she said

She said to just take the first step
To go in slow 
Find my footing
See where each step takes me

She said to not feel rushed
Take my time
Listen to the sound of my heart
And go in the direction that I am most called to

She said that it would all be ok
If I stayed true to me
If I let the world see who I am
If I stood firmly in my own decisions

She said to not allow fear to paralyze me
To keep showing up 
Push through
Be open to what unfolds

She said said that I can't give up
Not now, not ever
That I must always push myself through the struggles
And see where I end up

She said that I could do this
I listened deeply
Leaned in closed
And finally began to believe

national letter writing month :: don't stop writing

This is the last week of national letter writing month but I urge you to keep on writing.  It seems that less and less people are sitting down with a piece of paper and a pen.  I have just learned that the thing to do in college is to not even purchase a notebook to take notes in, but rather photograph the board after the teacher is done.  This makes me gasp!  

If you came to my home you would find notebooks lying around, letters tucked in boxes, and postcards displayed throughout.  I cherish the written word  and the time, heart, and energy that goes into it.  Writing is healing.  Whether you are writing a letter to yourself, a grocery list, or a thank you card you are taking  the opportunity to organize your thoughts onto the page and to let out and express the jumble that is running through your brain.  This is important to do.  

Many people have the impression that writing is a solo endeavor, but it doesn't always have to be.  Two years ago I gathered with some lovely individuals in my home for an event called Feast of Words.  Each individual that walked into my home did not consider themselves a writer, yet as the night went on and they each showed up on the page with the different prompts they stretched and grew, letting out emotions and feelings that they were clinging deeply onto.  It was cathartic and healing and it was in that moment that I saw how deeply writing can touch everyone lives, even those who do not consider themselves a writer.  

Letter writing provides you with the perfect opportunity to let someone you know how deeply you care and appreciate them.  It is also perfect for a quick thank you and a personal hello to a friend who lives far away.  When you sit down to a piece of paper you arrive with more attention then if you were sending off a quick email or a text message.  The page encourages you to slow down and be intentional.  Savor this slowing down and sink deeply into the feel of the pen moving across the page.  

Here are some prompts to get you going:

• If I could tell you one thing it would be
• Today I thought of you because
• Remember when
• I admire your

Pick someone you love and write them a letter from one of the prompts above. If you can't think of anyone to write to, write to yourself.  Just show up and see what flows out.  You may surprise yourself.  

And keep on writing!  The world needs to hear what you have to say.  

love notes postcard project #lovenotesjb

photo credit :: debra davison

It is that time of year again where the Love Notes Postcard project is in full bloom.  Hosting this project is one of my favorite things to do.  I still remember the moment the idea came to life.  I was talking to Dustin about how I wanted a way to bring people from all over the world together.  Something easy and tangible.  I am a lover of snail mail and a collector of postcards.  When Dustin suggested doing something with postcards my heart opened up.  

photo credit :: michelle gd

What I love about postcards is they feel inviting.  The small writing space is less intimidating and you don't feel like you have to write a huge story.   One simple line is all it takes to brighten someones day. 

What I also love about postcards is how they travel through so many hands before arriving at the final destination and along the way whoever touches them may also be affected by the words because they are visible.  It feels like magic to me.  Touching lives on it's journey and you will never know the impact that it has had.  

photo credit :: Lindsay Waltman-Ostrom

When I first dreamed up this project I was only thinking of store bought postcards.  I never imagined the love and creativity that some people would pour in, creating little works of art.  It is amazing to see how much thought and kindness goes into this project.  

photo credit :: paula bogdan

And because I did't want people to feel like they were left hanging with what to write I provide a writing prompt each week.  The words people share are personal.  They are filed with love and deep heart opening.  Sometimes people receive the words they most needed to hear, and that makes me smile.  A dear soul,  who has participated in this project more times than I can count has shared a bit of her writing from the first weeks prompt  

:: If I could tell you one thing it would be . . 

I invite you to pop over to Paula Bogdans blog and be blown away by her writing and her beautiful creations.  

I am blown away at how individuals open up to strangers.  How they pour their heart into the words and thought into the postcard they send.  It is true that one small postcard sent through the mail can change someone day.  The Love Notes Postcard Project is proof of this.  

Want to see more images of stunning postcards . . . drop by The Love Notes Facebook group or check out #lovenotesjb on Instagram.  

find your own way

Reach up to the sky
Find your own way on your journey
Do not listen to the naysayers
Just simply follow your heart
You are stronger than you realize
You deserve happiness and delight
Do not be fearful in the face of the unknown
Stick your neck out there 
And take one step 
Yes, that is all it takes
One step forward into the unknown
Find your way
And soak up the goodness that this life has to offer

giggles from the couch :: one small step

Join me today on the couch as we talking about taking one small step.  You have to start somewhere, and that one small step is the place to start.  

What one small step can you take today to be a little bit closer to your dream?

writing prompts

It was a moment unlike many others
I stood on the edge of a big decision
And I said yes

It was not hard to make the choice
Staying still no longer felt possible
I had to break free, I had to run

It was terrifying and thrilling
I had no idea where I was going
All I knew was that I had to keep moving forward

Here I stand on the other side of despair
Head held high
Heart open and free

Here I stand stronger, braver, open
Ready to take on challenges that come my way
Wiser for all that I have gone through

Here I stand proud of myself for taking the risk
Soaking in the beautiful life
And navigating my own journey

There are many times when the blank pages stares at me and I am not sure where to begin.  It can feel intimidating even when I know there are stories in my heart that need to be written.  This is when I turn to writing prompts.  There are two different ways that I do this:

1.  Words to begin with.  

n the poem above the words I began with were "It was..." and "Here I stand..."  I merged these two prompts into one poem because they felt right to be paired together.   I have a bunch of words to begin with stashed away in a note on my evernote account. As I come across more I jot them down for a rainy day.  

Begin a list of your own.  Tuck it some where that you can easily access it.  When you are stuck on what to write turn to that list and choose one.  If you still feel stuck pick another.   Remember, there are no rules.  

Having a jumping off point make it so much easier to begin.  The blank page feels less intimidating and I never know where the prompt will lead me.  You may think that you are going to head in one direction when you first read it and then all of the sudden your pen takes you on a completely different journey.  Be open to what bubbles up.  

2.  One word

Words speak deeply to me.  Some of my favorite words are serendipity, gratitude, open, wild, intriguing, action.  I have taken all of my favorite words and written them down on individual index cards.  When I am feeling stuck I pull one out and write whatever comes up from that word.  It feels like a game and gives me a purpose. 

What are some of your favorite words?  Make a list of them or create separate cards for each.  Take it one step further and write your own definition of each word.  Not the definition from the dictionary, but what the word actually means to you.  We all know the definition of words, but we seldom realize what power and meaning a specific word can hold for another.  


Having these different prompts makes it easier for you to jump into writing.  Go ahead, give it a try.  Do you have a specific prompt that you love?  Share it in the comments so that we can all give it a whirl.