April 11, 2026

Time goes by so fast....

one minute my kiddo is here,

and I have a dog.

 The next minute, four days

have flown by, and they are packing up

to head back home

leaving  grass seeds scattered on the bathroom floor (from work),

and a red ball laying in the middle of the living room.

Sometimes I miss having a dog. 

Sometimes.

They make great walking companions,

and it's a great way to connect with other 

people. 

You can't do that with a cat.

I've seen my neighbor try.

notes lately...

you are always in a state of creation

you create your reality in every moment

of every day

you can choose to focus and think 

about the things you want more of in your life

and experience more of the things that 

make you feel good

create your best life

bring some good friends with you

choose love, always

it always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, and always perseveres

(1Corinth 13:7)

when there isn't clarity in a situation,

why not assume the best?

"A promise is only as good as the 

character of the one making it."

Peace is an umpire

It there is a lack of peace,

stop

you are created for relationships,

and communication is the heartbeat

of a strong relationship

where others fall short,

God fills the gaps

show up for your vision

move in that direction every day

"Your future is created by what 

you do today, not tomorrow."

keep your mind on what truly matters

allow life to flow freely

with acceptance and calmness

when you feel you've reached a dead end

turn back & trace the path

that connects to other streets

other people

there are ways of getting where you're trying to go

you might just need a little help

there's no shame in asking for directions & guidance

(it happens to be my specialty :)

live like you are loved

because you are

deep

abundantly

and with love that will not fail

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Nothing last forever,

although we often underestimate how long

it will last in the meantime."

"Life is a collection of moments

you might have appreciated more

if you had only known they were moments."

"It's not the meaning of life we seek.

Life is getting the kids off to school

and the dog fed.

It is the meaning of meaning we seek."

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."

 

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~

Grateful

...hubby was sitting beside me, 

held his phone in front of me...

and said, "I want you to see this...."

...having a moment.

Pause. See the beauty around you, listen to music that stirs

you and makes you want to cry or dance.

Let yourself be moved by a commercial...a comment...a quote.

Pause longer...

give thanks for your the people in your life.

All of them.

Breathe deep.

Appreciate time. 

Be present.

Savor the little moments.

Keep it simple.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

It turns what we have into enough,

and more.

It turns denial into acceptance,

chaos into order,

confusion into clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of your past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melody Beattie~

January 19, 2026

Intention for the day:

To keep my head on a swivel & look for evidence of good

in everyone and in everything.

sunsetting at Mom's

Journaling....

Keep pursing wonder & bring peace to the negativity.

Keep your head in the game. Don't let negativity throw you off.

Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times.

'The choices and situations ahead are new, unusual,

& you're not quite sure how to handle them.

This is the essence of the call of faith.'

Stop reading the junk mail that gets delivered to you everyday.

If the way were known to you-

if you could handle it on your own strength & wisdom-

this would not be a step in faith for you.

Step into the unknown with confidence.

Go a little deeper with your family, your friends,

your faith, your hopes, your passions.

'Sometimes we think we will start to live at some future date...

our drive to the mythical future prevents our savoring the present.

In each moment the real future for the real me is now.'

Pay attention to the clues in front of you, & make

your best way forward with the tools you have at hand.

'An epiphany is a sudden grasp of the essential 

nature of something.

It is also a manifestation of a divine being.'

Tune up and improve the life your in.

Pay attention to what really works for you.

Do more of what you love and less of what you hate.

Double down on things that make you happy.

Don't let your past or present suffering

contaminate your view of the future.

"You learn to believe by believing.

You learn to love by loving."

It's not what you've been given,

It's what you do with what you've got.

"Our hearts are restless till they find

their rest in Thee."

~Augustine~

be well...

xoxo

💖

'At the end of our lives, what people will miss the most,

will be the small ways you loved the people around you.

It will be the memories you made & the big mess ups

you walked through together.

It will be your kindness not your qualifications that outlast you.

We'll be missed because someone will want to call 

and share a joy from the day & remember

we're no longer there to share the celebration.

Don't forget what will matter in the end.

The love you leave behind will be your legacy.'

Moo...d

Hubby had a few more cows to check on.

 I chose to stay behind with the herd.

