grateful, so grateful for my brothers

It can be so easy to get upset over words said
Comments made
But the truth is
I love these guys
They are my world
They make me laugh that side splitting kind of laughter
And no matter where we stand
No matter what was said
If they called me in the middle of the night and needed something
I am there, wherever there is
We grew up together
They teased me mercilessly
But they also had my back
They stood with me in the kitchen in the middle of the night
Telling me they loved me, and that they were glad I was home
They worked along side me
And let me tag along at Yankees Games
They are my brothers
And they are amazing
I adore who they are
And who they have grown into
They are strong, compassionate, and loving
And they all have an amazing sense of humor
When I am around them I am always laughing
I am lucky to have them in my life
And so incredibly grateful
We may not always agree
There may be moments where we don't understand one another
But we are always there for each other
And we know that
We are family, and always will be
And we are so happy for that
I am so grateful for each of them
And all that they bring to my life

beautiful YOU

photo by Thea Coughlin

Do you struggle to stand in your light

To see your true beauty

Accept and acknowledge what it is you are truly awesome at

Do you fight your way through the every day

Not going with what is easy

Making it harder than it has to be

Do you say yes

When what you really want to say is no

Your response wearing quickly on your soul

Do you battle with your inner critique

Every single day

Their voices shattering your hopes and dreams

Today is the day to begin fresh

Wipe the slate clean

Stand tall in all you are

Today is the day you listen to your heart

Go with what is truly calling you

Accept the easy path, for that is the path of your soul

Today is the day you say yes

Only to what you really want to do

And quickly say no to what will wear you down

Today is the day you believe in yourself

Acknowledge your strength, courage, and beauty

And really let it sink deep into your heart

What comes easy to you are your strengths

Do not fight them

Dive deep into them

You are uniquely you

No one does things the way you do

Believe in yourself

See yourself the way others see you

Look through the lens of their eyes

Allow your heart to open to what is true

You are AMAZING

You bring so much to this world

You shine a brilliant LIGHT

~~ Share here with all of us what makes you, YOU~~

In this space we will encourage and support the beautiful light you shine

It can be difficult to see yourself the way others do.  But when we take a step back, let a friend reflect it back to us it can be the most precious gift of all.

gathering here

I am gathered here

In this collective city

Soaking in the individuals who are a part of Love Notes

I am enjoying visiting each of their little homes on the internet

Each names tells a unique story

We are all so diverse,

Yet collectively craving handwritten notes, connection, love

Each of us human

Standing here

Sharing a piece of our story

I am grateful for each individual who signs up

And their openess to take a chance

I am grateful for the

Time, thought, and effort they will put into this project

And for the little community that is growing because of Love Notes

We will be starting on Sunday

And I am looking forward to seeing what unfold this time around

There is still time for you to join us

And we would love for you to be with us

Head on over

HERE

to sign up

slowing down

Forced to slow down

Take a step back

Sit, and just breathe

Allow this moment to be

I am constantly on the go

From here to there

Always moving

Rarely taking a moment of stillness

But here I sit

Feet up, heart open

Soaking it all in

Healing

Learning that I need to listen

To my heart

My body

My mind

Learning to rest

Not try to get it all done

Allow space

Let time pass

Breathe deeply

Heart expanding

Hopes and dreams filling my head

As I stand back on my own two feet

sharing my heart

I have been honored to share pieces of me on some of my friends blogs.  You can find them below.

 You can find me here:  Shine

Vivienne McMaster took fourteen days to focus on self love, a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  As serendipity would find it I had the opportunity to share a piece of my writing for her one of her days.  Be gentle with yourself and shine.  

You can find me here:  Navigating How to Begin

It can be difficult to begin, to take that first step.  But usually the hardest thing for us to do is the thing we need most to do.  Mindy Tsonsa, the creator of Wish Studios has created a space for individuals to show up and begin.  

You can find me here:  The Care and Keeping of Creative Souls

It is important to take the time to care for ourselves.  To listen to what our heart is saying and do just that.  Jen Lee has this amazing ability to truly listen to you and help you find what it is that is calling to you, what it is that your soul needs in this moment.  For me writing is something that helps me dig through life.  Jen's guide: The Care and Keeping of Creative Souls has helped me to dig deep and truly get inside.  

You can find me here:  Self Love

Vivienne McMaster took fourteen days to delve into self love.  She explored what it looks like, feels like, and can sound like for many.  She had a few guest post sprinkled throughout her fourteen days and I was lucky enough to be one of them.  Self love is a value that I hold dearly in my heart and I was truly honored that I was able to share a piece of myself on her blog.

  You can find me here:  I am better for it

I wrote a piece on Heartwing Sisters for Kollen Harrisson's I am better for it project.  It was incredibly healing to write this and share part of my past with the world. In doing so I was able to forgive myself.  Forgiving ourselves is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.

  You can find me here:  I am enough

Tracey Clark has created an incredible collaboration of women showing sharing with the world their stories of being enough. It is an important lesson for all of to keep engrained in our hearts.  Because as we are, exactly as we are, we are enough.  

  You can find me here:  Letting go of fear

My friend, Liz Lamoreux was looking for some guest writers.  I was excited to volunteer.  When I tried to write the post my mind froze up.  I was fearful of not writing something good.  In order to write I had to let go of the fear.  Letting go of fear is necessary in life.  It allows us to leap.  When we leap we learn how to fly and goodness surround us.  

about me

I am a writer
Using words to share the truth of my story
I am a photographer
Capturing what is real around me
I am a builder of community
Connecting individuals through words in the mail
I am a listener
Wanting to hear what it is you hold close to your heart  

In 2005 I wrote my first post on Giggling in the Rain.  When I hit publish I had no idea the world that I was opening up to.  A world filled with love, adventure, new experiences, deep friendships, and brave living.  It has been one heck of a ride and I am enjoying each moment.  

In 2012  I founded Love Notes, a project involving handwritten notes being sent through the mail ~ the real mail.  My heart has expanded watching individuals connect through this project and to see some of the beautiful notes that have been sent.  

Thank you for joining me here in this space.  

xo
Jennifer