Self-contentment

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Doors and windows open, sitting on an old tattered quilt,

listening to the clucks and giggles of the neighbor "ladies" (chickens),

 and to the incredible singing of the Tufted Titmouse who

flew as if it were coming in to join me, 

but chose instead, to land on a wire right above the door.

Polly happily flowing in an out of the house as if she 

was suddenly gifted a magical super-power, and 

testing it to see if it really works.

Keeping things simple right now. 

Staying focused on the moments as they unfold.

Riding out some shifts of newness and uncertainty.

Finding my flow.

Enjoying the lovely weather we've had lately.

Trying not to over-think things.

Letting go of the distractions that try to pull me down...(like overthinking things...).

Staying present to the surprising gifts, 

 and trusting the signs and signals along the way...

Tufted Titmouse

'If you envision this bird singing, it symbolizes good fortune.

Living in the present.

Step away from the past & worry less about the future.

Breakthrough is around the corner. 

Life is about to change completely.

Keep practicing expressing yourself.

Be cheerful even on your worst days.

Appreciate the small things in life.'

"Life is more amazing when you smile more 

and worry  less."

~Tufted Titmouse~

"Distractions are a dime a dozen: stay focused

on God's amazing plans for your life."

When we're distracted we lose sight of the path

that is laid out for us.

Do whatever it takes to eliminate  the distractions

that keep you pulled away from your innermost self.

Listen in solitude.

Become present.

Absorb the small moments of joy.

Trust in yourself.

Hold gratitude deep in your heart.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Stop chasing distraction and numbing.

It's okay to be bored, to be silent, or be alone.

Sometimes we need a dopamine

detox from overstimulation to calm

our nervous system.

A break from streaming services,

junk food, alcohol, 

doomscrolling social media,

phone notifications, video games,

shopping.

Calm the noise to hear

what's going on inside."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"Did you know your gut, liver, fat,

& muscle talk directly to your brain?

Chronic stress inflames these organs,

and that inflammation feeds back to the 

brain, shaping mood and emotion.

When you calm your body,

your mind will follow."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"I wish people knew to hum more.

It awakens your Vagus nerve.

Your grounded, rested, center.

It calms anxiety, heart rate and

blood pressure.

It produces oxytocin and serotonin, 

your relaxation and pleasure pathways.

Humming is medicine."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Inner Voice

....a year ago I was not painfully aware

 of how every choice I made...

could either keep me spinning...

or help to set me free.

A year ago I didn't believe, that the quality of my life

 was only, truly, up to me.

"When we break up with a few of the distractions that

have been drowning everything out,

we create a beautiful, quiet spot 

where God can meet us once again.

Find that place."

Journal notes...

Deny the strongholds of fear & control.

When you have what you need spiritually,

all else falls into place.

Be honest about where you are.

Stay focused & develop a plan.

'Fight for the right to be happy,

and fight will emerge from your soul.'

Break free from oppression and victimization.

'Big decisions seem scary.

If you know the answer but can't seem to jump,

harness your bravery to jump with confidence.'

Trust your intuition.

He reveals what is important for you to know.

In His Presence you receive what you need.

You won't know what's waiting on the other side of a decision

until you move forward.

Be brave and know that everything will be okay.

He will sift out everything without a solid foundation

so that only unshakable things will be left.

Hebrews 12:27

People grow where they are loved...

be well...

xoxo

💝

" Intuition is a spiritual faculty, and does not explain,

but simply points the way."

"Going after what you want is an opportunity to 

honor your soul and take action toward fulfillment.

If you have a desire in your heart, you have the choice to 

do what it takes to make it happen.

When you decide to go after a dream,

be prepared for the work it takes to make it come true.

It will all be worth it in the end.

Welcome the hard work it takes for you life to change."

I wanted something new for breakfast this morning....

So I made a Pumpkin Smoothie...

1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned 

I frozen banana

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 scoop Vanilla protein powder

(My #1 Ancient Nutrition)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mixed it in my Ninja...( a blender works too).

