The most precious holiday gift you can give...

I love spending time with my friends and family. The simplest things in life give me the most pleasure: cooking a good meal, enjoying my friends. -- Cindy Morgan

It's the holidays and everyone is running around trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones. There are Holiday Gift Guides everywhere online and even apps to do it for you. While those are lovely and helpful, they do not show you the best gift.

Time.

Companionship.

These are the best gifts you can give another. I love this quote because it is so true. Spending time with a loved one, no matter what you are doing, is rewarding for both of you. You can't find it in a store... only in your heart.

I'm reminded of the time I used to spend with my grandmother. We would bake all the Christmas cookies for the family and it was one of my favorite times of growing up. It would take place over a few days and I loved it. It was where I learned how to bake, and I loved spending time alone with her.

Another benefit to spending time with her was I got to share with her what was going on in my life. I would share with her the struggles I was facing in school. We would laugh, and it was the best time of my childhood.

This holiday season, please take a little time and spend it with the ones you love. Cook/bake with your kids. Go over to your aunt's house and play cards with her. Go shopping with your neighbor. Sit and watch the world go by with your loved ones. It will be the best time you have ever spent, and you'll be building memories.

Your time and love is the most precious holiday gift you can give.

MRS N

The magic of snow by @NNP_W_Light

Photo courtesy of Country Living Magazine

As I looked out my bedroom window this morning, snowflakes fell in quick succession. Ahh, the first snowfall... a magical event indeed. Watching the snow fall then cling to blades of grass, leaves in trees and roads makes me smile. Everything looks pretty and takes on a new identity. 

I love the first snowfall because it signals winter is on the way and with it comes my favorite holiday, Christmas. The first snowfall ushers in a sprinkling of magic and it's up to us to see it. What was once dirty and smelly instantly is cleansed and beautiful. Renewal is the word I think of when I see snow falling.

No matter where you live, embrace change and renewal. See the wonder and magic all around you. It's a brand new day and it's up to you to see your world for the enchanted place it is.

MRS N

Are you cultivating a merry world?

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Are you cultivating a merry world?

The world is full of greed and those seeking wealth. More times than not, gold does not bring happiness. No, seeking happiness is a decision you must make every single day.

One of our resolutions is to be happy and to not let anything or anyone steal our joy. Over the past few weeks, I've had to release anger and annoyance in order to keep my happiness. And you know what? I've never felt better in my life.

Here's my secret: Every time I run into a circumstance which would annoy me before, I smile and push the negative thoughts in the trash bin. A snarky comment, an unexpected expense, a boss throwing more work than humanly possible, torn pants, yelling kids, broken dishes, are everyday occurrences which used to drive me round the bend but now have no power over me. I simply shrug and continue on with my day.

Take Professor Tolkien's advice and value what matters most: good food, good drink, companionship and music. 

MRS N

Happy Summer Solstice by @NNP_W_Light

It is Summer, it is the solstice

the crowd is

cheering, the crowd is laughing

in detail

permanently, seriously

without thought.

-​ William Carlos Williams

Today is June 21 and it is the Summer Solstice. 

What is the Summer Solstice? 

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. (Wikipedia)

It is a holiday celebrated around the world and in almost every culture. It's also one of my favorite times of the year. 

Summer brings a joyfulness, a freeing of one's spirit to bask in the sun and the outdoors. It's a time to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and grains. It's time to dance, be free and fall in love. 

Whatever you do to celebrate summer, may it bring you unadulterated joy.

Happy Summer Solstice!

MRS N

Find joy in unexpected places by @NNP_W_Light #joy

Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home... it's your responsibility to love it, or change it. ~ Chuck Palahniuk

I love this quote. It perfectly describes my perspective today: finding joy in unexpected places.

With the success of our website, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, our inspirational thoughts have taken a back seat. This didn't sit well with either of us and we talked it out over the weekend. See, we've been posting inspirational thoughts over the past five years and it's our way of connecting with people all over the world. Our matra on life is to spread the Light. But we can't do that unless we have a corner of the internet in which to share our thoughts. So, we created this blog.

How do I feel today?

Joyful.

Why?

Joy is bursting from my pores because not only is our business a success, I still get to inspire others through words. My positivity seeps through the darkness to places and to people who need the Light. Whether it's a quote, a sentence or a virtual hug, I'm blessed to be writing my inspirational thoughts once again. 

I never expected to feel this good about writing again. But that's the great thing about joy; you never know when it will appear.

My advice: be on the lookout for what brings you joy. It can come in ways you never imagined.

MRS N