Just Breathe

I took a walk down the trail to the lake. My Dad's 

"favorite spot" when he has been here to visit.

I find a flat, dry rock, and decide to sit.

I turn my face toward the sun. I close my eyes...and breathe deep.

A Pileated woodpecker is raising a ruckus somewhere behind me on the opposite shore.

I turn trying to spot it, but it is hidden in the trees.

I call my Dad, because I want to share this moment, this spot, this beautiful day with him.

He answers, and then with a little chuckle....said he was getting ready to

call me too. 

An Eagle soars over the lake and tucks into the cedars nearby.

Dad and I have a nice catch-up-chat.

After our good-byes, I mosey back toward the path.

I pause to build a mini snowman.

I go to take a picture, and it topples over backward into the lake.

Three snowballs...bobbing...

I feel so bad, that I build another.

"Our lifestyles have made us into irritable, anxious

question marks."

'It's always the simplest things in life that

cause the biggest impact.'

"Simplicity is the key to happiness."

"Breath is the link between life &

the silence behind the mind."

"If you don't do something with your life,

life will do something with you."

xoxo

💖

 

January 16, 2025

Nothing like a little Michael in the morning,

to put a smile on my face.

It's like I have a wise quirky, fun-loving friend to

sit down with, and have a little laugh to start the day.

The dove is cooing outside my window,

the windchimes sound like church bells...

and it's sunny and mild today....

I believe I hear the lake trails 

calling my name...

'There is an outer you - your body - that is being shaped all the time

by the way you eat, drink, sleep, exercise, and live.

Then there is the inner you - your thoughts, desires, will, and character.

This is being shaped all the time by what you see, read, hear, think,

and do. We can call this inner you the spirit.

Spiritual formation is the process by which your inner and outer

self and character are shaped.

Everyone has a spirit. Everyone's inner life is being formed - for better

or worse.

We flourish when our spirits are rooted in and shaped by the Spirit 

of God - and God want's to do that in a way that uniquely fits us.'

Journal notes from this morning...

God will transform your fear into confidence.

"The Spirit He gives does not make you timid,

but gives you power, love , and self-discipline."

(2Timothy 1:7)

Face your fear and do what you have to do.

It is essential to live in the Present.

'God will help you rest in His sufficiency, depending on Him

more and more.'

Recognize your neediness and receive what God offers.

His Presence is with you always, providing everything you need.

'At times, God will beckon you to step out into the unknown.

To do the unfamiliar of go in a direction that is untried.

In His presence step into the unknown with confidence."

"If you do little things like they're big things,

God will do big things like they're little things."

"Spiritual greatness has nothing to do with being greater than

others. It has everything to do with being as great as each of us can be."

~Henry Nouwen~

be well...

xoxo

💖

January 15, 2025

Do you know that feeling, when you make a huge investment

in yourself, and you know your life will be changed forever?

Well...I just took another huge step. 

Starting Monday I will begin a 16 week Autoimmune Health

Reset with Dr. Will Cole.

I have been playing a game of whack-a-mole with nutrition,

 labs, and Dr. visits. 

I have been very proactive in my own health.

Doing the right things.

Yet...something was still off.

My girlfriend was like...

"Well....if your having issues with your health...

all the rest of us are screwed!"

I have sincerely done my best.

I refuse to fall for the 

"You're just getting old." line...

however I have certainly been feeling older than my age in the last few months.

I thought it was in my head.

I reached out to Dr. Cole.

Took the Inflammation Assessment (previous post),

it measures the malondialdehyde in my urine.

Let me share the meaning here:

Malondialdehyde :

is a byproduct of fat metabolism and a marker of oxidative stress.

it is a highly toxic molecule ....

It goes on. I got that on Google if you want to find out more.

The Assessment covered :

Brain

Digestive 

Autoimmune

Musculoskeletal

Detoxification process

Blood Sugar problems

&

Hormone problems.

The level they would like to see in each system is below 5.

My lowest level was an 8 in two of the systems.

My highest was 16.

