You are whole...

...complete & beautiful,

just as you are.

Believe this.

Pretend if you have to.

Your subconscious mind 

believes everything you tell it.

Every word.

Be careful what you say.

Like yourself for who you are.

Radiate that.

notes...

I woke up happy this morning.

Positive.

Hopeful.

Back on track...whatever that looks like?

you feel that inner tug

returning you to your true center

what needs to come

will always come

don't buy the lies

develop a keen sensitivity to the 

promptings of your spirit

you were created perfectly

to be you

don't get wrapped up in your

 fears & insecurities

that keep you from

seeing what you're made for

& tell you you can't

before you even start to try

take the time and energy you

pour into worry

and put it toward your passions

uncover new ways of experiencing

those things that matter to you most

the mind that has pulled you to the worst of things

is the same mind that is capable of remembering

the better things

even when you cannot discern

 the terrain before you

take the next step

now is still the time 

to go forth with an open heart

growth leads to joy

stagnation does not

enjoy the gift of being alive

 being fully human

being who you are

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The only real beauty is self acceptance."

~Megan Fox

"Some people are going to reject you 

simply because you shine too bright for them.

That's okay.

Keep shining."

"You deserve to be loved without having

to hide parts of yourself you think

are unlovable."

 

You fail to see...

...the most obvious things.

Miracles can happen before 

your very eyes,

yet you see only mundane occurrences

or - at best - coincidences.

notes...

I moved the table

spread the quilt on the ground

placed my books and mug down

placed me down

and had time to capture the moment

before it flew off

I feel like I received a green light today

and I am a little giddy-swirly-weird-feeling about it

I know one hell of a sign

when I see one.

He speaks to you continually 

through sights

sounds

thoughts

impressions

scripture

there is no limit to the variety of ways

He can communicate with you

your part is to be attentive

to the messages

whatever form they come in

"You will seek Me and find Me..."

"Mankind has long since been plagued 

with eyes that do not see what is 

most important."

~Jesus Lives

have a teachable attitude

your openness to His teaching

has wonderful results

He is the teacher of teachers

'no matter how intimidating your next leap

forward seems at the moment

it will be a pipsqueak

when you look back on it someday'

your greatest fears are

your greatest waste of time

face your fears with the truth

that they are all in your mind

and they will lose their power

over you

break it down so you can really

look at it and diffuse it

'fear is all about how you choose to look at things

so change your perspective on it

and let the fear of NOT

doing the thing you're scared of

fuel your quest'

what consumes your thoughts?

what holds the utmost place of

prominence in your life?

your answer will say a great deal

about what is truly important to you

the frustrations and discouragement you face

often have more to do with what you are pursuing

than anything else

misplaced priorities will rob you of peace

energy

and joy

in this tumultuous world 

God is the anchor that keeps

you steady

freedom comes from the truth

but the truth is not always easy to speak

or even live

put on kindness

and humility &

let love lead the way

keep your faith simple- because it is

Don't try to make it easy- because it's not

'He made you the way you are

so you could bring your flavor or love

& creativity into the world,

and your expression of love will look

a little different from everyone else's.

That's not a bad thing.

That's a great thing.'

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You deserve your own love &

affection."

~Buddha

"There is a basket of fresh bread on your head,

yet you go door to door asking for crusts."

~Rumi

Stop trying...

...to figure everything out!

I wrote in BIG capitalized letters

on the top of my journal page this 

morning.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord

with all your heart and mind and do not rely

on your own insight or understanding....

seemed to keep showing up.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

I waste a LOT of time trying to understand

 things out that aren't mine to understand.

I've pondered this a lot today.

notes....

trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on

your own understanding 

x5

the main culprit of the struggle is

 the minds appetite 

for understanding

and a strong desire to feel in control

of your life

you want to trust

but you feel stuck

believe that this is training you

wait confidently to see results

'despite how the snow globe of your reality

might get shaken up

it only occurs in order to guide

your journey in an 

exciting new direction'

allow the wisdom of you heart

to become your

inner compass

even when the odds seem stacked against you

it is only a brand new chapter of growth

obedience is about doing what you don't want

even when you don't fully understand

you may never shake the tendency to dissent

when you don't get what you want

you just act better

those are the moments when your faith

is put to the test

it's when you actually find out 

who you are

hang tight when things get tough

it's training ground for the next adventure

this is where it gets good

don't drink other peoples poison

even when it's offered with love

God can soften hearts, change circumstances

beyond your control

provide resources &

untangle messes

He's just waiting for your call

there's a difference between not getting what you've

asked for

&

not asking for what you need/want

sometimes you need to let yourself be & trust

that clarity will come later

in retrospect

it will all make perfect sense-

later

stop straining to know what you don't know

see what you can't see

understand what you don't yet understand

trust that being is sufficient

and let go of your need to 

figure it out

set aside time

to be quiet & secluded

call Him

be well...

xoxo

💗

"In the end, there doesn't have to be

anyone who understands you.

