The World is Your Ornament

Because we all need a creative outlet some time, my gal pal Amy and I signed up for a free ornament painting class at the library. We weren’t sure what it would entail, but we knew we were down for crafting something festive with our friends at the library.

It turns out that “painting” these ornaments was the simple process of selecting a few acrylic paint shades, squeezing paint into the shatter-proof orbs, and swirling them around to make unique designs. It was pretty much foolproof and even the least crafty of crafters could be successful at this project.

The coolest part of this particular class was the diversity in the creation of the ornament designs. I had as much fun watching our classmates select and swirl their acrylic shades as I did making my own ornaments.

Of course, there were the Fancy Nancies who added hodgepodge with glitter around the circumference of their orbs or brushed touches of shiny stuff to the inside of their globes (a.k.a. Amy), but there were also the basic builders (like me) who were happy to simply not spill the paint as we held our plastic ornaments at varied angles creating our distinctive designs.

Of course, it is!

Clearly, Shelley was making a play on the saying “The World is our Oyster,” but when it comes to the oyster-based adage we have to FIND the treasure that brings value to our lives. In the ornament ideology, we CREATE the beauty.

As we take on the decorative and necessary challenges of the upcoming weeks, I encourage you to adopt Shelley’s ornament ideology. Spread joy and beauty while shaping your success through your unique approach. You aren’t like everyone else. Your goals aren’t the same as anyone else’s.

Your vision of what the holidays should look like is not identical to any other individual.

Your solutions for personal and professional situations don’t have to be molded by previous processes.

Be the painter of your own landscape for health, success, and holiday joy.

The world really is your ornament. Use your Intentergy to show everyone what it is that makes you shine. Let your energy charge those around you to be positive and recognize the importance of focusing on purpose that fashions a fabulous outlook. The more you make from your individuality the fuller your vision will take shape.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. What colors would you paint your ornaments?

P.P.S. Check out Fancy Nancy Amy and me with our super original ornaments!

My ornaments are going on my deer-themed Christmas tree.

Naturally Super

Without a doubt, this calf was born super. He has all the markings of Spiderman or a WWE wrestler. There is no magic charm or superpower that could change his appearance. Unless he’s found a mirror somewhere in the pasture, he has no idea that his markings manifest the fact that he is bound for greatness.

I think we are all born naturally super. It’s hard to see our exceptionality sometimes when we look in the mirror.

I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to feeling unattractive, imperfect, or goofy-looking. I have yet to meet anyone who looks in the mirror every day and says, “Dang! I am perfect.”

If you do this and are sincere in your proclamation, please share your secret.

Until then, I will probably continue to lament my big ears, mommy belly, and the birthmark on my hip.

Despite my lamentations and the self-mortification felt by most, there is one thing that we can find solace in and that is the fact that we are naturally super in the eyes of those who love us. We were created in the image of God to make the world a more beautiful and diverse place.

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Fluff It If You’ve Got It

Be like this guy. Fluff what you’ve got!

Each morning as I check turkeys, I am amazed at how much they have grown and how their looks change from one day to the next. The funny thing about turkeys is the older they get the prouder they are of their looks. As their plush, yellow fluff is replaced with fine, white feathers, the birds make it their business to hold their heads higher when they pass by. When their fully white plumage is in place, turkeys seem to spend all their time admiring and admonishing their tails and wings, and flaring their feathers as they strut around. Pride in their maturity seems to be the opposite of what we humans do. We lose confidence in our appearance as we age. This loss of self-esteem is tough emotionally and isn’t very attractive. So while turkeys are definitely not the most beautiful of creatures, I think we need to be more like them.

As we begin this new 365-day trip around the sun, many of us are focusing attention on our appearance. The most common New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight or exercise more. So while, many of us are counting our calories and watching our weight, I want to encourage you to fluff your good stuff. Don’t let love handles or belly rolls be what you purposefully draw attention to. Single out your best qualities and draw attention to what makes you feel good about yourself.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of a personal quality or physical trait. There is tremendous benefit to knowing what you are good at or what makes you beautiful and unique. So, if you’ve got it, fluff it!

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