gaining a new perspective

There are times when we need to look at the world from a different perspective
Choose a new angle
Find another way home
Yes there are times when we need to look around with fresh eyes
Drop the old stories
And hold space for the new ones to breathe freely
When we hold tightly to what we think should happen
We do not leave a chance for the world to open up to us

Take a deep breathe in
Look up to the sky and appreciate the blue shades
Look down at your feet, give gratitude for the ground you stand on
Take a moment to pause and feel how you feel right now
You only get one spin around this planet
Live it, breathe, it, appreciate it
Give yourself a chance to feel it deeply
And to see all of it, yes all of it
The way you see it and from a new perspective
 

because

Because we are all struggling in some way
Unsure of the next step to take
Questioning the one we just took
Looking forward with hope and fear

Because we all do not do it as quickly as we planned
Good intentions set
Life flying by
Guilt building up over the delay

Because none of us are perfect
All we can do is try each day
Sometimes we do not try as hard, and that is ok
Other days we push forward, full force

Because sometimes we do not get it right
We may do it again
We may never even think about trying
Or we may accept it turned out as it should

Because the world didn't give up on you
So don't give up on the world
Hold on tight and reach out slightly
Feel the gentle nudge to move

note:  I wrote this poem on this day in 2012 and resonated so deeply with me today that I just had to share it.  

speak kindly to yourself

It is no longer “I want”
It is now “I will”
Because the conversations we have with ourselves matter
They shape our confidence
They set us up for the steps we take
They remind us of who we are
We need to speak kindly to ourselves
To be the voice we would be with a dear friend
Forget about the negativity
Ditch the “one day”
And boldly step into what you desire
Your dreams are there for a reason
Chase them
Become them
Live and breathe within them
Take the risk
And speak kindly to yourself along the journey
The love you give to yourself will help you power through
Begin right now

write the best story ever

This is your life
Your one wild and precious life as Mary Oliver so eloquently says
What will you make of it
What will you create
What joy will you infuse into it
For this is your life
And you are the one writing the story
You choose to stay or you choose to go
To take the path less traveled
Or to follow the lead of others
You have your own dreams and desires
Do you chase after them
Do you risk it all
Do you follow the call of your heart
It is all in your hands
How do you spend your time
How do you choose to approach a moment
Yes, it is all up to you
Savor this one wild and precious life
Create the most beautiful canvas
Dance wildly
And fearlessly live out loud
For this is your life
Write the best story ever

why? why not!

Why?
Because there is beauty in the small moments
In the in between spaces
In hello and goodbye
You can find it tucked away just waiting to be discovered

Why?
Because there is no longer time for excuses
Your heart is calling
And you must listen to it's cries
You know the path you are meant to travel down

Why?
Because even though they said you can't you have to prove them wrong
You know you can
You feel it in your heart and soul
You must take the risk and try

Why?
Because if you didn't you would regret it
You would be filled with wonder and always question yourself
You know that isn't for you
You have to follow your heart

Why?
Because beauty and connection have always been your guides
You seek out the unknown
You unearth the unseen
You help others shine their own light

Why?
Because this is what you came into this world to do
To live out loud
To guide, to lead
And all you can say is why not

nothing is wasted

Nothing is wasted, nothing
Including
The time spent dreaming
The worry, the wonder, the why
The heart breaks
There is loss and tears
Moments of glory, joy and deep intense sorrow

No, nothing is wasted
That smile, the tear, the laughter
That extra time spent in bed
That wish you made on the stars
The way you said your final goodbye
It is all woven, fluid and a part of you
It is a gift in this big beautiful world
Because nothing, no nothing is wasted