moving forward

She had to choose a path to travel down
Yet she wasn't sure which way to go
Her heart was saying "move left"
But her mind said "stop right here"
She knew she couldn't stay in the same spot forever
Things were changing
People were leaving
And she too had to move on
She knew she had to go, even if she didn't want to
There were new journeys to embark on
New people to meet and places to see
There was the unknown
Which excited her and terrified her all in the same breathe
Life was filled with twist and turns
The ebb and flow of change
Nothing stayed the same forever
She knew that
Yet saying goodbye was always so hard to do
There would come a moment in time when she would forget this day
The pain would fade
The wound would heal
It would just become a distant memory, as so many things have
Yet in the moment it was real, and deep
The only way to the other side was to keep stepping forward
She closed her eyes
Made a wish
And boldly stepped

3 things I learned

3 more things I have learned {so far} while training for the NYC Marathon:

1. Stay away from the white lines on the side of the road when the are wet.  They become extremely slippery and dangerous
2. Be prepared to run through branches and bushes to avoid cars.  You will get scratched, but that is ok.  Scratches heal. 
3. There are going to be days that you will feel amazing!  But then there will also be days where you feel terrible.  There will be no rhyme or reason to this.  On the days when you feel awful keeping taking that next step, even if it takes you twice as long.  One foot in front of the other until you make it back home.  

Running is a lot like life.  There are going to be good days and bad days.  Upon waking up we never know what is going to be around the corner.  The road provides different obstacles and things to avoid.  You have to constantly be on the look out.  Being willing to jump out of the way.  And roll with what ever comes your way, even if it is a large uphill climb.   

virtual dock

One of my favorite parts of hosting the Love Notes Post Card Project is reading each name and finding out where that person will be writing from.  I love seeing familiar names and individuals who have shown up time and time again. It makes my heart smile.  

My second favorite part of the project is exploring the websites of the individuals who share them.   There is so much goodness and inspiration.  I love finding new pockets on the internet that are filled with love.  

I invite you to gather on our virtual dock with some of the individuals who are sending love out into the world.  Stop by and say hello.  Get a glimpse into there world.  Be inspired by there magic.    

• All Fingers and Thumbs
• Art by Kari
• Bilingual Mundo
• Britta Glass
• Everything Jenni
• Kelly Barton 
• Little Scraps of Magic
• Liz Lamoreux
• Marikio - a painted life
• Michelle GD
• Mindy Tsonas
• Mychele Boardman - Leaping into Life
• My Red Tutu
• Poppy In the Sun
• Postings
• Quirk Strangeness and Charm
• Scrambled Eggs and Whiskey
• She Wears Red Shoes
• Stacy Kathryn
• Temenos of the Blessing Light
• The Bowerbird and the Bee
• The Drafty Garrett
• The Whole Self
• Thoughts Along the Way - musings of a pilgrim 
• Tid Bits and Stepping Stones
• We're All Mad Here
• Wild Women Writer
• zzyzx & sue

If you are a part of this round of Love Notes and would like your blog added to the list please send me an email and I will get it up here.  

ignite the spark

There has been so much goodness filling my well as I re-enter from my first time teaching at Squam Arts Workshops.  It was an amazing experience and has confirmed what I have known since I was a little girl. . . I love teaching, and am meant to share that with the world.  Dreaming up more ways to make that happen.    

Have you seen the drinkable book?  My goodness!!!  Genius!!!  Inspiring me to see that a book can really be anything and help people in an infinite number of ways.  

My dear friend Mindy Tsonas is hosting an amazing online workshop:  Inner Alchemy Circle - Fire Coven.  The gathering begins on July 6th and the line up of teachers is magical.  I would love to circle with you there.  

Have you heard about Indie Kindred?  Well it is now available for rent on vimeo.  Hooray!  Jen Lee has crafted together the meaning of collaboration so beautifully.  

And if you are looking to get your paint on this summer then look no further than Mindy Lacefield's Image, Play, Emerge online workshop.  Mindy has a fun and playful approach to painting that will get you going.  

Happy Friday!  Hope your weekend is filled with sunshine and giggles.  

piecing it together

The pieces were scattered
We weren't even sure if they were all their
But we began anyway
Flat sides found their way first
Creating the border
Keeping us contained
Observing the pieces closely we made some matches
Piece by piece it started to come together
We didn't set out to finish that night
We were in for the long journey
Enjoying  the process
Piecing it together in passing moments
And in between giggles
With all hands on deck
The puzzle emerged as one
Teaching us the virtue of patience
That people see things we miss
And reminding us that everything is better with friends
It may look like just a puzzle, but it is so much more

Dedicated to the lovely ladies of Ishnana.  Who kept me laughing, taught me how to knit, and made squam that much sweeter.  
 

the lake held us gently

There was color
There was twinkle lights
There was laughter . . . the deep belly kind

There were puzzles to put together
There were letters to be written and then burned
There were moments of dreams coming true

There was support and love
Friendships were formed and deepened
Kindness spilled out

So much goodness was witnessed by the lake
And gently she held it all
Inviting us in for a dip, moments of reflection, or time to explore

My mind and heart are still processing
Tears have been falling
As I reflect on what I have carried home

A full heart
Gratitude tucked into my pockets
And another journey to encourage me to keep stepping forward

More soon about my adventures at squam.