Each day plan whatever is your duty to do, and then try to go beyond it. It is one thing to get things done, but it is more motivating to look forward to what you are going to do far above what is absolutely necessary.
Every day, read from the Bible and from another good book, to feed the soul and the mind and keep your thinking active and logical.
Get up with the intention of liking everything you do and every place you go. Eventually you will not be anywhere you do not like.
Know that in this life you will be rewarded , compensated and gain abundance for endurance, faithfulness and adhering to good values in your life. Conversely, those who live in disobedience will suffer unhappiness.
Live each day as if it were a brand new gift, and try not to take it for granted or be bored, useless or unhappy. Being creative each day can gives the day a special significance.
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Serene Sea by Danhui Nai (China/America)
Approach each day as if it were your last, doing all the good you can, letting go of worry and fear.
Take special note of little things that give your heart a lift. You may walk past them each day and not realize how sweet they are. Place small things around your house that will make you smile when you see them: herbs tied in bundles, favorite folded fabric pieces, fresh soap, a gift from someone, a bright card etc. You will be pleased at what these small bright spots can do for your mood and your sense of joy in being alive.
If you keep a list of things to do, make a point of listing "Look at something beautiful" each day. This might include what you see around you or someone's beautiful blog, an attractive book, a painting, a garden, or something you noticed while you are away from home.
Roses by Pierre Joseph Redout
When trying to achieve a goal or finish a task, keep your mood level by working around difficult people, obstacles or inconveniences.
Give something to someone else every day. This could be anything from a smile, a note, some help, or something hand made. This sort of thing always lifts the mood of the giver more than anyone.
At night, start counting the good things that you have or that have occurred that day, and it will make you so happy that you will have a restful night.
22 comments:
Eager to read it. Thank you!
Can't wait! I love the Hollyhock House too...I have two groups of hollyhocks at the entrance to my garden!
LM
I like to visit other blogs of crafts, baking, gardens, tea parties, home decor, homemaking, child character building and get ideas for my own use or for sharing with others.
In this way I've come up with great encouraging things to share, handmade gift ideas, garden design and decor, and other things that make our home a pretty place or helping to make someone else's home nice. Its fun and productive. It leaves me feeling encouraged and good about myself and others.
I like all the blogs you list, however yours is most encouraging. Thank you Lydia for sharing and caring so much.
Blessings, Mrs. J.
Thank you Lydia, for these wise and practical words of advice and encouragement.
It is truly what I needed to hear today.
Mrs. L
This is an important reminder to me today. Negativity can become a habit. Today is a new day and I am going to turn things around by trying my best to follow this advice.
I have found that when I do let go of worries, things somehow turn out better than I could have made them turn out.
Lydia,
What a beautiful post; so uplifting and so very simple, for we serve a God who is a God of new beginnings. Also, John 10: 10 comes to mind where Jesus states 'I have come so you can have life and have it abundantly' (please excuse shoddy paraphrase on my part). Abundance is not confined to monetary wealth or assets for instance, but has wider application; contentment, for instance. We can be content in the most humble or grand of circumstances. Your easy to adopt guidelines aid in fostering contentment.
May you be richly and wonderfully blessed.
This is such good counsel for women (for everybody). Doing these things is vital (a strong word but true) to keep us from falling into self-pity, a critical state of mind, and so many other negative states of mind. I need this kind of advice and thank you for putting it into your blog, in addition to the lovely art work.
Problems can play a loud tune in your mind, making you forget that there are sweet moments to live for. Making the day a pleasant present provides a sweet past, and a happy path to the future. How many past days do we look at with regret, because they were spent in some kind of fear or agony? We have to live each day as if we were attending a grand ball. That is often what it feels like when the house is kept and there is a little order, and one has time to sit and drink tea or walk in the garden.
8:11 Love that verse and will post it!!
Thank you for this uplifting and encouraging post! It is one to print out and read often.
~Lynne
This post was so very encouraging to me just now. I had a busy topsy turvy day. I needed this. I will print it tonight.
May I please use this on my blog??
Very important to everyone - to live life each day, don't waste a moment of it and when doing things that we don't like - find the positive. Couldn't agree more. We shouldn't grumble, there are people far worse off than us.
Anyone is welcome to use anything helpful on this blog as long as it is not presented in a bad light ;-)
I like the thought of knowing God holds the future...so we don't have to waste time in worry. So glad you pointed this out, Lydia.
My mother used to say often in the mornings, "good morning world!" It is one cheerful way to adjust one's attitude. Your Scripture verses are the other way!!
LM
Dear Lady Lydia,
The first article of yours that I came across a few months ago was from 2002, titled "Love in the Home." I started reading all of your articles on LAF, and then recently discovered your blog. Your words have been so inspiring to me, and I am so grateful for your kind wisdom. I am a young stay at home mother of two boys, and it has been a struggle to counteract the damage my upbringing has caused me. I became a Christian only a year ago, but my life has changed in so many beautiful ways since then. Your words have helped to bring about some of those changes, and encourage me to keep going even when I'm feeling overwhelmed. You are like the wise mother and grandmother that I never had growing up, and I sincerely thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts!
God bless you,
Paulina
I especially like your advice to "look at something beautiful each day". Honestly, I can't tell you how many times this very thing has been my salvation! Such good instruction for us, Lady Lydia!
Brenda
I love and agree when you say look for something beautiful in each day...
I too feel that one should not wait for something special but see that special in the every day .......may it be you dishes spoons or even the way you arrange your room
Even a leisurely cup of tea can be enjoyed or even reading some beautiful blogs
This has to be one of my very favorite posts you've ever done....I will be linking to it on my blog.
And I LOVE the music in this post as well, so cheerful! :o)
I also wanted to add that I think Philippians 4:8 applies to this post as well. :o)
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8) -emphasis mine
You have been such an encouragement to me,and I want to thank you for an always uplifting blog, you give us creative ideas as well as a lot to think about.What a great mentor you are,and a spirit lifter.God bless you for all that you do.For giving others a comforting,encouraging place to come to.
Thank you for this post Lady Lydia. Sometimes I feel guilty for enjoying life when so many people around me are suffering. But it was the joy that was set before him that helped Jesus to endure the cross. God bless you.
very good comparison, Mrs. Santos. And, the Bible teaches us to enjoy the good things God gives us. Those who do not love life will try to make others feel guilty for enjoying these blessings of having a home, a family, modern comforts and good pleasures intended for us.
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