grateful for this world

I am grateful for the world and the way it let's me live in it
It gives me space to expand
To reach, to grow
Never enclosing me in a little box,
but rather encouraging me to go out and play
Explore
Seek
Roam, free
Yes, this world gives it all to me
The mountains, the ocean, the sunshine, the sky
It gives me stars to wish on
And raindrops to dance through
It invites me to always stay curious
And to never stop dreaming
It fills me up with wonder
And puts on the most beautiful shows
This world is wide and expansive
And it reminds me of that every single day
There are endless roads to travel
New paths to explore
And oceans to swim in
There are mountains to climb
And moments to sit and savor
The world slows me down when I travel to fast
Sending me a heart rock to tuck in my pocket
Or a message through a feather, reminding me that angels do exist
The world is filled with wonder
And endless possibilities
It has opened up it's arms to me
Invited me in and asked me to explore
I am so grateful for the wide expansive world
For the diversity it brings me
The love it shows me
And the adventures it has opened up to me
Thank you for deep deep earth, the wide expansive sky
And everything between
It is here where I get to live
To simply be me
And be in awe of the world's stunning beauty

YOU are glorious

What I want you to know is that you are glorious
Yes, YOU! 
Makeup free, hair a mess, still in your PJ’s
You SHINE
Know that the only person you need to be in this life is YOURSELF
Exactly as you are
Do not aim for perfection
It does not exist
Simply do the best you can
Show up
Live in the moment
Make plans for the future
And allow your heart space to dream
You are FIERCE
Feel it, believe it, know it, LIVE IT
Do not let anyone put out your light
What you do and who you are matters
It all matters
These tiny moments that feel insignificant
They have the ability to uplift and change someone’s day
This is powerful
Choose LOVE, always
Seek, search, and sometimes let go
What you once thought was all you wanted
May become something else
Stay fluid and open to change
Follow your heart, it won’t steer you wrong
Remember, you are GLORIOUS
In all you do
In all you say
In all you are

change is the only constant

Change.  It is the one thing in this life that you can always count on happening.  Usually at a time you least suspect it.  Big and small changes flip your world upside and life as you knew it is forever altered.  

Change.  We never know when it will happen.  We live our life one way and then all of a sudden it doesn't even look or feel the same.  We plan, dream, and scheme for the life we want to live but then that vision becomes altered and we are shown a brand new path.  

One moment can change everything.  

How do we live when we are unsure of what the next moment will bring?  Do we tread lightly, never making plans, becoming fearful of what is on the other side?  Or do we live big.  Arms wide open.  Enjoying the moment we are in and savoring them a little more deeply because we know that they won't last forever.  

We have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  I think I will be going to yoga, then work, and a nice dinner.  But that doesn't mean that is exactly what will happen.  Anything in life is possible.  The good and the bad.  The stuff we plan for and the moments we couldn't ever have imagined.  

What matters most is how you live your moments.  How you savor the time you have.  Laughing a little more deeply.   Hugging a little bit tighter.  Making plan because you need dream.  And being present with where you are, right now.

Change.  It will always happen.  It is inevitable.  But it isn't always a bad thing.  Sometimes change ones up a whole new world to us that we did't even know existed.  

So live in the moment
Dream big wild dreams
But take the steps today to make them happen
Because you never know what tomorrow will bring

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?