Your gift of time...

...invest it wisely

to help you live fully today

everyday.

pretending she hasn't been anywhere
pretending I don't notice the tell tale signs...

notes...

the question....

"If you knew that today would be your last day,

how would you live it?"

...loving the people & animals I love, clinging to my kiddo

& taking few shots to capture our cherished moments...

Today's word :Practice.

a: carry out apply

b: to do or perform often

c: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient

d: to train

That pretty much sums up my life in a simple word today.

Practice what I want to be better at...

that will be beneficial for myself and others.

Stop practicing & release the things that aren't.

Once you figure out what that is for you...

it simplifies things a bit.

Whatever you have learned or received 

or heard from me-

or seen in me- put it into practice.

Phil.4:9

it may take a long time

but keep waiting

keep trusting

keep learning

keep practicing

don't give up on all the cultivating 

you've done

'plans to prosper you not harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'

Jer. 29:11

Live in the present moment

set aside time that belongs only

to God

place yourself in a position of receptivity

discover His personal love for you

allow the callouses to fall away 

as you've tried to guard your heart

from getting hurt

He cares about the heart behind it all

He loves and accepts you completely

He works on your heart

changes will come

some painful

some delightful

all of them purposeful

your life is happening in this moment

soak it all up right now

while you've got the chance

when it comes to the creatures you love,

the things you love,

the life you love,

what could possibly be more important?

each day is an opportunity

to make things better

express thanks for the smallest things....

hugs, smiles, second chances, music, 

AC....

appreciate the big and little blessings

that surround you

love and accept yourself now...

others too

be well...

xoxo

💖

"What are the things in my life that I most cherish,

and what did I do to cherish them today?"

"I have found that winning isn't everything,

and, in fact, in the relationships I most care about,

it isn't anything."

"We age not by holding onto youth,

but by letting ourselves grow &

embracing whatever youthful 

parts remain."

~Keith Richards

 

Release the hold...

...that discontent may have on you.

Make a habit of noticing the little things

 that you're thankful for,

and your mind will begin to look for such things.

The more you practice,

the easier it is to see the good in each day.

When things aren't how you'd like them to be,

shift your focus to acknowledge what is going right,

and what you are grateful for.

notes...

I may not be very good at sitting 

to meditate at long lengths and 

allowing thoughts to flow by...

or not getting caught up in them and

sometimes starting to spiral...

but give me a camera, a garden & a bird,

I forget I even have a head.

it's a beautiful unfolding 

as your gifts open doors for you

determine where you're going to be all in

dream big

don't let the world stifle your imagination

there are endless ways to enjoy life

if you open your heart and your eyes

"God is not  limited by the rules you make up.

He doesn't want you to be either."

be wise and generous 

with what you've been given

 do the best that you are able

wherever you are 

be mindful of your actions

& whether they will improve or worsen 

your situation

remember that your health is more important 

than trying to prove your point

pause

give yourself a time-out

'the gift doesn't shine

if the giver is extinguished'

as best you can 

handle situations with wisdom

and grace

think healing thoughts

feel your feelings

learn from them

then release them

pray

Love is greater than fear

pursue the unique calling you are given

what lights you up?

what are you good at?

what is lasting

 important, 

 meaningful

and purposeful?

what has worked in the past?

what have you bounced back from?

these point to your calling

get clear on your current calling

release the things you've grown out of

welcome new connections

& new opportunities God brings your way

your gifts are the many ways in 

which you express who you are

friendship

kindness

patience

joy

peace

forgiveness

gentleness

love

hope

trust

and many others.....

be vigilant in your faith

life is about learning &

loving &

growing into your best self

not seeing how much

torture you can endure

you don't need special powers

you just need to make good use out of

what you already have

discipline your mind to center on productive thoughts

positive memories

winning moments

small wins

God

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Where shall I find my happiness today...

in my memories, in my dreams,

in my appreciation of the moment?

That last one would be a novel idea."

"It is a sad lament--

the happiness you might have found if

you had taken the road that still lies

right there in front of you."

 

It's Okay to ...

...hate where you are 

if it takes you where you want to be.

notes...

'there is no recovery without prayer

with prayer we recover even when

it's caused by our own impatience.

Jesus didn't run anywhere.

God is not in a hurry with your growth.

with prayer we recover even when... 

