In the Waiting...

....doubts start to surface & fears

creep in.

C-scan with contrast

It's also in the waiting that faith is strengthened.

Each moment that I choose faith

over worry, my heart becomes a little lighter,

 anxiety eases up, and I'm able to remain (reasonably) calm.

Notes to self,

the antidote for anxiety is prayer

choose to think about something

other than the problems

Be steeped in good news.

Direct your attention to 

praiseworthy things.

build up your faith

break the hold worry has over you

Trust God with all of your heart &

lean not on your own understanding

(Prov. 3:5)

side note: my results came back, and other than

a couple of little blips, (that I will be working on...)

all is well, 

I am well,

whispering a thank you to God, and the dove's

cooing outside my window...💞

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Some days you check all the wellness boxes.

And some days all you can do is just rest

on the couch and have a good cry.

Healing is realizing that both kinds of days

are wellness."

~ Dr. Will Cole~

"What person of faith does not pray for certainty,

as if the world needs fewer people of faith

and more people of certainty."

"Who is the person of greater faith--

the person of certainty 

or the person who every day overcomes

doubt?"

Sometimes....

...I just want a good, simple, basic,

(but far from boring ) day.

Walking the beach with Ang

be well...

xoxo

💝

"In the best of relationships you have two people

who can not think of anything that was not part of 

the deal."

"Feeling safe in someone's energy is 

a different kind of intimacy

that feeling of peace and protection

is really underrated."

"I love old souls, the daydreamers, the deep thinkers,

with lots of fascinating layers.

They don't care what others think,

they just do their own thing and when it comes

to friends, it's quality over quantity."

 

Philocalist

[fil-loh-kuh-lizt]

(n.) a lover of beauty;

someone who finds and appreciates

beauty in all things.

Shoes at the door, dirt on the floor, 

 a tale about a Triceratops named Henry,

 and a new pony named Rusty.

It felt good to be back at the barn today!

be well...

xoxo

💖

"People are not as beautiful as they look and talk.

They are only as beautiful as they love,

as they care, as they share."

"Take a little time to be amazed by something you won't enjoy

unless you consciously choose to focus on it.

See the things you can't see when you're rushing.

Hear the things you can't hear when you're stressing.

Get so caught up in your senses that everything else

seems to stop for a moment-because things don't

actually stop.

So we have to be the ones that do it."

"The most beautiful things in life are not things.

They're people and places and memories and pictures.

They're feelings and moments and smiles and laughter."

Little Things....

in life add up to a magical day.

I'm all about aesthetics, and lately I've

become a little obsessed with Spring cleaning, and making

  everything cozy, welcoming, and fresh.

generation blooms

Today...the windows are open, 

blankets are washed & hanging on the clothesline.

The Edison lights are hung

in the back yard, quilts and pillows have been tossed onto the wicker furniture,

tulips and daisies brighten rustic pitchers, 

and flowering plants that came in for the Winter, are out

swaying in the sunshine.

 Friends dropping in for a visit, the Mockingbird singing

happy tunes, chimes sounding like old church bells, and

Zinnia seeds planted right before the wind picked up.

Little things:

chipping my French press...(low)

listening to the old percolator (high)

Mornings with friends

Crying together...

then doubled over laughing.

Empathy. Space to truly feel emotions.

Freedom to put the guard down & breathe.

Big golden bowl purchased 

from my favorite nursery back home (MA), 

the year I lived back home.

Thinking about Dad while picking up sticks in the yard.

#histhing

Honey bees on the birdbath

Zinnia seeds that started back home over 20 years ago at a friends.

Came back here in dried blooms.

Went back to friend's the same way...

and returned once again when I 

 got married & sold my home.

(R.I.P dear friend)

Picking up an old pink, blue, and white school desk and bench that was given away by one 

of Mom's neighbors(AR).

 Moving the bench on the porch & it

matching perfectly with the colors of my favorite quilt.

Notes & quotes...

'You can't grow a tree in soil that does not suit it.'

#growth

Mockingbird:

Pay close attention.

'Take note of the minutest details,

beautiful things will happen in your life.'

'Stop taking life so seriously. 

Relax & enjoy life.'

"True happiness is in loving others

& being loved."

~Mockingbird~

"Every day you get another chance to shake up the status quo

& extend love's boarder in your life."

Do not grumble or complain.

'..the truth is, how you invest the minutes and hours you've

been given demonstrates what's most important to you.

The time you have is precious & limited.'

'There is a high value around gathering, storytelling,

breaking bread, and having something in common.

Show up fully. Invested. Unhurried. Intentional.'

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Life is short, God's way of

encouraging a bit of focus."