I threw my jacket into the adjoining pasture of grass,

 and slid under the electric fence to sit and laze in the sun.

I take a deep breath, then exhale deeply.

The farm always seems to slow everything down.

Then the cows seemed to do the same,

and a lightness settles in my soul.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Gratitude reshapes your brain.

It enhances brain regions linked

to self-control and emotional

regulation, helping you bounce

back from stress and adversity.

Feeling thankful literally changes

how your brain responds to life."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"One who lives in accordance with nature

Does not go against the way of things.

He moves in harmony with the present moment,

Always knowing the truth of just what to do."

~Lao Tzu~

 

 

Farm Country

 Observe the wonder...

...everything else is just a distraction.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"It's a goodly life that you lead, friend;

no doubt the best in the world,

if only you are strong enough to lead it."

~The Wind in The Willows~

Hyggly

There was something comforting about the wind picking up,

watching the trees sway, and

 watching the rain splash on the windows.

I lit candles, and rearranged a room in silence.

Then stepped out to cut flowers for the window,

turned French cafe music on Spotify, fixed dinner,

and made a batch of my favorite protein balls.

https://echoesofrobin.blogspot.com/search/label/Recipe

Charmed by my own life today.

Journal notes:

Lean into the important parts of your life.

Refuse to live according to the faulty standards 

of practices of our fallen peers.

'You will never go further than the limits of

the person you see yourself as.'

Holding onto grudges is not an option in healing and growing.

'All the precautions in the world won't stop some things from happening.

Yet viewed through a positive lens, even those events may eventually

be seen as gifts.'

"God doesn't enjoy seeing us fail.

He loves watching us grow."

'Go for it! Do the thing you've been dreaming of, thinking

about, pining over. 

Follow your intuition and not your fears.

Stop talking yourself out of whatever you've

been hoping for.

You are as ready as you'll ever be,

and procrastinating won't make you mor ready later.

Make the leap-

now.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit...

John 15:2

There is no rebirth without death.

Let go of the things that don't align 

with who you want to become.

'At some point you will realize that the

"this isn't true" voice,

is actually what isn't true.'

If you get the priority correct, the rest will come together.

"Put Jesus in the drivers seat & load up your gear."

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you're having a sudden urge to clean,

redecorate or make a huge change this week,

it's because you're about to undergo some

major upgrades in your life." 

"The more you heal, the weirder the world feels.

The conversations feel louder.

The gossip sounds smaller.

The energy drains faster.

It's not you losing your mind.

It's you outgrowing dysfunction."

 

Unplugged

Last week there was volunteering, spontaneous trips, 

Aunts visiting from Louisiana, connection, and life on the go.

Today it was all about grounding and being still.

Breathwork, prayer, incense burning and Binaural beats.

Journaling, twinkle lights and feet in the grass.

Journal notes:

'Appreciate beauty for it's own sake.

See the intrinsic value of a thing

and prize it because of it's perfection.

See Divinity in all that exists.

It leaves the mind silent.'

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...

Romans 12:2

Simply talk to Him.

"What we do is an expression of our internal

mindset - every act begins with a thought."

~Charles Stanley~

If we want to worry and fuss we can,

but we don't need to.

That is our choice.

When life is lived simply and in trust,

a beautiful mosaic called "my life" will be woven.

Mocking bird:

A connection to the divine, wisdom, and communication.

Innocence and goodness.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"One of the most healing things you can do for

your nervous system costs nothing:

Slow, deep breathing.

Just 4 deep breaths can shift you from stress mode

to rest mode, lowering your heart rate

and calming your mind.

Your breath is always available when you need peace."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"Placing your hand on your heart

while taking 5 deep breaths activates your

parasympathetic nervous system and releases oxytocin.

This gentle self-touch tells your brain

that you are safe and loved."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

 

Joy

A gorgeous autumn evening for a country wedding,

and hubby's perfectly timed capture of the moment

we saved ourselves from toppling over backward on a giant tree swing.

'If you let each day offer moments of awe,

it's easier to wake up with anticipatory excitement.

See everything as a gift and open your eyes to 

the wonder all around.'

Journal notes:

'...those who seek the Lord 

shall not lack any good thing.'