...we are paralyzed by our emotions

...when other people tell us it'll never happen

with prayer our vision will be open and 

we'll see things we could never see before &

what's important in life

with prayer we can fully recover

and even use our failures to help others

recovery only comes when we pray for the recovery

of others

you have to keep growing

God wants His children found.'

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

The fastest way...

...to build self-worth is to be impressed

with yourself.

To do things that make you respect

 you.

So that when you go to bed at night

you can say

"I'm proud of my day."

When you let yourself down

it whittles away at your self-worth.

Don't let yourself down.

You're not trying to get away from "suck"

your trying to move towards "awesome."

notes....

went to the clinic to hang on the bar 

in the corral

hubby's been timing me

I go once a day

& hang twice

today I hit a minute

my first time

(to be cont...)

the discouraging scribbles of your life 

can become a masterpiece

(...with God)

refuse to dwell on past ugly mistakes

or unfair criticism

put these things behind you

and keep your eye on what is up ahead

indulging in negative thinking and hurtful

thoughts affect your relationships

and may have a depressive effect on you

contentment comes from inner growth

unproductive habits will

hinder your growth

celebrate your attempts to

give love

and spread hope

your story is still being written

don't let failures define you anymore

don't let who you were decide 

who you'll be

what still haunts you?

things change

life changes

you change

your life cannot remain static

in order to get where God wants you to be

you can't stay where you are

be observant for subtle changes and signs

carve a new path

if the road you're on

gets cut short

the hardest thing to do 

is trust and believe in God

when in transition

let go of your desire to change and control

what you cannot know

change

or control

constantly calibrate yourself and let 

go of who you were

to embrace who you're becoming

determine to be open to where

you are being led

and be willing to take responsibility

take care of yourself

life is hard but you don't have to make it 

more difficult by neglecting yourself

there is no glory in suffering

just suffering

the solution rests with you

be well...

xoxo

💞

"You cannot change tomorrow by changing

yesterday,

that is what today is for."

"There are times you just have to look in the mirror

and say,

'I will if you will.' "

"Confession: I hate small talk. It gives me anxiety.

But if you want to get honest and vulnerable and weird

for a little bit I am totally down for it."

 

The best place...

...to put your body is in a grateful state.

You have to work at being grateful

when life seems to be challenging you.

Practice intentional focus.

As soon as your feet hit the floor in the morning...

or any time of the day...

(could be fun)

say out loud...

"I am grateful for ...."

pick 3.

Start  the day right.

Set yourself up to get to a joyful place.

notes...

I complicate things.

I've been nudged

to stop it.

I want to fix everything

(I do well to fix me...)

 so I let it go...

then

it comes back 

thee old habit 

I'm learning to

replace it with more positive habits

look for the good..

trust in life

and it gets a little easier

definitely more effective.

I read that

there have been studies proving

'faith resonates with your cells accordingly'

it makes you healthier

& you feel better...

it's a win win

you are indeed lovable

since it is God's love

that dwells in you

find your own uniqueness 

in His Love

"And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds..."

Phil 4:7

don't try to understand 

what God is doing,

when He says it

surpasses your understanding

Access where you are right now

and where you're trying to go

spot bad habits

take action

shift your focus

imagine letting that habit go

how does your body feel?

you can release lousy behaviors

and what isn't working

bust yourself on the false rewards

pay attention to the small things

greatness has to marinate

no task is too great or too small

when done in love

be well...

xoxo

💞

'Choosing joy when life feels heavy can be a potent

shift in perspective and energy.

Take the time to quiet discontent, sadness,

frustration, and anxiety with joy

to interrupt the discomfort you feel

in lower emotional states.

When you flood your body with memories of purely

joyful moments,

you change your chemistry and the way you react.

Your nervous system responds to the flood of positive

emotions and your mood lifts.

Think about a time when your felt immense joy.

Carry that moment with you throughout the day.'

 

Passion is the fuel...

 ... 'in the engine of your purpose.

It moves you in the direction your

best intentions want to go.'

It digs in for the long haul.

It's your " want to".

notes...

passion, self-sabotage, truth, accepting,

draw near, application, weak, becoming,

 continue, be,

character, mission, motivation, love,

 mind, body, soul, spirit,

daily word, step-by-step, presence,

encouragement, friends,

faith, everywhere, wherever, whoever,

 define, delight, attempts,

precious, able, recognize, unique, heart,

spiritual,

recovery, real, hope, belief, build on,

warps, perspective,

writhe, discomfort, sweet timing,

prayer, outward, upward ,God,

do better, work, true place....

a few of the words I circled in my journal this morning.

