Go with the flow...

....'be water my friend.'

"Empty your mind, be formless.

Shapeless, like water.

If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.

You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle.

You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.

Now water can flow or it can crash.

Be water my friend.

~Bruce Lee~

notes:

grateful for: our window cleaner who

relates to protecting a spider

(there's a story)

synchronicities

Chinese medicine

inspiration by Bruce Lee 

rain in the forecast

fall cleaning and purging

flow....💖

water just moves into place naturally

immediately 

simply

water that doesn't flow becomes stagnant

an open mind that doesn't get hung up on anything

not stuck in a feed-back loop

keep the mind fluid

like water

simple and direct

no limitations

remove (hinderances) things that block your flow

first you need to be aware of them

let go of your rigid training & look

upon yourself & your art with fresh eyes

pivot

train

learn to accept the ever changing nature of life

&  to work with it rather than against it

find the perfect pockets to slip into

'it is the moment, however small,

in which a choice is made.

In this tiny gap lies the moment of decision,

of action, of reflex, of thought.'

this tiny gap is where consciousness & unconsciousness meet

true flow-

you are moving within the oneness

develop a sense of what works best for you

perception is the way of truth

perception you must uncover

no one can give it to you

you choose how you want to participate in the rapid

unfolding of life, with a growing sense of ease

let naturalness become the norm

simply be

fully present

wise

and responsive in every moment

simply practice...

practice....practice

don't get bogged down by the approach

before you practice

simply begin

practice

& hone

hack away the unessential

so that the truth will be revealed unobstructed 

this is being whole

oneness

true flow

trust in God with all of your heart and

He will make your path straight

"Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me Your paths.

Guide me in truth and teach me."

Psalm 25: 4-5

perspective will come with retrospect

let whatever is being worked out in you take it's course

Be

feel 

go through

allow

being is enough

be well...

xoxo

💗

"The knowledge and skills you have achieved

are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably

in emptiness, without obstruction."

~Bruce Lee~

"In building a statue, a sculptor doesn't keep

adding clay to his subject. 

Actually, he keeps chiseling away at the nonessentials 

until the truth of his creation is revealed

without obstruction."

~Bruce Lee~

"It takes great courage to grow up and

become who you really are."

~E.E. Cummings~

Day by day...

...God's peace is found in the spaces in-between.

In the pause. In the quiet. In the stillness.

'Slow down to notice the spaces where 

peace naturally flourishes.

It is a gift of grace.'

sandpiper: living in-between spaces, adaptability & flow,
persistence & purpose, vigilance & mindfulness

notes...

the blank pages of a new journal 

a big sneeze from the drop-off line at school

that echoes over startling the cat

trees swaying in the breeze

a pause to walk along the waters edge

a small blue heron feather floating on the shoreline

& the sandpiper leading the way

accept each day exactly as it comes to you

the journey is just as purposeful

as what you accomplish when you get

where you want to be

pause to take a look around

take time to savor special

even ordinary moments

see how much more you glean from them

when you are fully present

allow your heart to be wooed into thanksgiving

and praise for what has been given you

gratitude generates enthusiasm

there is a plan for your life

& it unfolds slowly

let go of your need to figure things out

to feel in control

allow things to happen

enjoy the moments of your life

even the bumpy moments

respect time as a valuable commodity

you have been told that all things shall work out

for your good 

put simple trust in that truth

events will unfold as they should

be well

xoxo

💞

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."

~Rumi~

"When enough of God's people are overflowing

 with the life of Jesus Christ,

this crazy, mixed-up, sad, searching, hungering,

thirsting, yearning, violent world of ours

is going to say, 'I want that. I want what you have.'"

~Charles Stanley~

"You don't find peace. 

You choose it, by what you ignore,

by what you release, by what you stop giving energy to."

~Bruce Lee~

 

Something is shining...

...inside of you.

'And despite what you may be telling yourself,

you probably already know what it is.'

Simply let the light within you shine in the things you do.

It will breathe new life into you.

Live with your soul wide open.

notes...

look within

you may be quite surprised

by all those many good qualities

tucked away under those layers

great things take bravery

think about your dream

take the doubts and fears &

breathe courage into them

make time alone with God a priority

it affects & influences every single

aspect of your life

live in that sense of awe at the 

infinite possibilities that are 

right within you and all around you

the direction you go with your gifts won't matter

as much as the fact that you went

you moved

you saw a need and you did what

you could to meet it

let the real version of you authentically show up

& you will experience a new take on your life

and the lives of those around you

keep your belief in limitless possibilities

keep a positive mind-set

strong and unwavering

affirm the good until it sinks in and feels real

do something beautiful with your life

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The two most important days in your life

are the day you are born

and the day you find out why."

~Mark Twain~

"If I knew what I was really like,

chances are I'd like myself much better 

than I do."

"We're all deeply flawed & even

more deeply Loved by God."

What is missing....

