Dec242009

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – with a twist

By Kira | December 24, 2009 | Posted in Freedom, Religion, Twas the night before Christmas, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

May you have a blessed Christmas! Enjoy this poem as my gift to you.

Love,
Kira Wagner
Your Freedom Guide

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land -
Not a person was stirring, no woman nor man;
Heads were bowed and in silence they’d start,
To offer up prayers that God’s love would fill hearts.

The faithful knew peace and love still abounds,
Yet even their hearts questioned as they looked around;
Confusion, despair, depression and more
All searching for peace to be bought in a store.

Some children seemed lost, forgotten, alone,
Some on the streets – others at home.
Families broken in pain and in strife
Values confused between money and life

Fighting abroad, precious lives lost
Fighting within – joy being the cost
No sound of laughter rang through the night
All eyes were cast downward to avoid such a sight.

Then throughout the heavens rang bells clear and strong,
Sending a message in beautiful song.
The angels gave praise as they sang loud and clear,
Rejoice in His love, hold this one thought dear.

God’s love was a gift – to me and to you.
He freely gave and paid the price too.
His power is greater than any on earth
His love came to light the night of His birth.

Look to the stars; let your heart fill with joy
Each moment give thanks for that tiny boy
He came with purpose and power and might.
He led the way with actions and sight.

Give thanks overflowing; let your heart fill with cheer
Banish the doubt, the dark and the fear.
God’s love reigns supreme He’ll care for us all
Be still in His plan, then follow his call.

So trust and faith were the answer to prayer
With a touch of patience as we rest in His care.
Share laughter and joy as you see with His sight
And, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

12/24/2009 Kira P. Wagner

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By Kira | Posted in Freedom, Religion, Twas the night before Christmas, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
Nov262009

Gratitude – Thanksgiving Day – Fun

By Kira | November 26, 2009 | Posted in Film, self-help | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

If you’ve ever heard your parents or yourself say, “don’t play with your food” here is something that just might change your mind :)
As today is Thanksgiving here in the US and many families gather around to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast (aka a lot of food) I thought that this might be a fun look at food with a totally different perspective!
Paul sent these out this morning to members of his “How To Draw Online” course and they made me smile – I hope they do the same for you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

I hope these pictures inspire you for the holiday. Amazing what some artists can do with food.

In some of these the foods used are obvious, in others you have to think about them a little. For instance in the 1st photo – water is probably smoked salmon, rocks are potatoes, islands are bread, trees look to be dill or fennel fronds, shore rocks are coffee beans, sand is rock salt, etc. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.|All the scenes have been created entirely with food!
Click on the image for a full viewfood_art1
food_art2
food_art3
food_art4
food_art5
food_art6
food_art7

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By Kira | Posted in Film, self-help | Tagged , , | Comments (0)
Nov252009

Gratitude – Raymond David Osborne

By Kira | November 25, 2009 | Posted in self-help | Comments (0)

Raymond David Osborne
March 8, 1959 – November 24, 2009

The Dash of your life…

It is the day before Thanksgiving here in the US and in continuance of the gratitude I’m writing my own form of a eulogy for a friend.

Ray, as I knew him, came into our family about 20 years ago when he and my sister married. He took the girls in as his own and today he was the one they knew as Dad. He stood with my sister these many years sharing life’s many ups and downs.

Though miles separated us, it was comforting to know that he was there with them. Most recently he was there when my sister had her heart surgery. Standing by in her hour of need.

Ray shared his love of travel and family for everyone to see when he posted to his FaceBook account. The pleasure he found in traveling throughout the countryside was apparent with his many pictures. The joy he shared with his grandchildren shines through with each smile – his and theirs.

I’m grateful you came into our lives Ray. God bless and keep you with Him.

These we’re just a few of the memories of all he held dear.

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By Kira | Posted in self-help | Comments (0)
Nov222009

Gratitude Day 14 – So Many Blessings

By Kira | November 22, 2009 | Posted in Freedom's Formula, Your Freedom Guide, facebook | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

The other day one of the posts on FaceBook said that the problem with finding something new every day until Thanksgiving to be grateful for was that “it was harder the longer it went on”. I’ve thought about that … a lot since then.

I admit there are moments when the dreams or plans I’ve had seem to take a turn in a direction that I can see no purpose or point – and I get in a temporary funk. But it’s always come full circle and slowly I’ve learned to just be present with…whatever is happening. As long as I continue to do my best and be prayerfully minded I’ll understand it eventually and it will all work out perfectly.

If I’ve had any challenge with this series, it’s picking only one thing a day to be grateful for. A warm bed to sleep in and food to eat are two that so many of us take for granted. I thank God for these and so much more. Sometimes I like to sing myself to sleep with the words of Irving Berlins, Count Your Blessings – as he wrote, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings.”

