"No need for sight...

...when you have vision."

notes...

have a voice in your life you trust 

to run towards

acknowledge the obstacles in your way

& choose to fly over them anyway

your gift and your truth are in you

decide to stop wasting time 

& move forward

discover your true potential

stay the course

your faith in miracles & yourself

must be greater than your fear

however easy or rough the process is

be willing to fall down, get up,

look stupid, cry, laugh, make a mess,

clean it up and don't stop 

until you get there

no matter what

you can do anything

desire it

have faith

speak it

never give up

say 

"I will!"

be well...

xoxo

💗

"When you are sure you are aimed toward

destiny, 

you won't worry about the end."

"I'd rather have a couple of ideas fail

than have a faith that won't try."

"It's not about your circumstances

it's about who you become 

and what you believe is possible

for yourself."

 

She was happiest...

...."in her own little world.

She didn't need anyone or anything

to complete her.

She was whole all by herself."

notes...

...I took the long way home

stopped and sat in the shade

a friendly black lab came bearing a stick

wanting to play

I stopped in at a friends, and left at dark

she called to let me know I left my glasses

so I turned around

I parked in her drive and looked to the right

 coming eye to eye with owl perched on her car beside me

we sat transfixed 

seconds later it flew off

My heart still skips a beat when I think about it

Owl symbolizes:

deep intuition,

hidden truths, wisdom,

and major life transitions.

love in spite of imperfections

break old bad records in your life

and make beautiful new ones

become the kind of person who creates

exactly what you want

adventure, true love, and a whole new 

way of life awaits on the other side

of your comfort zone

decide to get over your s--t

you can do anything you want to do

break out of your mold

expand your beliefs about what is available

to you in all areas of your life

take a leap of faith 

connect with people who are near the place

you want to be

learn from them

(reached out to S this morning & set a date)

"Sometimes the best hello to new opportunity

is the good-bye you gave a dead situation."

dig your heels in 

and hold on with

faith-filled determination

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Happiness is simple.

Everything we do to find it is complicated."

"At the end of life our questions are very simple:

Did I live fully?

Did I love well?"

"I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These three are your greatest treasures."

~Lao Tzu~

 

I don't crave...

 ...."extraordinary moments anymore.

Just small, gentle hums of beauty

streaming from below,

above, simply from paying attention.

Sound. Light. Shadow.

Art. Warmth. The night.

The the morning.

Dreams that are not faraway

but exist right here

already in my days,

hands, and heart."

notes...

'to thine own self be true'

pause long enough to calm the noise in your life

tune back in to what's important

 & the beauty that dazzles you

find a way to create a sanctuary in your daily life

because these safe places are within reach

if you'll stop long enough to see them

find your place in life and faith today

be well...

xoxo

💖

"I don't care much for things I can't take with me

after I die.

Give me love.

Moments.

Purpose.

Things that'll settle in the soul."

"Life is actually really simple,

but we insist on making it complicated."

~Confucius~

The trick is...

 

....to just follow your small moments of curiosity.

"It doesn't take a massive effort

Just turn your head an inch.

Pause for an instant.

Respond to what has caught your attention.

Look into it a bit.

Is there something there for you?

A piece of information?

For me, a lifetime devoted to creativity

is nothing but a scavenger hunt-

where each successive clue is another tiny bit

of curiosity. Pick each one up, unfold it,

see where it leads you next.

Small steps.

Keep doing that, and I promise you:

The curiosity will eventually lead you to passion."

~Elizabeth Gilbert~

notes...

work with the moment 

not against it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"We can't always choose the music life plays for us,

but we can choose how we dance to it."

~unknown~

'Humming bird symbolizes:

Joy, sweetness, resilience, endurance, adaptability, presence and focus.

Hope, healing and emotional renewal.'

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💗

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

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

💖

 

A Cinderella story...

... of our own. 

A desire to find true love.

"God finds each of us in the cinders of a less

than perfect world, held back from the life

we dream of living.

He longs to raise us up to a high position,

transform us and grant us His power,

so he seeks us out,

inviting each of us to dance with Him.

And yet each of us needs someone to affirm our

inherent value and encourage our transformation.

We each need a Cinderella story of our own.

Each woman's relationship with God is such that

He finds her in the ashes, held back from the life

she dreams of living.

He seeks her, invites her to dance with Him, 

transforms her by revealing the beauty hidden beneath

the ashes, then confers on her His power and position.

Dancing in the arms of God is a relationship between 

you and God that is based on love and mutual respect.

The two of you communicate in a close, intimate setting.

He holds you, but His embrace is the embrace of a lover,

not a restraint of an oppressor.

As partners in this dance, God leads, and you let Him,

moving with the flow of His leading.

You are not enveloped in God, losing your 

identity as a unique person,

you are who you are,

retaining your freedom and individuality at every turn."

~Women's Devotional Bible~

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Let life happen to you.

Life is in the right, always."

~Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Slow down...

...your mind.

Sit and listen.

notes...

'Look for God in the change that you are going through.

You can find the face of Jesus anywhere if you look close enough.

Don't seek the comfort.

Listen for God's whisper.

He speaks to those that take the time to listen.

Don't ask why, but what.

Every situation is an education.

You'll grow better or you'll grow bitter depending on your response.

Don't focus on  the circumstance, focus on your character.

Don't focus on the problem, focus on your personality.

