Season Change

The wind is howling, and a change of season is in the air.

I gather all the outdoor plants around me,

on a spot in the grass.

I cut back the old, the dead, and scraggly parts.

Pulled out weeds, and released roots from being bound. 

Larger pots filled with fresh soil, 

and plants placed in their new space.

Ready now, for their transition indoors.

A place to thrive, and continue to grow.

It all feels a little symbolic.

Polly chases the leaves...then a butterfly,

and disappears.

Checking on her minutes later, 

I find her transfixed on a groundhog that just dug it's

way under the fence into our yard.

Right on cue.

I too become transfixed.

Then I turn to get my camera, and it is gone.

Journal notes:

Only you get to choose what dreams align with your soul.

'Our future is our bodily destiny combined with what

we create through our evolving actions & thoughts.'

'Your deepest intuitions are confirmed as your body

feels rightness of what you hear.'

You make your future anew everyday.

Your answers are inside of you.

"Don't exhaust yourself trying to figure out

what has not yet been revealed."

Allow yourself to be led.

Trust and take heart. God's at work & has your back.

"When you knock, ask to see God...

not any of the self-appointed intermediaries."

~Thoreau~

Sign of the Groundhog:

'Survival and the art of self-defense.

Deep connection with earth and nature,

grounding and establishing sacred space.

Elevated perspective & heightened awareness.

Productivity & efficiency.

Determination.

A solitary path.

Rapid growth, evolution, self-reliance,

and independence.

Self-examination & personal growth.

Digging deeper into your reality & 

finding your strengths.

"To leave the dirt behind you &

clear the way for your genuine self's emergence."

Rely on your intuition.

Restore balance.

Awareness through meditation &

removing yourself from external matters.

Perpetual student.

Love studying and excavating new information.

Cultivating all the knowledge they can possess.'

"Groundhog teaches you how to find peace in isolation,

all while showing how to sink your teeth into 

ambitions."

" As you enter different stages or seasons of life,

Groundhog acts as a guide for understanding, 

acceptance, and internalization."

"Connect with the new you!"

Mmm..hmmm...!

Thank you groundhog...

 your timing was impeccable.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Everything happens for a reason-

the highs, the lows, the wins, the losses.

The ones who arrive 

and the ones who walk away.

Nothing is by chance.

Every moment carries a lesson,

and every lesson leads you closer to 

your purpose."

"Either you go after the life you want

or you settle for the life you get."

 

Happiness Habits

I remember a time when playing outside with my cousins,

then Dad taking us to my Uncle's gas station 

to buy a bottle of Coca-Cola from the machine

 was all it took to be happy.

It takes a little more intention these days..,

but it's still the little things that make me happiest.

 Like nature, movement, and savoring the simple pleasures.

Only now, it's walking through the grass barefoot,

practicing Tai Chi steps under the stars,

and relaxing with a healthy mug of hot-chocolate 

(sugar/dairy free)

 at the end of the day.

Journal notes:

"Problems can be the pathways to Spiritual growth

that good times can never provide."

~Charles Stanley~

Recognizing the extent of your neediness is one of your strengths.

"You don't need someone threatened by your happiness.

The right people will be happy for your joy."

'The happier, more content, the more fulfilled you genuinely feel,

the more you have to give. Everyone.'

'Our love is the light that shines in the darkness.

Just be love and it'll light up everything.'

'At some point you have to free the inner hostage.

No one else can storm the gates.

You alone can finally break the barricades & just free...you.'

'Jesus calls us friend.

He looks to us through the lens of love.

He accepts us the way we are,

but also helps us grow into all we can be.'

'Embrace the wonder of being alive. 

Look at things freshly.

Choose joy over discontent.

Transform your negative assets, 

and build on your positive.

Focus on what's right about you.

Seek your higher self.

Discover your unique talents.

Like yourself as you are.

Make today yours!'

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The less people know, the more stubbornly

they know it."

~OSHO~

"The goal isn't buying more materialistic stuff.

It's a nervous system that's regulated.

It's hormones that are balanced.

It's a gut that is healthy.

