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On tap-dancing, pineapple hats and getting noticed at what you do

Friday ~ Posted by Karen Schravemade

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks around here. But before I spill the latest news, I have a question for you.
Are you trying to get noticed at what you do? Do you ever feel invisible and wonder whether it’s all worth the effort? 
I think every blogger can identify with the uphill work it takes to launch a new blog and get it established. There are many moments of self-doubt and wondering if all the hard work is worth it. You might feel the same way about launching a new business, growing a brand, or trying to get established in a creative industry such as writing or design.
It’s a bit like the feeling you might get if you leapt onto stage wearing a hat made of pineapples and did a tap-dance with lots of jazz hands… then noticed that most of the audience weren’t even glancing your way. You start to think, gee, I must look pretty silly. I’m trying too hard. I shouldn’t have spent the last two months rehearsing my tap-dance and taking intensive classes and making a pineapple hat costume from locally-sourced, organically-grown pineapples. It’s too much effort. And so you slink sadly into the wings with your pineapple hat and never tap-dance again.

Or, perhaps the story goes like this. You do your dance. In the entire audience of hundreds of thousands, a handful of people clap. One or two even throw roses onto the stage and shout “bravo!” Encouraged, you decide to forget about the big audience you’re trying to reach and focus on the core group of people who like what you’ve done. After all, they are pretty awesome, and they’re worth your best effort. 
So you come back night after night, and you do your dance. You take more classes and rehearse even harder and try new and more daring costumes, such as a dress hand-woven from Tahitian palm fronds and a hat incorporating live monkeys hanging from a tree. Nothing much changes with regard to your audience paying any more attention, except for that small group of people in the front few rows who always smile at you and throw bananas for your monkeys to eat. Gradually you get more confident, because smiles have that effect. You decide you’re going to stick with this and give it your best. Because your fans on the front row are awesome, and you like being able to make them happy, and your monkeys really like the bananas. So you keep working and dancing and practicing to get better and better at what you do.    
And then, after what seems like a long time, and just when you least expect it, someone grabs you in the wings as you’re leaving the stage and says, “Hey! I really like your stuff! I think I can help you!” And just like magic, cool stuff starts to happen. 
Except it’s not really magic, because it’s taken months and months of hard work and practice and research and effort, and all that time when you thought hardly anyone was watching, perhaps one or two people way back in the grandstands noticed all that effort and thought to themselves, “I like her stuff. That pineapple hat is really quite awesome. I would like more people to see what she’s doing, because I’m pretty sure they would like it too.”
So yeah…. that’s how I feel. I’m the dorky girl in the pineapple hat who decided to work really hard even when no-one was watching and who’s just had some cool stuff happen to her. First came the news that I’ve been accepted as a monthly contributor at the popular blog, Practically Functional. Next, I was invited to participate in a Summer blog hop with a whole group of fabulous bloggers – my project will be coming up in a couple of weeks!
And today I’m being featured on the Summer Spotlight Series hosted by Kenarry: Ideas for the Home, View from the Fridge, Oh, My! Creative and One Krieger Chick.  The Summer Spotlight showcases awesome ideas from a different talented blogger each Friday throughout the Summer months (or winter, if you’re Aussie like me).
 Featured on the Summer Spotlight with Kenarry, View from the Fridge, Oh My! Creative and One Krieger Chick
I encourage you to swing by their sites to check out the ideas they’re featuring from my blog as well as the entire Summer Spotlight series. You can also follow the hosts online to see the great ideas they share year-round:

Carrie of Kenarry: Ideas for the Home

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+

Katie of View from the Fridge

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Susan of Oh My! Creative

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Ariean of One Krieger Chick

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram
Summer Spotlight with Kenarry, View from the Fridge, Oh My! Creative and One Krieger Chick

What does this all have to do with you?
I want to encourage you to keep going.
Do it for the people on the front row who love what you do. They’re worth it. There’s no instant success (and I’m certainly a long way from being one) but success is achievable – you just have to earn it by working hard and getting better at what you do.
The only magic is in not giving up.
And if you’re one of those people on the front row who’ve smiled at me in my silly hat? Thank you. Words can’t say how much it’s meant to me to have a group of strong supporters such as yourselves. Every comment, every like and share is a smile that has kept me going. I couldn’t have asked for a more lovely, generous and giving group as you have been in my early days as a blogger.
Have you ever felt like the dorky girl in the pineapple hat when you’re trying to establish something new? What tips would you add to help overcome discouragement?
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my guest feature here!
P.P.S. In case you’re wondering…. this is still not THE news I’ve been hinting at. How much excitement can you take? Stay tuned!

