a love letter to summer

Dear Summer,

Oh how you have brought about a flurry of activity.  I am grateful for the days spent swimming, laughing, and riding my bike.  Your gentle sun kissed my skin and filled me with a little bit of healing.  You encouraged me to throw my schedule out the window and embrace the longer days and added time spent with Dustin.  

You took me on adventures.  Roaming the streets of Seattle.  Step after step we discovered new land.  You opened my eyes up to a new city and invited me to come and play in it.  You also provided me with a deep moment to slow down, soak in the warm sunshine, and enjoy paradise.  You were so very kind to me on our travels with open seats next to us, luggage that arrived right when we expected, and flights that went off with out a hitch.  For this I am grateful.  

You reinforced in my heart the importance of family and spending time with one another.  There was laughter, so much laughter and even a couple of quiet ragers.  In the mist of chaos we came together and enjoyed every moment.  We leaned on one another, showed support, and came out just a little bit stronger.  

You are my most favorite time of year and I am sad to see you go.  You have filled my heart with happiness and my belly with mint chocolate chip ice cream.  You reminded me to play, let go, and not worry so much.  You invited me to dig my toes into the sand and feel the salt water wash over my skin.  

Although I am sad to see you go I am ready to embrace September for it is this month that feels like a fresh start to me.  After all the play and goodness my heart feels more open.  My dreams more expansive.  My determination to leap stronger than ever.  And I have you to thank for that.  For you encouraged me to get out there and let go in the first place.  To jump on my bike and see where it would take me.  To travel unknown roads and find a new way home.  

Thank you for your kindness.  For shining your light on me and giving me space to play and dream.  I am grateful for you dear summer, for you have opened me up once again.  

I look forward to 2016 when we will meet again.  Until then I will hold you closely in my heart and cherish the time we got to spend together.  

Love,
Jennifer

{If you were writing a letter to summer what would you say?  What are you grateful for?  What did you do, where did you go?  I encourage you to give it a try and see where your letter takes you}

national letter writing month :: don't stop writing

This is the last week of national letter writing month but I urge you to keep on writing.  It seems that less and less people are sitting down with a piece of paper and a pen.  I have just learned that the thing to do in college is to not even purchase a notebook to take notes in, but rather photograph the board after the teacher is done.  This makes me gasp!  

If you came to my home you would find notebooks lying around, letters tucked in boxes, and postcards displayed throughout.  I cherish the written word  and the time, heart, and energy that goes into it.  Writing is healing.  Whether you are writing a letter to yourself, a grocery list, or a thank you card you are taking  the opportunity to organize your thoughts onto the page and to let out and express the jumble that is running through your brain.  This is important to do.  

Many people have the impression that writing is a solo endeavor, but it doesn't always have to be.  Two years ago I gathered with some lovely individuals in my home for an event called Feast of Words.  Each individual that walked into my home did not consider themselves a writer, yet as the night went on and they each showed up on the page with the different prompts they stretched and grew, letting out emotions and feelings that they were clinging deeply onto.  It was cathartic and healing and it was in that moment that I saw how deeply writing can touch everyone lives, even those who do not consider themselves a writer.  

Letter writing provides you with the perfect opportunity to let someone you know how deeply you care and appreciate them.  It is also perfect for a quick thank you and a personal hello to a friend who lives far away.  When you sit down to a piece of paper you arrive with more attention then if you were sending off a quick email or a text message.  The page encourages you to slow down and be intentional.  Savor this slowing down and sink deeply into the feel of the pen moving across the page.  

Here are some prompts to get you going:

• If I could tell you one thing it would be
• Today I thought of you because
• Remember when
• I admire your

Pick someone you love and write them a letter from one of the prompts above. If you can't think of anyone to write to, write to yourself.  Just show up and see what flows out.  You may surprise yourself.  

And keep on writing!  The world needs to hear what you have to say.  

letter writing month :: the letters you most need to write

Sometimes the letter you most need to write is to yourself.  There are words that have yet to be spoken but are longing to be whispered. They are your deepest desires.  The dreams your heart thinks about but is too afraid to say out loud.  You stuff it deep down trying to nudge away the feeling because you know it takes risk to go after.  Your heart could end up broken.   The dream could become shattered.  Where would you go from there if that happened?  So away the thought goes, never to be spoken about.  

