You don't always....

....have to do stuff. Or achieve stuff.

'You don't have to spend your free time productively.

You don't have to be doing Tai Chi and DIY and bread-making.

Sometimes you can just be and feel things and 

get through, and eat chips and

that is more than enough.'

notes...

 a gorgeous morning

first hoodie of the season

repairmen here early to fix a few things...

my kiddo is sick...

a special person who was a part of my life growing up

stopped breathing yesterday

off ventilation tonight

infection

there is a loss on my Dad's side 

too young

ALS

I have a bad tape running in my head...

it's not God.

My body is stressed, anxious.

I make it worse by resisting

time to be present

His voice finds it's way through my muddled thoughts

I need to walk

~

it is vital that you stay present

keeping God central in your thoughts

can discern order & design in a

seemingly chaotic world

what you do with the hard times

is your choice

if you hold a negative thought in your mind 

then your body is powered by that belief

in the midst of grief, transition, transformation, learning,

 healing, or discipline

it's difficult to have perspective

let love, light and hope guide your steps

give yourself some grace

be well...

xoxo

💕

God, let our hard times be healing times.

May we be held in your comfort and peace.

Amen

 

A great lesson....

.... to learn is to soften during difficult times.

Times where we might rather shut down

and throw up our protective walls.

'When we open up, soften, and allow things to flow,

it provides opportunity to grow into our fullest potential

allowing amazing things to happen.

notes...

...laying down on the yoga mat draws the cat to my chest like a magnet 

she tries to shift with the all the changes

& sometimes she tries to hang on...

Chatting with a classmate/friend this morning

 we met during our coach training

 at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

she says...

"We've been on the phone for an hour and 45 min."

 

it's been a while...

we go to hang up

but we continue...

it's cooler this morning

 I caught a mosquito with tweezers

to feed a spider

 & my coffee tastes amazing

~

there are always challenges

you make the choice of whether you 

want to shut down or grow

frustration is your teacher

listen to what it has to say

about your beliefs

you may have to stretch a bit

face every situation with faith

not fear

get a bigger perspective

if you live for the approval of others

you will die by their disapproval

stay focused on your purpose

not your problem

life is meant to be fully lived

approach it with full involvement

understand timing on every detail

in your life

know when to speed up and when to slow down

remember God can bring good out of anything

He knows how to make the most of your life

more than you do

relax

He doesn't ask you do to anything

without providing you the power to do it

be kinder to yourself 

and to others

experience tenderness for who you are

be softer

be willing to love more today than you did yesterday

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When you blame and criticize others,

you are avoiding some truth about yourself."

"Beware of the half truth.

You may have gotten hold

of the wrong half."

"You gotta look for the good in the bad,

the happy in the sad, the gain in your pain,

and what makes you grateful not hateful."

 

Slow down....

....for times of introspection and prayer.

..

Take to heart the idea 

that God is in everything.

notes...

this morning, I'm feeling sorry for myself...

discouraged that at times when I feel uncertain about things....

(or influenced, or just plain tired...)

I beat myself up, then eat ice cream &

down ginger snaps.  

Still have the tendency to default

into old patterns.

Duped by my weaknesses

rather than turning to my strength.

I get back on track

it's always a process

~

grace is a sense of presence

 & stillness

that's just below the surface

and undetectable with a cluttered mind

and feelings of unworthiness

work at being more conscious 

of when you default

to old destructive habits

maintaining a consistent faith-filled mindset

through all the ups and downs

is the most difficult challenge you face

the changing circumstances &

external situations of life is the primary culprit

that disturbs your confidence in God

they influence you-

often too much

don't limit your thinking with tunnel vision

decide that focusing on what God is doing

will be your new habit

one task at a time

one feeling at a time

one problem at a time

one step at a time

one pleasure at a time

relax

breathe

become present

center yourself

replace hurry with purpose

focus on what is before you

start where you are

provisions come in small increments

stay focused and faithful

one by one those increments add up

until you come into the fullness

of who you are meant to be

truly determine to root yourself in faith

don't give up

one phone call

one meeting

one random encounter

can change your life

let all of your actions be guided

by that fact

You are allowed to be under construction

for as long as it takes

there is no deadline 

you're not meant to be finished

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Wait quietly while My thoughts form silently in 

the depths of your being.

I can bring good out of everything I allow in your life,

but much of what I do is far beyond your understanding.

I want you to enjoy life-

in a way that pleases Me and brings you wholesome

fulfillment,

not in a manner that will ultimately destroy you.

Be cautious and wise.

If you hear urges to feed old habits

then it's not Me.

I speak of life that shows good character,

healthy choices, and actions that are loving.

I wouldn't have said you could do greater things

if I didn't think you could do it.

Stop listening to the voices saying you can't 

make a difference,

and start  listening to Me telling you to take your

next step.

Don't waste another minute.

Slow down.

Share your moment with Me

it will be one for the books."

~Jesus ~

journaling 

 

The bad news is....

 ...you can't change your past.

The good news is that you can have a new beginning.

notes...

'born again means to be born anew

to have a new beginning 

a spiritual nature

He created you because He desired to love you

and receive your love in return

unbelievers can't understand

logically and reasonably the lost

person is thinking right

minds have been blinded

human reasoning and logic don't work

the clean-up work is done

by the Holy Spirit

whoever looks and believes

some things you consider

this 

you have to decide'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"It is amazing what God can do to a troubled heart

in a short period of time

when a person understands the meaning 

of 'meditation upon the Lord'"

~Charles Stanley~

'It doesn't matter who you are, where you're  from,

or what you've done- 

God want's a relationship with you!'

Prayer...

"Jesus, I've tried to do things on my own for too long,

and I know it doesn't work.

I need something deeper.

So, today, I give my life to You.

I believe that You died on the cross for my sins

and rose from the dead to give me eternal life.

Thank you for your love, forgiveness, and this new beginning.

I know I will never abandon me! I am so excited to 

be a part of Your incredible family.

Amen."