What matters most....

....is not found in the destination 

but revealed in the issues that you

have to resolve along the way.

notes...

coffee with my stepdad on the porch

 bridging 1300 miles by phone 

letting go of some rigidity in my morning routine 

complimenting each other's sage,

color matched outfits with the orthopedic surgeon

another injection for trigger finger

blue skies and white fluffy clouds

more wedding plans and a gracious VRBO host

focus clears away dead space and clutter 

captures details

& highlights what you want to remember 

focus minimizes distractions 

keeps you from being preoccupied &

from overlooking important facts 

focus protects your goals & dreams 

from slipping away in segments of compromise 

 'focus is the antenna that prayer helps to

keep raised & alert '

let everything come to you in the moment it

is meant to be 

even the most routine part of your day 

can be spiritual 

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Faith is the application of what one believes - the process of putting feet to our beliefs & living in light of it....in practical terms."

"Nothing is so often irretrievably missed as daily opportunity."

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

 

Are you trying...

...to create a rich life

'from a dollar-store investment in yourself?'

notes...

The gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore...

 fish jump from the surface & return with a splash

 a circle of ripples slowly fade from view

A lazy breeze 

the Blue Heron squawking on the opposite shore

following it's foot prints along the shallow waters

to a small gift resting in the sand

Blue Heron (*sign)

patience, self-reliance, inner wisdom,

and connection to divine timing.

~

wait calmly for the right moment

stand alone and trust your own unique path

deep self-reflection & inner wisdom to handle life changes

adaptability & smooth transitions through uncertain times

~

be willing to invest in your dreams

you can't give the least amount of effort

& expect to find your way to your destiny

study hard

take time to learn all you can

develop a well-roundedness

in you that will expand

your possibilities

you have a life & a calling to experience

& no one else can make your dreams 

come true

if you don't invest in you

you'll find that no one else will either

God will send people out of nowhere

to support you

and encourage you

determine to believe in yourself

even if no one else believes in you

or sees what's inside you...

you do

popular or unpopular

appreciated or not

hold onto your dream 

and don't let go

commit to the unfolding of your life

conduct a constant re-defining

session with yourself

moment-by-moment

with God

be tenacious

prepare for success!

be well...

xoxo

💗

"If you are holding too tight to something,

loosen your grasp.

It is hard to let go when our minds and hearts

want to hold on.

Sometimes the only thing to do is release

that grasp,

which masquerades as the control we've already

lost.

Breathe. Accept.

Be ready for what is supposed to enter your life.

Let go.

Make room for the new things you want to enter 

your life.

When they appear, you'll understand why letting go

was the thing to do."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

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~

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

 

Identify where...

...you want to grow or change

then start dreaming about

possibilities for getting there.

one of my favorite daily "do's" #10minutewalk

notes...

this week I'm taking my own advice

 and drinking more water

(1/2 body weight in ounces)

dinking out of a 32 oz. mason jar full in the fridge

has made it easier to keep track

 avg. 120 oz. a day

 noticing my energy level perking up

so is the house

day #3

the birdfeeders are on the ground every morning

guessing a coon 

setting the livetrap tonight

dream beyond where you are

what could you do with an extra hour today?

when you choose to be present

there is room for learning, growth,

healing and restoration

begin where you are

and make the right choices for you

what can you do to make your life better?

where are you leaking your 

energy and your time?

you won't be distracted by comparison

if you're captivated by purpose

most everything will fade into the background

if you are going to step into a new thing

you are going to have to do things

a little differently

blaze some new trails

'change is easier & offers more options

than you think'

"there are over 293 ways to make

change for a dollar"

quit limiting the way you think

about enacting change in any

area of your life

try new creative ways of

walking towards the changes you want to see

A healthy body produces energy

a healthy mind produces joy

joy does not depend on the outer conditions

of your life

'cut back on joy-reducing thoughts

increase  joy-producing thoughts'

change your mental diet

nourish and hydrate your soul

now is always a good time to start

you will learn as you go

you will find your way

take a step

the choices you make today 

will impact your future

be well...

xoxo

💓

"Your energy reflects your mitochondria.