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Categories: Happiness, Inspire

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Lovely comments

  1. Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for th says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Karen, your post just made my day. This is incredibly well written and encouraging. Thank you for allowing us to feature your wonderful ideas this week in the Summer Spotlight. I&#39m looking forward to seeing a great tutorial on "How to Make a Fantastic Pineapple Hat Without Going Bananas" from you soon! 🙂

  2. Ariean Krieger says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Oh, Karen…You just made my morning! I am so happy for you and all that you are achieving. You and your blog are beautiful and I am thrilled to feature you this week! Hope you have an Amazing weekend!
    ~Ariean

  3. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Ariean, you&#39re the best! I&#39m so glad you stumbled across my blog and have been so generous in promoting my work. It means a lot coming from a talented blogger like you! Thanks so much for your sweet words – the feeling is certainly mutual! xo

  4. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    LOL, Carrie, I&#39ll get to work on that tutorial – I think it&#39ll go viral! 😉 Thanks so much for your sweet words! True to form, I&#39ve been second-guessing myself ever since I hit "publish" and wondering if this post was just *too* goofy. I&#39m so glad you liked it and found it encouraging! That means a lot to me! xo

  5. Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for th says

    Friday at 12:02 pm

    Karen, your post just made my day. This is incredibly well written and encouraging. Thank you for allowing us to feature your wonderful ideas this week in the Summer Spotlight. I'm looking forward to seeing a great tutorial on "How to Make a Fantastic Pineapple Hat Without Going Bananas" from you soon! 🙂

  6. Ariean Krieger says

    Friday at 12:17 pm

    Oh, Karen…You just made my morning! I am so happy for you and all that you are achieving. You and your blog are beautiful and I am thrilled to feature you this week! Hope you have an Amazing weekend!
    ~Ariean

  7. Karen Schravemade says

    Friday at 12:43 pm

    Ariean, you're the best! I'm so glad you stumbled across my blog and have been so generous in promoting my work. It means a lot coming from a talented blogger like you! Thanks so much for your sweet words – the feeling is certainly mutual! xo

  8. Karen Schravemade says

    Friday at 12:46 pm

    LOL, Carrie, I'll get to work on that tutorial – I think it'll go viral! 😉 Thanks so much for your sweet words! True to form, I've been second-guessing myself ever since I hit "publish" and wondering if this post was just *too* goofy. I'm so glad you liked it and found it encouraging! That means a lot to me! xo

  9. A Prudent Life says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Hi Karen, Just popping over from the Summer Spotlight to follow you! Then after reading your post from today, I had to comment and let you know it totally resonated with me! I can&#39t wait to explore most of your posts 🙂

  10. Katie says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Karen! Your post is adorable! You&#39re such a good (and funny) writer, and so SUPER creative! I&#39m so thrilled to be featuring you today, and I&#39m so glad to hear good things are happening for you! You DESERVE it!! Can&#39t wait to follow along (and hear your other piece of news)!! Thanks again for joining us in this Spotlight Series! Have a great weekend!
    XO,
    Katie @ View From The Fridge

  11. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:16 am

    Thank you so much, Katie! Your words gave me a big smile today! 🙂 I&#39m so glad to have discovered your blog as well!

  12. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    I&#39m so glad this meant something to you! Bloggers understand! 🙂 I&#39m looking forward to checking out your blog as well! xo

  13. A Prudent Life says

    Friday at 6:06 pm

    Hi Karen, Just popping over from the Summer Spotlight to follow you! Then after reading your post from today, I had to comment and let you know it totally resonated with me! I can't wait to explore most of your posts 🙂

  14. Katie says

    Friday at 6:57 pm

    Karen! Your post is adorable! You're such a good (and funny) writer, and so SUPER creative! I'm so thrilled to be featuring you today, and I'm so glad to hear good things are happening for you! You DESERVE it!! Can't wait to follow along (and hear your other piece of news)!! Thanks again for joining us in this Spotlight Series! Have a great weekend!
    XO,
    Katie @ View From The Fridge

  15. Karen Schravemade says

    Friday at 9:58 pm

    Thank you so much, Katie! Your words gave me a big smile today! 🙂 I'm so glad to have discovered your blog as well!

