Inspirations

We all need inspirations. Here are five things to inspire you today...

photo credit: www.maisondeslilas.blogspot.com (pinned on pinterest by brighton park);

1. PINTEREST. I know I have been busy with graduate school, French class, and the laundry for 7, but how did I not really know about this until recently?  Here is my favorite board on my pinterest. It is called, appropriately, "Inspiration: Childhood". Enjoy!

http://pinterest.com/brightonpark/inspiration-childhood/

photo credit:  http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/

2.  Do you like blogs that are just stunningly beautiful? that the mere LOOK of them takes you away to your happy place and you marvel how there is such Beauty on the web, available at your fingertips?
Take one look at http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/  Oh, and if you like the color aqua, this one is a must for you. I dare you to look at it just once...I bet you will be back again and again and again!

3. Do you like ducklings? Us too. Edward and Bella's (our ducks) eggs began hatching. Brighton Park has five new little residents.  There is something inspiring about the "Mothering" that is happening with this new little family that has grown by 5 this past week. There is something inspiring about stepping away from the "Busy", to enjoy the quiet and simple.

4. The Library.  It is free. There is probably one close to you. Go this week and pick out a book on one thing you find inspiring: travel, creative processes, photography. Allow yourself to learn something new or be transported somewhere, whether it is somewhere familiar or somewhere on your "wish list". Allow yourself that journey this week and the space to be inspired.

notice our puppy, duke (by Audrey in purple) who has snagged an invite to this teaparty..

When fairy families homeschool...(brightonpark photo credit)

5. Now, this one is a flip. The first 4 can inspire you. This last one is for you to inspire others.  Do a kind gesture. Give to a charity. Donate time if you don't have money (most charities and not for profits are in dire need of volunteers, not just donations). Think big and pick something to do with a charity, or think more intimately and remember that charity begins at home. Inspire your child's love of reading (or fairies, or spaceships) by reading that one extra bedtime story and pair it with a story from your own childhood, be physically and emotionally present (no cell phones) at a tea party you encourage your child to give. Let her serve real cookies. Inspire kindness. Smile. breathe. Smile some more.

What inspires you?