Do you feel like you’re being pulled in sixteen different directions all at the same time?
Sometimes we wear so many hats and spin in so many directions that we don’t even know who we are.
I have jumped through so many hoops to fill countless roles and in the process, I’ve lost myself.
Through personal reflection I’ve discovered something…
You and I are not designed to do…we are designed to be.
For 31 days, we’re going to focus on what it means to be.
Surely, I do not have all the answers. But, together we can encourage and inspire each other on this journey.
Several years ago I learned an important lesson when I was very sick. I was amazed to discover that my value comes not in all the doing…but in the being.
That undoubtedly is not a new concept to you. We’ve heard and read that we are human beings not human doings. And we laugh. In our hearts we know this….and yet…we keep our feet on the hamster wheel and spin. Fast. Faster.
This 31 Extraordinary Days to Be…series will link up under Inspirational & Faith. Those of you who come here for home and decor will still find those posts included in the series. Together, we want to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond.
Our topics will be broken down like this…
Sundays :: Be…Joyful
Mondays :: Be…Hospitable
Tuesdays :: Be…Content
Wednesdays :: Be…Encouraging
Thursdays :: Be…Creative
Fridays :: Be…Strong
Saturdays :: Be…Extraordinary
I hope you’ll consider visiting each day during this 31 day series. And if you’re a writer, you too can take part with the 31 dayers.
Thanks for joining me today. And…if we haven’t yet met…please take a moment and introduce yourself.
~Diane
31 Extraordinary Days to Be… :: The Introduction
Day 1 ~ Be Content :: The Key to Finding Contentment
Day 2 ~ Be Encouraging :: Free Printable Quote
Day 3 ~ Be Creative :: Dip Your Brush into the Heart of God
Day 4 ~ Be Strong :: How to Weather the Storms of Life
Day 5 ~ Be Extraordinary :: The Week at a Glance 10/5
Day 6 ~ Be Joyful ~ True Joy and Contentment :: Joy Day!
Day 7 ~ Be Hospitable :: Pecan Coconut Frosted Fruitcake
Day 8 ~ Be Content :: My Little Secret
Day 9 ~ Listen and 51 More Ways to Be Encouraging
Day 10 ~ Be…Creative :: Cozy and Warm Homespun Table Setting
Day 11 ~ How to Be…Strong? Wait. Strength will Rise.
Day 12 ~ Be Extraordinary Quote :: The Week at a Glance 10/12
Day 13 ~ Be Joyful at Sunrise and Sunset :: Free Printable :: Joy Day!
Day 14 ~ Be Hospitable…A Cup of Water :: Yummy Stuffed Peppers
Day 15 ~ Be Grateful :: The Antidote to Comparison
Day 16 ~ Be…Encouraging :: Don’t Talk So Much!
Day 17 ~ Is Your Creative Expression Stifled? :: Warming the Mantel with a Sweater
Day 18 ~ Be…Strong :: Eat Well to Live Well
Day 19 ~ Be…Extraordinary :: What Makes Your Heart Sing? :: The Week at a Glance 10/19
Day 20 ~ Be…Joyful :: I Shouted for Joy. :: Joy Day!
Day 21 ~ Hospitality is Not About Comfort :: Butternut Squash and a Jar
Day 22 ~ Be a Secret Encourager
Day 23 ~ Be…Content :: All That Glitters is Not Gold :: Printable
Day 24 ~ Be…Creative :: Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial
Day 25 ~ Be…Strong :: Small Things ~ Mother Teresa Quote and Printable
Day 26 ~ Do Ordinary Things With Extraordinary Love :: The Week at a Glance 10/26
Day 27 ~ Plant Joy-Seeds :: Joy Day! and Printable
Day 28 ~ Be….Hospitable :: Are We Guilty of Living a Misspent Life?
Day 29 ~ A Big Fat Lie and a Prescription “To Be”
Day 30 ~ 52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others
Day 31 ~ #31Days Finale :: The ABC’s of Being
**My 31 Days Series Last Year**
All the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October.
If you would like to receive more inspiration in your email inbox, subscribe now.
What a wonderful adventure this will be as we journey together to Be…
Let’s connect! Facebook :: Pinterest :: Google + :: Shop-Longaberger Lifestyle
Sharing at these Extraordinary Spots:
Titus 2sdays + How Sweet the Sound + SITS Girls + Made From Pinterest + Flamingo Toes + A Pinch of Joy + The Dedicated House + All Things with Purpose + Women Living Well
Love your topic Diane! Looking forward to reading more about “being”!
Oh, Barbie, I’m so glad you’re interested. God is so good. 🙂
I’m leaning hard on God and listening for this series.
Blessings!
Hi Diane, Looking forward to this. Max Lucado’s devotional today hit home for me and I thought of you too.
While you wait, God Works. He doesn’t twiddle His thumbs. He never stops. Trust Him.
I received a birthday card from an old friend today and I got a little teary. The sentiment inside reads “May the coming year provide a deeper understanding of what it means to be the person God made you to be.”