You can sweeten with honey or maple syrup if needed.

Try it first. I tried both with and without. I like it better without.

Protein powder makes it creamy, plus I need the added

protein.

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, potassium, and 

antioxidants, and is nutrient dense. Yes please....!

A Gift

Running from change.

'Change can be painful-

it can even seem insurmountably difficult.

But nothing is more difficult or painful than

becoming stuck where you don't want to stay.

Be open to what comes next.

Be open to new experiences and

allow yourself to grow.

It's rarely the future that causes your unwillingness

to move forward,

it's the fear of repeating the past.

Happiness comes when you decide to make changes,

and move on from the past.'

I had an unexpected turn on my path this week.

A friendly offer. 

Excited by an opportunity, paired with with a massive rush of doubt & insecurities.

Over the phone....she added...

"This is a good growth opportunity for you."

She gets me.

 She ,being a friend,...who has also earned her masters in psychology.

I trust her and appreciate her encouragement.

I know she's right.

The idea tugs at my heart.

I'm looking into it.

I'll know more soon.

Journaling....

Accept your circumstances just as they are.

Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning.

Let thankfulness and trust guide you.

The best way to get through the day is step-by-step.

Do not hesitate to ask God for help.

What He provides for you is not only ample

but is of the finest quality.

He leads you in the manner best for you.

"It's in those where-can-I-go-but-God

experiences that He gets you all to Himself and you

hear Him more clearly."

"When a God idea overrides your human thinking

& knowledge,

your faith in God releases Him to perform miracles

of all shapes and sizes."

The only thing you can grasp without damaging

your soul, is His hand.

Trust Him, or worry. You have thousands

of correct choices each day.

Don't let fear, doubt, or unbelief steal your life from you.

Throw out scary "what if's".

Keep your focus and faith in God.

Stop doubt at the thought level.

Throw it out.

"God gives you the sight, the right, and the might,

to do great things,

but you have to develop the fight."

Know the truth and don't budge from it.

Believe it. Live it. Refuse to back off.

'Courage doesn't happen without fear, doubt & unbelief.

Courage overcomes all of these and gets the job done.'

If you don't believe God will do what He says He will do,

Who do you believe?

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Do you remember the cowardly lion in the movie, The Wizard of Oz?

Everyone knew he was a lion, but he didn't have a clue

he was a lion.

He was afraid because he didn't know who he really was."

"The joy of life comes from the ways in which we live together

and the pain of life comes from the many ways we fail

to do that well."

"It  is when you're going through the most difficult

chapter of your life that your hero is revealed,

and how beautiful it is when you finally realize

you have the strength to save yourself."

 

Grateful

...hubby was sitting beside me, 

held his phone in front of me...

and said, "I want you to see this...."

...having a moment.

Pause. See the beauty around you, listen to music that stirs

you and makes you want to cry or dance.

Let yourself be moved by a commercial...a comment...a quote.

Pause longer...

give thanks for your the people in your life.

All of them.

Breathe deep.

Appreciate time. 

Be present.

Savor the little moments.

Keep it simple.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

It turns what we have into enough,

and more.

It turns denial into acceptance,

chaos into order,

confusion into clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of your past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melody Beattie~

February 3, 2026

...take a cue from nature and 

allow the day to unfold without rushing.

Blondie and Buddy

Words from a friend that hit me in the feels...
"Welcome back!"

Journaling...

A renewed mind is present focused.

Train your mind to see God in every moment.
A lilting bird song, a loved one's smile,
the morning sunrise.

"Do not allow the cancer of bitterness to continue
in your heart. 
Life is much sweeter when the heart is tender
not tainted."

You don't need to meet every need.

You face nothing alone.
Nothing.

The remedy is simple.
Fix your eyes on what is unseen.

"The Lord will fight for you;
you need only be still."
Exodus 14:14

Let Him sooth you from the inside out.

How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts
when today's is set before you.

Don't edit the extraordinary out of your life.

Do not hesitate to love deeply.

