You are whole...

...complete & beautiful,

just as you are.

Believe this.

Pretend if you have to.

Your subconscious mind 

believes everything you tell it.

Every word.

Be careful what you say.

Like yourself for who you are.

Radiate that.

notes...

I woke up happy this morning.

Positive.

Hopeful.

Back on track...whatever that looks like?

you feel that inner tug

returning you to your true center

what needs to come

will always come

don't buy the lies

develop a keen sensitivity to the 

promptings of your spirit

you were created perfectly

to be you

don't get wrapped up in your

 fears & insecurities

that keep you from

seeing what you're made for

& tell you you can't

before you even start to try

take the time and energy you

pour into worry

and put it toward your passions

uncover new ways of experiencing

those things that matter to you most

the mind that has pulled you to the worst of things

is the same mind that is capable of remembering

the better things

even when you cannot discern

 the terrain before you

take the next step

now is still the time 

to go forth with an open heart

growth leads to joy

stagnation does not

enjoy the gift of being alive

 being fully human

being who you are

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The only real beauty is self acceptance."

~Megan Fox

"Some people are going to reject you 

simply because you shine too bright for them.

That's okay.

Keep shining."

"You deserve to be loved without having

to hide parts of yourself you think

are unlovable."

 

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

 

When you notice tension....

....rigidity, frustration

or feeling short-tempered

slow down to a more natural flow.

notes...

this morning it's A. dark

B. cool

C. raining

from time to time a little breeze blows through

and a distant roll of thunder 

the Mockingbird is singing for  

the Wrenn, Robin & Cardinal.

Sitting here wrapped up on the porch

 in my favorite blanket

 from my favorite shop

back home...

sipping from my favorite coffee mug

 from Harney & Sons back home...

having an

 awe-good-morning-God-moment

and I am lovin' it!!

if you want there to be less stress, anxiety,

depression and tension in the world

start with yourself

you need stillness

outer and inner

hear the gentle whispers in your heart

find a place where the noise of the world is minimal

be still

let go

relax

'spiritual adventures are decorated

as the comings and goings of

everyday life'

celebrate each moment with everything to welcome

and nothing to prove

deepen your awareness 

practice thankfulness

....with all of your heart

and soul

and mind

lay aside all bitterness and defense

step away from the mental clutter

if the path you took overpromised

and underdelivered

then get back to the dream

you started out with

there are always second chances

find the things that light you up

make plans to do them

celebrate this beautiful life God has given you

learn to relax and follow the steps

as they appear

if you don't rest 

your body will eventually put it's foot down

"Stress is a leading cause of cancer,

heart-attacks, liver failure,

stupid accidents, grouchiness

& suddenly not being able to breathe."

if you're feeling overwhelmed

notice any unnecessary tasks

that steal your time

take care of your mind

choose what you pay attention to

take care of your inner world

allow time for activities and stillness

that make you feel good

feeling rushed robs you of experiencing 

the moment

'making time to do things that inspire you

should be a priority...

what's the point of living

without them?'

take time to really enjoy what matters

and let go of the rest

you learn your beliefs

why not master beautiful ones?

often appreciating your life

is the only

change needed

worry less 

laugh more

know what matters

enjoy your precious life while your

still in possession of it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Prioritize peace. If it  nurtures, calms,

and revitalizes you,

make time for it.

If it stresses, distresses,

or depresses you,

reconsider it."

"Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once,

but rather, one step, one breath,

one moment at a time.

I am only one person.

Things will get done when we get done."

 

If you can't run away...

...'to a cabin in the woods right now,

start small.

Make a cup of tea and find a sunset

to watch.'

Turn off your phone go for a drive and blast some

great music, read a book in the back yard.

Fight for moments of peace

in the midst of the crazy.

You can do that.

notes...

Hubby's got a stress test

up early to hit the road

coffee to go

love it when it's still dark

it's cooled down outside

pretty morning

nice breeze

what you do with your love 

is where you are in your faith

if you think you don't have time to 

bless someone

consider how consuming 

worry can be

learning to shift from worry to blessings

just takes practice

send blessings to your loved ones

to strangers

to enemies

to animals

to the planet

to you

Throw up an insta-prayer

and then just wait

use your energy to believe

create

love &

grow

taking control of your mind

can be the key to finding

peace in other parts of your 

life

your emotions are a by-product of 

the way you think

the spiral is real

"...according to researchers,

the vast majority of the illnesses

that plague us today

are a direct result of a

toxic thought life"

thoughts are just habits

see them for what they are

what you believe and 

what you think about matters

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Do what you can, when you can,

with as much love and honesty as you can,

and when you can't, rest."

"Life is all about balance.

You don't always need to be getting

stuff done.

Sometimes it's perfectly okay,

and absolutely necessary,

to shut down, kick back,

and do nothing."

"Our life is frittered away by detail.

Simplify, simplify."

~Thoreau 

 

Value what is true...

