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~

 

Stillness

 Distant thunder, a spur-of-the-moment

jaunt to the beach, 

orange sunrise skies, 

fish splashing on the surface of the lake,

and footprints in the sand.

Simplicity is it's own reward.

'God wants our attention.

He's not impressed with our activities.

Keep your eyes fixed on Him &

just go be awesome.'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"One of the most healing things you can do 

for your nervous system costs nothing:

slow, deep breathing.

Just 4 deep breaths can shift you 

from stress mode to rest mode,

lowering your heart rate and calming

your mind.

Your breath is always available when you need peace."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

 

Joyful

Are you my mother?

Is that really you?

I've missed you !!

Buddy

Aww....!

Yes my sweet, slobbery, fur-son!!

It really is me!!!

I have missed you too!

*Mmwahhh!

I was sitting out on the porch at 4 a.m.

It seemed as if I had the whole town to myself,

just me and nature.

Peaceful.

I sip my mug of warm, lemon-ginger water.

I listen to the cicadas,

 Polly sliding on the pavement as she chases a cricket,

and the hum of the schools A/C.

I hear the first car at 5:17.

Town is waking up.

I appreciate the day as it starts to unfold.

I feel joy.

I went to the farm this weekend with Hubby.

It is calving season.

We got there just in time for a new delivery.

Wobbly. Adorable.

Blondie and Buddy both spotted me, and came to greet.

I haven't seen them since early Spring.

Buddy kissed my hand so much my skin was tender.

Blondie was never much on affection,

but she stuck around just the same, and I gave her the love she would allow.

She has a new baby. Her first dark calf.

I felt joy.

Last night, Hubs and I sat in the double recliner

watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

I munched on pineapple and raspberries..

he munched on a lemon bar.

Suddenly, a heavy rain started to pour down.

I opened a window, so we could relish the moment.

It's been dry.

Grateful.

Joyful.

This morning I go in from the porch, to get my first cup of coffee.

Hubby is watching the news.

I catch the touchdown dances on

 the football game highlights.

I tell hubby we should all do a touchdown dance.

Every time we accomplish a task.

*touchdown dance.

It would make life a little lighter.

I start to choreograph my own.

I return to the porch.

I catch the rhythm of someone's base

coming from the drop-off line at school.

I bounce to the beat.

Joyful.

Journal notes:

Wait quietly in His Presence.

Quiet your mind so that you can hear His still small voice.

Words of Life, Peace, Love.

Let your heart receive these messages of abundant blessings.

Spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.

Open your heart and your mind to look for something new.

Discover the treasures in the trials.

This is His will for you. 1Thes. 5:18

Do not dwell on the past. 

He is doing a new thing. Isaiah 43:18-19

Be cautious and wise.

The key is not to try harder but to yield to His Spirit.

'Maintaining a consistent walk with Him through all the ups

and downs is one of the most difficult challenges we face.'

If you remain in a daily, deliberate walk with God,

He will stabilize you on your journey,

regardless of what happens.

"Life changes radically if  you know you're a conduit

for what wishes to happen as opposed to 

the one making it all occur."

Replace hurry with purpose.

'If you are breathing, He is working in you.'

Do not try to rush.

'The real you is much, much greater than your story.

Choose what you want to create rather than accept the

stories that were created  for you.

Don't worry about being perfect.

Brake the chains of your fear.

Be brave. Trusting. Open.

Have fun!'

"When you open your heart to yourself, quirks and all,

you change the world."

Celebrate life. 

Dance through your fears.

Persevere.

Don't shrink back.

Nurture the sassy spark within you.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Keep it simple:

-Eat real food

-Go for walks

-Wake up early

-Lift weights

-Cook your own meals

-Soak up the sunlight

-Limit alcohol

-Spend more time with loved ones

Simple is powerful."

~Dr. Mark Hyman

 

 

Survivor

Today I wanted to share everything from my journal...

to Michael Singer, 

to going out to the farm

with Hubby.

Yet....

when we got home,

I sat down to finish a book....

The Gift

14 Lessons to Save Your Life

by Edith Eger

She is a 97 year old Holocaust survivor. 

A psychologist.

And a light.

...I finished it humbled, teary eyed,

and clear as to what I wanted to share on my post today. 

I want to share her. 

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Life- even with it's inevitable trauma, pain, grief, misery, and death-

is a gift. A gift we sabotage when we imprison ourselves in our fears

of punishment, failure, and abandonment;

in our need for approval;

in shame and blame;

in superiority and inferiority;

in our need for power and control.

