self care practice

Photography is one of my self care practices.  Having my phone on me all of the time allows me easy accessibility to snap photos of my every day moments.  It is something that is quick and simple to do and it reminds me to slow down and seek out the beauty and joy of each day.  

The photos aren't perfect.  They are ordinary moments that are extraordinary because they are a part of my day.  The flower in my parents backyard.  The life of a runner captured with sweaty clothes hanging up to dry.  The rainbow I noticed because I decided to look up.  These are the moments of my days that weave together a beautiful life.  You have moments like this to.    

Sometimes a month can whizz by in the blink of any eye.  With the app Project365 I am able to put my month together visually in an easy and fun way.  These monthly captures become a beautiful reminder of all that was.  There are moments that I forgot about and looking back I am reminded of the way he made the bed.  The night I sat on the porch alone writing for hours.  Crushing through 20 miles and feeling so proud for finishing.  

I love having each month in photos.  At the end of the year it is going to be so lovely to look back at the months that I have and be reminded of the memories that were created.  There is so much goodness in this life.  When we pause to remember it we are reminded of how sweet the every day moments are and we are filled with joy for all that we are blessed with.  This self care practice fills me up with gratitude.

If you give this a try I would love to see your photos.  

5 ways to sparkle and shine!

{ 1 } Believe in yourself with your whole heart.  When you believe in YOU others will to.  

{ 2 } Do what you love, even if others don't understand it.  Not everyone will get what moves you...that doesn't matter.  Do it anyway because it is what makes you happy.  

{ 3 } Toss fear to the side.  Fear will do you no good, so let it go. Say goodbye and part ways. You are better off without it.  

{ 4 } Smile!  When you smile the world smiles with you.  Smiling is contagious so go ahead and break it out.  

{ 5 } Share your heart with others.  The world wants to see you shine.  Be proud of YOU and love others deeply.  

in front of you

It was in front of you that I was stripped
Raw
Standing there
You saw my scars
You felt my wounds
You knew everything I was carrying along with me

Yes, it was in front of you that I was standing there
Heart open
Beating wildly
Unsure of what would come 

There was a moment of terror
Would you flee?
Would you surrender and say this wasn't for you?

But there I stood
My armor down
My body open
Ready to receive whatever was going to come my way

I would not hide behind my baggage
I would not fake a smile
This was me
Scars and all

I have made bad choices
I have gone down terrifying roads
But I have come out stronger
Wiser
Braver

I cannot guarantee that I won't travel down more bad roads
And make more poor decisions
It will happen
In fact I am pretty sure of it

And as I stood there
Completely
and fully me
You held out your hand
And you invited me in

You did not run
You did not flee
You embraced me for me

It was in that moment that i knew I could stand
Talll
Strong
Fully Me

It was in that moment
That I knew
Loving myself was the greatest choice I have ever made

daily life

My daily life doesn't consist of sitting at the end of the dock
Feet dangling in the water
Favorite book in my hand
Listening to the sound of giggles and brave souls jumping in 

My daily life doesn't consist of a cabin full of goodness
Late night conversations with deep belly laughter
Tangled yarn balls
A puzzle collectively put together

Nope, that doesn't happen every day

My daily life doesn't consist of knitted surprises
Birds in car seats
Delicious food I don't have to prepare
A room full of women cheering each other on

My daily life doesn't consist of the option to do nothing
Rest, rejuvenation, the ability to listen closely
A chance to learn or a moment to be
Never a judgment on what you decide

Nope, that doesn't happen every day either

My daily life consist of showing up
For work, the laundry, my loved ones
The list goes on and on
With always a new task to add

My daily life consist of savoring the sweet times
Squeezing in moments to do what pleases me
Finding myself, over and over again
And leaning on the friendships I have cultivated along the way

My daily life consist of carving out time for running
Sending snail mail
Snuggling up close
Dreaming, being, becoming

Yup, my daily life may look messy
It isn't always rainbows and butterflies
There are slips ups, and wishes that haven't come true
A balancing act of sorts

But this life is mine and each day I get to create it
I choose what I do, how I react, and where I want to go to next
I can say yes or no
I hold the opportunities in my hand

I am grateful for this daily life
Of ups and downs, laughter and tears
Grateful for my loved ones
And the chance to always begin again
 

filled with gratitude

This weekend my heart has been filled up with gratitude and amazement.  I hosted a fundraiser for the team I am running the NYC Marathon with -- Fred's Team for Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital.  Without the help and support of my friends and family this event would not have been possible.  My Father and Brother planned the games.  My Mom and Aunt prepared the food.  My other Brother manned the grill.  Other aunts and my cousin brought food.  And Another Aunt opened the doors to her house and let us use her backyard for the games.  Friends and family showed up and we had a fantastic game day!  

It takes a community to do great things
It takes asking for help, and accepting the help that others want to give
It takes reaching out, putting it out there, and showing up

We are not meant to travel alone.  Friends and family are always there to lend a hand.  Cheer you on.  And support you in whatever it is you choose to do.  It is a blessing.  This weekend I experienced so much love and support first hand.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude!  

The day following the fundraiser I woke up ready to run 20 miles.  It was the first time I was attempting this distance and I was filled with so much gratitude to carry me through.  As I placed one foot in front of the other I though of all the people who have donated to me.  I pictured my family and friends cheering me on the day of the marathon.  Tears filled my eyes and gratitude poured from my heart.  I became lost in my thoughts and the miles passed by.  

20 miles!  When I first started running I could barely run 3 miles and here I was attempting 20.....and I did it.  I finished 20 miles in 3 hours and 20 mins and I was elated.  It is amazing what one can do when they put there mind to it and show up day after day after day.  I have been showing up.  Doing the hard work.  And today it all paid off.  I finished 20 miles.  

I am so proud of myself and so grateful for my family and friends. Life is short and precious.  Being surrounded by such an amazing group of individuals makes it that much sweeter.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who has cheered, donated, sent good thoughts, and has helped me out along the way as I venture towards 26.2.  Without everyone I would never make it across that finish line.  It takes a community, yes it does!  

walk your own path

Between the hello's and goodbyes there is a story tucked away
One that is rarely spoken of
It is filled with accountability
Figuring it all out on your own
And realizing that the only one to blame for the way your story is written is yourself
You have the power to change it
You can begin again, forgive, let go, and find your own way home
You do not need to be lost in the woods forever
There is a path that you can carve
It will be your journey
The one you create for you
All you need to do is follow your heart
Let go of the stories you have been telling yourself
And see that you are in the driver seat
What she said, the way he acted, what happened so many years ago
All of that is a part of you, but it does not define you
What defines you is the choices you make
The path you take
The way you choose to live your life each and every day
Remember to treat others the way you want to be treated
Remember that we all aren't perfect.  Each of us has our own faults.  Our own crutches that we are using to help ourselves stand.
You may not agree, but you need to know that what they choose to do isn't who you are
You are strong
You can overcome the choices that have brought you down
Today is as good a day as any to begin again
Will you walk your own path
Or continue to follow the shadows