Release the hold...

...that discontent may have on you.

Make a habit of noticing the little things

 that you're thankful for,

and your mind will begin to look for such things.

The more you practice,

the easier it is to see the good in each day.

When things aren't how you'd like them to be,

shift your focus to acknowledge what is going right,

and what you are grateful for.

notes...

I may not be very good at sitting 

to meditate at long lengths and 

allowing thoughts to flow by...

or not getting caught up in them and

sometimes starting to spiral...

but give me a camera, a garden & a bird,

I forget I even have a head.

it's a beautiful unfolding 

as your gifts open doors for you

determine where you're going to be all in

dream big

don't let the world stifle your imagination

there are endless ways to enjoy life

if you open your heart and your eyes

"God is not  limited by the rules you make up.

He doesn't want you to be either."

be wise and generous 

with what you've been given

 do the best that you are able

wherever you are 

be mindful of your actions

& whether they will improve or worsen 

your situation

remember that your health is more important 

than trying to prove your point

pause

give yourself a time-out

'the gift doesn't shine

if the giver is extinguished'

as best you can 

handle situations with wisdom

and grace

think healing thoughts

feel your feelings

learn from them

then release them

pray

Love is greater than fear

pursue the unique calling you are given

what lights you up?

what are you good at?

what is lasting

 important, 

 meaningful

and purposeful?

what has worked in the past?

what have you bounced back from?

these point to your calling

get clear on your current calling

release the things you've grown out of

welcome new connections

& new opportunities God brings your way

your gifts are the many ways in 

which you express who you are

friendship

kindness

patience

joy

peace

forgiveness

gentleness

love

hope

trust

and many others.....

be vigilant in your faith

life is about learning &

loving &

growing into your best self

not seeing how much

torture you can endure

you don't need special powers

you just need to make good use out of

what you already have

discipline your mind to center on productive thoughts

positive memories

winning moments

small wins

God

be well...

xoxo

💗

"Where shall I find my happiness today...

in my memories, in my dreams,

in my appreciation of the moment?

That last one would be a novel idea."

"It is a sad lament--

the happiness you might have found if

you had taken the road that still lies

right there in front of you."

 

Prioritize & determine....

... that your time is best spent on your destiny,

not on keeping track of what 

everyone else is doing.

notes....

no distractions

  children running, laughing 

and jumping off the dock

hamburgers on the grill

fellowship with friends

singing a hymn together before dinner

in the shade of the willow tree

men being chivalrous

strangers becoming friends

 sharing stories

it was one of those gatherings

where love was tangible

God's love cannot be measured or explained

but it can be experienced

a true

balanced 

sense of worth

can only be found in the one who made you

your peace is never missing

you just search for it in the wrong place

live your life rooted in & built on faith

hope & love

God is growing you

even if it seems slow

prioritize your life and the things that are

important to you or you'll get off

focus and invest your energy in trivial matters

there's some stuff you just leave alone

develop the art of handling minor issues

appropriately

cherish the ones you love 

more than ever before

presence is truly a priceless gift

be marked by love

peace and compassion

rather than hatred,

anger and selfishness

live purposely 

think rightly

serve generously

forgive quickly

trust there is enough

be generous and kind

be with what is and enjoy the ride

assume there is a perfect plan for you

(with God)

be compassionate

be calm

breathe

if your goal is to be happy

walk close to God

and use that as a filter eliminating 

words, habits, behaviors, and beliefs

that oppose it

you are the one who determines your thoughts

and the issues that are worthy of your time

stop allowing minor thoughts 

to occupy your mind

you can meet life with openness 

awareness and inner stability

even if a unity of faith is not possible

a unity of love is

your walk with God is yours

to have

'we're all different

we're all spiritual beings

we're all connected

and we need each other'

something beautiful can happen when you take 

the time to know somebody that's different from you

you might just learn something about yourself

truly see each other

spread love the way God intended

Love always has the final word

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The ultimate test of love is a test of forgiveness,

and no one so tested will ever ask again,

"What is love?"

"Peace is not found when everything becomes perfect.

Peace is found then everything quits disturbing your inner world."

~Michael S

"Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power."

~Lao Tzu

"Take delight in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Start from scratch....

...with God every day

and then be careful what you add 

after that.

notes...

it's too pretty to finish up and go home,

so hubby's moving some hay and

 I'm going to chill out in my little nook in the tack room.

 A nice breeze is blowing through the open doors,

  the sound of the Johnson grass swaying back and forth is so soothing.

It's so peaceful. I love being out on the farm

 simply enjoying

nature for a while.

an open heart comes from providing

the kindness, care, support, and attention

that only you were designed to give yourself

own who you really are

feel the breeze against your skin

noticing life's beauty

and just be inspired by life

this is the time to come alive

fierce determination can bring many

wonderful things into your life

you have the power to be the change 

you want to see

there's a difference in what you can't do

& what you won't do

align your behavior with your values

energy and time 

are limited and precious

use them wisely

narrow down your focus 

on what's truly matters most to you

it does you no good to focus on your

deficiencies

it's wasted contemplation

you'll know your trusting God

when you walk around thankful 

for everything

if you're still alive

God has a plan for you

and His plans blow yours away

accepting yourself and your

idiosyncrasies gets you further 

than picking on yourself

trying to be perfect

sometimes flaws and imperfections

determine your uniqueness

the way it does in art

let your life become a great work of art

create a life that is truly yours

from the inside out

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;

making the complicated simple,

awesomely simple,

that's creativity."