Quite a reality check for me.

I went over the program, got the assurance I need, and I am in.

As with all else....it will take discipline and dedication.

I know I have what it takes. I've done hard things before.

This will heal me at a cellular level, and teach me so much.

There was also a mention (with my coaching and my own health journey) 

that I could possibly become an affiliate on the team.

Who knows?

It was pricey...but also considered continuing education for me.

I can't really think of anything I want more for myself than my health.

It is worth the investment.

Bye bye for now bucket list....xo

"You have options; you can do something different.

Wake yourself up and take a look around at the environment

you've made for yourself.

Don't keep swallowing things that make you sick.

You can change the faces, the places, and the spaces in your

world. Circumstances don't have you, 

you have them.

Stop being a victim of circumstances and start being a

victor over your circumstances."

A few journal nuggets for today...

God is always beside you, helping you to face your challenges.

'When you know you've been called to more & truly want to 

follow your destiny, you've got to be committed.'

If you know you need to do it, then do it. Do it with all you 

have inside of you.

'If you are going to get to your destiny, you are going to 

have to invest in yourself. Commit.

You have go to push & press.'

 

It's worth your sacrifice and hard work.

"He who believes in Him will not be disappointed."

~1Peter 2:6~

"There is nothing better you can do than abandon yourself

to God's will, provision, & protection.

That is the path through adversity to an abundant,

fulfilling, joyous life."

~Charles Stanley~

'He is you ever-present help who encourages, blesses,

and sustains you in your journey.'

"You cannot stress your way into wellness.

Give yourself grace and lightness in all that you do."

~Dr. Will Cole.~

be well...

xoxo

💞

 

January 14, 2025

This morning I got teary eyed with gratitude over...

pretty much everything!

But mostly...connection.

Sitting here with my pinecones gathered from Dad's yard

this last Fall, and a mug of Chai tea, that my kiddo picked up

 at Harney and Sons while he was showing his girlfriend around to some 

of our favorite places back home.

It's always such a special time when we can all be there together.

Revisiting the moments in my heart, and feeling the fuel.

Then out of the blue...I receive a phone call from a dear friend from Louisiana,

followed by a letter in the mail from another dear old friend.

It feels a little magical....

'Your ultimate purpose in life is not happiness.

Your ultimate purpose is deep inner peace.

It is the same for everyone.

You want to be able to sit by a river and be in awe of 

the mountain peaks around you and the water as it splashes 

on the rocks. You want to really taste the ice cream in

your hand, and you really want to feel the excitement of 

seeing someplace new.

At that moment, that's not possible because you're giving

importance to your worries, doubts, and regrets.

Life is passing you by and you're not even aware of 

the magic happening around you.

So, what you need to do is unlearn some of the things

that have held you back.'

You need to shed the mess.

Create a life by design, not default.

Shift the station in your mind from lack, and negativity

to something that is going to pick you up.

It takes practice.

You need to identify the bad habits and change them

into better ones.

Slow down.

Enjoy being in the moment.

Close your eyes.

Breathe.

Focus on being present, and all that you have,

not on your lack.

Repeat.

My morning journal notes...

Open your heart and your mind to all that God has for you.

Talk to Him about your struggles & feelings of 

inadequacy.

Do what you do with dependence on God.

Delight in what you accomplish together.

He can weave together something beautiful from the 

broken pieces of your life.

"There are certain attitudes and actions that hinder you from

really knowing God-

and you have to give them up."

Don't stay trapped in your old destructive ways.

Make the choice to move forward with God.

"There is no outside force that can stand in the way

when God chooses to act on your behalf."

"What others think of you is not your concern;

what you think of yourself is much more important."

Make a recipe for the life you want to live.

"If you aim at nothing, you'll probably hit it.

If you don't want to get anywhere, any road will do."

Anything is possible. Anything you can think of can

become real.

God gives you everything, and He wants you to use it.

Stop living by default.

Be yourself.

"You cannot see your reflection in running water,

it is only when the water is calm that you can see."

be well...

xoxo

💖