June 28, 2013

Friday's Letters

Dear God:  I know you are there, but lately I've been feeling sad more often then usual.  I know you know that too.  Can you please send some butterflies my way, for sure they will make me smile.  Thanks!  You're Awesome!

Dear Gloria:  Thanks for being there for me when I've needed a friend, you aight ^_^

Dear Florida Weather:  You can stop the heat now, we've plenty already. So bring on the cool breezes, but still keep the sunshine!

Dear Blog:  I know I've abandoned you lately, but I'm working myself out of this rut.

Dear Creative Talent:  I feel you ready to burst out the seams.  So come on, bring it on!!!  Canvases, brushes, paint, pencils are all set out waitin' for ya!

Dear Love:  You are the only one thing that is real.  Thanks for existing and making the world a better place.

Dear Familia:  United we stand, divided we fall...

Dear PonderWonder-ers and Bloggy friends:  You guyz are all so special to me, y'all tickle me pink and ya know I love me some pink *_*

Dear Self:  So you've been feeling a little down lately, it happens.  Just remember this...refuse to let them get the best of you, you are a great person, kind soul, intelligent, humble and  a caring woman...allow nothing and no one to kill your joy or stand in your way...I love you.

Dear You:  Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the visit.  Have an awesome weekend y'all!

Tootles!

June 24, 2013

Soul Food Monday! - An Inspirational Link-Up #37

Man is the soul who uses the body as an instrument of self-expression.
Hola Readers! Hope this morning everyone is having a great rise along with a BIG appetite for life where ever in the world you may find yourself today. A life filled with excitement and prosperity!   Acknowledging first that we are more than just a body is a good start to healthy wholeness.  Let's take time to feed the soul.  We feed our bodies with healthy foods to get enough energy and nutrients for optimal growth and development.  We feed and stimulate the mind with books, movies, plays and games for personal and creative development.  The same principal applies to feeding the soul.  It is just as important to feed the body as it is to feed the soul!  After all, the soul is the core of who we are!  It is who we are.  My own experiences of honoring my soul has helped me make this connection with my very soul.  And my life is so much richer in so many ways I could not have even imagined.  This is why I refuse to believe that we are just here to work, eat, sleep and die.  Yes, these are inevitable experiences we live as human beings, but we are spiritual beings as well.  So join me every Monday with a different food for the soul.
One of the books I'm reading these days is Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken.  It is a story of survival.  A testament to the resilience of the human mind, body and spirit, the preface read.  This is what I connected with and why I picked up the book to read.  I am known to read a few books at a time.  Not at the same reading but rather alternating a book week to week or even a few days interval.  This time around I am reading five books and Unbroken is one of them.  It may take a longer time to finish one book when you're also reading others verses just reading it alone, but strangely enough I find self-fulfillment in reading this way.  It's hard to explain, it just works for me.  When I come across a book to read, I believe it has come to me for a reason. Nothing is coincidence in my philosophy.  Just yesterday I read a passage from  the book that formed an emotional bridge allowing a deep connection from within.  A connection, understanding and solace to something that from time to time haunted me from childhood.
  
"The crash of Green Hornet had left Louie and Phil in the most desperate physical extremity, without  food, water, or shelter.  But on Kwajalein, the guards sought to deprive them of something that had sustained them even as all else had been lost: dignity.  This self-respect and sense of self-worth, the innermost armament of the soul, lies at the heart of humanness; to be deprived of it is to be dehumanized, to be cleaved from, and cast below, mankind.  Men subjected to dehumanizing treatment experience profound wretchedness and loneliness and find that hope is almost impossible to retain.  Without dignity, identity is erased.  In it absence, 
men are defined not by themselves, but by their captors and the circumstances in which they are forced to live.  One American airman, shot down and relentlessly debased by his Japanese captors, described the state of mind that his captivity created: 'I was literally becoming a lesser human being.' 

