iandthoureflections

I and Thou: Decluttering The Soul Step 1 – Clean Your Heart

Image Credit: Decluttering An Overwhelming
Soul Tyler Speegle dot com

Spring is a season of renewal, not only for your home but also for your spirit. As you dust off the winter cobwebs and declutter your living spaces, let’s take a moment to consider how you can apply the same principles to your inner lives. The next few posts discuss steps to spring-clean our hearts, minds, and words.

Today, we start with hearts.

Clean Your Heart

Just as you open your windows to let in fresh air, consider opening your heart to God. Let God breathe new life into it. Take Pentecost, for example. The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples. Picture this:

Rushing winds.

Tongues of fire.

Different languages.

Wow! That would make me take notice! Then, how do you go about cleaning and opening up your heart?

Start with Prayer

By praying daily, you open yourself to God. You can commune with a higher power. The One who created you and who lives inside each of us. Some of us may say, but I pray, and God doesn’t hear me. Is that true? First, ask if you have accepted God. Accepting God is the first step. Acknowledging God as the Divine Creator is a great place to start. If you have questions, be bold. Ask God to reveal the power of his love and grace to you.

Then, listen.

Go to a quiet space and ask God to join you for a conversation. Once you have established a pattern of spiritual intimacy with God, keep the pattern going with prayer, worship, and meditation. It doesn’t require hours and hours. Just a few minutes each day will be impactful.

Ask for a Scrub Brush

If you have become complacent in your faith, ask God to scrub your heart. God will brush away all the bad stuff. You just have to ask! Then, God can reignite your heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Still Unsure?

Look at creation. Nature. The intricate design of a flower. The vastness of the night sky. If you are still unsure, read stories of transformed lives. Testimonies of faith, if you will. There are hundreds, if not thousands, on YouTube.

Be open to what spiritual gifts you have.
Be open and eager to consider opportunities that God presents.
Allow the Spirit to empower you for service and ministry.

Have Faith

By examining your priorities, you can rekindle your passion for God. Like the church in Ephesus, return to a new zest for life. Like a new creature!

You can become stronger in your faith. Remember, you only need faith the size of a mustard seed.

May your heart burn brightly with divine love, purpose, and a hunger for God’s presence.

#SpringCleaning #SpiritualDecluttering #Decluttering #CleanYourHeart

Let’s Join Australia in Celebrating Harmony Week

Unity

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world. Each year, it celebrates its diversity by acknowledging the integration of migrants into its community. It supports the value of unity.

Belonging

What I love about this event is that it draws attention to how important the sense of belonging is to all of us. How do we as a society foster belonging? Let’s start with empathy and compassion. Then, we can throw in honor and respect for good measure. We must work on ourselves first to move forward as individuals, families, communities, and nations. Mindfulness, reading self-help resources, and engaging with others can help us become comfortable in our skin. Build up tolerance. Learn the tools to communicate effectively. Practice acceptance. Once you have done the introspective work, lean into your strengths and identify your weak spots. Know what they are. So you can work on becoming a safe person. A person who receives others without judgment.

Building Bridges

Building a sense of belonging requires effort and, thus, action. Belonging doesn’t just happen. Yet, you can make it happen by being the honey bears want. Draw people toward yourself, don’t push them away. Focus on others and practice active listening. Try new things. Do something different. Get out of your comfort zone.

Concentrate on what you have in common with others. Not what you might differ on. Build bridges with an attitude of acceptance. Validate yourself and validate others.

Respect

You, my friend, are a child of the Almighty God. Yes, you are. Shouldn’t you respect yourself and others if God created and respects you? We can choose to be optimistic and forgiving or miserable and bitter. Remember, if you want to have a sense of belonging, you need to accept others so they feel like they belong. In so doing, we build communities where diversity is valued and differences are embraced.

#HarmonyWeek #Unity #Belonging

The Spirit of Aquamarine

The Spirit of Aquamarine

A mighty sword exudes the strength of steel,
Slices, dices, and then heals the soul.
Armor deflects impending missiles,
Protects the heart from vicious daggers.

