today is the day

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Today is the day to be awesome!  To forget about what everyone else is saying and listen to the sound of your own voice.  To say YES to that one thing you have been wanting to do, really wanting to do.  Weather it is curling up in bed with your favorite book, going on an adventure, or booking your ticket for a travel excursion listen deeply to what you want to do and do it!

Today is the day to remember that our time here is limited. Don't waste it doing things that do not feed your soul.  Seek out what moves.  Reach for your dreams.  Let go of anything and anyone that doesn't bring you happiness.  Clear space for all the goodness you are inviting into your world.  

Today is the day to choose to look forward and not back.  To forgive yourself and others for any past hardship.  To take control of your own life and carve your own path.  You are the one who decides where you are going to go.  Don't make it harder for yourself by holding onto old hurt and pain.  Set yourself free and take a bold step forward.  

Today is the day to tell those you love how much they mean to you.  Be gushy and over the top about it.  Let them know, really know the special place you hold in your heart for them.  Spread love and kindness around. 

Today is the day to let go and be silly. To dance wildly, play like you are five years old, blow bubbles, draw with chalk, ride your bike.  Forget how old you are and let go into the world of fun.  

Yes, today is the day to be YOU.  Exactly as you are.  There is no need for you to show up as anything but yourself.  Are you clothes wrinkled, did you not put on make up?  That is ok.  Show up proudly.  Head held high, shoulders back.  Walk into a room and know that YOU exactly as you are is enough.  


This post was inspired from the second prompt of the Love Notes Postcard Project:

Today is the day ...

Finish the sentence and share what your world would look like in the comments below

when i look at you

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When I look at you I do not see the clothes you wear
Or the way you style or hair
I do not notice the makeup on your face
The shoes on your feet
Or the handbag you carry
No, not all

When I look at you I see your heart
Your big, bold, gracious heart
I see the way your eyes light up when you talk about traveling
I feel your excitement
And watch your feet do a little happy dance
As you tell of your next adventure

When I look at you I see in your eyes
How you are afraid to show up sometimes
But you do so anyway
Taking the risk and going after your dreams
Because of this you have unearthed new terrains
And found your own way home

When I look at you I see all that you are
And all that you want to be
I see how you hold onto hope
How you savor the memories
How you choose to spend time with those you love
And never settle for anything less than what you deserve

When I look at you I see all the stories you carry
The ones that make your heart beat with excitement
The ones that bring you to your knees
The everyday stories that make up your life
The stories of what is to come
You hold them all closely, they make up who you are

When I look at you I see YOU
Exactly as you are in the moment
You stand there with your heart on your sleeve
Your emotions spilling from your eyes
I can feel the energy you are carrying when you walk in a room
And I know how deeply you desire to treasure the moment

You don’t have to wear fancy clothes to be you
Your hair doesn’t have to be perfectly done
You are YOU
So beautifully imperfectly you
When I look at you I see you for who you are
A radiant, divine soul, navigating her journey

a world where

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I want to live in a world where kindness comes first
Where individuals choose to be there for each other
Reaching out a hand, offering up help

I want to live in a world where risk taking is encouraged
Going after dreams is what individuals thrive on
And you navigate your own path by following your heart

A world where laughter rings out
Music fills the air
And love and light swirls around

I want to live in a world where people show up as themselves
Each and every day, proudly standing in their uniqueness
Sharing what moves them openly and freely

I want to live in a world where people hold hands
Offer hugs
Invite others in

A world where what matters most is how you treat each other
The way you share your heart
And being deeply present in the moment

Yes, a world that we create
Overflowing with love, compassion
And lots of silliness

What kind of a world do you want to live in?
What do you need to in this world?
What do you want it to feed you?  

We all need a world where we are seen and loved
A world that shows up compassion, encourages us to take risks, and nudges us to live bravely
A world that doesn't hold you back but helps propel you forward

Show up in the world the way you want it to be
Share what you need with others
Live the life you desire

When you create what you need
You encourage others to do the same
Go ahead, live BIG!

{This post came out of the first prompt for the Love Notes Postcard Project:

I want to live in a world where ...

Finish the sentence and share what your world would look like in the comments below}

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!