Terri Conrad Designs

Choosing Happiness

I stopped by B&N the other day, looking for  this book , and while I purchased it, along with a couple'a home design & art magazines, I let myself be led to Choosing Happiness as well. I haven't much disposable time to read, but when I find a good book, with words of wisdom good for the soul, I so enjoy sitting in my studio, curled up on my settee surrounded by pillows, reading, and writing in the book as well as my journal. Do you write in your books?

It's a choice, you know - happiness. So often we seek it as if it may be found in a department store, a beautiful home, a fabulous vacation, a perfect job or an overflowing bank account - or a glazed doughnut & cappuccino (my personal preference).

The author (like so many others - there's got to be something to this concept) tells us to live mindfully present in each moment of our day.  This refers to everything from changing the bed linens, doing laundry, driving our children to their many appointed places, and so much more. "The past, whether good or bad, is not where we should water the seeds of our consciousness, because doing so drains our energy from what is alive in and around us now. Dwelling on the past inhibits our ability to move forward and take action to inspire our well being." True happiness is to enjoy the present without anxious dependence upon the future.

I have always loved the song, Que Sera Sera - its poignant yet playful lyrics tell us the future is not ours to see. It will arrive no matter the amount of worry or anxiety we invest, so instead, spend that energy productively, positively in the here and now.

My sweet little momma bird who built her nest just outside my office window is a precious reminder, a gift from Mother Earth, that true happiness is in the here and now. Her little baby birdlets have hatched, and she and daddy bird are dutifully caring for their offspring, moment by precious moment.

I love what I do - honestly, it's taken quite a long time to own it, as they say. This is work of my choosing, of my planning, of my intention - and here it is in full swing. EVERYTHING in my past has led me to this place where I find myself today.  Because I want to be all that I am capable of becoming, and have what's needed to pass this on to my daughters, I want to take a deeper look at things like authenticity, happiness, defining who I am, my real beauty, the things I dare to dream and do, and invite you to join me in this very special journey - beauty in every day matters of the heart. I hope you will join me.

Magical things happen every day and life itself is grace. Will you choose happiness today? When you do, I bet'cha you'll see magical moments pop up all around you.

xoxo

Terri

What do you need today - a little blog candy to make your day?

What dear blog friends do you need today? How often do you even give yourself the opportunity to consider what you need? If you're a busy, working mum like me, I bet not very often.

This little lady has been quite busy the past few weeks, building her nest, caring for her soon to be hatchling. While difficult to clearly see - this is my little momma bird just outside my office window, in her nest. All she needs right now, is to keep her little egg or eggs warm and safe until they're ready to enter our world. She is so nurturing.

Oh how I want to peek inside her nest, but it is up just high enough for my little 5' frame to not even see when standing up on my front porch welcome bench - and I certainly don't want to cause momma bird any undue stress.

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Do you need a little laughter maybe? Oh, laughter is so good for the soul.

I found this video "make em laugh" from Singin' in the Rain (a superb film) and hopefully by watching it, you will find your sweet self smiling, and even giggling a bit.

I have a bit of a boisterous laugh - when it's really tapped into, it's a no holds bar guffaw straight from the belly, and boy-oh-boy how good that feels, huh? My girls tell me they can always hear my laugh in the crowd at school plays and such. Not sure that's a good thing for them :o) but it is for momma.

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So, I've been giving thought to this little blog of mine, wondering whether to keep it up, what to write, what to share . . .pondering the possibilities - oh, I have some ideas, but I'd sure like to hear from you too. Is there something in particular you want when you visit a blog, this blog? 

I was visiting my fellow artist friend, Jackie Von Tobel, (have you seen her fabrics - OMG!) the other day and saw her yummy pencil holder in this post and thought I'd share with you how I store my pens and pencils. The containers are designed to hold silverware, but, sheesh! Who says we have to use anything for its intended purpose. I love thinking outside the box.

I have some in my Feather Your Nest and Botanique collections - they spin too which makes them extra fun and all girly - twirly! Would you like one? Tell me what you would use yours for, and if you have a blog, do feel free to post the pic on your blog with our link, inviting your readers to come join the fun. In a few days, will randomly select a winner.

Now, if you haven't put in your special request for mother's day, come visit us here (or send hubby) to find something special to warm your heart & home (just what every momma wants).

Thanks for visiting -

blessings to you

xoxo

Terri

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

Beauty comes in so many forms, doesn't it? Just taking a few minutes (okay 30, 60, oh my it's been an hour and a half?) to view some of the blogs out there, you will see for your self, beauty in one's home, one's garden, the twinkle in a child's eyes, a rendering of a new piece of art, the bloom of a spring flower - we are surrounded by it in all its many, many form - we need to slow down enough to see what is before our eyes.

oh my - you must visit:

city cottage

a beach cottage

beautiful gardens

This sweet little bird is from our Feather Your Nest collection

 

and the lovely clock (peeking in from the side) from our 

Botanique collection

 

Mother's Day is on its way . . .warm her heart & home with something oh so lovely from our shop (this is just a sampling of our licensed product lines - feel free to send an inquiry for additional info)

Make the time to appreciate something beautiful today. Hoping blessings come your way today

xoxo

Terri

Perspective . . .

Sometimes we need to step away from a situation, person or place, in order to gain perspective, a fresh point of view or to see how things really are.

I took that step just this past week taking my daughters (for our "Wednesday Night Girls' Night")  to Topanga State Beach to watch the sun set. Momma's been working a wee bit much and as much as I love my work, I needed to see, hear, feel, touch and smell something different than the 3 walls inside my home office. I needed a different perspective.

It was fabulous spending undivided time with my girls, driving down Sunset Boulevard on to Pacific Coast Highway. I felt like I was coming home.  Having lived at the beach my entire life until '95 when I got married and moved far, far away from the beach, it remains my solace, my special place to clear my thoughts, to fill my soul and to refresh my perspective.

I so appreciated the simplicity of spreading out our three towels, taking off our shoes, and sitting in the sand, walking, talking, laughing & playing with each other . . . there was sand, saltwater, surfers and oh my! We even had dolphin and sea lions pay us a visit. Simple gifts that I love, oh so much.

I hear it's call for me to return, not just to play, but to stay. Perhaps someday we will. Until then, I look, I see, and I appreciate what is in front of me right at this moment . . .the three walls of my small, yet to be decorated home office, but I have the privilege to work from home, I (and my family) have a home, my husband and I have work, we have our health, I hear the sounds of my daughter practicing her flute as I write, while I hear my other daughter on Skype with a friend - and so many more things to be grateful for. 

Among them, Momma squirrel, who works so diligently (all day long) building her nest. I regularly leave little treats for her to find along her travels . . .apple, peanuts, sometimes an orange wedge. I was finally able to capture a pic of her enjoying what she found - again, simple gifts.

 

It's an interesting thing, perspective - how we see, what we see. How about you - do you sometimes feel like you need a shift in perspective? I received this post from Tara Reed

and when you play the recording it brings an all together different meaning when you hear it (read it) backwards. It just depends on your perspective . . .

Wishing you a joyfully clear day

Reason to Celebrate!

May you have a blooming beautiful Easter celebration!

xoxo

Terri

 

gabrielle kai photography