this is YOUR life

Boldly step into YOUR life
Because you only get one chance at it
Do what moves YOU
Follow your own heart
Do not let anyone tell you what you can an cannot do

This is YOUR chance
To fill yourself with happiness
To choose the hard road
Because you know in the end it will lead you where you want to go
Do not give up

Today is YOUR day
A fresh start to begin again
A new opportunity to risk and love with your whole heart
Take chances
Don't let the moment pass you by

YOU are the author of your life
Each day a blank page
You decided how it is going to end
And what happens along the way
How will you write today's story

Remember to choose love, always
Spread kindness
Show compassion
Be present
When you reach out, others reach in

This is YOUR one wild and precious life
Go for it
Live big
And love wide
Write the best story yet

mistakes were made

Yesterday I sent a letter to my mailing list {you can read it here} and there was an enormous grammatical error.  Throughout the letter I wrote "your good" instead of "you're good".  I didn't realize I had it wrong until some very kind friends pointed it out to me.  {Thank you!}

Upon first learning that I made this mistake my heart dropped.  That letter went out to my entire list and there was no way to correct it.  Eeeekkk!!!  I was extremely embarrassed and those little voices in my head began to shout some harsh words.  I was brought back to a post I read awhile ago where someone was upset that they bought a product that had a few grammatical/spelling errors in it. She felt that it was a direct reflection of who the person was and how much they cared (did not care) about their work.

I have never been great at grammar. My eighth grade English teacher can attest as I spent hours and hours after school getting extra help. I do not feel that my mistake is a reflection of who I am or a lack of carelessness....I simply got it wrong.  Thank's to those dear friends I now know the proper way to use these words.  A lesson I hope remains engrained in my brain.  

I am human.  That means I am forever learning and growing. I can't let my mistakes define me. I need to keep moving forward a little bit wiser and with the lesson learned tucked into my pocket.  I am not perfect and will never try to be.  I am uniquely me, mistakes and all.  

I have learned that sharing the truth of our stories brings us together.  We all make mistakes and that is okay.  We cannot let our fear of making a mistake hold us back.  We must show up in this world and give it a try.  It is in these moments that we grow and expand.  

Final e-course of 2015!  

I am excited to announce my final e-course of 2015, Heart Notes.  They say we teach what we most need to learn and that is very true for this.  I invite you to join me in this soulful class where together we will close out 2015 with love, tenderness, and reflection.  

You have journey through another year.  Your feet have taken many steps, memories have been made, hearts have been broken, love has been shared.  There are so many moments to be grateful for, to celebrate, and even to let go of.  Join me December 2nd - January 1st and look back on all that has been.  

As we gather together for four weeks on a private blog we will explore the following themes:

Week One :: Taking Inventory
All companies end each year taking inventory of what is left.  This helps them plan for the new year.  You will do the same.  Taking an inventory on how you feel, where you stand, and what you are still carrying around.  

Week Two :: Celebrating What Was
You have done so much this year, YES you have.  Let's take the time to properly celebrate what was.  Through ceremony and a formal toast let's acknowledge how much you have accomplished!  

Week Three :: Letting Go of the Hardship
Not all moments in a year are beautiful and grand, but it is every moment that makes up who you are.  There are some moments that you no longer need to carry with you.  Through journaling exercises you will be able to let go of these moments and say goodbye.  

Week Four :: Dreaming and Scheming
What do you envision 2016 to look and feel like?  Through vision boarding and quick journal exercises you will uncover what you most desire for the new year and how you want to feel.  

Week Five :: A Final Goodbye, and a Brand New Hello
Yes, is time to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016.  You will write letters, send notes, and prepare yourself to step boldly into 2016 with a wide open heart.  

Let's clear space so that you can boldly step into 2016.  

Join me today!    $42.00

Looking forward to closing out the year with YOU!  If you have any questions about Heart Notes please drop me a line at jbelthoff@gmail.com

i believe

I believe that when we share the truth of our stories we connect with one another.  We open up.  We see that we aren't alone.  We understand a little more clearly the truth of our struggle and we can move forward a little bit easier.  

I believe that we aren't meant to go through this journey alone.  We are here for each other.  We need to lean in, reach out, and be there for one another.  We need to trust and allow ourselves the opportunity to be seen. 

I believe that we must choose laughter, even in the difficult moments.  We need laughter.  It heals us and helps to ease the pain, even if for just a little bit.  

I believe in the power of love.  For it is love that get's us through.  It is love that makes us stronger.  And it is love that opens us up wide.  

