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Timeless Reflections Magazine Volume 3 has been published, featuring twenty one very talented artists and photographers! This volume focuses on Serenity Of The Soul, including artist commentary on finding and cherishing serenity of the soul!
Available to read for free here: https://issuu.com/diamantelavendar/docs/timeless_reflections_volume_3_serenity_of_the_soul
Available to order print copies here: https://www.blurb.com/b/11977964-timeless-reflections-magazine-volume-3-serenity-o

Enjoy and stay blessed!

I’ve always loved music. Twenty years ago I wrote and sang. Now, so many years later, I find myself doing it again. In memory of my daughter who passed only three and a half months ago.

I wanted the music to make the listener feel the unreal, ethereal and disillusioning feeling of losing a child. I think I succeeded. Take a listen. I hope my daughter can hear me and know how much I miss her.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-miss-you-single/id1206898119

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/for-my-baby-radio-version-single/id1206895872

From the dust we are made,
To the dust we return;

In the days of our lives,
Many lessons are learned;

To believe is a key,
To take risks is a cost;

To feel true joy and peace,
We must understand loss;

Life is indeed a game,
That we must play with care;

And its greatest achievement,
Is the love that we share.

-Diamante Lavendar

1 1/2 c. love
1 c. prayer
3/4 c. enlightenment
3/4 c. acceptance
1/2 c. peace
1/2 c. wisdom
1/3 c. understanding
1/4 c. faith
1/8 c. discernment
4 T. gratitude
3 T. fortitude
2 T. goodwill to others
dash of hope
sprinkle with abundant laughter

Mix together. Add some dreams. Toss in positivity. Allow time to process!

I am here, child;
Take time to know Me;

All of creation
Exists to behold Me;

My essence is found
In the beauty of spring;

I sprinkled the dust
On the butterflies’ wings;

I painted the skies
With brushstrokes of blue;

I did this for Me
And I did this for you;

I made the grass green
Under your feet;

I blessed you with children,
Their kisses so sweet;

I sprinkled stars
In the darkness of night;

So you would not fear,
You would still see My light;

I admire your beauty
As you mature and grow;

There’s so much I wish for you,
Want you to know;

Be still; hear My whisper
In the soft, blowing breeze;

“I love you, my precious child;
Take time to know Me.”

-Diamante Lavendar

Hi! Just a short note letting you know that I started a newsletter this month. If anyone is interested in receiving my newsletter, email me at diamantelavendar@gmail.com and leave me your email address. I'll add you to it!

My newsletter is inspirational and motivational. I include my latest blog on it as well as an inspirational thought or saying for the month. Sometimes I will be doing giveaways as well.

If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, feel free to join me in my adventures! I look forward to getting to know you!

Sincerely,
Diamante

I am looking outside at my yard. It is not manicured to perfection like the other yards in my neighborhood. Little yellow dots are sprinkled around in my grass. Dandelions! (Gasp!) The dreaded word of the suburban community!

I must admit I never got really bent out of shape over dandelions. I suspect it’s because I have always been side tracked by multi-tasking other things and being consumed by the demands of life in general. If I have taken the time to cut the grass, I have always reasoned that I’m doing okay. It may also have just a tiny bit to do with the fact that I’m allergic to dandelions. When they are in bloom and I go outside, I sneeze and wheeze and my eyes puff up. (Good reason not to manicure my lawn, is it not?)

Recently, I’ve been thinking about weeds. They are so common and they actually have many excellent reasons for being alive. Of course, that depends on your outlook. But I choose to remain positive! Therefore, when I look at a dandelion I see many wonderful things. For one, I know they make great tea and wine, although I have never made any! They also make good salads, I hear. Never tried that either, though. Dandelions are colorful and quite cute in their own right. I have decided they are here for a reason. And prevalent for a reason.