It's energy that's vibrant.

It's a spirit that's at peace.

It's friends that are safe and supportive.

It's a life well lived.

Health is the real wealth."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Rainy Morning

Today I will sit on my patchwork quilt spread on the 

kitchen floor.

I will swing the doors wide open, listen to thunder, 

 the breeze pick up, and chickens cackle.

I'll glance at lightening flashes,

  watch as an orange wooly worm

inches it's way to shelter under the potted plants,

and rain drops ripple 

in the birdbath.

I will sip my coffee, stroke Polly when she 

walks across my journal, feel the cool air on my skin and

soak in every sound, smell and feeling

of home.

Journal notes:

Let things happen as they are meant to,

in the highest way for all involved.

Learn to relax and follow the path as it appears.

Rather than blindly chase outcomes, go inward.

Don't be afraid to shine bright.

"Anyone can learn to dance with life 

if the mind was kept positive and receptive."

Search for the new. Pay attention & rewire your brain

to recognize there's something to learn in everything.

Every thought, movement, & choice you make has the 

power to reshape your future. 

Make positive changes.

Delight in the small things.

Look for the small joys that wait for you everyday.

"Life isn't as certain as we assume."

be well...

xoxo

💖

'Keep your eyes open for something different,

something you've never before seen during the same routine yesterday,

and the day before that.

Spotting something new every day in the familiar is a reminder

to keep your focus on the present moment,

to see the freshness in each day.

To be aware. To really notice. 

Truly noticing what's around you keeps your brain 

from shifting to autopilot.'

"We don't have a retention problem,

we have an attention problem."

"The soul always knows what to do to

heal itself.

The challenge is to silence the mind."

~Caroline Myss~

 

Fulfilled

Today, I allowed things to unfold naturally 

and let life take me where it needed to take me.

I trusted that life's plans for me was better than mine. 

I was fulfilled with Nature,

kindred spirits, deep conversation,

and....

 for the first time in 2 years...

my blood lab results came back normal!

I may have squealed.

Yay!

Journal notes:

Everything will unfold in the highest 

most peaceful way.

Take aim at the beautiful life I'm looking for.

Resist engaging in the negativity and fears of others.

The perfect steps for action will be shown.

Shifting from worry to blessing just takes practice.

You are a slave to whatever controls you.

(2 Peter 2:19)

"Don't let creating a perception of who you 

appear to be

rob you of who you are."

Love where you are and how you are.

"The courage that it takes to genuinely love

other people comes first from loving yourself."

Take more interest in what your life means 

than what it looks like.

Tomorrow's always a friend.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Nature is a wireless charger for humans."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"You don't need a 10 step protocol.

You need:

Less sugar

More Sleep

Daily movement

Deep breaths

Clean meals

Real relationships

True health isn't extreme.

It's consistent."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

 

Wonder

This morning I had a nice chat on the phone with my Mama.

I sat on my couch sipping tea by the window, and watched the leaves fall.

She sat in her car in the Walmart parking lot.

During our brief connection ...

 God came up, and we cried together. 

We giggled & sent good vibes to the little-cart-pushing-guy, as she watched 

him tackling a record-breaking train of carts.

Teared up with appreciation for Christmas-light-neighbor-lady with the house on the corner,

and a kind heart.

Shared a few fur-kid stories, and then cut off the conversation

mid-topic with quick "I love you" s and a "talk later"

before she roasted in her car.

Godzillacorn

Yesterday I volunteered at the therapy barn.

Our sweet little client got to experience her first trot

on Etsy the horse.

Her face just lit up with so much joy, and then, she started to laugh...

a moment of wonder.

An early afternoon nature walk around the lake,

lizards on rocks, eagles overhead, raining leaves, a fabulous breeze,

and nearly stepping on the biggest acorn I've ever seen...awe...

(pic)

natures wonder.

A few thoughts on mindfulness.

The dissatisfaction I feel in my soul is due to my focus.

I will restore a sense of openness and wonder to my daily round.

