Incoming storms...

.....sourdough bread still warm from the oven,

with butter & honey.

Clothesline fresh rugs on freshly mopped floors,

and the hallway closet's

annual transformation from pantry to

tornado shelter.

 

The things that soothe...

note:

Neurosurgeon called

appt. for the end of the month

hold onto the good

create space

ride the winds of passion in your life

let go of things that no longer

serve you

take a break from processing your thoughts

tend to your responsibilities

and don't take things so 

personally

trust yourself

live and experience life

let things happen

remain calm and confident

do not be dismayed

meditate

learn to love the person you're responsible

for taking care of-

yourself

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...

but how much love we put into that action."

~Mother Teresa~

"When the world feels like an emotional roller coaster,

steady yourself with simple rituals.

Do the dishes. Fold the laundry.

Water the plants.

Simplicity attracts wisdom."

To be aware...

...of the nudge,

is to be heading to my cozy nook

on the porch

with coffee in one hand &

 a basket in the other,

and Polly at my heels.

And end up at the lake during a 

thunderstorm, listening to the fish splash,

 and disappointing the cat.

Signs..(in order of sightings)

Woodpecker: 

pay attention

significant change

Eagle:

reconnect to your Spiritual path

listen & heed your spiritual directions

as well as your heart

allow them both to lead the way

stay grounded

Loon:

tranquility & peace

"spirit of the north"

pay attention

live in harmony with others

and nature

notes to self:

absolutely wonderful

God provides the guidance 

you need

life isn't about chasing more

it's about choosing better

sometimes the simplest moments 

are the richest ones

time is your most valuable currency

cease striving and simply enjoy being

present

pay close attention

inhale in a mindful way

exhale and let things go

focus on the goals that are closest to your heart

be intentional about what and who you 

decide to be available to

be engaged in things that impact your life

(or mind-numbing distractions)

it's your choice

be purposeful

the ability to choose and change

who you're being in this life

is a gift

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Peace comes when we invite it in like a welcome guest.

As peace enters our soul, we feel an expansion

where anxiety and sorrow once were.

When peace arrives we feel lighter.

To prepare your soul for peace,

take the time to breathe,

clearing the clutter of your mind

and opening to the expression of your spirit.

Welcome peace in by releasing the tight grasp

of anxiety and sorrow.

Let go of pain so that peace can soothe."

 

Sometimes...

..."you've got to let everything go...

purge yourself.

If you are unhappy with anything...

whatever is bringing you down,

get rid of it.

Because you'll find that when you're free,

your true creativity,

your true self comes out."

~Tina Turner~

I like that!

I myself struggle with being creative today

as I have outside chores to do before it rains...,

& my head is still slightly swollen 

from receiving a lovely compliment

 ( from the instructor & one of 

my mates)

 on my form and flow yesterday in Tai Chi.

Grateful. Encouraging. Uplifting.

I practiced all weekend.

notes lately...

when you are talking to yourself

watch your language

you strengthen what you put your attention on

keep your mind on the things you want

and off of the things you don't

if you were never frustrated by something.

you would never seek a solution

practice until it becomes second nature

simply take action

knowing is not enough, you must apply

applying is not enough, you must do 

step-by-step

trust the process

be thankful for quiet days,

when nothing special seems to be happening

remember you can choose the subject of your thoughts

let go of discouraging ones

refuse to get discouraged

each moment provides a fresh opportunity

God can't add beautiful things to your life

if there's no room in your life

keep space open for more beautiful

things to be added

get rid of old hurts, beliefs, and memories

you've collected over time

allow life to surprise and delight you

let yourself enjoy life as you go through

the day

release the grip on things that keep you bound

let go of lesser things

glow up your life with gratitude & be specific

recognize the gifts and call them out

every good and perfect gift is from above...

James 1:17

prayer is a lifestyle

position your heart

the sweetest moments in life happen unannounced

seek moments of ease

allow yourself moments of peace

make room for the delightfully unexpected

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Of Time and Space I don't know much,

But this I'm pretty sure of--

That both are things that doesn't hurt--

To give someone a bit more of."

"It's hard to change someone's mind

who believes in their head bone."

"It seems, in youth, that everything we do is practice

for the real thing,

a rehearsal for some future grand debut.

And then the years go by,

and we look back and realize,

that the practice was the real thing,

the rehearsal the grand debut."

"Absorb what is useful,

discard what is useless,

add what is specifically your own."

~Bruce Lee~

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000

kicks once,

but I fear the man who practiced one kick

10,000 times."

~Bruce Lee~

 

Journaling space....

...where the Robin sings her morning song from the maple tree,

 doves coo back and forth in the distance, and jet noise 

echoes in the dark, clouded sky.

Writing down thoughts on morning pages 

& savoring my first sips of coffee,

 while the old retired preacher begins his daily morning walk across the street.

"A mile and a half." he shared once.

He's dedicated.

I wonder if this is his "God time", like this is mine.

Polly is playfully bouncing about chasing a dark,

bird-sized moth that

flutters just out of her reach.

A cool breeze moves in and I take a deep breath.

I start to think of my people.

The video I received last night from my nephew...

how most of the men in my family have served in the armed forces,

and how strong and resilient the women are,

and how they all laugh at themselves, and find 

humor in life's challenges.

Their stories.

And my friends who have been like family.

Our stories.

I am filled with gratitude and appreciation.

A goose flies solo overhead.

I settle deep into the details of my moments, my story,

and relish this time & space for my thoughts.

A place just to be.

A space that's getting harder to find 

in the real world.

A place where I can sit in silence

and get to know my own voice.

morning notes...

second morning on the porch this year..

focus on your own peace

silence is powerful

trusting is a moment-by-moment choice

allow difficulties to be your greatest teacher

hard times shape you more than you realize

you either become a reflection of your pain,

or a reflection of your hope

*rain*

"In the old days, a logbook was a place for sailors to 

keep track of how far they've traveled,

and that's exactly what you're doing-

keeping track of how far your ship has sailed"

#journaling

you appreciate things 

that a busy world convinces you

 are not worth noticing

bless the highs & lows:

they are what make life

a magnificent story

Breathe. Relax. Go with the flow.

bring your full attention to each moment

find the beauty & the awe

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Wherever you are, be there totally."

"Yet they need not accept this-

help is within themselves.

You can feel it within you-

an inner drive for happiness.

The close interrelation between this Inner You

and this Outer You,

the almost uncanny power of each to change the other-

can change you from drabness to

joyous self-fulfillment."

~Ad for Pond's Cold Cream March 1949~ 

"You can look at optimism and pessimism

as two different outfits in your closet,

and you decide each morning

which one you are going to wear."