These desires are the pieces that need to be written down.  They deserve to be heard and a chance to have their own moment in the sun.  Taking the time to breathe life into them allows you the opportunity to quietly acknowledge how important they are to you and slowly set it into motion.  Once it is in motion you never know how it will play out.  Your job is to take this bold step and give it that initial movement without knowing what the outcome will be.   

Letter Prompt #1

Write a letter to yourself from the future and pretend that the tiny dream you have living in your heart has come true.  Share where you are and the journey you took to get there.  Include all the tiny details and what you are doing.  How you feel and what has changed in your world because you dreams has come true. Write directly from the heart.  

There are also stories that you have been carrying around.  They are weighing you down. Filling your head with words that are untrue.  You need to write this out of you.  You need to allow yourself space to let it all spill out onto the page so that you no longer have to hold it.  It is time for you to let go.  

This letter is written with the intent of not sending it.  This allows you complete freedom to write from the heart to whatever situation or person you have been carrying around.  Now is your chance to say all of the things you always wanted to say.  Now is the time to make space for something good and set free what is bringing you down.  Now is the time to forgive. 

After you write the letter destroy it.  Rip it up, set it on fire, crumble it into a tight ball and toss it in the trash can.  You no longer need these words.  Let them go.  

Letter Prompt #2

Write a letter to the person or thing you have been holding onto that has been dragging you through the mud.  Get out everything you need to say, everything.  Close the letter with kindness and let this person or thing know that you are letting it go.  Let them know that you no longer need to carry this burden and you are done.  

And sometimes the letter you most need to write but feel strange about doing so is a love letter to yourself.  Yes, to written by you for you.  It is in this letter where you have the opportunity to love deeply on who you are.  To be gushy and real.  To celebrate the handwork you are doing and recognize how far you have come.  Yes we all need to show ourselves a little bit of love!   

Letter Prompt #3

Write a love letter to yourself!  Begin with . . .
       dear stunning soul  {an opening that is filled with love}
           I am so proud of you for . . . .
           You have accomplished . . . 
           Each day you show up and . . . 
           I can't believe you know how to . . . 
          Just look at . . . 
      Love madly and deeply, your biggest fan {an ending that is filled with love as well}

Spend some time this week writing these very personal letters.  See how it feels to spend time on YOU!  Be gentle and tender.  Love yourself up deeply!  

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Are you looking to explore writing a little deeper?  Are you drawn to the page but just don't know where to begin?  

Join me for brave journaling.

From May 1st - May 21st I encourage you to show up on the page and provide you writing prompts to dive deeply into.  

national letter writing month :: writing prompts to get you going

photo credit:  Thea Coughlin

It is National Letter Writing Month!  When is the last time you sent or received a letter in the mail, the real mail?  There is something so special about receiving a bit of love in the mail.  It is a delightful surprise that lets others know you are thinking of them.  

Yet sitting down to a blank piece of paper can feel intimidating.  You may not know where to begin or what to say.  Have no fear!  Below are a few prompts to get you going.  Choose someone you want to write to and begin with one of the sentences below.  See where it takes you.  Be open to what pours out.  

• What I want you to know . . . 
• I remember when . . .
• Before I met you . . . 
• My wish for you . . .
• Together lets . . .

When you write from a place of love others feel that as they read your words.  Be willing to be open and let your heart be seen.  Do not be afraid to show that person how much you care about them and tell them how much they mean to you. 

Your words will brighten there day.  So go ahead, sit down and write a letter

handmade valentines day card

There is nothing sweeter then spreading a little bit of handmade love and you probably already have everything you need lying around the house.  

Every time I go to the home improvement store I make a beeline for the paint department.  You can do many things with paint chips including making card.  All you need to do is cut out some cute hearts, glue them on, add an adorable saying and presto!  

Valentines day is the perfect time to let your dear friends know how much you cherish them.  Sending a little handmade card in the mail is just the perfect way to brighten their day.   If you are stuck on what to write try out some of these:

• My favorite memory of us is . . . 
• I remember when . . . 
• The moment I know we would be forever friends is . . . 
• Top three reasons I adore you . . . 

We always think that the ones we love know how much they mean to us.  Days fly by, memories are created, and sometimes we never say what we feel.  Letting them know goes a long, long way.  Go ahead, shout it from the rooftops.  Let your friends know how grateful you are that they are in your life.  

postcard from the road