A Few Charms: On the third day of Christmas... silver bells

Saturday 27 December 2014

On the third day of Christmas... silver bells

On the third day of Christmas Pandora gave to me... a pair of silver bells... a polar bear charm... and a clear cz pavé lights charm.

I love Christmas movies and Christmas music. For as long as I can remember, my Christmas gifts from my husband have included a Christmas movie and a CD of a Christmas album. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a classic of course, and a movie I watch every year, even if I don't watch any others. My favourite quote is, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" That's an important message for me, to remember that I too might, just maybe, have had a positive impact on somebody, even if I don't realize it.

Don't you think the charm looks a lot like the movie version?

So the pair of silver bells hanging on my "Beat the Winter Blues" bracelet reminds me to make time for Christmas movies and music in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas. It reminds me of Zuzu, hearing the jingle of a bell on the Christmas tree, and saying, "Look Daddy! Teacher says, 'Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.'"

As soon as December rolls around I start watching those movies and listening to those songs. It's hard to be blue when you're singing Christmas carols!

This is my newest album with Zooey Deschanel, who sang along with Elf
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

Just a few of my favourite Christmas movies

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My Affirmations

Gold heart T-shirt charm:

I love and accept myself, as I am.

#1 blue ribbon charm:

My health is my #1 priority.

Lucerne dangle and clips:
I deserve to be healthy and happy.

Elegant Embrace spacers:
I can't HATE myself to health; I will LOVE myself to health. I will “embrace” myself with compassion.

True Colours bracelet:

Don't be afraid to let them see your true colours.

Silver rose charm:

Just like the rose, you are perfectly alright as you are, at every stage in your development.

Wildflower Walk charm:

Walking is an exercise in heightened spiritual listening. We walk to shift our consciousness.

Gold tipped flower spacers:

Find beauty every day!

Camera charm:
Pursue my passions!

Sacred scarab charm:

Stop should-ing all over yourself.

Treasure chest charm:
Have an "attitude of gratitude."

Dove of peace dangle:

Let there be peace on earth.

Turtle charm:

Sloooooow down.

Teal studded lights:

Don't take life too seriously.

Open circle pattern:

Open your heart to the circle of giving AND receiving.

Aquamarine tulip dangle:

I am not perfect but I can be a good friend.

Mother-daughter dangles:

Remember what my mother would want me to say to myself: "I was a good daughter, and I am a great mother."

Celebration egg:

It's important to celebrate the little things as well as the big things.

Treasured heart:

I am grateful for that guy.

Treasured heart pendant:

I treasure the time with my kids.

Effervescence muranos:

I will be effervescent when I see my kids.

Let the kids "fly solo" and then congratulate them with, "You so totally rocked! Now gimme some fin!"

Sea star charm:

Be like the star of the sea: strong, flexible and resilient - a survivor!

Dolphin charm:

Face your fears and don't put off living - or chasing your dreams - until you are the perfect weight, shape, or size.

Making waves charm:

Don't be afraid of making waves.

Happy fish charm:

When life gets you down, you know what you got to do? Just keep swimming...

Ribbon flower charms:

Be still. Just float.

Ocean waves charm:

Feel the feelings and ride the wave.

Coral looking glass muranos:

I hope, in my recovery from my eating disorder, to see in the mirror (aka the "looking glass") what I saw on our wedding day, and what my husband sees, every day, when he looks at me.

Mr and Mrs Penguin

I love him and he loves me.

Everlasting love charm:

He will always love me.

Present charm:

Show - and tell our - our partners, "I love you just the way you are."

Rose leaf charm:

Marriage is like a rose garden. You need to dig up the weeds, and water and fertilize the garden, for it to grow and be healthy.

Row of hearts spacer:

Those little gestures of love help us feel closer to each other.

Lighthouse dangle:

The lighthouse can represent the persistence, diligence, and steadfast determination required to keep a marriage strong.

Love letter charm:

Remember to write each other love letters.

Hong bao charm:

We are financially responsible.

Flip-flop dangle:

The prescription for a happy marriage - at least OUR marriage - is foot rubs.

A Quotation for Inspiration

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

And the dreams that you dream of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

And the dreams that you dream of

Dreams really do come true

- Norah Jones

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

The Story of the Five Balls

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health friends and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day, you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, I will bounce back. The other four balls - family, health, friends, integrity - are made of glass. If you drop one of those it will irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have balance in your life.

- James Patterson

"Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas: A Novel"

Be a clown, be a clown,

All the world loves a clown.

Act the fool, play the calf,

And you'll always have the last laugh.

- Cole Porter

When you find a partner who is stable and committed, trust him/her. Believe that he/she is there for you forever, and will not leave.

- Jeffry Young

"Reinventing Your Life: the breakthrough program to end negative behaviour... and feel great again."

How fascinating, how compelling, how gorgeous the most ordinary thing becomes when you actually see it. How different the world would be if we walked through it seeing what's there. It would be like a wonderland!

- Geneen Roth

Strange isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

- Clarence, Angel Second Class

"It's a Wonderful Life"

My Husband, My Lighthouse

He reassures when I am navigating difficult waters

He gives me light in the midst of darkness

He reaches out to me when I am drowning

He keeps me safe when I am in a storm

And he guides me home when I am lost.

- Sheila Holmes

A Few Charms

When we are depressed, or feel guilt or shame, we are living in the past. When we feel fear or anxiety, we are living in the future. We will only find peace if we live in the present.

Offer grace for the bounty of goodness. Raise the song of harvest home, the glass of good cheer, the heart overflowing with joy. We have so much for which to be thankful. So much about which to smile, so much to share... All we have is all we need.

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

"Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy"

The past is history. The future is a mystery. But today is a gift. That's why they call it the 'present.'

- Bill Keane (and Master Oogway)

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

- Maya Angelou

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.

- Carl Rogers

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

- Thornton Wilder

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk; every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and away from illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thoughts so burdensome that one can't walk from it...

- Soren Kierkegaard