Challenge #11--Midway Reflection & Voting Reminder

Hello everyone! We have reached the midway point of Challenge #11. The theme for this challenge is all about LOVE. Today I am going to share a little introspection with you all that I am also presenting on my own personal blog in my "Motivational Monday" feature.

The Expression of Love

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.  There are so many different ways for us to express the wellspring of love that sits within our hearts.

Physical expression is of course a very common one.  Kisses, hugs and touch are all important to our survival.  When I was in college there was a sweatshirt sale to raise money for a Deaf organization that our program supported.  Interestingly enough the sweatshirts were about promoting hugs and the fact that when you hug another individual, hemoglobin is released in the blood.  Hemoglobin is important because it carries oxygen to all the areas of the body and causes the body to make itself whole.  Other studies have shown that hugging can reduce pain, help lift depression and tiredness and reduce stress and anxiety.  All this for the low cost of wrapping your arms around another living being and giving a little squeeze.

There are also studies that show how important touch is to babies.  In fact, there are studies that show that touch therapy with babies can help to contribute towards a healthy weight gain, augment growth and social development.  Did you know that an infant can die without physical touch?   If babies do not receive any skin-to-skin contact within the first few days or weeks of being born, they are at a serious risk of developing health problems.  If a baby is completely deprived of any skin-to-skin contact, they will die from a condition know as marasmus.  In essence, marasmus is a grave form of malnutrition. The good news though is that in certain situations, doctors have been able to reverse the condition simply by moving the infant into a more nurturing environment.  Don't forget though that it isn't only babies who need touching.  We all do.  Even if it is a simple pat on the hand or shoulder to let someone know that you are there.

Then of course there are the emotional ways to express love for one another.  Think how it makes you feel to hear the words "I love you" said earnestly by your mate or another loved one.  Additionally, spending time with our mate, whether it is side-by-side doing the dishes, taking a walk, going dancing or simply in each other's company are all ways that increase the feelings of love between individuals.

There are also more subtle ways we can express our affection.  Whether it is doing your own chores before being asked, or better yet, doing a chore normally reserved for your partner; watching the children and allowing your mate a much needed break; or simply sitting next to your loved one while they watch a television show you could care less about.  These are also all ways we can let the people we love most, know how important they are to us.

There are many more ways we can express our love.  These are simply a few.  The most important thing is to ensure that the people we love most in the world know it.  We are not guaranteed a lifetime together so it is imperative to make every single moment count.

To help inspire you down the path of love, check out the wonderful projects a few of my Design Team had the opportunity to create...

Pat has taken a humourous side with her midway project.  It certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "until death do we part"!  Pat has used a dark humour image, called Skellie Gossip, from one of our amazing regular sponsors, Ike's Art.  If you are interested in purchasing this funny image, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Ike's store.  It is located within the 'Gothic' section.

Next up, we have two projects from...

In the first, Monica has chosen to use an image from our second regular sponsor, Creative Bug Digis.  This adorable little frog is called Unfrogettable.  If you are interested in purchasing this cute image, click on the watermark to head over to the Special Occasions page in Naomi's store, then scroll down until you get to the Misc. section.

Here is Monica's second project...

For this one, Monica has chosen to use this precious image called Mother's Day 1, from Ike's Art.  There is nothing like the expression of love between a mother and her child.  If you are interested in purchasing this precious image, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Ike's store.  It is located within the 'People' section.

 Here is a closer view of that beautiful baby and the lovely sentiment that Monica used.  Additionally, here is an overall view of Monica's first project...

Vicky has chosen to use Google Eyes Duck with Heart, which is also from Creative Bug Digis.  This sweet little duck is one of my favourite images from Naomi.  I'm not sure what it is, but it touches my heart for some reason.  This image is also on the Special Occasions page, only this time you'll need to scroll down until you get to the Valentine's section.  Clicking on the watermark will bring you to the proper page in the store.

