What if...

...we could make the most of the detours

we didn't plan on,

and discover what there is to see and 

explore along the way?

What if we braved the long way

with our mind set on learning,

adjusting, and opening our hearts

to fall deeper in love with life?'

What if we hit the pause button and resist

the urge to fix something or someone

letting the good and bad grow together

trusting God to sort it out when the time is right?

What if it gets us where we want to go

because it gets us to where God want's us to be,

no matter how inconvenient &

 even if we didn't think we wanted to be there?

notes...

...the purpling sky at dusk 

the warmth of a friend's understanding

the laughter from a child as he splashes in the lake

a flock of geese swimming to shore then taking

flight so close I can feel them as I stand with my feet 

in the water...

a refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort 

out what's important and what's not

have a steadfast heart

do not worry about your life

(Matthew 6:25)

while it's fun to imagine yourself differently

don't get trapped in a life

thinking you need to be different

remove your focus away from the complexities 

of your own broken heart

toward Jesus

embrace His unconditional love

God doesn't want us to be a better version of us

He wants us to be a more accurate reflection of Him

don't miss your prayer and meditation time

get your mind clear

you don't have to be captive to bad experiences

if you're not flexible enough to change 

what's in your head

you can't change your life

change your mind

or you won't change anything else

allow a new truth to be planted in your mind

the sooner you develop a clear mindset

the more efficiently you will use your time

appreciate the value of time

by focusing on what's 

in front of you

not by lamenting what is behind you

the years zoom by

time is your most valuable resource

it can not be reproduced or replicated

learn to guard it and hold it precious

live on purpose 

make conscious choices

there is no going back

live in the present today

God is in the subtle nuances

be well....

xoxo

💞

"The peace of God is tranquility and quietness

of the soul.

it is the assurance that,

no matter what is going on around us,

everything is secure."

~Dr. Charles Stanley~

"Did you know your thoughts,

habits movement, sleep, and nutrition

can all help you rewire your brain

through a process called neuroplasticity?

Small choices, repeated daily,

can have a profound impact on your

mental health and your life."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"The butterfly counts not months but

moments, and has time enough."

 

The fastest way...

...to build self-worth is to be impressed

with yourself.

To do things that make you respect

 you.

So that when you go to bed at night

you can say

"I'm proud of my day."

When you let yourself down

it whittles away at your self-worth.

Don't let yourself down.

You're not trying to get away from "suck"

your trying to move towards "awesome."

notes....

went to the clinic to hang on the bar 

in the corral

hubby's been timing me

I go once a day

& hang twice

today I hit a minute

my first time

(to be cont...)

the discouraging scribbles of your life 

can become a masterpiece

(...with God)

refuse to dwell on past ugly mistakes

or unfair criticism

put these things behind you

and keep your eye on what is up ahead

indulging in negative thinking and hurtful

thoughts affect your relationships

and may have a depressive effect on you

contentment comes from inner growth

unproductive habits will

hinder your growth

celebrate your attempts to

give love

and spread hope

your story is still being written

don't let failures define you anymore

don't let who you were decide 

who you'll be

what still haunts you?

things change

life changes

you change

your life cannot remain static

in order to get where God wants you to be

you can't stay where you are

be observant for subtle changes and signs

carve a new path

if the road you're on

gets cut short

the hardest thing to do 

is trust and believe in God

when in transition

let go of your desire to change and control

what you cannot know

change

or control

constantly calibrate yourself and let 

go of who you were

to embrace who you're becoming

determine to be open to where

you are being led

and be willing to take responsibility

take care of yourself

life is hard but you don't have to make it 

more difficult by neglecting yourself

there is no glory in suffering

just suffering

the solution rests with you

be well...

xoxo

💞

"You cannot change tomorrow by changing

yesterday,

that is what today is for."

"There are times you just have to look in the mirror

and say,

'I will if you will.' "

"Confession: I hate small talk. It gives me anxiety.

But if you want to get honest and vulnerable and weird

for a little bit I am totally down for it."

 

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

 

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~

 

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."

You will...

...get on in this world when

you get up and look for 

the circumstances you want.

...a little something from Price

If you can't find them, create them.

If you have the gift of today, 

you've got another another chance to 

make your life as perfect as it is possible

to do with what you have.

"Bloom where you're planted."

'Today, you get another chance to get it as

right as you can make it.'

notes...

I am usually back home in N.Y this time 

of year. 

I missed being with Dad for Father's day.

My devotionals all themed around "Letting go of attachment"

this morning, 

and I felt the pang.

It's chilly so I opened all the windows

and put my hoodie on.

Tai Chi was changed to Wednesday this week.

The house looks like a bomb went off...

I accept the fact that I do need a pantry.

(alias...emergency tornado shelter as mentioned yesterday).

 I will affectionately clean this mess up

and declare it as my "seasonal pantry workout".

cultivate faithfulness

over worry

it requires strenuous effort

on your part

your security is not anything

you could possess

your spiritual well-being is

far more important

than anything material

check your thinking

perspective matters

see how things work out

God always points you

to a better version 

of yourself

foster relationships with

positive people

love attracts love

there is hope for a beautiful future

if you want it

you gain clarity in the challenges

by understanding the overarching

storyline of your life

who you are is more important

than what you've done

let go of distractions

both past & present

let go of grasping for outcome

remember that everything you have

is a gift from above

including each breath you breathe

fill your life with

focus on the true plot

that will link everything together

*love*

be well...

xoxo

💖

"For fruit to grow, the soil needs to be fertile

and water plentiful.

During the growth and ripening season,

we pull weeds that hinder growth.

Roots grow deeper as the plant grows

to support the weight of the fruit.

In our own lives,

we can also pull weeds to allow beautiful

things to ripen.

Unless growth is the focal point,

we can easily become sidetracked by things

that keep us from reaching our potential.

By staying focused,

we become more grounded and in our purpose."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

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."