"Sometimes you've go to let everything go-

purge yourself.

If you are unhappy with anything...

whatever is bringing you down,

get rid of it.

Because you'll find that when you're free,

your true creativity,

your true self comes out."

~Tina Turner

"Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you're passionate about something,

then you're more willing to take risks."

~Yo-Yo Ma

"Negativity is the enemy of creativity."

Sometimes when you're looking....

....for an answer,

God sends you to the home of a friend.

notes...

a much needed respite

comfort and ease

the simplicity of lounging on the back patio in pj's

thunderstorms and the smell of rain

feeling like home

deep conversations centered around spirituality

kindness and love

dreaming up future adventures 

the sound of a distant train 

and cows bellowing near by

cooking breakfast together

sharing bites with each other

and the dog

a brown feather tucked in today's devotional page

(sign: grounding, physical stability, connection to home)

my forever friends that carry Godly wisdom

and ooze belief and support

they are a gift to my life

"God usually doesn't give us all the details.

He gives us direction."

you just know where to go next

and that's enough

give away love like it will never run out

'don't sit at the table and twirl your hair

while staring at a screen when

you're surrounded by friends'

pursue with-ness

and give it everything 

you've got

engage the people around you

with love and curiosity

love is a universal language

we were born with a heart

and designed to love

carve out time to

cultivate deep friendships

affirm the good things in your life

be alert for the blessings

God pours into your life

'He wants to fan fresh air 

into the stagnant rooms

of your heart'

today you are enough

yesterday you were enough

tomorrow you will be enough

forever you are enough

the only thing that matters

is that you feel comfortable in your own skin

the freedom to be you is the best gift you

ever give yourself

walk in your truth

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Finally, all of you, be like minded,

be sympathetic,

love one another, be compassionate and humble."

1Peter 3:8

"I love old souls, the daydreamers,

the deep thinkers, with lots of 

fascinating layers.

They don't care what others think,

they just do their own thing and when it comes 

to friends, its quality over quantity."

"Choose people who choose you."

"Go where your energy is reciprocated,

celebrated, and appreciated."

"Stick with people who pull the magic out of you,

not the madness."

 

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

 

"I don't know"...

...is a game changer.

"When you give up having to  know

or needing to be right,

you feel lighter right away.

Surrender your stories.

The mind is not the boss of anything,

and it doesn't want to be.

Let life take over from here."

notes...

hubby joined me on the porch this morning

he's sharing a story of heroics as he rocks on the porch swing

with his coffee

&

 I'm listening intently while trying to capture droplets of rain

as they land in the garden 

experiencing an outside hygge moment

slow down your pace of living for a time

quiet your mind

when it comes to faith

if you're looking for proof

you won't find it

somewhere along the way

you have to make the leap from that which you know

to that which calls you from within

you need only a willing heart

and a truthful spirit

God will take it from there

 meeting you as you take the leap

the way before you may be steep

and rocky

it is nonetheless 

the path of life

you will have feelings of uncertainty

fairly often in your life

no matter what age

you may not have all the answers

but God does

you must be open to receive

you can receive inspiration, endurance, strength,

wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

self-control, 

or whatever else you require

He has plenty to give

you can't create those things yourself

losing your place in your personal story

is the way

that deeper discoveries come to life

confusion is a catalyst for growth

it helps you to lighten the load

for your journey ahead....

"....it's here to help you forget 

what you thought you knew

to reveal an even greater truth"

'be honest about your confusion

allow it

 to unwind your overstimulated nervous system

so that you can discover the safety

that is always within you'

slow your breath

life will be more gentle as you 

choose to be more soft and supportive

of yourself

relax into not needing to figure things out

allow understanding to find you

instead of you pursuing it on a regular basis

you will always know everything 

you need to know

exactly at the moment you 

need to know it

don't forget 

to remember

that everything good 

comes from God

He will lead you to life

at it's very best

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When it's time for something new,

you will feel it.

You will feel a desire to let go,

to shed layers, to move,

to re-create.

You will know because there will be

 subtle shifts all around you.

You will release the old because you 

are really clearing the path for what's ahead.

Trust the process."

"Be the reason someone still believes in magic,

truth, authenticity, compassion,

intelligent conversation,

loyalty, courage, and love that 

doesn't have an agenda."

 

She did not...

...need much,

wanted very little.

'A kind word, sincerity, fresh air,

clean water, a garden, 

books to read, sheltering arms,

a cozy bed, and to love

and be loved in return.'

notes...

cloudy, breezy & nice this morning

 hubby getting tickled over a

lost-in-translation moment...

and hearing him laugh

cleaning out the cabinet and unearthing

a bubble gun & a supply of ammo

a quick pop-in-pop-out by my kiddo

passing through town

getting the yard mowed just as it started to sprinkle

munching on a lemon protein ball (in recipes) &

 just letting life unfold at it's own pace today...