....from many of our days is a true

sense of enjoying the life we're living.

filling up at an old pump

Savor the small, authentic moments that 

that make you smile...

and simple pleasures that often get overlooked.

notes...

an unexpected refund, 

a flatbed full of pumpkins

& sunflowers

pulling up to fill the tank at an old gas pump...

sharing a story with my kiddo...and laughing over the phone

enjoying the simple things....

embrace moments of happiness that are

uniquely your own

you can spot God's gifts all 

around you

be aware of the little things

that bring a smile to your face

keep a list of what triggers delight

your day

stop thinking that things outside of 

your control are going to make you happy

happiness that can't be taken away 

grows in your soul

be willing to pursue it

commit to making it a personal

priority in your life

hunt for small surprises

in the midst of the mundane

realize the value of a minute

and how precious the seconds of 

your life are

protect your time

and how you spend it

you have a life to live

one that has purpose and meaning

daily meaning is important as daily bread

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Every time you make a choice you are turning

the central part of you, the part that chooses, 

into something a little different from what it was before.

And taking your life as a whole, 

with all your innumerable choices, all your life

you are slowly turning this central thing into either

a heavenly creature

or a hellish creature."

~C.S. Lewis~

"I compare the pursuit of happiness

to a day of fishing--

it helps if you stock the pond."

"Perhaps if one knew when one was happy

one would know the things that were

necessary for one's life."

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."

 

She allowed ...

...her life to be purged

so that she could live in a manner

that reflected who she truly was.

Blossoming into the fullest expression of her best self.

She didn't want to merely survive,

she wanted to thrive.

notes...

begin each day with joyful expectation

get clear on what kind of life

will make you truly happy

be honest

meditate on God's word

one of the best things you can do

to improve the world

is to improve you

believe beyond what you can see

learn to pause

breathe

be

see the miracles happening all around you

where you put your attention

there is your power

turn your thoughts to

happier things & enjoy 

what is good and pleasant 

around you

don't miss what life is

meant to be

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Don't settle for nice, for pleasant, for familiar.

Keep looking until you find something that really

moves you,

that resonates with your core.

And I mean this for people,

interests, for hobbies,

for your possessions, clothes, music,

books, art.

Everything.

Curate every aspect of your life,

as much as you can.

It's in the things that deeply inspire us

that we find ourselves.

Surround yourself with truth,

and you'll have built yourself 

a heaven."

~unknown~

 

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

 

Relinquishing control...

 ...may feel like you are giving up something valuable,

in reality you're letting go of striving,

which frustrates you more than it helps you.

notes...

the female cardinal (alias Mrs. Stanley) sat looking in the kitchen window

as we made our coffee and tea

we loved our morning at the beach so much

 that we decided to start our day there again.

My thermos tipped in the 

picnic basket, and everything sat in a puddle of coffee. 

Barely a cup was left.

I decided it would be enough, 

and taking in the moment was more...

the blue heron squawked 

& I savored that 1/2 cup of coffee

We came home to watch Charles Stanley's sermon

and Mrs. Stanley was outside our window

singing and dancing in the tree

(really a bush....but...you know...)

endeavor to celebrate your relationship with God

learn to walk consistently in the present

be patient

weigh the alternatives

make sure you make a wise choice

your mind is so strong & powerful

it can tell you you're inadequate

and limited

& it can help you to overcome obstacles

and position you to become what you envision

most thinking is 

recycled opinion

it's not really thinking at all

listen to the still small voice leading and 

guiding

and comforting you

not the voice of the world

expand your awareness

and see the way God sees things

and your part in it

do a check-in with your motivations

every so often

loosen up

you don't need to be uptight

when you are on edge it affects others too

you get to decide what part you are going to play

regardless of what your life looks like at this very moment

abundance is always available

drop your limiting beliefs

do your best for the moment

and then let it go

striving for excellence is a positive quality

striving for perfection is self-defeating

contribute to the world by making life easier,

happier, more beautiful, more fun, 

more interesting, more thoughtful, more loving

empower & compliment yourself

it will not make you lazy

it will nurture you

and enable you to give, do, and be your best

whatever you do 

bring something good to life

be well...

xoxo

💖

sign of a female cardinal ...

nurturing and care

good news & hope

brighter days ahead

turning dreams into reality

patience 

endurance 

emotional stability

"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."

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."

 

Cure yourself...

...'with the light of the sun and the rays

of the moon.

watching the lunar eclipse with Ang

With the sound of the river and the waterfall.

With the swaying of the sea and

the fluttering of birds.

Put love in tea instead of sugar

 and drink it looking at the stars.

Heal yourself with the kisses the wind 

gives you and the hugs of the rain.

Stand strong with your bare feet on the ground

and with everything that comes from it.

Get smarter every day by listening to your

intuition.

Jump, dance, sing, so that you live

happier.

Heal yourself, with beautiful love

and always remember you are medicine.'

notes...

grow strong in the light

as it shines upon you

you receive nutrients that enhance your 

growth and grace

take good care of yourself

time

in prayer & meditation

blesses you doubly

value the contribution of your life & 

the role you play

your are irreplaceable

this is your life

no rehearsals

no retakes

no delete button

realize how priceless you are

value yourself

you have been chosen to play

the lead role in your life

a mission that no one else

can accomplish

be well...

xoxo

💖

notes...on lunar eclipse...

marks a powerful point of release

soften your grip 

let the old dissolve

emotional clearing

make space for a life that feels more aligned

more honest

more true to the woman you are becoming

closing an old chapter for good

and opening a brand-new beginning.