There just has to be someone that wants to."

"Sometimes we can't find the thing

that will make us happy,

because we can't let go of the thing

that was supposed to."

"The realist sees reality as concrete.

The optimist sees reality as clay."

 

Focus on...

...the elements of your life

that seem to be going really well

at the moment while

downplaying your existing

dissatisfactions.

notes...

one moment I'm on the porch enjoying my part-time dog,

& getting ready to open my devotional...

then...

 I'm writing in my journal on the way to the farm

doing the chores early to beat the heat

 and taking Jesus along

for the ride. 

persist

turn down the chaos of everyday life

when the noise around you fades

tune into the soft whisper

align your heart with love

your feelings change after your focus changes

if you feel terrific about life

that's a reliable indicator

that your most recent thinking has been 

healthy and constructive

make wise decisions

you can make today whatever you 

want it to be

you have the power to create 

your own reality

do not be afraid to be different 

from others

the path you are called to travel

is exquisitely right for you

see yourself clearly

notice your reactions

go within

nourish yourself

appreciate the blessings

let go of what you don't need

so what you do 

can show up

make space

the good can't get in 

if it's blocked by junk

release it

listen

don't miss God's activity

direction & intervention

in your circumstances

and miss His

 joy

peace 

power 

love & wisdom

and the very purpose

for which you were

created

dark thoughts keep you

away from beauty

darkness isn't always destructive

sometimes it's just distracting

hope is always eager to burst

onto the scene

but you need to be there

to catch it

you can't be all run & no stop

practice being a better listener

only your choices and

perceptions can determine

the quality of 

your experience

trust yourself

 life

and God 

let today happen

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Never mind searching for who you are.

Search for the person you aspire to be."

"Usually, when you can't overcome

the obstacles in your path,

it's not your path."

"You can hope for a miracle in your life,

or you realize that  your life is the miracle."

 

Value what is true...

 ...and right

simply because it is true,

not only because it happens

to feel true.

notes....

it feels so good to have an unrushed morning

there's a lovely Wrenn song on the porch

 the chimes are gently blowing in a refreshing breeze

& hubby's checking the rain gauge from last nights light shower

I love getting away

I love coming home & catching up 

and I love those moments when it all settles down again

into a more natural rhythm

some parts of the day are for stillness & listening

others for sowing

make room for both

find your own rhythm

anything is worth doing if it's done

with love

and nothing is worth doing if

it comes at love's cost

hold your priorities up to love's

test

throw yourself into anything 

that passes

when you feel inadequate to serve God

remember that what He expects from you

is different from what you think

fact-check your beliefs against God's word

you don't have to have your daily steps

figured out

every second of the day

be attentive

He will show you His will

He teaches you how to do so

He will redirect you if you make

a wrong turn

do not fear going forward

No matter how badly you mess up

He will take the broken pieces of your

life and glue them back together

with His unconditional Love

if you never push through your discomfort

you will never find the understanding

& wisdom that awaits you on the other side

discomfort is a gift

it brings a  deeper meaning to life

growth occurs after a difficulty

you become polished through pressure

not ease

focus on one thing at a time

focus on what you enjoy about what you do

& the spaces in between the doing

instead of feeling weighed down by it all

decide that you live a sweet life

there's the rushed pace of the human-made world

&

 there's the natural world that invites you to be still

take the invitation

"Now these three remain;

faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love."

1Corinth 13:13

what you do with your love is 

what you did with your life

trust that the timing of everything

will come together in the 

way it is meant to

be well...

xoxo

💞

"It's what we know that ain't true

that causes us so much trouble."

"Balance isn't fitting everything in.

It's starting with what's important

and letting the rest fall as it will."

"Mental health is sooo important.

