In moments...

...of stillness,

when you are faced with both 

the good and the sucky emotions

keep looking where the light pours in.

notes...

 God has a way of breaking open the dam

it feels sucky....but beneficial

it's rainy, thundery, and cool

 perfect for some quality porch time with Fritzy

they leave today

I'm not a fan of "the leaving"

 I often tear up when hubby gives his

wave as he leaves for work

relax and enjoy the present moment

you need to release your emotions

 in a safe place

God will relieve and refresh your soul

He is your refuge

your safe place

you are wise to conduct a 

spiritual self-examination

redirect your focus on the needful

areas of your life-

such as building your faith 

and character

continue to listen and

expect that whatever He reveals

will bless your soul

test your own actions

without comparing yourself

to others

you don't need to be the "same"

decide that what you have is special

and you are going to pursue it

with everything you've got

take note of the good, the bad, and everything

in between

 feel it all

remember to breathe

go deeper

see the value in it all

learn to be appropriately vulnerable

choose people who you can

 safely share yourself with

there's enough Love to go around

be well...

xoxo

💞

"They are wild and free,

the ones who embrace life with joy.

They are peaceful and serene,

the ones who find time to be quiet and still.

They are joyful and creative,

the ones who open their minds to 

possibility and growth.

You can be all of these things!

Find time for quiet and see the world

as full of possibility.

Embrace all that comes your way."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

When your....

....life is prioritized in a way that makes sense for you,

you experience definite satisfaction and

true contentment.

]

notes...

The guys are off to work

Fritz is my side-kick today

the sunflowers are starting to burst

the praying mantis was at the front door

I was it's uber to the garden

it was so happy for the ride it jumped for joy

and I had to search on my hands and knees

 to take it's picture

whispering a prayer that the severe storms 

pass by our little town tonight

and everyone is safe

learn to laugh at yourself

more freely

don't take yourself so seriously

enjoy life lightheartedly

' a cheerful heart is good medicine'

 keep your faith uncluttered

happiness will come from setting the priorities

you need for the dream you have locked into

make decisions about what it best for you

based on your priorities

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Today is the perfect day to create the change you desire.

Life is too short to dwell in misery, hoping that someday

things will change. 

You could make a million excuses as to why right now isn't 

the right time, but then you will never find the perfect time

to do anything.

Perfection is just an illusion.

If we keep waiting for the stars to align,

we will reach the end of our lives regretting that

we never tried.

Stop the waiting game and take action toward the 

change you want."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

Allow yourself...

...the space each day

to find wonder in the ordinary.

When you look for wonder,

it's amazing how it reveals itself.

notes...

had thirty minutes before Tai Chi class

 I stopped to visit my favorite park

Brandon and Fritz are here.💖

take your time and go

from mindless to mindful

do something different

clues for happiness are all around

find your flow

you are on a path distinctly designed

for you

the more love you hold in your heart

the less room there is for fear

You are unique and different

be on fire to know the truth of your own soul

there is no one-size-fits-all

"What if God, who writes you love letters

everyday, and they go unopened?"

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you want more time in your life,

show time some respect."

"Happiness is simple.

Everything we do to find it is complicated."

"Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand everything better."

 

What you're doing...

...when you're doing it, has value

even if you may not see it for decades.

Do what feels right-ish.

It all totally counts.

None of it is wasted.

notes...

we were spared from the high winds

a green-flyer chose to stay dry & practice on the porch

hubby asked me what direction we were driving in

"south"  a few minutes went by & he asked again

"east"

right both times

I shocked myself

it had to be God

 better start looking for a dress...my kiddo's getting married...💖

it's starting to get real

excited about the bridal shower this weekend

 gorgeous day....

respond to events of the world

as an occasion to change your heart

see the world through

the lens of love

pour love into what you do

when you take God seriously

He blesses you for it

mind the checks in your spirit 

and step out in faith

He wants the most joyful &

fruitful life for you

it takes a lifetime to learn

and grow as believers

it takes time to understand how to walk in faith

trusting in what you cannot see

have a heart that reflects

the values you cherish

anything worth upgrading in your life

is going to be challenging

or you would have already done it

'move from looking at your life from in front

& behind & step into it.'

you don't need an invitation

to pursue your ambitions

you're here

you're alive

you're able

there's plenty of conflict & uncertainty

in the world

but there is also 'boatloads of hope'

actively look for hope

live with anticipation

of what is possible

be happy now

be well...

xoxo

💖 

"Choose the adventure your life provides.

Each day is a blank page,

ready to be filled with our ups and downs,

which create a beautiful story.

Even though the adventure is not always easy,

vibrancy comes through resilience,

overcoming, and the happiness that awaits us

on the other side of every trial.

Each adventure presents itself as a way to

recalibrate our light more brilliantly."

A thought is harmless...

....unless we believe it.

notes...

"a stronghold is a lie that  you believe"

'your mind is your biggest asset'

'your thoughts control your life'

'all temptations happen in the mind'

'manage your mind

manage your life'

'whatever gets your attention 

gets you.'

'we know there's a hook

but we still keep nibbling'

'you cannot choose the behavior

and not choose the consequence'

'feed your mind

free your mind from destructive thoughts

focus your mind on the right things'

'bring your mind into order'

'don't let your mind run wild'

'Think about Jesus

think about others

think about eternity'

there's more to life than the here and now

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Learn to differentiate between the sound of intuition

guiding you and your traumas misleading you."

"Your beliefs don't make you a better person.

Your behavior does."

"If you truly want to change your life,

you first must be willing to change your mind."

Discover what it is...

....that stirs your soul.

There is no right or wrong;

just tune into your heart

 & head in the direction it's pointing you.

notes...

We sat in the truck and read while waiting for the rain to let up.

Once home...we decided to re-load and head to our favorite burger place.

Well..., mine.

The rain let up & the clouds were so beautiful.

Took the long way home on roads less traveled.

stop trying to figure everything out

be filled with hope

but even more filled with love

discipline your mind

your true challenge is to return 

to the center of your heart

to find the gentle voice

that speaks to you &

affirms you in a way

no human voice ever could

open yourself up 

to the beauty of today

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Be yourself. Weird, wonderful, sensitive,

impulsive, crazy, mystical, vulnerable,

lovable, magical and beautiful.

The right people will adore you."

"Don't let the ugly in others

kill the beauty in you."

"It is less what love sees in you

than what love chooses to overlook."

 

Today's to do list....

....sit in the grass with my coffee & journal

Ride my bike on the lake trails,

 & capture a moment or two

along the way.

Breathe deep. Move.

Feed my soul.

notes...

LOVE it ! What a gorgeous day!!

I'm taking my bike out.

...she was rowing by and I asked her if I could

take her picture. 

She said I could. 

It makes me smile.

I got everything loaded to leave the trail.

Grabbed my phone, water, and camera.

Shut the hatch back.

Locked myself out.

(keys in backpack with bike)

Had the code on my phone,

but no glasses to see it..

couldn't expand it...

so I zoomed in with my camera.

More rain coming....

💞

practice being spontaneous

there's no such thing as

what you "should"  be doing

do something fun

life is a gift

claim it

live it

love just being

have fun

be happy

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The trick is to enjoy your life.

Don't waste away your days,

waiting for better ones ahead."

"You owe yourself one hour a day for self-

maintenance,

It can include reading, writing, yoga, exercise,

dancing, meditation, painting, or whatever,

but you owe it to yourself.

One hour, 1/24 of your day.

That is less than 5%.

It matters, it really does.

Make it count."