Life is full....

....of different roads.

Detours and dead ends make up a lot of this journey

we call life.

Stop for a spontaneous photo shoot, or grab a coffee

at the tiny coffee shop on the corner.

road trip with Capt. America & my nephew ...

Enjoy the route.

Don't be so worried about the destination,

that you lose sight of what is around you.

Pause. Breathe. Focus.

Take in the moment, experience the joy,

happiness & adventure.

note...

it's cold this morning,

the chickadee (gram) is all puffed out sitting on the feeder.

Cozy in my sweats...staying in today.

Listening to the howl of the wind, and the cat skidding across the floor

with the zoomies.

A fresh cup of hot tea in hand

and a hefty C.S Lewis book resting on my lap...

appreciating the slow today...

~

often it is the little things that get us to the big things

tune out the world around you and tune into your heart

remember the world of wonders

good things have been planned

trust in the rightness & the timing

you have no option other than to take

responsibility for your own happiness

happiness has to be cultivated from the inside out

live a happy life

~

"It is God who does everything. 

We at most, allow it to be done to us."

~ C.S. Lewis~

 

Rather than focus....

....on the external.

Focus on the value of your time

and what you 

want in your life.

Bluebird: happiness, hope, renewal, & spiritual connection.

notes....

very early start to take hubby in for a c-scan
hard to be still and focus when time is rushed
but then again....
that's the point and the practice
journaling in the waiting room....
a prayer break and scripture over the intercom
everyone looked up from their phone and honored the pause
it was sweet
~


find moments of peace amid the chaos

inhale
exhale
& be who you are
even when everything seems loud & rushed
around you

learn ways to nourish yourself

accept what makes you 
you

be present with where you are right now

take a moment to be grateful
breathe

know what moves you

say "no" to what is wrong for you

speak up about what matters to you
let things matter to you

pay attention to the small
as much as to the great

seek out room to breathe in daily life

make decisions that support your physical
psychological
and spiritual well-being

you create your life every day

be well...
xoxo
💞


'Do not be conformed to this world
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.'
Romans 12:2

"Experience one beautiful thing a day.
However small. However trivial.
Read a poem. Play a favorite song.
Laugh with a friend.
 Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night.
Watch a classic movie.
Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever.
Just give yourself one simple reminder
that the world is full of wonders.
Even if we are at a point in life where we can't appreciate things,
it sometimes helps to remember there are things 
in this world to enjoy, when we're ready."

 

In order to heal...

....the body 

one must first heal the soul.

notes...

early morning journaling with a friend

coffee and biscotti

grandma in the birdbath

(*chickadee)

and a visit to the Amish market

~

when you tend to the spark within you

it can become a flame

you have a primal need to make something

out of nothing

bring forth the creation within you

each day is an important part of the journey

you may feel like you're going nowhere

in this world,

your spiritual journey is another matter

realize the restorative power of rhythm,

routine, rest, recreation and ritual

make time for yourself

space is a silent force

the soul honors it

be willing to rest 

for a mental break &

create greater inner nourishment

your life drifts...return

your heart moves away....return

your mind wanders....return

returning is a lifelong struggle

breathe

feel

be aware

look for the things that speak to you

and foster optimism

go with

not against your nature

your purpose is to reach your 

greatest potential

be the most high functioning

joyful version that you can be

life is meant to be fully lived

approach it with full involvement

practice being more mindful

patient

conscious

focused

kind

thoughtful

&

loving

be well...

xoxo

💖

"A recent study found that having

just one meaningful conversation with a 

friend each day can boost happiness,

lower stress and reduce feelings of loneliness."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"Remember that being healthy is much more

than exercise and eating right.

It is about being around good people,

having uplifting habits,

letting go of attachments,

embracing gratitude, 

and maintaining your growth."

~Yung Pueblo~

"Many people who are seriously ill have 

been treated successfully by being placed 

outdoors in sunlight and fresh air for hours

at a time. 

Similarly, you need substantial amounts

of time soaking in the light of My Presence so I

can heal your deep wounds."

~Jesus~

 

Day by day...

...God's peace is found in the spaces in-between.

In the pause. In the quiet. In the stillness.

'Slow down to notice the spaces where 

peace naturally flourishes.

It is a gift of grace.'

sandpiper: living in-between spaces, adaptability & flow,
persistence & purpose, vigilance & mindfulness

notes...

the blank pages of a new journal 

a big sneeze from the drop-off line at school

that echoes over startling the cat

trees swaying in the breeze

a pause to walk along the waters edge

a small blue heron feather floating on the shoreline

& the sandpiper leading the way

accept each day exactly as it comes to you

the journey is just as purposeful

as what you accomplish when you get

where you want to be

pause to take a look around

take time to savor special

even ordinary moments

see how much more you glean from them

when you are fully present

allow your heart to be wooed into thanksgiving

and praise for what has been given you

gratitude generates enthusiasm

there is a plan for your life

& it unfolds slowly

let go of your need to figure things out

to feel in control

allow things to happen

enjoy the moments of your life

even the bumpy moments

respect time as a valuable commodity

you have been told that all things shall work out

for your good 

put simple trust in that truth

events will unfold as they should

be well

xoxo

💞

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."

