Passion becomes...

purpose when it redeems your pain.

morning notes...

concentrate on the present moment

this is where you are meant to live

fear only has the power you give it

hope works the same way

fear is usually a story you tell yourself

you can tell yourself a story of hope instead

Timothy 3:2-5

humbling verse

stand apart while everyone else 

is trying to stand out

don't rely on your own understanding

God is always available to you to 

strengthen, deliver, pardon, encourage,

guide, rescue, & bless you.

Stop pushing Him away.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert,

repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about your despair, yours, 

and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean

blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese,

harsh and exciting-

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things."

~Mary Oliver~

 

Thank You seems....

.... too small today.

I woke up this morning feeling a much bigger word,

 one I can't come up with.

 I need....something... more.

 I looked out the window as I filled the kettle for coffee, 

a Grosbeak landed in the back yard.

(rare)

I whisper a joyful "Thank You".

My kiddo still asleep in the other room,

here for work.

"Thank You for him."

Gary's relaxed in his recliner, coffee in hand, catching the news.

"Thank You for him too."

"Thank you for my people."

Sunshine and a fresh cool breeze, after all the storms.

Refreshing. Energizing. Restoring.

"Thank you for this clear & beautiful day!"

Charles Stanley? Or maybe it's Jr.?

A bright red cardinal

with a missus... 

without... 

tail feathers.

I whisper a "Thank You, for him, & that he survived

whatever misfortune took his tail."

I smile that he, the cat and my grand-dog all have nubby butts.

"Thank You for all the little things."

 Tears well up.

I take a deep breath &

  say "Thank You! For good news on 

the condition (stenosis) of my neck.

That I am okay."

"It should be fine as long as you'll need it to be!"

Surgeon says.

"There are options for pain...."

"Thank you,

I got this for now..."

He agrees.

Grosbeak:

Live in harmony with yourself

embrace who you are

forgive yourself

trust your instincts

meditate more

be kinder to yourself

Practice contentment

"Fear and doubt can keep you

from living your best life.

So you mustn't give them a place

in your mind."

~Grosbeak~

Notes:

the dawning of each new day is a gift

not to be taken for granted

the earth is vibrantly alive with blessings

slow your pace

learn to see

trust God fully in all areas of your life

vulnerability is not a sign of weakness

but of strength

happiness comes by living simply

to know that less is more

&

quality is better than quantity

if you search for the positive

your mind is calibrated to 

find it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When A great moment knocks on the door 

of your life, it is very often no louder than

the beating of your heart,

and it is very easy to miss it."

"What we are is God's gift to us."

"Remember that you already are

what you are seeking."

 

Peace in the moment....

.... after tornado sirens, hail, and severe weather alerts,

adrenaline rushes,

forgetting to breathe...

 and cramming cake in my mouth

as I started catastrophizing.

Tornado season makes me wiggy.

On my way to the Neurosurgeon today.

notes:

all is well...

do not be discouraged by the hard things you encounter

live a life of prayer

pray without ceasing

rely on God moment-by-moment

celebrate the gift of being alive

what you think about determines how you live

trust 

the uncertainty in your life 

reminds you that you are not in control

you can't google your way to a solution

or change your circumstances

don't look for a way out of the difficulty your in;

look for God in the midst of it

make your choices one at a time

each is contingent upon the decision that precedes it

slow down and appreciate 

the full entirety of the moments

it just is

do not despair

pay attention to the stillness in the silence of the moment

take time to enjoy the scenery each day

be grateful

center in your inner being

breathe

align with truth

sometimes you have to sift through

the noise to hear the real message

every moment holds so much

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Grace is the experience

of being delivered from 

experience."

"Slow down.

Don't allow yourself to fall into the trap

of glorifying busy-ness.

Life is intended to be savored

and this moment is the most important.

Move through your day consciously.

Notice the little things

and expand your awareness.

Flowers bloom for only a season;

children grow up fast;

and the leaves change and eventually fall.

Savor what's in front of you 

and appreciate the moment you are in."

 

Spring cleaning....

...inside and out.

Throwing out. Tidying up.

