In the saga that is "the red room," there is no major update to report. I have been applying some touch-up paint to some spots that needed it, post-blue tape removal. We are in a quandary over whether to go with new carpeting or new flooring, thus the furniture is not moving back yet nor has the "reveal" photo shoot been scheduled.
But, I did purchase a new pillow! Kelly, who bravely opted to shop with me again--despite my aversion issues--will tell you that she tried to get me to buy two. But I insisted upon one. At Steinmart prices, she thinks I'm missing out. But I'm not ready to go hog-wild. Complementing color choices and textures are important as we move forward with figuring out how we'll live in our boldly colored room. [And Steinmart's not going anywhere.]
How did I managed to pick out a pillow? Following the guide of so many home decorators, I took with me an article of inspiration. My Mom made CJ a scarf, and the colors are rich and bold and...red! Earthy greens, browns, grays; brilliant red; even a touch of surprisingly cool purple. It's a great palette.
Got me to thinking about 'inspiration'--what it is, from where it comes and why it's needed.
Have you thought about words you know with '-spir-' as a root? In the dictionary, now:
Aspire--To be ambitious to do something lofty or grand (to breathe upon)
Conspire--To plan or work together toward something (to breathe together)
Expire--To breathe out, even to the point of one's last breath (to breathe out)
Perspire--To sweat (to breathe through)
Respire--To breathe, in and out (to breathe back)
And, Inspire--To breathe life into, to have an influencing effect upon, to direct or guide (to breathe in)
All of which brings us back to '-spir-', which leads us to the Latin spiritus from which we get our word spirit. Spiritus means "breath, courage, vigor, the soul, life." Breathing involves movement or activity. The prefixes of our English words clarify the motion of the breathing--upon, together, out, through, back or in--what brings something to life, gives it energy, movement, vigor--love that word!--soul, or the lack thereof, as in expire.
So, inspiration...an article of inspiration....something to breathe life into "the red room." Something to determine a comfortable collection of colors, fabrics, textures that will create a pleasing home living space. One that invites the family to be comfortable, spending time together (conspiring!). One that allows for the things that are important to us to be seen and shared--like pictures of our family, creations from our family. A place in which life will be shared in conversations with friends, in books with the girls, in a home movie night for the parents (please!!!!).
Off to a good start....
No surprise to learn that I'm in the midst of a study on the fruit of the Spirit. Happens to be Beth Moore's take on the Galatians 5: 22 & 23 passage. What is it that gives you true life in every day? What allows you to have the vigor to tackle what is on your plate? The soul that reaches out to others in relationship? The courage that it takes to face that new dawn when it comes?
She makes a wonderful observation about God-ordained human behavior: "We were created with a desire to be full." [Living Beyond Yourself, Beth Moore DVD, Viewer Guide, Session 1] Explains why we eat. Why we fill our calendars with places to go and things to do. This is why we sometimes perspire (or come close to expiring?!).
God wants us to live full lives. "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10: 9 & 10, emphasis mine).
But, do we fill our lives with the Holy Spirit? Do we fill ourselves with the real source of life-giving, courage-stepping, vigor-instilled breath? To Whom do we aspire to become? Are we merely respiring or do we live our days with purpose? What is our inspiration today?
Inspiration is part of getting your house in order.
Transpiring thoughts? (Breathed across)
But, I did purchase a new pillow! Kelly, who bravely opted to shop with me again--despite my aversion issues--will tell you that she tried to get me to buy two. But I insisted upon one. At Steinmart prices, she thinks I'm missing out. But I'm not ready to go hog-wild. Complementing color choices and textures are important as we move forward with figuring out how we'll live in our boldly colored room. [And Steinmart's not going anywhere.]
How did I managed to pick out a pillow? Following the guide of so many home decorators, I took with me an article of inspiration. My Mom made CJ a scarf, and the colors are rich and bold and...red! Earthy greens, browns, grays; brilliant red; even a touch of surprisingly cool purple. It's a great palette.
