There is nothing....

....in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter

and good humor.

~Charles Dickens~

notes...

a  nice chilly overcast morning

 & the aroma of bread baking in the oven

paired with a freshly poured cup of coffee 

 a date with my kiddo in Springfield to celebrate an early B-day lunch

 definitely plan to indulge in a pumpkin latte for the trip home...

(it's been a couple of years....)

  a daily dose of laughter.....

and a few moments to celebrate a friend B-day too

be well....

xoxo

💝

"Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more,

laugh more, and don't get so worked up about things."

"The cheapest therapy is to spend time with people

who make you laugh."

"True happiness is not found in materialistic things,

it comes from the love and laughter found with each other."

 

We must empty....

....'ourselves of all that fills us,

so that we may be filled with what we are

empty of.'

~Augustine

clearly His hand is in this...Luke 1:66 MSG

notes...

a gust of wind, and then the rain,

so I moved everything in again

cushions and quilt thrown on the floor

breathing in the moment through an open door

~

Beautiful reminders this morning...

(sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives, The Message Bible & Charles Stanley devo.)

His ways are higher

and  He is capable of all you need

pursue a righteous life-

a life of wonder, faith, love,

steadiness & courtesy

seize the eternal life

..listen to the wind words

His heart is full of unfailing LOVE 

for you

you can relax and enjoy His presence

since you know He is taking care of you

your tendency to be anxious

grieves Him

awareness of His pain can motivate you

to break free from this hurtful habit

He is showing you the way

one foot at a time

Luke 1:79 MSG

surprise us with love at daybreak;

then we'll skip and dance all day long

Ps. 90:14 MSG

walk right up to Him 

and get what He is so ready to give.

Take the mercy & accept His help

He will take care of everything you need

He wants you to obey Him out of Love,

Joy, & Gratefulness-

not out of obligation

He wants to pour Himself into you

and shine through you

and give you a genuine Love

His purpose is never to break your spirit

or cause you pain

there is always a positive, crucial

eternal purpose in struggles

He works all the details together

for the good to those who love Him

you may not be at fault for what has happened to you

but you are accountable for your response to it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"So whatever you experience & however broken you 

may feel because of the trials that assail you,

always remember that I have a blessing in store for you.

Never give in to the thought that this is the end

or that there's a limit to My ability to redeem

even the worst, most pain-filled experiences

in your life & turn them into something worthwhile.

Accept that I know your pain,

I am powerful,

I love you unconditionally,

and I work in the unseen for you. "

~Jesus~

"When you speak to yourself, be more like a cool breeze

and less like a furnace of judgement.

Give yourself love and accept yourself exactly as you are.

Honor the journey you've been on with acceptance and appreciation.

As you wake up, think about all the things you have

accomplished.

Give yourself gratitude and love.

When you slow down to recognize who and what you are,

acceptance comes in like a breeze,

making everything better."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

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."

 

Rather than focus....

....on the external.

Focus on the value of your time

and what you 

want in your life.

Bluebird: happiness, hope, renewal, & spiritual connection.

notes....

very early start to take hubby in for a c-scan
hard to be still and focus when time is rushed
but then again....
that's the point and the practice
journaling in the waiting room....
a prayer break and scripture over the intercom
everyone looked up from their phone and honored the pause
it was sweet
~


find moments of peace amid the chaos

inhale
exhale
& be who you are
even when everything seems loud & rushed
around you

learn ways to nourish yourself

accept what makes you 
you

be present with where you are right now

take a moment to be grateful
breathe

know what moves you

say "no" to what is wrong for you

speak up about what matters to you
let things matter to you

pay attention to the small
as much as to the great

seek out room to breathe in daily life

make decisions that support your physical
psychological
and spiritual well-being

you create your life every day

be well...
xoxo
💞


'Do not be conformed to this world
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.'
Romans 12:2

"Experience one beautiful thing a day.
However small. However trivial.
Read a poem. Play a favorite song.
Laugh with a friend.
 Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night.
Watch a classic movie.
Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever.
Just give yourself one simple reminder
that the world is full of wonders.
Even if we are at a point in life where we can't appreciate things,
it sometimes helps to remember there are things 
in this world to enjoy, when we're ready."

 

Take time to reflect....

....at the end of the day and appreciate the fact

you were able to live it.

notes....

the stories, splitting a funnel cake with hubby,

and slushies for us girls.

perfect festival weather

reconnecting with old friends

 photos 

bubbles and escaping balloons floating to the sky

nostalgia and magic in small town traditions

~

embrace the goodness

see people that are right in front of you

love your neighbors as yourself

choose joy and appreciation

be still and listen

remain present &

become one with it.

the best of life exists beyond the things

you were taught to crave

don't miss the sacredness of any moment

by wishing it was some other way

take a little time to be amazed

experience a glow

a sparkle

make memories

feel alive

 

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind

works healing,

but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

~Proverbs 17:22

"It's not joy that makes us grateful,

it's gratitude that makes us joyful."