Don't focus on what's going on around you,

 focus on what God wants to do in you.

Some things you only learn through difficulty.

Expect opposition.

Learn contentment.

Contentment and character is something you learn.

Give thanks IN all circumstances, 

not FOR all circumstances.

Focus on what never changes.

Don't face change alone.

Trust Him in the situations you don't understand.

God did not bring you this far just to leave you where you are.'

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

Learn the magical...

...lesson that making the most

of what you have

turns it into more.

notes...

cool windy morning

wrapped in a shawl and

spiced chai lattes from our favorite coffee shop

dress shopping today

gratitude  unlocks the fullness of life

it turns what you have into enough

gratitude provides a helpful

framework for the things

that concern you

gratitude brings peace for the day

and creates vision for tomorrow

it makes things right

reflect back and grab important 

lessons from the past

in order to make better

decisions going forward

flying through life on autopilot

can deprive you of joy

carve out time to evaluate

the quality of your decisions

and direction in your life

reflect on things that are working well

in your life

honestly assess where you're 

missing the mark

modify your strategy

pause and reflect on the person 

you are becoming

become more tuned in to how

you are actually living your life

be well...

xoxo

💞

"The unexamined life 

is not worth living."

~Socrates

"The unplanned life 

is not worth examining."

~Aristotle

"We ought not to look back,

unless it is to derive useful lessons

from past errors, & for the

purpose of profiting by dear bought

experiences."

~George Washington

 

"I don't know"...

...is a game changer.

"When you give up having to  know

or needing to be right,

you feel lighter right away.

Surrender your stories.

The mind is not the boss of anything,

and it doesn't want to be.

Let life take over from here."

notes...

hubby joined me on the porch this morning

he's sharing a story of heroics as he rocks on the porch swing

with his coffee

&

 I'm listening intently while trying to capture droplets of rain

as they land in the garden 

experiencing an outside hygge moment

slow down your pace of living for a time

quiet your mind

when it comes to faith

if you're looking for proof

you won't find it

somewhere along the way

you have to make the leap from that which you know

to that which calls you from within

you need only a willing heart

and a truthful spirit

God will take it from there

 meeting you as you take the leap

the way before you may be steep

and rocky

it is nonetheless 

the path of life

you will have feelings of uncertainty

fairly often in your life

no matter what age

you may not have all the answers

but God does

you must be open to receive

you can receive inspiration, endurance, strength,

wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

self-control, 

or whatever else you require

He has plenty to give

you can't create those things yourself

losing your place in your personal story

is the way

that deeper discoveries come to life

confusion is a catalyst for growth

it helps you to lighten the load

for your journey ahead....

"....it's here to help you forget 

what you thought you knew

to reveal an even greater truth"

'be honest about your confusion

allow it

 to unwind your overstimulated nervous system

so that you can discover the safety

that is always within you'

slow your breath

life will be more gentle as you 

choose to be more soft and supportive

of yourself

relax into not needing to figure things out

allow understanding to find you

instead of you pursuing it on a regular basis

you will always know everything 

you need to know

exactly at the moment you 

need to know it

don't forget 

to remember

that everything good 

comes from God

He will lead you to life

at it's very best

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When it's time for something new,

you will feel it.

You will feel a desire to let go,

to shed layers, to move,

to re-create.

You will know because there will be

 subtle shifts all around you.

You will release the old because you 

are really clearing the path for what's ahead.

Trust the process."

"Be the reason someone still believes in magic,

truth, authenticity, compassion,

intelligent conversation,

loyalty, courage, and love that 

doesn't have an agenda."

 

Even though...

...you may not always see it in real time,

the moments when you practice peace

are truly beautiful,

even if it feels like a struggle.

notes...

warm and sultry morning

hubby's negative stress test results

starting to spiral 

a short pithy prayer

and the next thing I know

I'm following a nudge 

to go jump in the lake

 

*side note

water bottle quote:

"your body is about 60% water

don't forget to give it 

a refill "

one positive voice can drown out all others

if you are listening for it

be picky about who you listen to

become picky about your daily inputs

put weeds in and weeds come out

put virtue in and virtue comes out

good thoughts and actions

can never produce bad results

bad thoughts and actions

can never produce good results

be more intentional about

what you feed your mind

don't sacrifice things that are important to you

to get a little approval or validation from others

refuse to be conformed to the worlds standards

no longer define your sense of worth by

the actions of others

when you love others well

you don't have to worry about what they think of you

claim responsibility for the conditions of your life

sometimes it's dreadfully difficult

but doing so begins an upward spiral

own your own power

or someone else will

 improve the quality of your life

by improving the quality of your thinking

keep vigilant watch over your heart

change what you can

there is so much you can change

do what you need to do to take care of yourself

if you can't do anything about the circumstances

you can change your attitude

remember the reason you are doing what you're 

doing

&

why

give yourself what you need

anchor your soul firmly in hope

take moments to recharge

be mindful of your limits

wherever you hear God's voice

go there often

there are all kinds of ways to hear from Him

fill your cup 

so you can continue to give love

let yourself be

be well...

xoxo

💞

..."Even though you did not know 

where the path would go.

Even though you did not know

where tomorrow would lead.

You were headed in the right direction

or where you were meant to be."...

"Love and compassion are necessities,

not luxuries.

Without them humanity cannot

survive."

~Dalai Lama

"Your vision will become clear only when

you look into your own heart."

~Carl Jung