Another freaking growth....

....opportunity.

AFGO

Those often 'frustrating, recurring, life challenges

or relationship hurdle that forces you to 

grow whether you want to or not.'

'Failing to grow into new horizons can blind you

to the beauty of life's adventures.

You become like a plant that's outgrown it's container.'

notes...

agitated, frustrated, intolerant, anxious

and weepy.

I can usually guess what's coming next.

AFGO

Tired, yes. Too much caffeine...probably...

uncomfortable and edgy...yep. 

Classic symptoms.

Tempted to eat a whole bag of Dove Chocolates

and then wash them down with a 1/2 gallon of vanilla Blue Bell 

ice-cream?

 Yep.

(side note...didn't go quite that far...)

It all fits.

It's a process I've repeated 

times a zillion.

Hate it ? yes!

Grateful ? again....yes, with reluctance.

Until I give it time...let it come up, and wait for 

the tsunami to hit, linger, and linger....

until it cleanses whatever it is...

(which I usually am aware of what it is....the "thing")

until it follows it's natural process....

I'm stuck in the precursor of the emerging "thing."

Once it's over....

and it is over...

(*Hallelujah!!)

there's a certain peace, (exhaustion) relief, and humility.

I feel it all today.

~

renew your mind with the objective truth

of the Bible

"Spirit's thoughts on paper"

there is no division between logic & spiritual

when all is said and done

it makes perfect sense

things come alive

you see something new

you will have more understanding

look for principles 

principles are timeless truths

like the laws of nature

you will know when it is meant for you

Spirit will lift something out of the context for you

read a little every day

be encouraged to ask for wisdom

instead of direction

'He who trusts in his own heart is a fool

but he who walks wisely will be delivered.'

Prov. 28:26

(principle)

the soul is healed through union with God

His words are the fuel that keeps you 

functioning properly

no matter how much you think you know

always be willing to take another step of growth

growth is a process

and sometimes it is painful

if you allow it 

it will stretch you so much further 

once you determine not to let 

your current situation define or constrain you

humility is key

"ask, seek and knock"

Let go

Listen to your heart & quiet the ego

Love can create a path to understanding

in those moments

trust builds and love grows deeper

be well...

xoxo

💞

"The true challenge we face is to look at ourselves and the world honestly.

To see what wounds there are, so we can help heal them.

Not to flinch. Not to spend our life wrapped in denial and trying to avoid pain.

Not to avoid the feelings. 

'...the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant

by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly

and gently.'

Healing means living in the raw."

 

You don't always....

....have to do stuff. Or achieve stuff.

'You don't have to spend your free time productively.

You don't have to be doing Tai Chi and DIY and bread-making.

Sometimes you can just be and feel things and 

get through, and eat chips and

that is more than enough.'

notes...

 a gorgeous morning

first hoodie of the season

repairmen here early to fix a few things...

my kiddo is sick...

a special person who was a part of my life growing up

stopped breathing yesterday

off ventilation tonight

infection

there is a loss on my Dad's side 

too young

ALS

I have a bad tape running in my head...

it's not God.

My body is stressed, anxious.

I make it worse by resisting

time to be present

His voice finds it's way through my muddled thoughts

I need to walk

~

it is vital that you stay present

keeping God central in your thoughts

can discern order & design in a

seemingly chaotic world

what you do with the hard times

is your choice

if you hold a negative thought in your mind 

then your body is powered by that belief

in the midst of grief, transition, transformation, learning,

 healing, or discipline

it's difficult to have perspective

let love, light and hope guide your steps

give yourself some grace

be well...

xoxo

💕

God, let our hard times be healing times.

May we be held in your comfort and peace.

Amen

 

The bad news is....

 ...you can't change your past.

The good news is that you can have a new beginning.

notes...

