"Do not dwell...

...in the past, do not dream of the future,

concentrate the mind on the present moment."

~Buddha~

praying mantis:

 patience, stillness, mindfulness, and good luck.

This little one wasn't so lucky...it's little prayer limbs were

missing. I read about them....and it's common,

and they do grow back.

notes...

still dark, lightning flashing in the west,

cow moo's coming from a nearby farm,

coyotes that sound too close,

a cool breeze on the porch 

the trio of crickets, Polly purrs, and an owl hoot

wrapped in my NY blanket...

with my cup of coffee

having a moment

create some space to contemplate 

the mysteries of life

every event in your life provides opportunity

to learn the deepest lessons

act in your best interests and being true

to yourself

let go of the need for approval 

approve of yourself

in the end that's the only approval that counts

be open to healthy options for taking

care of yourself

"Meditation should be a daily priority

 for all believers."

~Charles Stanley~

peace is a quality of the Spirit

that is everywhere present

all of the peace that you could ever desire

is already within you

you contract this peace through prayer 

and meditation

quietness and trust accomplish far

more than you can imagine

your not looking for popularity or applause

you're in search of purpose

don't spend your time obsessing

about what others are doing

traveling your own path is all consuming

meditate on scripture

apply the word to your situation

through prayer and meditation

free yourself from wrong thinking

honor the mystery of each moment

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Relax. You are enough. you do enough.

Breathe extra deep, let go, and just live

right now in this moment."

"Stay in the moment. The practice of staying present

will heal you. Obsessing about how the future will turn out

creates anxiety.

Replacing broken scenarios from the past causes

anger and sadness.

Stay here, in this moment."

"Clear your mind.

Your heart is trying to tell you something."

 

Very random thoughts...

....and a letter from the past.

dinner, a selfie,...and if you look close...a cat on my head....💝

I feel the winds of change. 

Sticking close to God and

trusting in Him for direction.

I have this wonky energy of standing at a starting gate,

 waiting for the gun to fire...

while attempting to wait patiently...

and wait...

and wait.

I watched a movie with Hayley Mills and Diane Keaton 

the other night. Love them both.

Hayley Mills? 

I developed a bit of a girl crush...

she is 80 and so freaking adorable!!!

Both are a light.

Our chicken neighbors have been popping over the fence

for a visit from time to time.

The other night, one went missing... so we hunted in the dark.

 Later I received a photo text of

 a big speckled chicken sitting up in the tree.

Ellie May looks pregnant

the thought of little kids hopping around next door

makes me happy.

Can't wait!

My neighbor is baking Brandon and Molly's

wedding cake. 

She brought over a practice cake for us to try.

I may have teared up a bit.

Brandon made an express trip into the area 

I met him for dinner, and to bring him

some cake.

He told me he started writing his vows...

 I told him I was going to be a blubbering mess.

He said his friend N.. will be OK unless he sees someone

cry. 

Warning to N....don't look my way.

I'm about to mosey into the advanced class in Tai Chi.

My classmate battles with Parkinson's .

He's advancing with me....or I won't go.

Yesterday we were stretching up on our toes like a ballerina,

and I said, "I'm too wobbly today..."

and he said,

"I have a hard time even making my feet work."

and we both laughed

He has a good spirit.

He seems to move more smoothly during practice.

There's something to it.

I've been filling up journals like a madwoman

16 pages....14 pages....stuff is coming up,

ideas, direction, non-essential....quotes,

memories, flashbacks....

a lot. 

waiting....waiting....studying...

practicing...

patience.

I am combing through my journal notes from the last month.

Pilfering... sleuthing...

revisiting highlighted sentences, starred & underlined areas

while highlighting more as I go.

I'm under investigation,

by me.

Putting the pieces together...to start coaching

and taking steps forward as I take in more...

I am in the flow...

yet....still not fully ready to launch.

This morning, I read a letter that formed on the 9th of last month....

it was on a Sunday...

I had just prayed for patience...

wanting to default into DIY and help God out.

Let's go!

And also wanting to wait for His perfect timing...

no easy task.

I know I am still processing....

& there is a lot going on.

I seriously trust that He has a better plan than mine anyway...

so with that said...

I'll place my trust there.

.....

'Dare to begin to be happy. You will go forward in the way before you,

you will soon receive the promise,

I will give you your heart's desire.

I understand perfectly things about you which you have

yet to discover. Open your heart fully to Me.

You will experience My boundless Love.

I want your life to bear fruit.

