I was delighted when my friend, Rachel Shubin had a give-away on her We Have A Situation blog, where her readers could enter to win Paws to Reflect: 365 Devotions For The Animal Lover's Soul and I was the lucky winner!
The book couldn't have arrived at a more appropriate time, January, a new year, a new beginning. Paws to Reflect: 365 Devotions For The Animal Lover's Soul is meant to "inspire, encourage, heal and teach."
From the publisher: Sometimes human communication falls short in conveying spiritual truth. God speaks through whatever means he chooses, and often he chooses animals. Dogs teach unconditional love. The purr of a kitten can bring peace. Horses show us how to harness our strength with grace.
Paws to Reflect offers gentle daily reflections for those who seek to grow spiritually by observing the animal kingdom and all the lessons it teaches.
I have LOVED what I have read so far. Here are a few examples:
January 1: let last night's nightmare fall away and become today's glorious dream. d.o.
January 2: if you are saying good-bye to someone, something or some place, reflect on what you have gained from the time you have spent. Let it be woven into the fabric of who you are becoming. Just remember, nothing is taken without being replaced by more of what you need. d.o.
January 5: you are the songbird. Your life is the song. k.m.
January 8: Freedom often involves a surrender. We must surrender our need to be accepted by the "cool" group. We must surrender our desire to have all the things the world says are essential. In that surrender, God can give us the blessings waiting in store for us....the dream God has for us is always bigger than the dreams the world has for us. d.o.
January 12: No Whining! Does bringing kindness to a day mean we are trying to live in a false reality, becoming a fake Mary Sunshine? No, it means putting in the effort to be a solution giver, a problem solver, and an encourager to all we see. Do you think your dog or cat agonizes over being happy to see you? No. They are extraordinary teachers in the "how to treat your neighbor" category! d.o.
Speaking of "kindness" when the book arrived, Rachel had written a sweet note and also included a surprise!! Look!!
See the kitties?
Rachel sewed those on the gloves
just for ME! I love these!
This is going to be a most "interesting" year. Less than a month into 2013 it has already presented it's fair share of surprises, headaches and challenges. Each morning I will be turning to Paws to Reflect for the passage of the day, where I am sure to be comforted, motivated and inspired.
Thank you Rachel, I think 2013 just might be a good year after all!
Rachel is such an awesome human!
ReplyDeleteyes she is!
DeleteAunty Caren,
ReplyDeleteAnd here's to many more wisdom and joy for you throughout the year!!! Cheers! purrrr....meow!
thank you!! I wish the same for you!!
DeleteDear Caren,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful review !
and this book sound like a kind of bliss to read : )
xoxo
Thanks so much Puddy!!!!!!!!!! The book IS special! xoxo
DeleteGreat gloves Caren. Have a marvelous Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
thank you Molly! You have a "marvelous Monday" as well!
DeleteThose gloves are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the intro to this book - glad these fine words help you with the everyday! take care
x
thanks for "getting" that was an "intro" to the book since obviously it can't be a review since the book won't be finished until the end of the year :)
DeleteI love these types of books, too. Rachel's gloves are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI do too and the gloves are adorable!
DeleteWhat a great book! ...I too love a book that has a thought or message for each day. It allow us to slow down and really take in the words. They stay with us that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully thoughtful giveaway!
xo, GG
yes it was and I couldn't agree more! xoxo
DeleteCongratulations! Cute gloves! I have to get that book!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteLooks like a GRAND book and what a lovely thing to do in personalizing some cozy gloves with those little charms! Very clever and sweet (and special). I think 2013 will be a SUPER year for all of us Caren...we just need to believe that and make it happen!!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs, Pam (and Sam)
Yes Pam and Sam I was so touched by the gloves! I just love them and the book is marvelous! 2013 WILL be a "super" year for all of us...one way or another! Love, "Mom" and Cody
DeleteWhat an interesting book and those gloves are just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOink oink,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
The book looks wonderful; I, too, like that sort of thing, a short sentence to offer inspiration and hope. We humans certainly need both, especially in today's culture.
ReplyDeletethe devotionals are much longer than what I posted. I left out all of the religious references :)
DeleteThat does look like a great book. That was such a good review too. Love the gloves with the cute kitties.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day.
thanks so much Marg! You have a great day too!
DeleteLooks like a very nice book, the kind of book that makes a lovely present to give!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
Purrs
That looks an interesting book and those gloves are pawsome.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
p.s. Thank you for coming to see me when you heard about my toothies.
Luv Lucy xx
What a great book! And the goves are marvelous!
ReplyDeleteKisses
Nellie
OK, you got us. When I first saw the title of the book, I snickered a little cos I'm not a religious kitty—I'm more like a Holy Terror. MOL! Then, I read the quotes and they are totally cool. Also, now TW knows where her friend Michael gets the messages he posts on FB every day. Not from this book, but from one like it.
ReplyDeletethat was a great gift Caren love those glove,xx Rachel
ReplyDeleteWe won that book too and it sure is a good one!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book! And I love those mittens, very cute!
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that a book with the punny title could be so beneficial. I think that it could be helpful to me. love the gloves too!
ReplyDeletemy two are "cat-napping" right now so please give their best to Cody from the 3 of us!
What a great book!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it arrived at just the right moment for you.
That is wonderful.
That book sounds up our alley. I've met Rachel and she's a sweetie. Love the gloves
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo cool. The book - of course - but Rachel gets four paws up from us - WAY up! She's one of our faves!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the non-judgemental, unconditional love that our beloved animals share with humans. If only more of mankind would pay heed to their lessons of love.
ReplyDeleteA fitting book and Rachel, like your dear self, are what's going to make 2013 a better year for all living creatures. And with the snow we're getting, sure could do with some gloves! :)
Those gloves are cat-tastic! This year *has* had a few surprises all right. Hmmm. Maybe my Human needs some nice calm meditation-type reading. Me, I'm always cool & collected. MOL ;-)
ReplyDeleteHow adorable to have the cats sewn on.
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds great and how cute are those kitties on the gloves she did for you! Soooo nice!
ReplyDeleteHow very nice! And we love the gloves. We hope 2013 is a much better year than 2012. For us, 2012 couldn't have gotten much worse.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. We all need our daily inspiration. The kitty gloves are just pawsome, but wait, are those (gasp!) dogs on the cover? I don't know... I put up with the hyperactive creatures at home, do I have to have their photo on a book cover, too? *fluffs tail*
ReplyDelete