Just as the “weeds” in our lives; people we don’t get along with, irritating situations that occur and annoying botherances that we must deal with day to day, dandelions teach us how to be happy among the weeds. As significant as their annoyance can be, they, along with the “weeds” of life can be great teachers for us. We can be eternally irritated or complacently peaceful with the weeds surrounding us-the choice is up to us. What a wonderful thing it is to learn to be happy among the weeds! So what if there’s a field of dandelions next door? Things could definitely be much worse. I admit, if my yard was manicured to perfection, the dandelions would bother me a lot more. But that would just give me more practice at acceptance and peaceful contemplation! A changed, more positive, “internal outlook” makes every aspect of life better and brighter!

Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that weeds are quite useful. (No, that is not an excuse to ignore my lawn!) They help us to grow by being prevalent in our lives; they teach us patience and stamina! Maybe that’s why they’re here in such high concentrations-to point us toward paths of happiness and peace. Sometimes a little altered perspectives can go a long way! And all of us could use more time to enjoy the important things in life rather than spending our excess time fighting weeds!

Next time you take a look out the window and have a nagging desire to begin grumbling, think about the positives. You may just find yourself spraying the dandelions less and enjoying them a bit more! Who knows? Anything is possible!

Today is a day to rejoice in the colors of life; a day when I recognize the beauty of the variations of colors in the natural world. So today I will celebrate nature by sharing a recipe for Colorful Cucumber Salad.

This salad is made in a sauce; a type of marinade. Just as I love to soak in the beauty of nature, so this salad soaks in a slightly tangy but sweet sauce. It delights the taste buds just as a beautiful day delights the senses!

In this salad, I add crisp, green cucumbers which remind me of the beauty of trees and leaves. The cucumbers are the base of the salad just as trees and leaves and all things green are the base of nature! Then I add a sampling of purple cabbage and carrots; the colors of sunsets, birds and blooms. I think of the perfect touch these colors add to my natural surroundings as I mix the ingredients together. The swirling of the blending colors in my bowl reflect the beauty of nature mixing with my perspective, giving me peace and comfort.

Life is colorful. And expressive. And profound. Simple things hold great meaning in the natural world like the gift of life and breath the trees and plants offer us. And the gift of love and beauty the flowers and birds grace us with.

This recipe is a simple gift of life and love from me to my family. Feel free to give it a try and pass the love offering along!


Colorful Cucumber Salad

2 cucumbers, peeled and diced
1 T. minced garlic ( you can use more if you like)
1/8 c. shredded carrots
1/8 c. chopped purple cabbage
3 T. rice vinegar
2 T. sugar
Mix together. Enjoy!

We all have ideas of who we are meant to be, whether they are ideas from others close to us or ideas built on experiences and interests we hold. Most of the time it is an accumulation of all of the above.

But if we are what we believe we are, can we reach our highest potential? What if we believe there is no limit? We can keep growing and changing until we pass away from this earth!

Over the years I have come to believe that we are each put here for a specific reason. Every one of us has different talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We compliment each other through the things we are and do. I believe we all have a special purpose that we grow into during our lives. But I believe that in order to find our purpose, we must keep our eyes focused Heavenward and our minds positive.

Everything around us is a sign; a marker showing us the path that we should choose. Each situation that happens to us is a potential for growth and maturity to lead us on that path.

It is my thought that we are all meant to be happy. For some, happiness is elusive because they haven’t noticed the signs along the way. My hope for each one of us is that we will keep our minds open and responsive to the signals of life. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone was content and accomplishing their goals and dreams. It would be a world where pain slowly dissolves away and is replaced by peace and goodwill for all.

Take the time to enjoy the things around you; your family, your friends, the place that you live and the beautiful things that you find there. Everything is a stepping stone to a new beginning. And each of us has our own unique destination and contribution to offer!

This blog is being written as a tribute to a family member that just suddenly passed away. He was the victim of a deadly addiction that ended up taking his life. It is hard to accept the death of a loved one, especially when it seems premature. The questions of why run through our minds. But when it comes down to fate, our days are numbered. Life is fleeting. We must enjoy it as much as possible while we are here.

We all have days of sadness and unrest. Days that we wish would never happen. Days of a death in the family or a sudden accident. Unfortunately, these days will come whether we want them to or not. It is just the way of the world.