"I like friends who,

when you tell them you need a moment alone,

know enough not to stray too far."

"Strive to make everyday the best day of your life,

because there is no good reason not too."

 

Take 10

...because sometimes giving yourself

a break is the very thing you needed.

...be well...

xoxo

💞 

"If you don't give your mind and body a break,

you'll break.

Stop pushing yourself through pain

and exhaustion and take care of your needs."

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

"Health does not always come from medicine.

Most of the time it comes from peace of mind,

peace in the heart,

peace in the soul.

It comes from laughter and love."

Listen and See...

...that the decision to Spring clean over the weekend,

helped to shift the perspective in me.

Notes and quotes lately....

Only God can take my most scrambled thoughts

and turn them into thumbs-up moments

in the silence of scrubbing cabinet doors and walls.

Release any negative, limiting, or self-defeating beliefs 

about life, love, or yourself. 

Beliefs create reality.

Focus on the best life has to offer.

Don't lower your expectations,

relinquish them.

Your more able to pursue happiness,

when you don't get caught up in the delivery details.

Invest your emotions in authentic expression &

not in specific outcomes.

Fruits of the Spirit:

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness.

Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness.

Self-control.

Be diligent, persistent, careful, and 

discerning in finding your answers.

Dove flyover...and consistent coos...

'Let go of the turmoil surrounding you

and take time to find peace within.

Purify your thoughts.

You are attracting what you don't want

in your life by focusing on it.

A new world is opening up to you.'

"Slow down, pause...breathe."

~Dove~

Rather than plan and evaluate,

trust & thank.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard

from me, or seen in me- put into practice.

And the peace of God will be with you."

Philippians 4:9

'Part of quitting feeling anxious is finding

an altogether different reason to live.'

'Your thoughts dictate your beliefs,

which dictate your actions,

which form your habits,

which compose the sum of your life.

As you think, so you live.'

'The issues bombarding you aren't contingent

upon your resources, 

but upon your focus.'

'Through memory, love transcends the limits of time

& offers hope in any moment of your life.'

Woodpecker drumming on a tree...

'Time to pay attention.

Opportunity is knocking.

Significant changes are happening in your life.

Seize the moment.

March to your rhythms.

Go with your natural flow, and keep moving 

forward without interference from others.'

"It's time to breathe new life into an old project.

Use your creative vision effectively &

hammer out new ways to break through."

~Woodpecker~

Don't let flack pull you back.

"Sometimes we need to cut away our parachute

& know God is our backup."

Cut loose whatever is keeping you from living

fully into this one beautiful life 

God has given you.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"One of the most important qualities to develop in life

is determination.

At some point you just have to put your foot down

and say, ' I am going to move in this new

direction and no person or situation is going to stop me.'

Great transformations need a beginning."

~Yung Pueblo~

"...because once you find your authentic path and follow it,

all the other puzzle pieces start to fall into place."

"A new study found that when adults blocked internet

 access on their smartphones for just 2 weeks,

91% improved their attention span,

mental health, or overall well-being.

You brain adapts quickly when you change the inputs."

~Dr. Mark Hyman

 

I Love You...

be still...listen...breathe it in...💝

"I am your God, I have molded you with My own hands,

and I love what I have made.

I  love you with a love that has no limits,

because I love you as I am loved.

Do not run away from Me.

Come back to Me-not once,

not twice, but always again.

You are My child...I am your God-

the God of mercy and compassion,

the God of pardon, and love,

the God of tenderness and care.

Please do not say that I have given up on you,

that I cannot stand you anymore,

that there is no way back.

It is not true.

I so much want you to be with Me.

I know all your thoughts.

I hear all your words.

I see all your actions.

And I love you because you are beautiful,

made in My own image,

an expression of My most intimate Love.

Do not judge yourself.

Do not condemn yourself.

Do not reject yourself.

Let My love touch the deepest,

most hidden corners of your heart and reveal

to you your own beauty, a beauty that you have

lost sight of, but that will become visible to you

again in the light of My mercy.

Come, come, let Me wipe your tears,

and let My mouth come close to your ear and say to you,

'I love you, I love you, I love you.' "

~The Road to Daybreak~

be well...

xoxo

💗

 "If ever you have been afraid to fly

for fear of where you'd land,

and you have struggled finding peace

in what you do not understand,

Know that trusting is better than knowing

there is ground beneath your feet

because, my dear, courage is found 

in believing beyond what you can see."

~Morgan Harper Nichols~

"Reading consistently regulates the nervous system,

Lowers inflammation, calms stress hormones,

strengths the brain, improves focus, and 

supports longevity.