~Rumi~

"When enough of God's people are overflowing

 with the life of Jesus Christ,

this crazy, mixed-up, sad, searching, hungering,

thirsting, yearning, violent world of ours

is going to say, 'I want that. I want what you have.'"

~Charles Stanley~

"You don't find peace. 

You choose it, by what you ignore,

by what you release, by what you stop giving energy to."

~Bruce Lee~

 

She allowed ...

...her life to be purged

so that she could live in a manner

that reflected who she truly was.

Blossoming into the fullest expression of her best self.

She didn't want to merely survive,

she wanted to thrive.

notes...

begin each day with joyful expectation

get clear on what kind of life

will make you truly happy

be honest

meditate on God's word

one of the best things you can do

to improve the world

is to improve you

believe beyond what you can see

learn to pause

breathe

be

see the miracles happening all around you

where you put your attention

there is your power

turn your thoughts to

happier things & enjoy 

what is good and pleasant 

around you

don't miss what life is

meant to be

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Don't settle for nice, for pleasant, for familiar.

Keep looking until you find something that really

moves you,

that resonates with your core.

And I mean this for people,

interests, for hobbies,

for your possessions, clothes, music,

books, art.

Everything.

Curate every aspect of your life,

as much as you can.

It's in the things that deeply inspire us

that we find ourselves.

Surround yourself with truth,

and you'll have built yourself 

a heaven."

~unknown~

 

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.'

Release the hold...

...that discontent may have on you.

Make a habit of noticing the little things

 that you're thankful for,

and your mind will begin to look for such things.

The more you practice,

the easier it is to see the good in each day.

When things aren't how you'd like them to be,

shift your focus to acknowledge what is going right,

and what you are grateful for.

notes...

I may not be very good at sitting 

to meditate at long lengths and 

allowing thoughts to flow by...

or not getting caught up in them and

sometimes starting to spiral...

but give me a camera, a garden & a bird,

I forget I even have a head.

it's a beautiful unfolding 

as your gifts open doors for you

determine where you're going to be all in

dream big

don't let the world stifle your imagination

there are endless ways to enjoy life

if you open your heart and your eyes

"God is not  limited by the rules you make up.

He doesn't want you to be either."

be wise and generous 

with what you've been given

 do the best that you are able

wherever you are 

be mindful of your actions

& whether they will improve or worsen 

your situation

remember that your health is more important 

than trying to prove your point

pause

give yourself a time-out

'the gift doesn't shine

if the giver is extinguished'

as best you can 

handle situations with wisdom

and grace

think healing thoughts

feel your feelings

learn from them

then release them

pray

Love is greater than fear

pursue the unique calling you are given

what lights you up?

what are you good at?

what is lasting

 important, 

 meaningful

and purposeful?

what has worked in the past?

what have you bounced back from?

these point to your calling

get clear on your current calling

release the things you've grown out of

welcome new connections

& new opportunities God brings your way

your gifts are the many ways in 

which you express who you are

friendship

kindness

patience

joy

peace

forgiveness

gentleness

love

hope

trust

and many others.....

be vigilant in your faith

life is about learning &

loving &

growing into your best self

not seeing how much

torture you can endure

you don't need special powers

you just need to make good use out of

what you already have

discipline your mind to center on productive thoughts

positive memories

winning moments

small wins

God

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Where shall I find my happiness today...

in my memories, in my dreams,

in my appreciation of the moment?

That last one would be a novel idea."

"It is a sad lament--

the happiness you might have found if

you had taken the road that still lies

right there in front of you."

 

When you argue...

...your limitations

you get to keep them.

Change the way you communicate with yourself.

What you say today will create your experience

tomorrow depending on your focus.

notes...

 thoughts starting to go sideways...

  course correct

prayer breaks the chain

refocus...

barefoot in the grass

 cool breeze, an audience of birds, moving to the beat

fully receptive...

returning to the natural flow of things

savor the pleasures

you don't have to choose between staying close to God

& staying the course

He is the course

concentrate on and enjoy the present

stay in step with Him

He will show you little ways to 

clear out the chaos and lead a more

peaceful life

Help is available every nanosecond of your journey

be patient

it doesn't happen all at once

you continue to learn as you go

you need to persevere 

where is your heart today?

get real and honest with where

you really are

not where you wish you were

you can turn your worries into 

something positive

view worries as triggers

that switch your focus

to trusting God in them

things are not always comfortable or convenient 

don't be unkind to yourself

the words you speak to yourself can wreak havoc

they have the power to encourage or discourage

motivate or deflate

generate joy or repel it

stop beating yourself up

right now

sabotaging thoughts are in stiff opposition

to who God wants you to be

discipline your mind

the words you speak reflect your inner beliefs

& reinforce them

if you can't say something positive

silence is the best substitute

it's one thing for others to fill you with junk

it's worse when you choose to feed toxicity to yourself

learn to take good care of your mind, body, heart and soul

nurture the relationship you have

with you

take your focus away from the things that cause you

to feel pain, stress, fear and unhappiness

onto things that make your heart sing

things that make you happy

practice practice practice

"Sometimes reality is terribly unrealistic."

you are dearly loved

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Character cannot be developed in ease & quiet.