"Love isn't something we do.
It's something we become."

be well...
xoxo
💝

'Mornings provide that feeling of freshness.
The air smells clean and feels like a new beginning.
Everything is renewed and fresh.
Be present with this feeling.
Nothing else matters at this moment.
Be here now, ready to take on the new day.
Right now is your chance to begin again.
Let go of worries and regrets.
Today you have the gift of a fresh start.'

 

February 1, 2026

A ride through the pasture,

breathing in the crisp winter air,

cows lazing in the sunshine chewing their cud,

and the mockingbird who tagged along beside us.

I'm totally a moments girl...

not everything has to be extraordinary to matter.

"Show  gratitude no matter what 

the circumstance."

~Mockingbird~

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Spending time in nature is as close

as we get to a magic pill

for decreasing stress and cortisol."

 

Unbothered

Peace is worth more than being right.

Keep your inner peace.

It's a practice.

"The person who makes you the angriest

is showing you exactly what you haven't

made peace with in yourself."

Journaling...

Simple but not easy.

Let go of the need to control.

Pause.

Keep your inner peace.

Stay calm.

See clearly.

Let it go.

Free to be.

Refuse to waste energy worrying,

and you will have strength to spare.

A Spiritual transaction is acknowledging 

that a higher power is in charge of your life.

The outcome is His.

Lighten your load.

Be relieved from feeling responsible 

for things beyond your control.

Be more sensitive to His Spirit.

"Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily."

Proverbs 8:34

be well...

xoxo

💗

'See problems or possibilities.

Complain or be grateful.

Live in fear or live in faith.

The difference between a heavy heart and 

a peaceful one is perspective.

Gratitude and joy aren't feelings

They're decisions.

You choose.'

"In the end- it's you.

Your heart, your soul,

your energy.

Take care of them.

You matter. Always."

January 29, 2026

The enchantment of Winter is not missed by me.

"Wherever you are, be all there."

snow day movie date

Joy is that intense gratitude for someone of something.

Aligning with your core values.

Inward peace and happiness.

It comes from the inside out.

Journaling....

See things from a heightened, big-picture, perspective.

Meditate on the truth.

Absorb it into your very being.

"When you see faults in others, go a little easier on them.

The same applies to you.

Don't be so hard on yourself when you blow it."

"Faith isn't figuring out what we're able to do.

It's deciding what we're going to do

even if we think we can't."

"Our faith will grow when we regain

a sense of childlike wonder."

If you want a different outcome than what you've 

been seeing, adapt a new strategy.

Focusing on your difficulties intensifies

 & enlarges them.

'Get good counsel for your life,

but don't get head-faked by what 

the peanut gallery has to say.'

" Whatever it is that God made you good at,

do it with gusto like you're serving Him."

Nothing is too difficult for you.

(with God)

Choose gratitude over victimhood.

The biggest fight is with yourself.

Becoming yourself is an amazing adventure.

"Keep showing up;

you're the only you there is."

"No one but you is responsible for your happiness."

"Happiness leaps into existence from a positive attitude to life."

Make sure at the end of the day you are happy.

Life is too short for stress and unhappiness.

Be sure to taste the moment to the full.

be well...

xoxo

💝

'Remember when you were young and wanted

so badly to grow up?

Challenge yourself to see things through the 

eyes of your younger self.

Remember the hope and possibility you had.

Infuse your day with wonder and see that nothing is 

permanent-and anything is possible.'

" A man at the bottom of a deep well cannot

see anything but darkness and the sky far above him.

He cannot see the surrounding landscape.

He doesn't know what awaits him once

he climbs out of that well."

Gratified

I've nailed it! 

Making sourdough bread by memory now.

I swore I heard Professor Higgins saying,

 "By George, she's got it!"

from somewhere in the Universe.

(My Fair Lady)

Dare I say, this is the "Best loaf ever" ?

I will.

I say it every time.

It's no small thing to celebrate a simple life.

