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Archive for the ‘General Reflections’ Category

The Garden

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections, tagged , on February 22, 2011| 19 Comments »

A few days ago I saw a beautiful sign, tastefully done, in the front yard of a home.  The sign was simple, wrapped around the outer edges with grapevine. 

The message was: 

Life Began In A Garden

Can it be more concise than that?

We are drawn to gardens.  We find secluded spots to meditate or pray. 

We seek and absorb the peace. 

Such a wonder it is.

Life began in a garden, and life truly is restored in a garden.

So well said:  I believe there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.  – Henry David Thoreau

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The Job With Real Benefits

Posted in General Reflections, tagged , , on February 10, 2011| 2 Comments »

All of us have a job.  It has benefits.  It is close to home.  It requires no time sheet or schedule.  The job also pays well.

Talk about teamwork, this IS the job that requires the best efforts from all.  Minimum efforts with maximum outcome.

Recently, a manager at a convenience store covered a shift for an employee that generally has a sour attitude.  The manager said, “It is my job to be civil and to smile.”  She was referring to her own work position.  Without judgment, the reply was made, “It is our job to be human, we all share in that.”

Being human requires little work.  It requires an occasional smile.  It requires a touch of kindness.  It does not require being a doormat or a flower on the wall-paper, quite the opposite. 

Live…work…smile…be human, share the wealth.  The rewards are numerous, you’ve not only made your day, with the promises of payment via a brighter day, you have paved the way for another human being to do the same.

Do you qualify for the job that you have been designed for? I hope I do.  Making sure the job requirements are met, being a tad bit kind, passing the smile along, does pay well.  You can bank on it!

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Women Farmers

Posted in General Reflections, tagged , , on February 1, 2011| 5 Comments »

women farmers around the world

It is still novel to me to be a farmer, even after almost a decade of being one.

I participated in a survey last year in our county.  The numbers reported, of women being the chief operator of a farm, were staggering.   Women make many of the financial, crop and livestock decisions.

As I began researching the topic, what I learned about female farmers across the world swept away the original image that I had adopted.  The t-shirt with the slogan, Girls Drive Tractors Too, wasn’t so cute after all. 

Women across the world farm in a major effort to earn a living for their families.  In America, farming can be something enjoyable (but involves hard non-glamorous work), and often it is something we choose to do.  In many nations farming is done in an attempt to steer the family away from starvation.  Farming for the family is not all about slipping into the Levi jeans and operating the big green machine.  Female farmers do so to thrive.

I promise to remember the female farmers across the world that work from dawn to dusk in an attempt to feed, clothe and provide medical care for their families.  When I purchase shea butter that is supposed to come from Ghana, harvested by the women, I want to know you are being supported sufficiently for your hard work.  Poverty will never completely go away on our planet, but there does need to be some fairness.  Free trade needs to freely teach, sustain and support.  Human lives are human lives, regardless of where the head is laid down at night.

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Dropping The Fear

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections, Inspirations, tagged , , on December 23, 2010| 10 Comments »

Have you had experiences in life when you have had to tell yourself to “drop the fear”?

Recently I climbed a ladder, which was more than twice as tall as I am.

As my husband stood outside of (what will be) our new soap studio on his ladder, I climbed my own ladder inside.  Together we tugged on the huge electrical wiring until we got it fed through the much-smaller conduit.

As I climbed the ladder my heart began to thud.  I thought I was not going to make it.  I repeated the old saying, because that was all that I could think to do for myself at the moment, “Don’t look down.”

Then I remembered what I did last summer, something that made me realize I could climb ladders as long as I put the fear aside.  I remembered something as simple as the motorcycle safety class. I had to put my fear away to pass the course. I nearly allowed fear to change the outcome!

Suddenly the fear of being up in the air, high up on the ladder, went away.

Facing the fear came as clear to me as life itself.

Next time you are facing something that seems enormous, something that you feel you cannot accomplish (that you could easily say “no” to) and allow someone else to do, remember to believe in yourself.  Have faith. Claim the ownership.

Beat the fear…drop it like a hot potato…what you can achieve by doing so can really help you climb ladders – even those that seem to reach up into the clouds – hands down. Goodbye obstacle!

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Who Do You Serve?

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections, tagged , , on November 6, 2010| 7 Comments »

 

Recently I have spent many hours handling my husband’s business scheduling and telephone. 

Speaking with the public on a daily basis, both on the telephone and in person, has led to a surfacing of observations.  The biggest of those is the word demand.  There seems to be little consideration for careful scheduling, heavy workloads, and human attempts at kindness.

Sadly, it seems that people in general are pre-disposed to expect the worst.

It brings questions to my mind, such as, is the cause today’s world? Is it the economy? Is it poor customer service across the board (which I’ve noticed myself) that causes people to not have patience?

I am serving the public now, no doubt about it.  The customer is always right, unless a legal liability is involved (due to the nature of the business). 