A babbling brook meanders its course,
Rocks and pebbles dissolve ongoing tensions.
Unveiling a clarity, pure, and transforming,
Hurts and resentments evaporate with the morning dew.

Artist Credit: lakeandriverstudio.com
Aqua Turquoise Abstract Painting, Atlantis

Dirt and grime wash away,
Emotional wounds from yesteryear.
Tranquility of the dancing bubbles,
Streams to new levels of consciousness.

The gentle murmur of a soothing hymn,
Echo a cascade of emotions like a waterfall.
Renewed tingling senses,
Daring to navigate a new direction.

The Spirit of Aquamarine,
Inhales and exhales a cleansing breath.
Frosty blues with a whisper of white,
The stone radiates a glimmer of sheer delight.

The gaze of another’s perspective.
Rejuvenate a harmonious synergy,
Humming, cooing, and wooing,
A symbiotic relationship rekindles.

#transformation #relationships #aquamarine #waterfall #harmony

The Spirit of Amethyst

The Spirit of Amethyst

*Image Credit: Pinterest Origin Unknown*

The heart of February envelops us,
In a blanket of tranquility and sensual beauty.

Purples, lilacs, violet hues,
Sparkle through the coolness of night.

Wrapped in a translucent cloak,
A silent guardian calms its presence.

Radiating an inner warmth,
Where peace and courage form a sanctuary.

Personal growth opens its doors,
To face life’s challenges with a resilient spirit.

The shade of trees wields its protective shield,
To ward off evil doers.

A portal to introspection opens,
By the Spirit of the Amethyst.

Adorning jewels harmonize the universe,
Inspiring a desire for a sweet embrace.

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 5

Fun Facts About Strawberries

Image Credit: Strawberry Farmer Market
Free Photo Image rawpixel dot com

Taken from: The University of Missouri, Integrated Pest Management Article on Strawberry: A Brief History.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the annual per capita consumption of fresh and frozen strawberries is 4.85 pounds.

Over 53 percent of seven to nine-year-olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit.

Strawberries are low in fat but high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. One cup of strawberries contains only 55 calories.

Strawberries are grown in every state in the United States and every province of Canada.

California produces an amazing one billion pounds of strawberries each year. If all the strawberries produced in California were laid berry to berry in one year, they would circle the Earth 15 times.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the world’s largest strawberry shortcake was 827 square feet and weighed 6,000 pounds. It was made in 1999 in Plant City, Florida.

The series on strawberries concludes today. I learned alot about this tiny red fruit/plant! I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on the subject. Comment below or go to iandthoureflections.com on Facebook.

SURE HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY VALENTINE’S WEEK!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 4

The Sacredness of the Strawberry

The Goddess of Love

Vibrantly red in color with the sweetness of sugar, strawberries have been around for centuries. Ancient Romans believed the fruit to be a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love. This led to rituals associating strawberries with love and fertility.

The Heart Chakra

A sacred fruit to some, symbolizes the heart, as in the heart chakra, the energy center of love and compassion. It represents purity, abundance, and the sweetness of life. Indulging in strawberries can be a mindful practice that invites us to savor each bite as we thank God for the blessings in our lives.

Sensuality

*Image Credit: gypsygirlgourmet.blogspot.com*

Chocolate-dipped strawberries add a hint of passion and sensuality to its characteristics. Often thought of as an aphrodisiac, chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins and “feel good” hormones, which can tingle the senses. This Valentine’s treat symbolizes desire and indulgence and is a thoughtful gift for a special person in your life.

Eating together is considered a sacred act in tantric and spiritual traditions. It symbolizes a union. A sharing of nourishment at a physical and spiritual level. Thus, eating strawberries with a loved one can deepen emotional connection.

Fresh and Sassy

Whether strawberries are picked in a garden or bought from the grocery store, they are fresh and sassy. They are versatile, too! They can adorn a beautiful platter of cheese and crackers by slicing them thinly, fanning them, and keeping the stem intact. Dipping them in chocolate and poking them on sticks can resemble a vase of flowers. Dicing them and placing them in a glass bowl, whisper, “Use me as a topping.” For salads, for ice creams, for whatever you can dream.