If you  need a day, take a day.

Find something to relax you.

Bubble bath, nature, writing,

painting, etc.

Just do it."

While he...

mows the yard before dinner,

I grab my camera and retreat to the porch

where I capture some little slices of moments to keep.

notes...

everything works out in it's own time

each day is a blessing

and it's up to you

to make it lovely

what happens to you in life

is not nearly as important 

as the choices you make

you make your choices

and your choices make you

the rest of your life

can become the best of your life

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When things change inside you,

things change around you."

" A lot of things broke my heart

but fixed my vision."

~unknown~

"We can't always choose the music life plays for us,

but we can choose how we dance to it."

~unknown~

 

Serendipity feels...

...like a big hug from the universe.

Timing is everything.

Celebrate these moments.

notes...

Rain showers on and off, all day in pj's,

The Story of David

popcorn and sloth mode with Angie.

the world is filled with beautiful things

go all out in love so if your understanding

of the truth changes

you're still good

a well nurtured soul

can actually improve your appearance

set your heart to listen

show up just

the way you are

be well...

xoxo

💝

"there is beauty in the mundane.

life doesn't have to be constantly

adventurous or exciting to fun or worth living,

there's beauty in spending a saturday baking

cookies and reading a good book.

there's beauty in taking a hot shower

after a hard day.

there's beauty in ordering pizza and watching

a movie with your best friend.

these things are just as worthwhile

as traveling the world

or skydiving.

you're allowed to appreciate

small joy, as well as big joy.

you'll be happier for it."

~unknown~

 

Lay your...

...burdens down,

and come alive right here,

right now.

Instead of looking for things that need 

to be done...

concentrate on the task before you.

Let everything else...

fade into the background.

notes...

hold plans tentatively

the most important thing to determine

is what to do right now

unclutter your mind

don't be lulled into sleepwalking

through your days

you make a difference

your choices impact others

you may feel lost

when you're actually in

the process of finding your way

don't panic when a chapter of your

story doesn't make sense

God writes really good stories

stay close to Him

find ways you can experience

a joyful, meaningful life

& an inner sense of contentment

discover your part in life

your role

enter into the place you've been invited

live it fully

"Don't be afraid. Just stand still & watch

the Lord rescue you."

Exodus 14:13

you do not become less valuable

as you age

you become more of who you are

find a way to get out of old

unhealthy patterns

choose habits that help you flourish

keep growing and changing into a

healthier person

don't let your brain boss you around

focus on the positives

and the good in your life

quit settling for less

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Adapt what is useful,

reject what is useless,

and add what is specifically

your own."

~Bruce Lee~

"It is not a daily increase,

but a daily decrease.

Hack away at the inessentials."

~Bruce Lee~

"The most basic strategy is to get time on your side.

The most basic tactic is to sit and wait."

"A milestone in life is the day the challenge

of discovering who you really are

is replaced by

the challenge of being the person

someone thinks they married."

Find a way...

"...to love your life so much that you feel

lucky to be you.

Like it's a privilege just to wake up as yourself.

Like you are  utterly charmed by your own life.

What a beautiful home you've built.

What incredible friends you get to text all day.

How  you spend your time and your life-genius.

What fun!

What a strong mind you have.

What a way you care about yourself &

listen to your needs.

What great kids, or dogs or cats or plants

you've raised.

Wow,

you've got this whole life thing figured out.

Or, if not, look at you,

trying to figure it out and fight for your joy.

How lucky you are

that you get to be you."

notes:

reality is a wonderful teacher

take a lighthearted view of trouble

seeing it as a challenge you can handle

(with God)

deal with it

the more unexplainable the situation

the easier it is to give into doubt

remember there is much  more going on than 

what you see

find your center in your own heart

create a nice environment for yourself 

work with yourself to make a healthier person

breathe in all the possibilities of what could be

exhale, releasing the need to control the outcomes

hold that mindset

life is waiting for you to participate in it

make plans considering how your wired

learn to trust & listen to yourself

about what you want

your life is yours

this is your life

if  your not careful

you'll miss it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Rather than focus on getting every detail right

for the unknown future,

go deeper into the details of the 

story that's already being written."

"Will you spend your life pushing a boulder

uphill so that, once uphill,

you will have a boulder to sit on while

regretting your life?"

"Sometimes it seems like you've spent your whole life

preparing for an inspection that never happened."