Bubble of Comfort

I travel a lot.  When I travel, I try and create  a 'bubble of comfort' around me which makes things a bit easier and more comfortable while I'm away from home

Even if I'm away for only one night, here's what I always take along:

 

*  I always take proper pyjamas and slippers along

*  a tracksuit, warm top, T-shirt, socks and takkies to change into when I get to the hotel at the end of a long day

*  my favourite coffee, cappuchino sticks and sweetener

*  a warm shawl to wrap around my shoulders in the aeroplane

*  something to read - my kindle, iPad and a magazine

*  chargers for all my electronics

*  I often take a small crochet or art journaling project along on longer trips

*  my personal journal

*  various medication and multivitamins

*  I make sure that I have a few Atkins protein / energy bars in my briefcase

*  I always take a yogisip along for an early breakfast on the way to the airport or on the 2-hour drive to visit family; I'm usually not hungry, but I know that I'll struggle later if I don't have something to eat

 

 

Just the way I like it

*  waking up without the alarm clock on Sunday morning, making coffee, and enjoying 'book club in bed' with my furry child

 

*  crocheting in bed while catching up on taped programs on my PVR

 

*  deep tissue massages every 2 to 3 weeks

 

*  having Ruby on my lap, playing with her, feeling her fur, and hearing her purr

 

 

*  washing laundry and towels

 

*  putting seed in the bird feeder and watching who comes to visit

 

*  a hot bubble bath before bed, and then reading a few pages before lights out

 

*  online shopping - Scrap-a-Doodles, Loot and Yuppiechef are my favourites

 

*  buying odds and ends that I know my baby nieces need or will enjoy - like candy necklaces, shoes (miss Katy loooves shoes!) and warm jackets

 

 

*  being diligent about taking a wide range of vitamins and supplements recommended by my homeopath.  Every day

 

*  reading...blogs, books, magazines

 

*  crumbed baked chicken breasts on fresh spaghetti with basil pesto, rocket and grated parmesan cheese

 

*  the colour pink

 

*  recycling - it's a hassle in South Africa, but I just do it

 

*  cupcakes

 

 

*  MAC eye shadow, Woolies Mascara, Hannon foundation and blush, and Clarins Fix Make-up spray

 

*  using harvested water from my rain water tank to water the pot plants

 

 

Finding Comfort

Right now, I'm finding comfort in...

# steaming hot coffee

# slippers and warm fleecy pyjamas

# having this little girl snuggled up on my lap in the warm winter sunshine

# soft warm scarves

# over the knee socks

# soft fleecy blankets and books

# creamy butternut soup from Woolworths

# the knowledge that the winter solstice has passed, so we're technically heading towards summer

Hope

Whispered comfort

This is the story of the name of my blog.  The story will continue to unfold...

A whisper is a quiet, breathy, barely audible way of communicating.  There is nothing noisy or loud or harsh about a whisper.  Prayers and words of love are whispered.  Comforting words are whispered to a child and a person in a hospital bed.

Wikipedia defines comfort as a sense of physical or psychological ease, often characterized as a lack of hardship. 

In a world filled with demands and deadlines and noise and motion and anger and rushing about, I yearn for a quieter, gentler life where there is less on my to do list, where there is enough time to do a bit of nothing each day, where I can move more slowly through my life and be fully present when it really matters.  I want to go at a pace that is deliberate and calm and untouched by the madness of this world.  I want a life filled with whispered comfort.

While I want whispered comfort to be part of the DNA of my own life, I also want to whisper words of comfort and encouragement to my friends and family, to old people and poor people that I pass by each day.  I whisper prayers of comfort for people around the world and in my own city.

this beautiful brass bird hangs on my bedside lamp

Encouragement

I'm a great fan of Joel Osteen.  I love his word this morning.  I hope it will bless you and shape your weekend

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters...”
(Proverbs 18:4, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

All over the world, there are people who are lonely, they’re hurting, they’ve been through disappointments; they’ve suffered heartache and pain. As believers, God has given us something to offer them. We have life-giving, refreshing water in us. With our words, we can bring healing. With our words, we can lift them out of depression. With our words, we can tell them, “You’re beautiful. You’re amazing. You’re talented. God has a bright future in front of you.” Those life-giving words will break the chains of depression. They will break the chains of low self-esteem. You can help set people free from the strongholds that are keeping them back. You may not know all that is happening, but God can take one compliment, one encouraging word, and use that to begin the healing process and set that person on a brand new course. And when you help break the chains off of others, any chains that you might have will be broken off, too!

Today, choose to speak encouragement. Choose to speak life. Tell others what they can become, give compliments, and live life as a healer. Pour out that life-giving water with your words and watch it come back to you in abundance!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing Your healing waters to flow through me by your precious Son, Jesus. I choose to pour out life onto others and refresh them with life-giving words. Direct my words, order my steps, and let everything I do glorify You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Comfort

5 things which are comforting me right now:

1. my SOUL RESTORATION kit has finally arrived from the USA www.bravegirlsclub.com
2. slippers
3. hot coffee
4. my kittens chasing each other in the garden  - sooo cute
5. going through my December holiday photo's and discovering this heart wall-art, made by Anita from Vetmuis Kombuis in Richmond/Karoo - barbed wire, chicken mesh and pebbles - awesome!

Joy

With just 32 days to go to Christmas, I'm deliberately focusing on what gives me JOY.  This week I will seek it out, work hard at creating it, and try to understand what brings me JOY.  I think that the opposite of JOY is sadness, feeling overwhelmed and out of control - I don't want this.  I have a crazy week ahead of me with a ton of work, home maintenance (can't stand it!) and a business trip to Cape Town.   Note to self : be mindful about finding JOY (and comfort).

What brings you JOY?

a

The gift of encouragement

Encouragement is the perfect gift because it is free.  All it will cost you is some time, perhaps some creativity and thoughtfulness.  There are many people in your circle of life who are just waiting for your words of encouragement, comfort, praise or support.  Your words can heal the hole in someone's heart, the hurt which they keep hidden from the world. 

Be generous in dishing out lashings of appreciation and recognition to  people.  You can deliver your gift of comfort and encouragement in a simple note, a conversation or a telephone call.  No-one ever receives enough encouragement.  Someone is waiting for YOU to bless them today with the gift of encouragement.

Taken from my (unpublished) book 'Whispered Comfort'