Sometimes its all about just doing it, not perfectly

Making something that is beautiful for others takes much time and thought, or does it? My friend gave me a compliment saying, "I love how sometimes you just do it and don't care if it's perfect!" (Wait, was that a compliment?)

When were you the most touched by something beautiful?

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. ~John Locke

So often we mistakenly think that a beautiful, plain and simple vase has great potential if it has an incredible arrangement of flowers arranged inside it. But if you invite someone over and carefully add loving touches, it matters not if it is greenery or red roses. The true potential is achieved, in part, when you DO IT...instead of just thinking about it

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. ~Peter Marshall

Here are my favorite pickle jars (from France) with those $5. flowers from fresh and easy! Below, another simple vase with flowers on sale. Collectively the day was just beautiful, but not because everything was perfect...

Well done is better than well said. ~Benjamin Franklin

If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Don’t say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say...

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Potential

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary Definition of potential as "existing in possibility, not in act."

Today's post is potential...

Let's see if you can guess what Monday's post will be?

Also in 1828, development is "an unfolding; discovering of something secret...full exhibition."

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us Ephesians 3:20

Hebrews 12:1...

let us lay aside every weight....let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 For a dream comes with much business and painful effort...

“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” — Aristotle

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'”

George Bernard Shaw

“Every one's got it in him, if he'll only make up his mind and stick at it. None of us is born with a stop-valve on his powers or with a set limit to his capacities, There's no limit possible to the expansion of each one of us.” -Charles M Schwab

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” - George Bernard Shaw

Three guess....as to the topic of the next post...if you guess and get it right...I will send you a fun fall present!!!

I will post on Monday!

Friends that Inspire

While having an "inspiring" lunch with my dear, dear friend Lori (who I could say is suffering from her second round with Cancer/chemo/etc..--more on that) yesterday I made a confession: That when I was younger when I could tell someone didn't like me I'd try really hard to change their mind. We agreed that now we move on quickly only choosing to be with people who are "light" and "inspiring". We agreed that whether it be age (40) or wisdom, God has given us true blessing...

I met Lori in Paris, above, while we studied at the Sorbonne! I am dedicating this blog to her (and all who are reading who have any kind of illness or are caring for a loved one who is ill) because yesterday, 26 years after meeting, she so inspires me with her strength and love! I said above that she was "suffering" with cancer, but really she is not. Although, she does admit the week after the "chemo cleanse" (as she has reframed it so it sounds more like a spa treatment and to wash the cancer out) she throws up and feels really icky.

So, today I am celebrating her strength, light and love and our long friendship. I celebrate her "real" outlook on life, yet her determination to see the element to celebrate in everything. She lives her life according to Philippians 4:8, my favorite verse....Think on these things!!!

She goes in for her last "Chemo Cleanse" next week.... Yea.

Beautiful (She is the center) on the outside, she is 100X more beautiful inside. She looks as elegant with her pretty scarf and big comfy sweater yesterday, because her sweet spirit shows through lighting up the room, radiantly!

At her 40th birthday, above.

Side note: Lynch family...at our wedding. Tom is now on Inspired's Board, Cornelia is like a mentor to me...and the girls have kids of their own, who Hannah loves. We celebrate every labor day with them still. Little Christopher our "Ring Bear" now is in a successful band "Gardens&Villa" touring!!!

At the wedding, Lori right side, Lynch twins in front. Amazingly I still see and love these girls as much today as I did then! (one i can't find)

At a wedding shower in Laguna, celebrating love! (and friendship)

At my 30th birthday, with Lori pregnant :)

At the wedding shower that Lori gave me! My mom says about Lori, "She is the most beautiful person inside and out, I have never heard her say an unkind word about anybody!..."

So my dear blogger pals, will you pray for Lori next week that the "Cleanse" gets every last bit out, and that the next part of the journey is all fun.

Between Laura Sharpe's Helicopter story and Lori's journey with "C" I consider myself so privileged to call these women my friends!!!

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

…true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the beauty of a woman with passing years—only grows." Sam Levenson

Helicopter Crash Survivor/News Reporter Best Inspired Yet

Thinking this Inspired31.org was the best one yet...let me share with you some Inspired tidbits from the most amazing teens and women.