Fortunately, these days don’t last forever. Sometimes their effects do and it takes us months or even years to work through the lasting impressions they have on us.

It is important to remember that it will pass. Sadness and suffering won’t continue without end. Sometimes it’s hard to remember this when we are in the midst of turmoil and agony. But every cloud does eventually have a silver lining.

We must attempt to keep a positive attitude as much as possible during these excruciating moments. For most times these moments shape us into better people if we allow them to.

Life doesn’t always make sense but if we keep the proper perspective, we will come out victorious. Joy always comes like a sunrise on the horizon and hope always resurfaces to anchor our souls.

Interviewer: We are joining Brianna, from Yashire, for a brief interview. Tell us a little about yourself, Brianna.

Brianna: Well, I’m a teenage girl who just found herself in Yashire. I’m travelling here with some friends. Abiba and Angelos are with me.

Interviewer: For those who aren’t familiar with your story, could you elaborate a bit?

Brianna: Well, Yashire is a land that I’m travelling through. I’m travelling with a bird named Abiba and a tiger named Angelos. Unfortunately, I have amnesia and I can’t remember where I was before this. That is one reason why I am travelling in Yashire. I am hoping that when I complete my journey here, I will remember who I was before and where I came from.

Interviewer: So you have no idea where you were before, who you lived with or anything?

Brianna: No.

Interviewer: What exactly are you doing in Yashire?

Brianna: Well, I woke up here. I was near Libban’s castle. Libban is the keeper of Yashire. After I was here for a night, I found out that I was the chosen one who was supposed to rid evil from Yashire. I don’t know why I was chosen, but I guess I was.

Interviewer: How are you expected to rid evil from Yashire?

Brianna: I am supposed to find my soulmate. Somehow that will rid evil from the land.

Interviewer: Do you have any idea who your soulmate is?

Brianna: No idea. At all. I am travelling through Yashire and receiving virtues in order to have a lasting relationship with him.

Interviewer: And how are the travels coming along?

Brianna: Okay, I guess. I’ve had some pretty scary moments and some pretty awesome moments. A lot has happened.

Interviewer: Tell me about some of those moments. What was the scariest moment you encountered?

Brianna: Hmmm. I think the moment I slayed the serpent was probably the scariest moment so far.

Interviewer: Wow! You slayed a serpent?

Brianna: Yes. I got training on how to use a dagger and several other weapons. One of Libban’s helpers trained me. It gets quite dangerous in Yashire at times.

Interviewer: Fascinating! And what was one of your happiest moments?

Brianna: I think the moment I first heard Angelos sing. His voice has a way of melting into your heart and making you feel peaceful and happy beyond words. Every time he sings, it affects me like that.

Interviewer: What do you mean, Angelos sings?

Brianna: Angelos sings the purest sounds of love. Zolan-that’s the evil wizard in the land-can’t stand the sound of his singing. Neither can Zolan’s workers. Angelos saves me every time with his beautiful voice!

Interviewer: Describe Angelos’ voice to me.

Brianna: It sounds like a choir of thousands of angels. It’s awesome. It gives me goosebumps. Every time I hear him sing, it’s like I’m hearing him for the first time.

Interviewer: Wow! Angelos sounds awesome! I’d like to hear him sing sometime!

Brianna: Yes, it is a sound you’d never forget. He is amazing!

Interviewer: Does Angelos talk too?

Brianna: No. He only sings.

Interviewer: So you aren’t able to have a conversation with Angelos. He sings instead of talking?

Brianna: Yes, but he is very expressive. He gets his point across without even having to say anything!

Interviewer: So Angelos is like a singing bodyguard! Imagine that!

Brianna: Yes, he is! I know I’m safe with Angelos at my side!

Interviewer: How does Abiba help you on your journey?

Brianna: Abiba knows Yashire very well and he helps me navigate my way through it. Plus he has a lot of friends that help us out.

Interviewer: Have you encountered a lot of evil so far?

Brianna: Yes, I’ve had my fair share of it. As I get deeper into Yashire and receive more virtues, it seems that the evil gets more intense.

