Perspectives | Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

A New Year

31 Dec 2014 Comments Off on A New Year

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Paper Daydreams, Passage, Perspectives, Seeds of thought

Dear Fellow Journalers,

A new year is fast approaching and to some of us, it’s a time of reflection, a time to “change things up”, or a time to dream again. People change with time and so do their aspirations. Over the years I have heard from a lot of people what they resolve to do each new year. Some of them are:

quit an addiction
go back to school
get fit/healthier
learn something new
travel
get more organized
get a make-over
give up a bad habit

Some of us believe that a new year is a time to transform our lives. Some transformations to aspire to this year could be: teach others a new skill (like stenciling) start a journal , open the door to creativity and finally be ONE for someone this year. I saw this while surfing. It so inspired me that I printed it out to glue into my journal. My question for you is will YOU be the ONE for someone else this new year?

Have a safe and happy NEW YEAR!

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Cracked Pots

10 Dec 2014 Comments Off on Cracked Pots

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: flaws, flowers, pots

Dear Fellow Journalers,

This is the last Perspective piece for the year from G. It was emailed to him from one of his closest friends.

Please read and send comments!

Thanks,

~Sallie

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends

of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in

it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full

portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the

cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering

only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments,

perfect for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and

miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had

been made to do.

After 2 yrs of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke

to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have

been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes

water to leak out all the way back to your house.

Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t

get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers

only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s

because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower

seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back,

you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to

decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there

would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots.

But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives

together so very interesting and rewarding. You’ve just got to

take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Blessings to all my crackpot friends.

The Perfect Gift

05 Dec 2014 Comments Off on The Perfect Gift

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: Christmas, scrapbook, The Perfect Gift

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following is a post from Mary Beth. She has promised to write more in the new year. Enjoy!

~Sallie

The Perfect Gift

“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”. The year of unemployment started out with the news that we were expecting a baby girl later that year. The year ended with my husband’s job being downsized.

Upon reflection, I discovered that the human spirit is more resilient than we give it credit for. We adjusted our lives to welcome our new daughter and hoped and prayed for a new opportunity. I knew then, as I know now, that God only gives us problems that we can handle and when we can’t stand the”heat” any longer, He sends us laughter and warmth of friends, beauty to behold and the love of family.

That fall, we had an inkling that things weren’t going so well for the company so we analyzed our financials and decided that we’d have an old-fashioned Christmas. Our children caught the idea and ran with it! “T” and my husband found dollar-store battery-powered tea lights which we used for our windows to save our electricity bills. My Mom and Dad came for a visit and while providing much-needed rest for me, shared their culinary and construction talents with the rest of the clan. My girls learned how to make Gingerbread houses and little Gingerbread men while my boys made a doll house for their sisters.

While picking up the house one Saturday early in December, I chanced to hear a fleeting, whispered conversation among my children. “That would be the perfect gift!” one of them exclaimed. “How much money do you have?” another one asked. I almost walked in on them, until I heard “we’re trying to save money, remember? We’ll have to make it ourselves.” There was silence for a beat of a second and then one of them said the magic words “I bet Grandpa will help>” Hmmmmm.

The mystery of the Perfect Gift was whispered about for some days and then silence. My husband and I decided to wait and see what they had in mind. Anticipation grew until Christmas finally arrived on a snowy Wednesday morning.

Our usual custom was to wake everyone (although usually everyone was awake already), up at 8 am and exchange one present before breakfast, get dressed and go to Church. But that year, we bundled everyone up and went to Midnight Mass. We were impressed that all of the children were reverent and well-behaved. They did sing along with the choir though, even if a little off-key. Afterwards, we traveled through our town and admired the brightly lit houses and office buildings and of course, the town tree. It was a peaceful and joyous start to our Christmas.

The next morning, our children surprised us with breakfast in bed along with a tape of their singing various holiday songs. The Perfect Gift turned out to be a scrapbook nestled in its own decorated wooden box. The children had contacted all our relatives and received pictures of our childhood Christmas’ which they had put on sticker laden-ed pages.

The best part of that Christmas was the love and caring and sharing of our family members. While we have had several Christmas celebrations since, the cherished memory of the Perfect Gift Christmas remains as the best Christmas ever.

May the love and joy of the season be yours! Thanks for all your kind words.

~Mary Beth

Mr. Sun brings winter

19 Nov 2014 Comments Off on Mr. Sun brings winter

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: adapt, Mr. Sun, winter

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Winter is coming but so is another “Mr. Sun” piece from G:

~Sallie

MR SUN BRINGS WINTER
Mornin’ kid!
Mornin’ Mr Sun
You have to speak louder kid, I’m moving further away!
Got cha’. Winter’s coming.
Correct! You see kid what happens is——–
Please Mr. Sun, I remember from science class long ago. No need for a lesson. What you’re saying is snow, sleet, ice, and temps below freezing! What a joy!
Hey kid, you got that right!! You see winter forces everything in your Earth’s Nature to struggle— especially you human beings!
Uh oh! Here comes the lecture.
Right kid— you people have it too easy. You’re the only things in this universe that have the intelligence to adapt, then invent, then defeat forces that Nature and Circumstance bring. I move away, you got cold, then found fire warm, then controlled fire enough to bring it into your homes in a furnace.
Yeah, that’s true— plus about a gazillion other things we invented to overcome our circumstances.
Right kid— Winter is a test. Life demands a price– stamina. Only the strong survive. If you can not adapt, you perish. it’s the Law of Nature.
Damn Mr. Sun, you’re HARD!
True kid, but everyone must die, and those who can’t overcome circumstances must die earlier. It’s the natural order of things. Your earth could NEVER support and care for all if all had a long life.
Mr. Sun, who decides who overcomes and who doesn’t?
Search me kid. Some say God. Some say Nature. Some say it just happens. All I know for sure is that it’s someone a LOT smarter and more powerful than me, and certainly you!
Well Chief, time for me to put down this warm coffee cup and head out into this cold morning. Thanks for giving me lots to think about!
OK kid, no sweat– and today I mean that literally! By the way kid, that pretty girl we’re always discussing—-
Yeah Sun?
She’s a snow bunny– she REALLY knows how to adapt— got a ton of guys bringing her hot chocolate and stuff!
Yeah, I know how to adapt too— look for me with a warmed brandy in front of my fireplace— if you can still see me from that far away!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Marine Corps Birthday

10 Nov 2014 Comments Off on Marine Corps Birthday

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: birthday, Marine Corps, Perspectives

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Today my husband celebrates the 239th Birthday of the U S Marine Corps.

The U S Marine Corps celebrates its 239th Birthday today. Throughout history, Marines have faced tough times and challenges from 1775 when they were founded to today. Marines have always excelled. They train hard and their training is always respected. “Send in the Marines” is not a catchy phrase.

Today, Marines from all generations gather in groups large and small to celebrate the birthday of the Corps and to reflect on the legacy and warrior ethos that they share.

The Birthday Ball is rich in tradition. The ceremony involves the reading of the first Commandant’s message, the birthday message from the current Commandant, a guest speaker and a cake cutting ceremony. The first piece of cake is given to the guest of honor. The second piece is given to the oldest Marine present. Upon receiving the second piece of cake, the oldest Marine passes the cake to the youngest Marine present signifying the passing of experience and knowledge to the young of the Corps.

Happy Birthday Marines!

~Sallie (proud wife of a retired Marine)

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com