Cultivating a sense...

...of wonder can bring you back to your joy

& cut through distractions.

notes..

Poppy popping, Brandon here for work,

Gary pausing to swing,

rain on and off, 

and capturing moments in between.

look & listen mode

there is power in showing up

solitude is being alone with God

silence is listening to Him

believe from moment to moment

80% of your thoughts are devoid of any power

to help you

 but actively work against you

think more cheerful thoughts

the voice you believe will determine

the future you experience

find your happy place

to improve your life

a simple picture, song, text, or 

conversation can lift your 

perspective and keep 

you moving forward in faith

you don't have to reinvent your life overnight-

just make some steps toward your destination

passion is the muse of

authenticity

passion is a part of 

real life's package

may you be present and aware

throughout the day

this is where you learn to grow

to love

to trust

this is life

let life in

nothing is ordinary

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you're going to overcome the thoughts

that hold you back,

first you have to give up the hope that

they'll ever go away."

"What makes accepting reality so hard

is that our perception of reality keeps changing,

while our delusions stick to their story."

"We find our imagination the means to overcome

most obstacles,

a good thing because that's where

we find most obstacles."

"Since we cannot change reality,

let us change the eyes

which see reality."

 

Feed your mind...

...full of images, things

and experiences you want in your story.

Be picky about listening to the stories that you

or others have been telling over your life

that just aren't true.

You'll know if it's God telling the story

because it will always be one filled

with hope, possibility, peace and love.

notes...

the stories you tell yourself

shape you

breathe in hope 

breathe out your life

spend your days looking for virtue

look for virtue in others

not ridicule

keep it positive

stay engaged

push back against the chaos

with love

it isn't about positive thinking

it's about being  positive about your purpose

plant your feet on solid ground

worry is a debilitating state of mind

take time to listen for the ever-present

voice gently guiding you

you are more powerful

than you give yourself 

credit for

everything you've been through

prepared you for where you're headed

your life is a beautiful tapestry

of triumph

you are capable of great things

Quiet your soul

listen to your spirit

wait for guidance

give yourself the benefit of

the doubt

look over your past and remember

God's faithfulness

look at your future 

and trust Him now

the scars are only there to remind you 

that you're human

the power to unleash you

is your faith

you have nothing to lose 

and everything to gain

you have got to get a handle on your thoughts

if you want to change your life

clear out the chatter in your brain

create a clean uncluttered space

to impress the thought of what 

you want

believe

do what you can to make some upgrades

to where you are now

be well...

xoxo

💗

"As a general rule, your life story is more interesting

the longer you can postpone 

the living happily ever after."

"Somewhere amid life's endless distractions

lies it's purpose,

each of us deciding for ourselves

which distraction it is."

"...it is when the desire to go forward 

is greater than the memories of pain

that a person has the power

to create again."

"Sometimes what we think we want

isn't what we need-

and the pursuit of it causes us

resistance and anxiety.

When you find yourself in the midst of this

type of confusion,

take some time to center yourself and find

your intuition:

your deep inner well of wisdom.

Surrender to what is meant to be

and let go of whatever you are holding

on to.

Answers arrive when we let go and make room 

for what's meant to enter."

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation;

the old has gone,

the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Every time you worry...

 

...'you strangle the life out of your life.'

'Personal stress is at record levels.

The highest it's been since World War II.'

The top stressors:

job

health

relationships

poor diet

media overload

lack of sleep

'Keep your mind on good things,

be content in all things,

refuse to worry about anything.

"Worrying about something you cannot change

is worthless.

Worrying about something you can change 

is stupid."

'Worry is learned &

you can unlearn it.'

"We are the only thing God made

that doesn't trust Him."

'It's worry that makes you sick.'

'The only thing that worry changes

is you.'

'You are as happy as you 

choose to be,'

'The battle is between your ears.

What you feed your mind with

will determine the level of stress

in your life.'

"Mind pollution is the most 

serious pollution.'

"Some people are so open minded

their brains fall out."

"If you look at the world, 

you'll be distressed.

If you look within,

you'll be depressed.

If you look at God, 

you'll be at rest."

~Corrie ten Boom~

Embrace an...

...."Every day is new" mindset.

Focus on what lies ahead.

Live in anticipation.

Let life take up the room it needs.

Don't...

get so caught up....

in the place you want to end up...

that you loose sight...

of what's around...

you.

notes:

do not fear your limitations

stay connected

when you lack peace

your focus is misplaced

hope for what you do not yet have

and wait for it patiently

be willing to go on an

adventure without 

getting all the details

pains of the past tell you to play it safe

& protect yourself

don't take the bait

hope is the fuel that keeps

the fire in your heart burning

it's the oxygen you breathe

"Forget the former things;

do not swell on the past."

Isaiah 43:18

you are a new creation

if you want to be

you are what you choose to become

you don't need a miracle to change 

your life

consider approaches you 

haven't tried

knowing who you are

and what you want

will serve you faithfully

being clear is half the battle

remain flexible

learn from nature

that everything has it's 

own pace

embrace the natural rhythm 

of each day

be well...

xoxo

💖

"I don't want to live someone else's idea

of how to live.

