and yet

And yet I rise
When my legs are shaky
I don’t know where I’m going
How I’ll get there
Or who I’ll end up with

And yet I keep going
One foot in front of the other
Just like I learned training for the marathon
”My one piece of advice,” he said, “is no matter what keep moving, even if it’s the slowest walk you ever walked. Because once you stop you won’t want to start again.”

And yet I stop, I rest
I look around, I procrastinate
I come up with ideas I never begin
Make grand plans I never follow through with
I start and I stop

And yet there are some things I don’t give up on
Maybe I’m not on time
And yet it isn’t perfect
But I’m in it all the way in it

And yet, I lose my way
Find my way back
And do it all over again
Over and over

Because this is life
Messy and important
Beautiful and surprising
I am learning I don’t need to do it all,
Get it all right, make every dream a reality

But I must stand in my own authentic truth
Own my story
Carve my own path forward
Find my way

And yet one thing I need to keep relearning
Again and again is that
I am enough, exactly as I am
I am enough
I am enough

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

and yet …

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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You aren’t meant to travel this journey through life alone. Meet me over in our free personalized community space. Because we all need a soft place to land. A place you can show up exactly as you are. A place where your stories and voice matter. Together we can do so much more!

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Listen in to the Soul Circle Podcast for stories to ignite your inner fire! You can also listen on your favorite podcasting apps including
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in the wide expanse

In the wide expanse, there is a field of flowers
Filled with the most radiant blossoms
Tulips in brilliant reds, yellows, and whites
Sunflowers reaching up to the sky
Daisies and pansies

The smell of lavender waifs through the air
And you are invited in
Invited to roam, to marvel, to wonder
To sit under the big oak tree and read
Or nap among the blossoms

The radiant colors pull you in
Leading you down a path meant just for you
They encourage you to stay for awhile
Not rush through
But enjoy the scents, sounds, and vibrancy of nature

The flowers sway in the breeze
leaning in close asking to be picked
They want to go home with you
See the world through your eyes
Hear your stories
Learn all that you know

In the field of blossoms and beauty
There is enough for everyone
Enough space, time to roam, and flowers to appreciate

Take in a deep breath
Sow down
Choose your way
Your intuition will be your guide
As you become your own brilliant radiance

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

In the wide expanse …

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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Latest Podcast

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I own

I own the energy I carry
The way I show up in a room
And even what room I choose to enter

I own the choice to say yes, or no
Of being able to listen to myself
And make my own decisions

I own how much time I dedicate to people, things, spaces, and events
I don’t need to overstay my welcome
Or allow others to do the same for me

I own the space around me
And how closely I allow others to get

I own the direction I choose to go
And if I want to make a detour
Stop and stay awhile
Go off course
Or turn around and go home

I own my truth
And who I choose to share it with
Not everyone deserves to hear it

I own my path, my journey, my way forward
As well as my past
And what I’ve done to lead me to become

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

I own …

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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Latest Podcast

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discomfort taught me

Discomfort taught me how to be brave in the face of fear and do it anyway
Knowing it might not work out
Or maybe it will
Knowing I may stumble along the way
Or find my footing and get into a beautiful stride

Discomfort taught me that life isn’t meant to be played safe
We need to step outside the box
Climb the mountains
Take the risks

Discomfort taught me that through the struggle -
The deep unknowing and the paralyzing fear
That we can’t stand still forever
We need to take chances
Put ourselves out there
Be ok with it not working out

Because stepping through the discomfort there is growth
Stepping through the discomfort there is ease
Stepping through the discomfort there is knowing

Knowing that you can make it through the difficult
You can face your fears
You can fall down and get back up again

You can do more than you ever thought possible
You just need to navigate the discomfort
Do it anyway
Because you can

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

Discomfort taught me…

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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Latest Podcast

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thank you for showing me

Thank you for showing me that gentleness can be a superpower
You don’t have to command a room being loud or looking to be the center of attention.
You can lean in, observe
Offer a cookie; the soft chocolate chips that you don’t get at home
Ready with a hug
Listening attentively
Sharing smiles and seeing and loving others for who they are
Never trying to change them
Thank you for showing me that love wins
Kindness matters
There is space for everyone
And that the door is always open

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

Thank you for…

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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2020 showed me

2020 showed me that the magic unfolds in the slowing down. The way deep breaths are possible. It's ok to hit snooze. It's necessary to step outside and breathe in the fresh air.

2020 showed me the cardinals, robins, blue jays, finches, and all the other adorable birds that spend time roaming in my own backyard. Plus the deer, foxes, turkey, frogs, and snakes. A total nature wonderland right outside my door.

2020 showed me that bringing my laptop outside to work helps fuel me. Sitting in the sunlight reading while he listens to music is pure bliss.

2020 showed me that it's not necessary to commute 40 minutes each way and spend 8 hours at a stark white desk. My job could be done from anywhere in the world.

2020 showed me that community is essential. Reachin gout, showing up, and being present matters and is so needed. This time would feel so different had I not had community to lean on.

2020 showed me that I'm resilient. Determined. Willing to take chances. And it also showed me that coming back to me and recentering was exactly what I needed. A time of being right here with no desire, need, or ability to go anywhere else. Finally learning how to be present.

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The above words were written during Monday’s Write Together class inspired by the prompt:

2020 showed me …

Grab a piece of paper and give the prompt a try. Then join us next Monday in class.

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I love hanging out on Instagram. Join me over there: @jbelthoff

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