'born again means to be born anew

to have a new beginning 

a spiritual nature

He created you because He desired to love you

and receive your love in return

unbelievers can't understand

logically and reasonably the lost

person is thinking right

minds have been blinded

human reasoning and logic don't work

the clean-up work is done

by the Holy Spirit

whoever looks and believes

some things you consider

this 

you have to decide'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"It is amazing what God can do to a troubled heart

in a short period of time

when a person understands the meaning 

of 'meditation upon the Lord'"

~Charles Stanley~

'It doesn't matter who you are, where you're  from,

or what you've done- 

God want's a relationship with you!'

Prayer...

"Jesus, I've tried to do things on my own for too long,

and I know it doesn't work.

I need something deeper.

So, today, I give my life to You.

I believe that You died on the cross for my sins

and rose from the dead to give me eternal life.

Thank you for your love, forgiveness, and this new beginning.

I know I will never abandon me! I am so excited to 

be a part of Your incredible family.

Amen."

Open the floodgates...

....of you heart and pour out a blessing

of love in your own life.

'See how outrageously rich you are

in the gifts of the Spirit'

notes....

Still dark...one after another sirens & lights

driving by

I pray

a grasshopper is jumping on me

I feel like an emotional clot was removed

I feel good

meeting with a friend/spiritual mentor in a bit

working hard to focus on what's good

as I have worked in the past to focus on the painful

& difficult

~

Love is the victor in every case

simply give in and let God's Love

be a constant current flowing through

as your life

choose to respond in a loving manner

& stop playing the blame game

enter into the stream of love

& watch how you are carried

stop reserving some of life today

to live for tomorrow

all the love your heart can hold

is already within you

begging to be released

be aware of what is going on around you

& be considerate of the people your

trying to love

see the needs

help them

simply notice what makes others beautiful

take it in

this is your day to make some changes

in some ways good changes are more frightening

than the hard times

things change

your circumstances change

you begin to explore uncharted territory

one day at a time

the good begins to happen

and misery dissipates

you no longer want to be a victim of life

life gets good

you learn to avoid unnecessary crisis

and trauma

"Only connect! That was her whole sermon...

live in fragments no longer."

we are not fragmented 

we are whole

it takes time to remember

but it's true

be well...

xoxo

💞

"I help you find your way to My Love 

which always focuses on the needs of others.

You are going to misunderstand someone or

read the room wrong...

but if you make it your highest value to be more

vigilant to the hopes,

needs, and desires of the people around you,

you will live a richer, more engaged & inspiring life."

~Jesus~

"People are not as beautiful as they look or talk.

They are only as beautiful as they love,

as they care, as they share."

"As you get older, you begin to understand more and more

that life is not about what you look like

or what you own.

It's about the person you have become."

"There is never enough  of that which

doesn't satisfy."

 

It's okay....

...to learn from other people,

but when you start to emulate them,

you lose the unique way God created you.

Don't let anything hinder your growth and transformation.

Keep pushing ahead 

because there is more inside you than what you are

right now.

notes....

church group & 

friends who pray together

morning appt. at the new (cute) dermatologist, who after an exam gives me an A 

and jokes that I'm boring...in the best way

Little House on the Prairie playing in the lobby

& Albert with a calf

leaves blowing in the breeze

a moment of pause near the pond

a shade tree to lean on

a place I revisit to be still and find peace

among the swans ducks and geese

~

listen to everyone with new ears

be on the lookout for something unexpected

do everything you can to have unshakable faith

surround yourself with people who know more

than you do

identify what continues to hurt you

allow God to shine the light on things

you'd prefer to leave in the dark

what you watch shapes you

you become like the people you watch and

a little less like yourself

it limits your ability to do things the best you can do

a day will come when you take a breath

and see through your own disguise

this recognition frees you from the shackles of

ignorance, lack, limitation, fear, doubt and worry

if your not growing

your dying

listen to the call of your heart

prayer will open your eyes so you can see 

who you really are

enabling you to see areas where you

need to change

 to be fully alive

and on the path of healing and wholeness

take time for pauses

it's when you rest that the growth happens

your story isn't even close to being over

remind yourself of this truth

everyday

 for the rest of your life

as it all comes together

you will be able to look back & see your journey

& be grateful for all of it

good

bad and ugly

because it took all that to get you where

you where meant to be

growth is a natural process

make sure your head and your heart stay 

connected 

be well...

xoxo

💞

"I know your situation, sacrifices, regrets, shame,

loneliness and pain.