Don't ask me to do that.

I don't want to find out one day

that I'm at the end of someone else's life."

~Out of Africa~

"The earth speaks to all of us,

and if we listen,

we understand."

~Castle in the Sky~

"You cannot live your life to please others.

The choice must be yours."

~Alice in Wonderland~

"If your life were a movie, which Oscar would 

you most like to win:

best actor or best film?"

 

Self-brain surgery....

...reorganizing the brain,

and renewing the mind,

I'm in.

I love neuroplasticity...

God & science.

I love learning.

I love when it all aligns.

notes:

the brain changes when you think different 

thoughts

80 % of your thoughts are untrue

90% of your thoughts are the same

thoughts you thought yesterday

when you think right

you live right

being lost in the futility of your thinking

IS the root problem

change the things you think about

your allowed to be under construction

for as long as it takes

there's no deadline

You are moving forward even in the stillness

especially in the stillness

be you own most consistent healing sanctuary

(with God😇)

Book: The Life Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery

by W. Lee Warren MD

Forward by Dr. Daniel Amen (love)

(also on audio book)

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Perhaps worse than never realizing your dream

is never enjoying your consolations."

"The intangibles of life not only bring greater happiness,

they require less closet space."

"A Mind to rule the brain,

A Spirit to fire the mind,

A Heart to temper the spirit,

A Soul to guide the heart,

A Grace to nourish the soul."

 

Chin up Buttercup...

...a memory from my childhood.

Plucking the yellow flower to place under our 

chins to determine whether 

we loved butter or not.

We all did.

It's the nature of the flower to reflect.

I picked a handful in the pasture while hubby 

 did his farm chores.

I wanted to find out more about this little yellow flower...

Meadow Buttercup

symbolizes joy, cheerfulness, childhood innocence,

happiness, and humility.

Humility...

it's a word I have bonded with this last 3 months.

I have been vague writing about my latest health

concerns, but it was so unexpected,

and as I was walking into the unknowns...

I thought it best to take it as it unfolded,

lean into my faith, and pray for the mindset

to trust God with my fears and concerns 

no matter how scared as I was.

Few knew more.

 I was in good hands.

A brief timeline...

 started with trigger fingers in my hands

x-rays

referral to get an MRI on cervical spine

 & referral to an orthopedic surgeon

in waiting....

suspect a UTI 

call my obgyn

get tested

confirmed

start antibiotics 

day before ortho visit

3 injections in 3 fingers at ortho

next day get a call from obgyn

rare UTI not treatable with oral antibiotic 

 referral to Infusion center,

 & Infectious disease Dr.

& for a C-scan to check my bladder, kidneys and stomach

infusion center very next day

2 shots of high dose anti's (one in each arm) for 5 days.

follow up at infectious disease...

explanations...about UTI & that

future UTI's (thankfully not common for me... )

may likely be treated the same way

released

C-scan with contrast

all is well in area of concern,

however

 obgyn is concerned with bowel

she discusses it with  Gastro Dr. 

(who I have been to)

he wants to examine...

better to be safe

pull in the driveway for this appt. and get a call

he's been called to OR

a brief moment of "NO....!!!"

redeemed by the thought ..."someone needs him worse than I do"...

a little conversation with God ...

"this is Yours."

I trust Him.

 At this point I know He is in control...

&

I have learned that I am DEFINITELY NOT!

 I breathe...

 then carry on...

wait on hold to reschedule...

drive towards plan B, to get groceries in the meantime...

"can you come in an hour if he's back from OR ?"

"Of course. Sign me up"

*thinking of it as a little cliff hanger

as I've come to the final Dr. on this seemingly long list.

Uncertainty mixed with relief.

Dr. shows up.

I show up. 

We talk, he's thorough, reassuring and fun.

His nurse is too.

We find the humor in the situation,

and we all giggle through the exam.

And I loved them for it.

And..

I am okay.

It's stressful facing the unexpected and the unknowns,

and I will forever be learning how let go & to walk with trust.

Life keeps twisting and turning to make sure of it.

Truth is, this hit me in the place I thought I had under control.

It has been a humbling and teachable experience for me.

I am not in control,

but I know who is,

I close my eyes and whisper "thank You!",

and all is well.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Whenever you meet a ghost, don't run away,

because the ghost will capture the 

substance of your fear and materialize

itself out of your own substance...

it will take over all your own vitality...

so then, whenever confronted with a ghost,

walk straight into it and it will disappear."

~Allan Watts~

"The more you push against the things,

people and experiences you find unpleasant,

the more exhausted you will get and

the unhappier you will become."

"If the challenges of life waited for you 

to be ready for them,

they wouldn't,

of course,

be called challenges."

 

Thank You seems....

.... too small today.

I woke up this morning feeling a much bigger word,

 one I can't come up with.

 I need....something... more.

 I looked out the window as I filled the kettle for coffee, 

a Grosbeak landed in the back yard.

(rare)

I whisper a joyful "Thank You".

My kiddo still asleep in the other room,

here for work.

"Thank You for him."

Gary's relaxed in his recliner, coffee in hand, catching the news.

"Thank You for him too."

