"A 10 minute vacation for the soul."
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” ― Nelson Mandela [Source: Long Walk to Freedom: Autobiography of Nelson Mandela]
Each year I celebrate A Season of Angels beginning at Thanksgiving and continuing through Christmas, making one angel craft project each day. I started doing this after a local tragedy during the holiday season several years ago but I still do this each year.
This is different than making crafts to sell or give as gifts. I do this as a form or meditation or prayer to help keep me focused on Spirit and the values that really matter.
This year I invite you to join me each day from now till Christmas. Slow down and take a little time each day to make (or at least work on) a small angel project each day while reflecting on Spirit and what this season truly means to you.
Need angel patterns? You will find a nice selection at the Web of Angels from Crafty College.
“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” ~Charles Dickens
The December follower of the month is Sharon of Gentle Stitches. She is an enthusiastic follower of Espirational and I love her comments. I also enjoy checking out her new crochet work and I’m sure you will too.
Preparing for an Espirational Time
Around this time of year over 2000 years ago, the stage of life was getting set to welcome the birth of the most loved and talked about baby ever born. A tiny baby who grew up to give the world two things it needed very much. Love and hope. In the spirit of giving, I give you these two sweet donkeys. The pattern is available here, on my free pattern page and of course at my ravelry store.
Sharon blogs at Gentle Stitches.com. She is passionate about all things stitchy and environmentally sustaining. She loves to make, write about and teach, crochet, knitting and hand sewing.
“While it’s true that challenges do make us grow, the angels also say that peace leads to bigger greater growth spurts.” — Doreen Virtue
“Peace of mind is not a goal I need achieve. It’s a place inside I never want to leave. Close my eyes, I still my thoughts and then I say I will choose to live in peace today.” – Robert Alan
The National Day of Listening was started in 2008 by Story Corp as an non-commercial alternative to the craziness of Black Friday shopping. On this day after Thanksgiving take a few minutes to sit down and record an interview with a loved one. Even if you think you have heard all of Grandpa’s stories a hundred times, really listen this time. As annoying as those stories my seem now, I can say from experience that the time will come when you will miss them, or you will not be able to remember the details. Having these stories recorded in your loved ones own voice will be priceless later.Visit the National Day of Listening website for more information including a Do-It-Yourself Instruction Guide.
“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace… Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it…. Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.” — Heinmot Tooyalaket ( Chief Joseph), Nez Perce Leader
Take a break, sit down, relax or get up and dance and watch this video. It’s sure to have you “Feelin’ Groovy.”
espirational.com