Believe ...........................

My daughter Bronwen is very much into scrap booking. She is presently involved in a project where she had to choose one word for the year and create something for each month of the year based on that word.
It is now almost two years since we made the big move across the world and I must admit to still feeling a rather displaced colonial. Having just watched 'The Polar Express' the story of the little boy seeking the true spirit of Christmas and learning to 'believe', that word caught my attention. After Christmas whilst looking through all the reduced tree ornaments, I found this little carving, the snowmen a little the worse for wear but it is that special word 'believe'   It is now sitting above the fireplace as a permanent fixture, not just for Christmas as I have decided that special word should be my inspiration for 2011. I must

Believe.....

That I will one day have a house of my own again

That Austin will be safe over the next few months in Afghanistan and home in time for birth of the baby.

In my ability to create exciting new things even though at times I feel a little rusty and suffering from 'creative' block.

That we will cope financially with whatever lifethrows at us.

These is just a few thoughts, there are so many areas in which I need to feel stronger and more confident. Most probably my faith and beliefs will be strongly tested as has been the case in previous years. However, with the help and encouragement of my special family and wonderful friends I am looking forward to a good year.

There are times when it is hard to believe in the future, when we are temporarily just not brave enough. When this happens, concentrate on the present. Cultivate le petit bonheur (the little happiness) until courage returns. Look forward to the beauty of the next moment, the next hour, the promise of a good meal, sleep, a book, a movie, the likelihood that tonight the stars will shine and tomorrow the sun will shine. Sink roots into the present until the strength grows to think about tomorrow. Ardis Whitman