I know He is pointing me to a path and reaching down.
Thank you
I love that God works while we wait. Why should we doubt? 😉
What a beautiful sentiment inside your birthday card!!! That just might be the most meaningful blessing I have ever read. Thank you, Linda for sharing it. And…Happy Belated Birthday!!
[hugs]
Looking forward to it, Diane!
Thanks sweet friend!!! 🙂
I am looking forward to following your beautiful topic. We all need to practice more grace with ourselves and do more being.
Amen, sister!! We surely do need to start with ourselves. Maybe if we did, we’d be more graceful towards others.
Thanks for your encouraging words, Niecy!
Blessings!
~Diane
What a wonderful topic for the 31 Days. May you be a blessing & be blessed this month! I am visiting from Titus 2sdays this morning.
And Joanne…I receive your wonderful blessing. 🙂
Thank you for taking time to stop by and leave your encouraging words.
~Diane
My first blog each morning for this series. How is it that we learn this so late in our journey? I guess it’s just growing in God’s Grace. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Oh my….I do wonder, too. 🙂
Thanks for the kind thoughts, Sue!!
I got a bit weepy reading here, reading this.
It’s amazing how we run parallel in so many things. This took me back to the time when I was very sick and learned about my worth and value not coming from what I do/don’t do.
Discovering that my worth and value as a child of G-d just IS was a monumental thing in my life. I get emotional remembering that surrender and that awakening. It’s one that somehow never loses its impact. Ever and I count on that staying true. And just to put the exclamation mark on the point….G-d tends to make arrangements to cross my path with people who affirm the learning I’m continuing to do.
That being said, I’m excited for the 31 days here.
As one who’s currently being stretched on the ‘doing’ bit, I get crabby. LOL So embracing the BEING will be an excellent and well received thing for me. (as you probably coulda guessed!)
(((( Diane ))))
I’m EXCITED!!!!!! 🙂
And that is why he is so good. So gentle in his guiding and shaping. 🙂
Oh it is interesting about the parallels. Wow!
Hugs received, my friend. 🙂 Back atcha!
Diane, I love this! Your blog is always so inspiring to read. I find myself thinkig “oh, that should be one of my 7 thankful things” more often than you know (even though I haven’t had a chance to comment like I wanted, I’m telling you (and God) those things in my head.) I know this series will be an amazing read.
Jean…I can’t tell you how very much I appreciate your warm thoughts.
Big hugs!!!
🙂
Your blog is so lovely here. Your writing is encouraging! Thank you for this post, it really helped!
Isn’t that just like God? I’m humbled that you were encouraged, Ashley.
Thanks for taking time to pop over and leave your thoughtful remarks.
Blessings!
~Diane
Hi Diane, I’m new here and just wanted to let you know I love your blog. I just became a subscriber so I look forward to following your posts.
I’d feel blessed to have you visit me at my blog sometime. You’d be a perfect contributor to my Harvest Party series where I’m gathering inspiration for the heart and home right up until Thanksgiving.
Blessings!
You are so sweet Angel…thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
~Diane
Thank you for your inspiration to BE…I love the topics for the week. I hope I can visit you each day and learn TO BE…
xo
Jeanne…you are just the sweetest soul.
Thank you for popping by and for your warm kind words. 🙂
This looks like such a great series! This is such an important issue that many of us feel. There are so many pressures in life nowadays. Looking forward to it.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Oh Mel…Thank you for those kind words.
[hugs]
~Diane
I’m so happy to find you before too much of this month is gone! I’m putting your blog on my favorite blog list to read it every day! Thank you so much for doing this….it couldn’t have come at a better time for me! And I’m a ‘Diane’ blogger, too! Hope you’ll visit me! Hugs!
You are so sweet, my friend!! It’s hard to believe that we’re already a quarter of the way done. Yikes! Time goes way too fast!!
Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
~Diane
I just found you through ‘Poofing the Pillows’ and I love your inspirational attitude! 🙂
Susan
Awww…you are so sweet! That just makes my day! Thank you Susan!! [hugs]
I think Stacey at “Poofing the Pillows” is a pretty special gal too!
Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
Hi Diane,
You possess such energy and vitality and positivity, all things we need in our lives, all things every one of us can BE! Thanks for the inspiration and this great new series!
Wishing you a peaceful and pretty week!
Poppy
What a lovely kind thing to say, Poppy! Thank you sooo much!!
May your week be Extraordinary!! 😉
What an inspiring post! Thank you for sharing. You have such a lovely blog! 🙂
Feel free to visit my blog as well! You will find topics such as health, fashion, personal growth and motivation between others! <3
Diana
http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
New Outfit Post: A Colorful Cold Day
Thank you sooo much!!
The language person in my loves your topics – and your verb. I be-lieve that “be” is a word that implies choice – so be joyful, be kind – it’s all about what we choose to do with our lives!!!!! So glad to meet you!
Wonderful topic! I’m looking forward to reading more!