Preparation

Happy 1st Day of Advent! Advent is a beautiful time of year to prepare for the birth of Jesus. Advent is four weeks of celebrating and making ready for the Nativity! This is a time to gather around and be with close family and friends. This is the perfect time to get further into the holiday spirit of giving and sharing. My favorite part of this time of year is the decorations. Every home has lights and holiday trimmings. Christmas trees are being put up and lights are being hung. Stores have beautiful displays and charming gift ideas. This year, I am definitely giving gifts that are truly from the heart and unique to each person. I am not going to get caught up in finding the best thing at a store. I am going to create and/or find unique treasures that will show the meaning of Christmas. It's not in how many boxes or bags you give to each person; it's about the quality of the one gift you share.

Here are some holiday ideas that will save you from long lines at the store.
1. Never deny the beautiful in a family photograph. Online photo places such at shutterfly and photobucket and even kodak offer great online gift ideas using your wonderful captured moments. Even changing a picture from color to black and white offers a whole new look. Online sites even offer the ability to turn a photo into an ornament. This would be a timeless classic to relive every year. Even with a combination of several pictures you can create a photobook from the same online sources and have a great coffee table edition.
2. For the people in your life that are looking for a way to establish an even deeper connection with God this Advent season, put together a journal for them. One of my friends gave me a reflection journal one year and it was a true blessing. Take a simple journal found at any store and add Bible verses, quotes and other inspirational messages to encourage your friend to continue his/her spiritual journey.
3. Plan an outing. Take time to plan a special event for a friend or family member. Sometimes it is hard to find that special gift for someone. So turn to creating a memorable moment. Plan an activity that both you and the other person would enjoy. Make the proper reservations if necessary. Make sure to bring a camera to thoroughly capture every moment. Plan how you will arrive to your destination and bring all necessary items for the trip (if it is a picnic make sure you have a blanket, food, etc.) As for "wrapping" it up to give. Get create on the computer and find a picture of the event and add a fun message, print it out and place it in a small decorated box or bag.

Well, there is some ideas to get you thinking. As Christmas draws closer, I will try and share some more ideas. Always remember that this time of year is not about the gifts but more about the sharing of your heart. Have a beautiful 1st Advent week! Use this first week to "clean" and get ready.

May you have a blessed Advent season!

A Thankful Heart

The beautiful holiday of Thanksgiving is quickly approaching...it's 2 days away! I wanted to invite those of you who are reading this to prepare yourself for this holiday by reflecting. Reflect on what it is in your life that gets you out of your bed everyday. Take time to really and truly count your blessings. Meditate on where you are going in your life and the steps you are taking to pursue personal happiness. Make sure you say "thank you" a lot this season. Honestly, we do have a lot to be thankful for... what are you thankful for? Why are you grateful? Take time this holiday season to let people know how much they mean to you...thank them, hug them, call them, give them a gift, take them out, ...make sure you shower them with kindness. Gather around close family and friends, neighbors and co-workers. No one should be alone this Thanksgiving. Extend an invitation for people to come over to your house. And make sure you bring things to share if you have been invited to a friend's home. This is the time to share in the love that is Thanksgiving.

I too need to reflect on my blessings and what I am thankful for. I am thankful for every new day. I am thankful for my parents, who not only love me but are also very supportive and keep the artist in me alive. My job is great. It offers a creative environment where I can explore non-profit theater. My co-workers are friendly and supportive. My family and friends are my life support. I have people in my life who are there for me at any hour of the day at any time of the year and they are so close to me that I have adopted them as family. God knew what He was doing when he put these wonderful people in my life. His graces bless me everyday. For all of this I am grateful. I consider myself very lucky to have the family and friends I have been blessed with. I have a college education and a job in an area that I am passionate about. I have rough times too but they do not compare to the countless hours in which I know that I am loved and cared for. Everyone has a purpose. We are all here for a reason.


I know that there are people around the world who are struggling and I pray that they will find peace this holiday. It is important to know that the season of "giving" also means giving of yourself. I know that financial times are not what they have always been, but some how we have to get through this. Even if it is a small contribution, please consider donating to the less fortunate this year. Even if it is to only one organization, your donation will go a long way. When you give to a charity, you tend to be a little happier and your smile is a little brighter. I know my heart is always warmed after I make a donation.

