Category: Lifestyle

The Gift of Presence

Published on by Gwendolyn HolmesLeave a comment

Our children need us to be present. They need us present for their failures, successes and all of the lessons in between.

As a parent of three, I understand the challenges that come along with providing the best for our children. We want to give them the best home environment, the best meals, clothes, education and love. We want to protect them and keep them safe; but we still want them to grow.

Oftentimes, in our hustle to ‘make it all good,’ we miss the most important thing. PRESENCE… More than anything else our children need us to be present. They need our time, our eyes, our ears, our hands, our arms and most of all our attention. They need us to see them, feel them and to know them. And the only way that we can truly do this is by being present. 

Give it a try. See the magic of your presence in their lives today. We often say that our children need us to SHOW UP. But in order to show up you must BE UP. We have to be awake in order to experience what is going on.

Today’s Challenge: Be Present. 

See them, hear them, feel them… Pay attention to them… Our Children. They need us.

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Celebrating Love…

Published on by Gwendolyn HolmesLeave a comment

 

This year we were intentional about how we celebrated Valentine’s Day as a family. My husband and I went out of our way to make sure everyone felt special. We enjoyed a deliciously beautiful dinner, dessert and conversation. The excitement was high among all three children as we dined by beautiful candle light.

As a wife and mother my cup was full. It was a true blessing to see how much joy I could bring to my entire family. It was simple. I simply agreed, in my heart, to serve my gifts to my family, FIRST.

The gift of love through service is amazing.  It has the power to heal and to fill.

Ask yourself this question:  Where am I serving my gifts FIRST?

All my Love,

Gwendolyn ♥

Savor the Moment…

Published on by Gwendolyn HolmesLeave a comment

I have been in the fine city of Austin, TX with my husband for the past few days. This morning I had the pleasure of enjoying this beautiful latte.  It was both beautiful and amazing (a perfect smooth blend)!!!

The best part…  Being able to simply pause and savor every sip. Life is fast paced.  Choose to slow down every now and again and savor the special moments!

 

Purpose and Vision

Published on by Gwendolyn HolmesLeave a comment

Q:  Do you know why you are here on the earth?

A:  Because your life (your existence) has purpose.

Q:  What is purpose?

A:  See the box below

Purpose

Knowing and accepting your purpose refines your vision.  Once you become one with your purpose you can become engaged in life.  Once engaged, you can envision yourself doing what you were designed by the creator to do.  Live life!  Do what you love!

Vision…  Can you see? 

All my Love,

Gwendolyn ♥

Vision & Imagination

Published on by Gwendolyn HolmesLeave a comment

Can you see?

When was the last time you envisioned, imagined or dreamed of something amazing?   A clear vision is the starting point to attaining anything.  Vision is the act or power of seeing.  It is also the act or power of imagination.  Vision is a necessary sense required to keep moving forward.  Moving forward should always be the goal.

We imagine many things throughout our lifetime.  When we are little we use our imagination almost every day.  Unfortunately, as we grow older, many of us stop imagining.  You may see the decline as normal.  It is anything but normal.   The power to see and imagine are God given senses that He expects us to use every day.  Sadly when we fail to use our sense of vision and imagination our ability to see grows dim.  And over time we forget how to use the muscles of vision and imagination.

As children many of us had big dreams.  We had lofty, yet very attainable, goals.   We believed and imagined we could do and be almost anything.

When was the last time you dreamt of something big?

Have you found yourself comfortable yet uncomfortable lately?

Could it be the case that you have spent your entire life doing what was safe?  Have you taken the safe, practical, easy path only to be left with the nagging feeling that there is more to life?  If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it is time…  It is time to envision again, dream again.  It is time to use BIG imagination.

Will you take the challenge with me?  This week sit for five minutes each day and simply imagine.  Close your eyes and imagine possibilities.  Imagine bigger, better, fuller, happier life.  Imagine living life on purpose…with purpose!

Vision coupled with imagination… is moving forward.

Keep It Moving…Forward 

Published on by Gwendolyn Holmes2 Comments

If you read my last post you may be pondering.   How to deal with the question, what should I do now?  You have come to accept that where you are is where you are supposed to be.  You have also come to the realization that where you are is not where you want to be.

“Now what?” you ask.   That is a good question.  Let me first say that realization is a great first step.  Awareness is so critical for all aspects of life.  Here is what to do next.  Keep It Moving…Forward. I can feel the cyber response, but what if I am not moving at all?  Or, I don’t know which direction to go.

The good news is that you are not alone.  We have all been there at some point, or many points, in our lives.  I will share a little of what my coach once told me.  I was facing major life changing decisions.  At the time, I desired to be in a position where I could flow out of purpose.  I was afraid to move forward, afraid to stand still and afraid to make a mistake.  I was so full of fear that I was paralyzed.  “Can I share something with you?” she asked.  “Yes,” I replied.  She began by saying; everybody is muddling their way through.  We are all grasping, trial and error, a little of this and a little of that.  She finished by sharing with me how important it is to know that no one person has it all figured out.

It is the trial that builds our tenacity muscles and it is the error that develops and grows our wisdom.  Each time we are courageous enough to try we get stronger.  We become less apprehensive about taking on a new challenge.  And likewise, every time we fail we learn something powerful and profitable for our future.

You see, success is not defined by how many times you try or how many times you fail.  Success is defined simply by the fact that you tried and you either succeeded or you failed.  No matter the outcome you are a winner.  You are a winner because you gain from every experience.  Success will involve some failures… Just make sure you are failing forward.

On your pursuit for purpose, passion and fulfillment you will have many opportunities to stop.  You will also have many opportunities to keep moving forward.  I would like to encourage you to by-pass all of the ‘stop’ opportunities.  Pursue every opportunity to keep moving forward.

Whatever you do… Keep It Moving…Forward!