What if...

...we could make the most of the detours

we didn't plan on,

and discover what there is to see and 

explore along the way?

What if we braved the long way

with our mind set on learning,

adjusting, and opening our hearts

to fall deeper in love with life?'

What if we hit the pause button and resist

the urge to fix something or someone

letting the good and bad grow together

trusting God to sort it out when the time is right?

What is it gets us where we want to go

because it gets us to where God want's us to be,

no matter how inconvenient &

 even if we didn't think we wanted to be there?

notes...

...the purpling sky at dusk 

the warmth of a friends understanding

the laughter from a child as he splashes in the lake

a flock of geese swimming to shore then taking

flight so close I can feel them as I stand with my feet 

in the water...

a refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort 

out what's important and what's not

have a steadfast heart

do not worry about your life

(Matthew 6:25)

while it's fun to imagine yourself differently

don't get trapped in a life

thinking you need to be different

remove your focus away from the complexities 

of your own broken heart

toward Jesus

embrace His unconditional love

God doesn't want us to be a better version of us

He wants us to be a more accurate reflection of Him

don't miss your prayer and meditation time

get your mind clear

you don't have to be captive to bad experiences

if you're not flexible enough to change 

what's in your head

you can't change your life

change your mind

or you won't change anything else

allow a new truth to be planted in your mind

the sooner you develop a clear mindset

the more efficiently you will use your time

appreciate the value of time

by focusing on what's 

in front of you

not by lamenting what is behind you

the years zoom by

time is your most valuable resource

it can not be reproduced or replicated

learn to guard it and hold it precious

live on purpose 

make conscious choices

there is no going back

live in the present today

God is in the subtle nuances

be well....

xoxo

💞

"The peace of God is tranquility and quietness

of the soul.

it is the assurance that,

no matter what is going on around us,

everything is secure."

~Dr. Charles Stanley~

"Did you know your thoughts,

habits movement, sleep, and nutrition

can all help you rewire your brain

through a process called neuroplasticity?

Small choices, repeated daily,

can have a profound impact on your

mental health and your life."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"The butterfly counts not months but

moments, and has time enough."

 

She allowed ...

...her life to be purged

so that she could live in a manner

that reflected who she truly was.

Blossoming into the fullest expression of her best self.

She didn't want to merely survive,

she wanted to thrive.

notes...

begin each day with joyful expectation

get clear on what kind of life

will make you truly happy

be honest

meditate on God's word

one of the best things you can do

to improve the world

is to improve you

believe beyond what you can see

learn to pause

breathe

be

see the miracles happening all around you

where you put your attention

there is your power

turn your thoughts to

happier things & enjoy 

what is good and pleasant 

around you

don't miss what life is

meant to be

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Don't settle for nice, for pleasant, for familiar.

Keep looking until you find something that really

moves you,

that resonates with your core.

And I mean this for people,

interests, for hobbies,

for your possessions, clothes, music,

books, art.

Everything.

Curate every aspect of your life,

as much as you can.

It's in the things that deeply inspire us

that we find ourselves.

Surround yourself with truth,

and you'll have built yourself 

a heaven."

~unknown~

 

You have two options: ...

'forgive the offender completely

or refuse to let go,

believing they owe you something

to make up for what they've done.

notes....

slept well, woke up early,

felt off...maybe tired? It was a "thing".

first read of the day...

"When you don't forgive, a barrier of bitterness

grows & obstructs My Love from entering in."

~Jesus~

&

every message that followed 

 stayed on topic

 when I finally wrapped up my morning

time out

I had clarity about the "thing"

and a butterfly flew past

landing beside the hummingbird

in the garden

~

if you harbor resentment 

your hurting yourself without reason

forgive those who've hurt you

it is crucial

for you to live freely

have an accurate view

of all you've been forgiven

so you can understand others

don't remain captive to your hostility

any longer

when you harbor bitterness toward others

it will affect you profoundly

and time does not heal those injuries

the poison of an unforgiving spirit

can damage the entire person if left unhealed

(emotionally, spiritually relationally, and even physically)

you are not injuring them with your bitterness

you're only hurting yourself

the only cure when resentment has taken root

is forgiveness

nothing else does the job of genuine

healing

you have been shown an enormous amount of grace

don't carry a grudge

'be yourself 

and let others be themselves-

because that's the starting point of God's love.'

now is the time

where you are is the place

and who you are is deserving

choose forgiveness

let go of your hurt

when you can't

Jesus can

'whatever you have been through,

whether heavenly or horrific,

it will serve a meaningful purpose in your life

if you allow it to.'

they are all stepping stones to a higher place

if you open up and allow them to be

sometimes your perceptions have to change to give

you a fresh perspective of your circumstances

don't get stuck in your past

don't allow painful memories

to keep you from what you were 

created to do

you are valued and loved

steer away from negative behavior...

you're better than that!

forgive yourself

embrace who you are

influence someone in a beautiful way

~

because it's fun...

butterfly...

freedom

playful grace

living fully in the moment

renewal

breaking free from old habits

hummingbird...

savoring life's small pleasures

staying grounded and fully

engaged in the present

and finding nourishment in everyday

moments

be well...

xoxo

💓

"The beauty of forgiveness is that it requires only a forgiving party.

it does not require a party worthy of forgiveness."

"To forgive the forgivable is merely justice,

an accommodation of a reasonable mind.

To forgive the unforgiveable is true forgiveness,

an accommodation of a merciful heart."

"Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ

God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:32

"Bear with each other and forgive one another 

if any of you have a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13

 

Relinquishing control...

 ...may feel like you are giving up something valuable,

in reality you're letting go of striving,

which frustrates you more than it helps you.

notes...

the female cardinal (alias Mrs. Stanley) sat looking in the kitchen window

as we made our coffee and tea

we loved our morning at the beach so much

 that we decided to start our day there again.

My thermos tipped in the 

picnic basket, and everything sat in a puddle of coffee. 

Barely a cup was left.

I decided it would be enough, 

and taking in the moment was more...

the blue heron squawked 

& I savored that 1/2 cup of coffee

We came home to watch Charles Stanley's sermon

and Mrs. Stanley was outside our window

singing and dancing in the tree

(really a bush....but...you know...)

endeavor to celebrate your relationship with God

learn to walk consistently in the present

be patient

weigh the alternatives

make sure you make a wise choice

your mind is so strong & powerful

it can tell you you're inadequate

and limited

& it can help you to overcome obstacles

and position you to become what you envision

most thinking is 

recycled opinion

it's not really thinking at all

listen to the still small voice leading and 

guiding

and comforting you

not the voice of the world

expand your awareness

and see the way God sees things

and your part in it

do a check-in with your motivations

every so often

loosen up

you don't need to be uptight

when you are on edge it affects others too

you get to decide what part you are going to play

regardless of what your life looks like at this very moment

abundance is always available

drop your limiting beliefs

do your best for the moment

and then let it go

striving for excellence is a positive quality

striving for perfection is self-defeating

contribute to the world by making life easier,

happier, more beautiful, more fun, 

more interesting, more thoughtful, more loving

empower & compliment yourself

it will not make you lazy

it will nurture you

and enable you to give, do, and be your best

whatever you do 

bring something good to life

be well...

xoxo

💖

sign of a female cardinal ...

nurturing and care

good news & hope

brighter days ahead

turning dreams into reality

patience 

endurance 

emotional stability

"As a general rule,

your life story is more interesting,

the longer you can postpone the living

happily ever after."

"Somewhere amid life's endless distractions lies it's purpose,

each of us deciding for ourselves

which distraction it is."