The Wind is Stolen from my Sails

Would you all please pardon me for this brief interruption of blog world blissfulness for a touch of reality here?   I am off of work today and sitting here trying to get motivated to GO and DO and BE yet I just cannot find the motivation.  You see, I have been hit with a big case of feeling like "the wind has been stolen out of my sails."  What to do?

This photo somewhat depicts a nautical vision of what happens when the wind is taken from your sails.

First let me clarify what I'm talking about here.   To have the wind "taken" or "stolen" from your sails happens when someone comes along side of you and literally steals (or blocks) your wind.  I'm not talking about loosing the wind in your sails from a shift in the wind, (or circumstances) or from something you have or have not done.  I am talking about loosing your wind from a direct result of someone else who has crossed your path and quite literally stolen your wind.  They have blocked you from moving ahead.  It slows you down and leaves you sitting still, drifting along until you can once again recapture the wind.

Now, let's look at this photo again more closely.  Do you see the first boat that is surging ahead in the background?  Look at what the crew is doing in this picture.  They appear to be hanging over the edge, don't they?

That's how I am feeling right now, hanging over the edge.  Without going into too much detail here, it's not about one issue in particular.  It's about the culmination of several (people and situations in my case) who have come along side of me and stolen the wind from my sails.  Normally, I am quite fine with drifting and waiting on the wind to return of it's own course.  However, there are times in life like this when the wind has been "taken" out of your sails when one must hang out over the edge.  Leaning out over the edge can rock the boat ever so gently but this is what helps you to surge ahead.  The real trick is learning how to hang out over the edge without falling face first in the water, don't you think?  I sure do!

So here I sit, contemplating my strategy's in life.   Do not worry, I am not as desperate or depressed as this may sound.  I am just thinking out loud on my blog, it's kinda therapeutic you know.  I am sure a day off will do me a world of good today once I get up and going!  I think I'll call my mom today and maybe do a little retail therapy.  Who knows?

  I also continue to pray for guidance in this race we call life because I trust that Jesus will lead the way for me in all situations.  He never promised us an easy life but he did promise to be right there with us, even hanging out over the edge.   

Anyway, this is Wednesday and I have a self imposed Wellness Wednesday theme that I sometimes like to hit upon here at The Decorative Dreamer.  So that's why I am sharing this, to let it go, and to hear from you.  What do you do when someone has knocked the wind out of your sails and you feel like you are hanging over the edge.  I'd really like to know!

Looks like the sun is trying to come out so hey, maybe it's going to be a brighter day soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Praising God's Blessings!

Isn't it wonderful how the arrival of fall brings a reminder to all of us to count our blessings and to be thankful.  That's one of the things I love about fall!  With our recent blast of cooler temperatures it was wonderful to see so many of my FB friends status's reflecting gratitude.  Along with that, it's interesting to read all about what everyone is looking forward to with the arrival of fall. 


 This change in season can also remind us of time and our own mortality.  It is a time to remember our maker and a time to give thanks to God. I generally give thanks to God daily for all sorts of things in my little conversations with God.  However, this time of year often brings about a deeper reflection for me of all that I am thankful for.  Does the arrival of fall also do this for you?

In my foyer I've set a warm welcome of fall for our guests and for our family, along with a gentle reminder.

I found this pumpkin a few years ago at Carolina Pottery.  I love the message on this pumpkin.  I can immediately even hear the church organ every time I read it.  My husband and I have been a member of a few different denominations over the years, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian.  It is a doxology we are well familiar with and enjoy singing heartily even though each denominations music is different.

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow"

Another doxology in widespread use in English, in some Protestant traditions commonly referred to simply as "The Doxology" and in others as “The Common Doxology”,^[3] is "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow". The words are thus:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

(taken from Wikipedia)

These have been very trying times for many!  I myself was also a casualty of the downward spiral in the job market.   I worked in a small private owner gift and embroidery retail shop.  It was in this position that I realized my love of arranging decor through merchandise displays.   It was one of the things I enjoyed most next to getting to know our customers personally.  

Over the last few years I've been fortunate enough to enjoy being at home while looking for another job that would allow me to continue to work in an environment I enjoy.  It's been a long and tedious search with a few disappointments along the way.  I've come to terms with the fact that another position with a small private owner retailer in my area is very rare as most are still hanging on by a thread. 

After several prayers and answered blessings I am happy to say I am going back to work this fall.  I feel so blessed for the time I've been at home.  I am so thankful to have been available 100% for my husband and his family during his father's battle with terminal cancer.  That is a time God has given me that I will never forget.    It has also been very fun catching up on several decor projects, learning how to blog, taking and downloading pictures, and especially learning how to tablescape.  I have loved it all and am so thankful for each and every day.  I've learned much about myself these past few years.  I've also learned to appreciate how much I enjoy employment.  Working for me not only brings about an extra income but also a sense of personal fulfillment.  I've held so many various part time positions over the years and feel so blessed for the experience that each and every one has offered.  My resume is quite diverse to say the least.  I am very happy for this opportunity to return to work in retail again.

  I've accepted a position with Stein Mart.  They are building a new store in one of our busiest shopping areas located only 2o to 25 minutes from where I live.  I will soon be among several who will be stocking and setting up the store.   I've done this before many years ago when Kohls first came to our area as well.  It is hard work, but also lot's of fun. I know I'm weird that way!  I'm actually thrilled to have the opportunity to start out this way so my memory gets the chance to know each and every corner.  I am hopeful that all will go well and the doors will open on time, October 15th.  I know, wow, right?

I've got one more week of freedom before I start the schedule shuffle.  I am not sure how my blogging is going to play out but I'm planning to hang in there as much as I can.  I hope all of you who follow will hang in there as many of you have.  I've been putting up the fall decor as quick as possible lately, attending my yearly Dr.'s appointments, helping finish off the pool area, sailing, and so many other life events I don't blog about so I do hope you understand why things have slowed down from me.  

I plan to keep visiting you as often as possible but please feel free to drop by and remind me to stop in and say hello anytime.  I really do appreciate the reminders too!

I am linking this to The Tablescapers

Seasonal Sunday.

Please visit the link above for all things related to the Season.

Praising God from whom all Blessings Flow!

Have a Blessed Sunday!