handmade valentines day card

There is nothing sweeter then spreading a little bit of handmade love and you probably already have everything you need lying around the house.  

Every time I go to the home improvement store I make a beeline for the paint department.  You can do many things with paint chips including making card.  All you need to do is cut out some cute hearts, glue them on, add an adorable saying and presto!  

Valentines day is the perfect time to let your dear friends know how much you cherish them.  Sending a little handmade card in the mail is just the perfect way to brighten their day.   If you are stuck on what to write try out some of these:

• My favorite memory of us is . . . 
• I remember when . . . 
• The moment I know we would be forever friends is . . . 
• Top three reasons I adore you . . . 

We always think that the ones we love know how much they mean to us.  Days fly by, memories are created, and sometimes we never say what we feel.  Letting them know goes a long, long way.  Go ahead, shout it from the rooftops.  Let your friends know how grateful you are that they are in your life.  

finding the courage

Because it is not always going to be easy
There will be days when it is really, really hard
You will feel like you are standing on an island 
And cannot do one single thing right
Your feet glued to the floor
Immobility taking hold
Unsure if you can even take that next step forward
But somehow you do
You aren't even sure what will happen
But you know you must try
Even if you are the only one showing up
You know you must be there
Going through the motions
Working out the kinks
Figuring it all out, one step at a time
This is what courage looks like
Your insides twisting
Vulnerability hanging over your head
Unsure, uneasy
But learning and growing along the way
You may want to throw yourself a pity party
And sometimes we have to
But do not stand in your own puddle for to long
Step out, reach a little higher
Continue your journey on
It will take time, but you will see how much you have grown
You will be proud of your courage
And you will risk again

i . . .

I
. . .  find peace in putting my words on paper
. . .  build tiny alters to remind me of where I have been, and where I want to go
. . .  go to the ocean to find myself again, and again, and again
. . .  take time to listen to the sound of my own voice
. . . believe there is power in love
. . . am afraid, but do it anyway
. . . dream of a seaside gathering filled with connection, laughter, and love
. . .  know the importance of taking time to share gratitude and thanks
. . . feel the pull in my heart to follow my dreams

and you?

winter bliss yoga retreat

I took a leap and gathered with a group of women I have never met before for an entire weekend of yoga bliss.  I have always been attracted to yoga and have bounced around to different classes in the area but I never stuck with it until Dustin nudged me to join the local gym.  The gym we joined offers many different classes including yoga.  

When I started training for the marathon I found the perfect accompaniment to my weekend long runs; a yin yoga meditation class.  I had never tried meditation before and I was way out of practice with my yoga but I went to the class anyway and I was instantly hooked.  The teacher, Sarah is AMAZING.  She has this beautiful energy and the words she speaks during class go directly to my heart.  

When Sarah asked me if I would be interested in the retreat I immediately said YES!  I felt a calling in my heart that I couldn't ignore.   Even though there are many times that I get lost in Yoga class a weekend of slowing down and showing up on the mat felt like something I needed to do for myself.  

It can be hard sometimes to follow our hearts and say yes to the moments that will nourish us.  However it is deeply essential to take the time to do these things.  We become better people for it, and in turn are able to be better people to those we love.  

We began the retreat with a two hour yoga session that was amazing!  I have never done yoga for two hours and the time flew.  My body stretched.  My mind let go.  I dropped the fear that I was carrying with me that I would look like a fool because I had no idea what I was doing and I was encouraged to do whatever felt right for my body.  What an incredible life lesson, to listen to the sound of your own voice and body and do what feels right.  

The retreat space was filled with lots of windows, incredible light, and a spectacular view of the mountains.  We ate the most nourishing, delicious meals that were made with so much love.  Sarah carved out intentional spaces of silence which I deeply appreciated.  It was wonderful to have the silent time because it let go of any need to feel like I had to come up with conversation and allowed me the time to really process what was going on.  I was also able to get some amazing writing done.  It was fabulous.  

We took time to create vision boards and burn what didn't serve us. My dream of bringing women together emerged on my board.  It felt so satisfying and real to share this dream with the group.  Even though I am not sure exactly the way it will look I know that is the direction I am meant to be traveling in.  

From the "Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards" I pulled:

• Past - Bodies of water
• Present - Infinite Supply
• Future - The Arts

These cards felt so true and timely to where I am on my journey and where I want to go.  

