Self-contentment

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Doors and windows open, sitting on an old tattered quilt,

listening to the clucks and giggles of the neighbor "ladies" (chickens),

 and to the incredible singing of the Tufted Titmouse who

flew as if it were coming in to join me, 

but chose instead, to land on a wire right above the door.

Polly happily flowing in an out of the house as if she 

was suddenly gifted a magical super-power, and 

testing it to see if it really works.

Keeping things simple right now. 

Staying focused on the moments as they unfold.

Riding out some shifts of newness and uncertainty.

Finding my flow.

Enjoying the lovely weather we've had lately.

Trying not to over-think things.

Letting go of the distractions that try to pull me down...(like overthinking things...).

Staying present to the surprising gifts, 

 and trusting the signs and signals along the way...

Tufted Titmouse

'If you envision this bird singing, it symbolizes good fortune.

Living in the present.

Step away from the past & worry less about the future.

Breakthrough is around the corner. 

Life is about to change completely.

Keep practicing expressing yourself.

Be cheerful even on your worst days.

Appreciate the small things in life.'

"Life is more amazing when you smile more 

and worry  less."

~Tufted Titmouse~

"Distractions are a dime a dozen: stay focused

on God's amazing plans for your life."

When we're distracted we lose sight of the path

that is laid out for us.

Do whatever it takes to eliminate  the distractions

that keep you pulled away from your innermost self.

Listen in solitude.

Become present.

Absorb the small moments of joy.

Trust in yourself.

Hold gratitude deep in your heart.

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Stop chasing distraction and numbing.

It's okay to be bored, to be silent, or be alone.

Sometimes we need a dopamine

detox from overstimulation to calm

our nervous system.

A break from streaming services,

junk food, alcohol, 

doomscrolling social media,

phone notifications, video games,

shopping.

Calm the noise to hear

what's going on inside."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"Did you know your gut, liver, fat,

& muscle talk directly to your brain?

Chronic stress inflames these organs,

and that inflammation feeds back to the 

brain, shaping mood and emotion.

When you calm your body,

your mind will follow."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~

"I wish people knew to hum more.

It awakens your Vagus nerve.

Your grounded, rested, center.

It calms anxiety, heart rate and

blood pressure.

It produces oxytocin and serotonin, 

your relaxation and pleasure pathways.

Humming is medicine."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Somatic and Journal

 

This is my YouTube pick lately,

I feel like I am on the same page.

Tai Chi was really fun today, and I moved

up to intermediate. Nice surprise.

Who knew?

Journal notes:

'You waste energy trying to determine if your resources are

adequate for the day.

It's better to simply acknowledge your inadequacy when you awaken

each morning, and rely on God's sufficiency."

Self-assessment can lead to panic,

which quickly sends you into a downward spiral.

'A cluttered mind worries about yesterday, today, and tomorrow-

consuming you, making it difficult for God to speak to your heart.'

"Don't take everything personally-

it is usually not about you."

"At some point we  need to figure out how God wired us

& where we are going to throw our energy."

Be patient when things get weird.

You'll never have all the answers.

Much of your frustration & failure come

from seeking perfection in this life.

'Too often we fight for our rights,

not realizing how our methods damage our relationships.'

Commit to love well.

"Believe in miracles like you believe in your next breath."

"Change can take years-

before it happens all at once."

'When you start your day with gratitude,

you'll be open to the opportunities, 

not the obstacles.'

It's good to wait quietly.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"When your present in gratitude,

you can't be anywhere else."

"Once you start seeing things to be grateful for,

your brain starts looking for more things

 to be grateful for." 

~UCLA neuroscientist~

"If thankfulness were a drug, 

it would be the best-selling product

with a health maintenance indication

for every major organ system."

~Duke Univ. Med. Center Biologic Psychology~

I Hope

To see life with beauty and compassion,

one of our most valuable tools is perspective.

It can change everything, if we choose to let it.

"You get to choose how you see your life.

So I hope you choose serendipity.

I hope that when something beautiful happens,

you take it as a confirmation,

and when something hard happens,

you take it as a moment to rest and heal.

I hope you choose to put together the pieces.

I hope you seek understanding.

I hope you find wells of Joy that may spring up through the day.

I hope you feel connection where others see separation.

I hope you know that a thousand failures are the 

building blocks of your becoming.

I hope you're not dissuaded by the dead ends.

I hope you know that they are not final destinations.

I hope you know that it is the courage yo keep beginning,

that ultimately gets us all where we are meant to be."

xoxo

💗

 

Coaching Mode

What loving action can you take today?

Maybe take sometime for nothing more than

the simple pleasure of reading a good book, 

or taking a deep breath of fresh air. 

(or both)

 Perhaps making a commitment to eat well,

and get some rest.

A simple step can be the beginning of a life-long

habit of self care, and love.

Give yourself grace and lightness into wellness.

Breathe.

This is an amazing journey.

Soak it in.

xoxo

💝