. over the weekend (more photos to come).

432. I am grateful for the awesome weather we enjoyed while there.

433. I am tremendously grateful for keeping ahead of the snow storm as we drove back to Cleveland (lucky, indeed; timing, perfect).

434. I am grateful for having another week of Spring Break to enjoy.

435. I am grateful we are able to enjoy such things as mini-vacations as a family, without giving too much thought to the cost; truly blessed.

Look for my Washington, D.C. post this week. Lots of pictures to come!!!!!    

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 87.

 

Goodbye celebrating the first day of Spring driving home in a snow storm.
Goodbye indulging in a little window shopping but having the strength to walk away before opening up my wallet.
Goodbye pool playdate and meeting a new mom who is such a terrific person.
Goodbye spontaneous tromp to a late-night 3-D movie showing The Hobbit for only $3.25 a person (woo-hoo)!
Goodbye seeing our art museum's new digs; very impressive.

Hello more snow and trying to sleep with snowplows scraping the pavement at night.
Hello preparing for a new, unique opportunity that is exciting and scary all at the same time.
Hello delving deeper into the Happiness Element and sharing even more discoveries in later months.
Hello figuring out fun things to do in Week 2 of Spring Break.
Hello making time to organize the basement rec. room and get rid of some old toys intended for a younger kid (boo-hoo).

The Lesson Learned for this week involves the situation of meeting your kid's new friend's mom for the first time. They call you over for a "playdate" (kids over the age of 10 years DO NOT accept this label any longer, so whatever the older kids are calling it these days, you get the gist). SO, "hang out", "get together", whatever, the kids met and swam for what was supposed to be 3 hours. It ended up being 5 hours because when I met the mom, we just clicked and talked and talked. We have the same philosophy on education, we hold the same family values dear to our hearts, she's a mom of an only child as am I, we just had so many things in common. And, yet, she was born and raised and schooled all the way in India, I, the American.

It got me to thinking: why is it that the kids my son befriends also belong to moms that I really click with? Seriously, how strong is the value system we sow in our children? It's looking to me like it's extremely powerful because values resonate through people, and are passed on. So, unconsciously, does my son gravitate to those kids who also come from a household holding similar values? Will this continue to be the case as Kiddo enters Middle School next year. The "monster" time of adolescence when values could be tested, when integrity could be pushed aside for popularity, the time when, no matter how cool of a mom you are at this instant, you're coolness factor will fizzle out. My hope is my son continues to make wise decisions as to who he becomes friends with and cultivates the ones worth keeping. So, the lesson is, if your kid befriends a kid and you meet and get along well with the parents, it's a good thing: that's values coming through! You know what they say about birds of a feather flocking together.

Happy weekend, everyone!
          

Giveaway Winners!

We interrupt the Series: Elements of Happiness to take care of some important business. I'd like to announce the winners of our two giveaways.

 

The winner of The Bible giveaway is Michele from The Great Read.

The winner of the Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of Return to Nim's Island is Suzan from Pocketful of Memory Cards.


Congrats, ladies! I don't know any people more deserving. Thanks for playing. Please e-mail me your home address (no P.O. Boxes, please). Your winnings will be sent to you via FedEx or UPS. My e-mail address can be found on my blog's Profile page to the left. I need your address by Friday morning (that's tomorrow)!

The final installment of the Series: Elements of Happiness will conclude next week. If you'd like to catch-up, please click here for the latest post, that also links you to previous posts.

Disclosure: I am working with History Channel in providing this Giveaway and History Channel has supplied the Prize materials for the winner.

Disclosure: I am working with Walden Media & Hallmark Channel, and Walden Media & Hallmark Channel supplied these materials to me to give away.
   

What I Made Wednesday {Lucky Family Penny Sculpture}

I just loved doing this penny project with Kiddo. It's easy, really hefty-feeling, and so personal and pretty. I went with our last name's initial of "S" and our family's favorite number, 3 (since it's just the three of us). This little project helps to remind us how truly lucky we are to have the life we're living, together!

What You'll Need

Large Letter and Number from the local craft store (mine are from Hobby Lobby and the "S" is 13.5 inches)

Hot glue gun and sticks

Lots of pennies

Paintbrush

Metallic Paint in Antique Copper

Metal Charms (optional)

Strong glue like Liquid Nails

Picture hanger (optional)

Before getting started, remove the stickers from your letter!

 What You'll Do

Begin painting. Great job to give to the kids!

Make sure they paint all around the edges, too.

 
 If you decide to add embellishments to your letter or number, you'll find these charms in the scrapbook aisle. I was unsuccessful when I looked down the jewelry aisle, so scrapbook embellishments are worth a looksie! The ones I purchased had the eyelet and that was not going to work. I took metal cutters and cut off the eyelet, then scraped the cut down to a smooth finish (that's the overachiever in me).

 
Once the paint has dried on your letter and number, it's time to begin gluing away. Hot glue each penny onto your letter and number. You'll notice quickly that the coins don't fit perfectly together so you'll have some gaps. No worries. You'll fill these in later when you sporadically layer over the gaps with more pennies.

 I added the embellishments to the number and left them in their natural metal color. I was contemplating painting them copper, too, but Kiddo decided he liked the contrast. You know, I think he's right. Good decision, Kiddo!

Place the number over your letter in the position you want it. Then flip the whole thing over, trying not to lose the position.

Once flipped and you have readjusted to the right position, take a pencil to mark your number. This will help you in knowing where you'll apply your glue.

You want to use a really strong glue. Pennies can get quite heavy.

Mark the area where you'll be applying the glue. Allow the glue to set before continuing on.

What You'll Need to Know to Finish
 Once your two pieces are solidly one, it's time to fill in those gaps. 

Next, you'll start to overlap some of the larger gaps with more pennies. Don't go hog-wild with another layer. Just be sporadic about it.


I glued pennies on the side of my number but I had to leave some gaps because pennies just don't bend around corners the way you wished they would.

Some gaps you just can't help!

When placing your picture hanger, be sure to find the center of your structure. My "3" is off-center and skews the "normal-center" of the "S". The pennies make this a very heavy project and you must compensate for any imbalances of numbers hanging off sides, etc.

I used the mega-glue E6000 to adhere the picture hanger to the back. Nails won't work. Be sure to wait 24-hours for the glue to set before hanging.

 Well, there you have it. The best of luck to my family AND to yours!!!!