Rituals that help me open to wonder & stay focused:

Morning stillness, and quiet

The first sip of coffee

Journaling

Prayer and Meditation

Breathwork (4-7-8)

 Hubby's wave as he drives off in the morning

Having a good cry

Walking in nature

Hearing the sound of a loved one pulling in the driveway

Sitting down to dinner with a gratitude prayer

Curling up in the evening to watch an episode of  our favorite series.

( Grays Anatomy at the moment...

which makes me think of my cousin...thanks cuz!)

Practicing being more present, and mindful.

 Practicing Tai Chi

Practicing gratitude.

Practice, practice, practice....

be well...

xoxo

💝

'T.I.M.E.

THANKFULNESS

practice gratitude,

think it, write it, share it.

INSIGHT

gain insight

reading, or listening to podcasts.

MEDITATION

Spend quiet time alone,

breathe. 

EXERCISE

yoga, stretch, workout,

dance, move.'

Try making T.I.M.E. a part of your morning.'

~Think Like a Monk~ 

"One of the healthiest habits to learn:

being  grateful for the little things."

 

Joy

A gorgeous autumn evening for a country wedding,

and hubby's perfectly timed capture of the moment

we saved ourselves from toppling over backward on a giant tree swing.

'If you let each day offer moments of awe,

it's easier to wake up with anticipatory excitement.

See everything as a gift and open your eyes to 

the wonder all around.'

Journal notes:

'...those who seek the Lord 

shall not lack any good thing.'

Psalm 34:10

Show up for life and participate to the best

of your ability.

Be love...

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The entire point of life is to

be so wildly passionate that people

can't decide if you're crazy

or a genius."

 

Fog

This morning I perched cross-legged in the open-window-seat,

as the cool air seeped in.

The steam rose and swirled  from my coffee,

and I listening to the heavy fog dripping from the leaves.

Polly jumped up & snuggled in my lap purring contently.

A gentle trill came from my neighbor's chickens just below,

and I find the way back to my beautiful faith.

"In silence we can hear our intuition speak.

But it can be difficult to find silence in the age of hyperconnectivity.

We must make it a priority to find the time to unplug

and create silence at least once a day.

All of the information and connection will still be there

when we return. 

A change happens when we learn to access stillness,

we start to crave the quiet in the midst of all the extrinsic

connection.

In stillness we find our balance."

be well...

xoxo

💝

 

It's My Life

Mindfulness. Worry. Faith. Control. Trust. Fear. 

 Open. Protection. Determination. Defeat.

Willingness. Stubborn. Doubt. Belief. Teachable.

Discipline. Disorder. Struggle. Ease. Discomfort. Rise. Fall.

Pride. Humility.

Be clear on the issues your called to adopt & embrace.

Have your footing in a solid place.

It's easy to adopt others causes & be led astray.

It'll sweep you up and and take you away.

Don't get swept up in the momentum of someone else's real.

Walk you own path, and take the time to heal.

~me~

Journal:

Where you are is where you need to be.

Start where you are and accept that.

Even if I could see the whole future ahead of me,

I would not understand it anyway.

Many things are beyond my comprehension.

It's simply hard enough to understand myself.

I've wasted a lot of time trying to figure out someone else.

Looking back makes it a little easier to understand.

I didn't trust in who I was.

I had be repurposed.

Sovereignty has been my pop-up word lately.

I even wrote it several times to correct my spelling.

(*flashback to grade school)

'A supreme ruler.

Possessing supreme or ultimate power.'

So...why did I  struggle for so long putting

my faith in anything but God?

I know my answer.

It's complicated.

Truth is I learned how to survive.

Surviving is cool...

but, I want to thrive.

Do not obsess about what you could have done differently.

It can't be different from what has already occurred. 

There is only one place to make a new beginning,

and that is NOW.

I refuse to worry about the future, and find

the resources for today quite sufficient.

He is my Source, sovereign over all resources,

and NOTHING is impossible with Him.

"Hold yourself accountable & you will open to the changes

God desires to make in your life for your good."

~Charles Stanley~

"We're all broken. We don't need more varnish-

we need a Carpenter."

~Bob Goff~

'There is a Spirit inside of you that is primal.