I realize how hard you try, and I proclaim that what

you do out of love for Me is important.

So do not despair. 

Do not give up.

You matter profoundly to Me.

Get up, trust Me and keep going."

~Jesus~

"Travel light-

love will never weigh you down."

 

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~

 

Anxiety is....

...a faith battle.

notes:

Our emotions are a gift from God and they carry a lot

of influence in our life.

we control them

or they control us

survey #1

anxiety is the most prominent emotion

distracted

pulled apart

what is anxiety

a feeling of dread, apprehension and uncertainty

God is not the source of anxiety

be willing to face up and deal with it

many people are physically sick from

their emotions

it is the way they think

and the way they respond to the way they think

all anxiety is a reaction to some circumstance

anxiety is against scripture

it doesn't fit who we are

if we truly believe

negative side effects:

divides your mind/distraction

slows productivity

effects your personal relationships

leads to unwise decisions

steals your joy and peace

wastes time and energy/you can't do your best

God does not want us to live in anxiety

we could all work up a nervous break-down in 

30 minutes if we wanted to

here's the plan

bring it to God and tell Him about

lay it out

or

it will keep taking it's toll on your life

have a spirit of thanksgiving

thankful for Him

God love's you unconditionally

He wants to help you

and He can

He wants the best for you

He will protect you

 you give it to Him with one hand

and yank it back with the other....

give it to Him

He wants to take it

why is that complicated?

He can handle whatever our anxiety is

let Him have it

trust Him

take your hands off

how long you keep it is the key....

as you think

the health of your body will follow

the light turns on

the smile comes back

be well...

xoxo

💝

 

Echoes of a story....

...that started long before you were born.

"We were already born into a story that was 

already mid-chapter."

'Sort through the luggage and decide what is worth

keeping and what needs to be left.'

"It starts when you look at the heaviness in your spirit

& say 'This isn't mine to carry anymore'."

'Walk forward with your hands empty & your heart open

to whatever is actually yours.'

You're no longer a passive passenger in your own life.

You stand alone against the tide.

You stand up as the protector you always needed.

The story takes a different turn, the pen is in your hand.

Your harsh inner critic begins to soften.

Stop blaming yourself for how you were shaped.

'Moving forward requires you to look at the gaps

without letting them swallow you.'

'You are not what happened to you,

you are what you choose to become.'

Your spirit needs specific things to thrive

You have a heart with it's own set of instructions.

Take up the space that was always yours.

'By taking care of yourself,

you are actually becoming a more

grounded present person for 

the people you love.'

You have more energy for the people 

and things that actually matter.

You have to be okay disappointing people.

You are finally home.

notes to self...

be willing to let go of familiar comforts

so you can say a wholehearted "Yes"

to life

don't waste your energy projecting yourself

into the future - trying to walk through

those "not-yet" moments in your mind

you have unlimited resources,

and a vast army of angels at

your beck and call to provide

what you need

pray as you make decisions

what is driving you?

reject discouragement

there is a benefit in the challenge

settling for the ordinary when 

extraordinary is right around the corner

doesn't get you anywhere

identify what is keeping you back

pray for the guts & grit to do something

about it

be well...

xoxo

💞

"To let no one ever know of your vulnerabilities

is to let no one ever know of your courage."

"You pray for a miracle--

for divine intervention--

until one day it finally hits you--

that you are the tool by which God intervenes,

that your prayer for a miracle

was answered on the day you were born."

