And then...

...it happens.

"One day you wake up

and you're in this place.

A place where everything feels right.

Your heart is calm.

Your soul is lit.

Your thoughts are positive.

Your vision is clear.

You're at peace, at peace with where you've been,

at peace with what you've been through,

and at peace with where you're 

headed."

~unknown~

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

Stop. Look...

...and listen.

This just simplified a few things for me.

notes...

It's okay to be who you are meant to be

The 5 things that make you, you.

    ' S  spiritual gifts

H  your heart

   A  your abilities

        P  your personality

       E  your experiences

there are certain things you don't do well

what are you really good at?

what do you love to do?

don't believe every message you hear

test it

How do you know if you are hearing His voice?

It passes all 7 questions:

~Is it in harmony with the word of God?

truth never changes

whether you believe it or not

~Does it make you more like  Christ?

life is a test, a trust

a temporary assignment

~Does your church family confirm it?

~Is it consistent with how God shaped you?

He doesn't want you to be somebody you're not

He made you to be you

there are certain things you don't do well

what are you really good at?

what do you love to do?

~Does it concern your responsibility?

if it's not your responsibility

why should God talk to you about it?

don't try to figure out other peoples

lives.

Is it convicting rather than condemning?

condemnation is not from God

Do you sense peace about it?'

confusion is not from God

"If all you hear is negative messages

something is wrong."

be well...

xoxo

💖

Get good....

 

....at what you do.

Do the best you can.

Don't loose the fun in the process.

notes...

do good

share with others

you have everything you need

to be bold

you have the power to change  your mind-

and that is an amazing thing

choose joy

choose happiness

choose peace

commit  yourself

on a deep level

trust yourself

ask God for guidance

listen quietly

let His light strengthen you

choose to live courageously

develop an attitude of

appreciation

see the good in a situation

choose to be thankful regardless

of what goes wrong

faith is what you do with your 

accumulated beliefs...

living out what you believe

hide scripture in your heart

He gives you what you need

to know

when you need it

pause and be quiet

wait

timing is everything

love and care for the people in 

front of you

sometimes the best advice you can give

is a hug

you already have a part

play it with assurance

you can contribute to the flow

you don't have to figure it all out

sow seeds of life

water them daily

"Blessed are the peacemakers"

Matthew 5:9

just go love everybody today

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The great thing about a positive attitude

is that it creates it's own ambience.

It is it's own scenic overlook,

it's own flowering meadow,

it's own walk on the beach."

"It's not about finding fun things to do.

It's about finding someone in whose 

company it's all fun."

Pause worrying...

...about what you "should" be doing

or what your missing out on,

or what other's think.

Be happy being your true you.

In the moment.

In the middle of where you are.

notes...

...a nest was laying on the ground, so I placed it 

back in the bush...

I wish I could buy them all a house.

I hear Otis howling...💕

approach each new day 

looking for treasures 

along the way

tap into what brings you true joy

it means something

and usually represents

the biggest & best version

of yourself

do not doubt your worth

your life is important

you are the only you there is

pray

investigate

plan

prepare

and follow the steps as they unfold

if your learning to be "right"

instead of learning to love

you've missed the lesson

give yourself a break from 

comparison

don't try to measure up 

to unfair expectations

sit quietly

be patient

wait to hear from your

inner guidance

you have all the answers you need

you just need to give them the chance

to get through to you

"God's love isn't as complicated as our

discussions about it are.

Keep it simple.

Love everybody, always."

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Our hearts speak volumes. We can learn and grow

from intuitive clues if we know how to listen

in stillness.

Intuition gives signs as to how we can fulfill our

desires and take the necessary actions to make

our dreams come true.

To find your intuition, take some time to sit in silence.

While sitting in silence, listen to what your

heart has to say.

It may take practice, but in time you will

recognize your inner voice."

"Sometimes we don't know what we want,

and we blame our unhappiness

on someone who doesn't know,

either."

"Things work out best for those who 

make the best of how things work out."

 

Don't blindly...

...follow your habitual route.

 

Listen to your heart.

The voice of gentle love.

You get to choose how you see

your reality.

Get out of your head.

