9 Ways to Change Your Life

Can you believe 2015 is winding down? As I look back on the year I can’t believe it flew by as quickly as it did. But fly it did, and as I look over my shoulder, one thought comes to my mind.

That I am grateful. Grateful for all of you, my friends and readers, for supporting, reading and inspiring me each and every day.

In the upcoming New Year, you will see more of what you’ve asked me for: More of me sharing my enthusiasm for antiques; more interviews with nationally renowned designers, with their tips and tricks for designing wonderful spaces, as well as their own insights; more elegant but easy entertaining ideas with gorgeous easy to copy table settings; more recipes developed by my favorite Chef Lisa Hatfield Torres. More. Hopefully more of exactly what you are looking for to enrich your lives.

While I was thinking about 2015 this morning, I wondered what 2016 will hold for all of us. Do you make goals for the new year? Some people choose one word or scripture for the coming year, I came up with this list to give all of us a fresh start. For changing our lives for the better. 

GIVE. Generously. Not just of your money, but your time. Be generous with what you have. There are so many who are struggling. I love sharing as part of my small Giving Circle, where we gift families in our community with groceries, cash, gift cards or whatever else they need anonymously. Invest in your friendships, your family, spend time with people you care about, who care about you. Time passes so quickly, we all want to spend time with those we love to build lasting memories.

CARE. About others, of course, but also about YOU. All of us are doers, and every day seems to be filled to the brim with things to do. Be sure to take time to connect with God, to pray, to reflect and to be grateful. Give yourself time to read a book you love, to listen to music, to read a scripture at first daylight, cup of coffee in hand. Just ten to twenty minutes a day is usually what I have, but it fills my soul.

OPEN. Open yourself up to new possibilities. Just because something, a holiday, what you wear, what you eat, has always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean it always has to be that way in this coming year. Open yourself up to doing something new, something different. Always wear black? Try a bright color just once, it may change your whole wardrobe and how you feel! Always in charge? Let others be in charge of an event or holiday instead of always doing it yourself. By trusting others to be capable, you are allowing them to use their gifts and talents in a whole new way, and you might enjoy “just attending” for once.

CREATE. Create beauty in your world, all around you. Each of us has the power to create a beautiful place, in your home. You can de-clutter, and tidy up, arrange things in a pleasing manner. Serve dinner at the table, with real napkins. Refresh your interior, take the time to light a candle, or cut some flowers or branches from the garden to display nature’s beauty. Make a thoughtful purchase of an antique you love, then display it for all to enjoy.

PUSH. {I know this isn’t a word you expected to see here} Push your envelope. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, I believe in making a New Year’s Push. Last year, I took a bold step, and pushed my own envelope wide open by writing more articles about antiques for several nationally published magazines. This year, I am sure to push my envelope in other ways, I think it’s what keeps us growing and interesting. What do you want to do that you are a little scared of? DO it!

CONNECT. Take the time to say “hello” to strangers and share your smile. Talk to your neighbors, your children and your friends. If they don’t call you, you call them. My Mom used to say “my family from Europe never calls me, so I stopped calling them.” To which I replied “Mom, that’s so sad, so now you just don’t talk to them anymore?” I have friends that I love dearly. I know they love me, but they are not ones who call or come over, so I just accept that, and reach out to them. I don’t get hung up on who calls who, or “if they really loved me they would…..” My life is richer because of it. 

MENTOR. You have knowledge that others need. Each year I am honored to speak to entrepreneurs at Launch Your Creativity, a conference that connects women who want to start a business with seasoned business women.  Amazing things happen at this conference, women encourage and inspire each other to live their dreams, and glean information on how to make that happen!

DO. Do something you are passionate about. I am passionate about antiques, and I am blessed beyond belief with my FrenchGardenHouse. The last few years have exceeded my wildest dreams as far as my business goes, but there are more passions that I haven’t done anything with in a long time. This year, my goal is to start painting. I have an art degree, since starting a family and FrenchGardenHouse I haven’t really created much art. This year? Changing that. I’m making a promise to myself to get out pencils, chalks, paint and brushes and paper, and just starting. As daunting as that sounds to me right now, as I have no idea if I can paint, or not. But the delight will be in the doing.

SPARKLE. You were created to shine. God has given you gifts that are specific to YOU. He expects you to use them, to bless the world, and all of us, with your creativity, your way of seeing things, your voice. Share your gifts and talents, and surprise yourself!

 

 

I will end this last post of the year with my thanks. Thank you. All of you. And this quote by Mark Twain, which is one of my all time favorites.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do…Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”– Mark Twain
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.