Over these past few months we have overcome change and redefined our priorities.

We have seen the extraordinary in the ordinary.

We have built new relationships with what’s important, we recognize the beauty in simplicity and the truth in the present moment.

As Plato said, “Beauty is the splendour of truth”.

So I put this question out into the universe and waited.

But not for long.

I asked my many readers, friends and family this question,

“I BELIEVE IN………..”

Here are the wonderful and insightful answers I received.

—

I believe in love.

I believe in true love. The kind of love that you dream about.

I believe in God, community & friendship.

I believe in the next generation.

I believe in youth – even more as one ages.

I believe in karma – put good out in the world, get good in return.

I believe in the power of positive thinking – attitude is everything.

I believe in myself.

I believe in the power of my thoughts.

I believe in the human spirit.

I believe in fairies, spirituality and energy work.

I believe in striving for equality for everyone.

I believe in equity – give each person the tools they need to achieve success.

I believe in entrepreneurship and the ability to carve your own destiny.

I believe in journeys filled with adventure and surprises.

I believe in the gift of forgiveness.

I believe in the power of kindness.

I believe in trusting the energy of the universe – it will provide happiness and fulfillment

I believe in Mother Nature – the force that never stops, doesn’t play favourites, is consistent, always un-predictable and keeps supporting LIFE.

I believe in Naturopathic Medicine.

I believe in laughter as a form of medicine.

I believe in science.

I believe in hard work.

I believe in always learning.

I believe in integrity. If you’re not going to use it, no point in having it.

I believe in less talk, more rock.

I believe in Canada, my country, my home.

I believe in humanity and the goodness of people.

I believe in quality over quantity.

I believe in the simple things – a smile, laughter.

I believe in giving people the benefit of doubt.

I believe in chocolate for breakfast.

I believe in apple crisp and ice cream.

I believe in wearing your Sunday best on Monday.

I believe exercise makes you feel better.

I believe art lifts us all up.

I believe in the strength of friends and family – they are everything.

I believe in the power and beauty of WORDS.

—

To everyone who took the time to send me their thoughts and words – I say thank you.

I believe in all of you. ❤️

Always,

Modmissy

In life we learn to begin sitting not long after we are born.

As early as 5 months one’s relationship with the chair begins.

Sitting next to those we cherish is something a favourite chair provides.

A favourite chair becomes entwined in our lives. Weaved into our memories.

A favourite chair brings us together to share special meals.

A favourite chair can often be sat upon in a beautiful park-like setting.

Imagine putting your favourite chair on a shelf !?

A favourite chair allows us a view to nature; to sit near water.

A favourite chair can be inventive and fun!

During Covid we became better acquainted with our favourite chair.

Surrounded by windows and an amazing view a favourite chair is discovered.

Probably the most favourite chair is one that provides great happiness!

I asked 100 people to complete this sentence,

Never Be Afraid of…….??

It was a tall task to provide an answer as evidenced by people’s replies.  Some people were immediate in their response, while others were quite passionate as indicated by their lengthy replies.

Overall the question definitely hit a chord.

One would have thought that asking 100 people the same question would have resulted in 100 different answers.

Not so.

The responses received were less varied than one might have thought.

Here are the results of my survey.

The most popular response was Never Be Afraid of……CHANGE. 

Not sure if the recent change in the political landscape is the reason for so many people quoting change or if it is more on a personal level.  Either way change can sometimes be totally immobilizing but change can be a good thing for in movement there is life.  If it doesn’t change you then it doesn’t challenge you.

Never Be Afraid of……..TOMORROW.  The future.

Unfortunately, life does not come with a crystal ball but as Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”. 

Besides, tomorrow is another chance to get it right.

Never Be Afraid of……..TAKING RISKS.  FAILURE.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  As often occurs, failure leads to success.

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts”.

Never Be Afraid of………KNOWLEDGE.

Of learning new things.  New opportunities.  Meeting new people.

A very smart man, Albert Einstein, once said, “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience. You need experience to gain wisdom.” 

So just get out there and do it.

Never Be Afraid of………BEING YOURSELF.  Believing in yourself.  What others may think of you.

A well-known fact, an original is always worth more than a copy.

Never Be Afraid of…….CONFRONTATION.  Adversity. Speaking your truth and being honest.

It’s about meeting life head on.  After all ‘life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain’.

Throw off the shackles that bind.

Dance baby, dance!

Never Be Afraid of……FEAR.

This one is a biggie as fear can be totally paralyzing.

But wise people say that if you can understand your fear you can own your power.