To celebrate the gift of life is to find the gift in everything that happens,

even the parts that are difficult, that we're not sure we can survive.

To celebrate life, period.

To live with joy, love and passion."

"I can't say that everything happens for a reason, that there's

a purpose in injustice or suffering.

But I can say that pain, hardship, and suffering are the gift

that helps us grow and learn and become who we are meant to be."

"Honey, may you also choose to give up the prison and do the 

work to be free.

To find in your suffering your own life lessons.

To choose which legacy the world inherits.

To hand down pain-

or pass on the gift."

~Edith Eva Eger~

💝

Self-thoughts

I was in the middle of learning a Tai Chi step....(solo...with observers)

 when the music randomly switched from meditative to 

 a 60's pop song, and I broke out into a dance.

My instructor got tickled, then went to change the music.

 She giggled for the remainder of our session.

Hubby took a pause from work to join me at the library to view the winning photos

they chose to hang.

Four of them were mine.

I was sitting on the stoop earlier, my nose felt a lil' drippy....

so I grabbed a tissue from my basket.

 I unfolded it, and nestled inside was a lady bug.

I remembered a time when I was back home hiking at the falls.

My sister-in-law had just passed.

A girl came up to me and said there was a lady bug

on my shirt.

 She let it climb onto her finger, then held it in front of me & told me to make a wish.

I did.

 And then it flew off.

So I made a wish this morning, and then it flew off.

Life truly is a reflection of what we believe.

What if we believe that it is working for us, not against us?

What if we let go of what we think we need,

and think about all that we already have?

What if we believe in the good?

What if we believe that we can ?

 

 I was sitting on the stoop with my coffee, and the journal on my lap.

Revisiting my notes from this morning.

 A tiny, yellow, maple leaf came out of nowhere and landed right where I

was reading.

It rested on a message about thoughts.

My journal notes on thoughts:

There is a battle going on for control of your mind.

The world exerts a downward pull on our thoughts.

God's spirit fills our mind with life and peace.

Our day-to-day perseverance in dependence on Him

keeps us from despair.

He blesses us in ways unique to our needs,

and His design of us.

Guard your thoughts diligently.

Good thoughts keep you close to Him.

Fixing your thoughts on Him will be an ongoing struggle.

Poor sleep, health or nutrition, lack of fresh air,

exercise, worries of the world, and excessive busyness

all affect your ability to think.

It is possible to exert control over your thinking.

Don't let you thoughts run freely. 

Be self-controlled and alert.

Be present.

He didn't save us to let us flounder in uncertainty and

negative thoughts.

He doesn't leave us alone to plot our own course

to spiritual maturity.

He teaches us in the way we learn best.

He never gives up on you.

He won't stop transforming you-

so don't give up on yourself.

Talk to God about your struggles, make your thoughts a

conversation with Him. He's all ears.

His motives are never shadowy or manipulative.

His motive is always love.

He is the best healer, counselor, and friend.

His motive is always unconditional Love

Persevere in making good thought choices and enjoy

His refreshing Presence.

He gives you life itself.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results;

bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results..."

"A person is limited only by the thoughts he chooses."

~James Allen~

"Every cell in your body is

eavesdropping on your thoughts.

Think stress, create stress hormones.

Think calm, create healing compounds.

Your mind is a powerful pharmacy."

~Mark Hyman, M.D.~

 

Self-control

Move, but don't move the way fear makes you move.

~Rumi~

This morning, I sat cross-legged on the quilt in the back yard.

I sipped my coffee.

I watched as a humming bird bounced from flower to flower & then settle on a branch across from me.

Two more flew into a vertical dance, as if mirroring each other.

A tiny little wren popped up and disappeared in the grass as it forged for food.

I closed my eyes, took in a nice deep breath, and listened....

the faint crow of a rooster in the distance.

A skippy-mournful howl from the opposite direction.

Otis. It made me smile.

My floppy hound-dog-used-to-be-neighbor.

 He echoes through the neighborhood from 1/2 mile away.

(they recently moved)

I opened my eyes, and set my Bible on my lap,

opening to Matthew 6:33...

"Seek first His kingdom....".

I felt something crawling on my leg...and lifted the Bible to confirm.

A wolf spider. 

Not small.

  It was releasing a string of 

webbing out it's back end. 