To turn away from mainstream,

and allow lovely things to define my moments,

and let the rest of the 

world just fade away for a while.

Journaling....

Worrying causes us to be all over the place,

but seldom at home. It pulls us apart 

and makes us lose our center.

Instead of looking for things to complain about,

look for reasons to give thanks.

The world is starved for genuine love.

Every act of love is a profession of faith

because it whispers His name.

'We don't have to spin- because we know

our happiness is anchored in

something greater than anything we

can see here and now.'

The lie: I am a victim of my circumstances.

The truth: My circumstances provide 

opportunities to experience the goodness of God.

"Once you start seeing seeing things to be grateful for,

your brain starts looking for more things to be grateful for."

Choose gratitude &

rewire your brain.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Stop confusing being busy with being fulfilled.

One fills your calendar.

The other makes you feel like your living

your life the right way."

~Yung Pueblo~

 

"Happiness comes from cultivating a spirit of contentment.

You are exactly where you need to be.

All the things you wish for may come,

but for right now,

everything you need has been provided.

Look at your life knowing that everything is

as it should be. 

Breathe in this truth and find peace knowing

that all is well.

Lift your arms to the sky with gratitude.

Feel your heart swell with appreciation

and attract happiness by choosing to 

be content."

"I wish you knew that anything that brought you joy

or peace was anti-inflammatory."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding."

Proverbs 3:5

Contentment

Contentment is simple, sweet and slow.

It's that space within a moment that can leave

the mess of the outside world, 

and allow my heart to feel a mix

of peace and joy.

Buddy

Contentment is...
sitting on the floor,
  devotionals scattered around me,
Polly stretched out napping on my lap,
sipping coffee, and watching the snow fall outside my window.

The smell of bacon filling the house, 
something hubby fixes every Sunday morning.

 Blondie and Buddy.

Kleenex tucked into my coat pockets...
and memories of my gram always having one tucked into hers.

Coming into a warm home after farm chores on a frigid day.
Changing into our comfy sweats, and making a
pot of soup and cornbread together.

Mugs of hot chai, candles flickering, streaming "feel good" movies.
Hubby covering my lap with his warm blanket.

Journaling...

Do not focus on the circumstances that weigh you down.
Look to brighter times through eyes of faith.

What you believe shapes how you respond
 to the challenges that arise.

Ditch the desire for instant gratification.

Celebrate every piece of progress.

'Life doesn't tend to follow our plans.
It's more like exploring opportunities 
as we follow a trail of breadcrumbs.'

"No miner strikes gold with with first swing of the pick."

"Most prisons are of our own making.
A man makes his own freedom too."

How you perceive is how you respond.

Release the pressure to be perfect.

'Your life isn't meant to be a series of 
disappointments, nor is it intended to be
ordinary & stuck in a rut.
Stuff happens. You're not perfect.
God knows that.
Trust Him.
He has a  plan to get you through.'

'Peace is not something that happens externally;
it's an inside job.
Peace is based on your state of mind.'

'It's not how you start something that counts,
it's how you finish it.'

All big things come from small beginnings.

Clear away misconceptions.
Love more.

Love is an anchor for your soul no matter what happens.

be well...
xoxo
💖

'If something dulls your spirit, walk away,
shift the attention, or let go.
Choose things that light you up.
Be more aware of your needs.
Surround yourself with what brings you
peace, joy, and vitality.'

"Your own life is the greatest teacher you will ever have.
As with any teacher, however, you must be willing to pay
attention- with all your senses."

"Did you know cuddling or being in a loving
relationship can literally change your
gene expression?
It activates repair genes and turns off inflammation."
Love truly is medicine."
~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"A fit body, a calm mind,
a house full of love.
These things cannot be bought;
they must be earned."

 

Simplicitites

"Year by year the complexities of this spinning world 

grow more bewildering and so each year we need all the more

to seek peace and comfort in the joyful simplicities."

~Women's Home Companion, December 1935~

Simple things...

 The moment of shift.

 From rush to a long pause,

 as I wait for some random chicken to cross the road.

