Not because I have to

Here's to fewer, better friends
Having more, and wanting less
Shorter showers and
longer walks

Here's to composing music
writing lyrics
Creating things and
helping people

Here's to loving
Not because I have to
but because I get to.

Here's to having nice nails
and wearing less make up
trying new things and
being myself

Here's to writing stories
Words for fun
and playing with babies just because.

Here's to listening
to God and people
hearing and doing
Changing
and caring.

It's funny

what flowers can do. 


Who knew, but this is a traditional Taiwanese fabric pattern. Better known by all of us as the huge mural at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the 2010 Olympics.
I think it was my favourite part of having the Olympics here... as weird as that might sound.
Everything about it just makes me happy!

And isn't it amazing what flowers can really do?
No wonder we bring flowers to people who are sick... they really help out with being happy.

Next time you're sad, or next time you're not sad, whichever... just go look at some flowers! Fill your house up with flowers! Paint some flowers! Give someone else flowers!

Appreciate flowers.
Appreciate how delicate they are.
Appreciate how much care has been put into creating every
                                                                                                                                         single
                                                                                                                                                        one.

Hey, this is what I feel

While it's fresh on my mind
As if it weren't all the time
Has it changed it all?

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible
Hope that there's no point that I'm missing
Hope that it's not just too subtle

And now I feel like a fool
For doing what you asked me to
And then you changed it all

So why'd you say
You miss my face
When you never show
Say you're gonna be there
But you never go

And if it's a picture of me you need
Would you get to taking it
If it's heartache I need
Would you get to breaking it

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible

Classic.

Much like I respect men who wear well made shoes, I admire women who always wear real jewelry. It speaks to her womanhood in more ways than I can sufficiently put into words.

things to do when you are sad

don't listen to Bob Dylan
read a funny book
watch videos of babies laughing
wear a big sweater
drink tea
organize a room
go on a walk
paint something yellow
make paper cranes
find recipes (to use when you're happy)
paint your nails
read the newspaper
call the funniest person you know
play the piano
hang fairy lights around your house
bake an apple pie with a friend
crochet something new
think about how beautiful outer space is
paint your sadness
re-decorate
go shopping at thrift stores
go to a cafe
sleep on a pile of blankets
listen to Christmas music
ask someone to hold you
cry
be okay at some point
write a song
visit the library
throw out old clothes
pick flowers
read Psalm 23
sit with someone
remember there are always cupcakes.

Smitten Song

Learning this! 

A Thrill of Hope

The Weary World Rejoices.

I sometimes forget just how much i love Christmas, but then it hits November and Christmas is all I can think about.
Snow and toques and mittens and scarves and lights and singing and smiles. It's so good.

I love how people are just happier around Christmas time, I know not everyone is... it's often the hardest time of year for a lot of people. But generally Christmas gets people's sprits up, and it's a beautiful thing to be a part of!
Yes, all of the consumption at Christmas time is horrible. Did you know, the average spent on Christmas in North America is $40 billion, and the estimated cost of getting clean water  to the entire world is $20 billion... that makes me sick. We need to do something big about it, and a lot of people are! Check out Advent Conspiracy. It's an amazing organization working toward an amazing goal! There is so much about North America Christmas that is wrong...

But it's still Christmas!

It's still about families coming together to celebrate.
It's still about seeing the beauty in things.
It's still about lighting candles and singing together.
It's still about giving.
It's still about little kids being enchanted by it all.
It's still about being happy.
It's still about decorating the tree together.
It's still about Jesus. 
It's still the most wonderful time of the year.

It's still a thrill of hope that makes this weary world rejoice.