she said

She said you make the world a more beautiful place to be

She said it is your good energy that generated all of the goodness

She said thank you for providing all of these opportunities to connect with wonderful people around the globe, and for being authentic and vulnerable enough to help all of us work through this wonderful thing called life.  You inspire.  You make a difference.

She said the way you express yourself is truly an inspiration to others

She said you are a part of my fondest memories ever

She said you have put into words what we all feel

She said you are amazing and inspiring

She said everything you write is so full of heart

She said you capture the best moments

She said you speak from the heart

She said you are a gift

She said you are writing is amazing

She said you are beautiful

She said one of the things I admire so much about you is how you are aware of such beautiful feelings and then how you can verbalize them and make us feel it to

She said I heart you

She said I miss you

She said I am so happy you were here

She said I love the way you use your words, you pull at heart strings

It was what she said that opened up my eyes to the journey I am currently traveling.  I keep dreaming that my writing will make a difference, that I will gather and tend to the souls of others, that what I do in this world matters.  

Hearing what she said made me realize that I am currently walking the walk.  While deep in the thick of it I did not realize that I am already living my truth.  I am cultivating my dreams.  I am tending to hearts.  I am writing from a place of honest vulnerability.  I am touching peoples lives the way I have always dreamed of.  I am inspiring others.  

Sometimes we need our dear friends to hold a mirror up in front of us so that we can see all that we are.  It is through their reflection of us that opens up our eyes to our own innate beauty.  They see us through unfiltered lenses.  They are the recipient of our energy.  They feel what we give them and they can show it back to us.  

She said ... is a prompt from a course I am taking called Community Grace with Hannah Marcotti.  The prompt was to go through text messages, emails, social channels, and interactions with our tribe and pull out the pieces when they hold up the mirror showing me where I am really there for them.  

I took some time to go through my facebook feed and found the above words written from others.  It opened up my eyes to the journey that I am on.  To quickly I can lose sight of all I am.  It is my tribe that constantly holds up the mirror and helps carry me through.  They reflect the purest pieces of me, and I do the same for them.  

This is a reminder that we are not meant to travel this journey alone.  We are meant to walk together.  To hold hands, laugh, and love.  

I encourage you to go through this exercise and see what you can unearth that your tribe has reflected back to you.  Write your own She Said and tuck it in your pocket to turn to again and again.  For what they say is the truth. Feel it, know it, believe it. 

savor the moments

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We took off on a mini adventure.  A night away to refuel our love tanks, slow down, and savor one another.  Road trips are one of our favorite things to do together.  Chatting in the car, singing along to the radio, listening in on the truckers conversations, and quiet moments of comfortable silence.  It is lovely to leave home and arrive somewhere new all in the a matter of hours.   

Adventure awaits around every corner.  New roads to explore, senses to be filled.  

We breathed in the ocean air while listening to the sound of the waves.  We stumbled upon a really old cemetery and watched the sunset together.  We explored, giggled, and loved.  

So easily we can get caught up in the hustle of life.  We need to take the time to slow down.  Even if it is just for the night.  We need to sink into this wildly precious life and enjoy it with the people we love.  Life brings us so much joy, we must slow down a bit to savor it.  

it takes a village

I had stood on the sidelines of the NYC Marathon for five years cheering on my aunt Kelly and uncle Chris as either both of them or one of them ran the marathon year after year.  They ran on Fred’s Team which supports cancer research for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and ran in honor of Kelly’s father who passed away from the horrific disease. 

2010 NYC Marathon, Kelly & Chris approaching the finish line!

Each year my mom and I along with other family members stood on the sidewalk cheering.  Being a spectator at this event is amazing and as I stood there I was overcome with emotion.  I remember looking over at my mom and both of us had tears in our eyes.  You see people from all walks of life embarking on an epic 26.2 mile journey and it is truly incredible. 

2010 NYC Marathon with Chris & Kelly after they finished!

As I stood on the sidelines a spark was ignited inside me and I knew that one day I wanted to embark on this epic journey myself.  But saying yes to 26.2 miles isn’t easy.  It took me five years to work up the courage and when I hit the submit button and signed up with Fred’s Team I knew there was no turning back. 

Before I began training for the marathon three miles was my normal routine. How in the world did I ever think that I was going to be able to run 26.2?  But here is the thing . . . you are so much stronger than you think you are.  You can do incredible things when you put your mind to it and just take it step by step. 

And that is exactly what I did.  I had a training schedule that slowly increased my miles and soon 3 miles became 10, 10 miles became 15, 15 became 22!  At the end of my training runs I stood there exhausted but also incredibly proud of myself.  I was doing something I never thought I could do and it all happened because I decided to show up. 

