When your....

....life is prioritized in a way that makes sense for you,

you experience definite satisfaction and

true contentment.

]

notes...

The guys are off to work

Fritz is my side-kick today

the sunflowers are starting to burst

the praying mantis was at the front door

I was it's uber to the garden

it was so happy for the ride it jumped for joy

and I had to search on my hands and knees

 to take it's picture

whispering a prayer that the severe storms 

pass by our little town tonight

and everyone is safe

learn to laugh at yourself

more freely

don't take yourself so seriously

enjoy life lightheartedly

' a cheerful heart is good medicine'

 keep your faith uncluttered

happiness will come from setting the priorities

you need for the dream you have locked into

make decisions about what it best for you

based on your priorities

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Today is the perfect day to create the change you desire.

Life is too short to dwell in misery, hoping that someday

things will change. 

You could make a million excuses as to why right now isn't 

the right time, but then you will never find the perfect time

to do anything.

Perfection is just an illusion.

If we keep waiting for the stars to align,

we will reach the end of our lives regretting that

we never tried.

Stop the waiting game and take action toward the 

change you want."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

Nothing in this....

...world is permanent,

including our stories.

Keep reinventing your story

as you continue to grow.

notes...

He wanted to spray before it rained,

I went along. The calves cleared a path

up to the pond.

#62 reminds me of Blondie when she was young,

I felt a nibble on my back when I was taking her picture.

replace your old story

with a newer happier story

redirect your focus

breathe it in

bombard yourself with it

get into new habits 

record blessings and small things 

your grateful for 

choose thoughts that help you flourish

don't let your brain boss you around

take small positive activities

you don't have to gain a bunch of knowledge

or figure it all out

be an authentic version of yourself

you don't need to conform in order

to belong

your true greatness will not come out

if you try to be what someone else 

wants you to be

make the most of what you're given

you are custom made

growth and change 

are inevitable

do you want to do something

awesome for God?

Go be you!

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Talk less. Listen more. Feel deeper.

Love better. Open your eyes.

Experience life."

~unknown~

"Listen and silent are spelled

with the same letters.

Think about it."

~unknown~

"The truth you believe and cling to

makes you unavailable to hear

anything new."

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~

 

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~

In your simplicity...

...dwells your power.

'Silence means rest, rest of body and mind

in which you become available for 

Him whose heart is greater than yours.'

Give up control over your actions and thoughts,

allowing something creative to happen

not by you but to you.

Silence is that moment in which you not only 

stop the discussion with others

but also the inner discussions with yourself,

in which you can breathe in freely

and accept your identity as a gift.

It is in this silence that the Spirit of God

can pray in you and continue His 

creative work in you....

Without silence the Spirit will die in you

and the creative energy of your life will float 

away and leave you alone, cold, and tired.

Without silence you will lose your center and

become the victim of the many who demand

your attention.'

( from  a Henry Nouwen reading)

some notes:

there is no randomness about your life

walk in the here and now

every moment is alive

ground yourself in truth and prayer

be still 

set aside a time for listening

blocking out distractions

reconnect with your soul

find the still-quiet place within you

a dream is planted there

discover what you want to do in this life

faithfully pursue it with integrity and hope

without this time

your soul becomes malnourished

set priorities 

and do the most important things first

stand in awe of the life around you

be merciful

learn to trust yourself

take care of yourself

simple awe is not complex

not expensive

sunrises & sunsets are free

live so much in awe of what's going on 

around you,

there's no time to live in judgement

of others around you

resist the distraction of comparison 

& criticism

be calm and quiet by yourself

fully awake & following with

close attention every move 

going on inside of you

seijaku (Japanese)

tranquility, serenity or active calmness

profound inner stillness and peace

maintaining a steady focused mind

a quality of quiet, even when noise is present

stay home with yourself

there's no shame in not having the answers

healing feels like finally finding a friend that understands

it might taste like the morning air that reminds you

of your freedom to breathe

when the mind gets quiet

something beautiful happens

you are most beautiful on the inside.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"In the end it's probably less important that you believe in God

than that there's a God who believes in you."

