31 March 2013

Easter Sunday Movie

My earliest memory, is of having a headache (migraine).  I was, I think four or five, and my father used a spoon to grind an aspirin with sugar and a little water for me to take.  Later, when I was about six, my uncle gave me a VHS copy of Mary Poppins for my birthday. To this day, it remains my most favourite movie of all-time.  There is so much wisdom in this children's film that I continue to apply the things I learned from this movie - daily.  Here are a few reason why I have such a special place in my heart for this bit of cinema.

Mary Poppins always sought the good and bright things that life had to offer.  Tea Parties on the ceiling, jumping into sidewalk chalk pictures, cleaning up the nursery with a snap of your fingers.

In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!  

Through it all, she was always on task and instilling a sense of responsibility in all she did.  The most important aspect I took away from this movie was that of confidence.  As she unpacks her carpet bag in the nursery she pulls out her measuring tape to measure the children.  This measuring tape is not your typical type you'd expect.  No, no, no.  By no means does it measure one's height, but the their character and attitudes.  Michael was stubborn and suspicious, and Jane was inclined to giggle and didn't put things away.

 As I expected. "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way."
I learned about confidence.  Confidence in myself and how to have confidence in others, despite that they may let you down sometimes.  I learned how one can use their imagination, but not to lose sight of reality, or your responsibilities.  Even as she left the Banks' household, though it was difficult and she had grown attached to the family, she knew her work there was done and she opened her umbrella and floated away into the sky, presumably to continue her work elsewhere.

Never judge things by their appearance... even carpetbags. I'm sure I never do.

How does this fit into my life as an Easter Sunday movie you may ask?  Like Mary Poppins, the life of our Saviour Jesus Christ was short here on the earth.  He was perfect in all he did.  He always taught and instilled confidence, and the importance of work.  Christ wanted us to learn lessons that would help increase our faith in his Father's plan, and as his life was coming to an end and it was time for him to depart, He did so with love in His heart, and the ultimate sacrifice.  After which, he ascended to be at the right hand of his Father in Heaven.

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.
Some days, I have a more difficult time finding those sweet things in life.  They're always there.  I treasure those moments of laughter and smiles from the nursery children on Sunday at church.  The innocence and spirit of love they possess.  I basque in the excitement of the little things in life that are the make up of the fibers woven into the fabric of my life.  I hope and pray for the sam for you and your family this Easter Sunday, as we consider how and who we love. Christ taught that we should love one another and serve our fellow man.  No matter what your spiritual affiliation, the universal principal of treating each other with love and respect is vital to happiness for all.

I stray from the movie Mary Poppins to leave you with this final quote from another Julie Andrews film called The Sound of Music.

You have a great capacity to love...these walls were not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.
 As it is with love and service for our fellow man, both have infinite capacities that are ever increasing.  Happy Easter.


15 March 2013

Spring Cleaning

Sure, our springtime weather is much different than most of yours, but we still have spring cleaning to do.  Since I have lost many inches around my waist, I have spent quite a bit of time purging my wardrobe and replacing it with new things.  Well, some of my clothes I don't have the heart to part with, so, I am having it tailored instead. When clothes are cute, they're just cute, and I didn't want to have to try and find a replacement for some of them.

Today, I spent half an hour with "my" tailor and having her take in and alter several items, including my favorite black dress.  It's a good problem to have I reckon.  I also have brought home two new pairs of jeans, bringing my jean total to four, and several new tops.  A friend of mine gave me a gift card to JC Penny and I finally took advantage of it today.  They are having a great sale, and I got several new items.  One item in particular, my favorite of the lot, only cost $5!!!!  Yay!  Nothing I bought today cost much more than that!  Oh yeah, it's all about sales!

My trip to Target today took me longer than I had anticipated.  I bought some snacks for the nursery kids on Sunday, as well as a few essentials that I have been needing.  Being on spring break has allowed me to get a lot done...except my homework.  LOL.  I guess I better get that done this weekend.  Fortunately, I have been thinking about it, so it shouldn't take long when it comes down to getting it down on paper.

Really, not a lot going on these days.  Two of my three hockey teams are done for the season, and I have two upcoming tournaments in April.  The only thing in my way is that I sprained my MCL and may not be ready come the first tournament.  Oh, right, and my one team made the championship game for the end of season tournament and lost.  We took second.  I did not get to play in the game, as I had sprained my MCL two days prior.  Go me!  =D

Okay, really, I think that's all I have going on these days.  Life has slowed down a great deal, so time to add something to the docket.  LOL!