Little boy giggles over T-rex arms, and horse poop.

Singing along to Abba as we walk around the arena.

Taking the long way home on country roads,

just me and my camera.

Brandon laughing on the phone, as he recapped his

snowmaggedon experience at the local market.

Struggling with a decision. Praying about it.

And Hubby walking in, answering the question

I didn't even ask.

The heat in the old farm truck as we roll hay out for the cows in the snow,

a mug of hot tea,

and getting a call from my Dad.

be well...

xoxo

💝

'Here's the thing about joy:

You can't catch it, or manufacture it.

You can only experience it.

It will never trespass nor arrive uninvited.

It loves to be welcomed & will leave 

if only it is being ignored.'

" 11 Rules of Inner Peace:

Stay honest

Heal your past

Let go of tension

Be kind and giving

Speak your boundaries

Pause instead of reacting

Connect with good friends

Live in the present moment

Maintain a grateful mindset

Don't get attached to drama

Be flexible, change is inevitable."

~Yung Pueblo~

Synchronicity of Things...

Going back to a call made to schedule an appointment,

 which somehow led to

chatting about the year of the snake, 

and the shedding of old skin.

Followed by subtle signs & a strong nudge.

 The green light.

Cueing me that it's time to begin.

Resistance.

I set & circle a date, and decide to go with the flow.

My head is ready, but my heart whispers "slow".

My neighbor visits & hands me

a package, unexpectedly sitting at my door.

A note from home & a thoughtful gift.

 Some tears, a call, and much, much more...

the timing was perfect, 

I felt the tug at my core.

Fear, doubt and uncertainty come near,

the circled date also, a birthday of someone dear.

Listening to a talk-show while visiting Mom... they mention..."the year of the horse".

I look to see the date, and it's the one I have in a circle, of course.

Journaling...

If you want something, take action today.

Every small step leads to change.

Anything that makes you anxious is a growth 

opportunity. Embrace the challenge eager

to gain the blessings hidden in the difficulties.

Start in the present moment-

accepting things exactly as they are.

Give yourself.

You see many things that miss the mark,

and it's uncomfortable.

Don't run away.

Be clear in your mind of exactly what you

want to happen. Leave the how to God,

even if it's unrealistic.

"Be faithful in your affirmation that God

has not deserted you, but calls you in the middle of all 

the unexplained absurdities of life.

Be deeply aware of this."

~Henri Nouwen~

"Explore. Dream. Discover."

~Mark Twain~

be well...

xoxo

💝

'Sometimes there's no one to turn to.

Sometimes you're all alone.

And those times?

You have to keep the faith.

Remember that even if you can't see them or 

feel them, your people are out there

waiting for you.  Even after you're gone.'

~Grey's Anatomy~

"The master has failed more time

 than the apprentice has even attempted."

~Proverb~

"There's a reason Scripture tells us,

"Do not worry about tomorrow."

Matthew 6:34

Fear accelerates aging.

Stress disrupts hormones.

Worry weakens digestion.

We're called to trust.

It heals us spiritually and physically"

~Dr. Josh Axe~

"There are so many reasons to be happy.

Waking up to see a new day is one of them."

 

January 21, 2026

"Hold your course and don't let go..."

This morning I have the desire to go somewhere.

I'm feeling a pull for Costa Rica...

then I pop back into reality,

and it looks more like shopping for tires,

and touring Walmart.

Who knows...? could be fun.

Journaling...

Don't worry about having it all figured out in advance;

you'll connect the dots as you go.

'Reading in a spiritual way is reading with a 

desire to let God come closer to us.

Not to master knowledge, to let God's 

Spirit master us.'

Keep your eyes open, make a plan, then get busy executing it.

"A do-nothing attitude usually

results in a nothing-done state."

Choose worthwhile ambitions.

Don't busy yourself with things that merely occupy your time.

Are you catching up on everyone else's life,

or exploring and examining yours?

Get clear about what you believe will last in your life.

What helps others & inspires you?