  16. Karen Schravemade says

    Friday at 10:00 pm

    I'm so glad this meant something to you! Bloggers understand! 🙂 I'm looking forward to checking out your blog as well! xo

  17. Fiona @ Jackadaw says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Wow Karen, these are amazing thing and yet still not THE secret. Congratulations! I&#39m at the awkward pineapple hat wearing stage right now and don&#39t even know if I&#39m blogging just for my own sake to capture the memories or if I want to/can develop into a pro-blogger. I guess time will tell. In the mean time, I have loved discovering your blog and your personality shining through so brightly is what makes it such a joy to read. Good things definitely come to those who work hard and stay true to themselves.

  18. Fiona @ Jackadaw says

    Saturday at 4:28 am

    Wow Karen, these are amazing thing and yet still not THE secret. Congratulations! I'm at the awkward pineapple hat wearing stage right now and don't even know if I'm blogging just for my own sake to capture the memories or if I want to/can develop into a pro-blogger. I guess time will tell. In the mean time, I have loved discovering your blog and your personality shining through so brightly is what makes it such a joy to read. Good things definitely come to those who work hard and stay true to themselves.

  19. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:15 am

    Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Fiona! I can definitely identify with feeling the way you do now. Keep at it! It will all be worthwhile! xo

  20. Bec says

    Monday at 11:16 am

    Karen I look forward to your posts every week and although I never comment because I&#39m usually in a rush, I always enjoy seeing your projects. So even if it seems quiet at the other end, rest assured that there are people reading and appreciating your blogs (and sorry to not take the time to comment more often). By the way, after looking at some of the other blogs I think I still like yours the most!

  21. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:16 am

    Bec, thank you so much! You are a honey! I&#39m so glad to have you reading along, and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment – it means a lot to me! I totally understand not always having the time, I find it hard to comment on all the blogs I follow as well. Life is busy! I&#39m just glad you&#39re here. 🙂 Thank you for those lovely kind words, you&#39ve given me a smile today! xo

  22. Karen Schravemade says

    Saturday at 10:05 am

    Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Fiona! I can definitely identify with feeling the way you do now. Keep at it! It will all be worthwhile! xo

  23. Bec says

    Saturday at 11:22 am

    Karen I look forward to your posts every week and although I never comment because I'm usually in a rush, I always enjoy seeing your projects. So even if it seems quiet at the other end, rest assured that there are people reading and appreciating your blogs (and sorry to not take the time to comment more often). By the way, after looking at some of the other blogs I think I still like yours the most!

  24. Karen Schravemade says

    Saturday at 12:00 pm

    Bec, thank you so much! You are a honey! I'm so glad to have you reading along, and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment – it means a lot to me! I totally understand not always having the time, I find it hard to comment on all the blogs I follow as well. Life is busy! I'm just glad you're here. 🙂 Thank you for those lovely kind words, you've given me a smile today! xo

  25. nellbe says

    Monday at 11:16 am

    Well done for keeping on going. I used to blog (did so for years) but stopped as my boys needed that extra bit of attention, so yes I get what you mean, it is hard to keep going sometimes. Your blog is lovely, thanks for sharing!

  26. Karen Schravemade says

    Monday at 11:16 am

    Thanks so much for the encouragement! xo

  27. nellbe says

    Thursday at 3:57 am

    Well done for keeping on going. I used to blog (did so for years) but stopped as my boys needed that extra bit of attention, so yes I get what you mean, it is hard to keep going sometimes. Your blog is lovely, thanks for sharing!

  28. Karen Schravemade says

    Thursday at 5:52 am

    Thanks so much for the encouragement! xo

  29. Michael Miranda says

    Monday at 3:24 am

    I was meant to see this article! I only stumbled upon it because I googled “pineapple hats” (don’t ask! haha), which led me to your article. This resonates with me to a T. Life does feel like a stage and maybe I need to put on a great big pineapple hat! I work in the fitness industry as a Pilates Instructor at an upscale gym and it is very competitive! I am competing for clients all the time with the personal trainers, the free group classes, etc. It’s a lot like those few front row people that only take notice and that are interested in taking up Pilates. Thank you for writing such in inspiring blog that I will happily share because I’m sure many people feel the same as I do, no matter what their profession or role in life. We can’t please everyone but I will put on my pineapple hat and take notice of the ones that I do!