Let it flow-and reach for what fills your soul.

Listen to your intuition, it is the voice of your soul.

Release any feelings of guilt and judgement.

Allow your soul to speak it's truth.

Be open to your inner truth, and allow Spirit to be your guide.

Set your primal nature free!

It's your life!

be well..

xoxo

💝

"Remember that being healthy is much more

than exercise and eating right.

It's also about being around good people, 

having uplifting habits,

letting go of attachments,

embracing gratitude,

and maintaining your growth."

~Yung Pueblo~

"I don't know who needs to hear this

but if you're trying to heal,

you have to develop better boundaries with

your intake information.

The news, doom-scrolling social media,

drama with your family or friends all will

dysregulate your nervous system,

raise inflammation and stress hormones.

Boundaries are medicine.

JOMO (joy of missing out)

is medicine."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Self-celebration

On the first day of my 63rd year...

I woke up determined to enjoy "...the day that the Lord hath made...",

and immediately started getting heckled by my inner critic,

which was interrupted with thoughts of a story from the Bible...

where the people all turned on each other,

and ended up destroying themselves. 

(2 Chon. 20 & Judges 7)

Mmm-hmm. 

Sully

That is why I start every day with journal and devotional time.

Hubby asked what I wanted for my birthday:
Me: "I just want to get in the car and go."
Him: "Where"
Me: "Wherever it takes us when we get started."
And that is how we rolled.

I wanted...
A day where we didn't have any plans.
A day where we were totally directionless...
and open for an adventure.
A day without expectations,
and the time didn't matter.
A day where we just show up!


 It turned out to be a ridiculously happy way to spend the day!


be well...
xoxo
💖

Gifts

I packed an apple for me, and 2 for Buddy.

I popped a container of popcorn for him too.

He is a September baby, and 

I wanted to have a little celebration

for my boy. He's 5 now.

One by one, I bit off bite sized pieces of apple to feed him.

He thanked me in his love-language...

sloppy kisses. 

Buddy

I sat outside on the stoop with my coffee this morning.

I watched Polly patrol the yard.

A squawking Blue-jay flew in  for a random visit.

I closed my eyes & listened as I did my 4-7-8 breaths.

I heard another familiar sound.

 I opened my eyes, and Gram, (chick-a-dee) was in the bush across from me.

It's been a while.

Then I remembered a dream from last night, or this morning.

There was a fence, and 2 coyotes on the other side.

One beige, one white.

I stood below them...the fence bottom was at about my waist.

They were thin.

I had some bread...or something....

and tried to toss it over the fence.

It wouldn't go.

We were in sync. Cautious but loving.

Tuned in.

Then I woke up.

I had a nice morning phone chat with my kiddo.

He's in between the chapters in his life.

Stepping into a new, while closing out the one before.

Confident. Capable. Inspiring. Driven. Compassionate. 

I see him doing great things.

We checked in on each other's world, and discussed the world as a whole.

I believe we've worked out a solve for the world's problems. 

At least for now.

Little signs:

Blue-jay: Clarity. Truth. Guidance. Communication. Curiosity.

Fearlessness. Adaptability & balance. Good fortune.

Inner Strength.

Chickadee: Joy. Positivity. 

Focus on small moments of happiness & find joy in the present moment.

Dream of Coyotes:

White coyote can suggest Divine help.

Flexibility & ability to handle challenges.

Trust your instinct and intuition.

A spiritual or personal transformation.

Faithfulness. Protection. Teamwork.

Find the gifts in your everyday ordinary life.

Don't become so busy that you forget what your doing,

or even who you are, or that you forget to breathe.

Don't become so busy that you forget

 to look at the people you love,

and forget to appreciate them until it's too late.

Journal notes:

You need not fear the future. It is in His hands,

He releases it to you day by day, moment by moment.

'Live this day abundantly (plentifully).

See all there is to see,

do all there is to do.

Don't be distracted by future concerns.

Leave them to God.'

Every day is a gift.

Live in the confines of today.

Believe that He loves us with boundless, everlasting Love.

