A Sweet Life Rocks

When do I tell her?

She carefully climbed the stairs to the simulated lighthouse, her next adventure at the Children's Museum, when all of a sudden she stopped.   The precious one I birthed last held out her tiny hand and said, "Do you want me to help you, Sweetheart?"

A little girl, even younger than her, was on the steps also.  A stranger.  Halfway up or halfway down?  She didn't seem too sure. This one was stuck and a bit frightened. 

My heart hangs out of my chest in these moments.  The tender innocence of a child seems to stir a whirlwind of emotions.  Proud of her kindness, generosity, and gentleness, I smile and watch.  
Yet, protectively aware that her helping hand could be slapped out of the way in an instant.  She could be left hurting.

When do I tell her?

Will there be a day that I teach her it doesn't always pay to stop?  When does a person learn that anyway?  Why do adults push and rush, and strive to get ahead even at the cost of hurting others?

Why does a child give up her moments of playing in the museum, just to help a stuck, confused, stranger?  Why does the stranger respond graciously and join hands with the offer of help?

When do I tell her?

My heart ached and I quickly jotted my thoughts on the rugged journal I carry everywhere.  
I asked the Mother's heart in me, 

"Will I have to teach her the world isn't always so kind?"
"How can I make sure she never gets her hand slapped away?"
"When do I tell her that her tenderness won't always be met with such kindness?"
"Will my heart always ache for them like this?"  
"When do I teach her that it would've been ok to keep walking to the lighthouse?"

When do I tell her?

Not now, and maybe not ever.  In that moment I made my choice.  I will not teach her these things, but instead I choose to learn from her.
It was her tender heart that led her to help another.  
It was her slowed down pace that allowed her to see the need in the first place.  
It was her selflessness that caused her to give up her time.  
It was her sensitivity that showed her what the little one needed.

So as the Twinkle Toes sneakers light up with every step, I allow my heart to be taught a lesson.......more of a reminder, really.   A much needed reminder.

One can love and live straight from the heart.  One can keep a tender heart, a steady pace, and be selfless and sensitive. 

Have you learned a lesson from a little one?  Does your Mother's heart, or Father's heart, ask these same questions?  
Leave a comment, I would love to know :o)

 

Loving and Living Life.............. Amanda 

A Focused Life

Choosing a word/theme for a New Year is a common practice in the blogging community.  

The words are usually personal, inspirational, and directive.

2010 - Peace and Prosperity

2011 - Dream, Discipline, Direction........... read the post here.

In 2012 I struggled a bit with choosing a word/theme.  

Let me explain.  

I knew what was in my heart and mind, but I didn't know what it meant.

"Focus and Freedom"

                                                             (Source)
I knew the things I needed to work on in my life, and I had a good understanding of what direction I needed to go to accomplish my goals.

I just didn't understand the recent urgency of "Focus".

I was unclear of how the word "Freedom" fit.

Trusting my intuition, and being confident that my heart knew what it needed............... I claimed the words as my own.

2012 - Focus and Freedom

 

 (Source)

Then it hit me!

Focus IS Freedom.

 

Focus grants me freedom from,

Wasting time and money.

The expectations of others.

Putting things off.

Wandering aimlessly through my list of "Things to Do".

Always wanting to DO more........in order to feel successful.

Always wanting to BE more............in order to feel accomplished.

 
 Focus IS Freedom

 

Did you choose a word for 2012?  Now that it is March, how is it going?   How would you define "Focus IS Freedom"?

 

Loving and Living Life............... Amanda

How Did We Get Here?

 

Sitting quietly, talking.

Thinking deeply, pondering life..........together.

Gratitude, deeply rooted, overwhelms.

Passionate thankfulness for all things..........

 

Husband
protection, provision, happiness, love, joy, fun,

Children
a whole other level of love and joy, 

Home
comfort, safety, warmth, a place for the soul to breathe,

How did we get here?

A life so wonderful.  
Not perfect.......but wonderful!

Hard times have strengthened.

 Emptiness is being filled..............

Breathe.     Sigh.     Smile

 

We have new items in the Etsy Shop!   Visit us here, and have a look around.  
So excited about the new earrings!  :o)

 

Loving and Living Life................... Amanda 

Inspiration to Implementation

Inspiration is all around.

 

                                                                             Source: Uploaded by user via Amanda - on Pinterest

 

It envelopes nature as the seasons change.  It surrounds us in the simple day-to-day activities.  Our children can inspire us.  

Even a stranger can inspire us.

Did you know............

                                                                                       Source: cakecentral.com via Amanda - on Pinterest

 

You can inspire You!       Smile. 

You are full of inspiration.  All you have to do is stir it up.

                                                                                         Source: stylemepretty.com via Amanda - on Pinterest

 

Pick up your camera, and snap a photograph.

Pick up your bowl and wooden spoon, and stir up some food.

Set up your sewing machine, and create with fabric.

Gather your brushes and paint, and get lost in the wonder of gorgeous colors.

                                                                                                         Source: etsy.com via Amanda - on Pinterest

 

Being inspired can sometimes just be a feeling,

or an overflow of creative ideas swirling around in our minds.

Let that emotion move you to implement a plan.

A plan that includes action......move toward your dream.

And remember................

 

Baby steps are powerful!

Are you planning a special project in 2012?  What is your first step?  Leave a comment and tell me about it.

 

Loving and Living Life............... Amanda 

 

 

Google Analytics.......... Powerful Information

Bloggers want to know that the words we write, the art we share, and the inspiration we give, matters to our readers.