Refreshing my surroundings

in every way.

weekend with Ang

It seems like no matter how much I clean and organize,

the clutter returns as if it has a mind of it's own.

It started to annoy me, clutter on the

outside, makes me feel edgy on the inside.

So this week I went Full Rambo on it.

It's so freeing.

I'm over the moon.

 Quite happy in my simple, open space.

Less is definitely more.

Notes:

being is more important than having

life is a gift to be shared

relationships are the school we learn in

assist and support each other

happiness joy and a sense of well-being

comes from within

you will never know your highest and best

unless you give your highest and best

you can't have what your unwilling to become

become the person you want to be

transformation isn't always pretty

the detoxification process is a way of life

release toxic thoughts, resentments, beliefs,

emotions...

choose to question your beliefs

rather than spend your life blindly playing victim

to the cranky old "truths" that no longer work for you

start with a clean slate every day

notice negative patterns

give yourself a course correction

come together to change,

create, play, grow,

become more yourself

be free

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Love in action has the kind of power 

many of us haven't tapped into yet."

"Being out in nature strips away many distractions

of our everyday life.

Adventuring outside resets our hearts & minds

individually and with one another."

'If you find your here and now intolerable &

it makes you unhappy-

you have three options:

Remove yourself from it.

Change it,

or

accept it totally.'

"Detox your timeline, your page, your home,

your refrigerator, your counters, your closet,

your ride, your phone, your life, and your mind."

"Don't believe everything you think."

 

Singer teachings...

never get old. 

The message he conveys...

 calls me out, & helps me see 

the error of my ways.

"The most precious thing in anyone's life is time.

What are you going to do with that time?"

"It doesn't matter how much time you have,

but what you are doing with your time."

"You can't take stuff from the outside &

make it good on the inside."

"Don't look outside for something that's inside.

Something outside is not going to fix your inside."

"There is a reason for everything that is."

"...you walked into a moment that has

nothing to do with you."

"Learn to use your will to put your

consciousness onto something healthy."

"Honor and respect the moment unfolding in 

front of you."

"You didn't create the moment

the moment created itself.

The moment you are seeing 

is a moment no one has ever seen before

and never will again.

This is your moment."

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Nothing makes you a good and decent person

like having friends who stubbornly

operate under that assumption."

"Do things while you can and while they matter to you

because neither is a permanent state of affairs."

"The reason life works at all

is because not everyone in your tribe

is nuts on the same day."

 

A sense of wonder...

...in the small touches of goodness, sweetness,

beauty, and innocence in life.

 

Plan A. volunteer at the barn.

  Turned to plan B when client cancelled.

There was no plan B.

Let go, and go with the flow.

A quick wardrobe change from farm clothes to Tai Chi attire,

and an hour to spare. 

Decide to...

walk at the Zoo.

Heart stolen by an adorable 4 year old (ish) boy in the petting zoo.

I pet. He pops a pellet in their mouth.

"Great picture!" he says every time I snap a shot.

"Why, thank you buddy!" 

We do this for some time....switching goats.

(Mom and baby sister too)

 Time runs out.

 I get up ( from squatting position) to leave.

He looks at me all excited, holds out his small hand (for mine)

 and in a sweet little voice...

"C'mon....lets go see

the rest of the animals."

notes & quotes...

direct your thoughts to the good

distractions result in drifting

every time

fill you life with decisions not distractions

replace distraction with direction

retrain your brain

focus on what you are grateful for

life is full of opportunities to reframe negative,

and practice finding the positive

there's a new way of living

if your willing to step into it

approach each day with enthusiasm,

anticipation, and determination

to live in alignment with life

remember, joy is your internal guidance system

when you are in a state of joy or happiness,

you are doing something right

find small glimmers of light that remind you

to just relish in the moment

rest in the in-betweens

where you find gratitude you find rest

learn to live unhurried

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you want change to occur, 

you must do something about it.

Like a caterpillar goes through the process

of creating a cocoon,

you too can do the hard work to create the 

transformation you desire.

Success doesn't happen overnight;

a process is required.

Do something every day that serves your 

desired result.

Each stride will change you just a little

and prepare you for what's next.