Lynda has chosen to use the beautiful image called Muse 5, also from Ike's Art.  This is such an expressive image.  If you are interested in purchasing this precious image, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Ike's store.  It is also located within the 'People' section.

  Finally, that leaves our...

Helene a.k.a. Nick, from Nick's Scrap Shack, who is our guest designer this month, created this precious project...

As you can see, Nick also chose to use the Mother's Day 1 image from Ike's Art.  Another simply beautiful creation showcasing this image.

 Clicking on the team members name (or in the case of our GDT, the blog name) will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations!

So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for?  Create a project and/or post that is positive AND relates to love, provide an explanation of how your project and/or post relates to the theme somewhere in your post or come over and leave a comment with the explanation.  Easy, peasy!  You can enter our latest challenge by clicking HERE.

Also, I know that the participants would love for you to go and pay them a visit.  Remember we're creating a Path of Positivity to follow one project at a time and we'd love to see you somewhere on that route even if it just by leaving a comment on an entry from someone who has touched you somehow with their project and/or post!

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and all the details you need to know in order to participate, in the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog).

Don't Forget...

You still have until 11:55 p.m. tonight, to vote on your favourite entry for Challenge #10.  Voting is quick, easy and painless so I hope you will consider casting your vote if you haven't already.  Don't forget, if you leave a comment after voting, you have the opportunity to walk away with a selection of digital papers created especially with your interests in mind. To check out the Top Seven and cast your vote, click HERE.  Winners for challenge #10 will be posted next Monday.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON LOVE?
If you need some motivation to get you started, I've provided another sentiment, free for you to download:

Credit Notes For This Creation:
© 2014, Lisa L. Décosse.  PUO.  However, you are allowed to use the sentiment on handmade projects that you intend to sell on a small scale basis provided credit is given. You also need to include a credit note and a link to this blog should you use any of my images in your creations and post them on your blog. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with my full terms of use found in the 'Download Instructions & T.O.U.' tab at the top of this page.  Of important note:  Please do not share my images with family, friends, etc. Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Box®, 4-Shared®, etc. Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves. If you would like to post a watermarked version of the image, please contact me to obtain one. 

You will notice that the sentiment may appear huge depending on what software program you download it into.  You can always reduce the size without distorting the overall look. 


Font and Image Information:

• Scriptina Pro font created by CheapProFonts
• Beyond Wonderland font created by Livin Hell

Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  Both of these fonts are free for commercial use.

SUMMARY
Whether you are new and need to familiarize yourself with all the details,  or a returning participant and just need to refresh yourself, you can always find out everything you need to know in order to enter this challenge in the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page. You can enter the challenge by clicking HERE to take you to the current challenge post where you can also find a quick summary of the details related to this challenge, towards the bottom of the post. 

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY...

Please show your support to our fabulous sponsors by going over and checking out their work and saying hi if you have the chance.  In addition to Scribbles Designs, our guest sponsor for the month...

 

...we also have our regular sponsors:

 

 

That is me and I'd love for you to visit me

on my personal blog.

If you ever have any questions be sure to EMAIL ME or just leave me a comment.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

References
Author Unknown. (1998-2013). Bonding with Baby: The Importance of Touch. Available: http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/bonding-with-your-baby/the-importance-of-touch. Last accessed 17th Feb 2014.
Bauer, Mary . (2014 ). Importance of Human Touch. Available: http://www.livestrong.com/article/186495-importance-of-human-touch/. Last accessed 17th Feb 2014.
Bullock, Monica . (2008). How Hugging Can Help You Live Longer. Available: http://voices.yahoo.com/how-hugging-help-live-longer-2312571.html?cat=5. Last accessed 17th Feb 2014.
Chillot, Rick . (2013). The Power of Touch. Available: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201302/the-power-touch. Last accessed 17th Feb 2014.
Servo, Tom . (2011). Infants Die If They Are Not Touched. Available: http://voices.yahoo.com/infants-die-if-they-not-touched-10343551.html?cat=25. Last accessed 17th Feb 2014.