Life requires self examination in order to lead us to our path. If I allow myself to become overwhelmed with allowing any thing to become too difficult, then it suddenly feels as if I am trying too hard. Trying too hard to prove something. I find it becomes forced, but by giving up and not trying hard enough - then the difficulty of being in that moment finds me with with despair. The trick or the true key is to try to stay in the middle of those two extremes, to be just relaxed enough to stay in a state of.... "grace."
Weekends allow for a time of reflection, be they spiritual or worldly. The above interior is a space that I picture to be a perfect state of grace. A neutral dwelling space to sit, to reflect, to read, to live in the moment.
I would love to wake up from this four poster bed, white linens and soothing gray provide an ordered calm. Ah, an adult nursery, fresh flowers, a candle, a spot of tea, soft pillows, some books to take me away and a throw to surrender me back to sleep. I picture some loosely painted nudes above the bed mingled with some asian inspired artwork.
How do you seek to bring a state of grace to your world? Do you have a place, a photo, a book an exercise or a person or thing that brings a sense of the middle ground to your life. Please feel free to share with me in your words or a picture.
19 comments:
I wish I had something to share. Still searching, but if I had to say something it would be a nice long walk with the ipod loaded with great music to move me along. Your first paragraph really spoke to me and is quite relevant right now for me. Thanks!
oh, littlebyrd- yes a long walk and nice music does help me too. I really am enjoying your blog too.
thanks for stopping by!
Great post pve! There is nothing I love more than to MAKE the time for myself to sit up on my bed against my fluffy billows, bedside lamp on, my favorite Trapp candle (Guava Mango) lite, reading a book. Right now I am reading "Searching for God Knows What," by Donald Miller.
I love discovering more and more God's vast amount of love for me!
my home/life is sort of chaotic so i lose myself in other peoples' homes through design books. i am totally and completely addicted!
psst...i will get to the "tag" this weekend, i thoroughly enjoyed reading yours!
Beautiful post!! Those photos are relaxing just to look at them- lovely soothing rooms! Have a fabulous weekend!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
This was so lovely to read. Can I please borrow a state of grace? Badly need one. Ha ha ha.
What a beautiful thing to think on. Grace is wonderful and sometimes hard to get hold of. I guess you can find grace easiest in the little things. A genuine smile or gentle touch.
I am always running all over the house...picking up laundry, cleaning up s spill, putting someone's sneakers away...when I spy my kitchen couch out of the corner of my eye and just stop. I go sit in its deep set cushions, stare out the sliding glass doors at the ospreys flying above me...and sometimes nod off for a minute or two...or just sit there and think about the things I'm grateful for. I sometimes find it harder to relax in my own home than anyplace else in the world because something is always beckoning to be done...but that couch is there to remind me to sit and find respite right here, right now, right in the kitchen!
:0)
Tara
Very pleasant imagery.
"The unexamined life in not worth living" - Socrates
Good to examine carefully and often -
I took the leap today Patricia - please check out my blog - the blog name marnie was taken, so in the stillness of the early morning I decided to simply connect the dots and call the blog by the business name: MRR Design - Please visit. Can't wait for the illustration to use as a header! Tried in vain to figure out the blog roll so that I could add you and a bunch of other faves but will have to try again later. -- M
Love your drawing - head in a book! Ah reflection and refreshment and Spring! Started my weekend with a wonderful yoga class yesterday morning. And this morning walked along the creek and enjoyed the rushing water and the still wildflowers. We are blessed to live in this grace-filled world.
I love your opening sentences. I often find myself in this same predicament, which makes a thing seem worse than it is. Too many times I try to cram too much into my week, and it means I can't enjoy my weekends, then I don't relax and then Monday seems like such a chore and the beginning of a 5-day string of chores. Now that the (slightly) warmer weather is here I am going to change my Sunday schedule to include a long walk to the river, through the park and then back home to a cup of tea and the paper. Today is the first day I did it. Hopefully I remember do it again next weekend....
Today is Sunday,
I thank each of you for your comments, they bring such joy to my life, the fact that you care and that we connect, reminding one another to find a "state of grace" in our day.
Be it a room, a walk, a book, a friend, a couch,that we take a moment to honor ourselves.
May a state of grace fill your heart with love.
Patricia
pve design
wow......what a beautiful post. PVE the way you write - its just like a breath of fresh air to me....your tone is soft and calming....I think I'll add your blog to one of the ways for me to inspire grace.....I only have to look look out of my window into my garden and I always feel that I can breathe easier....not only is it beautiful buy my dad helped us to create it so I guess I always feel that love there.......another way is to look at my girls....sit down and read with them or create some artwork with them its a way for me to slow down and enjoy the precious things in life.
What a nice post to read just before going to bed.
We recently got a puppy, my first dog, and I resisted the begging and pleading of my family for years. Although it has been quite an adjustment, I must admit that I am incredibly happy and in that lovely state of meditation and grace when I take the puppy on long walks through the beautiful neighborhoods in Atlanta.
There must be something going around in the air because I too have been feeling overwhelmed lately (more than usual).
For me, having a quiet chat with "Hillsy" (the man that keeps me honest & sane) always makes everything right. He has a way of putting everything into perspective and instills a certain calmness in me when everything around me seems to be spinning at an uncontrollable pace.
For me, a pot of tea in the evenings, a stack of design magazines and a good book in bed always put me in the right frame of mind. Currently reading Sister Parrish's biography - fascinating and beautiful!
I am probably totally late on this, but my quiet times are usually a hot bubble bath, and sitting on my favourite chair and reading a book (of which I will send you a photo - the chair, not the bathtub!)
Funny you mention the grey walls. Grey, as you know, is supposed to be an optimal wall colour for a creative environment. I suppose it serves the same purpose as a bank of clouds and allows us to dream and conjure up images.
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