No one can go it alone Spiritually.

I will lead you to a place I know you will thrive. Be obedient to wherever 

My Spirit leads you.

Stop worrying, fretting, and being anxious.

I will help you through this.

Get real with your mess-ups, and don't act like you have it all together.

I am more concerned about you faking it than if you blow it.

I want you to know I see you, and there is nothing you can do to

make Me love you more!

Don't go into hiding. Keep it real.

Let me enter into your failures with you &

watch what happens.

Do something with what you believe & fight back against boredom of a 

faith without activity.

Faith without works is as useless as a pen without ink.

I don't need your help.

I want your heart, and you will understand more about Me

the more you engage in your faith.

You will be alright, for you are still learning what it means to be strong.

Keep going.

Find a place to rest.

Then rise up and begin again.

Have a blast today.

Search for little signs, take a walk, but

find your adventure in Me and express your faith

in love and in action.

Talk to Me all the time. 

This single habit will improve every area of your life.

Hear Me say,

"That's my girl!"'

~Jesus~

(compilation of notes....)

be well...

xoxo

💞

"There is a lesson to be learned from reading biographies,

it is that no one enters this life with a plan."

"To know all the facts about anyone is to be considerably

more informed on the subject than they are."

"You cannot change tomorrow by changing yesterday,

that is what today is for."

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."

He gives us...

....clear direction for our life.

Don't move until you have it.

Peace is the umpire.

notes...

Charles Stanley is my favorite.

He's soft, caring, comforting, Fatherly....

I listen to his audio books in the car,

before I go to sleep, & sometimes in the morning 

when I just want to be still and be soothed by the word.

I've binged Charles this week.💖

He's also hubby's favorite...

so that's a bonus.

God gives us the capacity to make very wise 

decisions and gives us clear guidance

clear the pathway

a pure heart

exercise patience

be willing to wait

be alert to pressure

exterior pressure:

people telling you what you ought to do

how you ought to think

and give you advice

no matter what the circumstance is

if God doesn't give you clear direction

do not step into it because of pressure

shoulds, oughts, and musts,

will get you in a lot of trouble

persistent prayer

when you are praying for something

don't let go of it

meditate on God's word

He tailors words to fit you

it will grab you and give you direction

wait for peace

harmony and oneness

disorder, disharmony, unrest, frustration, anxiety,

fear, all those things are not God

your soul wait in silence

not murmuring, fuming, criticizing,

and blaming

avoid the pressures

wait in peace

the circumstances may not change

but you can walk through the difficult times

and face them

create harmony in your heart

be well...

xoxo

💝

 

Echoes of a story....

...that started long before you were born.

"We were already born into a story that was 

already mid-chapter."

'Sort through the luggage and decide what is worth

keeping and what needs to be left.'

"It starts when you look at the heaviness in your spirit

& say 'This isn't mine to carry anymore'."

'Walk forward with your hands empty & your heart open

to whatever is actually yours.'

You're no longer a passive passenger in your own life.

You stand alone against the tide.

You stand up as the protector you always needed.

The story takes a different turn, the pen is in your hand.

Your harsh inner critic begins to soften.

Stop blaming yourself for how you were shaped.

'Moving forward requires you to look at the gaps

without letting them swallow you.'

'You are not what happened to you,

you are what you choose to become.'

Your spirit needs specific things to thrive

You have a heart with it's own set of instructions.

Take up the space that was always yours.

'By taking care of yourself,

you are actually becoming a more

grounded present person for 

the people you love.'

You have more energy for the people 

and things that actually matter.

You have to be okay disappointing people.

You are finally home.

notes to self...

be willing to let go of familiar comforts

so you can say a wholehearted "Yes"

to life

don't waste your energy projecting yourself

into the future - trying to walk through

those "not-yet" moments in your mind

you have unlimited resources,

and a vast army of angels at

your beck and call to provide

what you need

pray as you make decisions

what is driving you?

reject discouragement

there is a benefit in the challenge

settling for the ordinary when 

extraordinary is right around the corner

doesn't get you anywhere

identify what is keeping you back

pray for the guts & grit to do something

about it

be well...

xoxo

💞

"To let no one ever know of your vulnerabilities

is to let no one ever know of your courage."

"You pray for a miracle--

for divine intervention--

until one day it finally hits you--

that you are the tool by which God intervenes,

that your prayer for a miracle

was answered on the day you were born."

"One thing that we probably have in common with the ancients

is that they didn't know they were living in biblical times, either."

 

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."

 

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."