SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS

So many of you feel like you are taking one step forward and two steps back.  But, that is not the truth.  You are continuing to progress.  But when you feel you are going backwards it is because there are valuable lessons that you need to revisit for you to understand more completely.  Nothing is ever wasted in My kingdom.  Everything you endure has spiritual and eternal value, says the Lord.  Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Self Care For The Saints

One day I came up with this idea of creating a blog called, "Self-Care For The Saints". It's an extension of Arlinda Christine Ministries. The goal is to share with others that yes, you can pray, read the Bible, listen to Gospel an/or Christian music, worship God AND take time out for yourself. Yes, you can break from everything and just sit in silence, get a mani/pedi, be mindful, turn on the oil diffuser and just be. You really can. 

Listen!!! Everybody in my house knows that I need some me time, not some you and some I, Just some me time. I've learned to take "me time" without feeling selfish or guilty. In the end I'm more relaxed and at peace. Add to that the whole house generally smells of lavender,  peppermint or tea tree oil. It's time out for being stressed out. It's time out for not loving on ourselves on a consistent basis. Self-care is not selfish. Self-care takes werk. The saints need self-care.

Check out "Self-Care For The Saints" where I'll share about showing gratitude, practicing Mindfulness, sitting in stillness, and other helpful information in reference to self-care. 

I've learned that I'm no good for others if I'm not well myself. Be well.

Namaste

Anita Wilson - More Than Anything

Station Family BBQ ~ Wyoming, Ohio

When my friend Melissa said she wanted some smoked wings I shared a link that my son sent me earlier this week. And........ I think we stumbled onto a gem that’s less than 15 minutes from my home. 

If you have not visited Station Family BBQ, you absolutely have to. No, you really have to. And let me know cause my iced tea was perfect, the Brussel sprouts were banging. It’s located in a gorgeous restaurant, in the heart of the city of Wyoming. The customer service is incredible and parking is plentiful.

Oh! My nails?

Oh, you wanted to know how my nails look and why I got my toenails painted blue. I've been feeling cold lately, like in the movie Frozen, and I need to learn to simply let some things go. 

Kinda different.

Definitely cute.

If it/they don't serve you or value you

Let it go.

Mindful Monday

Last Wednesday I went and had my nails done but it was way too cold for me to get my feet done. I'm a proponent that if I can't wear sandals to and from the spa then I'll have to wait til it's warm enough. Today it was just that, warm enough. 

I trekked up I-75 to Liberty Township this morning to take care of a couple of things. One, that my toe nails were red and didn't match my beautiful blue fingernails and two, I just needed this self-care moment. 

I needed the kindness of one my favorite people, who is absolutely amazing at what she does. I needed my feet to sit in the bubbling, warm water while the massage chair gently massaged up and down my back as I sat with the inspiring words of our Forever First Lady from her book Becoming. I needed the leg and foot massage and my legs being wrapped up in warm towels that followed. I needed the tranquility and stillness of that moment.

After the pedicure was finished I just sat there quietly. I was calm, almost as if I had finished meditating. Aura is one those places that I go that is beautiful and tranquil on the inside and I'm never really ready to leave. She even mentioned that I could sit there longer if I would like. 

Inhale. 

Exhale.

On today, I didn't mind that it was Monday.

For I was at peace.

Namaste.