On Saturday night in front of the fire we had a group Reiki session.  During my time I immediately felt a rush of energy leave my body.  It was fierce.  After the session while in different yoga poses I felt my hands getting pulled deeply into the ground.  There were moments when I had to wiggle my fingers just to ensure that my hands were still there.  

I didn't sleep well that night and woke up with a terrible headache.  I wasn't sure I would be able to participate in the morning yoga but showed up and am so glad I did. With each pose energy was brought back into my body.  I began to feel better and better.  

Oh it was a divine weekend!  I am so grateful I took the leap to go and look forward to deepening my yoga practice.  I am buzzing with inspiration and positive energy.  I feel so good.  

Sarah is offering another retreat in June and I couldn't recommend it enough.  If you are in the NJ / NY area check our her Spring Bliss Yoga Retreat.   Sarah has a beautiful way of teaching and makes you feel right at home.  She encourages you to listen to your own body and she is so in tune to the collective energy of everyone in the room.  Go ahead, take the leap.  You won't regret it.  

unfurling

YOU are writing the stories of your life every single day.  These storeis unfold in your common moments.  When you wake up in the darkness, make a single cup of tea, and begin your day.  They unfold as you travel throughout what you feel is an ordinary moment but have the possibility to turn extraordinary.  You never know when a moment or a person will change your life forever.  

You tuck your stories into your pockets. Keeping moments like love, adventure, and travel, as well as heartbreak, sadness, and loss.  As you go about your day your stories revisit you and you are reminded of a person you met or are transported back to a specific time. Something triggers your memories and instantly you are there.  

These stories are yours and yours alone.  No one else has taken your journey.  No one else sees the world the way you do.  These stories need to be celebrated, acknowledged, and sometimes let go off.  

You have stories of bravery and courage that are filled with inspiration.  You need to acknowledge that you are the star in those stories.  YOU are the one who made them happen.  

You also have stories that play on repeat in your head, dragging you through the mud when you don't deserve to be.  These stories need to be let go of.  

I invite you to unearth these stories.  To gain trust in what spills out, celebrate the glorious moments, and let go of what no longer serves you.  The page is there to catch your moments.  Allow it the opportunity to hold your words safely.  

I invite you to gather around my virtual table and join me for four weeks of unfurling.  Writing and photography are the two tools that help me bravely step into my life.  The page catch's my words and the images capture exactly where I am in the moment.  

I want to sit along side you and guide you in using these two tools to unfurl into YOUR beautiful life.    

Join me for four weeks as we explore the different ways our stories emerge through writing and photography.  We will do this by diving into:

• setting intentions
• creating alters
• digging into the beauty of ceremony
• meditation

week one :: intentions
We will explore setting intentions, learn how to clear the path, and acknowledge your every day stories and the stories you most need to tell.

week two :: speaking to ourselves
We will hold gently the stories we tell ourselves and how we speak to ourselves.  We will learn to show up with love and compassion even in the midst of the most difficult stories. 

week three :: letting go
There are stories that we avoid telling, bury deep, and do not want anyone to know about.  But these are your stories and they need to be told even if no one else hears them but you.  Gently we will let go of these stories as we tell them one word at a time.

week four :: dreaming with ease and grace
t is time for some deep celebration and we will do that by acknowledging how far you have come and dreaming up where you may want to go next.  

How does this work?
All lessons will be posted on a private blog.  You will have full access to this content for four months after class ends.  Therefore you will not have to feel rushed to get through it when life creeps in.  You can go at your own pace and slow down when something really resonates with you.  

What will you receive: 

• A weekly video digging into that weeks lesson
• Three post a weeks filled with writing prompts and different exercises to help you unearth your words
• Stories and inspiration to open you up and get the pen moving on the page
• An open email box where you can communicate with me any time.  I am here to support you through this process. 

What do you need:

• Access to the internet so you can enjoy the weekly lessons on the private blog.
• Your favorite writing tools be it a pen and a notebook or your computer.  Whatever works for you.  
• A camera.  Nothing fancy needed - your phone will do just fine.  

You do not need to be a writer, creative, or a photographer to be in this class.  I will be taking you through with many different ways to approach each exercise.   This class is about opening up and unfurling into the great unknown.  For it is there that your true self is waiting for you. 

Questions:  Drop me a note at jbelthoff@gmail.com with any questions you have.  

you

You have to choose YOU
First and foremost you have to say YES
To who you are
What you stand for
What you want to do

You have to chase your dreams
Go after them, wildly
Do not let them gently slide away 
So easily that can happen