For some of my runs you may have passed me on the street and thought that I was running in slow motion . . . but even in slow motion I was running.  During those incredibly challenging moments I pictured my family and friends cheering me on.  I replayed in my head the encouraging words they left on my donations page for Fred’s Team and it motivated me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Come race day I was filled with a bit of nervousness but it was overpowered by excitement.  This was the day I had been working towards.  All my hard work and effort was for this moment and I wanted to enjoy it.  It was one of the most epic days of my life.  Family and friends traveled around the city to cheer me on.  I had written on my wrist each mile I was going to see them at and it was those moments when I saw their smiling faces and heard there cheers that kept me moving forward.  When I began to struggle I would look at my wrist and think that I just needed to make it to that next mile and everything was going to be ok, and it was. 

2014 NYC Marathon after I finished!

In life we aren’t meant to do things alone.  I may have been running the marathon by myself but I was never truly alone.  The encouragement from my family and friends throughout my training and on race day is what got me through. They were with me every step of the way.  The pushed me along, cheered my name, and were a constant reminder to me that I could actually do this. 

As I look back on the marathon one of the things I am most grateful for is that my mom was there to see me run.  My mom loved the marathon and looked forward every year to cheering on my aunt and uncle.  Having her be there for me meant the world to me.  She was so proud.  Her face beaming with a smile each time I ran past her.  It reminded me of the days I ran cross country; she was always there on the sidelines cheering me on. 

This year I will be going back to the marathon as a spectator to cheer on my uncle Chris who is running once again for Fred’s Team.  He is running in honor Kelly’s dad but also in honor of my mom.  Even though my mom won’t be on the sidelines with us cheering him on I know she will be there in spirit and looking down with pride.    

Chris - who will be running the marathon this year in honor of Kelly's dad and my mom

Running with Fred’s Team is an incredible way to run the marathon.  Not only do you raise money for cancer research but the team is there for you every step of the way.  Chris has set a lofty goal of raising $6,000 this year and every dollar raised makes a difference.  Cancer is an all too common disease that affects to many lives and families.  Please join in the fight and donate to Fred’s Team through Chris’s fundraising page.  No donation is too small.  Click HERE to donate.  If you are interested in learning more about Chris’s story click here to see the very personal page he has created. 

Running the marathon was epic!  The entire 26.2 miles I had a smile on my face.  

When we come together we are so much stronger than when we stand alone.  I learned this while training for the marathon and that lesson has stuck deeply within my heart.  Together let’s fight the fight and imagine a world without cancer.      

Donate to Fred's Team Today!

slowing down

There are days that fly by in a blink of an eye.  I rush from one thing to the next forgetting to slow down, take a breathe, and savor the moments.  Working in an office environment has pushed me deeper into this fast paced non stopping mentality.  There is always something to be done and before I even begin I am behind.  I must be quick and nimble.  Use every minute in the day and push things along quickly.  

This constant state of motion can wear a girl down.  Constantly seeking for answers.  Living in that state of unknowing.  Wondering which way to turn and jumping boldly.  It has pushed me to think on my feet.  Analyze quickly and move on.  But it has also sucked the wind out of me and has left me feeling exhausted.  

We all need time to slow down.  To soak in the sunset, day dream, and simply just be in the moment.  I know that I cannot be in a constant state of motion and conversation.  I need breathing space and moments of quiet to sink into.  The constant rush wears me thin and makes me lose my way.  

And so I turn to:

• Going for a walk around the block.  The movement of one foot in front of the other helps me to clear my head and slow down
• Pour myself a hot mug of tea, sit on my porch, and watch the world move forward
• Take time to dig into a book and read to my hearts content
• Light my twinkle lights, put on some favorite songs, and just sit on my couch and breathe

It is these simple self care practices that take me back.  They slow me down, rejuvenate my soul, and help breathe a little bit deeper.  What are some of your self care practices?  How do you get back to yourself when the world is constantly pulling you in many directions?  

Having a self care practice is very important.  You must know what heals you.  What brings you back.  Without that you may lose your way and not be sure how to find your way back.  I encourage you to take some time to develop your own self care practices and integrate them into your life when you feel like things are getting a little wonky.  

love notes begins, again

Another round of the Love Notes Postcard Project (#lovenotesjb)  began this Sunday and I am ecstatic!  I started this project for two reason:

1. I LOVE snail mail
2. I was craving connection and thought others might be as well

The project is simple ... for three weeks you are matched up with someone, each Sunday I provide a writing prompt, and then you fill out your postcard in response to the prompt.  Yup, it is that easy and the only cost is the postcard and a stamp.  

