embrace life

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities. God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

real living

After the REAL Christmas tree, I was inspired to make REAL butternut squash soup...oh what a sucker I am for the seasonal vegetables. And it was so easy!

Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan-adapted from www.instructable.com)

5 lbs Butternut Squash - I bought a gigantic 5lb one, you may need to buy 2-3 smaller ones.
4 cups Vegetable Broth (optional or replaced with water or almond/soy/coconut milk)
4 cups Water
1 Onion
2 Potatoes (optional)
Olive Oil (1/4 cup)
Nutmeg
Salt
Pepper
Serves 8

Peel and chop squash and potatoes (I don't really love potatoes so I just put squash in my soup) boil until soft (or squash can be put directly into oven whole or cut in half for about an hour at 400 degrees). Saute onions and oil. Combine cooked Squash and Onions simmer then puree with blender.

MMMMmmmmmmmm

oh christmas tree!

Have you ever cut down your own Christmas tree! What a way to feel the joy of the season?! In my state of Utah, it is only $10 for a pass, and so worth it! My goodness, the smell is incredible, and how wonderful to have a real tree, from the real mountains, that we cut down with our own hands.

feel...for reals

So often in life, it is so easy to feel like we have to feel or be a certain way, we mold ourselves into a type of "normal" or expectation. Who started this?! I would like to invite all readers and non readers to feel...for reals.

I had an experience tonight, that seriously was not fun. I tried to keep myself together, but once I realized that it just hurt and allowed myself to just cry. Then SOB, oh it felt so much healthier. Don't bottle it up, feel, for reals so you can properly heal and then pull yourself together in order to help others along the way.

healthy lifestyle checklist

1.exercise
2.sleep
3.deep breathing
4.avoid negative speech
5.water
6.spiritual activity
7.classical music
8.sunlight

Try it out, everyday you need ALL of these things. You will be amazed at what a difference you feel as you implement some or all of these practices each day.

From Dr. Neil Nedley

be grateful

What is the secret to life? I have wondered this at various lulls of my life. If I could just focus on one simple thing, or one goal, what would lead to the abundant life?

Well, my friends, with Thanksgiving, I would like to share one of the greatest secrets of life: GRATITUDE!

Next time you feel absolutely lousy, or even if you are feeling just fine, begin counting your blessings. It is amazing to witness the physical, emotional, and literal change that happens in your mind, body and heart.

Just start small, think of 5 things, the sunshine, the snow, your toothbrush, the smile of a child, great deal on black Friday, a hug from a dear friend, whatever it be, take mental note and feel how it adds to the abundant life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

the launch

This blog has been inspired by my simple daily experiences that help me learn how to live the abundant life. In Africa, there is a phrase, Ubuntu, it means, "I am that you are." The principle is taught that we can live the law of abundance or scarcity. The Law of Abundance is fueled by love, there is never a shortage, I am that you are, there is no end to goodness. Or the contrast, the law of scarcity which is that of greed, vulgarity, and all that is fleeting, base, and degrading in this world.
I am a force for good. My goal is to share my small and simple daily experiences, leanings, or ideas of how to live the Abundant Life so that others out there might be able to do experience the same.