 ...and right

simply because it is true,

not only because it happens

to feel true.

notes....

it feels so good to have an unrushed morning

there's a lovely Wrenn song on the porch

 the chimes are gently blowing in a refreshing breeze

& hubby's checking the rain gauge from last nights light shower

I love getting away

I love coming home & catching up 

and I love those moments when it all settles down again

into a more natural rhythm

some parts of the day are for stillness & listening

others for sowing

make room for both

find your own rhythm

anything is worth doing if it's done

with love

and nothing is worth doing if

it comes at love's cost

hold your priorities up to love's

test

throw yourself into anything 

that passes

when you feel inadequate to serve God

remember that what He expects from you

is different from what you think

fact-check your beliefs against God's word

you don't have to have your daily steps

figured out

every second of the day

be attentive

He will show you His will

He teaches you how to do so

He will redirect you if you make

a wrong turn

do not fear going forward

No matter how badly you mess up

He will take the broken pieces of your

life and glue them back together

with His unconditional Love

if you never push through your discomfort

you will never find the understanding

& wisdom that awaits you on the other side

discomfort is a gift

it brings a  deeper meaning to life

growth occurs after a difficulty

you become polished through pressure

not ease

focus on one thing at a time

focus on what you enjoy about what you do

& the spaces in between the doing

instead of feeling weighed down by it all

decide that you live a sweet life

there's the rushed pace of the human-made world

&

 there's the natural world that invites you to be still

take the invitation

"Now these three remain;

faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love."

1Corinth 13:13

what you do with your love is 

what you did with your life

trust that the timing of everything

will come together in the 

way it is meant to

be well...

xoxo

💞

"It's what we know that ain't true

that causes us so much trouble."

"Balance isn't fitting everything in.

It's starting with what's important

and letting the rest fall as it will."

"Mental health is sooo important.

If you  need a day, take a day.

Find something to relax you.

Bubble bath, nature, writing,

painting, etc.

Just do it."

Organically grown....

...established by decision,

nurtured with right thoughts

and time released.

Fiercely tested,...

 but fully developed

it cannot be taken away.

#Joy.

notes....

deciding last minute

on a whim,

high water levels

and sun filtered through trees

a blanket thrown on the rock

pups with zoomies and sticks

their human swimming

and belting out along

with Cody Jinks tunes

&

 moments when simply showing up 

is enough

show up for yourself & for the people

God brings your way

with love & intention

the stories you tell yourself

about the unknows

are always worse than the future

that unfolds

your circumstances teach you

how to sit and let things be

the longer you sit there

the more you notice

everything that went unnoticed

practice peace in your daily life

remain present in your moments

and keep breathing

if you believe that God has great plans

for you and your future

it changes things

big time

joy is not a distant destination

it's a path you choose to travel each day

joy must be deliberately cultivated

your example speaks louder 

than your words

living with joy is your birthright

lasting solutions are surprisingly simple

joy is within you

it must be released

show up day in and day out

without judging how it's going

if it's going at all

that's enough

remember:

this is your one shot at life

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Remember, being happy doesn't mean you have it all.

It simply means you're thankful for all you have."

~Unknown

"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 the soul."

"In the end, people will judge

you anyway.

So don't live your life impressing others.

Live your life impressing yourself."

 

While he...

mows the yard before dinner,

I grab my camera and retreat to the porch

where I capture some little slices of moments to keep.

notes...

everything works out in it's own time

each day is a blessing

and it's up to you

to make it lovely

what happens to you in life

is not nearly as important 

as the choices you make

you make your choices

and your choices make you

the rest of your life

can become the best of your life

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When things change inside you,

things change around you."

" A lot of things broke my heart

but fixed my vision."

~unknown~

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

but we can choose how we dance to it."

~unknown~

 

Whatever you...

...spend time looking for

you will find it.

Looking for discouragement and cynicism?

You will find it.

Looking for hope and joy?

You will find that too.

notes...

...arriving home this evening. Shifting gears.

Up at 2 to take hubby in the morning.

connect at a deep level

refuse to worry about anything

switch from problem to presence

stop striving

watch in hope

surrender control

press on

don't let anything or anyone get you off task

you know you are chasing down the right things

with your time because those things

will be both lasting and loving

don't get distracted

don't mistake quantity for quality

believe things will come together

all by grace

for the better

for the good

break up with stress

celebrate your life unfolding before you

there is more than one happy path

you get to choose your way forward

be methodical and intentional

tune out what isn't true

find out what you need to be your best

and get it

only you understand what it takes for you

to be your best

accept the situation

center yourself in God

set priorities

don't believe the people who tell you 

there's no hope

hope is everywhere

surround yourself with positive voices

who speak words of truth

exhibit the highest level of faith

you can endure no matter what happens

never underestimate the power of a small step

notice where you are

notice what it feels like

pause

breathe

it's a gift

one day you will see the struggle

was beautiful and necessary for your growth.

All is well.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Life is full of lessons and there

is great beauty in imperfection."

"Happiness is not something ready-made.

It comes from your own actions."

"Be sure where your feet are."

"I know that there is nothing better for people

than to be happy and to do good while they live."

Ecclesiastes 3:12

 

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."