my wish for you

What I wish for you is
Peace of mind
The ability to see that you are enough, exactly as you are
You are the creator of the next step you are going to take

Where will you go?
What will you do?
Who will you invite along for the ride?

I wish you saw yourself the way I see you
Confidante
Strong
Radiating a brilliant light
I see the inner strength that you don’t even realize is there

Yes, you will fall
You will stumble
You may even cry a river of tears

But you will find your footing
You will navigate your own path forward
The path that only you know is there because it is meant for you

Trust where you are going
Trust your dreams and your own intuition
Don’t worry about what others think
Listen closely to those whispers in your heart
And leap into your destiny

I shared these words in yesterday’s virtual New Moon Class. I am so grateful that even though we cannot gather in person that Tara and I have continued hosting this online. The New Moon is all about setting intentions for your path forward. It is about honing in and getting clear.

In this unsteady environment, it is hard to know what the future holds but it is important to not stop dreaming. Dreaming is essential. It allows your mind space to wander free. It gives you permission to go beyond what is in front of you and think of what may be possible for you.

I encourage you to keep on dreaming.
Keep showing up.
Keep shining your light.
Because the world needs the light you shine.

Let’s Gather Together

I invite you to join me in this virtual circle. Where you can show up exactly as you are. Yes, your hair can be a mess (mine always is). Yes, you can be in your pj’s and even snuggled up in your bed. Yes, you can sign up the moment before class begins.

What matters most is you knowing that you aren’t alone. There is a community just waiting to sit with you. No prior experience in anything is needed to attend any of these virtual gatherings. Arrive as you are.

Check out the calendar below to see what is coming up and click on a particular event to register. Note that all times are in EST and all classes take place on Zoom.

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Join me over on Instagram @jbelthoff

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postcards from the moment

Around here things are hard. There are moments when I fall to my knees sobbing. Totally unsure what the future will look like. Heartbroken that my Dad has to be alone. Afraid to go to the supermarket. Avoiding any potential closeness to humans on my daily run.

It is a strange world we are navigating and I know I am not always handling it with grace. But that is ok. It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to sit in the fear. It’s ok to not know what the future will hold.

But with that darkness, there is still always light if you are willing to look for it. Moments of complete and utter joy. Laughter and silliness. Kindness and compassion.

Around here I have been seeking out these moments. Going for walks around the block. Facetiming with my nieces and nephews. Hosting weekly cousin game nights.

There is also showing up to the mat. Zoom Community gatherings. Carving out time to just sit and be quiet. Pushing myself out the door for fresh air even when I am reluctant to do so.

It is important to seek out the light, especially when you do not feel like it. It is going to be hard to do, but once you find it a small space will open up in your heart. You will begin to notice other things that were there before. You find your way back to yourself again.

In the darkness I invite you to find time to play. To let loose, shake things up. Turn to something you may not have tried before. Act like a child again.

With things being so hard I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my inner spark. But once I broke out the sidewalk chalk and started drawing a smile formed on my face and joy began to beat inside my heart. It was one small moment of my day, but filed me up in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

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Let’s Gather Together

Looking to be in Community during this isolation. Join me this week for two free classes.

Monday, 4/6 @ 8:30 pm EST

Join me for some writing together.  I will provide prompts to get you started and an opportunity to share, if you want.

Thursday, 4/9 @ 8:30 pm EST

Let's play with paper, markers and glue.  Through cutting and pasting along with writing let’s have some fun.

good enough

Previously the digital world was filled with perfectly curated moments.  It was only the things people wanted you to see and not exactly what was true in the moment.  The tiny corner in the room that looked fabulous but left out the mess that was next to it. The precisely edited video that cut out all the missteps and outtakes.  It felt a bit like rainbows and butterflies and not exactly what true life was.  

However, that need for perfection has shifted a bit in the midst of this new uncertainty that the Corona Virus had laid on us.  During this time of social distancing where we are asked to be apart, we are longing more than ever to be together. We want to hold onto some sense of normalcy and are seeking out new and different ways to connect.  

This has opened the door for the messy, imperfect, authentic moments to unfold.  Fumbling with online video, sound not being exactly right, the background behind you a bit in disarray.  It’s ok if you don’t start exactly on time. It’s ok if you try to figure it out while people are on the line.  It’s all ok.  

This moment in time is unique because it is something we have never gone through before and we are all figuring it out together.   We have no idea what tomorrow will bring, in fact, no idea what the next hour will bring. All we can do is show up where we are, exactly as we are.  Even if, and especially if that is not the sparkling versions of ourselves.  

