Great Beauty

...is found everywhere. Even in they dying. The dying of the day brings us a beautiful sunset while the dying of the night is a sunrise. The dying of winter brings us tender, new buds and the dying of summer brings freshly gowned trees in glorious colors. And my thoughts linger on the melting of the snow, the glory of a life gone by.

© Jenae Karvonen March 2015

 For you see, the past few weeks these dying flowers keep capturing my attention. As I bustle through the making of meals, the absolute minimum of cleaning and scrubbing I can squeeze in to get by, the washing of tummy drenched bedding.... and more bedding... and more bedding(!) I can't help but smile as I pass by my seemingly unloved bouquet. It was hurriedly clipped and dropped into a jar of water, pushed back onto the windowsill to clear space for sippy cups full of pedialyte and ice cream pails for those lucky moments when we're quick enough....but my browning flowers are completely loved. For they were lovingly chosen by a little girl who knew that 'mommy likes white and clean. It's her favorite' and intentionally purchased by a husband who just likes to see me smile. May my dying flowers bring you a smile today, too. I can always do with a new smile or two, what has made you smile this week?

© Jenae Karvonen March 2015

You Are Amazing!

When sitting down to write today I took a quick peek at my drafts for some inspiration and I noticed a theme: Almost all my post ideas are things we as moms, as Americans, as regular human beings, could work on. Things to pay attention to. Something to do more often or less often. Something to concentrate on to make the world a better place. But all those can wait. Because today, today I am here to tell you-yes, you- you wonderful human being-you thoughtful person out living and loving-you who are struggling through the hard days and breathing in the good ones-you who are out there doing the best that you know how- it may not seem like much, but

you are doing a great job!

©Jenae Karvonen 2006

7 Ways to Use Facebook for Good

1. Facebook is a hot bed of all kinds of news-vacations, new babies, new houses, new hobbies, old hobbies, good days, bad days, funerals, sicknesses. Take a moment to celebrate with or cheer up a friend by using their news to connect with them. Make them a card or call them on the phone. What better way to brighten someones day?! Even if you don't know them well, or haven't talked to them in years, they are your Facebook friend, after all, right??

2. Use all the news mentioned in the previous point to interact with and focus on others. Don't just use it to spread your own news, but pay attention to what others are saying. Comment on their posts-celebrate, sympathize, encourage!

3. Use what you find as an opportunity to better your relationship with God. Take the opportunity to pray for others, and to be thankful for what you have!

4. Focus on positivity. If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it. Keep your comments upbeat. It might be good to pause a moment before hitting the post button and ask yourself: 'would I like to receive this comment?'

5. Send a heartfelt message to your mom. Saying thanks isn't just for Mothers Day you know!

6. Donate to a good cause, or better yet, advocate for one! This can even be as simple as organizing a group of friends to visit someone who is going through a tough time.

7. Pare down your news feed so you can focus on those things that are really important to you! Not only will you come away feeling more fulfilled, but you'll also have more time to spend on other things that matter, too! For example: your husband, your kids, your parents, the book on your nightstand, a new hobby...