There are no wrong turns or twists.

There's just being.

Reconnect to who you truly are,

and start investing in what is true for you.

notes...

listen to that still small voice

take a breather

let go of limiting beliefs 

that hold you back

live in the present

trust

go for what's in your heart

stay the course

life will give you what you need

it may not be what you would have chosen

but a more wonderful

impactful 

one

believe 

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Life is like sailing--

you can use any wind  to go in any direction."

"You only get one life,

but you can't get through it as

only one person."

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."

Create a ritual...

...around my musings.

focus on the things

that move me

or an image I love

and capture it.

notes:

the trick for finding some clarity 

is to look a little closer

memories connect end to end

and become who we are

concentrate on the stirrings of  your soul,

to  know that being alive is being loved

maintain a loving attitude

every single day, learn how to slow down,

breathe deep, and let go of how you 

think life is supposed to be

let go of expectations 

and make room for new ways

of thinking

your authenticity is found hidden

in the small details of your daily round

be well...

xoxo

💖

"You don't always have to try so hard

to live each day to the fullest.

Each day is full on it's own.

All you have to do is notice."

"You can wait for a miracle,

but a better strategy is to meet it halfway."

"Stay in the moment.

The practice of staying present will heal you.

Obsessing about how the future will turn out

creates anxiety.

Replaying broken scenarios from the past

causes anger and sadness.

Stay here.

In this moment."

The greatest....

....joy is found...

Orioles in the backyard

fresh  loaf of sourdough cooling

a walk with my neighbors

Wren song through open windows

...when you let each day seize you.

notes:

you shape your future by how you handle

the present

trust the unfolding of things

be touched by those moments

refreshen your life so that

 it brings you happiness

create a good life for yourself

'Love a world that barely knows

what it means to love itself.'

...and you may begin to see before you,

what your here to do.

remember your breath

and move forward with love

be well...

xoxo

💝

" So what if, instead of thinking

about solving your whole life,

you just think about adding additional

good things.

One at a time.

Just let your pile of good

things grow."

" The key to happiness is pretty much the same

as the key to worry and anxiety--

you must learn to make a big deal our of nothing."

 

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~

Thank You seems....

.... too small today.

I woke up this morning feeling a much bigger word,

 one I can't come up with.

 I need....something... more.

 I looked out the window as I filled the kettle for coffee, 

a Grosbeak landed in the back yard.

(rare)

I whisper a joyful "Thank You".

My kiddo still asleep in the other room,

here for work.

"Thank You for him."

Gary's relaxed in his recliner, coffee in hand, catching the news.

"Thank You for him too."

"Thank you for my people."

Sunshine and a fresh cool breeze, after all the storms.

Refreshing. Energizing. Restoring.

"Thank you for this clear & beautiful day!"

Charles Stanley? Or maybe it's Jr.?

A bright red cardinal

with a missus... 

without... 

tail feathers.

I whisper a "Thank You, for him, & that he survived

whatever misfortune took his tail."

I smile that he, the cat and my grand-dog all have nubby butts.

"Thank You for all the little things."

 Tears well up.

I take a deep breath &

  say "Thank You! For good news on 

the condition (stenosis) of my neck.

That I am okay."

"It should be fine as long as you'll need it to be!"

Surgeon says.

"There are options for pain...."

"Thank you,

I got this for now..."

He agrees.

Grosbeak:

Live in harmony with yourself

embrace who you are

forgive yourself

trust your instincts

meditate more

be kinder to yourself

Practice contentment

"Fear and doubt can keep you

from living your best life.

So you mustn't give them a place

in your mind."

~Grosbeak~

Notes:

the dawning of each new day is a gift

not to be taken for granted

the earth is vibrantly alive with blessings

slow your pace

learn to see

trust God fully in all areas of your life

vulnerability is not a sign of weakness

but of strength

happiness comes by living simply

to know that less is more

&

quality is better than quantity

if you search for the positive

your mind is calibrated to 

find it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"When A great moment knocks on the door 

of your life, it is very often no louder than

the beating of your heart,

and it is very easy to miss it."

"What we are is God's gift to us."

"Remember that you already are

what you are seeking."