Steps

Phases, moments, passions, humility, presence, appreciation, connection,

uncertainty, new, teachable, willing, allow, curious, mindful,

direction, conviction, truth, receptive, answers, open, change,

perception, worship, healing, service.

Today I am grateful for the difficulties that give me an opportunity to grow

& make me stronger day by day.

It all happens in steps, and you can see them for the magic they are

when you stop and look back one day. 

Todays my day.

The little moments that seemed insignificant 

at the time. The fears and the struggles and how they eventually

 ( and painfully slow in my case)

start morphing into a stronger faith, and small wins.

This week I followed the cues. 

Got up at 3:30 one morning to meditate 

on the front porch, read devotionals by lamplight. 

Journaling some instructions for the day.

Thoughts. Guidelines.

Nervous going solo to a early yoga class at the Y,

and then to my first day as a volunteer to assist in hippotherapy,

(horse therapy)

as a side-walker.

Breathe. Trust. Mindfulness.

Deep breath in stretch, breath out.

 Words of affirmation and love,

as we flow from Childs pose to Plank to Downward Dog up to Warrior pose.

Breathe in love...breathe out kindness.

Restoration pose, an offer to rub lotion on our feet.

"I'm want to serve you."

Tearing up as I gave myself permission to receive.

Having a moment.

Unity.

Arriving at the arena early to volunteer. Willing to help in any way.

Plenty to do. Happy to serve.

Therapy time and time to assist.

An old retired race-horse. 

A teenage boy.

A therapist.

Humility, reality, and a glow in my heart.

Everything coming together for a greater purpose.

Connection.

Passion.

Flow.

Journal notes that day...

The Holy Spirit will guide you and correct you as needed.

Refuse to entertain a gloomy view of the future.

'Morning is a time of preparation and opening.

It's a lovely time to prepare for the day & visualize

the outcome you desire.'

'Every time you put your passions into action,

you learn things you couldn't have learned

sitting still. You grow on the way.'

Decide for yourself what you want and need to do.

You belong. You are worthy. You are valuable.

You'll miss the blessing if you refuse to open your heart fully.

You must be non-resistant. Fear not. Poise is power.

"Sometimes an insignificant incident may be

a turning point in a mans life."

(typing this....Ha! Hindsight....as this is 3 days later...)

Today is Sunday. This song hit me right in the feels!

There's more to this little story, 

and I thought I would share.

This is how the mini-saga began. 

It began with a high...

then suddenly the low.

I had to let the dust settle.

be well...

xoxo

💞

 

Gift

Time, word, dark, light, discipline, hope, doubt, belief, willing, struggle, 

surrender, steps, insecure, refuge, guidance, truth, reflection, hindsight,

insight, humility, lost, found, perspective, presence, intention, choice,

listen, connect, allow, answers, steps, growth, restoration, moments, grace, peace, love.

Searching for the place to settle in, a moment here,

a shift there.

 Too distracting, too hot, too cool, just right. 

Space. Refuge. Alone yet not alone. Receptive. Serene.

July 14, 2011 written on the cover.

 The anniversary of my morning routine.

"Jesus Calling" a gift from my Pastor back home.

A daily commitment. An hour. A journal.

One step...then another...

 Dedication. Discipline. Persistence.

 The gift that keeps on giving.

5101.5 days....and counting.

Nestled in my spot on the porch with the cat, 

 a 2nd cup of coffee, and deep appreciation.

A page from Charles Stanley.

 Resonance. 

Truth. Grace. Love.

'As your relationship with God grows deeper, you will find that

the Lord reveals to you more and more of His love.

You  no doubt will find yourself saying again and again,

"Lord, I didn't know You could love a person that much.

I didn't know it was possible to love like that."

We often discover this truth when other people hurt us.

God loves us more than our pain hurts us.

He covers our wounds with His love.

No matter how much others might criticize us,

reject us, or cause harm, if we turn to God in our pain,

He extends to us enough love to completely compensate for the pain.

We turn to Him with a pound of pain, and He gives us back two 

pounds of love.

He gives us enough love not only to heal us, 

but to provide an overflow of love that we can extend to

the very people who hurt us.'

Time after time.

 5101.5 days,...

His love a healing balm.

Journal notes...

Do not fear. Take a deep breath & dive into the depths

of absolute trust.

"This time alone with Me is essential for unscrambling

your thoughts & smoothing out the day before you. 

Be willing to fight for this precious time with Me."

~Jesus Calling~

"Refuse to allow obstacles to consume 

& dissipate the quality of your attention in the present moment."

It won't be easy. It will take time and persistence. He will 

teach you how to overcome.

You have the right to be who you truly are.

Everyone deserves to be who they truly are.