    • Karen Schravemade says

      Wednesday at 4:34 pm

      Hi Michael! That is too funny!! I’m glad you stumbled upon my little blog and that this post resonated with you. I haven’t thought about this post in a while, so I read it again and was surprised how much it still holds true for me today. I can imagine it would be exactly the same for you in such a competitive industry. I read somewhere that when we focus on serving our clients as best as we can, the growth follows. I still often get caught up in chasing the growth and forget just to see and appreciate who is right in front of me and serve them the best way I can, so this is a great reminder for me too. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all the best with your Pilates career!! xo

A blog by

Karen Schravemade

welcome!

Hi friends! So glad you're here! I'm Karen, Aussie stay-home Mum to four littlies, former teacher of Creative Arts, agented writer and interior decorator. I'm on a journey to bring beauty to my home and enjoy a more creative life with my kids - I'd love for you to join us. (Curious? Read more here!)

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5 years ago, I was struggling with social media ad 5 years ago, I was struggling with social media addiction.⁠⠀
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My compulsion to scroll on my phone was making me deeply unhappy, but I couldn't seem to stop. ⁠⠀
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It feels incredibly vulnerable, but for the first time, I'm sharing my raw and honest story about how I became addicted to social media, and the exact steps I took to break free. ⁠⠀
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I've gone from wasting hours on a mindless distraction that only ever made me feel worse about myself, to falling in love with God's Word and finding true rest + peace in his presence.⁠⠀
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I'm a speaker at the 2020 Christian Women's Self Care Conference, and the topic of my session is "Stop the Scroll and Feed your Soul - how to break social media addiction and find rest in God's presence."⁠⠀
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There are 55+ speakers in total, speaking on a wide range of topics relating to self care. Registration is FREE, but only for a couple more days until conference starts on November 9th! ⁠⠀
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If you want to hold your seat, just tap the link in my bio and select "Self Care Conference", which will take you to the registration page.⁠⠀
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I hope you'll be blessed!⁠⠀
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Meanwhile, please tell me I'm not alone - has anyone else ever struggled with this?? Do share. ⁠⠀
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PS... You can read more of my story in my latest blog post! (Link in bio -> Visit the blog). ⁠⠀
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I also shared this super cute DIY phone box to help you interrupt the pattern of mindlessly picking up your phone!⁠⠀
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xo Karen⁠⠀
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#selfcare #christianwomen #christianlife #socialmediaaddiction #phoneaddiction #selfcaresistersociety
If there's one word to describe how many women hav If there's one word to describe how many women have been feeling this year... it would be "depleted."⁠⠀
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I mean, for real. Who would've guessed back at the start of this year that we'd be dealing with a global pandemic, homeschooling our kids, financial uncertainty, and a total lockdown on many of our most comforting routines?⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Ladies, it's time to refill those emptied-out tanks before this year is out. I'm so excited to share that I'll be speaking at the 2020 Christian Women's Self-Care Conference, alongside 55 other bloggers, authors and speakers. ⁠⠀
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It's totally online, and our aim is to bless you with help and encouragement for your 2020-wearied soul! ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Even better, registration is FREE until the conference begins on November 7th, so make sure you hold your seat today! Just click the link in my bio and choose "SELF CARE CONFERENCE".⁠⠀
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Hope to see you there!⁠⠀
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xo Karen⁠⠀
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P.S. Swipe - do you recognise one of those Day One speakers...? More on what I'll be speaking about, very soon! It's a goody!! 😉 😍⁠⠀
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#selfcare #selfcaresistersociety #2020⁠⠀
It’s Reconciliation Week in Australia and right It’s Reconciliation Week in Australia and right now my heart is so heavy with the injustice in the world that I’m struggling to even find the words.

Knowing that I’m inherently complicit in that injustice because of my privilege is sobering. At times I’ve been silent when I should have spoken and at other times I've spoken when I should’ve shut up and listened to the only voices in this narrative that really matter - the voices of those who’ve experienced this sort of prejudice from inside their own skin.

Racial injustice has always grieved my heart, but there’s a difference between empathy and kindness. Having empathy is important, but it’s not enough. Kindness speaks and acts. And right now I don’t really know what to say but somehow I feel it’s important to say something anyway, however imperfectly. Because there is nothing as deafening as silence in the face of systemic suffering.