Until tomorrow…

Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

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By Kira | Posted in Freedom's Formula, Your Freedom Guide, facebook | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
Nov212009

Gratitude Day 13 – “Redneck”

By Kira | November 21, 2009 | Posted in Freedom, Freedom's Formula, Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Today I’m grateful that I’m a Redneck. I know, it’s a bit of a left turn and with the “redneck” association to the south but I was pleased when I received this in an email from a friend. It’s a different take, and I think that it applies across continents and cultures as it’s really about respect and heart.

So while we have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, it’s time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

You might be a redneck if:

  • It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God’
  • You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places
  • You still say ‘Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival’
  • You bow your head when someone prays
  • You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem
  • You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have
  • You’ve never burned an American flag in protest, nor intend to
  • You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening
  • You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same
  • You’d give your last dollar to a friend

BTW – My daddy’s family was most recently from Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma area while my mom’s was from Russia and the Ukraine so I get the cross culture concept :)

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

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By Kira | Posted in Freedom, Freedom's Formula, Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)
Nov202009

Gratitude Day 12 – Light

By Kira | November 20, 2009 | Posted in Religion, Your Freedom Guide, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

I’m grateful for the light that illuminates the way before me and guides me. Sometimes it’s the sunshine — always its the Sonshine. It just depends on what I’m asking for and where I’m going.

May love and light be yours always!

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By Kira | Posted in Religion, Your Freedom Guide, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
Nov202009

Gratitude Day 11 – Music

By Kira | November 20, 2009 | Posted in Family and Friends, Religion, Singing, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help, teaching | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Today I am grateful for the music in my life and the people that I’m honored to share it with. Much like reading – music has always been an integral part of my existence. I actually can’t remember not singing.

Every Tuesday evening I have the honor of directing a great group of women and creating some beautiful music. The fact that we discover more about ourselves, the music and the possibilities each week, creates a unique bond filled with love, laughter, memories…and more.

Additionally, I have the joy of singing with three wonderfully passionate ladies in Playlist! When we come together to rehearse or perform it’s always a new experience.

Then there are the times when I have the privilege of sharing the intimate details of clients lives when I’m asked to write a song for a loved one. Their appreciation when I connect their hearts in such a unique way is a blessing beyond mere words.

Finally, watching my kids perform everything from Opera to Hard Rock or singing along with the radio – just the fact that they have each found ways to share music with the world is something that every mom and performer can appreciate.

I’m thankful that I grew up amongst a family whose faith and joy of singing created a foundation that has lasted over 50 years…but who’s counting :) !

To my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, classmates, fellow thespians, and Sweet Adelines…thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And to my husband who supports and encourages my endeavors in performing and teaching music – I love you.

May the music fill your days!

Love,
Kira

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By Kira | Posted in Family and Friends, Religion, Singing, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help, teaching | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)
Nov192009

Gratitude Day 10 – Reading

By Kira | November 19, 2009 | Posted in Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Reading has been one of my favorite pastimes for as long as I can remember. Books have served as friends, educators, mentors, and inspiration. They have taken me on vacations, and provided opportunities for laughter or tears.  Additionally, these same books have been there when I’ve needed to take a break and just relax.

I don’t spend as much time reading books as I used too. Now more time is given to articles and stories while researching information on the internet.

The truth is I can get lost in books, and days would go by with little more than a vague awareness of the passage of time if I were totally left alone. In fact, I spent one summer working at the local library while I was in elementary school  just to have the opportunity to be around the wealth of knowledge, information and adventure that graced those shelves.

I will admit that while I have the opportunity to read books on the computer – it isn’t as satisfying as sitting down in a comfortable chair and feeling that book in my hands, smelling the paper and listening to the pages as they turn providing a tangible feedback loop of my progress through the story or text.

The worlds that open up when I read – no matter the source – keep me connected with myself and others…so today…I’m grateful for the ability to read. And I’m thankful that my parents and teachers passed on their love of reading helping me believe in the possibilities that surrounded this new and exciting undertaking.

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By Kira | Posted in Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
Nov182009

Gratitude 9 – Opportunity

By Kira | November 18, 2009 | Posted in Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Today I am grateful for opportunity. The opportunity to try something new and just be present with the experience.

I have the opportunity to make mistakes – to fall flat on my face, get up and try again. I even have the choice to listen to “the committee” and worry about what “they” will say, think or do OR know that the truth lies between God and I and that’s a good thing!

Ultimately I am blessed with the opportunity to learn, grow and experience so much in life. May you all take chances, see choices and create change in your life by embracing of the opportunities that come your way!

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By Kira | Posted in Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)
Nov152009

Gratitude – Day 7 Love

By Kira | November 15, 2009 | Posted in Freedom, Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Serendipity plays into life when we stay in the moment.

Today I am grateful for love, the caring of family and friends both near and far. The love of a God who is all present and all knowing and loves me unconditionally.

And tonight my prayers go out to the young family of Noah Biorkman in Tennessee. While his CarePage has the same information it also requires a log-in. It’s times like these that this poem is so fitting.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.” ~ by Mary Stevenson

May you be held in the palm of His hand – today and always!

Kira

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By Kira | Posted in Freedom, Religion, Your Freedom Guide, empowerment, self-help | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)