Be energized and grateful, and throw more of your life 

into it.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"...We too have an inner compass that guides us through

life. If we take the time to listen for the subtle cues

of our intuition, we can learn to trust our instincts

at a deeper level. 

Take a moment to be still and welcome 

the wisdom of your intuition."

"God doesn't usually shout over the noise.

He speaks in the quiet of the present moment.

We've  normalized busyness as success.

Always moving. Always producing.

Always on.

Slowing down is an act of trust in a 

culture that glorifies speed.

Choose presence today."

~Dr. Josh Axe~

'Be the woman who doesn't wait anymore.

She booked the flight, took the risks,

hired the coach, and lived a life

God placed in her heart.'

💝

January 20, 2026

Sleeping through the night.

Sitting in stillness and light.

Silence.

Prayers & letting go. 

Rejoicing...

& then, flow.

Another chip falls away,

allowing the light to show the way. 

Revealing that...

sometimes, love is learning how to stay.

Journaling...

Don't try to figure out what's happening....

All we leave behind is our love.

Cut out things that hold me back, take up too much time,

or no longer inspire me, and make more room for love.

Simply trust.

'Resentments are the blocks that hold us back from loving

ourself and others.'

"To pray is to listen to the voice of love.

It speaks in the moment."

"If we could just be, for a few minutes each day,

fully where we are, we would indeed discover

that we are not alone, and that 

the One that is with us wants only one thing:

to give us Love."

...and although I've come undone,

I now see how far I've come.

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Your nervous system doesn't need another quick-fix,

it needs more...

God. Nature. Laughter. Deep Sleep. Gut Healing.

Safe People. Cathartic Crying. 

Foods That Love You Back.

JOMO (The Joy Of Missing Out)

A Balance Of Movement & Stillness."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"A brand new study found that just 5 extra minutes

of sleep, 2 minutes of movement, and half a serving

of vegetables per day is linked to 

gaining an additional year of life.

When tackled together, these tiny changes

require 60% less effort than improving any

single habit alone.

Balance>perfection, every time."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"I have a theory that when you suddenly want

to cut your hair, rearrange your place, or get rid

of half the closet,

it's your soul preparing you for a new era

and needs the old energy cleared our first."

January 19, 2026

Intention for the day:

To keep my head on a swivel & look for evidence of good

in everyone and in everything.

sunsetting at Mom's

Journaling....

Keep pursing wonder & bring peace to the negativity.

Keep your head in the game. Don't let negativity throw you off.

Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times.

'The choices and situations ahead are new, unusual,

& you're not quite sure how to handle them.

This is the essence of the call of faith.'

Stop reading the junk mail that gets delivered to you everyday.

If the way were known to you-

if you could handle it on your own strength & wisdom-

this would not be a step in faith for you.

Step into the unknown with confidence.

Go a little deeper with your family, your friends,

your faith, your hopes, your passions.

'Sometimes we think we will start to live at some future date...

our drive to the mythical future prevents our savoring the present.

In each moment the real future for the real me is now.'

Pay attention to the clues in front of you, & make

your best way forward with the tools you have at hand.

'An epiphany is a sudden grasp of the essential 

nature of something.

It is also a manifestation of a divine being.'

Tune up and improve the life your in.

Pay attention to what really works for you.

Do more of what you love and less of what you hate.

Double down on things that make you happy.

Don't let your past or present suffering

contaminate your view of the future.

"You learn to believe by believing.

You learn to love by loving."

It's not what you've been given,

It's what you do with what you've got.

"Our hearts are restless till they find

their rest in Thee."

~Augustine~

be well...

xoxo

💖

'At the end of our lives, what people will miss the most,

will be the small ways you loved the people around you.

It will be the memories you made & the big mess ups

you walked through together.

It will be your kindness not your qualifications that outlast you.

We'll be missed because someone will want to call 

and share a joy from the day & remember

we're no longer there to share the celebration.

Don't forget what will matter in the end.

The love you leave behind will be your legacy.'