This week Andrew Thornton's word is "Shine". Not long ago my blog post was "To Infinity ....and Beyond" so I thought I'd try some time travel. My new pattern for the BeAd Infinitum Design Team is the Time Machine Beaded Bead. It's ironic how all these things playeds out this week. I knew that I would use very shiny beads for the Time Machine bead project. This of course is the literal application of Andrew's word challenge. However, as the week has progressed I discovered that I have allowed time to slip away from me in so many ways and I haven't been "shining" the way I would like. Some who know me, might argue that I have been "shining" lately as the Exhibits Chair for the GLBG. Perhaps that is true...however...I choose to look deeper than that.
Explorinng the possibilities; people shine on the job, brides glow, pregnant women glow, eyes shine with joy or tears, proud moms and dads shine and beam, men gleam with sweat from their physical exertions, gold and silver shine, the sun shines, sunshine glistens on water, the moon shines bright, the stars shine at night, highly polished boots have a mirror like shine, there are shining examples to aspire to and then there's the proverbial "Rise and Shine"! Oh, and let's not forget..."This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
What then is it to shine? To me I have decided that it means to be the very best person inside first, then do your utmost to reveal that person on the outside. Lately I've not been shining from the inside out. I slapped the shine on the outside and went into coast mode. Until this week...
The past two evenings I mentally time travelled...when I was about 15 I remember a friend's grandmother called me "brassy" because I selected an unbroken candy cane from those offered. I vaguely recall being referred to as a shining example of something or other...but it may have been sarcasm. In 1999 I was divorced, divorce dims your shine for a time. August 1, 2007 my dad died, that tarnished some of my shine. My mom recently lost a friend...it was his time, he was a shining example of a fine man. I consider the people I know facing all kinds of challenges...and how they continue to shine in spite of them. I like to shine. More than one person has called me an attention junky. Guilty. I'd rather really shine, shine from the depth of who I am and not just from a shallow slapped on glaze. I have some work to do.
Thank you Andrew Thornton, for the challenge to consider the word "shine" and all that it has worked in me.
Click here for Andrew's blog.
Thank you Carol Dean Sharpe - Sand Fibers for your indomitable and generous shining spirit.
Click here for Carol's blog.
You have inspired me to stop acting like I shine, show my gratitude and polish up my insides!
This weekend is a start. I'm spending time alone away from home with my daughter, at a B&B in Saugatuck. I'm not taking any beads.
I have new earrings to wear...Time Machine Earrings...reminders to shine and to not let time slip away.
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