I don’t know a lot. But I do know that Jesus was always on the side of the oppressed and marginalised. And the Bible tells us that one day, the last will be first and the first will be last. To me that means that in God’s new restored kingdom, these corrupt systems of the world will be turned on their head. In that day, those who’ve benefited from a system of white supremacy (myself included) will be the least. Those who’ve been oppressed and mistreated in this life will be honoured and elevated with the nobility they deserve. What a day that will be!! 🙌

But it’s not enough to know that someday it will all be made right. I hope to see heaven come to earth. I hope to see more black leaders, politicians, policy makers, authors, artists, influencers, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, bank managers, lawyers, judges, scientists and professors. The system is unfairly stacked and our privilege is self-perpetuating. I pray for it all to be turned upside down within our lifetime.

In the (paraphrased) words of MLK, let’s not prefer a negative peace which is an absence of tension (aka passivity, complacency, complicity, silence), over a positive peace, which is the presence of justice. “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬
We’re in week one of homeschooling over here. Sc We’re in week one of homeschooling over here. School closures will last at least five weeks. I will not lie, I was anxious about how I would cope. But we are slowly finding our rhythm and perhaps one day in the distant future I’ll even have time to start scheduling posts to Instagram again. For now, this is a random mid week check-in to say, how are you surviving, friends? I’m thinking of you! Wishing you an oasis of calm in the midst of everything, whether it means getting up half an hour earlier than the kids for a morning walk alone, or locking yourself in the bedroom at night with a good book while hubby puts the kids to bed. #doneboth #wewillsurvive 💗
Easter iso style - camping on our land! When so ma Easter iso style - camping on our land!
When so many are feeling hopeless right now, we are thankful for the hope Jesus brings. 💚🧡 Happy Easter, friends!
There is no right or wrong way to be right now.⁠ There is no right or wrong way to be right now.⁠
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I've felt led to share some hope and peace with you this week. That doesn't mean you need to put any extra pressure on yourself if you are struggling to tap into peacefulness right now.⁠
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I'm an Enneagram 4, so I am well accustomed to getting trapped inside my own feelings. For the feelers, the weight of the world's problems can sometimes feel intense and overwhelming.⁠
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I was on the beach the other day, praying for a "4" friend who is struggling with this exact thing. And all of a sudden, all of these butterflies started flying from the sand dunes toward the sea, and out over the waves.⁠
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It was a windy day and they were being buffeted around. But I was so intrigued that despite their fragility, they stayed on course, flying directly into that strong wind to get to where they were headed. It started with one, then two, then dozens upon dozens of them. None of them were blown into the water or whipped out of sight. They just flew straight on, above the waves.⁠
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And it made me think of the sensitive souls of this world. Our "butterflies", who bring so much beauty with their creativity, perception, and deep compassion for others. ⁠
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Our butterflies are being extra buffeted right now by the winds of change and pain. That doesn't make them weak. In fact they have within them a surprising strength, to stay the course and to fly above the waves.⁠
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The thing is, you don't have to change who you are to be strong. You don't have to be something you're not. Your sensitivity is not a weakness - it's designed into your DNA by God. With so many people hurting and afraid at the moment, we need your compassion more than ever.⁠
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If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to not be okay. Just trust that even if you feel buffeted by the winds, you are lifted by his grace above the waves, and you will not be drowned.⁠
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And even if you feel like you're flailing around out there, you never know, someone else might just be watching you, admiring your beauty and your grace. 🦋
I was reading a random little story the other day I was reading a random little story the other day from the book of Numbers, in the Bible. ⁠
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A king was scared of the Israelites and so he paid a prophet to curse them. Except every time they tried it, the guy spoke blessings instead. This is what he said:⁠
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"God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king." (Numbers 23:20-21)⁠
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Even the curses of the enemy will be turned into blessings for the people of God. ⁠
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He has given us an inheritance that cannot be shaken. ⁠
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💜 What blessing are you thankful for today? ⁠