And by reading, I don't mean doomscrolling

social media."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"Respect your body when it tells you it needs time to rest.

If you don't pick a time to slow down,

your body will choose one for you."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Welcoming Spring...

...with the house wide open, putting on the tea kettle,

as I watch hubby and Brandon

 grab shoes and clothes in the washroom as they get ready to head out to work.

(having a moment..)

Taking in all the familiar sounds of the neighborhood

as I sit in the doorway getting fur-kissed.

Kids chatting as they walk to school, the neighbor greeting his chickens

a "good morning", Otis howling somewhere in the distance,

and the trash truck making it's Friday morning rounds.

Listening to Grams (chick-a-dee) on the feeder, a jet flying over, & Mr. & Mrs.

Stanley, ummm...playing in the tree.

(cardinals)

The yard is looking a little ratty....

and for the first day of Spring...

I think I'll give it a fresh mow.

Notes to self:

"Grams on the feeder"

Life showers blessings daily.

Stillness is more audible than any sound.

'Better a patient person than a 

warrior, one with self-control

than one who takes a city.'

Proverbs 16:32

Real strength builds up;

it doesn't tear down.

Criticism attacks, love mends.

Love shows our blind spots.

Love is humble and kind.

Choose your thoughts well. Daily. Moment by moment.

What you pay attention to grows.

If you're tuned into things that don't make you feel good,

it's time to flip the switch.

You have a choice.

Focus on what you want to grow.

Love. Gratitude. Happiness. Joy. Faith. Peace.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Enjoy the little things,

for one day you may look back 

and realize they were the big things."

"You normally have to be bashed about a bit by life

to see the point of daffodils, sunsets & uneventful

nice days."

~Alain de Botton~

"Stop confusing being busy with being fulfilled.

One fills your calendar. 

The other makes you feel like you 

are living your life the right way."

~Yung Pueblo~

"You may think if you let go, 

everything will fall apart.

This is evidence of your limited understanding.

It's possible that everything is going to pieces

because you refuse to loosen your grasp."

Ordinary day...

door open letting the outside in, sunshine and

a fresh breeze blowing through ...

 birdsong and chimes filling the air.

Brandon in and out for work.

Fritz in and out chasing squirrels.

Repotting houseplants on the stoop.

Chatting with my neighbor over the fence as

 she announces a new arrival coming soon.

Goats!!💞

And a spontaneous lunch outing at the quaint burger joint down the street.

I'm happily geeking out on this last day of Winter..

Notes to self:

It's never about all the things you know & even believe;

it is what you do about what you believe.

Train your thoughts to be positive and hopeful.

If you think about good things, you'll feel better.

Be purposeful, the most important work

you have in life is to be yourself.

Recognize your blessings.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"We believe:

An ordinary life can be extraordinary,

there is beauty in IMPERFECTION,

and that magic can be found in everyday."

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly,

despairingly, acutely miserable,

racked with sorrow,

but through it all I still know quite

certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."

~Agatha Christie~

"The magic happens after you accept 

that you can't regulate other people's

emotions or experiences.

That's when you start living your

most authentic life.

Some people will get you,

but what matters is that you get you.

Be kind, help others, 

but don't forget to live for yourself."

~Yung Pueblo~

Love Text

...."listen to this after your prayer." he said.

having a moment ...

Today is his birthday....and he has

a knack for synchronicity. 

I  am so grateful to be on this climb with him.

Notes to self:

Allow the light to shine into the deepest recesses

of your being- cleansing, healing, refreshing,

and renewing you.

You don't have to be anyone other than who

God created you to be.

Focus on your provision.

Forget the "what-ifs".

'The purpose of the game is to enjoy

one another, not to win.'

"Life isn't a competition.

There is no winner or loser in God's family"

Care more about loving than being right.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Music is an experience we enter into.

The only product at the end of it 

is that you were present to it.

Oh, what a difference it would make

if we could be present in our days 

in the same way.

What if we could end each day

exhaling with a sense of peace,

saying, 

'I engaged. I listened. I was present.'

And what if that was enough?"

Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew!

Today I celebrate you!!

Much love...xo

💝

Little Shifts

'....the light of each day will only last so long,

and we get to experience that unique day

one time.'

warmth, open, closed, snow... all on a Sunday.

Slow down. Journey through this day

with intention.

you have this day, and you can choose

what to make of it.

Notes to self:

'God's will for your life in three words:

Surrender. And obey.'

Relax. Be still.

Don't take your life so seriously.

Identify where you want to grow &

start dreaming of possibilities.

Sit back and let your thoughts roam.