"Thank you for my people."

Sunshine and a fresh cool breeze, after all the storms.

Refreshing. Energizing. Restoring.

"Thank you for this clear & beautiful day!"

Charles Stanley? Or maybe it's Jr.?

A bright red cardinal

with a missus... 

without... 

tail feathers.

I whisper a "Thank You, for him, & that he survived

whatever misfortune took his tail."

I smile that he, the cat and my grand-dog all have nubby butts.

"Thank You for all the little things."

 Tears well up.

I take a deep breath &

  say "Thank You! For good news on 

the condition (stenosis) of my neck.

That I am okay."

"It should be fine as long as you'll need it to be!"

Surgeon says.

"There are options for pain...."

"Thank you,

I got this for now..."

He agrees.

Grosbeak:

Live in harmony with yourself

embrace who you are

forgive yourself

trust your instincts

meditate more

be kinder to yourself

Practice contentment

"Fear and doubt can keep you

from living your best life.

So you mustn't give them a place

in your mind."

~Grosbeak~

Notes:

the dawning of each new day is a gift

not to be taken for granted

the earth is vibrantly alive with blessings

slow your pace

learn to see

trust God fully in all areas of your life

vulnerability is not a sign of weakness

but of strength

happiness comes by living simply

to know that less is more

&

quality is better than quantity

if you search for the positive

your mind is calibrated to 

find it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When A great moment knocks on the door 

of your life, it is very often no louder than

the beating of your heart,

and it is very easy to miss it."

"What we are is God's gift to us."

"Remember that you already are

what you are seeking."

 

Yard work...

...and gardening are therapeutic for me.

Now it's time to treat my neck to a little TLC.

" Stretching is such a vital part of my routine.

It allows me to maintain my flexibility,

enhance mobility, and recover faster."

~Tom Brady~

"Just like a rubber band, 

if you don't stretch regularly,

you'll become stiff and inflexible."

be well...

xoxo

💗

 

In the Waiting...

....doubts start to surface & fears

creep in.

C-scan with contrast

It's also in the waiting that faith is strengthened.

Each moment that I choose faith

over worry, my heart becomes a little lighter,

 anxiety eases up, and I'm able to remain (reasonably) calm.

Notes to self,

the antidote for anxiety is prayer

choose to think about something

other than the problems

Be steeped in good news.

Direct your attention to 

praiseworthy things.

build up your faith

break the hold worry has over you

Trust God with all of your heart &

lean not on your own understanding

(Prov. 3:5)

side note: my results came back, and other than

a couple of little blips, (that I will be working on...)

all is well, 

I am well,

whispering a thank you to God, and the dove's

cooing outside my window...💞

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Some days you check all the wellness boxes.

And some days all you can do is just rest

on the couch and have a good cry.

Healing is realizing that both kinds of days

are wellness."

~ Dr. Will Cole~

"What person of faith does not pray for certainty,

as if the world needs fewer people of faith

and more people of certainty."

"Who is the person of greater faith--

the person of certainty 

or the person who every day overcomes

doubt?"

Take 10

...because sometimes giving yourself

a break is the very thing you needed.

...be well...

xoxo

💞 

"If you don't give your mind and body a break,

you'll break.

Stop pushing yourself through pain

and exhaustion and take care of your needs."

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

"Health does not always come from medicine.

Most of the time it comes from peace of mind,

peace in the heart,

peace in the soul.

It comes from laughter and love."

Seasons

....of change, unexpected twists, truths

and differing moralities.

Facing the challenges 

and some gritty realities.

In the midst of uncertainty, clenched fists, and

bouts of tears...

I find faces & spaces,

that comfort & sit with me in my fears.

Notes to self:

You can't avoid negative distractions,

but you can choose to let it flow by.

You can relax, and trust that the changes you

experience will be right for you.

Focus on today.

Do not be discouraged when you encounter

problems and pain along the way.

Trust God rather than yourself, or your resources.

Make the decision to believe Him.

Be careful whose words you take to heart.

Stop focusing on your problems and limitations-

and believe that the way ahead is really an open road,

in spite of how it looks.

When you are struggling, simply take the next step.

Do not worry is a command not a suggestion.

You can decide not to worry.

Pay attention to the nudges & be confident.

Learn from faith stretching situations.

Befriend your wounds & let them reveal

to you your own truth.

The pain hardest to bear is your own.

Learn what practicing peace is for you,

and what it's not.

Stop putting yourself down.

Peace doesn't mean everything is perfect,

it means you are able to find your breath

and a cushion of calm at the center of your life.

Stay present. 

Over and over.

Live abundantly today.

Pay attention to the details.

Freude (froy-da) 

German

Joy

be well...

xoxo

💞

P.S.

....for having my back, and bringing calm 

to my storms, along with a few laughs.

Thank you Dad.

I love you!!

💖

"....And whenever she starts to forget

the story of her original bloom,

the flowers of this green earth remind her

she too will spring up from the ground again.

Gravity will not retain her,

for the sun and the rainfall will propel her

up from gritty soil into open morning air,

and Light will meet her there

and she will begin to unfold in the way

she is meant to."

~Morgan Harper Nichols~