Love - Keeping it Simple

Love

Why do we complicate things so? Is it for ego? Pride? To divide? To build up? Some things need not be complicated but are beautiful and perfect in their most simple form.  Love, a beautiful word, with infinite potential but simple enough a concept that even a baby in the womb begins to love the mother he or she is attached to.

Without filters of everything we have been taught; without creeds and religion – how could you allow love to simplify your life?  Where would you take this new love? What would you do with it? Who would you invite in to experience this love with you?  Who would they invite in?

With a simple and pure love guiding you, waking you gently from the sleep and numbness we have so grown accustomed to, what could you do? How could your soul be awakened when colored  by the simplest love? Like the love a butterfly knows for a bush, or the bird knows for the trees, or the grass knows for the earth? 

Realizing we are all connected, all needing each other all a part of vast universe, living together on the earth – seeking more than to just survive – but to feel alive.  Get out of that comfortable spot of your life and feel the discomfort of growing stronger, building something greater – yourself- through a hard work, spiritual sweat, seen and unseen tears.

Love yourself like you have never loved yourself.  Live like this is the only chance you get.  Love those around you like they were the living Jesus, and perhaps then we would see a world we would want our children to inherit.

When we choose to love simply – without prejudice or cause – we can love everyone, even without liking all the things a person might be.  We learn to allow and accept difference.  What would or world be if all the flowers were the same? Love who you are, without withholding love from another because they are not who or what you are or what you feel they should be.

Love like your cat, your dog, or your children love you – in spite of you.  And you will find the secret to joy and happiness while on this earth.

“Love in its purest form is simple, however, I do not proclaim it to be easy. There is a difference.”

In Love and Light,

Bernette

Sweet and Savory Kale Recipe - Back of Bag Recipe that Rocked!

We loved this kale dish I made on Saturday.  Delicious and can be made in 20 to 30 minutes. 
(This recipe in original form was from the bag of Nature's Greens Kale I used)

Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 20

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 medium onion-chopped (I used a white onion)
3 cloves garlic-minced (I used dehydrated garlic by
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard (I used honey dijon dressing)
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups chicken stock (I used chicken broth)
1 lb of clean chopped Kale (mine was a bag of Nature's Greens Kale)
1/3 cup sliced cranberries (I used light sweetened dried cranberries from the bag - but didn't have a full 1/3 cup so used what I had)
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, heat olive oil on medium high heat.  Add onion and garlic; saute until onion softens, sirring often, about 5 minutes.  Stire in ustard, sugar, cider vinegar and chicken stock. Bring to a boil on high heat.  Add kale, cover, and cook 5 minutes stirring often.

Add cranberries and continue cooking on medium high heat, stirring often.  The liquid should reduce by about half and cranberries will get plump in about 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with almonds, if desired.

Serves 4 to 6 (unless you are like me and got heaping spoonfuls)

So You Work from Home...

Remember what you thought of working from home before you started? Whether you transitioned from your office job to doing that work from home, or started consulting, or a new business venture, you probably had ideas I had like walking around in your PJs, getting housework and errands  done between work, and of course being there for your kids.

When I started working from home my daughter was 5 and went to school - perfect situation for working from home part-time.  Unbeatable in my book.

I soon realized that my plans of working from home part-time and balancing my baby weren't going to happen like I thought.  Never were those days working happily with the baby on my lap and me on my computer - both of us smiling joyfully.

I realized as my maternity leave was ending that I would have to get someone to come and help while I got work done like conference calls and meetings.  (My son has never been calm and quiet, the sit down type, or even the watch something on TV type).

It's been interesting working from home with a little one for over a year now.  I have definitely blown away a bunch of my own ideas of working from home - especially those images of a sweet baby sitting on your knee as you happily pound out work on your laptop.  Both of you blissfully unaware that at any moment those happy little baby fingers would hit the enter button while you are chatting with a client or the power button, proud of their dexterity, and end your work session. (It's one reason my image is what it is)

So how do you remain efficient, effective, and productive while working from home with a baby, toddler, or young child?  I would love other work from  home moms to comment on how they balance working from home.  If you haven't already, please take my survey (see sidebar).