Welcome to Day 19 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be…  Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin”
and in our homes and beyond.  If you missed The Introduction or you’d like
to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here.

31 Extraordinary Days to Be... AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

What is it that makes your heart sing?

 

I love going for a walk in the woods, especially in the fall, camera in hand.

There is so much beauty to be seen.  And captured through the camera’s lens.

 

Day 19 - #31Days :: Be...Extraordinary ~ What Makes Your Heart Sing :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It isn’t the walk that makes my heart sing.  It’s the stopping.

Maybe it’s because I have the camera ready, or maybe because I’ve been training my eye over time, but I like to notice all the intricacies of nature.

I’ve always loved honey locust trees for the fragrance, but this week I noticed their thorns for the first time.  Lethal three inch spines. Have you ever noticed the varieties of colors and textures and patterns in the bark covering the trees?

And then there is the light. There is no doubt that I am a capturer of light. My heart leaps seeing the sky reflecting deep cerulean on the pond.  The leaves of the summac glowing like embers.  And seeing the stunning colors of gold and orange and red all tossed together under the spotlight of the setting sun and dripping on the water so that they seemed as one.

I could go on and on, sharing what delights my eye. Objects large.  Small.  I can barely take it all in.

As my feet continue the wander, I become keenly aware of my Creator and the wonder of His amazing creation, and my place is found.

When we come to the end of the walk I feel energized.  My spirit is lifted.  I see the world differently.  My heart is grateful.  People seem more kind and considerate.  And I am a more joyful person to encounter.

It’s as if the “me” has been found.  And put in place.

 

Day 19 of #31Days :: Be Extraordinary~What Makes Your Heart Sing :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

As we seek to live more fully…to be extraordinary…we need to do these things that make our hearts sing.  We need to allow the spring of our joy to feed the reservoir of life.

It’s pretty obvious that I’m a visual person.  For you it might be music or spending time with people or…..  What makes your heart sing?

Day 19 Challenge:  Whatever it is that makes your heart sing.  Do it.  Don’t dismiss it as unimportant or selfish.  Without that activity you will not be extraordinary.  Make a plan.  Write it on the calendar.  Make arrangements to spend time in your “spring.”  In the comments below, share what makes your heart sing.

Fill your spirit and your spring….

Be… Extraordinary!!

 

 ~    ~    ~    ~   ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~   ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~   ~    ~    ~

Catch up on all that’s Extraordinary…

 

this week at An Extraordinary Day:

 

Day 19 of #31Days::  The Week at a Glance :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Here’s a rundown of  this week’s posts…

 

It was another Extraordinary Week on the blog! Time for a bit of honesty.  Writing 19 days in a row is hard.  It’s a great discipline and I’m glad I’m doing this.  But, since I’m not very speedy in the putting together posts department, I’m finding this to be quite challenging.  Even more so than last year.

All that being said…I am pretty excited about this week’s posts.  I made the scripture quote into a printable for Joy Day!  The clouds in that photo at sunset were so amazing.  And always, it so good to share our grateful hearts in community.  The topic of hospitality has taken on a whole other perspective and this post is all about that.  On Day 15 we talked about that ugly beast “comparison.” And then on the 16th I encourage you and I to not talk so much.  Then I shared my mantel and talked about creativity.  The week wrapped up with my thoughts on making our bodies healthy.  

I’m still collecting ideas on how to be encouraging.  I’d be thrilled if you’d pop over here to add yours: 51 More Ways to Be Encouraging. We have about 20 More Ways…on our way to 52! Would you pop over to the post and leave a few of your suggestions?

 

Humbled and blessed. What a lovely blessing to have been featured at these lovely link parties:

The Answer is Chocolate    ~    The Charm of Home    ~    From My Front Porch to Yours

Dukes & Duchesses    ~    Carolyn’s Homework

Please be sure to pop over to these extraordinary spots!!

On a Personal Note.

I can’t tell you how blessed we are.  Yet…there are a few important things missing in our lives.  Yesterday was really difficult.  My heart yearns…. Some days waiting in this time of “inbetween” is excruciating.  And yet…we are so very blessed.  There might be something on the horizon.  It’s way too early to know.  Keep praying.  Please.

Wishing you an Extraordinary weekend!

