on blogging

There is something so fascinating about blogging
You set your soul free into this vast sea of content
Showing up time and time again
Sharing intimate details of how to navigate your heart
Showing your scars, your tears, and your laugh lines
You face your fears
You have setbacks
You stay away
But you always come back
Being here feels like home
With the light turned on you can see yourself again
For exactly who you are
There is a safety net that the screen provides
And the keys always allow you to type without judgment
Your history is contained within your site
You can scroll back and see how far you have come
You can talk a walk down memory lane
Shriek with embarrassment, be proud of what you did
And see how some things keep repeating themselves
There are highs and lows
Epic journeys taken
Moments captured that your heart forgot
it is amazing how space can hold so much of you
You never know if what you write is being read
But still, you show up
With gratitude in your heart
You spill open
Setting your words free

grateful

The sun shone brightly
Reminding us to slow down
Soak it in 
Allow the day to take it's course

We found our place
With feet in the sand
I Devoured the words before me
As I sat next to the one I adore

We easily fell into this new rhythm
Lounging, laughing, chatting, and napping
We took the time we needed to recharge
As the day gently fell into night

We watched the sunset as if it was an epic movie
Soaking in it's artistic brilliance
We were awed, and enamored
We fell more deeply in love

We were never in a rush
Time passed and we traveled with it
We choose what to do based upon how we felt in the moment
And we were blissfully happy

Upon returning home we are rejuvenated
Feeling the calm that has washed over us
We are glowing with love, smiling
And grateful for our adventure

home is . . .

Photo credit :: left : Randi Schmechel, bottom right : Sandi Rosenberg

I am in the middle of hosting another round of the Love Notes Post Card Project and my heart is bursting with love.  Individuals from all over the world have shown up to participate in this project and without knowing the recipient on the other end, they open there hearts and send a post card filled with love based off of the weekly writing prompt.  

photo credit :: Marilyn Peeks Boyda DiPasquale

I choose post cards for this project because of their small writing space.  It is less intimidating than a blank piece of paper, and postcards  are easy to find.  

I love collecting postcards when I am away on vacation.  And I have a stack of them that relatives sent to us when my brothers and I were younger.  It is so much fun to read through them and hear about their travels and the things that made them smile while they were away.  

What I never envisioned was the heart and soul that people would pour into making their own postcards.  

photo credit :: Lynn Adams

The writing prompt for the first week was

Home is ...

What I love most about the writing prompts is that they are so open ended.  You never know what is going to spill out of someones heart until they put pen to paper.  And even then, the pen takes over and the heart has it's own agenda sometimes.  

This is my seventh time hosting this project, and each time I am amazed at the love that spills out.  Yes we are all strangers to one another.  But we recognize our humanness.  We know that even though we don't know one another, we know that the other feels pain, knows laughter, and is seeking out love.  We know that human beings want to be seen and heard, as we want to be seen and heard.  So we show up.  Pouring our heart onto the page and sending it off to a strange.  We may never know how those words will affect the receiver.  But we know that we must send them.  And the beauty of a postcard is along the way it passes through others hands.  It has a life of its own as it makes it journey.  I love that!  

Words are powerful.  They heal our hearts, lift our spirits, and makes us smile.  The Love Notes Project is all about spreading the joy through mail, real mail.  

I will be hosting another round in June and hope you will join us.  There is something special about receiving a little ray of sunshine next to our monthly bills.  

why I run

Some wonder why I do it
They do not understand my need to show up day after day
It is about putting one foot in front of the other
Looking forward
I cannot change what is behind me
I can only keep going
It is about letting loose
Getting out of my head space
It is about listening to the rhythm of my body
Feeling the steady ground below my feet
Having confidence and faith in what I am able to achieve
It is about strength, courage, and determination
The path may be filled with unknowns and unclear obstacles
But there are smiling faces waving back at me as I pass
Problems are worked out
Clarity arises as I settle into my rhythm
The song you I on repeat guides my next step
I go farther than I ever think possible
I make it to the top of the hill 
Throwing my hands up in the air in true Rocky fashion
I may slow down
But I never give up
I  always find the strength
And I always show up

new star in heaven

This life we are living is precious
It is fleeting
We never know when we are going to take our last breath
Say our last goodbye
Look into the eyes of our loved ones, one last time

It is all a mystery
A great big mystery
And there is only one thing to do
Live

Heart open
Love spilling out
Embracing the laughter
Soaking in the moments
Seeking out the beauty

Do not be fearful of saying "I love you"
Show the world how deeply you care
Know how that others want to see you shine
Hold hands
Let go into deep embraces

This is your one chance
Live wide open
Know how much you are loved
And show your love to others

Today a dear soul passed on.  She filled this world with so much light and I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with her.  Her smile brightened up the room.  She encouraged others to live with love and intention.  And even though we only spent a small pocket of time together her love and life will always be in my heart.  

Sending you so much love Lisa as you travel onto a new journey.  Holding your family in my heart as they navigate this difficult time.  xo

it's time

photo credit: thea coughlin

It's time baby girl
To be fearless
To trust that the unknown will hold you gently
To breathe life into those dreams that you have been holding dearly in your heart

Its time baby girl
To let go
To jump
To leap

Its time baby girl
To fully believe that you can do this
Fully, deeply, passionately
Believe

Its time baby girl 
To pull these ideas from the closet
Bring them boldly into this world
Let the journey begin

Its time baby girl
To say yes
To do
To move forward

Its time baby girl
Its time
Lets get going