Your mood follows your gut.

Your focus follows your blood sugar.

Your skin mirrors your liver.

Your sleep follows your nervous system.

Your body keeps an honest

record of how you live."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"Gratitude rewires your brain.

It enhances brain regions linked

to self-control and emotional

regulation, helping you bounce

back from stress & adversity.

Feeling thankful literally changes

how your brain responds to life."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

 

There is no plan B...

...for your life.

You're still in plan A.

notes...

"God's dream for your life is bigger than your dream.

The biggest barrier to your dream is the past.

It's never to late to get back on track.

God has not shelved your dream.

You can prepare and dream for the future.

God's truth is truth, even if we don't like to hear it.

All of us fall short of God's dream for our life.

Honestly accept responsibility for your dumb choices.

Blame- B Lame

You lie to yourself more than anyone else.

Pain now, pleasure later?

Or

Pleasure now,  pain later?

Your going to recover.

Bring good out of bad.

Don't waste your pain.

Help others.

Redeem it.

Your mistakes are part of God's plan.

God can unscramble an egg.

God's original plan for your life 

is still in full force.

It is never too late...

You cannot expect to receive 

what your unwilling to give.

Courageously face the future with faith."

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

Continuously live...

...your dream

no matter what stage of life your in.

You're still allowed to dream.

notes...

faith, hope and love all

work together to shield you 

as you journey through this world

you're not waiting on God

He's waiting on you

self-control is a necessary 

discipline in meditation

control your mind

when you are shown the truth

write it down

don't give your past

too much power

you don't need to let who you used to be

decide who you're going to be

overcome your judgments 

move forward in grace

the fight with yesterday is over

even if you don't realize it yet

it isn't that yesterday didn't happen

it just doesn't matter anymore

'focus on the positives

instead of the list of negatives

you've collected'

take a new approach 

to what you're doing

stop wasting time & energy trying to 

change and control that

which you cannot change and control

focus on what's possible

do stuff 

just because it's fun

go do your thing

when you're so lost in what your doing

that you lose all sense of time

you have entered your flow

get in there as much as possible

make doing the things you love

a priority

there are endless ways of doing things

and seeing things

inspiration doesn't always have to 

come to you

you can create it

nature is the ultimate source 

of inspiration

'love yourself

unless you have a better idea'

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Your not too old,

and it's not too late."

"Where shall I find my happiness today--

in my memories, in my dreams,

in my appreciation of the moment?

The last one would be a novel idea."

"Believe in yourself

and you'll be unstoppable."

 

In your simplicity...

...dwells your power.

'Silence means rest, rest of body and mind

in which you become available for 

Him whose heart is greater than yours.'

Give up control over your actions and thoughts,

allowing something creative to happen

not by you but to you.

Silence is that moment in which you not only 

stop the discussion with others

but also the inner discussions with yourself,

in which you can breathe in freely

and accept your identity as a gift.

It is in this silence that the Spirit of God

can pray in you and continue His 

creative work in you....

Without silence the Spirit will die in you

and the creative energy of your life will float 

away and leave you alone, cold, and tired.

Without silence you will lose your center and

become the victim of the many who demand

your attention.'

( from  a Henry Nouwen reading)

some notes:

there is no randomness about your life

walk in the here and now

every moment is alive

ground yourself in truth and prayer

be still 

set aside a time for listening

blocking out distractions

reconnect with your soul

find the still-quiet place within you

a dream is planted there

discover what you want to do in this life

faithfully pursue it with integrity and hope

without this time

your soul becomes malnourished

set priorities 

and do the most important things first

stand in awe of the life around you

be merciful

learn to trust yourself

take care of yourself

simple awe is not complex

not expensive

sunrises & sunsets are free

live so much in awe of what's going on 

around you,

there's no time to live in judgement

of others around you

resist the distraction of comparison 

& criticism

be calm and quiet by yourself

fully awake & following with

close attention every move 

going on inside of you

seijaku (Japanese)

tranquility, serenity or active calmness

profound inner stillness and peace

maintaining a steady focused mind

a quality of quiet, even when noise is present

stay home with yourself

there's no shame in not having the answers

healing feels like finally finding a friend that understands

it might taste like the morning air that reminds you

of your freedom to breathe

when the mind gets quiet

something beautiful happens

you are most beautiful on the inside.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"In the end it's probably less important that you believe in God

than that there's a God who believes in you."