I called to touch base with my girlfriend,

she shared... 

"I woke up this morning,

and I just felt wrong."

It was so cute, honest and real,

it made me laugh.

Then she laughed too.

she added...

"If I don't get this straightened out,

I'm going to have 

a whole

 bad day."

and we laughed some more.

Lately, I'm acutely aware that I've been dragging my

 feet on a path that is etched in my own heart.

Today I'm motivated and encouraged to

step up

set new intentions, 

and tweak my priorities.

Learn to enjoy life more

savor every blessing

ground yourself in faith and prayer

accept yourself and the choices you've made

get together with friends for prayer and encouragement

you don't need permission to spread love

you don't need an invitation to live your faith

there is a place for everyone-

a unique

special

place

your need for God's grace is 

a passion enhancer

hold out your hands in thankfulness and gratitude

for His faithfulness and goodness

stop trying to "fix" 

and "figure"

everything

it's up to you to find your true place

no matter how difficult it may be

when you arrive

you will know it

be well...

xoxo

💓

"If God had wanted a better me,

He would have created a better me,

which leads to the daunting possibility

that He did."

"For some this true place will shake the entire world.

For others it will soothe just one tiny home.

In either case,

the world will be left a better place."

special note:

Thank you for allowing me to share your words,

and for giving me a lift my dear friend...

xoxo💗

Respect yourself....

...instead of catering to your

insecure need to be liked.

Cardiologist with Hubs today

When you love yourself

enough to stand in your own truth

no matter what the cost,

everyone benefits.

notes...

Watering in the dark. Gorgeous breeze

it feels amazing, and the chimes...

Thank you God!

I love my mornings so much !

My peace, growth, healing, belonging

acceptance and love....

all take place in the mornings.

 I learn and unlearn,

ground, center and fuel up.

I start my day in peace

and hope is restored.

"Never apologize for who you are.

It lets the whole world down."

God doesn't lead you to the safest path forward

but one where you'll grow

do not compare yourself with others

who seem to skip along with ease

break free from other peoples disapproval

let others take you as you are

or not at all

trust God deeper

He supplies your needs

He is dependable

Co-create with Him

play your part in the world

quit playing it safe

with what you believe to be true

it takes no effort to be negative 

 cynical and pessimistic

it's  the natural black hole

that

corrodes your faith

weakens your immunity

zaps your energy

compromises your relationships

and robs you of joy

negativity is a self-inflicted wound

forgiveness is the most powerful 

thing that you can do

you have a choice

your thoughts can be different

your character can change

and your life can be transformed

 

be mindful of where your thoughts are taking you 

focus on your progress 

not perfection

it's not easy but simple

the difficult cringy thing 

is living with the consequences

of NOT changing the way you think

 make truth the keynote of your life

move closer to your heart

not away from it

this is not a journey about becoming something

it's a  journey of unbecoming what we're not

love always chooses to love

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Do things while you can and while they matter

to you,

because neither is a permanent state of affairs."

"You have no idea how long something you say

can stay inside someone's mind."

"If some remedy doesn't work,

try less of it before your try more of it."

"I spend an insane amount of time wondering

if I'm doing it right.

At some point I just remind myself

that I'm doing my best.

That is enough."

"God whispers to us in our pleasures,

speaks in our pains:

it is His megaphone to rouse

a deaf world."

C.S. Lewis

Prioritize & determine....

... that your time is best spent on your destiny,

not on keeping track of what 

everyone else is doing.

notes....

no distractions

  children running, laughing 

and jumping off the dock

hamburgers on the grill

fellowship with friends

singing a hymn together before dinner

in the shade of the willow tree

men being chivalrous

strangers becoming friends

 sharing stories

it was one of those gatherings

where love was tangible

God's love cannot be measured or explained

but it can be experienced

a true

balanced 

sense of worth

can only be found in the one who made you

your peace is never missing

you just search for it in the wrong place

live your life rooted in & built on faith

hope & love

God is growing you

even if it seems slow

prioritize your life and the things that are

important to you or you'll get off

focus and invest your energy in trivial matters

there's some stuff you just leave alone

develop the art of handling minor issues

appropriately

cherish the ones you love 

more than ever before

presence is truly a priceless gift

be marked by love

peace and compassion

rather than hatred,

anger and selfishness

live purposely 

think rightly

serve generously

forgive quickly

trust there is enough

be generous and kind

be with what is and enjoy the ride

assume there is a perfect plan for you

(with God)