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I'm thankful for the leadership of my local church, who continue to minister to peoples' needs both spiritual and physical. Our pastors have their own families and needs, yet they consistently look outward to care for their flock. ⁠
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Let me know yours below! Let's name as many BLESSINGS as we can!⁠
⁠
xo Karen
Thank you God, for your goodness.⁠ ⁠ For famil Thank you God, for your goodness.⁠
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For family and a home and a table to gather around with our loved ones.⁠
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Thank you that when so much else is changing, you remain the same.⁠
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Thank you that you are for us and not against us. That your heart is toward us. That in you is all we need, now and always.⁠
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We pray for those who are lonely and isolated and anxious and unwell. For those whose jobs and livelihoods are lost or threatened. Give us creative ways to reach out with kindness, that we can be salt and light in a dark world. ⁠
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Let kindness for others not feel like a drain on our limited resources, but a natural outflowing of your continuous, abundant supply. ⁠
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Shelves may be bare, but you always have more than enough.⁠
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Every blessing comes from your hand and we are grateful.⁠
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Amen
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind an “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27⁠
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There is truly nothing like God's peace.⁠
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The world can offer mindfulness and yoga and candles and calming diffused oils and self-help. Nothing wrong with any of those things, in fact they can be beautiful tools - I use all of them. ⁠
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But I can say from genuine experience that the peace God gives is not like the peace the world gives. It's on a whole new level. ⁠
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It's the peace that he gives when you're in the middle of a storm and the world is turning to crap all around you and you're at the very end of yourself and self-help has begun feeling like trying to drag yourself from a pit via a rope around your waist that you're tugging on with your own two hands. ⁠
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We can't always lift ourselves out of anxiety or fear. So drop the rope. Stop striving. And ask God for HIS peace. He has an abundant well of supply for you to draw from. ⁠
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Fear is trying to hold tight to control in a situation we can't control. ⁠
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Faith asks us to let go, to repent of our fearfulness and surrender it all to God.⁠
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How do you find this miracle of peace? In the letting go.⁠
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We were never meant to carry this burden anyway. ⁠
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How are you doing today? Let me know how I can pray for you. ⁠
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xo Karen
I was praying yesterday and felt God telling me th I was praying yesterday and felt God telling me that it's time to make a transition. Instead of being a person who looks for support from others in times of stress or uncertainty, he wants me to offer support TO others. ⁠
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I've often felt like I don't quite have it together. I'm sensitive, I feel things deeply, I tend to get trapped in my own head and in negative thought spirals.⁠
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But I felt like he was saying that I have something to offer, anyway. Just because I've always been a person who views myself as needy or weak does not mean God views me that way. He can see the strength that is in all of us and he delights in calling it forth. I love how when Gideon was hiding in fear in a winepress, God's angel greeted him by saying "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."⁠
⁠
He was the furthest thing from a mighty warrior at that point. But God knew the battles he WOULD win in his future. He saw what did not yet exist and spoke about it as if it was already a reality. He saw Gideon's true identity and spoke directly to that buried and hidden place within him.⁠
⁠
So. Maybe all I need is a shift in perspective. From looking inward at my own lack, to looking up at him. HE is the source of any hope and help I can offer. And if he wants me to share that, it would be my privilege to obey.⁠
⁠
So let me know... is there anything you're particularly struggling with right now? If you're feeling anxious or burdened, I would love to support you in prayer. 🙏⁠
⁠
xo Karen
We haven't been quarantined yet in Australia, but We haven't been quarantined yet in Australia, but I know many of my American friends are stuck at home right now. Either way - sounds like a good chance to do "one thing for the home."⠀
⠀
If you're feeling anxious, it can really help to get out of your head for a little while and do something practical. We can't control anything in the outside world right now, but we CAN complete one concrete task to make our immediate environment feel calmer and function better. And sometimes just having that one little win is all we need to break us out of a negative thought-spiral and restore some equilibrium. ⠀