"Few societies treasured dignity, ad feared humiliation, as did the Japanese, for who a loss of honor could merit suicide.  This is likely one of the reasons why Japanese soldiers in World War II debased their prisoners with such seal, seeking to take from them that which was most painful and destructive to lose.  On Kwajalein, Louie and Phil learned a dark truth known to the doomed in Hitler's death camps, the slaves of the American South, and a hundred other generations of betrayed people.  Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen.  The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man's soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it.  The loss of it can carry a man off as surely as thirst, hunger, exposure, and asphyxiation, and with greater cruelty.  In places like Kwajalein, degradation could be a lethal as a bullet."  

This passage prompted this week's feed on....dignity
   

  



What's inspiring you this week?  I'd really love to hear about it!  
It's really easy just go ahead and link-up your inspiration below.

Tootles!






June 18, 2013

Let's Do the Friend Connect Blog Hop!


It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the Friend Connect Blog Hop!
It's the time to meet new friends and find new blogs. You can choose to follow the cohosts in whatever way is best for YOU! Here are some of my favorite ways: GFC, BlogLovin', HelloCotton, RSS, Twitter, Facebook.
Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?
RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host 
The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts 
The Next 6 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them 
and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!
I have cohost spots available! Email me if you're interested at melissa@thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com

Post Sponsor Ad:

June 17, 2013

Soul Food Monday! - An Inspirational Link-Up #36

Man is the soul that uses the body as an instrument of self-expression.

Hola Readers! Hope this morning everyone is having a great rise along with a BIG appetite for life where ever in the world you may find yourself today. A life filled with excitement and prosperity!   Acknowledging first that we are more than just a body is a good start to healthy wholeness.  Let's take time to feed the soul.  We feed our bodies with healthy foods to get enough energy and nutrients for optimal growth and development.  We feed and stimulate the mind with books, movies, plays and games for personal and creative development.  The same principal applies to feeding the soul.  It is just as important to feed the body as it is to feed the soul!  After all, the soul is the core of who we are!  It is who we are.  My own experiences of honoring my soul has helped me make this connection with my very soul.  And my life is so much richer in so many ways I could not have even imagined.  This is why I refuse to believe that we are just here to work, eat, sleep and die.  Yes, these are inevitable experiences we live as human beings, but we are spiritual beings as well.  So join me every Monday with a different food for the soul.
Sometimes you can lose insight of the important things in life.  I know I have.  But, the good thing about it is that you can learn from it and get back on track.  Here is a story my special friend Gloria (who is more like a sister) shared with me.  Immediately upon sharing it with me I told her I would feature it on my next Soul Food Monday link up.  I find it to be absolutely inspiring because it can teach us all a lesson on the important things in life.

This week's feed on...some things are just more important

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"

SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"

SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."


SON: "Oh! (With his head down).


SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"


The father was furious.


DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.  The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?  After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:  Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $ 50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".


DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.


SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"


Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.  
"Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $100 worth of your time with someone you love? If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.


Some things are more important.  


So don't even think about it.  Why not just play the monopoly of life in your favor.  
Do not go directly to jail.  Do pass Go.  Do collect your blessings!
What's inspiring you this week?

Tootles!

June 13, 2013

POMA! I Am Proud of My Art!

Hola!  There is something new starting up in here and I am superdeeduperdee excited about it!!!!  But, I will let mi Amiga Sarah tell you guyz all about it.  Take it away Sarah....
If you'd like a different button size click here.
Hey there people and Happy Thursday to you! I hope you're having a fantastic day, wherever in the world you may be. Today I wanted to introduce a brand new linkup to you lovelies - a monthly linkup that's all about art!  It's no secret that I love to create art, and that I love to link up to arty blog hops. I do hear sometimes from people though who sound a little afraid to share their creativity. They leave me comments like "I wish I was as creative as you" or "I could never manage that."

I was chit-chatting to my good friend Mayra about just this and joked that there should be a linkup for people just like that. I joked that there should be a linkup called "I Am Proud of My Art." If you've ever heard of The Nearsighted Owl's linkup I Am Proud of My Size then you'll know where we're going with this.  Of course, I should know better than to joke with Mayra!  She started hoppin' up and down at the idea and therefore not too long after my little throwaway comment this bloghop was fleshed out and on it's way to being born.