"I understand now that the vulnerability I've 

always felt is the greatest strength a 

person can have.

You can't experience life without feeling life.

What I've learned is that being vulnerable to 

somebody you love is not a weakness,

it is strength."

~Elisabeth Shue~

A sense of wonder...

...in the small touches of goodness, sweetness,

beauty, and innocence in life.

 

Plan A. volunteer at the barn.

  Turned to plan B when client cancelled.

There was no plan B.

Let go, and go with the flow.

A quick wardrobe change from farm clothes to Tai Chi attire,

and an hour to spare. 

Decide to...

walk at the Zoo.

Heart stolen by an adorable 4 year old (ish) boy in the petting zoo.

I pet. He pops a pellet in their mouth.

"Great picture!" he says every time I snap a shot.

"Why, thank you buddy!" 

We do this for some time....switching goats.

(Mom and baby sister too)

 Time runs out.

 I get up ( from squatting position) to leave.

He looks at me all excited, holds out his small hand (for mine)

 and in a sweet little voice...

"C'mon....lets go see

the rest of the animals."

notes & quotes...

direct your thoughts to the good

distractions result in drifting

every time

fill you life with decisions not distractions

replace distraction with direction

retrain your brain

focus on what you are grateful for

life is full of opportunities to reframe negative,

and practice finding the positive

there's a new way of living

if your willing to step into it

approach each day with enthusiasm,

anticipation, and determination

to live in alignment with life

remember, joy is your internal guidance system

when you are in a state of joy or happiness,

you are doing something right

find small glimmers of light that remind you

to just relish in the moment

rest in the in-betweens

where you find gratitude you find rest

learn to live unhurried

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you want change to occur, 

you must do something about it.

Like a caterpillar goes through the process

of creating a cocoon,

you too can do the hard work to create the 

transformation you desire.

Success doesn't happen overnight;

a process is required.

Do something every day that serves your 

desired result.

Each stride will change you just a little

and prepare you for what's next.

Eventually you will emerge,

like a caterpillar from the chrysalis,

transformed and more vibrant."

 

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

💗

 

Incoming storms...

.....sourdough bread still warm from the oven,

with butter & honey.

Clothesline fresh rugs on freshly mopped floors,

and the hallway closet's

annual transformation from pantry to

tornado shelter.

 

The things that soothe...

note:

Neurosurgeon called

appt. for the end of the month

hold onto the good

create space

ride the winds of passion in your life

let go of things that no longer

serve you

take a break from processing your thoughts

tend to your responsibilities

and don't take things so 

personally

trust yourself

live and experience life

let things happen

remain calm and confident

do not be dismayed

meditate

learn to love the person you're responsible

for taking care of-

yourself

be well...

xoxo

💞

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...

but how much love we put into that action."

~Mother Teresa~

"When the world feels like an emotional roller coaster,

steady yourself with simple rituals.

Do the dishes. Fold the laundry.

Water the plants.

Simplicity attracts wisdom."

Take action...

...to move toward the vision of life you 

desire.

You get to decide the way it will go.

"Your vision will become clear

only when you look in your own

heart"

~Carl Yung~

Notes to self,

Appreciate and non-compete.

'the shoe that fits one person

pinches another'

you are complete

remove debris and clutter from your heart

it is impossible to have a need

God cannot meet

miracles of transformation happen every

day

'a mystery-ridden life is still filled with light

and it's OK to have days where you are

still learning what that looks like.'

relief, release, and change are possible

when you simply accept

taking the wrong path is not dangerous

pouring all your will into serving that path

is

stop investing in what has lost it's meaning

a thought is not forever

if you don't like it

release and change

accept who you are

trust the magic that acceptance brings

be well...

xoxo

💝

"If the art of the magician to to distract attention

from what's really happening,

then what is life but the ultimate

magic trick?"

"Never mind searching for who you are.

Search for the person you aspire to be."

"May this be the season of courageous pursuit:

to fully enjoy the present moment

right in front of you,

no longer restrained by heavy mind

and things to do,

choosing to believe with bold faith

today is worth a long and loving look."