be compassionate

be calm

breathe

if your goal is to be happy

walk close to God

and use that as a filter eliminating 

words, habits, behaviors, and beliefs

that oppose it

you are the one who determines your thoughts

and the issues that are worthy of your time

stop allowing minor thoughts 

to occupy your mind

you can meet life with openness 

awareness and inner stability

even if a unity of faith is not possible

a unity of love is

your walk with God is yours

to have

'we're all different

we're all spiritual beings

we're all connected

and we need each other'

something beautiful can happen when you take 

the time to know somebody that's different from you

you might just learn something about yourself

truly see each other

spread love the way God intended

Love always has the final word

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The ultimate test of love is a test of forgiveness,

and no one so tested will ever ask again,

"What is love?"

"Peace is not found when everything becomes perfect.

Peace is found then everything quits disturbing your inner world."

~Michael S

"Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power."

~Lao Tzu

"Take delight in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Start from scratch....

...with God every day

and then be careful what you add 

after that.

notes...

it's too pretty to finish up and go home,

so hubby's moving some hay and

 I'm going to chill out in my little nook in the tack room.

 A nice breeze is blowing through the open doors,

  the sound of the Johnson grass swaying back and forth is so soothing.

It's so peaceful. I love being out on the farm

 simply enjoying

nature for a while.

an open heart comes from providing

the kindness, care, support, and attention

that only you were designed to give yourself

own who you really are

feel the breeze against your skin

noticing life's beauty

and just be inspired by life

this is the time to come alive

fierce determination can bring many

wonderful things into your life

you have the power to be the change 

you want to see

there's a difference in what you can't do

& what you won't do

align your behavior with your values

energy and time 

are limited and precious

use them wisely

narrow down your focus 

on what's truly matters most to you

it does you no good to focus on your

deficiencies

it's wasted contemplation

you'll know your trusting God

when you walk around thankful 

for everything

if you're still alive

God has a plan for you

and His plans blow yours away

accepting yourself and your

idiosyncrasies gets you further 

than picking on yourself

trying to be perfect

sometimes flaws and imperfections

determine your uniqueness

the way it does in art

let your life become a great work of art

create a life that is truly yours

from the inside out

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;

making the complicated simple,

awesomely simple,

that's creativity."

"Sometimes you've go to let everything go-

purge yourself.

If you are unhappy with anything...

whatever is bringing you down,

get rid of it.

Because you'll find that when you're free,

your true creativity,

your true self comes out."

~Tina Turner

"Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you're passionate about something,

then you're more willing to take risks."

~Yo-Yo Ma

"Negativity is the enemy of creativity."

You can be close...

....to God &

dysfunctional at the same time.

You can be real.

notes...

'Discouragement is quite debilitating,

you can give up trying, hoping, caring,

and believing.

You need to change your thoughts,

your focus,

your mind.

Never forget how much God Loves you.

If the voice is negative, it's not God.

The #1 purpose of your life, is to let God Love you.

You don't have to prove your worth.

There is nothing  more discouraging than being

something your not.

Be authentic, genuine, real.

Be yourself.

God didn't make you to be someone else.

We start out as originals and end up carbon copies.

You can't fake it.

You've got to be who you're going to be.

Don't try to pretend you have it all together.

Remember it's not all about you.

Life is bigger than you.

God has a unique life message for you.

Your life message is not about you,

it's about Him.

God is always more interested in why you do what you do,

than what you do.

Relax in your limitations.

God often puts His greatest gifts

in the weakest people.

He only used flawed instruments.

Humility is not denying your strengths,

it's being honest about your weaknesses.

You are a bundle of both.

You can handle an enormous amount of pain

if you see a purpose in it.

Pain without purpose is unbearable.

You can't please everybody.

Even God can't do that.

Take time for renewal.

You can't stop the aging process,

but you can remain fresh inside.

Take time for renewal.

Recharge.

Refresh yourself.

When you get tired

you lose your perspective.

Know what renews you emotionally,

and physically.

We're all a little cracked.

Never forget you are Loved.'

be well...

xoxo

💖