Samantha Masyr, a very wellspoken young teen, shared with us her initiative for starting a Make A Wish Chapter at her high school. (Finding and Following: Our mission!) What an inspiring girl! We have a new feature of "Inspired Teen", above. (She so graciously said that Inspired31.org really inspired her to follow her dreams! She has attended since the beginning) Love her!!!

Our beautiful tables. Hip with lavender and inspiring quotes. Tablecloths from Anthropologie.

Our book sales table, so beautifully wrapped for holiday and corporate gift giving.

First time mother-daughter pair! I met @ tennis courts while watching my son! They might even start a Chapter!

Three years ago, she was pulled from a burning helicopter by her oldest daughter, by her hair, Laura Sharpe was one of 3 survivors. Three lost their lives. One of my favorite speakers, Laura recently began to walk without cruches or a wheelchair. She broke over 43 bones in her body, in a coma for 7 weeks, hospital for 3 months, and never an ounce of bitterness but only love. Her first words after coming out of the coma "Divine Intervention". She gives new meaning to grace and love. Truly a "light worker"

Our own amazing Amy Johnson, Newscaster for Channel 9, shared her inspiring words for teens to hold on to their dreams and work hard. She was inspiringly gifted with her journey through the media, which can be a harsh place for a woman. She then used her skills and interviewed Laura. You could have heard a pin drop the entire time. The girls and moms were mesmerized by the very real discussion. It was a blessed day, and a favorite of my daughters and mine.

Our speaker and her daughter, and another mother-daughter pair of attendees, who it looks like throughly enjoyed themselves!

You could feel God's Grace and Love at this Inspired31.org!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Eph. 3:20).

Texas: Simple Ideas for Design

A few weeks ago we went to Texas. The purpose: A meeting with our Literary Agents. Hannah at 4am to be able to be back to Cali for school, as she doesn't like to miss any school!

Simple chocolate tied with Rust bow. Beauitful. Hershey's would do just fine.

At a charming market in Texas!

Simple & Gorgeous.

Simple grapefruit presentation at breakfast...they cut the extra half and arranged it in a floral pattern. Loved it.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans

How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.

~John Burroughs

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Tiny flowers in the center of the table...

A flower touches everyone's heart. Georgia O'Keefe

Warm and Cozy Fall Design: Thankful

Welcome, I hear from you all that the more pictures I have the better.

These are taken at my home at the Inspired Steering Meeting, to plan our next event featuring my friend and news reporter Amy Johnson! The girls will learn all about the news business, working in the media and she has some wonderful things to share. I am so excited. So, welcome to the meeting....Let me share a few things with you!

1. Our girls have fun!

2. Never dull moment!

3. They are comfortable sharing their feelings with the moms...Whether it went well, or not! :)

THANK YOU was the theme! I tried to write it everywhere: chalkboards, placecard tiles, banners, frames etc...

THANK YOU because our events go amazingly well because of the teamwork of the moms and daughters! A million thank you's wouldn't cut it....

My girlfriend calls people who bring joy to others "light workers" so I gave all the Mother-Daughter pairs, candles to go home and light...to remember they are light workers!

My fabulous cupcakes (not!) They did taste delicious, though!

I bought this felt string of flowers in New Mexico and love it for running along the middle of the table, around the candles. The man who sold it to me in an Indian store said it was a scarf??? Doesn't look like a scarf to me....

My favorite seasonal decorations are always photographs in the colored frames for the season! I bring out the appropriate frames and they make me so happy! Although, I do have to say, Where did all that time go? Look at little Justin sitting on the hay bale! :) Sooo cute!

Always a way to work in what I am most thankful for...A creator who loves me and cares about all these little details of our lives.

Two favorites of mine that can be changed out every season/month: Hurricane Candle Holders, with terra cotta bases, and a rustic 3 tier tray! I love switching it out to the right season.

I found these gorgeous amber glasses at an estate sale. It turns out it was the man who planned my sisters wedding. Small world.

Quotes, sayings and especially scripture are my favorite accessory!

From Inspired Design:

Don’t for one minute think that your lack of or excess of resources has anything to do with your contribution to the beauty of this world. You never know how someone will be touched by the little things you do—and by the little ways you make your home more inviting. Possessions and pretensions have nothing to do with it! Your willingness and action do.