"The day came when the risk
to remain tight in a bud
was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin
Sweet bellas, that day has come....and so here I am.....head in the clouds, feet on the ground....where the path will lead with all of this I do not know...this blog, the food, the contest entries, the cookbook, all of it....all I know is that I take each of you with me... and it is through this blog that I invite you to taste life with me, through me, beside me...mangiabella!
I want to take a moment to thank you....each of you know who you are....you have played a vital role along this journey, even unto this moment... my arrival into the right here. right now. You see, it is YOU who have been the very hands and feet of God, carrying me along this long and winding road, wiping the weariness from my brow, encouraging me to keep moving, pushing me forward, forcing me to abandon what is "comfortable"....to shine....it is your glory, your radiance, your quiet beauty that has spilled over onto me and has given me illumination when the path was dark. Your friendship has given me a safe place to retreat and rest - it has truly been a breath of fresh air amidst the most suffocating moments - your healing words have strengthened me and refreshed my soul - thank you for lending me your ears, and opening your hearts, you have been the most wonderful "traveling companions"....here's to the next adventure!
I'll close by sharing this: My sweet little Sophia and I were walking back to the house from getting the mail today, hand in glorious little hand. As we passed the rose bush in our front yard and began approaching the door, she did a double take, halted and turned around with fierce determination. She was truly captivated by the beauty of the fresh blooms on the rose bush, and she simply had to get another look up close and personal. She insisted that we stop and smell not just one, but every single rose blossom on the entire bush. *sigh* Didn't she know that I had phone calls to return, laundry to fold, domestic "to-do's" to tend to????
It was obvious she would hear none of that, and so I obliged.
After each sniff, she would beam and say "ooooooo" before going on to the next one. And so she continued, and I followed, mimicking each motion and exultation, until I found myself uninhibitedly taking in every moment of this most pleasant distraction, such a beautiful release...intoxicated by the delightful fragrance, listening as birdsong danced in my ears, each unique bird competing for my attention. I welcomed the gentle breeze that wrapped around my face....I contemplated the peace and serenity of this beautiful day and allowed it to fully overwhelm and enrapture me into absolute complete and utter bliss until every single one of my five senses were completely and totally AWAKE!
Today, I was reminded to stop and smell the roses. I know...cliche, right? Perhaps so, but I believe it's cliche because there is a profound truth there....God wants to slow us down and bring us into His presence....we need to GIVE HIM ACCESS!!! Wherever you are today, won't you take some time today to be still....to escape the deafening noise and abundance of demands around you....take a walk, ride your bike, climb a tree, sit on your porch, and listen. Be Still and Listen. And if you will do that....if you will really listen.....you can hear them......all of them.....all of creation around you......screaming "HE MADE US!"
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Yeah, I am so happy about this for you and for me!!!! I am starting my day, getting ready for work and I shall take note to smell all the roses of the day, whether it be dirty dishes, floors, or a smile, but I shall deliver to everyone I see, that this is the day the Lord hath made and it is something to behold and engulf and deliver back to everyone we encounter and know that HE MADE US and how blessed we are to have this day. Sending love to you sweet mangiabella, xzoxzo Suz
ReplyDeleteYour words brought a sense of shame...for this morning, which is typical of most days, I crawled out of bed and slowly began my day only to have it culminate into a frantic attempt to rush through the door. To get my son to school, to get to my office, to begin my busy day. In all the rush I failed to thank God for blessing me with another day of life, another day with my husband, my son, my parents, my siblings, and all my other family and dear friends. I forgot to look at the beauty God created as I rushed out of the door. I thank you for reminding me that life is full of wonders and can only be fully appreciated when one is still. I look forward to this journey!
ReplyDeleteI so needed your quote and second paragraph today~truly God speaking to me through you my dear. Thank you. And I love your stop and smell the roses story~ how precious!
ReplyDeleteOoooooooooo!
ReplyDeleteJaime, I tried to climb into the computer screen to taste and smell your muffins but it didn't work! How beautiful they are and how beautiful are your sweet words of encouragement. Your recipes are a work of art and you paint pictures with your words. Love you!
ReplyDeleteJamie, O.K. im like Teri Merrell except I tried to focus really hard on your Chile Relleno Ravioli & taste them. Now, I must replace my computer screen due to scratches from my teeth. LOL! I think your mind in action is amazing & I know with all that creativity, not just with cooking but everything you do. You are going to make this world a positive thinking, mouth watering, place to really enjoy. I Love you & all that you do. You go with your bada&s self! Lots of Love Girl!
ReplyDeletewhat a gift children are! and what a gift sweet sofia gave you that morning... so worthy of recording and remembering. x
ReplyDeleteLovely. As much as we give to our children. . .they give back so much more.
ReplyDeleteI love that.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sits day!
ReplyDeleteINDEED! WE are all creations of the CREATOR! The highest spiritual level for a human being is to see God in everything around us. To see God in nature is of the highest order, truly. The trick is seeing the CREATOR in the good and the bad because that is created too. To see God in the midst of tragedy is a level we should all aspire to. BEAUTIFUL POST. Much love to you and may you continue to expose that bright shining light in the world! Stopping over from SITS! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said. I can smell the roses as you describe that moment.
ReplyDeleteTaking those moments and drinking them in deeply. That's where the power in life comes. Thanks for the reminder.
Such a beautiful post and so good to be reminded. I know I need to take in life much as my little girl does - as your Bella did with the roses. So glad to meet you and your blog. I am stopping over from SITS. :-)
ReplyDeletePerfectly said. So good to be reminded every now and then. :) Found you through SITS and so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteThat what our children do for us, remind us of what is really important and what really deserves our attention. Happy SITS day!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. I can just see her - and her momma - smelling the roses. Flowers still do that to me too - I still have to stop and take them in. I suppose that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI remember a day like that spent with my daughter, in the rain, at the rose gardens at the Biltmore Estate in NC. We did NOT let the rain stop us. We were DETERMINED to smell as many varieties as we could, and oh, what myriad fragrances there were to smell! Some spicy, some sweeter than honey, some fruity, like a pear. And we grew wetter and wetter, until our sniffers finally reached overload and gave out. But it was a lesson in soaking it up: all of it. ALL the good stuff!
ReplyDeleteYeah.
That was a good afternoon.
Even better than touring the man-made wonders of the Vanderbilt's mansion.
God does good work.
Taking time to stop and smell the roses is one of my favorite cliches (which as my blog suggests, I'm all about). It's easy to forget to stop even for a minute in New York City, but so rewarding when you do! Hurrah for the things children teach/remind us.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a beautiful post. I went walking with a friend and thought about how important it was to stop and just breath...love your blog. Stopping by from SITS. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I took a moment today as I rocked my baby to sleep and thanked God for the blessing that she is. Thanks for helping me be reflective!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! It's amazing what little things our kids can teach us and remind us of the beauty in all the little things. BTW - Congrat's on your SITS feature - Bravo! I've been in/out of the bloggging world the past few months but have been following you for a while. Again, Congrat's and looking forward to reading more ;)
ReplyDelete"Stop and smell the roses" may be cliche like you said but it's so something we all need to do!
ReplyDeleteHappy SITS Day! Thank you for a spot of positive in my day
ReplyDelete