'God wired you with a unique way of giving

away love, and then He told you

to go play.'

embrace those around you

enjoy your story

divert your attention away from the junk

and toward the best things in your life

life can only be found in the present moment

don't miss out

there are plenty of small things there for you right now

are you there for them?

value simple pleasures

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Six year olds laugh an average of 300 times a day.

Adults only laugh 15-100 times a day.

Be six again."

"There's a system in your brain called

the RAS.

It filters millions of signals every day.

What you consistently focus on  

becomes what your brain prioritizes.

Train your attention toward health,

purpose, connection, and possibility,

and your brain will start looking for them."

~Dr. Mark Hyman

"Your nervous system & stress hormones

can calm down with

Peace 

Love

Stillness

Grounding

Breathwork

Safe People

Forgiveness

A cleansing cry

Self-Compassion

Deep belly laughs

Somatic practices

Food that loves you back

JOMO (the joy of missing out)

These are little love notes to 

your body."

~Dr. Will Cole

 

Even though...

...you may not always see it in real time,

the moments when you practice peace

are truly beautiful,

even if it feels like a struggle.

notes...

warm and sultry morning

hubby's negative stress test results

starting to spiral 

a short pithy prayer

and the next thing I know

I'm following a nudge 

to go jump in the lake

 

*side note

water bottle quote:

"your body is about 60% water

don't forget to give it 

a refill "

one positive voice can drown out all others

if you are listening for it

be picky about who you listen to

become picky about your daily inputs

put weeds in and weeds come out

put virtue in and virtue comes out

good thoughts and actions

can never produce bad results

bad thoughts and actions

can never produce good results

be more intentional about

what you feed your mind

don't sacrifice things that are important to you

to get a little approval or validation from others

refuse to be conformed to the worlds standards

no longer define your sense of worth by

the actions of others

when you love others well

you don't have to worry about what they think of you

claim responsibility for the conditions of your life

sometimes it's dreadfully difficult

but doing so begins an upward spiral

own your own power

or someone else will

 improve the quality of your life

by improving the quality of your thinking

keep vigilant watch over your heart

change what you can

there is so much you can change

do what you need to do to take care of yourself

if you can't do anything about the circumstances

you can change your attitude

remember the reason you are doing what you're 

doing

&

why

give yourself what you need

anchor your soul firmly in hope

take moments to recharge

be mindful of your limits

wherever you hear God's voice

go there often

there are all kinds of ways to hear from Him

fill your cup 

so you can continue to give love

let yourself be

be well...

xoxo

💞

..."Even though you did not know 

where the path would go.

Even though you did not know

where tomorrow would lead.

You were headed in the right direction

or where you were meant to be."...

"Love and compassion are necessities,

not luxuries.

Without them humanity cannot

survive."

~Dalai Lama

"Your vision will become clear only when

you look into your own heart."

~Carl Jung

 

When you notice tension....

....rigidity, frustration

or feeling short-tempered

slow down to a more natural flow.

notes...

this morning it's A. dark

B. cool

C. raining

from time to time a little breeze blows through

and a distant roll of thunder 

the Mockingbird is singing for  

the Wrenn, Robin & Cardinal.

Sitting here wrapped up on the porch

 in my favorite blanket

 from my favorite shop

back home...

sipping from my favorite coffee mug

 from Harney & Sons back home...

having an

 awe-good-morning-God-moment

and I am lovin' it!!

if you want there to be less stress, anxiety,

depression and tension in the world

start with yourself

you need stillness

outer and inner

hear the gentle whispers in your heart

find a place where the noise of the world is minimal

be still

let go

relax

'spiritual adventures are decorated

as the comings and goings of

everyday life'

celebrate each moment with everything to welcome

and nothing to prove

deepen your awareness 

practice thankfulness

....with all of your heart

and soul

and mind

lay aside all bitterness and defense

step away from the mental clutter

if the path you took overpromised

and underdelivered

then get back to the dream

you started out with

there are always second chances

find the things that light you up

make plans to do them

celebrate this beautiful life God has given you

learn to relax and follow the steps

as they appear

if you don't rest 

your body will eventually put it's foot down

"Stress is a leading cause of cancer,

heart-attacks, liver failure,

stupid accidents, grouchiness

& suddenly not being able to breathe."

if you're feeling overwhelmed

notice any unnecessary tasks

that steal your time

take care of your mind

choose what you pay attention to

take care of your inner world

allow time for activities and stillness

that make you feel good

feeling rushed robs you of experiencing 

the moment

'making time to do things that inspire you

should be a priority...

what's the point of living

without them?'

take time to really enjoy what matters

and let go of the rest

you learn your beliefs

why not master beautiful ones?

often appreciating your life

is the only

change needed

worry less 

laugh more

know what matters

enjoy your precious life while your

still in possession of it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Prioritize peace. If it  nurtures, calms,

and revitalizes you,

make time for it.

If it stresses, distresses,

or depresses you,

reconsider it."

"Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once,

but rather, one step, one breath,

one moment at a time.

I am only one person.

Things will get done when we get done."