Winter is a great time to learn. Each season I take a little time to think about some of the things I’ve learned. They may be small. They may be life altering. No matter the size they help me become the best version of myself.
So, pull up a chair and see if the things I’ve learned just might help you learn a thing or two.
Burn the Candles
I’ve spent years walking by the candles on my table or my dresser. I’ve looked at their sad, unfilled potential all because I didn’t want to use them up. I know.
Recently I decided to light the candles. The pretty ones, the decorative ones, the ones I never want to end. I’m lighting the candles because they sat in my house collecting dust instead of bringing light.
I need the light. And the joy.
Don’t Wait for Perfect
Isn’t it funny how all the lessons seem to build on one another. There is no perfect time to light the candle. And there is no perfect time to do the thing you’ve been dreaming of.
Now is perfect because it is present.
So, I’m trying to do the things. This website is a picture of that. You’re here, among the first to see my new project. It has been months of work and decision making to make it the best I could for you. I wanted it to be perfect. If I waited for perfect it would never happen.
Now is the perfect time because it is present. Click To TweetThis is my perfect present, my perfect now, my perfect imperfect.
(If you want to know more about this new space as we settle in and let the paint dry, check out this post!)
Baking Makes Me So Happy
There are few things that make me as happy as licking the spoon when I’ve baked something delicious.
It’s not the best thing for me, honestly, but baking makes me so happy. I made chocolate chip cookies just for the dough (does that even count as baking?!) I also made cinnamon apple bread and chocolate cinnamon bread (which was amazing!)
I don’t have any photos because I’m too busy eating my food to photograph it.
It’s All About Habits
I’m not a resolution girl. I’ve done the word of the year thing, but this year I wasn’t really feeling it. Instead I focused on habits – one single day at a time. And it’s been fantastic.
It’s not easy but I’m seeing progress. Progress is better than failure any day.⠀
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What habit would you like to develop this month?⠀
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(I made this super helpful chart! If you like it let me know and I’ll see if I can make it available to my subscribers!)⠀
Every Season Has Books, Especially Winter
It’s no secret I love books. I’m finding that each season, both on the calendar and in my life, lead me to different types of books. This winter has been a refocusing on God and my daily life.
You can always find my favorite books here, but there are two I have to highlight.
Alabaster offers books of the Bible in their own individual softcover formats. They are 100% scripture. Nothing added other than beautiful layout and artwork to inspire you as you read God’s Word.
I loved this book! Emily Freeman (who inspired this seasonal look at what we learn) has taken her soul-filling podcast and put it on the page, lots of pages. Plus, the new guided journal is on it’s way to me and I can’t wait!
What is one thing you learned this winter?
Sharing words with these great writers! Visit them to be encouraged today!
Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Trekking Thru, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
I also love baking, and am dreaming today about making a batch of calzones for the freezer so I can send some north with the college son (to keep him alive while he house sits!).
So thankful that we never stop learning!
Freezing calzones is genius (and it sounds delicious!) So glad you’re here 🙂
Fun to find thus post today! Happy 2021!
I love baking, too, Rebecca. That Cinnamon Apple Bread looks delicious. Your new site looks great! Love and blessings to you!
It was really good! I don’t know what the weather is by you, but it’s a great winter treat!
I love your habit tracker. And your candles are so pretty. I’m glad you are enjoying them and not saving them 🙂
It’s such a silly thing, really. But it has made me so happy. I don’t know why I waited to burn the candles for so long!
Your baking photo makes me want to go bake now too!
It’s always the right time to bake! 😉
Yes, yes, yes.
Love these!
Don’t wait for perfect is probably my biggest one.
Once I stopped nodding my head to the limits only I was putting on myself, a tiny ball formed and began to gain momentum each day I said yes to the whisper.
I love your work, and new website my friend. Keep it up!! xoxoxo
Isn’t it funny how we let these ideas take root and become part of how we do everything? Well, not funny, but interesting. It feels so good to choose imperfect (most of the time!) Thanks for your sweet encouragement! xo
Oh yes- my candles are collecting dust- thanks for the logic to burn them! I too need the joy, the light, and the scent. And baking! It is my therapy! During hectic times when big projects aren’t possible, baking is!
I think baking is always the right answer!
Need to feel cozy? Bake
Hungry? Bake
Feeling blue? Bake
🙂
Oh my – so much in common:) I am right now purposefully burning the candles. Determined to use them all – before I buy more, of course!:) And baking makes me really happy as well! I rarely even eat the final product but love to share with my friends..and others!
I was at TJ Maxx today and saw a new candle. It was lovely smelling and had a beautiful name (I think it was made by Sand & Fog) and I almost bought it. But I remembered that I have a new candle or two ready to burn in the closet. I forced myself to put it back until I use the ones I have!
