Take a Seat

The holidays are such a hectic time! There is so much planning, buying, cooking, calling, mailing, traveling and visiting going on. We rush through our days trying to be efficient and looking to please everyone... We tend to focus on the energy we need to put forth, and we forget what is there to also be received.

So I wanted to share the photo above with you, as an invitation for you to slow down a bit. Please snuggle in that while little chair for a moment, and fully experience all the joy and generosity of the season!

When you're feeling pressure... Take a seat and lighten up. Don't be so hard on yourself. You've done enough. Too much seriousness about everything, only contributes for a killjoy attitude!

When you're feeling frustrated... Take a seat and breathe. You can give in to anger and resentment or you can hold your seat and be merry!

When you're feeling disconnected... Take a seat, close your eyes and put your hands over your heart. Let that beat humble you and make you feel grateful for all that you are and all that you have!

But of course you can take a seat any other time you'd like too. Just allow this little chair to be a friendly reminder, that you can always find your way back to your center and true intention.

Image and words courtesy of Honorary Sister / Guest Blogger Alex of Gypsy Girls Guide.

For today's giveaway Alex is offering an image of choice; an especially matted and packaged 8x10 photograph from her Etsy shop! You'll have a tough time choosing as each is as enchanting as the next but you only have to leave a comment for a chance to win! Good luck!

A happy congrats to camerashymomma for winning a copy of Kelly Rae Robert's book Taking Flight.

Comments

[Marcie]

Love the graphic simplicity of this image. 'Take-a-seat'..is just perfect for today...as we plow our way thru the snow and fight thru to get all that needs to be done:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=630

[Julie]

I'm slow now. NO more present purchases. I'm all done. Just being out in this business freaks me out. Now it's just bake sweet fattening things and use my camera more!!!
Blessings,
julie

[shelagh]

Love this picture. Yes, that chair is just waiting for a warm bottom:)

[kosenrufu mama]

i love the picture

[Stephanie]

I wish I could just take a seat. Maybe after today if I get my Christmas shopping done. I love Alex's photos so much color and warmth. I need that since its 20 degrees with a foot of snow out in MI.

[Julia]

I can just feel the warmth from the sunlight in that picture!

[Gayle]

Love this post and the image! Perfect.

[Mary]

I'll take "drenched". I need it right now, so many "raindrops" hitting from every side - i will try to remain as calm as the captain.

[Kath]

We are definitely slowing down today ... looks like we're ready!

[Lisa]

I vowed to slow down and enjoy the season this year, but I was rushing around yesterday trying to get it "all" done. Thanks for the reminder.

Lisa

[renee @ FIMBY]

Lovely photo and reminder. I am sitting. enjoying. resting. crafting.

http://fimby.tougas.net/christmas-crafts

We've had our share of rushing around but not near so much as other years. Finally have the kind of holiday season I've wanted for years. Less stuff, less shopping, less stress

[Kathleen O.]

What a great reminder...although, there's nothing quite like 12 inches of light, fluffy snow to remind you to take it easy during the holiday season! Off to shovel...

[Julie Marie]

Thanks for reminding me that I can find comfort in my favorite seat !

[Puna]

I love that little chair. I agree with you..taking a seat now...

Here's when I wasn't -
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/black-friday/

And when I was actually enjoying the art of Christmas -
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/dont-eat-me/

I always try to do this season with good humor, it's what gets me through...

[Stephanie Fox]

Great advice.

[Kimberly]

wise words this wonderful crazy holiday season!

[Marcene]

So I'm thinking our early Christmas present http://www.flickr.com/photos/21008348@N03/3121161411/ is the perfect place to relax... now I just need a good comfy chair!

[Toni]

I'm taking a seat right now in my favorite chair. Wise words to remember this holiday season and any time of the year.

[Kyla]

Ahhh . . . thank you for that reminder! Beautiful photo! Love all those bright colors!

[Sheri]

Beautiful picture, wish I was in that chair right now. Thank you for the giveaway.


unexpectedblissblog(at)gmail(dot)com

[lizzy]

time to just be.
the colours & light in the photo are exquisite.

[Robin]

great photo!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hismuse/3076710809/

[Beth H]

Perfect image to remind myself to slow down and BREATHE!

[Kelley]

Done with shopping and ready to "rest" and enjoy the holidays!

[sandi]

awesome message in this post. Thank you. I needed it.
Would love to win one of the photos!

[Emily]

Great post - we all need this reminder. The picture is awesome!

[Sharon]

Great post and a beautiful photo. What a terrific start to the day.

[Emily Perry]

Thank you for the great words, and inspiration! You guys rock; I wold love to be entered in the give-away!
xxoo Happy Holidays sisters!

[Jamie]

Surprisingly, it was the weather that actually brought me some peace and I share it with all of you:
http://umbrellablog.com/photography/217/

[Kate]

Alex's photographs are dreamy! I especially love "Sending a Prayer."

[Molly]

Thanks for the post. That is the advice I needed. I love the blueish green color in that photo, and I especially love photos with furniture as my background is interior design.

[samantharoddy]

we've been snowed in for several days. slow is the only way to go around here...i might even officially declare 4th gear as a gear i no longer use! holidays be darned....i can always send love and presents and cookies next year. love your work. cheers

[Laurie L.]

The picture is wonderful...thanks for reminding us to breathe.

[Sherry]

Love the colors in this photo. Breathe. Sit a spell. Thank you.

[AppleTree]

I would like to be there right now...

[krista]

love this pic!

[devan]

love the pic.

[Karen]

Such a timely message--and a beautiful photo.

[Lesley]

Thank you for the beautiful reminder! This Christmas season has had me running in circles.

[Wanda]

I love that shot. Where is it?

[Lizabeth]

beautiful image

[Sherry]

Beautiful photograph

[shelli]

Love your photographs!

[Nicole]

So many good images in her Etsy shop! The winner will def. have a tough time!!

[Janine]

Beautiful colors, and a wonderful reminder during this rushed and stressed-out time!

[Tracie]

A nice reminder to slow down and breathe!

[Camille]

Ahhhh, such a calming photo. Thank you!

[kristin]

i love gypsy's prints so magical an otherworldly to me. vibrant in colors i have never seen. yes and we can all use the seat these days. thank you i think i will so sit awhile.....
i took this 2 days ago in a moment of warm sun on snow. and i stopped and breathed it all in, i took a seat so to speak in my mind.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3118829941/

[tixie]

Thanks! I am about to take a nap myself I think - I struggle to get everything done, but what doesn't get done - just doesn't get done. Everyone will survive! And I don't even have kids or a husband! Ha!

PS: I'm moving soon, so a new photograph to decorate some walls would be fantastic!

[karin]

add me to the list of slowing down ladies .... I love the chair, and the beating heart with hand over it. love that.
i'd love to be included in the drawing for the photo too!