I believe that we are all meant to fly.  We did not come here to live small, this is not what the world wants from us.  We must spread our wings, seek out what moves us soar!

What do you believe in?

what she taught me

She loved sunflowers, corny jokes, and being with her family.  She didn't ask for extravagant vacations, a stunning home or a glamorous life.  She just wanted to spend time around the ones she loved.  She would drop anything and everything to see her grandkids and her face would light up whenever she was with them.  

She instilled in all of us a love for the holidays.  And she instilled in me a love for crafting.  She taught us to be kind to others, to show respect.  She led by example, always showing up when we needed her.  

She was strong.  She believed in us.  She told us how much she loved us.  And would always cook our favorite meal for our birthdays.  Her gifts were thoughtful.  Her heart was expansive.  She cared deeply and wanted to see us all do well.  

My favorite memories are those where we were laughing over the silliest of things.  This usually occurred when we were crafting together.  We did this often, and those memories are tucked deep into my heart.  

Not a day goes by when I do not think of her.  Her, who taught me to spread my wings and fly. Her who loved sunflowers and sunshine.  Her who always had music playing in the house.  Her who is with me every single day.  I carry her around now, showing her the world from my eyes.  

braving the blues

It is this time of year where I feel a few steps behind everyone.  With the day's falling into darkness sooner than I am ready I seem to lose my footing.  The world spins on and I do not know how to keep up.  It is the darkness that drags me down.  

I remember when I started my first office job.  I was coming from the restaurant world where my hours were very different.  I worked mostly at night and had the day time to soak in sunshine and fresh air.  That first year at this job was one of my toughest.  I struggled to adjust to this new normal of leaving for work in the dark and coming home when it is dark.  The sunshine rarely found it's way to my face.  

It is during these dark months that I just want to curl up into bed as soon as I get home from work.  I lose my motivation and I know it is all due to the darkness.  I am a sunshine girl.  It is the sun that makes me smile and draws me out into the world.  I need the sun as it breaths life into me.  

Last year I put a plan into place to stay ahead of the struggle by listing out ten ways to help me brave the blues.  I also showed up throughout these months on instagram with the hashtag #bravingthblues.  Doing this helped me find the light within the darkness.  

We just changed the clocks this past Sunday and I can already feel myself sinking down the rabbit hole.  With the passing of my mom I know that this winter will be tougher than usual and I will need to find different ways to help push me out of the blues.  

During these darker days I am going to try to:

• Exercise daily
• Send snail mail
• Write often
• Push myself out of the house
• Give myself permission to rest

I often try to do to much.  Rushing from one thing to the next.  I need to slow down.  Allow my mind and body time to rest and rejuvenate.  

I invite you to slow down with me.  To utilize #bravingtheblues and show how you are not letting the darkness win.  Going through a difficult time is always easier when you are doing it with others and know you aren't alone.  So jump on in.  Together we will make it through the winter blues.  

this moment

It was my first birthday without my mom.  A day I wasn't prepared for.  A day I didn't think would come soon.  I was surrounded by family and friends traveling through a city that was filled with excitement and energy.  Thirteen of us trekked around NYC cheering on my uncle as he ran the NYC Marathon in honor of my mom and his father in law.  

It was just last year that my mom was a part of this adventure.  Traversing the subway system, waving her pom pom wildly, and proudly cheering me on as I ran 26.2.  It was one of the best days of my life.  I felt like the city was mine and each time I saw my family and friends on the route cheering, waving, screaming, I knew that I was going to be able to make it all the way to the finish line.  They gave me energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  

I still remember vividly seeing everyone waiting for me on the corner after I had finished.  I was making my way through a sea of people on the crowded NYC streets.  When they spotted me they began to cheer wildly.  The look on my mom's face was priceless.  She was beaming with pride.    

So much has changed since that day.  So much that I never ever expected to change.  My Mom didn't tell all of us she had breast cancer until after the marathon.  She didn't want me to worry when I had such a big event coming up.  Looking back now we all know that she was much sicker than just breast cancer.  Yet she was there cheering, beaming, passing me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  She was there every step of the way.  

Even though she wasn't physically at the marathon this year she was definitely there in spirit.  I just know that she was cheering from up above.  I spotted many feathers throughout the city and in honor of my mom my uncle ran with a couple of feathers tucked into his sleeve.  It was an incredibly sweet gesture.  

I still can't believe she is gone.  My heart is shattered but i know her spirit is within me.  I cherish the memories and hold onto them tightly.  So much can change in such a short amount of time.  So much that you never expect to change.  Savor the moments.  Love boldly.  Live wildly.