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."

 

Start from scratch....

...with God every day

and then be careful what you add 

after that.

notes...

it's too pretty to finish up and go home,

so hubby's moving some hay and

 I'm going to chill out in my little nook in the tack room.

 A nice breeze is blowing through the open doors,

  the sound of the Johnson grass swaying back and forth is so soothing.

It's so peaceful. I love being out on the farm

 simply enjoying

nature for a while.

an open heart comes from providing

the kindness, care, support, and attention

that only you were designed to give yourself

own who you really are

feel the breeze against your skin

noticing life's beauty

and just be inspired by life

this is the time to come alive

fierce determination can bring many

wonderful things into your life

you have the power to be the change 

you want to see

there's a difference in what you can't do

& what you won't do

align your behavior with your values

energy and time 

are limited and precious

use them wisely

narrow down your focus 

on what's truly matters most to you

it does you no good to focus on your

deficiencies

it's wasted contemplation

you'll know your trusting God

when you walk around thankful 

for everything

if you're still alive

God has a plan for you

and His plans blow yours away

accepting yourself and your

idiosyncrasies gets you further 

than picking on yourself

trying to be perfect

sometimes flaws and imperfections

determine your uniqueness

the way it does in art

let your life become a great work of art

create a life that is truly yours

from the inside out

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;

making the complicated simple,

awesomely simple,

that's creativity."

"Sometimes you've go 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

"Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you're passionate about something,

then you're more willing to take risks."

~Yo-Yo Ma

"Negativity is the enemy of creativity."

Give away...

...love 

like you're made of it.

Do things that last.

notes...

Blondie came without her side-kick...

it was nice to have some quality time

with the old girl...

then her pesty little brother showed...

for his heap of love too..

 reciprocating it with signature slobbers. 

 

experience the joy of being loved

constantly & perfectly

~Jesus

learn how to fall in love

again

challenges draw something out of you

that easiness could never ignite

prayer is like a powerline 

that plugs you into the source

stay connected

turn the volume down 

on your doubts

stay focused on (love) your purpose

it's a process 

with all it's ups and downs

that will ultimately get you there

what really matters is the right state of mind

abundance is something to be

not seek or await

in this moment 

you have plenty

the way you think

can multiply your blessings

or shrink them

as relentlessly as you may try

you cannot think one thing (lack)

and experience something else

thinking about what you do not want

can never bring you what you want

"For as he thinks in his heart,

so is he."

~Proverbs 23:7

what you receive will be the result

of what you believe

be well...

xoxo

💖

"My love language is when people's 

words line up with their actions."

~unknown

"Be the reason someone feels welcome,

seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported."

~unknown

"Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you."

~Proverbs 4:25

 

Develop the ability...

...to zoom in 

and out of your life.

Zoom in on your life & be aware of 

the thoughts that take up

space and why.

Understand yourself.

Zoom out & think what God says

about taking care of you

no matter what.

Look at the bigger picture

of what He is doing.

notes...

I stepped outside before light,

and met two little coons in the backyard.

So stinking cute.

Going to start trying on some dresses today.

October will be here in a blink.

Love includes everyone 

and everything

look at things with a fresh perspective

the quality of your life depends 

a lot on perspective you bring to 

each experience

reduce input from outside sources

your mind reflects what you feed it

"The secret to life is meaningless,

unless you discover it yourself."

there is no shortcut 

in developing faith

stop trying to force

direction

Let yourself move forward

let yourself be moved forward

the meaningful stuff happens 

when you invest yourself

in your passions

and the people around you

keep your mind as well as your mouth

preoccupied with what's beautiful

 

don't think too hard about things

shake up your routine

care for yourself

your doing the best you can

and you are enough

exactly as you are

enjoy this life

everything doesn't have to be

exactly right

be well...

xoxo

💝

"We find only the world we are looking for."

~Thoreau

"Some people could be given an entire field of roses

and only see the thorns in it.

Others could be given a single weed and only 

see the wildflower in it.

Perception is a key component to gratitude.

And gratitude is a key component to joy."

 

Every life...