Eventually you will emerge,

like a caterpillar from the chrysalis,

transformed and more vibrant."

 

Yard work...

...and gardening are therapeutic for me.

Now it's time to treat my neck to a little TLC.

" Stretching is such a vital part of my routine.

It allows me to maintain my flexibility,

enhance mobility, and recover faster."

~Tom Brady~

"Just like a rubber band, 

if you don't stretch regularly,

you'll become stiff and inflexible."

be well...

xoxo

💗

 

Life is happier....

...when you focus on the sweet little moments.

Hubby mowing the yard

dusting me with grass,

 while I'm down on all fours in the dirt

weeding and sowing wildflower seeds

breathing in an absolutely fabulous Spring day.

It's been a minute since we've synced up.

It felt good to be on the same page.

morning notes:

debug my mind

discipline yourself mentally

deliberate, purposeful thinking

meditate on Philippians4:8

put it into practice

changes you make today

will influence what you reap in the future

be conscious of the choices you make

each one is a seed your planting 

for tomorrow

you are writing your own story 

with your thoughts

each moment is a new beginning

your problems are not greater

than you are

stop waiting for others to give you 

what you need &

take responsibility for yourself

let others do as they may

be true to yourself

the best decisions are made when

you listen to no one but you

be well...

xoxo

💝

...'together, you have watched dead things come to life,

day by day, flower by flower.'

"Misery loves company and usually finds it,

followed by a lifelong debate as to who

was the misery and who was the company."

Marriage: a state of bliss in which if one partner

dies unexpectedly,

the other is the prime suspect."

"The secret to lining an exceptional life tomorrow,

is purely a matter of thinking strong joyful

thoughts today."

"Love is life.

If you miss love,

you miss life."

Incoming storms...

.....sourdough bread still warm from the oven,

with butter & honey.

Clothesline fresh rugs on freshly mopped floors,

and the hallway closet's

annual transformation from pantry to

tornado shelter.

 

The things that soothe...

note:

Neurosurgeon called

appt. for the end of the month

hold onto the good

create space

ride the winds of passion in your life

let go of things that no longer

serve you

take a break from processing your thoughts

tend to your responsibilities

and don't take things so 

personally

trust yourself

live and experience life

let things happen

remain calm and confident

do not be dismayed

meditate

learn to love the person you're responsible

for taking care of-

yourself

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...

but how much love we put into that action."

~Mother Teresa~

"When the world feels like an emotional roller coaster,

steady yourself with simple rituals.

Do the dishes. Fold the laundry.

Water the plants.

Simplicity attracts wisdom."

To be aware...

...of the nudge,

is to be heading to my cozy nook

on the porch

with coffee in one hand &

 a basket in the other,

and Polly at my heels.

And end up at the lake during a 

thunderstorm, listening to the fish splash,

 and disappointing the cat.

Signs..(in order of sightings)

Woodpecker: 

pay attention

significant change

Eagle:

reconnect to your Spiritual path

listen & heed your spiritual directions

as well as your heart

allow them both to lead the way

stay grounded

Loon:

tranquility & peace

"spirit of the north"

pay attention

live in harmony with others

and nature

notes to self:

absolutely wonderful

God provides the guidance 

you need

life isn't about chasing more

it's about choosing better

sometimes the simplest moments 

are the richest ones

time is your most valuable currency

cease striving and simply enjoy being

present

pay close attention

inhale in a mindful way

exhale and let things go

focus on the goals that are closest to your heart

be intentional about what and who you 

decide to be available to

be engaged in things that impact your life

(or mind-numbing distractions)

it's your choice

be purposeful

the ability to choose and change

who you're being in this life

is a gift

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Peace comes when we invite it in like a welcome guest.

As peace enters our soul, we feel an expansion

where anxiety and sorrow once were.

When peace arrives we feel lighter.

To prepare your soul for peace,

take the time to breathe,

clearing the clutter of your mind

and opening to the expression of your spirit.

Welcome peace in by releasing the tight grasp

of anxiety and sorrow.

Let go of pain so that peace can soothe."

 

Sometimes...

..."you've got 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~

I like that!