"One thing that we probably have in common with the ancients

is that they didn't know they were living in biblical times, either."

 

You have two options: ...

'forgive the offender completely

or refuse to let go,

believing they owe you something

to make up for what they've done.

notes....

slept well, woke up early,

felt off...maybe tired? It was a "thing".

first read of the day...

"When you don't forgive, a barrier of bitterness

grows & obstructs My Love from entering in."

~Jesus~

&

every message that followed 

 stayed on topic

 when I finally wrapped up my morning

time out

I had clarity about the "thing"

and a butterfly flew past

landing beside the hummingbird

in the garden

~

if you harbor resentment 

your hurting yourself without reason

forgive those who've hurt you

it is crucial

for you to live freely

have an accurate view

of all you've been forgiven

so you can understand others

don't remain captive to your hostility

any longer

when you harbor bitterness toward others

it will affect you profoundly

and time does not heal those injuries

the poison of an unforgiving spirit

can damage the entire person if left unhealed

(emotionally, spiritually relationally, and even physically)

you are not injuring them with your bitterness

you're only hurting yourself

the only cure when resentment has taken root

is forgiveness

nothing else does the job of genuine

healing

you have been shown an enormous amount of grace

don't carry a grudge

'be yourself 

and let others be themselves-

because that's the starting point of God's love.'

now is the time

where you are is the place

and who you are is deserving

choose forgiveness

let go of your hurt

when you can't

Jesus can

'whatever you have been through,

whether heavenly or horrific,

it will serve a meaningful purpose in your life

if you allow it to.'

they are all stepping stones to a higher place

if you open up and allow them to be

sometimes your perceptions have to change to give

you a fresh perspective of your circumstances

don't get stuck in your past

don't allow painful memories

to keep you from what you were 

created to do

you are valued and loved

steer away from negative behavior...

you're better than that!

forgive yourself

embrace who you are

influence someone in a beautiful way

~

because it's fun...

butterfly...

freedom

playful grace

living fully in the moment

renewal

breaking free from old habits

hummingbird...

savoring life's small pleasures

staying grounded and fully

engaged in the present

and finding nourishment in everyday

moments

be well...

xoxo

💓

"The beauty of forgiveness is that it requires only a forgiving party.

it does not require a party worthy of forgiveness."

"To forgive the forgivable is merely justice,

an accommodation of a reasonable mind.

To forgive the unforgiveable is true forgiveness,

an accommodation of a merciful heart."

"Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ

God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:32

"Bear with each other and forgive one another 

if any of you have a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13

 

God doesn't give us...

'a detailed map to follow;

He gives us people to go with.

Ang

It doesn't matter which direction we go,

because God is more concerned with

who we become along the way

than where we go with our lives.'

notes....

beautiful morning

we packed up our coffee and journals 

and headed straight to the beach

the people around you

 are the ones that will shape you

they remind you who you are

& what's most important 

when you get off track

spend time together

what goes on in your heart is just as important

as what goes on in your head

embrace what you don't quite get

let them know what you're wondering about

let them know you have questions and doubts

by hiding your pain you also

hide your ability to heal

you are going to mess up;

that's just the way it is

always has been 

and will always be

don't be too hard on yourself

contentment comes from accepting gratefully

the good that comes to you

when you beat yourself up

it eventually affects the people around you

don't let mess ups keep you from fully

showing up today

somehow the wrong turns always turn out all right

no matter where you end up,

you'll be better off when you have a 

friend you can travel with

welcome healing

release expectations 

 embrace the blessings 

welcome newness

and possibility with open arms

you will see every day how Jesus' 

message of love really is

be well...

xoxo

💖

"A key element in the art of  communication

is the perfectly-worded glance."

"You can be your own best friend,

but happiness really begins when you 

become your own second-best friend."

"Maybe your not the best person

you can be,

but you have the best shot at it."