There is a lot of talk these days about taking the time to stay “in the moment,” but I actually think that, although the quote might be different, it has the same meaning as “stop and smell the roses” which has been around for so long I don’t even know where that saying came from.

But it is true no matter how you say it. Time flies and if you do not take the time to be “in the moment” or “stop and smell the roses” then what is the point of life? Answering an email? Sending a text? Getting as much done without thinking about anything? This is something I struggle with daily and have made it a goal of mine to work with my day, not make it work against me. Use the day I have to rejoice in what I have and try not to get too overwhelmed. It is a hard feat, so I use whatever tools are available for me to help me learn how to do this that is why I was really excited to review “Full Plate, No Fork” by Darla Arni as well as her Art Canvases.

Darla Arni sells her Art Canvases at her Etsy Store Darla Arni Creates. I love these canvases. Simple, yet to the point. I received the “Shh” canvas and let me tell you, it has done a lot to help me while I work.

I have placed it next to my monitor so that when I start stressing out about what I have to do, I look at it and it reminds me to quiet my mind. I absolutely love it.

Besides the “Shh” canvas, she offers many more options including “Be Still,” “Love,” “Peace,” and now a Holiday Collection.

Darla Arni also recently published a book called Full Plate, No Fork.

Synopsis:

“One day I was working away in my home office on numerous projects, watching the clock to see if I had time to go visit my mother in the nursing home, and figure out what to have for dinner, and get to the post office before it closed, and maybe just maybe do this in time to make it to yoga when my daughter walked in. I don’t even remember what she asked but I do remember my reply was given in a very irritated, not very mother of the year voice. When she asked what was wrong I succinctly rattled off everything I had to do and what little time I had to do it in. As I stopped to take a breath, she replied, “Wow, you have a full plate with no fork.” (I love this kid!) I frantically wrote this quote down on whatever I could find so I wouldn’t forget it and gave her a big hug. She was right; it does feel like I am living with a full plate of ‘to dos’ and no fork to move them off my plate. In fact I believe most of us are.”

I am really enjoying this book. It is a short, easy to read book divided into multiple chapters that give you real life advice. Not exactly advice per se, but more like ideas on how to make your day better, your minute better, how to focus on the good and not focus on the bad. How to turn a stressful situation into a learning adventure, accept the change with a smile on your face, the choices you make determine the life you are going to lead, and learn how to stop and smell the roses.

Sample Writing from Darlas Newsletter:

“Acceptance: It Is What It Is

Often I write this monthly newsletter with a burning passion, a wrong to be righted, driven to rant away on a subject I feel strongly about. This is not one of those days. Maybe it’s because I became a year older this month but I sense a subtle change in myself. As someone who often seeks control, (for the record, I personally don’t see it that way, but I do respect your right to disagree), I have been pondering the concept of acceptance as the true basis of all change.

I am slowly seeing that acceptance is not a state of passivity or inaction, but rather the starting point of action. For me, and maybe for you, this is HUGE! Trying to change something or make progress toward a goal without accepting the reality of the situation will only lead to frustration and failure. For example, my entire life I have had to watch my weight and as an adolescent I was quite heavy. In order to really change my situation I had to conquer my thoughts of: “Why did this happen to me?”, “I’ll never be able to change the way I look.”, “I could make a change but my family isn’t helping me.”, “If I was taller than everything would be easier.” Obviously the list could go on and on and this stream of thinking can apply to any part of your life that you feel unhappy with; relationships, career success, friendships, and more. Instead I finally chose to accept myself (well kind of) and take responsibility for changing what I could. I never did get taller, but I was able to make drastic changes in my appearance and choices so that today I am much healthier than I was 30 some years ago and I intend to stay that way.

To help you understand:

Acceptance Isn’t

• approval, endorsement, consent, agreement, confirmation, or condoning every situation.
• hitting your head against a wall of “should’s”, “have-to’s”, “must’s”, or “ought’s” instead of moving forward.
• sitting back and wishing or hoping something will change or improve.
• -labeling everything that happens to you as fair, just, or deserving.
• blaming others, the universe or higher powers for what you perceive as wrong with your life.

Acceptance Is

• using creativity and enthusiasm to overcome life’s frustrations.
• making a plan and breaking it down into achievable goals.
• eliminating the words “should”, “ought”, “have-to” and “must” from your vocabulary.
• taking personal responsibility for your life and refusing to whine and blame your way out of situations.
• a sign of strength not weakness.
• seeing the incidents in life as something you can handle, not an excuse to give up.

Coming to a place of acceptance can be easy or hard; even knowing the truth I still oscillate between the two. To begin your acceptance journey, start with yourself. Many of life’s lessons come to us in the form of perceived “failures”. We can choose to learn the lesson or we can berate ourselves for our mistakes. Many of us can accept and be supportive of others but apply a more critical eye to our own fallible human ways. Strive to be as understanding of yourself as you are to others.”

Full Plate, No Fork can be purchased at DarlaArni.com and her canvases can also be purchased there, as well as at her Etsy Store.

Great Gift For: Any one looking to get more out of their daily lives.

You have until Monday November 22nd at 11:59pm EST to enter.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. I’ll also post the winner on my blog. If I don’t hear back from the winner within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I’ll pick another.

GOOD LUCK!

*Open to US residents only

Disclosure: I received the above items to facilitate my review. No other compensation was given. All opinions and experiences are my own.