So, what are the rules for this little hop? Strap yourself in - they're complicated! :)

SHARE YOUR ART WORK WITH US!!  Even if you're just a beginner, if you've never felt confident about sharing your creativity with the world - SHARE YOUR ART WORK WITH US!!

If you're a confident artist who is happy to share - SHARE YOUR ART WORK WITH US!!

If you're a crafter - SHARE YOUR ART WORK WITH US!!  It's really that simple!

Grab a button from the top of this post if you'd like to spread the joy, and don't forget to visit each others' links to celebrate their art with them too :)

Here's what I'm sharing this week - some more of the ACEO's I created recently. Enjoy!
May Flowers
Love and Friendship
Kitty Love
Kitty Tree

And here is what I'm sharing this week.....

Now it's your turn - link up your art and celebrate it with us :)

Next month we will be featuring some of our favourite linkers - don't forget to stop back and check to see if you've been featured.  If you'd like to join in and pin to our group Pinterest Board P.O.M.A. - just leave me a comment with your email address and I'll happily send you an invite.  Have a great day people!

June 12, 2013

And the Very Inspiring Blogger Award Goes to....

Hola!  It is a gorgeous and bright sunny morning last Sunday over here in Pompano Beach, Florida, which was great considering the heavy rains we were having earlier that week due to tropical storm Andrea.  My morning got even better when I opened my inbox to discover I was awarded the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by none other than spunky Cortne of Coco in Magnolia who loves to live out loud!  Thanks Cortne!  I am blessed, honored, proud and tickled pink that you thought of me for this fantabulous award!
The rules:  Display the award logo, link back to the person that gave it to you, state 7 things about yourself, and nominate 15 bloggers for this award with their links.

Hmmmm....7 things about me, lets see:

1)  I am a very, very morning kinda girl and awake every morning to the relaxing melodies of soundscapes, they are a breath of fresh air to my soul.

2)  I meditate every morning as a method of finding and centering self, communicating with God strengthening and enriching my my personal relationship with Him.

3)  I love butterflies, they symbolize freedom...soaring free.  I aim to live each day like this.

4)  I am a good listener and my heart is always opened to helping others.

5)  I enjoy collecting porcelain dolls and music boxes, especially carousel ones.  My favorite doll, Angel with wings, hangs from the ceiling over my bed.  I also hung four butterflies on the curtain scarf representing me and my three daughters roaming free.

6)  I guess I'm a whimsical girly girl, loving pink, green and sparkling things, high heels, purses.  I love the old and vintage too and enjoy antique shopping very much.  I find inspiration in everything.


7)  I am a survivor and have weathered the stormiest of storms, my strength is my faith in God.
Now, for the 15 bloggers that inspire me in no particular order are:


Keep aiming to inspire and be inspired!

Tootles!

June 11, 2013

S.A.S.S....Sponsor Amor Superdeeduperdee Spotlight!


What is your blog, Natasha May Art World, all about?

Basically it’s about art but I also share a lot of random thoughts and lately book reviews. I also love to make art videos and I share them with my blogging friends.

How did you get into blogging?

I started in September 2008 with a crafts blog in my native tongue Slovene. I was into making handmade greeting cards at that time and I wanted to showcase them. In May 2009 I started the art blog Natasha May Art World after I took Suzi Blu’s workshop. It took off from there.


     If you were to write a book, what would you call it and what would it be about? 

I love reading and I read about 5 books a week or even more. I love young adult genre, paranormal and dystopia. So I would probably write about a future society with vampires and shapeshifters.  But I also like spirituality and art. So, one possibility would also be combining meditation and chakras with painting. I’m bad with titles so I would probably go with something obvious or I would ask my blogging friends to give me suggestions.

What are some things that make you really happy?

I really enjoy watching my pets interact or play. It always makes me smile no matter in what mood I’m in. Good books are important to me to take me on adventures and in fantasy worlds. And green tea. It’s essential to keep me awake. Most people need coffee I need green tea.



Who are some people you'd like to meet some day?

I’m not really into celebrities anymore. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't flip out if I bumped into Brad Pitt in the street. I guess Oprah is someone I would like to talk to or some of the spiritual teachers I’m interested currently like Teal Scott or Gail Thackray.

