You will...

...get on in this world when

you get up and look for 

the circumstances you want.

...a little something from Price

If you can't find them, create them.

If you have the gift of today, 

you've got another another chance to 

make your life as perfect as it is possible

to do with what you have.

"Bloom where you're planted."

'Today, you get another chance to get it as

right as you can make it.'

notes...

I am usually back home in N.Y this time 

of year. 

I missed being with Dad for Father's day.

My devotionals all themed around "Letting go of attachment"

this morning, 

and I felt the pang.

It's chilly so I opened all the windows

and put my hoodie on.

Tai Chi was changed to Wednesday this week.

The house looks like a bomb went off...

I accept the fact that I do need a pantry.

(alias...emergency tornado shelter as mentioned yesterday).

 I will affectionately clean this mess up

and declare it as my "seasonal pantry workout".

cultivate faithfulness

over worry

it requires strenuous effort

on your part

your security is not anything

you could possess

your spiritual well-being is

far more important

than anything material

check your thinking

perspective matters

see how things work out

God always points you

to a better version 

of yourself

foster relationships with

positive people

love attracts love

there is hope for a beautiful future

if you want it

you gain clarity in the challenges

by understanding the overarching

storyline of your life

who you are is more important

than what you've done

let go of distractions

both past & present

let go of grasping for outcome

remember that everything you have

is a gift from above

including each breath you breathe

fill your life with

focus on the true plot

that will link everything together

*love*

be well...

xoxo

💖

"For fruit to grow, the soil needs to be fertile

and water plentiful.

During the growth and ripening season,

we pull weeds that hinder growth.

Roots grow deeper as the plant grows

to support the weight of the fruit.

In our own lives,

we can also pull weeds to allow beautiful

things to ripen.

Unless growth is the focal point,

we can easily become sidetracked by things

that keep us from reaching our potential.

By staying focused,

we become more grounded and in our purpose."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

A Double feature...

... for this rainy Sunday. 

Rick and Michael pair well for me.

  Sharing my picks for the week.

notes...

A Wrenn perched right above me on the porch and 

serenaded me. I reached for my camera and it flew away.

The tornado sirens went (3 times)

 and I made a mad rush to empty out the pantry

in case we needed to crawl in.

Debating on weather we need a pantry at this point.

More storms in the forecast.

Yesterday was nice.

Molly's bridal shower was sweet. It was nice to see

everyone, and meet some of the faces I've 

only heard stories about.

One was directionally challenged like me.

Another pea in my pod... it made me happy.

from Rick...

Sharpen your ax

learn how to deal with negative people

remember that they are not God

fear of humans disables

what others think is none of your business

don't get distracted by negativity

you were made for something bigger

with every opportunity comes opposition

you do not have to defend everything you do

or believe

most use motivational reasoning

it is bases on emotion

not logic

you are not nearly as logical as you think 

you are

don't be intimidated by naysayers

some of them aren't very bright

never attack back

if your smart you'll keep quiet

you don't need anyone's approval to be happy

you are as happy as you choose to be

be well...

xoxo

💖

"You can wrestle with a pig 

but only one of you will enjoy it."

"Birds only sing when they feel safe-

signaling on a deep cellular level that you 

are safe too.

Their frequencies calm the nervous system,

lowering cortisol and anxiety.

Birdsong is nature's medicine.

Every chirp, a somatic baptism."

~Dr. Will Cole~

"Your nervous system will naturally

feel calm around people with pure

intentions and kind hearts.

Gut feelings are guardian angels."

~Dr. Will Cole~

 

In moments...

...of stillness,

when you are faced with both 

the good and the sucky emotions

keep looking where the light pours in.

notes...

 God has a way of breaking open the dam

it feels sucky....but beneficial

it's rainy, thundery, and cool

 perfect for some quality porch time with Fritzy

they leave today

I'm not a fan of "the leaving"

 I often tear up when hubby gives his

wave as he leaves for work

relax and enjoy the present moment

you need to release your emotions

 in a safe place

God will relieve and refresh your soul

He is your refuge

your safe place

you are wise to conduct a 

spiritual self-examination

redirect your focus on the needful

areas of your life-

such as building your faith 

and character

continue to listen and

expect that whatever He reveals

will bless your soul

test your own actions

without comparing yourself

to others

you don't need to be the "same"

decide that what you have is special

and you are going to pursue it

with everything you've got

take note of the good, the bad, and everything

in between

 feel it all

remember to breathe

go deeper

see the value in it all

learn to be appropriately vulnerable

choose people who you can

 safely share yourself with

there's enough Love to go around

be well...

xoxo

💞

"They are wild and free,

the ones who embrace life with joy.

They are peaceful and serene,

the ones who find time to be quiet and still.

They are joyful and creative,

the ones who open their minds to 

possibility and growth.

You can be all of these things!

Find time for quiet and see the world

as full of possibility.

Embrace all that comes your way."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

What you're doing...

...when you're doing it, has value

even if you may not see it for decades.

Do what feels right-ish.

It all totally counts.

