Patsy Clairmont's Blog, page 8
November 24, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving
What? It’s November? I know it must be true because sixteen snowflakes skittered through TN last week announcing the shift in power from Autumn to Winter.
I personally have been ignoring all the holiday hype because I just wanted the year to slow down. I finally got use to writing 2014 and now here we are bumping up against 2015.
To help my lagging spirit I put up our Christmas tree yesterday which looks a tad odd next to our 10 pumpkins…but oh, well. I must say it cheered up the overcast day as the tiny white lights reflected off the chrystal ornaments. Then I cranked up some Christmas music, turned on the logs, poured a cup of coffee, and thought about how blessed I am.
I must tell you I chatted with Anita Renfroe and when she heard I had put my tree up before Thanksgiving she said, “A turkey is going to slide down your chimney in the night and peck off all your ornaments.”
I can’t stop laughing over that! Don’t you love friends who make you laugh? And who fill your heart with thankfulness. Which is what this letter is about…to say to you how grateful I am that you are in my life. I pray your holidays are full of all that is good and in your best interest. Things like laughter, love, and loads of
From Turkey Day to our Lord’s Day to the New Year may you celebrate The Gift Giver-Jesus, while at work, in your home, and especially in your heart. Remember it’s not about the presents (even though I’m hoping for aqua boots), but it’s about His presence. Hosanna to the highest! Christ is Lord!
Much love,
Patsy
P.S.I have to go string up a net under the chimney opening to catch that turkey when it comes wiggling down. I hope it’s a jolly fat one I have family coming and they sure enuf know how to eat!!
February 7, 2014
Register now for On the Porch with Patsy
Excited to announce a new On the Porch with Patsy event.
October 24-26, 2014. This event will sell out so register today!
January 6, 2014
August 23, 2013
Shaking Your Tree…coaching program
I have a passion for helping people shake loose the stories from their own lives to use in communicating more personally, effectively, and memorably, whether from a stage, a board meeting, a Sunday School class, or over the back fence with a neighbor. We were designed to invest in each other and sharing our stories is a personal and powerful way to do that.
Every experience in life eventually becomes part of a story. What is your story?
It’s been said that throughout a lifetime you become a product of your personal experiences, circumstance and environments. Although we may not always have control over ‘what life brings’, we do have control over three things:
Our Reactions, Our Actions and Our Contributions.
Take a minute and identify where you are right now and where you want to be in the future.
If you are ready to take a leap of faith, I want to personally “Shake Your Tree”, expose your story, coach and encourage you to reach your goals.
For details go Here
June 10, 2013
What time teaches mom
In this short audio clip, I share a few things I would have done differently as a mother.
February 8, 2013
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly Conduct
Messy matters, especially if your life circumstances are in disarray. There is something about order that helps settle down racing thoughts and emotional clutter. Decisions are easier. It also makes life-function run smoother. When things are orderly we can receive unexpected guests without embarrassment and we are prepared for spontaneous activities without harried or guilty reactions.
Take 15 minutes and tackle one messy place in your surrounding. It might be your desk, your nightstand, your kitchen counters, your closet, your purse, etc. Later do it again in another congested area. By the end of the day your measurable improvements will make you feel way better than a hot fudge sundae with whipping cream.
Tidy takes the tangle out of your brains so you can process important matters.
February 6, 2013
Yes to Jesus! Yes to life!
Yes to Jesus! Yes to life!
Life is a teeter-tauter balance between yes’s and no’s. We won’t get it right every time but when we do it’s exhilarating.
Think of the last time your yes or your no was well-placed. Didn’t that feel good?
“Yes” is like opening a door or a window or a lock…in your mind and heart.
It’s permission granted. It’s an embracing. It’s opportunity.
Air-out your attitudes, your dreams, your potential, etc, say “yes.”
February 4, 2013
Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom
When Luci Swindoll told me one of her favorite inventions was the alphabet I knew we would always be friends. I love words. I’m a bonafide verbiage collector. I love small words like gnu, descriptive words like dollop, and filler words like thingamajigs and whatchamacallits.
There’s something magical about lining up letters and finding the very thing you want to say. So imagine the jolt I got when a couple of my friends showed up at a conference sporting, “On Voice Rest” badges. “What does that mean,” I puzzled. They rolled their eyes and pointed at the confusing script. “On Voice Rest,” I squawked. Still befuddled I asked, “but does that mean you’re actually not going to talk?” They nodded. I was almost silenced, but then I rallied and decided I could talk for all three of us. So I was chatting away when one of them got up walked over to me and pulled from her pocket a backup badge and pinned it on my collar. Harrumph.
C’mon, not talk? Think. About. It.
I read once about a movie actor who fasted from words on Wednesdays. He said it added such a flurry of creative energy to his work and it helped him be more word sensitive when he did speak.
Secretly, I admired his choice but I have yet to duplicate it. I have however remained silent on two hour flights only to get off and magpie anyone within a 10 foot perimeter. It’s like the accrued word count within me had percolated in my silence until when I disembarked I erupted into a volley of caffeinated chat.
I do have a propensity to go on-and-on. I know that. It’s like I have no edit button. When in truth I know it’s a matter of changing gears (slowing my pace) and installing a conscious (Holy Spirit) awareness of my need to at least minimize my word count.
Voice rest has multiple benefits.
Those who have grown weary of our deluge are relieved.
We listen more closely, (because we are not busy crafting our response).
Our new discipline will spill over into other frayed areas of our life.
People’s trust in us grows.
And our center stills. We feel less frantic and surprisingly, more heard.
So what about a wordless Wednesday or having a mute button installed for Monday mornings? Or being silent long enough to hear what God’s curriculum is for us?
Think about it. I am.
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” Francis Bacon
This post was inspired by the Luminous Project. Luminous is a creative spiritual event in Nashville May 1-3, 2013. To find out more, check out www.luminousproject.com. You can use the promo code ‘BRINGitHERE’ to get 35% off the registration price.
February 1, 2013
Signs of maturity…
Signs of maturity.
Learn ways to take care of YOU…like speaking kindly to and about yourself. Mental tapes are powerful. Practice kind internal words like; “I see how hard you’re trying. Keep up the good work. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Give yourself permission to rest. A twenty minute nap will rejuvenate your body and your attitude. Read a book that builds your courage and renews your hope.Take a class that expands your focus and horizon. Bible Study. Exercise. Poetry. Drawing. Painting. Writing. Make a leap. Do it today. Sign up.
You are important.
January 30, 2013
Feelings matter
Feelings
What is your favorite feeling? I mean are you addicted to your anger? Do your words have an edge? Do you apologize too often? Are you fearful? Sometimes its easier to identify emotions in others. What was your dad’s most predictable emotional reaction to life in general? Your mom’s? Your siblings? Now back to you. Who are you most like in your first family? We are habitual people. What emotional habits do you think you absorbed in your childhood? Good news: change if needed is a choice.
Feelings matter.