I myself struggle with being creative today

as I have outside chores to do before it rains...,

& my head is still slightly swollen 

from receiving a lovely compliment

 ( from the instructor & one of 

my mates)

 on my form and flow yesterday in Tai Chi.

Grateful. Encouraging. Uplifting.

I practiced all weekend.

notes lately...

when you are talking to yourself

watch your language

you strengthen what you put your attention on

keep your mind on the things you want

and off of the things you don't

if you were never frustrated by something.

you would never seek a solution

practice until it becomes second nature

simply take action

knowing is not enough, you must apply

applying is not enough, you must do 

step-by-step

trust the process

be thankful for quiet days,

when nothing special seems to be happening

remember you can choose the subject of your thoughts

let go of discouraging ones

refuse to get discouraged

each moment provides a fresh opportunity

God can't add beautiful things to your life

if there's no room in your life

keep space open for more beautiful

things to be added

get rid of old hurts, beliefs, and memories

you've collected over time

allow life to surprise and delight you

let yourself enjoy life as you go through

the day

release the grip on things that keep you bound

let go of lesser things

glow up your life with gratitude & be specific

recognize the gifts and call them out

every good and perfect gift is from above...

James 1:17

prayer is a lifestyle

position your heart

the sweetest moments in life happen unannounced

seek moments of ease

allow yourself moments of peace

make room for the delightfully unexpected

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Of Time and Space I don't know much,

But this I'm pretty sure of--

That both are things that doesn't hurt--

To give someone a bit more of."

"It's hard to change someone's mind

who believes in their head bone."

"It seems, in youth, that everything we do is practice

for the real thing,

a rehearsal for some future grand debut.

And then the years go by,

and we look back and realize,

that the practice was the real thing,

the rehearsal the grand debut."

"Absorb what is useful,

discard what is useless,

add what is specifically your own."

~Bruce Lee~

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000

kicks once,

but I fear the man who practiced one kick

10,000 times."

~Bruce Lee~

 

Journaling space....

...where the Robin sings her morning song from the maple tree,

 doves coo back and forth in the distance, and jet noise 

echoes in the dark, clouded sky.

Writing down thoughts on morning pages 

& savoring my first sips of coffee,

 while the old retired preacher begins his daily morning walk across the street.

"A mile and a half." he shared once.

He's dedicated.

I wonder if this is his "God time", like this is mine.

Polly is playfully bouncing about chasing a dark,

bird-sized moth that

flutters just out of her reach.

A cool breeze moves in and I take a deep breath.

I start to think of my people.

The video I received last night from my nephew...

how most of the men in my family have served in the armed forces,

and how strong and resilient the women are,

and how they all laugh at themselves, and find 

humor in life's challenges.

Their stories.

And my friends who have been like family.

Our stories.

I am filled with gratitude and appreciation.

A goose flies solo overhead.

I settle deep into the details of my moments, my story,

and relish this time & space for my thoughts.

A place just to be.

A space that's getting harder to find 

in the real world.

A place where I can sit in silence

and get to know my own voice.

morning notes...

second morning on the porch this year..

focus on your own peace

silence is powerful

trusting is a moment-by-moment choice

allow difficulties to be your greatest teacher

hard times shape you more than you realize

you either become a reflection of your pain,

or a reflection of your hope

*rain*

"In the old days, a logbook was a place for sailors to 

keep track of how far they've traveled,

and that's exactly what you're doing-

keeping track of how far your ship has sailed"

#journaling

you appreciate things 

that a busy world convinces you

 are not worth noticing

bless the highs & lows:

they are what make life

a magnificent story

Breathe. Relax. Go with the flow.

bring your full attention to each moment

find the beauty & the awe

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Wherever you are, be there totally."

"Yet they need not accept this-

help is within themselves.

You can feel it within you-

an inner drive for happiness.

The close interrelation between this Inner You

and this Outer You,

the almost uncanny power of each to change the other-

can change you from drabness to

joyous self-fulfillment."

~Ad for Pond's Cold Cream March 1949~ 

"You can look at optimism and pessimism

as two different outfits in your closet,

and you decide each morning

which one you are going to wear."