'Living in collaboration with Him is wonderful,

though not easy.

It requires a level of spiritual & mental

concentration that is extremely challenging.

It requires persistent effort more than anything else

you have attempted.

Yet, rather than detracting from your activities,

it fills them with vibrant life.'

He wants you to experience a more complete 

sense of Joy than we otherwise could.

To get there we need Him.

We will become what we do with our love.

"He will show you how to overcome every obstacle.

It may not be what we expect-

in fact, His methods will certainly surprise you."

~Charles Stanley~

He knows exactly what we need.

Trust Him.

"Come as you are- He chose you for everything you aren't."

He will reveal the hidden value in something that seems

more like a dumpster fire.

"Growth always plays a part, surrender is a progression.

It is a continuing act of turning over more to Him as you mature."

God is a God of healing, but you must do your part.

There is no telling what God wants to do through you.

Forget what other people are up to.

Go be you.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Remember that being healthy is much more

than exercise and eating right.

It's also about being around good people,

having uplifting habits,

letting go of attachments,

embracing gratitude,

and maintaining your growth."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"Gratitude Improves:

Sleep

Anxiety

Immunity

Depression

Inflammation

Brain Health

Stress Levels

Heart Function

Digestive System

Hormone Balance

Nervous System Regulation"

~Dr. Will Cole~

 

Healthy Mindset

What if we practice assuming the best

instead of the worst.

Pause.

Breathe.

Course correct.

Break the habit.

We'll get better at it.

My Michael pick this week.

&

A journal dump on mindful notes:

Open our heart and mind to look for something new.

Set your mind to satisfy the Spirit within you,

not the indulgence of your old ways.

All the things meant to draw attention to ourselves

can actually trip us up.

Don't take the bait when the "issue de jour"

comes your way.

"When you no longer need anything,

you can have everything.

When you stop trying to make things happen,

anything can."

Who you are becoming is going to take a little grace and time.

"Improvement is not just about learning habits,

it is also about fine tuning them.

Reflection and review ensures  you spend your time 

on the right things & make course corrections whenever  necessary."

~James Clear~

The secret to getting results that last is to never stop making improvements.

Don't believe lies and deceptive thoughts.

Look to biblical truth.

'We can break all the old bad records in the subconscious mind,

the records of our lives which we do not wish to keep,

and make beautiful ones.

We can make perfect records through our Spirit within-

the records of Health, Wealth, Love, and perfect self-expression.'

'The subconscious mind, is simply power, without direction.

It is like electricity, and it does what it is directed to do.'

'Train it to image only good, every righteous desire of  your heart.'

'Getting into the spiritual swing of things is no easy matter.

Thoughts of doubt & fear surge. 

Tormenting thoughts and old beliefs from the subconscious'

"There is an old saying that man only dares use his words for 3 purposes;

to heal, bless, or prosper.'

In order to heal the body, one must first "heal the soul".

'The soul is the subconscious mind, and it must be "saved"

from wrong thinking.'

"He restoreth my soul."

~Psalm 23:3~

'The subconscious mind or soul,

must be restored with right ideas, and reconnected with (superconscious mind) God.

'Any inharmony on the external, indicates there is a mental inharmony.'

"As within, so the without."

Teach yourself a new way to be.

If you are open, sudden change can happen at any time.

Be willing to be surprised.

"Let go of the need to control every detail of your existence,

because life will happen whether you control it or not.

How much fun you have while you're in the midst

of it all is entirely up to you."

be well...

xoxo

💝

"If the Holy Spirit can take over the subconscious with our consent

and cooperation, then we have almighty Power working at the basis

of our lives, then we can do anything we ought to do,

go anywhere we ought to go, and be anything we ought to be."

~E. Stanley Jones~

"Your subconscious mind is trying to help you all the time.

That is why I keep a journal - 

not for chatter but for mostly the images that flow

into the mind of little ideas.

I keep a running journal,

and I have all of my life, 

so it's like your gold mine when you start writing."

~Jim Harrison~

"I need one of those baby monitors from my subconscious

to my consciousness so I can know what the hell

I'm really thinking about"

~Steven Wright~

Self-expression

This morning was brisk.