Create a collage of beautiful memories.

The light ahead of you may be limited,

but it's for a purpose.

Let go of control.

Let life surprise you.

"It's so easy to look around and see what's wrong.

It takes practice to see what's right."

Choose to be intentional.

'Far better to focus on what will pull you forward

than try to focus on what won't push you back.'

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Silence isn't empty.

It's full of answers."

"Somewhere amidst life's endless array 

of distractions lies it's purpose,

distinguished as one of them."

"Whatever your trying to prove,

it's good occasionally

to spend a day not trying to prove it."

 

Balance

'....if you think you can't possibly do

one more thing without screaming or crying,

you're probably right.'

little things along the way...cairn

Notes lately:

You can trust your higher power to provide for you.

 Live above your circumstances.

Distinguish what is important 

and what is not.

Fear of tomorrow keeps you chained.

You don't have to pretend you have it all together,

or that you're stronger than you are.

Take minibreaks from the world,

and find a place to be still.

'Look for the little gifts along the way...

when you feel like you are falling apart.

Life often doesn't send what you think you need,

it sends what you need.'

all is well.

be well...

xoxo

💞

"The quest for balance is universal.

Polarities exist and arise,

especially when we need to make decisions.

A pro and a con can be found for each side.

The key is to find a balance where the 

contrasts coincide.

Instead of fighting against each other,

find ways that they can work together.

Abandon anything that disrupts the balance

and build equilibrium when possible.

This is a continuous process that requires

attention and flow.

Flow will help lead you to a more 

balanced life."

'Cairn symbolizes guidance, a sacred path, 

or journey. Represents stability, meditation,

grounding and a "quiet voice" guiding the way.'

"As you wait for better days,

don't forget to enjoy today,

in case they've already started."

Love bits...

 

"Every single person deserves a love that expands them.

A love that nourishes them.

A love that never asks them to betray

who they truly are."

"You are enough. You are worthy.

Love should never be a battlefield

or a sacrifice."

"Stop settling for the minimum

and start choosing what truly aligns with your soul."

"Personal growth is a lifelong journey.

There will always be shadows to face.

Wounds to heal.

Beliefs to challenge.

But every step you take toward your truth

is a step toward a fuller, freer, more aligned life."

Notes to self:

Epiphany- a sudden grasp of the essential nature of something.

A profound moment of understanding, realization, or 

flash of insight that changes one's perspective.

Coming to my senses.

Clearly showing the madness of of trying to solve

things on my own.

Savoring these epiphany moments.

...one day at a time...

all is well.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"I asked, 'How can anyone who really knows me ever love me?'

only to discover that it was the only way anyone would."

"Let yourself disappoint people,

especially if you need to take care

of your mind because your

intuition is telling you that 

what they want does not align 

with who you are becoming,

betraying yourself is not virtuous.

Remember no one can feel your heart

better than you can."

~Yung Pueblo~

Seasons

....of change, unexpected twists, truths

and differing moralities.

Facing the challenges 

and some gritty realities.

In the midst of uncertainty, clenched fists, and

bouts of tears...

I find faces & spaces,

that comfort & sit with me in my fears.

Notes to self:

You can't avoid negative distractions,

but you can choose to let it flow by.

You can relax, and trust that the changes you

experience will be right for you.

Focus on today.

Do not be discouraged when you encounter

problems and pain along the way.

Trust God rather than yourself, or your resources.

Make the decision to believe Him.

Be careful whose words you take to heart.

Stop focusing on your problems and limitations-

and believe that the way ahead is really an open road,

in spite of how it looks.

When you are struggling, simply take the next step.

Do not worry is a command not a suggestion.

You can decide not to worry.

Pay attention to the nudges & be confident.

Learn from faith stretching situations.

Befriend your wounds & let them reveal

to you your own truth.

The pain hardest to bear is your own.

Learn what practicing peace is for you,

and what it's not.

Stop putting yourself down.

Peace doesn't mean everything is perfect,

it means you are able to find your breath

and a cushion of calm at the center of your life.

Stay present. 

Over and over.

Live abundantly today.

Pay attention to the details.

Freude (froy-da) 

German

Joy

be well...

xoxo

💞

P.S.

....for having my back, and bringing calm 

to my storms, along with a few laughs.

Thank you Dad.

I love you!!

💖

"....And whenever she starts to forget

the story of her original bloom,

the flowers of this green earth remind her

she too will spring up from the ground again.

Gravity will not retain her,

for the sun and the rainfall will propel her

up from gritty soil into open morning air,

and Light will meet her there

and she will begin to unfold in the way

she is meant to."

~Morgan Harper Nichols~