coming soon, the love notes project

I am working on a little project called Love Notes
It will involve letters and postcards sent through the mail
Wisdom shared
And unexpected connections blooming

Ink will be put onto paper as words form
A stamp attached to an envelope
Thoughts dropped in the mail
To arrive safely at someone else's door

A ray of sunshine arriving in the mailbox
Next to the bills and the coupons for a car wash
Words that open hearts, make smiles emerge
And give hope

I would love for Y.O.U to be a part of the project
Spreading your wisdom through the beauty of snail mail
Sharing your words through the hands of postman
What do you say, are you interested?

 Head on over to HERE to sign up to hear when Love Notes launches
It won't be long before we begin
And I hope to see you there

the road I have traveled

Gratitude is overflowing from my heart after an incredibly magical day.  Dustin and I ventured into Brooklyn for a night of storytelling with Jen Lee and Jolie.  We arrived early, which was wonderful.  We had time to explore the area, check out a couple of local shops, and slip into a new restaurant.  The expected rain had held off, and we roamed the streets hand in hand, happy to be in each others company.

We gathered around the table with like minded souls to soak in the stories that Jen and Jolie told.  It was magical sitting in the dimly lit room next to Dustin, listening to these two souls speak.  Their stories spoke to my heart and I picked up some of their words, placing them gently in my pocket so that I wouldn't forget them.   

Sitting around that table I was in awe.  When I first started 'giggling in the rain' I could not have dreamed up the doors my blog would open for me.  Never in a million years could I have imagined all of the beautiful adventures it would take me on.  But it has.  And there I was sitting around a table with these incredible individuals in Brooklyn.  My heart was exploding with joy.     

I am so grateful I took the risk of creating this space that day in May of 2005.  I had no idea what I was doing or even what blogging was all about it. I thought it would be a great new way to pair my photos and words together, and so I began. 

Here I am, six years later and the journey has been incredible.  I have met the most amazing individuals who are now dear friends.  I have gone on beautiful adventures.  I finally learned and embraced that I am a writer.  I saw new places.  I grew and grew and grew.  My heart expanded, my confidence developed and I healed the shy girl that was living inside me.  I learned so much about myself and am so proud of how far I have come.

Without 'giggling in the rain' I am not sure where I would be.  Like any relationship we have had our ups and downs.  Moments when I was to busy to be around and other moments when we spent so much time together.  But always she was here for me, like an old friend.  Ready to hold my words and my heart at a moments notice. 

Today I sit here with an enormous smile on my face, feeling so much love, gratitude, and happiness.  I am grateful for each of you,, who show up here with me and gently hold my hand.  Because of each of you I have learned that I am not alone in this great big world.  Together we stand, besides one another, cheering, encouraging, loving.  Thank you!

a moment to breathe

Have you stopped recently and looked down
Saw what was right below your eyes
Took a moment to see what you were just about to step on

Have you stopped and listened to the words your heart are speaking
Really heard what they are saying
Giving them a chance to share their ideas and inspiration

Have you given yourself a moment to slow down
Put your feet up and rest
Freeing some space for you to breathe

The world is constantly spinning
We are always in motion trying to keep up
Sometimes running in a full out sprint

Today is the day to slow down
Sink deeply into a comfy chair
Give yourself some time to just be with your thoughts

Day dream of far of places you would like to visit
Write about your wildest dreams
Let go into who you are

here

It was her heart she had to listen to

It was her voice that she had to learn to use

It was her hands that she had to create with

Right here in this moment she had to trust

Trust that she is exactly where she is supposed to be
Trust the music singing in her heart
Trust that she will make it through this journey.

With each step she gains courage
Shedding fear
Standing boldly in who she is

crayon box

Searching for the colors as the dark dreariness of gray is trying to take over
Reaching deep into the crayon box
Hoping to pull out a bright turquoise blue or sunshine yellow
Scribbling onto the page like a 3 year old
Digging back into the roots of my child like self
Drawing trees and big white puffy clouds
Heading back to a time when life was simpler
Darkness did not live deep in my heart
And the crayon box was always at my side
Bright colors dancing on the paper, as my heart sang
Working to get back to that place again

getting back up

Exhaustion encapsulating every inch of my body
Longing to crawl into the basment and hibernate
Dreams that I have been holding in my heart seem far out of reach
Slipping, tripping, falling
Struggling to keep my head up, figure out a plan, make it happen

A piece of me wants to throw in the towel
Crawl into bed and nap
But the other half of me knows I cannot give up
This dream is real, living and breathing inside of me
It feels to right to let it just slip away

Maybe a nap is on the agenda
Let the ideas settle into me
Give them space to breathe and grow
Go back to the drawing board and begin again

I will falter, and fall, but I must always get back up