Diane

I hope you’ll consider visiting each day during this #31Day series

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 with these Extraordinary spots:
Flamingo Toes + DIY Showoff +Silver Pennies + One More Time Events + Three Mango Seeds + I Should Be Mopping the Floor + Dwellings + A Pinch of Joy + Frugal Foodie Mama + Sew Can Do + Boogieboard Cottage + Monday Funday – C.R.A.F.T. + by Stephanie Lynn + Between Naps on the Porch + The Dedicated House + Maison de Pax + The Weekly Top Shot – Rurality

Comments

  1. Just prayed for you and your husband-that God will place you just where he wants you and that you will learn the lessons that are there in the waiting. Beautiful post!

    • Diane says

      Thank you for your prayers Susan! I can’t tell you how very much that means to me.
      It’s interesting…we have done a lot of learning in this time…just feeling tired. God is good. All. The. Time.
      [hugs]

  2. Diane, Heartfelt and thought provoking post. My dear husband makes my heart sing, as we grow old together I am coming to cherish every one of the 55 years we have spent together, even more.
    I pray that you and your husband will find God’s will for you and that you are fulfilled in His grace.
    Ginger

    • Diane says

      Ginger…it blesses me to ‘hear’ you say that about your dear husband. 🙂 You are truly extraordinary!!!
      Thank you for your kind words and prayers.
      [hugs]
      ~Diane

  3. Mel says

    Much like you, a moment in the details of His handiworks makes my heart sing. But so does coloring with sidewalk chalk, listening to Vivaldi, being in the company of a 4 year old who radiates love, adventures with he-who-does everything and being able to ‘make someone’s day’. Those things that fill me with joy/make my heart sing replenish me and keep me ‘right sized’….which means I can go about doing more of those things that make my heart sing! I have to have lots of resources. LOL. I wouldn’t wanna limit myself, run out of ‘juice’ and miss opportunities. (LOL. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…but yes, I’m greedy!)
    Personally, I’ve been amazed at 19 days straight. It’s cool that you end up having as many discoveries writing as we/I do reading. There’s something miraculous that happens for me when I put things in black and white. Seems that happens for others as well, huh.

    I’ve never stopped praying…and I will continue to pray. I think it’s honest to say I don’t ‘like’ that you had a very difficult day. Watching people struggle is hard, even when I know there’s goodness in the struggle. I know He’s in there, I know He’s got His eyes on the both of you, and I know there’s G-dness in all this. I just do NOT like the feelings and stinking thinking the struggles can create for everyone involved. *sigh*
    *sending hugs and more prayers*

    • Diane says

      Vivaldi! Oh yes…makes my heart sing too! You know Mel…if you want to call it greedy…go ahead. ‘Cause you’re greedy for the very best things in life!! I love your zest for life!! (Zest sounds corny…but who cares!!) You are one extraordinary gal!!! Hands down. You live life large…even from the couch and patio. And I’m so happy that your guy takes you on the best adventures. He’s gotta be something amazing…what a blessing!!
      Hey…thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers. We don’t do this life thing alone…thanks for being in my corner. [hugs]

  4. Jan says

    What beautiful photographs you took — they look like paintings, they are breathtaking! I wish I was able to capture what I “see” with my “artist’s eye” in the same way with my little ol’ camera. Alas, I can’t — and too impatient to take the time to learn how to use it correctly. I always say “when I’m retired…” Hmm, not so good, heh? Rather like the rich man who builds the strong tower with plans to move into, but he dies before he can. I do have to tell you, though, what a coincidence because earlier today as I headed out on my walk to the supermarket I had my camera in my pocket, intent on capturing what I could of the changing autumnal colors and the beautiful blue skies and sunshine. I had planned to do this a few days ago and I’m so glad the weather here cooperated! I took several photographs, stopping along the way here and there, snapping away. Thank goodness for digital cameras, for occasionally I am able to get a photo that I say, oh yes, that is a good one. Not like yours, though! What makes my heart sing? My writing. Helping others. I’d say they are pretty much tied. Sometimes I can help others by writing, and that is the best of both worlds, so to speak. I so appreciate the undertaking you are doing over 31 days. I know how HARD it is to write what one considers a worthy post day after day after day. Take heart, you are doing excellently.

