Diane Vogel Ferri’s full-length poetry book is Everything is Rising (Luchador Press). Her latest novel is No Life But This: A Novel of Emily Warren Roebling (Atbosh Media) Her essays have been published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Scene Magazine, and Yellow Arrow Journal, among others. Her poems can be found in numerous journals such as Wend Poetry, Blue Heron Review, Rubbertop Review, and Poet Lore. Her previous publications are Liquid Rubies (poetry), The Volume of Our Incongruity (poetry), and The Desire Path (novel). She has done many poetry readings locally. Diane’s essay, “I Will Sing for You” was featured at the Cleveland Humanities Festival in 2018. A former teacher, she holds an M.Ed from Cleveland State University and is a founding member of Literary Cleveland. Her poem, For You, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best of The Net 2023

Friday, January 9, 2009

Wisdom in Decoupage

Anyone remember decoupage? It was back when knick-knacks and brick-a-brack were somehow important and popular. I worked in a gift shop for many years in high school and college. It was filled with a lot of unnecessary but attractive stuff. I kind of miss having gift shops around to give you ideas of unnecessary stuff to give people. Anyway! On January 3rd I wrote about opening up an old cedar chest after many years. In it I found a whole lot of wooden plaques I'd either painted or decoupaged some wisdom on. Lots of corny stuff, but I thought this one was still worth sharing:
Live each day to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day, and each age of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence and back without regrets.
Be yourself - but be your best self. Dare to be different and to follow your own star. And don't be afraid to be happy. Enjoy what is beautiful. Love with all your heart and soul. Believe that those you love, love you.
Forget what you have done for your friends and remember what they have done for you. Disregard what the world owes you, and concentrate on what you owe the world.
When you are faced with a decision, make that decision as wisely as possible - then forget it. The moment of absolute certainty never arrives.
And above all, remember that God helps those who help themselves. Act as if everything depended on you, and pray as if everything depended upon God.
S.H.Payer

5 comments:

Sandy said...

Diane this is beautiful. If you don't mind I'm going to copy this and share it.

won said...

I am so glad you posted this. It reminded me of a wonderful memory and allows me to share a gift suggestion with you and your readers. A gift from the heart.

A couple years ago, I had a lady in my life who was a kind of mom figure as Mother's Day was approaching. I took a fish bowl, and decoupaged pretty pastel colored tissue paper bits on the outside.

Inside, I put a plethora of handwritten and decorated notes. Some were my feelings for her, some were tidbits of wisdom and inspiration. Others just random quotes of value. Knowing she is a very biblical woman, some were biblical quotes.

Then, I ran lightly ran the decoupage glue over each note for longetivty's sake.

It was beautiful, as was your writing. Thanks for letting me revisit that in my mind today.

Campbell Jane said...

Love your blog! I'll be back!
Blessings

Anonymous said...

Diane, this is truly beautiful. Three of the sayings really stand out for me. "God helps those who help themselves."

"Disregard what the world owes you and concentrate on what you owe the world."

And "Don't be afraid to be happy." Such true words!

Linda S. Socha said...

I would like your permission to copy this to use in my office. Lovely. True
Thank you Diane . I am glad to have found your blog! Do you accept blog followers? I could not find the blog following widget

Please stop by Psyche Connections and say hello. You and your energy are most welcome there.
Linda