Interviewer: Have you met Zolan in person?

Brianna: I haven’t actually talked to him. But I’ve encountered his evil workers like the serpent that attacked me and the shadow people that hunted me.

Interviewer: Whew! Sounds scary! Serpents and shadow people?

Brianna: Yes, they are fearsome. The serpent was huge but I slayed it! I’m quite proud of myself for that one! The shadow people are fearsome too, but I did get away from them with Angelos’ help. They don’t enjoy being stabbed! When they outnumbered me, Angelos sang and scared them away!

Interviewer: Well, thank you, Brianna! It has been a fascinating interview! I understand that soon you’ll be embarking on the next segment of your journey. We’ll keep in touch. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say the next time we meet!

Stay tuned for part two of Brianna’s interview!

Make some time in your schedule to have a crazy night. Crazy nights are good every once in a while; nights when convention is thrown out the window and responsible fun is the focus! These are nights that make you feel like you’re truly living. When the boredom of life threatens to strike, go out at midnight to get ice cream and then sit in a park listening to owls and nighttime wildlife. Or wake your kids up late and take them with you to swim in the rain in the summer. Make some crazy nights happen where there is no routine, where the world does not revolve around the human time schedule.

You can make crazy days, too. When you wake up, make a spontaneous decision to go on a road trip. Or to go take nature pictures. Or go to a park or a favorite spot. When you break out of the routine, that’s when great memories happen.

Many of those nights I go out with my kids to get a smoothie. Then we stop at a park together and talk, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the moonlit trees, water and scenery. There are usually other people out too, enjoying life at that late time. Some ride their bikes or skateboard through the areas with street lights and others walk their dogs. Some laugh and goof around and others enjoy a moment of peace in the moonlight.

Many times we have spotted beautiful wildlife at night. Coyotes, foxes and deer are some that we have had the pleasure of watching. It is very surreal to see animals roaming about their natural habitat free from fear of man. It brings to mind a mystical perspective of what goes on when the sun sets. It is freeing and inspiring.

I have many fond memories of my crazy nights with family and friends. Those are the times that I remember most: the unconventional moments, the surprises, the fun.

Crazy nights will set you free and give you a renewed mindset. Make some happen for you and your loved ones! You will create cherished memories that will last a lifetime!

I am craving a chocolate pie. I love chocolate pie. First of all, I am a chocoholic. But I prefer the taste of chocolate mixed with other flavors, like strawberries or bananas or even a touch of vanilla in one form or another. Usually when I make chocolate pie, I put it in a graham cracker crust and top it with whipped cream and grated semi sweet chocolate crumbles. The combination of the different flavors is amazing.

Today, I shall compare my life to a chocolate pie. At the moment, I am the chocolate; content, creamy and smooth. My family is the topping, adding a sweet compliment to my life. My friends are the crumbles on top, a welcome surprise to my taste buds as I rejoice in how they add to the overall experience. My beliefs are the graham cracker crust holding everything together. When I prepare the pie and place it on the table for my beloved family, my heart has been poured into its preparation. My pie is my offering.

Cooking is a metaphor of life; when we cook we prepare, plan, offer and receive. We make our food special for loved ones and guests. We commemorate our time with each other by gathering together to enjoy creations made with love out of our favorite ingredients.

I love the tastes and varieties of life. And I love to experiment with new ways to make chocolate pie. Maybe a new experience will be strawberries on top. Or perhaps a new realization will be like nuts ground into the graham cracker crust to give it a tastier foundation. Then according to my mood, I adjust my pie. It may taste quite different from day to day, but that’s the beauty of cooking and living!

What is one of your favorite recipes? A dessert, a hot dish, a salad? Maybe your prefer something simpler like a delicious piece of your favorite candy? Whatever the flavor of your favorite recipe, it describes you and gives a bit of insight into who you are. Do you prefer a complicated, detailed recipe or something easy and tasty? It may vary from day to day, even moment to moment. Thank goodness the tastes and combinations are endless! We can share and adapt according to who we meet, where we go and what our prevailing mood is at the moment! The abounding variety of recipes makes life itself into a bountiful buffet!