Who in your life has influenced you the most?  How did they do it? 

I don’t feel like I had a sole teacher in my life. Every person we meet is somehow influencing us, some more profoundly then others. Apart from my parents that obviously gave me life and always let me make my own choices even if I hated them for it at times, I guess Suzi Blu’s videos were the ones that convinced me that I can be an artist, too, and that changed the way I perceived myself at that particular point in life.  

That doesn’t mean I never painted before in my life. I was always artistic my whole life, I enjoyed drawing when I was a teenager but I was never encouraged to take it seriously or to make it a priority in my life.  The second was Mike Dooley whose book changed the way I saw myself and my life. It opened me up to spirituality and to many more teachers that came after him.



If you could try out any job for a day, what would you like to try?  And why?

I would like to be a director of a movie with a famous cast of actors (like Jack Nicolson, Clint Eastwood, Elizabeth Taylor, you know the old dogs) just to see how they get in and out of the character. And to see the bloopers. Honestly I really enjoy watching bloopers, they can be the funniest thing. Even better than the movie.

What do you wish to accomplish with your blog?

I just like sharing my art and show people how I do things. There is no bigger goal or higher purpose to it. Enjoying myself and having fun is most important to me and if there are people out there that resonate with me and my blog, they’re always welcome to stop by and say hi.

What is the best advice you've ever received and from whom?

It’s a quote more than an advice that set me on my spiritual journey. I read his book that shifted my perception of reality and made me more aware of the thoughts I think. 

Thoughts become things, choose the good ones! ~ Mike Dooley

In 3-5 words, describe who is Natasha.

Kind, artsy and an animal lover.

What does art represent to you?

Fun and challenge. I like to challenge myself as I tend to get stuck in the same style. And it’s always fun to get messy and let your imagination off leash.

What's something most people don't know about you?

I tell a lot about myself on my blog so I’m not sure. Maybe not everyone knows I have 4 siblings. Three half-brothers and one half-sister of which the sister and one of the brothers I have never met in my life. I’m not really close to any of them and I always felt more as a single child growing up. I have no problem with that.

What's something you wish everyone knew about you?

Well, I hope I give out a vibe of love and positivity. I’m genuinely happy and excited for other people, especially if you’re my friend.

How would you explain your basic life philosophy?

Do good things and good things will come back to you. I’m an optimist and I always try to see positive in people. Even when someone does horrific things I try to see from their point of view. Not because I would want to make excuses for them but because I believe monsters are made and not born. Forgiveness is the best medicine and most of the times the one we need to forgive most is ourselves.

Who is the sexiest person you know?

That I know in real life? Sadly there are no sexy people in my life. It used to be my husband but he’s getting old and it shows. :) From celebrities I’d say Jennifer Aniston. She’s hot and funny and a female which won’t get me in trouble with my husband.

Anything else you want everyone to know?

Be love and share love.


Want to know more about Natasha and see more of her amazing artwork?   Please do so at 

June 10, 2013

Soul Food Monday! - An Inspirational Link-Up #35

Man is the soul that uses the body as an instrument of self-expression.
Hola Readers! Hope this morning everyone is having a great rise along with a BIG appetite for life where ever in the world you may find yourself today. A life filled with excitement and prosperity!   Acknowledging first that we are more than just a body is a good start to healthy wholeness.  Let's take time to feed the soul.  We feed our bodies with healthy foods to get enough energy and nutrients for optimal growth and development.  We feed and stimulate the mind with books, movies, plays and games for personal and creative development.  The same principal applies to feeding the soul.  It is just as important to feed the body as it is to feed the soul!  After all, the soul is the core of who we are!  It is who we are.  My own experiences of honoring my soul has helped me make this connection with my very soul.  And my life is so much richer in so many ways I could not have even imagined.  This is why I refuse to believe that we are just here to work, eat, sleep and die.  Yes, these are inevitable experiences we live as human beings, but we are spiritual beings as well.  So join me every Monday with a different food for the soul.
This week's feed on.....serving and helping others

What's inspiring you this week?  What are you feeding your soul?  
Link Up your inspiration below!
Tootles!
 
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