Psalm 34:10

Show up for life and participate to the best

of your ability.

Be love...

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The entire point of life is to

be so wildly passionate that people

can't decide if you're crazy

or a genius."

 

It's My Life

Mindfulness. Worry. Faith. Control. Trust. Fear. 

 Open. Protection. Determination. Defeat.

Willingness. Stubborn. Doubt. Belief. Teachable.

Discipline. Disorder. Struggle. Ease. Discomfort. Rise. Fall.

Pride. Humility.

Be clear on the issues your called to adopt & embrace.

Have your footing in a solid place.

It's easy to adopt others causes & be led astray.

It'll sweep you up and and take you away.

Don't get swept up in the momentum of someone else's real.

Walk you own path, and take the time to heal.

~me~

Journal:

Where you are is where you need to be.

Start where you are and accept that.

Even if I could see the whole future ahead of me,

I would not understand it anyway.

Many things are beyond my comprehension.

It's simply hard enough to understand myself.

I've wasted a lot of time trying to figure out someone else.

Looking back makes it a little easier to understand.

I didn't trust in who I was.

I had be repurposed.

Sovereignty has been my pop-up word lately.

I even wrote it several times to correct my spelling.

(*flashback to grade school)

'A supreme ruler.

Possessing supreme or ultimate power.'

So...why did I  struggle for so long putting

my faith in anything but God?

I know my answer.

It's complicated.

Truth is I learned how to survive.

Surviving is cool...

but, I want to thrive.

Do not obsess about what you could have done differently.

It can't be different from what has already occurred. 

There is only one place to make a new beginning,

and that is NOW.

I refuse to worry about the future, and find

the resources for today quite sufficient.

He is my Source, sovereign over all resources,

and NOTHING is impossible with Him.

"Hold yourself accountable & you will open to the changes

God desires to make in your life for your good."

~Charles Stanley~

"We're all broken. We don't need more varnish-

we need a Carpenter."

~Bob Goff~

'There is a Spirit inside of you that is primal.

Let it flow-and reach for what fills your soul.

Listen to your intuition, it is the voice of your soul.

Release any feelings of guilt and judgement.

Allow your soul to speak it's truth.

Be open to your inner truth, and allow Spirit to be your guide.

Set your primal nature free!

It's your life!

be well..

xoxo

💝

"Remember that being healthy is much more

than exercise and eating right.

It's also about being around good people, 

having uplifting habits,

letting go of attachments,

embracing gratitude,

and maintaining your growth."

~Yung Pueblo~

"I don't know who needs to hear this

but if you're trying to heal,

you have to develop better boundaries with

your intake information.

The news, doom-scrolling social media,

drama with your family or friends all will

dysregulate your nervous system,

raise inflammation and stress hormones.

Boundaries are medicine.

JOMO (joy of missing out)

is medicine."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Self-thoughts

I was in the middle of learning a Tai Chi step....(solo...with observers)

 when the music randomly switched from meditative to 

 a 60's pop song, and I broke out into a dance.

My instructor got tickled, then went to change the music.

 She giggled for the remainder of our session.

Hubby took a pause from work to join me at the library to view the winning photos

they chose to hang.

Four of them were mine.

I was sitting on the stoop earlier, my nose felt a lil' drippy....

so I grabbed a tissue from my basket.

 I unfolded it, and nestled inside was a lady bug.

I remembered a time when I was back home hiking at the falls.

My sister-in-law had just passed.

A girl came up to me and said there was a lady bug

on my shirt.

 She let it climb onto her finger, then held it in front of me & told me to make a wish.

I did.

 And then it flew off.

So I made a wish this morning, and then it flew off.

Life truly is a reflection of what we believe.

What if we believe that it is working for us, not against us?

What if we let go of what we think we need,

and think about all that we already have?

What if we believe in the good?

What if we believe that we can ?

 

 I was sitting on the stoop with my coffee, and the journal on my lap.

Revisiting my notes from this morning.

 A tiny, yellow, maple leaf came out of nowhere and landed right where I

was reading.

It rested on a message about thoughts.

My journal notes on thoughts:

There is a battle going on for control of your mind.