Over a year ago I set up a Google Analytics account.  

This service provides bloggers with very specific insight into the traffic they get on their blog.

For example, I have readers in USA, Canada, Argentina, China, and the United Kingdom.  This helps me know my audience.

With just a couple of clicks, I can see the country and the exact city one specific reader is located.  From there I can see the activity that took place on my blog from that reader.  

Did they read a specific post?  

Did they 'bounce' from page to page?  

Did they click on a link within the post that took them to another website?

Did they click on my photography?

(all photos on blogs are automatically covered by copyright laws)

Google Analytics also shows whether a reader is using a home computer or a portable device such as a phone. 

I also have an account for my Facebook page and Etsy shop.

Information like this can be very useful for many reasons. 

However, it can also be captivating, yet oh-s000 frustrating for many reasons.

 

So for now..............

 

In 2012 I plan on writing more, and checking my stats less.

 

A lot less.

 

Loving and Living Life.................. Amanda 

 

New Year, New Art .............. and a Giveaway!

Photography is art.

Capturing a moment, mood, or movement in the lens of a camera is an art.

Colors, feelings, and images are caught on a tiny little piece of plastic called a memory card.  

I love you little card that holds our memories.

Editing, tweeking, and adding touches of artistic flare are all part of the process.  

2012 is the year to......

Learn more about technology.

Take more pictures.

Master the Nikon 5100 that sits in my workshop,

and to no longer be afraid of that small (but mighty) machine. Smile.

I wrote a blog post about being a photographer here.

There is so much to learn.

Time is a necessity if an artist is to grow.

Dreams are meant to be lived, not played out in our minds.

Pick up your camera, pen, paintbrush, instrument, needle and thread, wooden spoon.

You are an artist, and you must create!

For soul fulfillment, we must create. 

What is your art?  Maybe you haven't started yet, but what do you dream of creating?  What do you need to get started?  
Leave a comment.  I would love to hear your dreams.

 

You are welcome to visit me here on A Sweet Life Rocks facebook page.   We are having a giveaway that will end tomorrow.  Leave a comment on the facebook page to enter.

 

Loving and Living Life................ Amanda

A New Year is Coming

Dream     Discipline     Direction

Those are the words we have lived by this year.  Those are the words that leap in our spirits as we love and live this life.  I wrote about it here.

"We" means I am One with another.  

"We" is me + him.  Smile.

It has been a wonderful year!  It has been a successful year!

Yet, I am eager to begin a new one.  Eager to see what is waiting there.  Eager to create new art both in word, and by hand.

(Source)

We are eager to continue this journey.........a path that began awhile ago.  A road filled with emotion, thoughts, and reality turns into lyrics.  Rhythms,  notes, and melodies become musical pieces.  Beautiful songs are born.

Music is our art.

(Source)

There were times that I held back.  There were times that I diluted the surge of creativity that arose in me.   

At times I allowed the flow to cease, and the flower to fade instead of blossom.  

We have not been created to be a watered down, torn, unfinished piece of art that sits in the corner of the workshop.

On the contrary.

(Source)

We, YOU, have been designed to work hard, produce good results, create art, and to not only succeed, but to flourish!

That means success, and then some............

Some joy while creating,

Some peace while existing,

Some courage while you ponder your next step,

Some excitement about the future,

Some love while living.

Mmmmm, I am up for some of that kind of good stuff in 2012.  

What about YOU?

What are you up for this year?  What will change?  What will you add to your life?  Leave a comment and tell me about it :o)

You can do it!

 

Loving and Living Life................. Amanda

 

Happy Thanksgiving

What an outrageously wonderful day!

Source: redletterwords.com via Amanda - on Pinterest

  

 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  

Hoping your day was filled with love, good food, and great company.

Now on to the Christmas decorating................ smile!!

 

Loving and Living Life.............. Amanda

Etsy Showcase

It is midnight and Etsy will showcase my Etsy shop for the next 24 hours!

                                                                             Source: etsy.com via Brooke on Pinterest

 

You are welcome to stop by and check it out!

A Sweet Life Rocks........ the Etsy shop.

A Sweet Life Rocks................ the Facebook page.

"Like" us on Facebook to stay informed.  New items are posted there first, as well as any daily news.

Enjoy the photography and art.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Weekend.

 

Loving and Living Life............... Amanda

 

It's That Time Again

Oh, it happens every year.  It is so exciting!  

Fall is the beginning of the Holiday Season!  

My heart races with joy and cheer, and I have to pay attention to the details a little bit more than usual.

What details, you may ask?  

Well, you see, each year I think of how fast this season passes.   The details of quality time together, long talks, making memories, and giving thanks.

Special moments might be missed if we don't notice them.  Play time in the leaves, hot chocolate on a cold night..........outside by the bonfire,

with a very special,

assortment of

super cute and yummy,

Marshmallows!  Marshmallows!  Marshmallows!

It takes a lot of time, effort and work, but I love to do it!  

It is a labor of love.

Christmas can creep in before Thanksgiving even has a chance to shine.  

I purpose to finish out the Fall season with a Thanksgiving Celebration............ all before even thinking about Christmas.   We purpose to focus on family time, hospitality, good food and friends.   

So much to be thankful for!

I blogged about it last year.  Read the post here. 

Love and Live Your Life this season!  Take time for family, friends, and good food.

 Make room for the beautiful things in life.

 

Loving and Living Life................... Amanda