I threw on my favorite hoodie, comfy sweatpants & a pair of slippers.

I lit a candle to take out on the front porch with me.

Hubby joked that it wouldn't throw off much heat.

I concur, however the light of the flickering flame 

comforts none-the-less.

Polly's nestled up in my lap. 

I take in her faint purr, and notice the crickets

singing without the cicadas.

I hear the Jake break from down on the highway.

It reminds me of being at Dad's.

I open up to a brand new journal.

It seems that I just started the last one.

So I check back on the dates.

August 4, to Sept. 25th. 

Time flew.

 300 pages filled.

Thoughts and ink have flown too.

52 days.

I add 5+2.

My favorite number is 7 (and 3).

I look up the number 7.

Because that it what I do.

'Perfection, completion, spiritual wisdom & introspection.

Spiritual journey of awakening.

Self-discovery & the quest for truth beyond the material world.

Wisdom, contemplation, & deep thinking.

Truth seeker who searches for deeper understanding.'

I concur.

I move to the back yard when the sun starts to rise.

Webs  scattered, and glistening with dew in the morning light.

I grab my camera, and explore.

I notice a string of webbing stretching across the yard.

I follow it, like a game.

It leads me to the Roses of Sharon bush.

There, I find a fairly large web leading to another,

 which took me to yet another....and...

ta-da!

Chick-pea!

(who made her first appearance on my 8/18 post.)

Journal notes:

'Be patient. Let what is small & fragile grow

into something strong & mighty.

Don't rush what God is doing.

Slow down & see what He is up to.'

He can see you down to the very core of who you are,

and He's crazy about you !

Not someone similar to you-

you !

"Don't try to be like someone else, and fall into the comparison trap."

Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable so it doesn't hold you back.

Remember, even good things can feel uncomfortable.

Listen to Me, and eat what is good, & your soul

will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55: 2

Bring your thoughts to Him.

'Disappointment about a wandering mind,

will only distract you further.

Rather than put yourself down-

return your attention to Him.'

He is with you wherever you are.

Go play. Get messy. Go outside barefoot. 

Be a bit less serious, and enjoy what you have.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble...

think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

"What you watch, read, and listen to shapes your brain.

Inputs become thoughts;

thoughts become habits;

habits become health."

~Dr. Josh Axe~

Appreciation

Walking in the misty rain at feeding time.

Soft, gentle horse nickers.

A section of hay tossed over the fence,

a strong breeze blowing it back onto us.

Natures hay fight.

  Brushing. Shaking. Moving. Laughing.

Visiting a friend for coffee, which merged into 

a joined errand run.

Zippy country music playing over the loud speaker,

and a young man dancing happily in the isles

as he stacks the store shelves.

Random checks of good and not-so-good items on the Bobby App.

Giggling at our choices.

Making memories in the tasks of an ordinary day.

Heading out after my Tai Chi class.

"You looked very graceful out there!"

came from the sideline.

Not what my head was whispering at the moment.

She peddles her bike, and shares

a story of Tai Chi, & a trip to China when

she was younger.

"I was so young, 

that everyone looked old."

We laugh.

I thank her for her cheer.

My kiddo comes to visit.

He's smitten by a rock-bird I have on the window-sill

beside my flowers.

It makes him smile.

He sticks around for dinner,

 and we sit around the table chatting about our day.

    He left soon afterwards...

rock-bird left with him.

Journal notes:

Trust that the perfect needed connections 

always arrive at the right time & way.

There is a place that you are to fill 

that no one else can.

Something you are to do ,

which no one else can.

See your good.

Find the goodness in front of you.

Always remember you are free to be yourself 

and live your own life in serenity and joy.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Prioritize what matters most.

Decide how you want to spend your life-

every moment.

Kiss your children,

love your friends,

speak kindly to strangers,

hold hands with your loved ones,

and go for walks.

These will be the things you remember

when all you have left is today."

"One of the healthiest habits to learn:

Being grateful for the little things."

~Yung Pueblo~