Are we, as human beings, all of one, simply branches working together? Do we serve each other, or do we serve ourselves? Do you serve yourself, or do you serve other people? Who do you serve?

Many of us serve our own God (first), I know I do, but in this article I am talking about serving others.  I am not talking about a physical act, like delivering meals to those in need, I am talking about common courtesy, compassion for others.  Do you truly serve others?

We may not be able to change the world, but we can change our own world.

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How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections, tagged , , on October 28, 2010| 7 Comments »

I did something disturbing today. 

I stepped into a pet shop for the first time in many years.

I instantly fell in love with a beautiful brindle boy.  I spent quiet time with him in a little cubicle.  My heart melted when I stood up from the bench seat and he grabbed the hem of my jeans and shook playfully with some obvious strength.

I wish I had never walked into that store.

How can any puppy have a price tag of $3600.00? And why?

He deserves a good family, someone to love, and someone to return his devotion.

He does not deserve to live in a cage, to travel to some strange place at a young age, to eventually be sold to a person with no background check, no thought on how he will be treated, no questions asked, as long as money is passed over the table (or, even worse, financing at 20.97% is approved).

No animal deserves that.

I was passing time when I walked into the pet store.  I truly regret it.  I do not grieve for not buying the puppy, I just cannot get him out of my mind (nor the other doggies in their crates behind glass).  I hope good homes are in their future.

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Grains Of Sand

Posted in General Reflections, tagged , , on October 11, 2010| 6 Comments »

As if on a sandy beach, we leave our footprints.  Footprints that can go away quickly, as swift as the wind blows. 

To leave more permanent footprints we must find more stable ground, with footing on materials that solidly hold an impression.

My husband and I have been busy with both of our business’s.  As I worked into the 18th hour one evening last week I realized that I was going to have to shut down to be productive.  I also realized that credibility was going to sink if I did not get rest.  Credibility is important with our network of customers and contractors.  Credibility – set on firm ground.

As grains of sand flow through our fingers, so does time.  And then, as time flows, we realize that most everything is small stuff.  Everything except the root of human contact.  The contact that makes a difference in each of our lives. 

I found the comparison of grains of sand to be grounding.  Just what do we want to say about ourselves when the grains run out? We worked hard every day.  Not good.  We worked hard every day to make a difference in life, and lives.  Yes! There is the solid footing I am looking for.  How about you?

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When Creativity Wanes

Posted in Blogging, General Reflections, tagged , on September 16, 2010| 5 Comments »

Creativity, like life itself, seems to have its cycles. I find it interesting.

Blog writing has been difficult for me recently.  What has worked from time to time is to tote my laptop when I am away from the shop and the farm.  I will then hear or see something that totally inspires writing.

Soaping follows the same type of path.  Creativity does not always happen in the shop.  Fresh ideas pop up after I smell, read, hear, away from the soap studio itself.  Nature often does it.

A person cannot force creative thoughts.

What inspires you to write or try something new (or perhaps crafty)?

When are you most creative?

Do you find creativity to be an important need in  your life?

Before I hit the publish button, I’ll throw in one more thought.  Sound sleep.  Do your creative juices wane or flow when snoozing has been plentiful? What about the idea of sleeping with a pad of paper and pencil nearby, so those 2 AM brainstorms can be penned?

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It Is The Small Things

Posted in General Reflections, Inspirations, tagged , , on September 9, 2010| 8 Comments »

Have you reached a point in your life where you realize how much you appreciate the small things?

We all have days when nothing seems to feel right.  How about the times when the normal feels mundane? Then there are the days when the ordinary comes with newness. 

One  morning I was distributing hay.  The morning was routine.  I always watch for behaviour, to ensure each goat is well, but I am sure there are times when I stop noticing much of their common actions.  That particular morning I heard their hooves as they approached.   I heard an excited rumble of hoofbeats.  I was filled with gratefulness.  Such a small thing, the sound of hooves, but such a joyous thing to be able to notice and enjoy.

As we fall into the day-in and day-out patterns of our lives, I hope each of us notices something small to enrich the time we have here.  The smallest of things can be a blessing.

Promise me, please.  Enjoy!

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Positive Reflections

Posted in Family & Friends, General Reflections, tagged , , , on August 11, 2010| 7 Comments »

I have this little garden spot that I love. 

Each spring I plant easy flowers in the spot.  I use some of the plants, such as the Calendula, in infusions for salves and other products. 

I plant herbs further down the small garden, and tomatoes.

Today I stood in the rain to take this photo.

Why?

I am so grateful for the rain.  We needed it.

As the thunderstorm and rain moved through, and as I saw the growing world replenished with the much-needed outburst, I thought about how blessed I am by my friends, family and customers.  You replenish my soul! You (and the good Lord above) replenish me on a daily basis.

May you have life-sustaining water, and a lot of it!  There is no match to true happiness and satisfaction.

Have a beautiful day!

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