national letter writing month

April is national letter writing month and I couldn't be more thrilled.  Letter writing feels like a lost art in the age of email and text messages, but it isn't something that we should let drift off into the forgotten.  When you sit down to write a letter you are saying yes to opening your heart and sharing details of yourself with the receiver.  There is an intimacy that occurs and the opportunity is there for you to open up a little more because there is no instant interaction, just a blank page for you to let go into.  

I write letters often.  Some of them never get sent and that is the intent when writing them.  I find it cathartic to speak directly to someone on the page and say all that I have to say.  there is freedom and non judgement.  It is a lovely space to be in.  

I challenge you to pull out a pen and a piece of paper and write a couple of letters this month.  To get you started here are some ideas of letters to be written:

• To your parents.  Thank them for all that they have taught you and let them know what you admire most about them.  
• To a dear friend sharing the way you remember one of your favorite times spent together.  
• To your partner. Be steamy, intimate, and open.  Tell them one thing you have always wanted to tell them.  
• To someone you admire.  This could be a famous author, actor, teacher, co-worker.  Let them know how much they mean to you and how much they have inspired you.  
• To yourself.  Be gentle and kind.  Celebrate your accomplishments and give yourself a pat on the back for all you do each and every day.  

Once your letter is written fold it up nicely and place it in an envelope.  Add an address and a stamp and drop it in the mailbox.  You will surprise and delight the recipient and your letter may even change the course of their day.  

Who will you be sending a letter to this week?  If you are feeling up to it write more than one.  Maybe write one a day.  Share below in the comments.  

And tune in next Monday for more letter writing ideas.  Happy writing!

giggles from the couch :: letting go

There are moments in all of our lives when we are in a situation that we cannot control.  No matter how badly we want to change what is happening we cannot.  All we can do is choose to let go of the outcome and let the situation unfold as it is going to.  Not an easy thing to do for sure, but necessary because you holding onto it is not going to change anything.  

Click play above and take a peak into a situation that I recently went through that had me learning this lesson big time along with one other important lesson that I still have not yet learned completely.  

What do you need to let go of?  Are you in a situation that you can't control or have you set incredibly high expectations on yourself that are crazy?  Let them go.  I invite you to use the below writing prompt as the first step in choosing to let go.  

I have to let go of this because . . . 

Share your response to the prompt in the comments below because what you have to say may just be what someone else needs to hear to help them let go.  

Love Notes Postcard Project

The Love Notes Postcard Project is back and it is one of my favorite things to host.  First of all it is FREE!  All it takes is the cost of a stamp and a postcard.  Plus, the project is super attainable since it is only three weeks. All you need to do is send out one postcard a week based off the writing prompt I provide on each Sunday.  

Here is how it works:

• I will match you up with someone
• Each Sunday you will receive a writing prompt
• You respond to that writing prompt on the postcard and drop it in the mail
• Wait for the ray of sunshine to arrive in your mailbox from your partner.  That is it!

I choose postcards for this project because the writing space is less intimidating and when they pass through the hands of the mailman or postal workers they are sure to brighten their day as well.  

This round begins April 12th and I hope you will join us.  Click HERE to sign up!  

I would love for you to join us.  I have had people from all over the world participate and it makes my heart smile knowing that rays of light are getting spread all over the world.  

If you have a question about the Postcard Project feel free to reach out to me at jbelthoff@gmail.com
 

getting back in the groove

Being in the warm sunshine inspired me to get moving again.  Each morning I showed up on the beach, barefoot and ran for as long as the beach allowed.  It was divine.  There was no watch to tell me how fast I was going and no mile marker to tell me how far I ran.  I just listened to the sound of my breathe, splashed my feet in the ocean, and moved my body.  It felt so good!  

Back in NJ the weather is chilly but the sun is shining after work.  That alone is motivation enough to lace up my sneakers and move my body.  On Monday I tackled Airmount for the first time this year.  While training for the NYC Marathon Airmount and I met often and never truly became friends.  It wasn't until during the marathon that I grew an incredible appreciation for my time spent running up that monstrous hill.  

I realized that all the time I spent on that hill made me stronger.  It pushed me to my edge and made me realize that I can do things I never thought I could.  It also prepared me for the challenges I faced during the marathon.  

So here I am getting back in the groove.  Showing up again and again even though it feels challenging.  I am pushing myself forward even when my breathe is labored and I am struggling.  It feels good to be back!  

giggles from the couch :: your inner critic

Today I am back with another episode of giggles from the couch and I talk about reigning in your inner critic.  It is not any easy thing to do but your inner critic definitely does not have to rule you!  

My inner critic showed up just when I shared this video everywhere and I noticed that I spelled critic wrong.  Ugh!  The universe has a funny way of making sure we learn our lessons.  So I put into practice what I speak about in the video and I talked to Flow.  I told it was ok that I spelled it wrong.  That critique could work as well.  Then I sent her on her merry way and I kept on sharing the video anyway, even with the spelling error.  For it is a reminder to me to keep showing up and being open to making mistakes.  For it is in our mistakes that we learn and grown.  

How do you handle your inner critic?  Have you named her?  Do you say something special to her?  

Let us know in the comments below because what you do may really help someone else.  Together we can learn how to live with our inner critics and do it anyway.  

do over

If I could go back and do it all over again I would spend more time building myself up then knocking myself down.  I made it so much harder than it had to be.  Seeking ways to fit in instead of finding what truly moved me.  I would worry less about what other people thought and care more about what made my heart sing.  I would accept my mistakes and not travel deep into the depths of their dispart.  I would love myself more, speak to myself with kindness and compassion.  I would take time to see the love that was being extended to me.  I wouldn't push it away, but lean deeply into it.  

If I could back and do it all over again I would choose me first.  Before the boy, the party, then night of mischief.  I would show up only where I wanted and let my true light shine.  I would allow myself to sink into the darkness.  I would ask for help, and seek out guidance.  I would be so much kinder to myself.  Tend to my heart and lean deep in.  

Yes, it would be all about love if I could do it over again.