The next time you reach for a strawberry, pause. Take it in. Allow yourself to fully experience the lusciousness this fruit provides.

The color.

The taste.

The love.

Share God’s Love

May the next strawberry you eat connect your soul profoundly and meaningfully to God, to love, and to others. Go and savor the heart-shaped fruit and experience the simple beauty of nature.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 3

The Spiritual Significance of Strawberries

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a day of love and passion. It is a day to declare your love to those you love. For me, Valentine’s Day reminds me of strawberries. Chocolate-covered strawberries, to be exact. There is something extra special about them. Maybe because it is a once-a-year treat.

Love is in the Air

If I had to define what love tastes like, I would choose a strawberry. A ripe strawberry tastes like the very essence of love. First, the smell. The fresh aroma starts to tingle the senses. Then, the bite. The first bite lingers on your tongue. It is a sweet-tart sensation that intermingles in your mouth.

Harmony

In North America, strawberries symbolize reconciliation, harmony, and positive energy. In Europe, they suggest righteousness and spiritual purity. (The Language of Flowers: A Miscellany” by Mandy Kirkby.)

Fruit of the Spirit

In the Bible, strawberries can represent the Fruit of the Spirit. They convey love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). When we see and eat strawberries, we can reflect on the goodness God provides to us. Strawberries urge us to bear spiritual fruit in our lives.

Devotion and Service

Strawberries also remind us of devotion and service to others. These red fruits are wrapped in a heart-shaped package. Each one represents love for ourselves and love for others. It is the force that binds us all together as one.

Strawberries also represent sensuality. The God-given pleasure of life. Think about it.

The Strawberry:

Red

Sweet

Luscious

Shhhhh – I Love You!

So, the next time you bite into a strawberry, pause. Let its flavor linger on your lips, and consider the whispers it carries. Love, devotion, and sensuality are wrapped in the tiny, heart-shaped package.

May the sweetness of strawberries remind you of life’s divine flavors.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 2

Medicinal Properties of the Strawberry

Heal Thyself

Strawberries are an incredible fruit. Their medicinal properties date back to the ancient Romans. According to David Trinklein from The University of Missouri, Integrated Pest Management, the Romans used strawberries to remedy kidney stones and other ailments. Another interesting fact he uncovered was Madame Tallien, related to Napoleon, bathing in twenty-two pounds of fresh strawberry juice. Maybe she knew something we don’t?

In a recent article from the Cleveland Clinic, Registered Dietitian Bailey Flora, MS, RDN, LD, describes the benefits of the naturally dense, low-caloric strawberry.

“Strawberries give you a lot of nutritional value for very few calories,” says Flora. “They’re tasty but naturally low in sugar. That’s a combination that’s hard to beat.”
Bailey Flora, MS, RDN, LD

Nutritional Powerhouse

Ms. Flora teaches us that eight strawberries contain 160% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C. They are also packed with anthocyanin, an antioxidant. The more vibrant the color, the more antioxidant value it has. Fiber, manganese, potassium, and folic acid are also in strawberries and have less sugar than other fruits.

Image Credit: Karen Arnold, PublicDomainPictures.net

In a nutshell, strawberries:

Boost Brain Power

Strengthens Immune System

Protects Heart Health

Reduces Inflammation

Helps Manage Blood Sugar

A Gift of Love

Strawberries are a tiny gift. A gift of love. A gift of nourishment. A gift to the taste buds. If you want a delicious, minimalistic, consumable gift for Valentine’s Day, visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2012/5/Strawberry-A-Brief-History

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-strawberries

#Love #ValentinesDay #Strawberries #Medicinal

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 1

The Origin of the Strawberry

Introduction

I love Valentine’s Day!

It is one of my favorite holidays. I don’t get suckered into commercialism; I take time to reflect on love. Past. Present. Future.

So, spending the next few posts exploring the connection between Valentine’s Day, love, and strawberries is fitting. Remember that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. It doesn’t necessarily involve romantic love. Love is love.

Image Credit: Betsy Cox PublicDomainPictures.net

Is it a Plant or a Fruit?

