Love Notes Virtual Dock

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The next round of the Love Notes Postcard Project (#lovenotesjb) begins on Sunday.  If you missed it do not worry as I will be hosting it again in July and October.  I love this project for it's simplicity.    

3 postcards + 3 stamps = 3 weeks of happy mail!  

When I first began this project I had no idea that it would reach people from all over the world.  For this next round we reached a major milestone

We have at least one person from every state in the USA participating!

I am so excited about this.  It is incredible to know that so much love is being sent out.  But the love doesn’t stop within the US.  We also have people participating from:

  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Canada
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Malta
  • Slovenia
  • United Kingdom 
  • United States 

It is incredible to me how a note arriving in the mail can change a person’s day for the better, bring happiness, and be the spark to a new friendship.  This is what Love Notes has done and each day I am amazed with its ability to bring people together.  Some say snail mail is a thing of the past but to that I say no way!  Love Notes ignites sparks of joy and kindness and spreads them throughout the world. 

The world could always use a little more love and kindness!

I love that individuals are reaching each other through snail mail but I wish there was a way for me to wave a magic wand and have everyone who is participating together in one place.  It would be so lovely to see be gathered around one very large table chatting about our lives, sharing our dreams, and gushing over our mutual passion for snail mail.  Since that is not physically possible I invite you to join me on our virtual dock where you can stop by people's digital front porches and say hello.  Get a peek into their world and see where they are writing from.  Go ahead, stop by and say hello.  

consumption

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How much time do spend surfing the web or scrolling through your social media channels?  When you are standing in line or waiting somewhere is this the firs thing you go for?  We do it so often now a days that it almost feels like a natural reaction.  Our fingers scrolling back and forth to different platforms then concentrating for a brief moment on whatever we were doing, then back to the scrolling.  I am embarrassed to even think about how much social media consumption I do daily.  I always think I don't have the time to do the things I want to do, but the truth is if I just put down the phone I will have plenty of time.  

My mind and body are craving movement, reading, writing, creating.  When we were away on vacation I read two books and my brain felt energized and my soul felt inspired.  It was divine!  I love reading yet recently the only thing I read are the status on my social media channels.  I know I need to get back to basics.  To doing the the things that my heart and soul desire.  
 

Movement

My body needs movement each and every day.  That movement does not always look the same but there has to be some form of it.  Running, yoga, riding my bicycle, different workouts DVD's that I have.  Something that get's my blood pumping and my heart smiling.  

When I move my body I have more energy.  I sleep better.  I clear my mind and I feel so good.  

Fresh Air

Sitting inside at a desk all day makes me appreciate the fresh air that much more.  I crave it.  I need it.  Without it I feel drained and lost.  Even if it is freezing cold or sultry hot I need a few minutes in the fresh air to bring me back to nature and myself.  

One of my favorite activities is sitting outside on my front porch reading or writing.  There is something about being outdoors that just makes me feel a whole lot happier.  I also enjoy going for walks even if it is only around the apartment complex.  

Fresh air + movement = happiness!  

Writing

Writing is another way that I find my way back home and open up my heart.  It is through the page that I can release all that I am holding onto and tell the truth of my story.  I am able to show up without a filter and spill wide open.  

Through writing I find not only who I am, but where I want to go.  I discover dreams, let go of past hurts, and navigate my own journey.  My notebooks are my sacred ground.  

Reading

When I was young we lived within walking distance of the library.  It was a teeny tiny library but that didn't bother me, I loved going there.  Then they up and moved it all the way across town ... but that didn't stop me ... I would jump on my bike and spend hours at the library.  I feel at home when I am in a library.  I love picking up books purely for their title and diving right in. 

I can get lost in a story quickly.  Words leave me feeling inspired and renewed.  They awaken pieces of me that I didn't realize were dormant.  Through others words I find my own.  

Creating

I developed a love of creating from my mom.  She was always crafting something, working with paper and scissors, having such a good time making something out of nothing.  When I am creating time stands still. I am in the moment and enjoying exactly what is unfolding before me.

My mom taught me that there is no wrong or right way to craft ... it is all about having fun.  She turn ordinary picture frames into mini works of shell art.  They weren't always perfect, but they were made with love!  