Got me to thinking about 'inspiration'--what it is, from where it comes and why it's needed.
* * *
Have you thought about words you know with '-spir-' as a root? In the dictionary, now:
Aspire--To be ambitious to do something lofty or grand (to breathe upon)
Conspire--To plan or work together toward something (to breathe together)
Expire--To breathe out, even to the point of one's last breath (to breathe out)
Perspire--To sweat (to breathe through)
Respire--To breathe, in and out (to breathe back)
And, Inspire--To breathe life into, to have an influencing effect upon, to direct or guide (to breathe in)
All of which brings us back to '-spir-', which leads us to the Latin spiritus from which we get our word spirit. Spiritus means "breath, courage, vigor, the soul, life." Breathing involves movement or activity. The prefixes of our English words clarify the motion of the breathing--upon, together, out, through, back or in--what brings something to life, gives it energy, movement, vigor--love that word!--soul, or the lack thereof, as in expire.
So, inspiration...an article of inspiration....something to breathe life into "the red room." Something to determine a comfortable collection of colors, fabrics, textures that will create a pleasing home living space. One that invites the family to be comfortable, spending time together (conspiring!). One that allows for the things that are important to us to be seen and shared--like pictures of our family, creations from our family. A place in which life will be shared in conversations with friends, in books with the girls, in a home movie night for the parents (please!!!!).
Off to a good start....
* * *
No surprise to learn that I'm in the midst of a study on the fruit of the Spirit. Happens to be Beth Moore's take on the Galatians 5: 22 & 23 passage. What is it that gives you true life in every day? What allows you to have the vigor to tackle what is on your plate? The soul that reaches out to others in relationship? The courage that it takes to face that new dawn when it comes?
She makes a wonderful observation about God-ordained human behavior: "We were created with a desire to be full." [Living Beyond Yourself, Beth Moore DVD, Viewer Guide, Session 1] Explains why we eat. Why we fill our calendars with places to go and things to do. This is why we sometimes perspire (or come close to expiring?!).
God wants us to live full lives. "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10: 9 & 10, emphasis mine).
But, do we fill our lives with the Holy Spirit? Do we fill ourselves with the real source of life-giving, courage-stepping, vigor-instilled breath? To Whom do we aspire to become? Are we merely respiring or do we live our days with purpose? What is our inspiration today?
Inspiration is part of getting your house in order.
Transpiring thoughts? (Breathed across)
Comments
Very inspiring post.
The pillow is a keeper! You should have gotten two. :) That scarf was great inspiration.
I also loved your thoughts on Jehovah-Rapha today.
I want to do something bold in one or two of my rooms. You have given me inspiration. I love the idea of red. It is just such a hard color to get the correct shade. I do not want it to go to an orange tint or (Heaven forbid) a pink tint.
Good for you for going with the bold....and also, thanks again for bringing the word of God into everything you touch.
What transpires here always serves to inspire. I aspire to your level of creativity. Perhaps some day we can conspire on a project... before I expire!
Love the update on the red room. Your constraint and thoughtfulness are admirable. I tend to get a wild hair about a project and just go off. Can't wait to see the finished project.
Thanks for your emails, comments and prayers about my trip. It's a true blessing to know you've been with me in spirit!! (And I agree that Dan should blog more.)
Hope all is well in "J" land. I'm sure you're enjoying spring-like weather as we are!
Talk to you soon.
Love ya,
Kelli
I seem to do too much respiring. Must work on that.
I love the earthy colors you are working with. I would love to do a complete makeover on my family room but haven't got the courage at this point.
Shopping with Kelly and still got out of the store without a pink pillow!
Have a terrific day!!
Oh, THERE it is!
Actually I'm glad. I enjoyed reading it again. I think I got more out of it too because I don't remember going to dictionary.com last time. :)
LOVED the little bonus study on -spir-. It was very inspiring and I think I'll save it.
I LOVE Beth Moore's studies. I've done 3 of them and would love to do more!
I'm going to think about that last chapter a lot! Thanks Sue! You are truly a blessing to me.