" Sorry. No, Nopedy, Nope...

how bout you take the yard, I'll take the quilt,

and we'll share this beautiful morning.",

and I brushed her off into the grass.

Yesterday  I was heading out through the back door to feed the birds.

I face planted into a web built across the top of the doorway.

I backed away and accessed the damage. 

Spider still intact...home in shambles, I decided to take it down. 

She decided to run up my arm.

Not small.

I'll call her Chickpea.

I kept my calm, and gently brushed  Chickpea into the protection of a nearby bush.

One spider encounter would have been just a thing...

but two up-close-and-personal spider encounters back to back?

I'll take it as a sign. (*wink)

"Spider reminds us that the word is woven around us.

We are the keepers and the writers of our own destiny,

weaving it like a web by our own thoughts,

feelings, and actions."

"Weave your creative threads in the dark and then when the sun hits them,

they will glisten with intricate beauty."

"If spider has come into your life, ask yourself some questions."

'Are you weaving your dreams into reality?'

Are you entangled in your own mental productions?

Are you not using your creative opportunities?

Are you feeling closed in or stuck as if in a web?

Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you

are walking in life?

Are others out of balance around you?

Do you need to write?

Are you inspired to write or draw and not follow through?'

~Animals Speak~

Journal notes:

Trust is a crucial part of living a good life.

God provides everything we need.

Receive what He offers.

"Love isn't something we do; Its someone we become."

"Your life doesn't depend on what you get or don't get

from someone else.

Your life is your own."

Turn your heart toward the interruption.

Look for moments to love.

Each day presents choice after choice.

He is with you. Stay close. Listen. Observe.

Trust. Open. Receive.

'Shattered dreams. A heart full of fissures.

Hopes that are splintered.

A life that feels in pieces, perhaps ruined.

Given time and prayer, can produce something beautiful.

With God, nothing is wasted.

Every broken dream and heart that hurts

can be redeemed by His loving warm touch.'

'Faltering steps of dependence are not a lack of faith;

they are links to His Presence.'

"God made beauty so we'd know how He felt about us."

The only one putting a label on you is you .

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The city of truth cannot be built on the swampy ground of skepticism."

"The god that atheists don't believe in never existed anyway."

 

Self-love

" Like Wendy did for Peter and his shadow,

we are going to need to take the version of us

that wants to love people like God made them

and the version of us that is ricocheting off the walls

and sew them back together again."

Journal notes:

'Live in union with God.

It will make you more fully yourself.

When we live independently we experience 

emptiness & dissatisfaction.'

'Follow Him wholeheartedly & you will discover facets of yourself

that were previously hidden.'

'God desires that we give His brand of love to other people.

The fact is, everybody needs this kind of love.

And too few give it.'

Represent Him well. 

Not by our arguments

but by our love.

May we be loving, unity-seeking representatives.

'Hard times can motivate & mold us to bring out our best.

We can use those times to move forward

and upward to higher levels of living,

loving, and growth. 

The choice is ours.

Allow Him to shine a light on the things that you'd prefer

to be left in the dark.

A good way to eliminate problems is to stop

reacting to everything that occurs.

'The only thing we can control is our reaction to the things that

happen around us. If it triggers a negative reaction,

spend a moment to reframe it. Breathe. Turn it into something

positive. React less & invite calm.'

'Whether or not He changes our circumstances,

He will put a new song in your heart.'

'Quit playing it safe with your one beautiful life.

Be possibility-minded not problem-centric.'

be well...

xoxo

💗

'Our attachment to the idea of how we think life should look,

how reality should unfold,

and how people should think and behave,

keeps us from living our lives in a harmonious

and loving way.'

~Luminita Saviuc~

Serenity

Early this morning,

  stepping out onto the dark, twinkle-lit porch 

for my morning routine,

the Serenity Prayer just popped

up in my thoughts.

That intervening nudge...

just in time to shut down the chattering little imp in my head,

who vied for my attention.

Divine intervention.

I love it!

Best start to my week

Sitting down with my journal, my first words were;

"Just thinking about the Serenity prayer.

Pretty much says it all.

It covers everything."

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can 

and wisdom to know the difference."

Here's another version I like, with a bit of a twist...

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things that I can

and the wisdom to know it's me."

Journal notes:

'Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test & approve what God's 

will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will.'

Romans 12:2

"I packed around a stupid amount of baggage on my journey.