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Every now and then it's good to stop climbing

and appreciate the view from right where you are."

"The biggest lie we're told is 'Be with someone who makes you happy.'

The truth is, happiness is something you create on your own.

Be with someone who adds to it."

 

A great lesson....

.... to learn is to soften during difficult times.

Times where we might rather shut down

and throw up our protective walls.

'When we open up, soften, and allow things to flow,

it provides opportunity to grow into our fullest potential

allowing amazing things to happen.

notes...

...laying down on the yoga mat draws the cat to my chest like a magnet 

she tries to shift with the all the changes

& sometimes she tries to hang on...

Chatting with a classmate/friend this morning

 we met during our coach training

 at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

she says...

"We've been on the phone for an hour and 45 min."

 

it's been a while...

we go to hang up

but we continue...

it's cooler this morning

 I caught a mosquito with tweezers

to feed a spider

 & my coffee tastes amazing

~

there are always challenges

you make the choice of whether you 

want to shut down or grow

frustration is your teacher

listen to what it has to say

about your beliefs

you may have to stretch a bit

face every situation with faith

not fear

get a bigger perspective

if you live for the approval of others

you will die by their disapproval

stay focused on your purpose

not your problem

life is meant to be fully lived

approach it with full involvement

understand timing on every detail

in your life

know when to speed up and when to slow down

remember God can bring good out of anything

He knows how to make the most of your life

more than you do

relax

He doesn't ask you do to anything

without providing you the power to do it

be kinder to yourself 

and to others

experience tenderness for who you are

be softer

be willing to love more today than you did yesterday

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When you blame and criticize others,

you are avoiding some truth about yourself."

"Beware of the half truth.

You may have gotten hold

of the wrong half."

"You gotta look for the good in the bad,

the happy in the sad, the gain in your pain,

and what makes you grateful not hateful."

 

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."

Everything you experience....

....is a way to feed your spirit.

Some things nourish you

while others drain you.

Pileated Woodpecker feather

"Know the difference,

notice how you feel with each experience.

Your spirit is a navigation tool to 

keep you alive and well."

notes...

waking up with a nudge to walk the shoreline

a black and white feather on the beach

the Bald Eagle screeching across the cove

a beautiful space all to myself 

fishermen in their boats out early

a friend/coach that can see what I couldn't see

prayer, clarity, provision

refreshed hope

~

fill your mind with life and peace

pray for protection and discernment

refuse to worry it will weigh you down

and block your awareness

stay alert

find relief in the truth that 

it is more about

 persistence

not

 perfection

 in your spiritual walk

unforgiveness/ bitterness is devastating

it can imprison you

reflect the grace you have been shown

to others

forgive

'suddenly a wall becomes a gate...'

your mental fuel propels you

the kind of fuel you burn goes

from you to others

fill up on the highest octane available

and energize your inner and outer world

take responsibility for your actions

and nobody else's

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Only the heart knows how to find 

what is precious."

'You are a beautiful being, and your feelings,

personality, and essence make you who you are.

I accept you in all your imperfections.

I not only accept you as you are,

I LOVE you as you are.

I want to fulfill you

If you feel discouraged,

 like a bony finger is pointing in your direction

it is not Mine.

Don't be punked by the accuser.

Shut out the world and focus on Me.

I freely relieve you and heal you

because of My unmatched LOVE for you.

I never give up on you.

I won't stop transforming you.

So don't give up on yourself.'

~Jesus~

"If life were fair,

I'd be much worse off."

~

'Black and white feather:

spiritual

waking up to revelations you hadn't considered

guided on your quest

keep an open mind

remain grounded

protection from negative energy

diversity of the mind and soul

different perspective

growth

need for change

stir things up

overcome limiting beliefs

ability to see good and evil and recognize the difference

need for balance.'

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~

 

What matters most....

....is not found in the destination 

but revealed in the issues that you

have to resolve along the way.

notes...

coffee with my stepdad on the porch

 bridging 1300 miles by phone 

letting go of some rigidity in my morning routine 

complimenting each other's sage,

color matched outfits with the orthopedic surgeon

another injection for trigger finger

blue skies and white fluffy clouds

more wedding plans and a gracious VRBO host

focus clears away dead space and clutter 

captures details

& highlights what you want to remember 

focus minimizes distractions 

keeps you from being preoccupied &

from overlooking important facts 

focus protects your goals & dreams 

from slipping away in segments of compromise 

 'focus is the antenna that prayer helps to

keep raised & alert '

let everything come to you in the moment it

is meant to be 

even the most routine part of your day 

can be spiritual 

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Faith is the application of what one believes - the process of putting feet to our beliefs & living in light of it....in practical terms."

"Nothing is so often irretrievably missed as daily opportunity."

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."