At Home

How Are Your Dreams Unfolding?

January 5, 2012 By Magdalena Leave a Comment

Too often I’ve watched as the “roller coaster of emotions” has raced up and down the hearts of my family as they’ve experienced the joy and fun of good times together, followed by the sadness of saying “Goodbye” when the time to leave comes knocking on our door.

Family visits are indeed wonderful but saying “Goodbye” is difficult when you know it will be a long time before you will look into the faces of your loved ones again.

It had been two years since we had seen my son, Christopher and his wife, Tasha when they came for a visit in August.

It’s December now and their precious baby girl was born in October.

I refuse to miss seeing this little girl grow up! I plan to know her intimately and to see her holding her grandpa’s hand as they go for walks together.

I want my daughter Katherine to have the joy of babysitting her little niece and for my boys to know the gentleness that a little baby girl can bring into their lives.

So, I have a dream!

And I take steps every day towards living that dream! My dream is about creating financial freedom, and leaving a legacy for my kids.

It’s about enjoying time freedom so that our days are planned according to what we feel called to do without limitations imposed upon us by rigid work schedules.

It’s about experiencing ultimate health so that we can live life to the fullest.

I believe that many families want to be, and should be free to live life on their own terms and that’s why I work with people to help them create financial independence, enjoy time freedom, and experience ultimate health.

What about you? What do you believe and what are your dreams? What’s your vision for TODAY?

Reflecting upon where our hearts want to take us is a good thing yet action must follow reflection. Without action we’ll live inside of “daydreams” and leave behind us “unlived lives.”

So, let me ask you again, “What is your vision for the rest of your life, and how will you make that vision a reality?”

Filed Under: At Home, Blog Highlights

Creating Our Home’s Atmosphere

June 1, 2011 By Magdalena 3 Comments

Art, in every form involves originality and creativity. Art is an expression of what lies within the heart and mind of the artist. Step outside just before dawn and watch as the sun paints the sky with its warmth and lights morning with its brilliance. Watch the moon in the evening and see its color and size change as it rises in the sky. Think of the thunder and the flash of lightening as it plays a symphony that thrills the observer. Creation is indeed a beautiful expression of art that fills our lives day in and day out.

So it is with life at home. We take what we have at hand and create something beautiful. Because of our artistic creativity, an empty and bare house becomes a work of art that touches the heart of those who enter its doors. Such a home becomes a haven of rest for the weary, a shelter from the storms, a place for good conversation, and a place of safety.

Like the artist, we begin with a vision, or an idea of what it means to us to feel “at home” and we allow that vision to inspire and move us to action so that little by little, our homes become all that we envisioned them to be; not only do we find comfort there, but so will everyone who comes through our doors.

The “Gentle Art of Homemaking” isn’t necessarily recreating the glossy pictures we admire in our favorite interior design magazine. It’s much more than “design.” It’s about creating a place of peace, rest, and shelter from the storm. It’s about creating an atmosphere where gifts and talents can blossom, dreams are born and new ideas for life and business are free to flow.

Creating this atmosphere in our homes is a journey that is ever changing just like the changing seasons of our lives. If we stay the course, in our homes and in our businesses, we’ll find inspiration along the way that will spark dreams we’ve yet to imagine, and courage to bring those dreams to fulfillment.

Filed Under: At Home, Woman To Woman

The Gift Of Stillness

May 5, 2011 By Magdalena 4 Comments

“Work is not always required…there is such a thing as sacred stillness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.” ~George MacDonald

When was the last time you spent an afternoon alone with yourself; away from your children, your spouse, your work, and your projects?

And if not an afternoon, when did you last slip away for a couple of hours or even just 30 minutes?

If you are not practicing “The Gift of Stillness” regularly, then be assured that there is a better way to live and, you can begin today to give this gift to yourself and experience it’s fruits in your daily life.

You can start tonight by ending your evening with a few minutes of quiet reflection before you drift off to sleep. Tomorrow morning don’t jump out of bed and “hit the floor running.” Give yourself that gift of stillness and reflect upon things close to your heart. Take a few moments for prayer and whisper words of praise and thankfulness to your Creator for the life you have been given. Think about the day ahead and about ways you can make it a wonderful day, not only for yourself, but also for those you love.

I have a friend who begins and ends her days with a stroll down to the creek on the back of her property. Another woman may rise early to have that first cup of coffee while sitting on her front porch and watching the sunrise in solitude. As these habits are formed, it creates a new rhythm to one’s life. And this “rhythm” refreshes the soul and stimulates a new sense of freedom.

There is so much hustle and bustle that fills our lives; so much noise! And unless we intentionally create moments of stillness in our lives we will be lost in the noise and chaos that surrounds us. We must, with great determination, create and protect our daily moments of stillness. And over time, we must set aside longer periods of time to be “still.”

I like long drives alone, and slow walks through small town shops where I might find a perfect gift for a loved one, an old book that calls my name, or something lovely for my home. I love the freedom to break away from a busy day and enjoy the stillness that can be found by determined hearts! Taking these times for stillness allows us to return home refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. And when refreshed in body, mind, and spirit we can better nurture our children, more lovingly and patiently interact with our spouses, create masterpieces, and bring a new spark to our work!

Filed Under: A Lifestyle of Freedom, At Home, Blog Highlights, Personal Growth, Woman To Woman