The world exerts a downward pull on our thoughts.

God's spirit fills our mind with life and peace.

Our day-to-day perseverance in dependence on Him

keeps us from despair.

He blesses us in ways unique to our needs,

and His design of us.

Guard your thoughts diligently.

Good thoughts keep you close to Him.

Fixing your thoughts on Him will be an ongoing struggle.

Poor sleep, health or nutrition, lack of fresh air,

exercise, worries of the world, and excessive busyness

all affect your ability to think.

It is possible to exert control over your thinking.

Don't let you thoughts run freely. 

Be self-controlled and alert.

Be present.

He didn't save us to let us flounder in uncertainty and

negative thoughts.

He doesn't leave us alone to plot our own course

to spiritual maturity.

He teaches us in the way we learn best.

He never gives up on you.

He won't stop transforming you-

so don't give up on yourself.

Talk to God about your struggles, make your thoughts a

conversation with Him. He's all ears.

His motives are never shadowy or manipulative.

His motive is always love.

He is the best healer, counselor, and friend.

His motive is always unconditional Love

Persevere in making good thought choices and enjoy

His refreshing Presence.

He gives you life itself.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results;

bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results..."

"A person is limited only by the thoughts he chooses."

~James Allen~

"Every cell in your body is

eavesdropping on your thoughts.

Think stress, create stress hormones.

Think calm, create healing compounds.

Your mind is a powerful pharmacy."

~Mark Hyman, M.D.~

 

Self-reflection

When I sat to reflect on the last few years,

I expected it to look a bit like waking up after a severe storm.

 Broken and destroyed.

Or in my imagination....,

I turn back to see the little walking-wounded- versions of me,

left in the wake of

 emotional upsets,

 negative habits, and obstacles I released along the way.

I'd see darkness, gloom, burnt earth,

and listless remains.

Instead, in the aftermath of it all...

 I discover light and life.

I see birds on the feeders and flowers that traveled through time.

 Gardens that have transitioned and grown more colorful and beautiful.

Old quilts (stained with ink blots, coffee spills, and smudgy paw prints), and throw pillows on the wicker loveseat.

The little things that were there when I started on my spiritual journey,

and that have become sources of comfort and joy along the way.

 

So I look back...

....and mostly,

I am awed by the beauty.

I see grace, peace, 

comfort, warmth and love.

I see forgiveness, healing, and renewal.

I see little pieces of the essence of me.

I see God.

Journal notes...

"It's OK to lean into the grace that reminds

you things will come together in the way they were supposed to."

'You are free to forgive and you are also free to heal.

You are worthy of love no matter how anyone else has made you feel.'

'When you feel the pull of the past, and feel helpless trying to calm

the storms on your own,

remember to do the best you can do knowing & trusting

it's not all up to you.'

Work against the patterns that hold you back, and that hurt.

Be submissive to God.

It is God's responsibility to remove what stands in the way,

not yours.

'It's OK to cast down your burdens &

believe in healing.

It is all a part of being grounded right where you need to be.

All by grace, it is still being written in the way it was meant to be.'

Trust God with your life regardless of what you see.

Take time to seek His wisdom through His word.

Be willing to wait for His answer.

Put off falsehood & speak truthfully.

"Be rather than seem."

Let authenticity be your guide and travel companion.

If the next step is clear, then the one thing to do is take it.

'Let the real version of you show up, & you will experience a new

take on your life.

It might feel like a stretch, but it's worth it.

Your worth it !!'

You can benefit from a crisis by gaining greater self-awareness.

It forces you to stop and take a good look at your life.

Re-evaluate your beliefs, goals, values & life direction.

Let go of the things that hold you back.

Shift your attitude.

Connect with your inner greatness, contentment,

and true sense of happiness. 

 Enjoy your life, and no longer be run by it.

Focus on what you're doing right &

on all that is good around you.

"...to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy

for mourning, the garment of praise for 

the spirit of heaviness...."

Isaiah 61:13

Don't give up on Love.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Negative self-talk produces physiological stress

in the body and raises cortisol,

among other things.

So not only can we feel happier and mentally lighter

when we retrain the brain towards love and acceptance,

we are creating better whole-body health at the same time."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~