Only through experience of trial and suffering

can the soul be strengthened,

vision cleared, ambitions inspired

and success achieved."

~Hellen Keller

"Character develops itself in the full

stream of life."

~Goethe

 

You fail to see...

...the most obvious things.

Miracles can happen before 

your very eyes,

yet you see only mundane occurrences

or - at best - coincidences.

notes...

I moved the table

spread the quilt on the ground

placed my books and mug down

placed me down

and had time to capture the moment

before it flew off

I feel like I received a green light today

and I am a little giddy-swirly-weird-feeling about it

I know one hell of a sign

when I see one.

He speaks to you continually 

through sights

sounds

thoughts

impressions

scripture

there is no limit to the variety of ways

He can communicate with you

your part is to be attentive

to the messages

whatever form they come in

"You will seek Me and find Me..."

"Mankind has long since been plagued 

with eyes that do not see what is 

most important."

~Jesus Lives

have a teachable attitude

your openness to His teaching

has wonderful results

He is the teacher of teachers

'no matter how intimidating your next leap

forward seems at the moment

it will be a pipsqueak

when you look back on it someday'

your greatest fears are

your greatest waste of time

face your fears with the truth

that they are all in your mind

and they will lose their power

over you

break it down so you can really

look at it and diffuse it

'fear is all about how you choose to look at things

so change your perspective on it

and let the fear of NOT

doing the thing you're scared of

fuel your quest'

what consumes your thoughts?

what holds the utmost place of

prominence in your life?

your answer will say a great deal

about what is truly important to you

the frustrations and discouragement you face

often have more to do with what you are pursuing

than anything else

misplaced priorities will rob you of peace

energy

and joy

in this tumultuous world 

God is the anchor that keeps

you steady

freedom comes from the truth

but the truth is not always easy to speak

or even live

put on kindness

and humility &

let love lead the way

keep your faith simple- because it is

Don't try to make it easy- because it's not

'He made you the way you are

so you could bring your flavor or love

& creativity into the world,

and your expression of love will look

a little different from everyone else's.

That's not a bad thing.

That's a great thing.'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You deserve your own love &

affection."

~Buddha

"There is a basket of fresh bread on your head,

yet you go door to door asking for crusts."

~Rumi

Life is always...

...full of wonderful surprises

if we're open to them.

Some mornings you wake up

not knowing what will happen

during the day....

and you get a helping hand, 

a trip invite from friends,

 and an arbor in the

yard.

notes...

each moment is like a seed

that carries within itself

the possibility of 

becoming a moment of change

you no longer need to 

run away from the present 

time in search of the place

where you think life is really

happening

focus on your living hope

feed your mind with high-quality

ideas & limitless possibilities

you are writing your own life story

with each subtle thought you think

right thinking is a choice you have to make 

for yourself

be intentional and persistent

improvement is preceded

by improved thinking

see the perfection of who you are

even with your faults

accept yourself relentlessly

there's beauty waiting for you to discover

build a beautiful day

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Life moves pretty fast.

If you don't stop and look around

once in a while,

you could miss it."

~Ferris Bueller's Day Off

"Dwell on the beauty in life."

~Marcus Aurelius

 

Most of the time...

...we just don't know

the whole story.

Give God some room to write

in the margins of the story

you came up with.

notes...

We had 3 inches at the end of the day...

almost 4 by this morning.

Sitting on the stoop listening to 

the Wrenn singing,

Otis howling in the distance

and two cats growling at each other.

Polly is right here.

Hubby asked if I wanted an Arbor for our 

Anniversary.

"Steel is the eleventh anniversary gift." he says.

Umm...Yes!!

What a great idea!

The brush pile transformed itself into a garden

& covered up with morning glories

and a few Zinnias too.

I'm easily mesmerized by the droplets on everything.

The cats are growling again...

this time it's Polly.

..."but those who plan what is good

find love and faithfulness."

(Prov. 14:22)

challenge your disempowering 

stories

you have to believe it's possible to 

change a crappy story

then take action

jump in 

go deep

there will be setbacks and difficulties too

but don't let that keep you in the shallow 

end of your life

sometimes you just need to look a little longer

and a little harder

when setbacks come

treat them as a learning experience

setbacks are the path to 

your future

refuse to waiver in your faith

continue on in 

wholehearted faith

your dream makes the potential

struggle worth it

actions show that your faith is real

communicate love in 

every way possible

be well...

xoxo

💖

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

but we can choose how we dance to it."

"We can always choose to perceive things differently.

We can focus on what's wrong in our life,

or we can focus on what's right."