Be more accepting of people who think differently.

You don't have to change your beliefs.

be well..

xoxo

💝

"Remember that we are each given the gift of being able

to discover what is best for ourselves. "

"Living well is both a discipline and an art."

 

Happiness

Connections, introspection, support, compassion, worth, 

acceptance, refuge, light, up, truth, real,

belonging, funny, sharing, loyalty, comfortable, encouraging,

 warm, tender, loss, appreciation, affectionate, helpful, relax, contentment,

 accountability, forgiveness, focus, love, understanding, purpose, teachers,

 self, healthy, trust, provision, happiness, whole, safe.

 Sitting cross-legged on my yoga mat.

 Breathing in a deep inhale, and one more

quick sip-like breath in. Hold. Releasing slowly...a little more...more. Empty.

A gentle breeze through open windows pairing up with my next inhale.

Polly laying at the head of my mat. Purring. Content.

 Finally.

 Two days of skepticism, & observing

every move, habit, and routine, to make sure I was legit. 

Cautious. Aware.

Sure of me.

Tree branches swaying, a light rain splashing on the rooftop.

A colorful burst of zinnias cut this morning, & displayed in an old vintage jar.

Yoga by Adrianne playing quietly in the background,

gently guiding me into Child's pose.

Peaceful.

Present.

Content.

Journal notes...

Don't worry about what is on the road ahead, find serenity in the present.

"I want you to go forward along your life-path in step with Me.

I will not help you go backward, so beware of seeking refuge

in the past. Keep moving forward in the direction I choose."

~Jesus~

It is VITAL that you pace yourself according

to God's timing. Do not rush ahead or lag behind.

He will help you in all of these matters.

You need to be ready to break up with the previous,

more familiar version of yourself, if you want to step into

new things.  Do things a little differently.

Blaze some new trails.

Take initiative today, and try a new creative

way of walking toward changes you want to see.

"You won't be distracted by comparison 

if you're captivated by purpose."

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Regulate your nervous system and everything else shifts.

Nervous system first... then make moves.

Nervous system first... then speak truth.

Nervous system first... then assess your relationships.

Nervous system first... then choose differently."

~Mastin Kipp~

Sunday

Life, treasure, quiet, discipline, self-care, triggers, healing,

protected, grace, trust, words, priorities, light, breath, yoga, faith,

listen, see, hear, awareness, surrender, hope, fuel, allow, curiosity, 

humility, provision, feelings, release, assurance, care, journal, reflection, truth.

Be open. Go with the flow.

Trust that what is meant to enter your life will come.

Be patient.

Be still. Listen. Breathe.

Appreciate the small things.

The soft breeze on your face, breathing in and savoring the first cup 

of coffee in the morning. Thunder. A gentle rain. Slow days. 

A good cry. Space to be. Get mucky and frustrated with your feelings.

Face them. 

Find the gift in the pain. Let it pass.

 Write in a journal. Read words that inspire.

Notice & savor the good in the present moment.

Observe all that is.

Care for yourself.

You don't have to wait for everything to line up &

have all the answers to feel good.

There is comfort in the small & meaningful things.

Don't put your happiness on hold.

A few Journal notes from this week:

"I am with you and will watch over you,

wherever you go. I will not leave you.

I will show you the areas that need changing.

Listen, I desire to say something to you.

Stay connected to Me, I will show you what to do.

Fear calls out your insecurities and doubts.

Listen for My voice.

Be willing to follow Me wholeheartedly wherever I lead.

Break free from the habit of assessing everything.

Look for precious gifts I've placed along the way.

Be on the lookout for good things.

Carve out more time for your own thoughts, feelings and desires.

Be confident that I will help you.

Trust Me.

I will restore you.

You are my beloved.

Live in that belief.

(letter compilation)

~Jesus~

Forgive yourself and move forward with your life.

Sometimes it's more appropriate to let go,

detach, and stop trying so hard.

If it is not working or flowing,

step back and wait for clear guidance.

'Life might be trying to tell you something.

Life is a gentle teacher.

Sometimes the signs are subtle.

Often the answer will arise in the quietness 

of letting go.'

Kick self abandonment, deceit, and denial & resentment

to the curb.

"Postpone joy & it will diminish.

Postpone a problem and it will grow."

~Pablo Coelho~

"No man gives to himself but himself,

and no man takes away from himself,

but himself."

be well...

xoxo

💗

"God's will most often happens in spite of us, 

not because of us."

"If it is a quiet day, trust the stillness.

If it's a day of action, trust the activity.

If it is time to wait, trust the pause.

If it is time to receive that which we have been waiting for,

trust that it will happen clearly and with power,

and receive the gift of joy." 

~The Language of Letting Go~