We get so wrapped up....

....needing to have everything together,

trying to figure it all out,

that we forget that

sometimes....

the most beautiful things are found in life's

little imperfections.

notes...

an unmowed lawn

 weeds growing in the wildflowers

splashed coffee on the quilt

Polly's tiny wet foot prints on my journal page

cat hairs on my PJ's

another used up pen 

 a tiny chip in my favorite mug

and dirt on my feet

oh how much

I love all the itsy bitsy gifts of imperfections....

... I breathe a little deeper

what a perfect morning

you have a rock solid foundation 

with on which you can live

and move and have your being

as you worship

a new hope will grow within you

sit quietly

each time you are tested and overcome

you exercise your spiritual muscles

surround yourself with people who add wisdom

but don't subtract love, acceptance and purpose

be choosy 

you never outgrow the need to get feedback

from other people who see the world differently

but naysayers can stymie your progress

keep cynics at a distance

when you wrestle with big life decisions

you want love and acceptance first

information second

when you fail you need hugs

not advise

be an encourager

challenges are opportunities 

to refocus & keep going

slow down the pace of your life

life unfolds in a way

that guarantees growth

of your best self

keep your eyes fixed on what matters

to you

with God continue 

to move toward it 

even shake off a few sticky wickets as you go

see what happens

you cannot miss out on an experience 

that you are meant to have

every breath offers you a chance

to put your faith into the hands

of God

and to remember how blessed

supported

and guided 

that you already are

'once you slow down

something more than ups and downs

of personal gains & loss

can shine through'

slowing down is essential

this invites your heart to feel safe

enough to open

you are not a robot

let your attitude toward yourself soften

'whether your goals are spiritual

personal

or professional

when you slow down & relax

into a more natural rate of speed

you create a perfect space

for life's most incredible 

discoveries to unfold

you discover a more honest

relationship with life'

discover your heart as the home

you never left

envision a lovely future

or spend time visualizing 

what you don't want

your decision

you are here on your own journey

open your eyes to see all that life

has to offer

'your soul is the compass for your

adventure

and your wisdom is the testament

of your life'

do your best to create change

your efforts & your prayers

are being recognized

be well...

xoxo

💝

"People who take time to "be"

on a daily basis are measurably

more productive, better listeners,

more alive and more resilient

than those that don't."

"It is impossible to see the world as a 

friendly place (despite disappointments

and hassles) until the world inside

you own mind is also friendly."

 

If you can't run away...

...'to a cabin in the woods right now,

start small.

Make a cup of tea and find a sunset

to watch.'

Turn off your phone go for a drive and blast some

great music, read a book in the back yard.

Fight for moments of peace

in the midst of the crazy.

You can do that.

notes...

Hubby's got a stress test

up early to hit the road

coffee to go

love it when it's still dark

it's cooled down outside

pretty morning

nice breeze

what you do with your love 

is where you are in your faith

if you think you don't have time to 

bless someone

consider how consuming 

worry can be

learning to shift from worry to blessings

just takes practice

send blessings to your loved ones

to strangers

to enemies

to animals

to the planet

to you

Throw up an insta-prayer

and then just wait

use your energy to believe

create

love &

grow

taking control of your mind

can be the key to finding

peace in other parts of your 

life

your emotions are a by-product of 

the way you think

the spiral is real

"...according to researchers,

the vast majority of the illnesses

that plague us today

are a direct result of a

toxic thought life"

thoughts are just habits

see them for what they are

what you believe and 

what you think about matters

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Do what you can, when you can,

with as much love and honesty as you can,

and when you can't, rest."

"Life is all about balance.

You don't always need to be getting

stuff done.

Sometimes it's perfectly okay,

and absolutely necessary,

to shut down, kick back,

and do nothing."

"Our life is frittered away by detail.

Simplify, simplify."

~Thoreau 

 

Stop trying...

...to figure everything out!

I wrote in BIG capitalized letters

on the top of my journal page this 

morning.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord

with all your heart and mind and do not rely

on your own insight or understanding....

seemed to keep showing up.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

I waste a LOT of time trying to understand

 things out that aren't mine to understand.

I've pondered this a lot today.

notes....

trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on

your own understanding 

x5

the main culprit of the struggle is

 the minds appetite 

for understanding

and a strong desire to feel in control

of your life

you want to trust

but you feel stuck

believe that this is training you

wait confidently to see results

'despite how the snow globe of your reality

might get shaken up

it only occurs in order to guide

your journey in an 

exciting new direction'

allow the wisdom of you heart

to become your

inner compass

even when the odds seem stacked against you

it is only a brand new chapter of growth

obedience is about doing what you don't want

even when you don't fully understand

you may never shake the tendency to dissent

when you don't get what you want

you just act better

those are the moments when your faith

is put to the test

it's when you actually find out 

who you are

hang tight when things get tough

it's training ground for the next adventure

this is where it gets good

don't drink other peoples poison

even when it's offered with love

God can soften hearts, change circumstances

beyond your control

provide resources &

untangle messes

He's just waiting for your call

there's a difference between not getting what you've

asked for

&

not asking for what you need/want

sometimes you need to let yourself be & trust

that clarity will come later

in retrospect

it will all make perfect sense-

later

stop straining to know what you don't know

see what you can't see

understand what you don't yet understand

trust that being is sufficient

and let go of your need to 

figure it out

set aside time

to be quiet & secluded

call Him

be well...

xoxo

💗

"In the end, there doesn't have to be

anyone who understands you.

There just has to be someone that wants to."

"Sometimes we can't find the thing

that will make us happy,

because we can't let go of the thing

that was supposed to."

"The realist sees reality as concrete.

The optimist sees reality as clay."

 

Focus on...

...the elements of your life

that seem to be going really well

at the moment while

downplaying your existing

dissatisfactions.

notes...

one moment I'm on the porch enjoying my part-time dog,

& getting ready to open my devotional...

then...

 I'm writing in my journal on the way to the farm

doing the chores early to beat the heat

 and taking Jesus along

for the ride. 

persist

turn down the chaos of everyday life

when the noise around you fades

tune into the soft whisper

align your heart with love

your feelings change after your focus changes

if you feel terrific about life

that's a reliable indicator

that your most recent thinking has been 

healthy and constructive

make wise decisions

you can make today whatever you 

want it to be

you have the power to create 

your own reality

do not be afraid to be different 

from others

the path you are called to travel

is exquisitely right for you

see yourself clearly

notice your reactions

go within

nourish yourself

appreciate the blessings

let go of what you don't need

so what you do 

can show up

make space

the good can't get in 

if it's blocked by junk

release it

listen

don't miss God's activity

direction & intervention

in your circumstances

and miss His

 joy

peace 

power 

love & wisdom

and the very purpose

for which you were

created

dark thoughts keep you

away from beauty

darkness isn't always destructive

sometimes it's just distracting

hope is always eager to burst

onto the scene

but you need to be there

to catch it

you can't be all run & no stop

practice being a better listener

only your choices and

perceptions can determine

the quality of 

your experience

trust yourself

 life

and God 

let today happen

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Never mind searching for who you are.

Search for the person you aspire to be."

"Usually, when you can't overcome

the obstacles in your path,

it's not your path."

"You can hope for a miracle in your life,

or you realize that  your life is the miracle."