Thoughts on Blessings

I must admit, I have been out of sorts recently. I think it was last month's marathon of travel. In March I had 20 flights and 23 nights away from home. Even for someone like me, with the wild traveling spirit, that was just a bit much. I have come home to an overload of work, and a desire to just "be" with my family and an urge to spend a few mornings in bed, too!  But, I feel tugged by the everyday things that must get done in life and I just haven't found the time to rest, relax and recharge. Which is why, I was so happy my friend Sherry shared her meditation cards with me last weekend. The card I drew encouraged me to open my heart to love, guidance and appreciation. And when I turn my focus away from my lethargy, my frustration, my exhaustion.. I do see the wonderful gifts of having the ability to travel, having a wonderful supportive family and having the freedom to pursue my dreams. It reminds me how my life is filled with blessings. Here are my thoughts on blessings... 

[caption id="attachment_8619" align="aligncenter" width="768"] The roses are blooming at The Pearl Girls[/caption]

Today I am working from home (yet another wonderful gift!) and I started my morning with a text from Patti Ann at the office. She sent me a picture of our blooming rosebush with the message:"Surrounded by beautiful things inside and out." What a gorgeous sentiment. And I want to take that blessing a step further and be thankful that Patti Ann has come on board to help us get the office in order... to help with finances, to organize our systems, to make our workflow easier and more efficient. What a blessing right there. It reminds me of a Helen Keller quote, "Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows." Yes! Today I turn my face to the blessings.

[caption id="attachment_8620" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sunrise in The Philippines, March, 2015[/caption]

So, all the while, I am working on our Mother's Day necklace. Last year we took our Single Pearl Necklace and turned it into a  Mother's Day Necklace by encouraging women to wear their pearls that corresponded with their children or grandchildren. It was a great success and brought lots of fun conversation of Facebook. Since last year, we have been selling lots of necklaces based on numbers. An 80th birthday necklace with 80 pearls. A twenty-first birthday with 21 pearls. A forty pearl necklace to honor 40 years of marriage. It made me think... if pearls are like blessings, how many blessings can we count? Can we count our years as blessings? Our children? Our years of marriage? What about a single pearl necklace to honor the blessing of our own life. A little nod to God that we finally understand our own incredible self-worth. Because our blessings are everywhere. Sometimes, we just have to remember to count them! HERE is our Count Your Blessings Pearl Necklace

[caption id="attachment_8621" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Abby counts Chas and Elle among her many blessings![/caption]