Inspire Archives – Page 4 of 11 – Strength Of The Small

Cutting Cords Inspire Life Lessons Gratitude People

Kindness Goes a Long Way

By JM PerezApril 9, 20142 min read566 views

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

The past couple of weeks have been quite a roller coaster for me with mix feelings. I reflected a lot about my life and the path I wanted to follow. I spent quite some time figuring out how to break a very unhealthy bond and set my mind free. As painful as it is to end a relationship, it is always the right thing to do. When you come to the realization that nothing you do or say will change a situation, then it is time you end the story, turn the page, move on and begin a new chapter in your Life. Second chances at life are rare. How do we account for wasted years?

They say that things have a funny way of working themselves out and it’s true. I was set free by the same individual whom I have been praying to distance myself from and I am very grateful for their obnoxious act which worked in my favor. Thankfully for me, that is one less headache to worry about. I am free and I gained peace of mind.

Our Neighbors Gift Cards. — *Outback Steakhouse Restaurant Gift Card*

Our neighbors graced us with a set of gift cards for Outback Steakhouse and a beautiful heartfelt Thank You card in appreciation for all our help and unconditional love. They often refer to us as their God sent Angels and this time wasn’t any different. As I gently hugged the husband, I felt as though they were our God sent. On one hand I was dealing with an individual who went through their life causing division amongst us and spreading hatred. Here I was in the arms of a Man whom I have only known for the last seven years. A Man who thinks I am an amazing Spiritual being, who uplifts my Spirit and understands the true essence of living.

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
― Romans 16:17 (NIV)

Everything will be just fine. This, I know for sure.

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By JM Perez

Strength of The Small Inspire Gratitude People

Blessed for Blessing Others

By JM PerezApril 5, 20141 min read1.5K views

Every year, around this time of year, I pray and ask the Almighty God to give me the strength to do what I have to do for myself and Family as well as the strength to bless someone in need. This year my prayers went out to one of our neighbors, an elderly couple, who have so much on their shoulders at the moment.

On Thursday I finally rid my entire property of weeds, for the second time, following last month’s three-day rain storm. This morning we headed over to our neighbors and began cleaning their front yard with the same love and care we did ours. It felt good and we were grateful to be able to gift them part of our time for a task that would give them peace of mind and a beautiful yard until next Winter, when the weeds return.

TODAY will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heals, and not wound. — *Image Source: QuotesPictures.com*

There are many ways to bless others:

Pray for someone
Visit and spend time with someone
Compliment and Express Gratitude
Volunteer your time to a meaningful task
Make time for your loved ones
Donate money to help a cause
Be a good example
Assist someone in need (make dinner, give a ride, babysit, tutor, etc)
Pay something forward and start a positive chain of action
Forgive

“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness… all the good things.” ― Maya Angelou

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By JM Perez

Valentine's Day Love Inspire Gratitude People

A Sweet Valentine

By JM PerezFebruary 14, 20141 min read633 views

“Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.” ― St. Augustine

IN AND OUT OF TIME
by Maya Angelou

The sun has come.
The mist has gone.
We see in the distance…
our long way home.
I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We have loved each other in and out of time.

When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun
and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor
I had always loved you more.
You freed your braids…
gave your hair to the breeze.
It hummed like a hive of honey bees.
I reached in the mass for the sweet honey comb there….
Mmmm…God how I love your hair.

You saw me bludgeoned by circumstance.
Lost, injured, hurt by chance.
I screamed to the heavens….loudly screamed….
Trying to change our nightmares into dreams…
The sun has come.
The mist has gone.
We see in the distance our long way home.

I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We have loved each other in and out
in and out
in and out
of time.

Wishing you all a safe and fun Valentine’s Day!

Linking up to Beverly’s Pink Saturday.

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By JM Perez

Yard Sculptures Parenting Garden Decor Children Education Family Inspire DIY: Projects Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Our Kids-Friendly Garden

By JM PerezFebruary 6, 20143 min read244 views

When we inspected our Home a few years ago prior to putting in an offer, I fell in love with the backyard as the numerous structures on the lot broke the land into sections. As I looked onto the side of the house, I spotted a semi-shady corner which was ideal for a Playground and/or a Kid-Friendly Garden.

Five years ago, I started by creating a tiny corner garden and added a decorative wrought iron border fence around the garden as well as some color changing solar globe lights along the borders. The selection works well, as it provides a specific learning and playing area for our children. I added two comfortable sitting areas for them to sit still and enjoy conversing, enjoy the day, or for us to relax and watch them play. I have Garden Benches and Patio/Bistro Sets all over my garden as the yard is huge and it can be quite exhausting walking around sometimes. I enjoy retreat areas. Besides, sitting areas in a yard, if placed correctly, create attractive focal points.

A few years ago, I was given a beautiful hand made miniature vintage Mexican clay couple as well as a tiny Puerto Peñasco Pottery Vase. They are now resting underneath one of my Scotch Broom shrubs.

The fairy wind spinner is a purchase from Collections Etc., and a gift to my daughter who adores anything fairy and ballerina. It’s a beautiful addition to our front yard as it attracts hummingbirds and twirls in the breeze.

Somewhere in my backyard, we created this cute little area in memory of our wonderful neighbors and parent figures (one of whom is no longer with us). The picture features their wedding wine glasses, vintage 1960’s spaghetti porcelain poodle dog figurines and a porcelain ornaments box. The huge rustic fisherman metal art was a purchased from Horseshoe Art by Don Henry in Lucerne Valley, CA.

*1960’s Spaghetti Porcelain Poodle Dog Figurines.*

We love our Woodland babies!

The toy frog was a favorite of my son. He placed it himself among the daffodils when he no longer wanted it.

Geckos Metal Wall Art

The children at play figurines were also a purchase from Collections Etc.

Some Jim Shore garden stakes.

The balancing love birds stake is in the front yard, next to the water fountain. It gently swings back and forth in the breeze. The Angry Gnome is one of many in our gnome collection.

These Gnomes on a Ladder are eager to find out what is growing in my daughter’s planter.

The stone mushrooms were the bases of chain linked posts that were dug up, flipped up side down, and buried. We spray painted them red/green and added white spots.

The Conga Line Dog Silhouettes were so hilarious that I decided to get one. The Children Chasing bugs are adorable too.

*Conga Line Dog & Children Playing Silhouettes.*

One of my daughter’s favorite statues is the Little Girl Gardening statue below. She found a use for the tiny planter.

Every time I shop online, my kids look for an opportunity when I step away to add a few favorites of their own in the shopping cart. The Ladybugs are beautiful and the Bunnies are just perfect for Easter.

The Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stake is one of my favorite.

*Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stakes.*

There are unlimited ideas and ways to encourage kids to go out …

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By JM Perez

History Inspire Life Lessons People

Happy Martin Luther King’s Day

By JM PerezJanuary 20, 20141 min read437 views

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.