"I understand now that the vulnerability I've 

always felt is the greatest strength a 

person can have.

You can't experience life without feeling life.

What I've learned is that being vulnerable to 

somebody you love is not a weakness,

it is strength."

~Elisabeth Shue~

Take action...

...to move toward the vision of life you 

desire.

You get to decide the way it will go.

"Your vision will become clear

only when you look in your own

heart"

~Carl Yung~

Notes to self,

Appreciate and non-compete.

'the shoe that fits one person

pinches another'

you are complete

remove debris and clutter from your heart

it is impossible to have a need

God cannot meet

miracles of transformation happen every

day

'a mystery-ridden life is still filled with light

and it's OK to have days where you are

still learning what that looks like.'

relief, release, and change are possible

when you simply accept

taking the wrong path is not dangerous

pouring all your will into serving that path

is

stop investing in what has lost it's meaning

a thought is not forever

if you don't like it

release and change

accept who you are

trust the magic that acceptance brings

be well...

xoxo

💝

"If the art of the magician to to distract attention

from what's really happening,

then what is life but the ultimate

magic trick?"

"Never mind searching for who you are.

Search for the person you aspire to be."

"May this be the season of courageous pursuit:

to fully enjoy the present moment

right in front of you,

no longer restrained by heavy mind

and things to do,

choosing to believe with bold faith

today is worth a long and loving look."

 

Little Shifts

'....the light of each day will only last so long,

and we get to experience that unique day

one time.'

warmth, open, closed, snow... all on a Sunday.

Slow down. Journey through this day

with intention.

you have this day, and you can choose

what to make of it.

Notes to self:

'God's will for your life in three words:

Surrender. And obey.'

Relax. Be still.

Don't take your life so seriously.

Identify where you want to grow &

start dreaming of possibilities.

Sit back and let your thoughts roam.

Create a collage of beautiful memories.

The light ahead of you may be limited,

but it's for a purpose.

Let go of control.

Let life surprise you.

"It's so easy to look around and see what's wrong.

It takes practice to see what's right."

Choose to be intentional.

'Far better to focus on what will pull you forward

than try to focus on what won't push you back.'

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Silence isn't empty.

It's full of answers."

"Somewhere amidst life's endless array 

of distractions lies it's purpose,

distinguished as one of them."

"Whatever your trying to prove,

it's good occasionally

to spend a day not trying to prove it."

 

Honestly...

...as your thinking goes,

so goes your entire being.

Brandon, nature, lunch, and friends.

Yup! I took a nose dive this week. 

Self-doubt, mainly, but it grew into

a big-hairy-monster in need of an exorcism.

God provided exactly what I needed.

Some pre-exorcism journal notes & quotes. 

(the cleaner version of some come to Jesus moments)

Me: "....then bam. Down I went. I tried to lift, but nope.

The weight wouldn't let up."

Ha! 'Respond to hostility with love.'

Blew that!! I don't think the F bomb is very loving.

"What the heck is this anyway?"

"I'm tired. This sucks!"

J: "Your racing mind makes it hard to hear My whisper."

Me: "Father I've lost hope. I've lost the anchor for my soul."

Cue...*Blue Jay's piercing tones*

look it up:

'encourages authenticity & speaking ones truth. Take time for some 

areas of your life. Be brave.

Fight for ones rights.

'Blue Jay's loud piercing tones keeps away misfortune.

Guardian in the spirit realm.

It shows up when you're in a dilemma.

New change.

Coming of age...

Protection, understanding & spiritual direction.'

