Weekend Collective – Eclectic Goodness

I love to collect a few bits of the best and the ordinary; links, stories, perhaps a song, or an interview with someone special who is doing great things in the world and gather them up to share with you in this space as  “An Eclectic Collection of Goodness.”  Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, curl up and enjoy!

My friend Kathy Fannon who writes over at Be Real, inspires me in so many ways. She is a music lover extraordinaire with a collection of tunes so vast, they may be more than I have heard in my entire life.

When she suggests a song, my interest is piqued. When the song arrives in my in box at 6:00 am- it is a guaranteed listen. Erica Campbell’s “Luh God” has been dancing in my head ever since and because I like to share- it now can dance in yours too.

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting Joshua Becker at a conference in Franklin Tennessee. May I say he is as unassuming and authentic face to face as I had hoped?

His writings have inspired me for several years and I would have been epically disappointed if he were not! Joshua writes a blog at “Becoming Minimalist” and if you have never stopped by; good stuff. Recently he shared “10 Images to Help Inspire Simplicity in Your Life” ; some of his best images shared on the web over the last several years, with great quotes to remind us why a less cluttered life is worth striving for. (Thanks Joshua for being really real- you rock my friend!)

Going from minimalism to fashion may seem like a disonnect, but trust me on this one. It’s not. Jen Hatmaker, author, speaker, mom and part time fashionista, recently released her new book “For the Love” , while I have not finished it yet, it will be great- of this I am confident. I spent a vacation reading “7- An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” as I floated in a hot tub at an amazing resort. Fitting.  If you are not acquainted with her passionate embrace of life, people and God I invite you to do so. She shares her take on fashion wisdom for the masses.

Faith is a wonderful thing, but when it is tested we find what substance it holds. Michele Cushatt, author, speaker and mom has battled cancer multiple times. Ten months ago,  again she faced the removal of 2/3 of her tongue. Consider being a mom who could not speak let alone a speaker who faced the prospect of never speaking again. I had the honor to be a part of the launch team for her book “Undone.”  which was released this past spring, a must read  and her blog post this week; gold! She shares greatness in each word, and what it means to keep showing up. Success may not always look neat, clean and tidy, but if ours is a life held in the hands of a loving, faithful God, “The Sweet Success of Showing Up” is within reach.

Blessings-

Nancy