Maybe you choose to get dressed today and put on makeup.  Maybe it’s 8 pm and you realize you haven’t gotten out of your pj’s.  Both are totally ok. You need to do what feels right for you and ditch any ideas of perfection.

The dishes in my sink are piling up.  There are stacks of books on my studio floor.  I am still rocking my comfy clothes. I am giving myself permission to just be as I am.  To do what feels right.  

And I am showing up where I can.  Taking it all digital and getting in front of the camera even when it feels uncomfortable.  Creating Zoom calls to connect my nieces and nephews with their other cousins. Giving them activities they can do virtually together so that they can see one another and laugh.  Happy hour’s with friends and family. Communing with other teachers in the area for virtual gatherings. Creating a place to land with a weekly virtual Community Circle.  

None of it is perfect.  There have been missteps along the way.  Moments when I fumble over words or have no idea what I am going to say next. But it’s good enough, and sometimes that is exactly what we need, good enough.  

I invite you to show up exactly as you are.  Perfectly imperfect. Knowing that you, as you are, is good enough. And that is all the world and those around you need right now. 

it's been awhile, and so much has changed

Hello Courageous Hearts,

It has been a while since I have been here and so much has changed. Life as we knew it has completely turned upside down. Whoever thought just a few short weeks ago that we would be where we are today. My heart weighs heavy with all that is going on in the world, but what I have also witnessed are amazing acts of courage, kindness, and compassion. I feel that more than ever we need one another.

This time of “social distancing” has me hunkering down, appreciating what surrounds me, and seeking out new ways to connect. I feel blessed for technology and the way it is keeping us virtually together.

I have also been putting pen to paper. Taking time each day to document what is happening around me. Noting what is closing, how I am feeling, what I did that day. It feels good to get it down.

I am trying to move my body more often. Working from home has me sitting stagnant for hours on end leaving me feeling exhausted. But I have been starting each morning with a workout and trying to get in an afternoon run or walk. It feels good to move.

I have also been taking time to notice what is around me. Notice the small things that I would usually hurry past. Before this all began I was in a constant rush, rush state. Planning Girl Scout Meetings, going to events, working my 9-5 and also on creating my dreams. I had very little time to slow down and just be.

And now here I stand with all of you. With nowhere to go. Nowhere to be, except be home. And when I am not working I am trying to slow down the pace. Dustin I are cooking more meals together. Going for walks. Zoning out watching Netflix. We are on this rollercoaster ride of emotions together. Sometimes we are doing great, other times the weight of what is going on weighs heavy on my heart.

I am learning to be more compassionate. To not judge myself when I just want to crash on the couch and do nothing. But I am also enjoying connecting with others virtually. It is interesting how I feel more connected to the people I work with then I did when I was in the office. This common unknown bringing us together.

Here’s what I know in this moment:

• We are all in this together.

• I (and you) are not alone. Even if you are living alone. you are connected to this community. Please reach out if you are feeling lonely and know that we all feel that way at times.

• We need each other now more than ever

• Music makes me happy and lifts my spirits

• Fresh air fills me up as well

• It is necessary to reach out

• It is ok to cry

• It is also ok to laugh, be silly and have fun

What is it that you know right now in this moment? I encourage you to write them down so that when you are lost you can turn to that list and be reminded.

One of the things I have been asking myself in the wake of this is “what can I do to help?” “How can I serve?” And although I can’t do much this is what I can do.

I can continue to bring people together through the written word. I will be hosting another round of the Love Notes Postcard Project, sooner than the original expected mid-April date.

We will begin Sunday, March 29th

This round will be a little different. You will be able to join in the old fashion way by sending physical postcards plus there is an option to participate that is purely digital.

The Love Notes Postcard Project is a free, three-week project that encourages individuals to connect through snail mail (and now email). I will match you up with another participant in the group and each Sunday you will receive a writing prompt so that you have a jumping-off point for what to share with your partner.

This global project brings people together and encourages connection through the written word. I have been hosting this project for about seven years and have been blown away by the friendships that have been made. and the kindness that has been shared. Sign up to be a part of this upcoming round and spread a little bit of joy and light during this dark time.

I can also bring people together virtually to connect, meditate, write, and simply be with one another. I have hosted two online gatherings recently and am so grateful for the individuals who showed up. It is wonderful to see one another even if only through the screen.

My next Community Circle is Monday, March 23rd from 8-9pm EST

I am craving simplicity and look forward to showing up here more often. This is my virtual front porch. I invite you to grab a cup of coffee and settle in. I look forward to getting to connecting with you and walking together on this journey of life.

Sending so much love to all of you!

Xoxo
Jennifer

let’s be friends on instagram :: @jbelthoff

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