*(followed by Psalm 34:18)

'He is close to the broken hearted & saves those who are

crushed in spirit.'

*(followed by a tantum of sorts. Not pretty.)

J: " It is crucial that you realize deeply 

that your worth & value do NOT depend

on anyone else.

You have to claim your own inner truth."

Me: "I get that. My heart is closed today.

I'm p--sed off!

I need You. I am not open to You today.

Very little.

Thanks for the Jay.

It makes sense....but I don't know what else to do.

So I'll do nothing.

I want to be angry. I want to hate this.

I want to be authentic today.

This is me being authentically F---ed up!

Thank you for your provisions...

& for loving me anyway.

 xo

Amen"

Thankful that my kiddo stayed a couple nights while he was here for work.

I tried to push it down while he was here...

but Nope. That weight wanted to go.

He was a great support while I sat with my spinning head.

be well...

xoxo

💝

....when something feels impossible, it may take some time

to find your way.

' ...I hope you know the taste of hope on an ordinary

Thursday,

when you don't feel okay,

and you rise up anyway.

Listen for the high pitch song of the blue-bird,

the sound of rain.

Listen for any little reminders of Life,

feel it call you by your name.'

"It takes great love and courage to excavate buried dreams."

"Where there is great love there are always miracles."

"...not to be a 'would-be-if-I-could-be

or a could-be-if-I-would-be.' Just be."

'....while I have learned that dreams need doing as much

as they need being, I have learned that

being always comes first.'

Brandon, 

I have always felt the need to have my act together, and

be at my best. Be..."the perfect Mom."

Thank you for allowing me to unravel at the seams...

and helping to free me from the unrealistic

expectations that I put on myself.

Thank you for showing up.

And allowing me to go through my ugly, weak, scrappy moments...

and to show nothing but love and understanding through it.

You help me to see the humor in the worst of times.

You remind me of who I am, and refresh faded dreams.

You lift me.

Then you take me out to go have some fun.

Thank you for showing me what real love does best.

Thank you for teaching me to embrace life.

You are all of the best parts of your Dad and me.

I am so proud of who you are and what you stand for.

I love you so much.

xoxo

Mom💖

Inner Voice

....a year ago I was not painfully aware

 of how every choice I made...

could either keep me spinning...

or help to set me free.

A year ago I didn't believe, that the quality of my life

 was only, truly, up to me.

"When we break up with a few of the distractions that

have been drowning everything out,

we create a beautiful, quiet spot 

where God can meet us once again.

Find that place."

Journal notes...

Deny the strongholds of fear & control.

When you have what you need spiritually,

all else falls into place.

Be honest about where you are.

Stay focused & develop a plan.

'Fight for the right to be happy,

and fight will emerge from your soul.'

Break free from oppression and victimization.

'Big decisions seem scary.

If you know the answer but can't seem to jump,

harness your bravery to jump with confidence.'

Trust your intuition.

He reveals what is important for you to know.

In His Presence you receive what you need.

You won't know what's waiting on the other side of a decision

until you move forward.

Be brave and know that everything will be okay.

He will sift out everything without a solid foundation

so that only unshakable things will be left.

Hebrews 12:27

People grow where they are loved...

be well...

xoxo

💝

" Intuition is a spiritual faculty, and does not explain,

but simply points the way."

"Going after what you want is an opportunity to 

honor your soul and take action toward fulfillment.

If you have a desire in your heart, you have the choice to 

do what it takes to make it happen.

When you decide to go after a dream,

be prepared for the work it takes to make it come true.

It will all be worth it in the end.

Welcome the hard work it takes for you life to change."

I wanted something new for breakfast this morning....

So I made a Pumpkin Smoothie...

1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned 

I frozen banana

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 scoop Vanilla protein powder

(My #1 Ancient Nutrition)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mixed it in my Ninja...( a blender works too).

You can sweeten with honey or maple syrup if needed.

Try it first. I tried both with and without. I like it better without.

Protein powder makes it creamy, plus I need the added

protein.

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, potassium, and 

antioxidants, and is nutrient dense. Yes please....!