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time for indulging in fresh strawberries from the farmer’s market. Their sweet aroma fills the air and dazzles the senses, evoking a smile from ear to ear.

Did you know that this tiny, robust red fruit is not just a fruit but also a plant?

Botanically, the “fruit” of the strawberry is not a fruit at all. The fleshy, edible part of the plant is the enlarged receptacle of the flower. The visible “seeds” that dot the surface of the strawberry actually are achenes. An achene is a type of dry fruit borne by some plants in nature where the ripened ovary contains but a single seed.
David Trinklein, University of Missouri, Plant Science & Technology (2012)

Have you ever grown strawberries? Or observed them growing in a garden or field? These vine-like stems sprawl in all directions and lay low; hence, they are the “strewn” in strawberries.

Where Did They Come From?

By the 1300s, the strawberry was in cultivation in Europe when the French began transplanting the wood strawberry (Fragaria vesca) from the wilderness to the garden. At the end of the 1500s, the musky strawberry (Fragaria moschata) was also cultivated in European gardens. Then, in the 1600s, North America’s Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) reached Europe. The spread of this new, relatively hardy species was gradual, and it remained little appreciated until the end of the 1700s and early 1800s when it was popular in England. At that time, English gardeners worked to raise new varieties from seed, and they increased the number of varieties from three to nearly thirty.
Vern Grubinger, Vegetable and Berry Specialist, The University of Vermont

Strawberry is a member of the Rosaceae family, and its official name is Fragaria. Strawberries are native to North America. Native Americans used them in many dishes, and the first colonists shipped them back to Europe as early as 16001.

Versatile Little Treasures

Home gardens are an ideal environment for nurturing strawberries. They only require a little space, and they yield a fair amount.

You may want to purchase extra strawberries this week. Or better yet, share a few chocolate-covered strawberries with a special someone. These timeless treasures make the perfect Valentine’s gift.

Happy Valentine’s Week.

#Valentine #Valentine’sDay #Strawberry #Love

I AND THOU: LOVE BEYOND WORDS

I heard on the radio today that February 7-14 is National Marriage Week.

First, let’s give a shout-out to married folks! Hip, hip, hooray!

Another cheer for those who hope to marry someday! Hip, hip, hooray!

MARRIAGE

This week, we celebrate marriage. The timeless institution is a beacon of love, commitment, and companionship. Marriage is more than a legal contract or societal norm. It’s a sacred bond forged in sharing experiences, trials, and triumphs.

Marriage is a journey of…

Growth.

Compromise.

Unconditional Love.

THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE

It enriches the lives of both partners and communicates in the language of love. Love is the shared moments that speak volumes without a single word spoken.

The giggles.

The gestures.

The glances.

The long embrace.

The cuddles.

The dancing in the kitchen.

It is the “I have your back” confidence. The confidence that when it gets tough and life throws a curveball, there is someone to lean on.

RECENT RESEARCH

Marriage plays a significant role in determining a person’s overall happiness throughout their lifetime.
Brad Wilcox, Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia

Brad Cox’s research offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of marital bliss. His studies delve into the factors contributing to long-lasting happiness within relationships, highlighting:

Mutual Respect.

Communication.

Emotional Intimacy.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE ANOTHER PATH

Worth and happiness are not defined by marital status. Clearly, marriage makes sense to some and not to others. Each person’s journey is unique. Marriage may not be the right choice for everyone. Therefore, we must respect and honor the diversity of human relationships in all shapes and sizes.

CONCLUSION – LOVE IS LOVE

There is no doubt that love permeates through the air in February. Everywhere you go, you see hearts. Today, I saw raspberries in a clear plastic heart-shaped container at Target.

This week is the perfect opportunity to cherish the love you have in your life. Embrace love. Show affection. We all love someone. A parent. A child. A spouse. A friend. Go ahead and celebrate love this week with a simple gesture. Remember that love unites us together in the fabric of life. And the sacrament of marriage binds us to God and our partner for all the days of our lives.

#NationalMarriageWeek #Love #LoveBeyondWords #Relationships