When I began this project I had no idea how it would unfold.  All I knew was that the only thing that arrived in my mailbox were bills and that needed to change.  I needed  sunshine and words that I can dig into.  Something beautiful that I could hold in my hand that would push me to pause.  And so the Love Notes Postcard Project began.    

Individuals who have participated have taken this project above and beyond my wildest dreams.  Some create mini works of art that they send through the mail, others continue to write to one another long after the round is over, and some have even formed deep friendships.  This is  my 13th time hosting and each time it get's better and better.

I wish there was a way for me to wave my magic wand and have everyone together.  It would be lovely to see everyone's face, chat about what's important in our lives, and share our mutual passion for snail mail.  But, since participants are from all over the world that isn't physically possible.   So I invite you to gather on the virtual dock.  It is here where we can visit one another's virtual front porches.  Where we can get a peak into their lives and a feel for where they are writing from.  Stop by and say hello.  

Love Notes Postcard Project {13} *some* Participant Blogs

• Yemeni Journey
• Writng & Stuff
• Various and Sundry: items of interest
• Thoughts Along The Way: musings of a pilgrim
• The Collage Cafe
• Tegan James Tile Art & Canvas Paintings
• Sylvia's Art Bar
• Sue Brassel
• Stamping Sue
• Soul and Culture
• Songbird Studio
• Something from Nothing
• Shannan Enjoys Life!
• Ruby Dog's Art House
• Roaring Out
• Rita Herrmann
• Red Dancer Studio
• Ready to Pause
• Randisch
• Planting an Oar
• Our Journey to Joshua
• Moments in Time
• Meticulosity
• Lunch Hacker
• Looking For My Escape
• Little Scraps of Magic
• Leap and Twirl
• Lara Cornell Art
• La Boheme Creative Lounge
• Kimerly Kalil
• Kenton Visser
• Kelly Barton art+design
• Kelli May-Krenz
• Kari Chapin
• Judy Around the Corner
• Jess Witkins Happiness Project
• Humans of Planet Earth (H.O.P.E.)
• Heartlady
• Gypsy Heart and soul
• Grace
• Golden Bird Knits
• Everything Jenni
• Everyday Joy
• Diana Dellos
• Debra Fillingim
• Daisies Girl
• Creatology
• Colorful Moments
• Color Me Happy by Melissa
• Carter Peters Cairn
• Britta Gene
• All My Love Crafts: Handmade with Love
• Alexandra Gallant
• A Myeloma Widow's Journey

I am {secretly} dreaming up mini love note gatherings.  An afternoon together around the table where we can meet and write love notes with one another.  An open space where we can show up exactly as we are and be surrounded my kindred spirits.  Is this something you would be interested in?  

It is amazing how this project started out as a conversation between Dustin and I.  An inkling of an idea.  Bouncing thoughts back and forth with one another.  And then just going ahead and taking the leap to see what would happen.  I am so glad that I took that leap.  It has brought me here to round 13 and knowing that there is so much love and beauty fluttering through the postal system. So fun!  

What idea do you have bubbling?  What little thing do you maybe want to try?  Give it a chance for you never know what will come of it. 

crossing the bridge

I have been standing on an island of discontent.  I cannot place my finger on exactly what it is but there are pieces of me that cannot seem to find a way to smile.  The world feels as if it is caving in on me and I am unsure of how to control it.  It comes in quickly and pulls me down.  There are moments when I cannot handle the high energy of a room and immediately want to run out the door.  

Has this ever happened to you?  Have you ever felt like you lost your spark?  Have you ever kept putting one foot in front of the other but always felt like there were piece of something hold you back from experiencing the full joy that the moment presented?

This is where I stand.  I want to cross the bridge and jump into the light but I know that I must first recognize this inner turmoil and find the root cause.  I am unsure of what exactly it is that has been pulling me down but I do know that I am not making anything better by casting blame on others or getting upset by small things.  

I need to rewrite the story to tell the truth.  Hiding in this current story is getting me nowhere fast.  I need to shed light and be honest on what the real hurt is that I have buried deep.  I will never be able to cross the bridge into the light until I do this.  

So I am turning to my notebook.  Writing first how I see there is something going on.  Through this recognizing it is my hope that as I continue to write whatever "it " is will surface and I will be able to re-write the story.  I want to find my spark again.  I want to enter a room with a smile and really feel it.  It begins right here with me and I won't give up until I am shining.