I need to get back to all of this. To doing what I love.  To reigniting my spark and finding myself again.  Time passes way to quickly and when I spend it on social media it passes even faster!  I am looking forward to this Sunday and the start of the Love Notes Postcard Project. 

3 postcards + 3 stamps + 3 writing prompts = 3 weeks of snail mail fun!   

If you didn't sign up yet there is still time to join.  Click here --->

They say how you spend your days is how you spend your life.  I want to spend my days creating the life that I love.  I want to savor the moments, laugh wildly, hold hands, move my body, and do the things that my soul desires.  There is only one way to do that ... put down the phone and live this life!  

How about you?  How do you spend your days?  What do you wish you were doing instead?

 

 

live out loud

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You have to believe in your soul work.  You have to cling to the dream.  Never give up on it.  Find a way to do it and shout it from the rooftops.  When someone ask you what it is you came into this world to do, you have to tell them.  It is through your truth that you unleash the truth in others.  It is from sharing your heart that others become confident to shine their own. 

What is it you have come into this world to do?  To live out loud?  Do this!  Live out loud.  Share your heart, your soul, your truth with others.  

I know that gathering with women is healing, divine, love filled.
I know that sharing our truths opens up a door for others to do the same.
I know that turning to the page provides an opportunity to release, reflect, gain confidence. 
I know that moving your body is necessary and healing.  

I believe that love heals us.
I believe that talismans and alters are a way to guide us.
I believe that people want to love others and sometimes we get lost along the way.
I believe that when we follow our heart we open up the doors to the universe.

Give yourself permission to do what it is YOU want to do. Do not worry about what others think.  Do not seek out approval.  Follow your heart.  Be true to your soul.  Do what it is you always wanted to do and don't be afraid to tell people what you are going after.  

Live out loud!   

YOU create your life

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You are the one creating this life
You are the one who decideds where you are going to go
You hold the key to your heart and you choose who will be able to hold it

We must be gentle with ourselves
We must be kind, caring, and loving
We must show up authentically, our guard down, our heart open
We must accept our faults and continue to try harder
There is no sense in harping on what was

You only get one shot at this thing called life
What mark do you want to leave
What memories do you want ohers to hold of you

How you treat yourself is how you treat others
When you show up to you filled with love and affection
You open your heart to do the same to those you meet
Be kind to one another
For we never know what is happening just beneath the surface
We are all writing our own stories and we do not know when they will end

Savor the moments
Love deeply
Live with compassion, for yourself and others
Hold tight onto gratitude
And rememeber you are the one writing your story
Be kind to yourself when you are alone
Write the words your heart most needs to hear
Be tender, be brave
Live with love and kindness pouring from your heart

when you are alone

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Who are you when no one is watching?
In those quiet moments when you are alone
How do you treat yourself
How do you show up
Are you a whirlwind of despair
Clothes scattered on the floor
Dishes left undone
A brain filled with ideas
But no courage to give them a chance
Do you shower yourself with love
Are you kind and tender
Do you understand that you have faults
But know that we all do, and that is ok
Do you hold gratitude in your heart for all you have
This room
These shoes
This moment
Do you pause to let it all sink in
Do you take a minute to savor the sunshine
And recongize the way it makes you feel
How are you when you are alone
When no one else is watching
Are you kind to yourself or do you struggle to find your footing
When no one is watching
Be kind
Be brave
Be you
Do not let your inner voices tell you that you can't do something
Take the risk
Be gentle
And true to yourself
Know that you deserve love, happiness, and compassion
Show this to yourself when you are alone
Be your very best friend
And savor the moments you have alone

what i have learned along the way

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Life is a daring adventure. I know  must submerge myself into it and live wildly. I must reach, stretch, grow. I must boldly show up even when I am scared. Doing something that scares me is good for the soul and helps me learn more and more about myself. 

This life is filled with so mucIf I don't take advantage of it I will miss out on opportunities that may crack me wide open. I know how easy it can be to fall into the every day routine, but there is so much more to go after.  Appreciating the small moments fills my heart and reminds me of how divine this life is. Even through the struggles there is hope and goodness.  

How I spend days is how I spend my life. I want to fill my life with smiles and love. Giggles and dancing. Toes in the sand. Hands being held. Kisses and snuggles. I want to create the beauty even in the darkness. 

So here I stand. On the edge of today. I choose to jump in with my whole heart and see where my feet take me. I choose to live this life now.