From my heart to yours - Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Twilight

I saw the midnight showing of twilight last night/this morning. So in honor of the book that inspired the movie...here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Do I dazzle you?" -Edward Cullen

"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him." - Bella Swan

"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" - Edward Cullen

"You’re intoxicated by my very presence." - Edward Cullen

Beauty

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

True Light

This picture was sent to me in an e-mail and I wanted to share it with those of you who have not yet seen it. I simply love this picture. It truly speaks volumes. It is in its simplicity that we are able to be truly touched. The flag glows from the sunlight beaming through and the heart of the flag is revealed through the sun's true light. A symbol of a cross shines brillantly reminding us of why we are here.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all."

If I Could Not Fail

"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"
-Anonymous

My wonderful friend reminded me of this quote in reference to my last post. She is brilliant.

So..What would I do if I knew that I would not fail???

I would probably pack up and move...knowing that I would magically find a job. Theater would not be as intimidating as it is now. I love theater, but most of the time it scares me and that is what gives me the rush of a performance.

I would write. I have many small plays in the works - no where near complete. If I knew they would not fail, I would push myself to publish.

I would let my guard down every once in a while. Sometimes, even as outgoing as I am, I feel like I am keeping myself "protected" from getting hurt. Don't we all do that though?

Think about it...If there was nothing holding you back...what would you do?

Inspiring Words

When I need a little push in the right direction, I tend to look to wise words...


If you can imagine it, you can achieve it;
If you can dream it, you can become it.
---William Arthur Ward


I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
--- Edward Everett Hale



Life is a great big canvas,
And you should throw all the paint you can on it.
--- Danny Kaye


The following was sent to me through an e-mail forward...

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did." When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but really opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Things I Love This Week...

These are the things in my life that helped me get through this week.

Books:
---The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose By: Matthew Kelly

This book was loaned to me from a dear friend and I am so grateful to be reading it. This book provides the inspiration I need to continue to pursue the things I want out of life.

Movies:
---Sleeping Beauty - the new Disney DVD

This is one of my favorite Disney Movies and this new special edition DVD provides extra footage and features for those of us who are fans.

Songs:
---"Come On, Get Higher" - By: Matt Nathanson

This song puts me in such a good mood.

---"If Every Day Could Be Christmas"

I know it is too early to be singing Christmas Songs, but my co-worker and I have been randomly breaking out into this song this week and it has gotten us to laugh and enjoy the work day even more.

Online Sites:
---www.passiveaggressivenotes.com

Seriously, this is pretty amazing

---www.blogger.com

I have a blog now! Needless to say, I am excited about it!

---www.goodreads.com

This is site where you can post what books you have read and review them, plus put up books you would like to read. And...you can even invite friends and view the books they have read. It's a great way to look for books to read and share with others your favorites!

---www.vastagelife.com

This is a site to promote a theater in Norfolk, VA. You should check it out...it looks pretty cool!

---www.thefacebook.com

It's true...I am addicted.

---www.regnumchristi.com

This site is devoted to share the message of this beautiful movement within the Catholic Faith. I am a member of Regnum Christi and it has truly impacted my life.

Without Hesitation

It is without hesitation that I unleash my first blog entry. This blog was established earlier today and, thus far, I have been thinking about how to begin. This is my first blog. A blog, from what I gather, is personal. It's a commitment. I guess I am ready then. By sitting down and naming this blog, I have therefore established my relationship with it. And now, I commit to the upkeep of this blog. Hopefully, regularly there will be new posts. Posts that will offer a chance to laugh, think, inspire, encourage, challenge...(among other things).

For now, an introduction...Welcome, to this area of the world wide web that I am able to "own" (through blogger). I have put out the Welcome Mat and have officially offered you a personal invitation to Aurora's Beam. You may wonder why it is that I chose "Aurora's Beam" as my title. Well, so many of my top choices were taken. Many of my ideal blog titles are "owned" by people who no longer keep up with their blog. That definitely upsets me. I feel it is a waste of potential blogging space. I then decided to brainstorm things that interests me, my hobbies, likes, passions, etc. Aurora is my favorite name...and yes, it is also the name of my favorite Disney princess (but that is clearly beside the point). I also love the images of an Aurora Borealis. I have yet to actually see one, but it is on my to-do list. I ideally wanted "radiant beam" as my blog title, but it's taken. So, I thought of a compromise. I then molded Aurora Borealis and radiant beam.

As for my blog tag line - "An Aurora Borealis contains beautiful rays of light. Hopefully, this will be a place for words, thoughts, quotes and ramblings to inspire those who admire morning's first light." I included the meaning of "Aurora" to also showcase that another reason why I like the word is because it also means "dawn." I sincerely want to "inspire those who admire morning's first light." Mainly, I hope to "inspire."