...'needs a little space.

It leaves room for the good things

to enter it.'

notes...

Today, I'm amazed at how everything 

seams to find it's own order.

open your hands and your heart to receive

this day as a precious gift

the best way to dazzle God

is to go be you

you don't have to pretend to be

a certain way to get the acceptance

& security you need

cultivate a committed mind

be teachable

listen carefully

fix your thoughts on what's true & honorable,

& right, & pure, & lovely, &admirable.

( Philippians 4:8)

resist outside clutter

trust where the flow is going

let go and allow the old skin to shed

'there is a place that you are to fill,

something you are to do,

which no one else can do.'

come to terms with the natural order 

of life itself

be gracious with yourself

listen to what your body needs

be well...

xoxo

💞

"For the great doesn't happen through

impulse alone,

and is a succession of little things

that are brought together."

~Vincent van Gogh~

"Get outside for a walk or any other

outdoor activity for at least 20 minutes.

This will melt away 90% of your 

mental anguish."

~Dr. James O'Keefe~

"If you struggle mentally & physically

but rarely find time for exercise-

that's your biggest problem."

~Dr. James O'Keefe~

 

Wake up...

...and seize the day.

You can make today whatever

you want it to be.

notes...

I was getting ready to mow the yard this morning.

The forecast said "rainy days ahead".

Plot twist.

I grabbed my camera and headed to the zoo instead.

The yard could wait.

There was time for both.

follow the steps as they appear

you will be shown the way

there is a time to wait 

and a time to act

let go of old beliefs and messages

that drive you into the crazies

give yourself permission to be who you are

and do it the way you do it

express yourself in your own unique way

practice bringing harmony into your life

inspiration isn't about 

what you're gathering together

and putting out

inspiration is about what you're

taking in

breathe deep

 and take in the world around you

open yourself up to it all

be well

xoxo

💝

"It is said that not all who wander are lost,

which has always struck me as not

getting the most out of wandering."

"Every day spent happily striving toward

some elusive goal

is to achieve the real goal,

which is to spend our days happily."

Today's to do list....

....sit in the grass with my coffee & journal

Ride my bike on the lake trails,

 & capture a moment or two

along the way.

Breathe deep. Move.

Feed my soul.

notes...

LOVE it ! What a gorgeous day!!

I'm taking my bike out.

...she was rowing by and I asked her if I could

take her picture. 

She said I could. 

It makes me smile.

I got everything loaded to leave the trail.

Grabbed my phone, water, and camera.

Shut the hatch back.

Locked myself out.

(keys in backpack with bike)

Had the code on my phone,

but no glasses to see it..

couldn't expand it...

so I zoomed in with my camera.

More rain coming....

💞

practice being spontaneous

there's no such thing as

what you "should"  be doing

do something fun

life is a gift

claim it

live it

love just being

have fun

be happy

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The trick is to enjoy your life.

Don't waste away your days,

waiting for better ones ahead."

"You owe yourself one hour a day for self-

maintenance,

It can include reading, writing, yoga, exercise,

dancing, meditation, painting, or whatever,

but you owe it to yourself.

One hour, 1/24 of your day.

That is less than 5%.

It matters, it really does.

Make it count."

 

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~

 

Then one day....

...you see the reason you 

didn't get what you wanted,

(a very hot brown thrasher finally got in the shade)

(hubs in the rearview...and the magic of I-dunno-what-happened)

was because God had something much

better planned for you.

notes...

let your thoughts and spoken words

be flavored with thankfulness and trust

pay attention

notice

listen

take it in

let it be

somethings we are just meant to take in

for now

and that alone is enough

make the most out of every opportunity

your perception can be changed

the moment you choose to change it

you are the author of your own life

bust yourself in your own lies

Create the kind of life you love

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The trick is to live your happiness

with joyful daily awareness.,

not just recognize it years later

as a wistful memory."

"Reality is merely an illusion,

albeit a very persistent one."

~Albert Einstein~

"Your not supposed to win or lose arguments.

You're supposed to reach a mutual understanding

and agreement. Otherwise, you both lose."