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If you're feeling a bit helpless and panicky, I hope this helps. It's one thing you CAN control. And doing something with your hands will give your mind a much-needed break. ⠀
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🌟THIS MONTH'S PRIZE: A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD! 🌟⠀
⠀
Here's a reminder of how to play:⠀
⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. (Click through to my Facebook page via my link in bio)⁠⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun!
I’ve been quiet this week. In situations of flux I’ve been quiet this week. In situations of flux or stress my tendency is to withdraw and process. (I’ve learned this is very Enneagram 4 of me.) I also feel major reticence about adding to the current noise. I feel there are enough voices talking loudly all at once about the same thing and you don’t need one more.
So I give you instead a prayer for peace. If you are feeling anxious, let this be your exhale today. 💙
Weekend feels courtesy of the "Hamptons House"... Weekend feels courtesy of the "Hamptons House"... 😉⁠
⁠
What are you up to this weekend, friends?⁠
⁠
xo Karen
It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for th It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for the Home" challenge! ⁠This month I'm gonna raise the stakes and give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card. 🎉🎉WOOHOO!!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
You can win just by getting something done that you've been meaning to get to around your home! ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Here's how to play.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. (Click through to my Facebook page via my link in bio)⁠⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun! 🤩⁠⠀
⁠⠀
May the odds be ever in your favour! 😉⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Let's get this accountability ball rolling - let me know below what you're thinking of tackling this month!⁠⠀
⁠⠀
xo Karen⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
#onethingforthehome #organized #organising #organisedhome #organisedlife #organisedmum #homeorganising #tidyhome #organization #organizedhome #aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace
We are getting closer on the home build front... a We are getting closer on the home build front... after two years of sketching dozens upon dozens of floor layout ideas and ultimately trashing all of them, I finally have a plan I LOVE!! ⁠
⁠
It ended up being a highly collaborative effort between our architect and myself - he came up with a general concept and gave me external parameters to suit the contours of the block, and I then designed the internal layouts to fit. ⁠
⁠
Turns out that is exactly what I needed - some guidelines! Amazing how much better our creativity flourishes within constraints. It was way too open-ended before our architect came on board, and I was flailing around in all that freedom like a tadpole in the ocean. Within a day or two of having a blank footprint to work within, I actually had a decent plan. We've tweaked it a little since then, but it's virtually the same.⁠
⁠
I love it when something you've struggled with for the longest time suddenly just clicks. Has this ever happened for you?⁠
⁠
Now we just need to draft it up properly and then see if we can actually afford to build it. Lol. ⁠
⁠
One step at a time... 😆Celebrating progress today!⁠
⁠
xo Karen⁠
⁠
P.S. Let me know if you'd like to see a sneak peek of our plan in stories!!
So here's a little Enneagram primer to follow on f So here's a little Enneagram primer to follow on from yesterday's chat! This is just off the top of my head, so please take it with a grain of salt - there is SO MUCH more to each type than what I can sum up in a sentence.⁠
⁠
Here are the 9 types:⁠
⁠
1 - The Moral Perfectionist: self-critical, organised, driven by the desire to make things right and good⁠
2 - The Helper: relationally driven, people focussed, places others' needs ahead of their own⁠
3 - The Achiever: success driven and ambitious, gets things done, image conscious⁠
4 - The Romantic Individualist: creative, driven by the desire for uniqueness, feels things deeply⁠
5 - The Investigative Thinker: introverted and analytical,  detached from emotion⁠
6 - The Loyalist: community minded, a team player, driven by the need for security and anxiety about the future⁠
7 - The Entertaining Optimist: positive, energetic and playful, driven to squeeze as much fun out of life as possible⁠
8 - The Protective Challenger: a natural leader, confrontational, confident and determined⁠
9 - The Peaceful Mediator: conflict-avoidant, gentle and steady, driven to seek inner peace⁠
⁠
I'm a 4 wing 5, married to an 8 wing 7. They do say opposites attract 😆⁠
⁠
Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? ⁠
⁠
xo Karen
ENNEAGRAM⁠ ⁠ Where are my fellow Enneagram fan ENNEAGRAM⁠
⁠
Where are my fellow Enneagram fanatics??!⁠
⁠
I've only recently "discovered" the Enneagram, and OH. MY. GOODNESS. What a game changer. ⁠
⁠
If you're not familiar with it, it's a personality typing system.  I've always been interested in personality differences and human behaviour - that's probably the novelist in me. But none of the other systems I've come across have resonated with me as deeply as the Enneagram.⁠
⁠
It is so accurate, it's almost uncanny.⁠
⁠