    • Diane says

      Yay for digital cameras!! My friend and I were just talking about that the other day. It really takes a lot of shots to get one good one….even for seasoned professionals. Glad you remembered your camera and were able to capture the season.
      Writing….I bow down to real writers. I have always love words and wordsmiths. You rock, Jan!!
      Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. You put a big smile on my face! 😀

  5. Gwen says

    When I was a youth, it seems I thought that I was on the road to a beautiful life filled with Christian love and financial success because I’d gladly given even in times of meager earnings and praised God for provision.
    This is new to my life experience. Every young couple bought a house. And had jobs. The parents had jobs. They were not forced to leave family homes twenty years later because the long years of no work finally meant no more extensions….and it’s sad. I said it. It’s sad. When I was in my 20’s the young Christian couples in their late 20’s and early 30’s looked perfect, dressed perfect, had the perfect number of children that were dressed well for Sunday School. Smiles everywhere. No one mentioned sorrow, how to face tough times, loneliness…and now I’m in my 50’s and things are worse for many people in my age group than for our parents. Our children can’t afford a house. One of the couple can’t get work and they struggle to make ends meet.
    Churches talk about if a book is rhetoric even heretic but we have not trained our eyes to look at the shadows in the trees. To study a leaf and find the fall reds and burgundies. And when we stop and look at how beautiful God made dying leaves, we appreciate how He made our living bodies even more.
    The trials and tests do make us find creative ways to use our abilities to glorify God in a new way. I used to teach. Now I smile and share the common thread with an Islam, and Gods promise to Ishmael and how sad Haggai must have felt…but I am a follower of Jesus Christ as my Savior, yet the young woman convert hugged me as we parted ways. If I were busy would I have time to pray for jobs? For health for others? For strength for my husband? Look for God’s wonder in more blood to my broken heel bone–God designed everyone that way so that healing is quicker.
    Through our troubles we cry, we pray, our hearts are hurt, its not how we planned, but would you have taught us all this Diane, if all had been smooth as glass?? No. So now we continue to lay this at Jesus’ feet. He knows our desire for you. Your needs. And we thank Him that He IS going to provide. Amen!!!
    Thank you for lifting me up in these last weeks of deepest sorrow, confusion and seemingly more decline. You still root me on. I also, in the Lords name, root you on too!!!
    In Christ
    Gwen

    • Diane says

      My sweet sister in Christ…you amaze me with your perseverance and steadfast spirit. I love how you continuously minister to those you rub shoulders with in the world. You continue to encourage me here in this small spot in the big web of the internet. And you leave the most thoughtful and insightful responses. Gwen…for someone with a traumatic brain injury…though you may be constrained physically as you recover from your heart incident…you have such a sharp and creative mind. I do get it that you deal with confusion and sadness and I know it’s something I simply don’t understand. Yet somehow you know your scripture, and you have such a way of applying biblical principles to whatever is the discussion of the day. Really your are an extraordinary woman whom God is using in big ways. Maybe not in the classroom or in front of an audience…but surely with every one with whom you come in contact.
      I continue to pray and trust God for your healing. May His strength be yours each day.
      [hugs]
      ~Diane

  6. Gorgeous shots! Found you on the Rurality hop 🙂

    • Diane says

      There’s nothing like being at the right place in the right light, is there?
      Thanks Lisa Lynn!!! 🙂

  7. Beautiful autumn color — visiting from Madge’s RBH.

    • Diane says

      Nancy…so good to “see” you again. 🙂
      Thanks for your kind words. :

  8. You have a way of capturing nature’s beauty with great success. Those pictures belong in a gallery. Thank you for sharing your walk with us.

    • Diane says

      [blushing] Words escape me… Thank you Mandi.
      Blessings….

  9. That fall shot with the rich cobalt blue water is stunning! I’m surmising you must be an artist, not too many people know cerulean as a name for a shade of blue… I’m a watercolorist… Thank you for coming by to share on Rurality Blog Hop #37!

  10. Jen says

    What a wonderful post. I bounced over from Rurality and am SO very thankful I did! Gorgeous photos and I couldn’t agree with you more on His wonders, so amazing.

    Blessings,
    Jen

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jen! You just put a big smile on my face.
      Blessings to you too!!
      ~Diane

  11. Cindy says

    Your gorgeous photos, they make my heart sing!!! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    • Diane says

      Awwww…thank you sooo much Cindy!! Gotta praise God! He sure creates the most wonderful things for us to capture with our cameras. Yes?

  12. Your autumn colors are gorgeous! I wish there were more colors here in New Zealand. I don’t know what is going on with your life but I will keep you in my prayers.

    • Diane says

      Dear Betty…
      Thank you for your warm words. You are so kind.
      Thank you!! [hugs]
      ~Diane

  13. Such beautiful fall scenes. There’s nothing better than taking the time to enjoy nature’s beauty this time of year.

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much!! It always seems like the season is so fleeting. 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. […] Day 19 ~ Be…Extraordinary :: What Makes Your Heart Sing? :: The Week at a Glance 10/19 […]

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

*

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.