dreaming

You watch from the sidelines and see other people's dreams coming true.  They make it look so easy.  Things seem to fall in place.  They are living the life you wish you could be living.  You stand on the sidelines pouting.  

But here is the thing.  You can be living the life of your dreams.  For others it did not just fall into their hands.  It took work, dedication, and lots of time.  They had a vision and went for it.  When they got knocked down they didn't give up.  They kept putting one foot in front of the other, ebbing and flowing with the changing tide.  You can do this to.  

You can achieve your dreams.

You just need to show up day after day.  Take the risk.  Listen to the voice of your own heart, for it will guide where you want to go.  There are no short cuts.  There isn't a special pill you can take.  You have to put in the work.  There will be sweat and tears but it will be worth it in the end.  

Do not let others control your destiny.  Do not give them the power to drag you down.  This is YOUR one wild and precious life.  Live it to the fullest going after what moves you.  There is no reason to be stagnant.  There is no reason not to dream.  Anything is possible when we put our minds to it.  

What is it you dream of?  Where do you want to go?  What is it you want to be doing?  

Reach for your dreams.  Take one small step towards them today and then keep that rhythm in motion.  Step by step you will get there.  Yes, you will.  

a love letter to summer

Dear Summer,

Oh how you have brought about a flurry of activity.  I am grateful for the days spent swimming, laughing, and riding my bike.  Your gentle sun kissed my skin and filled me with a little bit of healing.  You encouraged me to throw my schedule out the window and embrace the longer days and added time spent with Dustin.  

You took me on adventures.  Roaming the streets of Seattle.  Step after step we discovered new land.  You opened my eyes up to a new city and invited me to come and play in it.  You also provided me with a deep moment to slow down, soak in the warm sunshine, and enjoy paradise.  You were so very kind to me on our travels with open seats next to us, luggage that arrived right when we expected, and flights that went off with out a hitch.  For this I am grateful.  

You reinforced in my heart the importance of family and spending time with one another.  There was laughter, so much laughter and even a couple of quiet ragers.  In the mist of chaos we came together and enjoyed every moment.  We leaned on one another, showed support, and came out just a little bit stronger.  

You are my most favorite time of year and I am sad to see you go.  You have filled my heart with happiness and my belly with mint chocolate chip ice cream.  You reminded me to play, let go, and not worry so much.  You invited me to dig my toes into the sand and feel the salt water wash over my skin.  

Although I am sad to see you go I am ready to embrace September for it is this month that feels like a fresh start to me.  After all the play and goodness my heart feels more open.  My dreams more expansive.  My determination to leap stronger than ever.  And I have you to thank for that.  For you encouraged me to get out there and let go in the first place.  To jump on my bike and see where it would take me.  To travel unknown roads and find a new way home.  

Thank you for your kindness.  For shining your light on me and giving me space to play and dream.  I am grateful for you dear summer, for you have opened me up once again.  

I look forward to 2016 when we will meet again.  Until then I will hold you closely in my heart and cherish the time we got to spend together.  

Love,
Jennifer

{If you were writing a letter to summer what would you say?  What are you grateful for?  What did you do, where did you go?  I encourage you to give it a try and see where your letter takes you}

not the way it was supposed to be

Traveling has made me miss my mom more than I ever thought. Usually I have used travel to escape...be somewhere else.  Forget about life for a moment and live somewhere I wish I could stay forever.  But being on the road has made my moms absence even more present.  

Whenever I traveled I always looked for something to bring back for her. Something small and meaningful that would make her and I feel that she was right there with me. While waltzing through the maze that is Pikes Place market there were so many things that I knew would have remade her smile. I gazed at the items looking to pick out the perfect one and suddenly I was snapped back to reality. No matter what I purchased she wasn't going to be around for me to give it to her. 

Sitting on the plane to Aruba my eyes filled with tears out of no where. I missed my mom like something fierce. I remembered fondly the trip we took with her. The hysterical tube ride. Snorkeling. Hanging on the beach. Being teased for ironing. And her love for the gift shop. I am so grateful to have these memories. To have experienced such an exotic place with my mom who was more than happy to just spend some time with us at the jersey shore. 

I miss her deeply. I wish it was different. I don't understand why it had to end this way. It hurts. She was to young. So filled with life. It wasn't her time. She was supposed to be laughing with her grandchildren. Watching my new house be built. She was supposed to be there on the day of my wedding, beaming with pride.   

It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was never supposed to be like this. Yet here we are. 

slowing down

When I sit down at the typewriter I must slow down
Be intentional
Press the keys with determination
Know what I want to to say
And say it
One letter at a time

I am used to the rush and hustle of life
Typing quickly
Relying on spell check to catch the errors
Backing up
Starting again
Going, going, going never slowing down

But with a typewriter you can't do that
It takes work to press the keys
I have to roll the paper to get to the next line
There is no delete
No going back
I must present in the moment and watch what I am doing

It is a great reminder
To take it easy
Be present
Listen to my heart
Not rush ahead
Be exactly where I am, when I am there

The typewriter is teaching me many life lessons
About being intentional
Slowing down
Appreciating the moment
I am grateful for these reminders
Because life can to easily slip by

 

gaining a new perspective

There are times when we need to look at the world from a different perspective
Choose a new angle
Find another way home
Yes there are times when we need to look around with fresh eyes
Drop the old stories
And hold space for the new ones to breathe freely
When we hold tightly to what we think should happen
We do not leave a chance for the world to open up to us

Take a deep breathe in
Look up to the sky and appreciate the blue shades
Look down at your feet, give gratitude for the ground you stand on
Take a moment to pause and feel how you feel right now
You only get one spin around this planet
Live it, breathe, it, appreciate it
Give yourself a chance to feel it deeply
And to see all of it, yes all of it
The way you see it and from a new perspective
 

feast of love

What you long for you must create.  You cannot sit around at home waiting for it to great you at the door.  You must make space for it and invite it in. 

I crave connection.  Deep intimate connection between women.  Where we have the space to open up and be exactly who we are.  The type of space that is free of judgement and filled with love.  

I crave to be seen and heard.  To have heartfelt conversations where it is ok if the tears fall.  And to also to savor those moments where laughter is contagious and we can't help but smile.  

If I sit home alone these connections do not happen. I must open up my heart and open up my door.  I must invite others in; to be together.  

It is what we all need.  Community.  Love.  Kindness.  We want space to tell our stories and an opportunity to listen to others.  We want a place where we feel comfortable to express the heartache and feel that we aren't alone.  

To obtain this we must reach out and be vulnerable.  We must be willing to share all the pieces of our heart.  The good and the bad.  We must open up which isn't always easy to do.  

To find your tribe you must be willing to leap.

I invite others in.  I set the table and together we gather.  It is here where the bond of friendship is formed time and time again.  As we sip wine, eat delicious food, and share pieces of ourselves.  It is a feast of love.  Moments of raw honesty, heartfelt emotion, and deep laughter. 

It is in the being together that gives us permission to stand tall in who we are.  To shed the layers of protective skin and allow our heart space to shine.  And so we gather.  Again and again and again.  And through time, love, and trust we open up more and more.  We feast.  We love.  We become a tribe of sorts.  Sharing milestones and heartbreak.  Yet also celebrating and laughing deeply.  

Take your chance today.  Reach out and invite others in.  Create your own feast of love.