Basically, there are 9 types, representing 9 different ways of looking at the world, each with different motivations, behaviour traits, strengths and flaws.⁠
⁠
I'm an Enneagram 4. That's the "Romantic Individualist". It's an artistic temperament driven by creativity, love of beauty, a desire for uniqueness, introspection, and authenticity.⁠
⁠
I guess it's no surprise that when I had to ask my friends and readers to sum up my strengths for an assignment I was given, the two words that came up most frequently were "creativity" and "honesty".⁠
⁠
Enneagram 4's feel deeply and are very connected to our emotions. We'd  much rather have a meaningful conversation about deep feelings than make small talk about trivial things. ⁠
⁠
Each type can pull a little more to one or other of the numbers beside them, giving a different flavour. I'm a wing 5 (the "Investigative Thinker") which means I tend to be less temperamental/ moody, and more steady, reserved and analytical. ⁠
⁠
I'm also daydreamy, a big-picture thinker, and despise administrative details. My "fatal flaw" (each type has one) is comparison and envy. Ohhhhh yep, that certainly rings true. Because while we want to stand out and be special, which can be prideful, we also struggle hard with insecurity and feeling like we never quite measure up.⁠
⁠
Yes, yes and YES.⁠
⁠
If you haven't done the Enneagram test, do a search online - it's honestly so interesting and self-revealing.⁠
⁠
If you know your type, what number are you? xo
So I found out I have bronchitis. 🙄At least I f So I found out I have bronchitis. 🙄At least I feel less like a whiner - if I get sick I usually shake it within a couple of days, so I was starting to feel irritated with myself for still being crook after three weeks!⁠
⁠
Anyhow, could be worse, and I do feel like I'm starting to pick up again now. ⁠
⁠
This buffet in our living room holds a changing arrangement of mostly-white vases, with a bit of blue glass and green foliage thrown in for good measure. ⁠
⁠
Are you a chronic re-arranger, or do you prefer to leave things as-is? ⁠
⁠
To be honest, I've always been a "get it exactly how I want it then leave it like that forever" type of girl, but I've been loosening up and playing around more with my décor this past year, and it struck me that my buffet has gone through several style shifts now. I actually like it a little bit better every time I make a change! ⁠
⁠
Hope this new week will be an awesome one for you, friends!⁠
⁠
xo Karen⁠
BLACK vs WHITE⁠ ⁠ Let's talk kitchens! Our hou BLACK vs WHITE⁠
⁠
Let's talk kitchens! Our house build is on my mind, and even though we're only at the plan stage, I'm trying to nail down my ideas in a general creative direction. ⁠
⁠
The last three kitchens I've designed have been all white, with accents of grey. I really want to use black in my next kitchen. I love the drama of it (as we already established, I like a bit of drama. Ha.) I keep veering back and forth between all black, or some combination of black and white. ⁠
⁠
I'm interested to know... what would you choose? My guess is that white-on-white is still gonna be the most popular choice, and black will probably be controversial, but I could be wrong! ⁠
⁠
So let me know - I'm keen to hear your opinion!⁠
⁠
1. All white⁠
2. All black⁠
3. Black + white⁠
⁠
🖤♡🖤♡🖤⁠
Karen
It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for th It's Friday! Time for our weekly "One Thing for the Home" challenge! ⁠This month I'm gonna raise the stakes and give away a $50 Amazon Gift Card. 🎉🎉WOOHOO!!⠀
⠀
You can win just by getting something done that you've been meaning to get to around your home! ⠀
⁠⠀
Here's how to play.⠀
⁠⠀
1. Decorate, declutter or organise one thing in your home, this weekend. No task is too small! One shelf or one drawer is all you need to tackle to be eligible!⠀
⁠⠀
2. Post your "after" photo on the Facebook thread (click through via my link in bio). Pics DON'T have to be spectacular - they're simply proof that you did it.⁠⠀
⠀
3. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.⠀
⁠⠀
4. Tag some friends either on THIS post or on the Facebook thread to play along! If you complete the challenge, you will get a bonus entry for EVERY person you tag.⠀
⠀
5. Entries will be given for every challenge completed this month. We play four times in March - once every weekend! You can participate once or all four times, it's up to you!⠀
⁠⠀
Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. The winner will be randomly drawn at 8pm AEST Monday, following the last Sunday of the month. Giveaway is open internationally.⠀
⠀
I'll be going live on Facebook today at 2.30pm AEST to kick off this week's challenge and show you the space I'll be tackling today. International timezones are on the third slide - swipe right to see! Or click through my link in bio at any time to see the video saved on my feed.⠀
⠀
I hope you join us! This will be fun! 🤩⠀
⠀
May the odds be ever in your favour! 😉⠀
⠀
Let's get this accountability ball rolling - let me know below what you're thinking of tackling this month!⠀
⠀
xo Karen⠀
⠀
P.S. You can decorate, declutter or organise anything you like. No task is too small! Tackle a drawer, a shelf, or a storage tub. Do that niggly little job you've been meaning to get to. Hang that picture. Paint that stool. Sort through the kids clothes. We’ve all got that “one thing” - let us know yours! xo⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀
#onethingforthehome #organized #organising #organisedhome #organisedlife #organisedmum #homeorganising #tidyhome #organization #organizedhome #aplaceforeverythinga
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