I snuggled deep into the center of it, 

believing I would be kept safe there, and protected from external harm.

Turns out, I trapped myself along with the storms that were within."

~me~

'No person, place, or thing is your foundation. 

Only God.

Lift your awareness to Him,

then the universe can use anything it wishes to meet your needs.

You're  no longer limited to what your conditioned mind thinks is possible.'

Let go, and allow the old skin to shed.

Restoration is coming.

Allow yourself to be guided to the next chapter

at the right time.

Your past has passed. 

When you are called to release whatever you're holding on to,

let go.

Surrender as best you can.

You can start anew at anytime.

You can begin again in whichever way you choose.

'Focus more on God, not on how things appear.

Are you intently listening to Him so that you can hear 

His whispers?

Or must He use extraordinary measures to gain &

hold your interest?'

It's far better to be receptive to His tender call,

than to wait until He must shout.

He is speaking to you- even now.

He is constantly drawing you into His loving Presence.

He has great things to show you.

Read His word, and allow Him to speak to your heart.

He desires to guide, comfort & protect you.

He will teach you obedience.

(side-note: that word always scared me....

I used to believe God was scary...and punishing,

(among other things....a control freak comes to mind)

It makes me incredibly sad that I believed that.

If it helps...

 think of how we want to protect our loved ones from 

being hurt. 

Pretty sure if you're reading this you do that.

But if it's a stretch...then think of your pet.

Keeping them safe.

That love.

Times a bazillion.)

Don't allow the incessant noises of life & all of

it's distractions to drown out His voice.

Listen to Him.

'He will walk with us all the way,

making things new as we go.

We don't have to drag our yesterdays with us,

only to mar the beauty and miss the possibilities of today.'

We can leave yesterday where it belongs.

Let it go.

And make the most out of the life God has given you 

right now.

Choose what you want to hold in your mind.

It takes practice and consistency.

He will help you when you need it,

and give you something new right when you need it too.

Each day is an important part of the journey.

May our ears be tuned so that all he needs

to get our attention is a whisper.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Life does what life does to us.

We can try to boss it around to do what we want,

which only leads to becoming psychiatric patients.

Or...

we can learn how to work with life on life's terms."

 

Awareness

I love this guy! Seriously!

I listen to him several times a week.

He never disappoints.

He's one of my most favorite

Spiritual teachers,

and...

he makes me giggle.

I listened to this podcast yesterday on my early morning commute

to the therapy barn.

I laughed out loud as he echoed some of my melodramatic ways.

The more I learn, the more I want to understand.

The more I understand, the more I want to practice & experiment

with new patterns of thinking.

It has made life a lot more fun.

On that note:

I've been listening to a fantastic audio book,

(for the 4th time)

"The Power of Your Subconscious Mind."

By Joseph Murphy PH.D,D.D.

Did you know the subconscious mind controls 95 % of our life?!

That fact alone fascinates the heck out of me!!

If you find Michael interesting,

you'd probably like the book as well.

Some notes and journal quotes;

What you say to yourself becomes your truth.

What you say inwardly affects the way you experience life outwardly.

Be kind with words to yourself.

Peace of mind and a healthy body are inevitable

when you begin to think and feel in the right way.

The longer you nurture feelings the more powerful they become.

Whatever you claim mentally and feel as true,

your subconscious mind will accept and bring forth into your 

experience.

Select thoughts that bless, heal, inspire and fill your soul with joy.

"Whatever the conscious mind of man believes, 

the subconscious mind will accept and act upon."

Choose life.

Choose love.

Choose health.

'Keep looking toward your objectives and make moves every day

to achieve your dreams.

Be flexible and adapt to change.

Your life is supposed to be an incredible journey.'

Rest. Give your mind a break from it's habitual

judging.

To receive peace, you must change your grasping, controlling 

stance to one of openness and trust.

Be patient, and trust that the answers come.

They always do.

'Focus on inner healing.

Face the past and chart the course toward a better reality.

Not only for yourself,  for the world.

For the legacy we pass on.'

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The most important thing to learn is how to 

be okay with reality.

Everything will be okay as soon as you are okay

with everything."

"The truth of the matter is that state of your being is 

going to determine the quality of your life."

'There's another choice when the yickiness comes up

inside and you are conscious of it-

you are aware, you see that your are not comfortable with it,

let it go.'

"You have to want the result more than you're afraid

of the discomfort."

~Michael Singer~