I want to thank my friend, Nester, for inspiring a whole bunch of bloggers to write about their passions in the month of October. We did it last year, and this year we’re doing it again.
Welcome to 31 Days …
My heart keeps coming back to our fast-paced world, how we naturally get into routines and rhythms with our families and schedules, and how busyness sets in. Even though we naturally long to spend time with family and friends, we often lose sight of what’s important.
Busyness. A demanding schedule is the biggest hindrance to getting together with those we love.
Disinterest. Sometimes, sadly, we’re just not interested in others.
Disappointment. We stop connecting when we’re hurt or others don’t reciprocate.
Neglect. We forget that relationships are eternal, the most important thing in our lives.
I’m never disappointed when we invite people into our home. The best gifts in life are enjoying the relationships around us, the blessings of eating and drinking together, listening and engaging with one another.
Today, October 1, 2011, as the weather has already begun to feel like Fall, even with a few Indian Summer lingering days, it’s time to hunker down and get cozy.
It’s time for “warmer connections” that honestly may take me outside of my comfort zone, but in the end, will bring happiness and inner peace and are a secret ingredient to ending loneliness.
I’m glad you are here with me today. Will you join me for the next 30 Days in October? (Share your link below!)
Do you struggle, like most of us do, with busyness, disinterest, disappointment or neglecting what could be warmer connections in your life?
Here are my lovely friends who are hosting the 31 Days series this month:
Nester – 31 Days of Lovely Limitations
Jen - 31 Days to Balancing Both Beauty and a Budget
Jessica – 31 Days of Memory Keeping
Melissa: 31 Days: Inspired Holidays
Sandy: 31 Days of Warmer Connections
Darcy: 31 Days of Photo Tips
Emily: 31 Days to Change the World
Emily: 31 Days of the Little Things
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
Looking forward to your series, Sandy!!
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Wow!!! How early did everyone link up, can’t belive there are so many, hopefully I’ll get round to seeing quite a lot of them this month. There’s so much variety here too.
Have a lovely weekend Sandy,
Jade
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Warm connection feels good — got to connect here!
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thanks for opening this up to all – enjoying the challenge – gotta get writing! and i agree, i never regret opening our home. it is such a joy to extend ourselves to others.
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Sandy, I love how you said that relationships are external. So true!
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Sandy I am on board with you all! This 31 days should be fun. I think I do not connect with others as often as I like because everyone else is busy, which brings me to disappointment. Do you know hard it is in my area (DC metro area) to get a lady to go to coffee? Their calenders are so full that they can’t even fit a cup of coffee in, so I give up very easily- or I need a new plan;-)
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Beautiful post Sandy! I think I let busyness get in the way. Though we are having a young engaged couple over tonight as well as a few of our youngest daughter’s friends. I was also talking to another friend yesterday who wants to come over and have my homemade chimichangas and we were coordinating a time.
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Wow that is ALOT of linkyness going on! How awesome so glad to be apart.
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One post in, and I already want to invite someone over. Great start, Sandy. Thanks for inviting us to join the blogging and reading this year. Can you believe the crazy response already?
Fondly,
Glenda
31 days of Christmas Wonder (#223)
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I am really interested in this and can’t wait to read along this month!
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Great idea! Looking forward to reading and learning from you this month!
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I’d love to join you on this journey. The Lord has taught me so much about hospitality over the years, but I know I have much more to learn. My mom wasn’t much of an everyday host. She was great at events, and I thank her for that example. But I want my home to be a gathering place for family and friends. Learning how to do that naturally is something I still need to work on. Looking forward to what you have in store!
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I love the plates in this picture; do you mind telling me where you got them and the style?
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Sandy Reply:
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Holly, French Countryside and guess what? They are 20 years old. They are my wedding dishes.
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Hey girl–I’ve been out of town this week, so I’m just now catching up on a little blog reading. Need to do some blog writing, but what would it be to do all writing and no reading??
I love the “warm connections” idea! It makes me happy the way you always pull us back to the notion of opening our homes and inviting others to share life with us.
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