When you notice tension....

....rigidity, frustration

or feeling short-tempered

slow down to a more natural flow.

notes...

this morning it's A. dark

B. cool

C. raining

from time to time a little breeze blows through

and a distant roll of thunder 

the Mockingbird is singing for  

the Wrenn, Robin & Cardinal.

Sitting here wrapped up on the porch

 in my favorite blanket

 from my favorite shop

back home...

sipping from my favorite coffee mug

 from Harney & Sons back home...

having an

 awe-good-morning-God-moment

and I am lovin' it!!

if you want there to be less stress, anxiety,

depression and tension in the world

start with yourself

you need stillness

outer and inner

hear the gentle whispers in your heart

find a place where the noise of the world is minimal

be still

let go

relax

'spiritual adventures are decorated

as the comings and goings of

everyday life'

celebrate each moment with everything to welcome

and nothing to prove

deepen your awareness 

practice thankfulness

....with all of your heart

and soul

and mind

lay aside all bitterness and defense

step away from the mental clutter

if the path you took overpromised

and underdelivered

then get back to the dream

you started out with

there are always second chances

find the things that light you up

make plans to do them

celebrate this beautiful life God has given you

learn to relax and follow the steps

as they appear

if you don't rest 

your body will eventually put it's foot down

"Stress is a leading cause of cancer,

heart-attacks, liver failure,

stupid accidents, grouchiness

& suddenly not being able to breathe."

if you're feeling overwhelmed

notice any unnecessary tasks

that steal your time

take care of your mind

choose what you pay attention to

take care of your inner world

allow time for activities and stillness

that make you feel good

feeling rushed robs you of experiencing 

the moment

'making time to do things that inspire you

should be a priority...

what's the point of living

without them?'

take time to really enjoy what matters

and let go of the rest

you learn your beliefs

why not master beautiful ones?

often appreciating your life

is the only

change needed

worry less 

laugh more

know what matters

enjoy your precious life while your

still in possession of it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Prioritize peace. If it  nurtures, calms,

and revitalizes you,

make time for it.

If it stresses, distresses,

or depresses you,

reconsider it."

"Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once,

but rather, one step, one breath,

one moment at a time.

I am only one person.

Things will get done when we get done."

 

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."