None of it is wasted.

notes...

we were spared from the high winds

a green-flyer chose to stay dry & practice on the porch

hubby asked me what direction we were driving in

"south"  a few minutes went by & he asked again

"east"

right both times

I shocked myself

it had to be God

 better start looking for a dress...my kiddo's getting married...💖

it's starting to get real

excited about the bridal shower this weekend

 gorgeous day....

respond to events of the world

as an occasion to change your heart

see the world through

the lens of love

pour love into what you do

when you take God seriously

He blesses you for it

mind the checks in your spirit 

and step out in faith

He wants the most joyful &

fruitful life for you

it takes a lifetime to learn

and grow as believers

it takes time to understand how to walk in faith

trusting in what you cannot see

have a heart that reflects

the values you cherish

anything worth upgrading in your life

is going to be challenging

or you would have already done it

'move from looking at your life from in front

& behind & step into it.'

you don't need an invitation

to pursue your ambitions

you're here

you're alive

you're able

there's plenty of conflict & uncertainty

in the world

but there is also 'boatloads of hope'

actively look for hope

live with anticipation

of what is possible

be happy now

be well...

xoxo

💖 

"Choose the adventure your life provides.

Each day is a blank page,

ready to be filled with our ups and downs,

which create a beautiful story.

Even though the adventure is not always easy,

vibrancy comes through resilience,

overcoming, and the happiness that awaits us

on the other side of every trial.

Each adventure presents itself as a way to

recalibrate our light more brilliantly."

A thought is harmless...

....unless we believe it.

notes...

"a stronghold is a lie that  you believe"

'your mind is your biggest asset'

'your thoughts control your life'

'all temptations happen in the mind'

'manage your mind

manage your life'

'whatever gets your attention 

gets you.'

'we know there's a hook

but we still keep nibbling'

'you cannot choose the behavior

and not choose the consequence'

'feed your mind

free your mind from destructive thoughts

focus your mind on the right things'

'bring your mind into order'

'don't let your mind run wild'

'Think about Jesus

think about others

think about eternity'

there's more to life than the here and now

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Learn to differentiate between the sound of intuition

guiding you and your traumas misleading you."

"Your beliefs don't make you a better person.

Your behavior does."

"If you truly want to change your life,

you first must be willing to change your mind."

Today's to do list....

....sit in the grass with my coffee & journal

Ride my bike on the lake trails,

 & capture a moment or two

along the way.

Breathe deep. Move.

Feed my soul.

notes...

LOVE it ! What a gorgeous day!!

I'm taking my bike out.

...she was rowing by and I asked her if I could

take her picture. 

She said I could. 

It makes me smile.

I got everything loaded to leave the trail.

Grabbed my phone, water, and camera.

Shut the hatch back.

Locked myself out.

(keys in backpack with bike)

Had the code on my phone,

but no glasses to see it..

couldn't expand it...

so I zoomed in with my camera.

More rain coming....

💞

practice being spontaneous

there's no such thing as

what you "should"  be doing

do something fun

life is a gift

claim it

live it

love just being

have fun

be happy

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The trick is to enjoy your life.

Don't waste away your days,

waiting for better ones ahead."

"You owe yourself one hour a day for self-

maintenance,

It can include reading, writing, yoga, exercise,

dancing, meditation, painting, or whatever,

but you owe it to yourself.

One hour, 1/24 of your day.

That is less than 5%.

It matters, it really does.

Make it count."

 

The perfect time....

...will never come,

so stop worrying about it.

If you want a different life,

you'll need to change things up

to make way for it.

Do what's important to you now.

notes...

He had an appointment and asked if I wanted to come along.

"I don't think so."

Then I did.

We went to lunch.  

When he dropped me off at home...

 he asked if I wanted to go to the farm later?

"Mmm...probably not."

Then I did. 

In my dress.

It's too hot for clothing.

Very sultry today.

  find joy

in the ordinary places

you don't have to go very far

to encounter something meaningful

chill out a bit

see who God has already placed in your life

backing down and letting a couple of things fall away

will get you where you're headed faster

don't  ever give up on love

be well...

xoxo

💖

"All we have to decide is what to do

with the time that is given us."

~J.R.R. Tolkien

"Do not be afraid of growing slowly,

be afraid only of standing still."

~Chinese Proverb~

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The second best time is today."

~Chinese Proverb~

 

Then one day....

...you see the reason you 

didn't get what you wanted,

(a very hot brown thrasher finally got in the shade)

(hubs in the rearview...and the magic of I-dunno-what-happened)

was because God had something much

better planned for you.

notes...

let your thoughts and spoken words

be flavored with thankfulness and trust

pay attention

notice

listen

take it in

let it be

somethings we are just meant to take in

for now

and that alone is enough

make the most out of every opportunity

your perception can be changed

the moment you choose to change it

you are the author of your own life

bust yourself in your own lies

Create the kind of life you love

be well...

xoxo

💝

"The trick is to live your happiness

with joyful daily awareness.,

not just recognize it years later

as a wistful memory."

"Reality is merely an illusion,

albeit a very persistent one."

~Albert Einstein~

"Your not supposed to win or lose arguments.

You're supposed to reach a mutual understanding

and agreement. Otherwise, you both lose."