To quote Mark Twain, “Do the things you fear, and the death of fear is certain”.

To all those who paused, reflected and shared their inner thoughts – THANK YOU.

A new year is upon us.

Instead of making resolutions (often too negative) ‘I believe‘ in focusing on the positives in life.  Therefore:

• I believe in being happy. Life should be happy.
• I believe in keeping things simple.
• I believe in finding happiness in simple things.
• I believe in learning something new each day.
• I believe in always thinking before speaking.
• I believe in blue skies, spring flowers and trees.
• I believe in the grass is green on both sides of the fence.
• I believe in praising others achievements.
• I believe in the goodness of total strangers.
• I believe in the benefits of being relaxed.
• I believe in finding your spiritual self.
• I believe in the importance of family.
• I believe in squealing with happiness.
• I believe in the power of coincidence.
• I believe in always helping others.
• I believe everyone looks wonderful with a smile on their face.
• I believe in a best friend.
• I believe in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

But above all, I believe in being happy.

May 2017 be a wonderful year full of happiness.

All images via MODMISSY

Recently I was invited to dinner at the home of friends.

Wonderful hosts.  Fabulous food.

As often happens while entertaining around a dining table the conversation eventually turned to the discussion of wine.

Red wine, white wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Italy, France, California.  Expensive vs. cheap and cheerful. etc. etc.   

Not being an imbiber of wine and having no knowledge on the subject my interest in the conversation waned.

Instead I started focusing on the surrounding décor.

The hazard of being a home stager/designer is that I start to envision changes.  What would I change in the room?  How would I rearrange furniture?

Not that anything needed changing.

But for me I enjoy imaging.

And if there are wonderful pieces to play with, all the better.

The hosts own an impressive, massive-sized, carved wood gold leaf Venetian-style mirror that they acquired at a Paris flea market while on their honeymoon.

(I have no photos to show as I did not think it fortuitous of me to take out my phone and start snapping away!)

There is a lovely down-filled settee.

A beautiful vintage silk kimono hangs on the wall.

And artwork; great smalls hang in a grouping.

Now if there is one thing one is to understand about me, I have been playing with furniture since I was a child.  These miniature wood toys were mine as a young child and have kept them all these years.  I have no other childhood toys except these; no Barbie dolls, no games, nothing.  Just these cherished pieces. 

So there I was in my reverie imaging the décor as I would when I realized the host was watching me ‘audit’ his livingroom.

BUSTED!

We both smiled.

Fortunately for me the hostess at that very moment entered the room carrying the most impressive looking, sky-high tall cake that I have ever seen.

And it was delicious.

Cheers!

Recently I had a conversation with a client about IKEA.

They admitted they had never visited an IKEA store; they thought it would be far too overwhelming.

So having written this poem about IKEA and the logistics of navigating this big store I thought I would once again share my tips and suggestions.

Welcome newcomer,

Your first trip to IKEA has finally arrived.

As a seasoned shopper with valuable tips,

I will explain how I have survived.

Navigating the big blue and yellow store,

Initially may seem like no easy feat.

But with a few of my simple tips,

I promise there will be no feeling of defeat.

Most important of all,

Is to wear your most comfortable shoes,

Because as I have already mentioned,

IKEA is big and has lots and lots to view.

Don’t worry about ever getting lost,

IKEA has this unnerving dilemma sorted out

With big arrows on the floor,

An easy way-finding system avoids any sense of doubt.

Before beginning your IKEA journey,

With smaller ones in tow,

You might like to use the Småland childcare service,

It’s free and yours if you choose so.

Head directly up to the 2^nd floor,

For this is where you will see,

Room settings that will truly inspire,

Designed with IKEA furniture and accessories.

Now you might need to understand,

While you are on your shopping mission,

That IKEA’s roots and origin,

Hail from the country of Sweden.

So be prepared to be introduced,

To POÄNG, KLIPPAN, LACK and LIATORP

HEMNES, OPPDAL, MALM,

ASPELUND, RYKENE, PAX, and EKTORP!

Now that you are more fluent in Swedish,

Head to the 1^st floor and grab a shopping cart,

For on this level you will begin to discover,

All the kitchenware, bedding, lighting, carpets and art.

Now keep following those arrows,

And very soon you will see,

The place that has made IKEA globally known,

A warehouse full of flat-pack and self-assembly.

And don’t forget to take some time,

To nosh on a variety of IKEA treats,

For there is lots of fabulous food,

Eat-in or take-away that just can’t be beat.

You have now successfully made it to the end,

With the check-out clearly in view.

You never got confused or lost,

And had a wonderful shopping experience too!