Share your recipes with loved ones and friends, perhaps even new acquaintances! You may just inspire someone to try something new!

Simply Delicious Chocolate Pie:

1 graham cracker crust
1 1/2-2 cups milk ( you can use vanilla flavored soy or almond milk as a substitute if you wish)
1 box of instant chocolate pudding
1 small container of whipped topping
semi sweet chocolate squares, grated
Combine milk and pudding. Prepare according to directions. Pour prepared pudding into graham cracker crust. Chill 30 minutes until pudding sets firmly. Top with whipped topping. Grate semi sweet chocolate squares over the top. If you are in an imaginative life perspective at the moment of cooking, decorate with fruit or nuts or candies! Enjoy!

A new adventure awaits fantasy readers! Come and travel through the realm of Yashire with Brianna, the main character who finds herself in….

The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging from the Shadows.

The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging From the Shadows is a young adult fantasy adventure that occurs within the framework of a young girl’s subconscious mind. The main character, Brianna, finds herself thrown into a world called Yashire where she is forced to deal with circumstances that are threatening Yashire’s existence. Against her will, she is sent on a journey to restore unconditional love back to the land while also contending with the evil force in the land, Zolan.

Brianna is sent on her mission by Libban, Keeper of the Land. Along the way, Brianna travels with the mystical tiger, Angelos; a huge, whitish-tan tiger with thick black stripes who sings only the purest songs of love, and the wondrous little one-eyed bird named Abiba. During the journey, Brianna is also preparing to meet her soulmate—the one she longs to be with and the one who will bring complete healing back into her life.

Together they travel through fantastic lands filled with magical creatures that could only exist in the wildest of imaginations. Through her treacherous brushes with danger and heartwarming experiences of love and acceptance, Brianna discovers many things. It is here, amidst the powers and phantasms of the mind that Brianna receives life lessons and virtues to help her. Will one of her greatest triumphs be achieved as she learns to believe in herself? For only then can she truly see all of the wondrous things that life has to offer.

Review by Kristi’s Book Readery (as seen on Goodreads) :

4 out of 5 stars

“I was gifted this book for an honest review. I’m thankful to Diamanté for the opportunity to read this book. It’s an easy read; it flows perfectly, great plot and story line. She has created such a unique and magical world and yet it is far different from most magical stories I have read. There are so many creatures and characters, it is easy to build the scenes inside your mind. Unlike a lot of other fantasy stories that have much sadness, destruction, and chaos this story is built on morals and values. In Brianna’s journey she is learning not only to become a better person for herself but for others as well. It’s very heart warming and enlightening. My only complaint would be that there’s not more to read! I want the next part of the story NOW! I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend it for many readers. It has good and evil, sadness and happiness, an entirely new world to discover, as well as many lessons that we can ALL learn from!”

Pick up your copy today!

Thank you to Kristi’s Book Readery for a great review!

As I see winter fading and spring approaching, new life comes into my spirit. The wet and the cold will soon be fading and warmth and sunlight will take its place. It is a time for dreaming.

I dream of everything I wish to accomplish before I pass away; writing the stories that are bursting inside of me, listening to the pitter-patter of my grandchildren’s feet, watching my precious children raise their own families, and maybe even spending winters in a warmer climate someday. I have so many dreams. My dreams drive me to keep trying.

I feel sadness for those who have been through such great pain that their dreams have been smothered. But I wish to tell those people that their dreams are still alive deep inside their hearts. If they search their innermost being, they will find their dreams once again. And then they will find hope to go on.

This state of living we find ourselves in is just that—a state. It can change from day to day and we have the power to change it from moment to moment if we wish. Even making the choice to smile at someone who looks depressed can change the feeling of the entire day for us and the person we smiled at.

I am so thankful that we can create our lives in such a way. So today I am encouraging myself and all of you who are reading this to dream your dreams. Who knows where they will take you? And don’t just dream them—be them!