Your new site is beautiful! It was fun to read about your candles as I have been burning mine as well … and it has been wonderful not only as the aroma filled the room but to experience the comfort they brought. So I learned that this winter and also … God ministers to us through friends who show up unannounced and unexpected with meals; and in others who shovel our driveway and walks. I find myself grateful for this winter season and the lessons He has brought. Blessings to you!
Thanks so much for your kind words Joanne! I love that God is ministering to you through amazing people offering beautiful acts of service! Such a gift!
I like your encouragement to burn the candles and release their “unfulfilled potential”!
I especially like the ones that smell wonderful! Mine sat in the cabinet for far too long, and I decided to use the ones I like and maybe even get rid of the ones I didn’t care for.
I didn’t do a word of the year this year either. I prayed about it and felt like I still needed to work on the ones from the last three years this year.
Isn’t it amazing how great it feels to use something lovely? And that point you made about getting rid of ones you don’t care for — AMEN!!!
What a great list! I’m terrible for “saving” things for the right time, and that time never seems to come. 😉 Time to use the good craft supplies, and write in the journal too pretty to touch!
I also love to bake as a way to unwind. Does anything smell better than fresh baking?
YES! You get it! I’m not a crafter, but journals that remain blank are something I can relate to. I’m not sure what magical words I’m saving them for, but ordinary words are better than no words!
Loved your list of 5 things! I love to burn all the candles! I have one burning next to me now. And yes to habits. I just read Atomic Habits by James Clear and found it so inspiring. Really helpful. Trying to work on my minimalist yoga habit!
I keep hearing about Atomic Habits. I think Tsh from The Art of Simple is where I first heard about it. I guess I should check it out!
Candles…I light them NOW. And, when we walk out the door of our downtown flat we ask, “are there candles burning?” So far we haven’t missed one! Great post.
Thanks Susan! And that is one of my biggest worries — leaving a candle burning! My husband has been in the fire department since he was 14 in the town we still live in. If I were to have even a small fire from a candle I’d be so embarrassed!
I love this! I recently learned the “burn the candles” lesson when my sister came to visit and lit this super nice candle my husband and I got as a wedding gift. We were both mortified! But it led to me realizing I seriously needed to get my priorities in order. Besides what were we saving it for if not for something as special as having family visit us!
Isn’t it amazing how God can use someone else to push us out of our comfort zone! So often I don’t like how the push feels, but I like where I end up! Grateful you had a lovely visit!
Hey Rebecca, my favorite thing is how you said, “Now is perfect because it is present.” I’ve been a recovering perfectionist for years. And finally at a point where I’ve let a lot of things go because it robbed my joy. Like your candle story. I did the same thing, didn’t want to light certain ones that were for decoration “only.” So they weren’t even serving their intended purpose.
Your neighbor today at #MOH
Perfectionism can feel like a monster, a good, cute, normal monster. Until we see it in the light! Grateful for God’s grace as I learn to be present, and grateful you’re here today!
I’m right there with you on leaning about the power (or comfort) of actually using those candles! That, and I’ve also recently learned that nothing is ever perfect. Or, better said, I thought I had given up my perfectionist tendencies, and I keep uncovering new ways that perfectionism rears its ugly head. Thank goodness we never stop learning!
Yes! I thought I was over it too! Until something else showed up! But God’s grace is always enough. That’s what I keep holding on to!
Hi, congrats on your new space. Thanks for sharing your news on #LMMLinkup. I love the Gospel books and entered the contest. I loved the central message of your post and selected it as my favorite for the week! Seems we are both in the same reflective season.
Thanks Mary! And thanks for sharing my post. I love that we are both in the same season; it makes me happy to be in good company! 🙂
Lovely post Rebecca! It’s great you have found what works for you in the perfect imperfection of life on planet Earth!
And are now enjoying the light & fragrance of your candles, there’s a lesson for us all in that! As so often we don’t shine our light in waiting for perfect moments to do so… do we!
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa, I’d love some Apple cinnamon bread 😉
New year’s blessings to you,
Jennifer
You’re so sweet!
Yes, you are exactly right…so often I wait to long to shine my light. Thank you for reminding me!
Happy New Year!
Rebecca, I loved reading about the things you learned this winter. 🙂 I enjoy baking too. I think I’m going to have to try that chocolate cinnamon bread. I’ve added cinnamon to pancakes, waffles, and chocolate chip cookies. I definitely need to try this recipe.
This winter I learned the importance of making time to rest. I had been more stressed than I realized when we traveled in December. Being out of our normal groove, though at times hard, was really good for my soul. I’m working to make rest a more intentional part of my life in this new year.
This post reminds me of one I wrote about 5 lessons I learned when the lights went out ( due to a power failure caused by a massive ice storm.) I learned how much I appreciated light-and candles. You’re never in the dark when you have candles. And I agree, we should light them anytime, not just when the power goes out.
I love this. lovely lessons learned this winter. What a grace to find the lessons in the midst of even the cold, hard places. thank you for sharing this.