shifting

It was in that moment when everything changed
Yes, everything
You didn't expect it to happen
But it did
A shift on the inside that was felt through your entire being
One moment you were standing on solid ground
The next, the earth was shattering and you couldn't tell up from down
Here you are now
Deep in the thick of it
So much you want to say
Yet so little you are capable of speaking
You wonder how you got here
How one moment changed everything
You do not like this feeling of uncertainty
You liked when you knew where you were going
What do you do now
What choices do you make
Which heart strings do you follow
How deeply do you listen to that quiet voice screaming in the back of your head
One single moment
Shifting you
Pushing you
Challenging you to look at the world differently
Do you lean in or run the other way

choosing how to begin

Morning has become my most favorite time of day.  I wake before the sun has a chance to rise.  The glow of the moon and stars guiding me on my run.  Putting one foot in front of the other my intentions for the day become clear.  I soak in the quietness of the streets and savor this precious moment in time.  

When I arrive home the glow of twinkle lights greats me, calming my quick beating heart.  I take this quietness with me into the bathroom as I light a candle and shower by it's dim glow.  The soft light feels gentle on my soul.  Reminding me to ease in, take it slow, appreciate the moment.  Showering by candlelight has become a new favorite ritual.

I choose how I spend these tiny moments before the world awakens.  Before I have to step out the door and enter into the mandatory's that need to be fulfilled.  Movement, meditation, soft candles glowing, this is what I gravitate towards.  I have carved out time so there is no need to rush into the day, I take it slow.  

My mornings used to be hectic.  Rushing out the door before I even had a chance to breath.  Training for the NYC Marathon has helped me shift this time by pushing me out the door to get a run.  I never thought I would be a morning exercise person but my body loves it.  My soul craves it.  When I do not do it a piece of me feels off.

We all have the power to choose how we spend our time.  When we are conscious of this we become more intentional with what we choose to do.  You can spend hours going down a rabbit hole with social media or you can choose to read a book, pull out your journal, move your body.  The choice is yours, and yours alone.

How do you choose to begin?

tossing your old story

You have to stop telling yourself that old story
You know how it goes
The one that says you aren't good enough
You don't matter
You have no idea what you are doing
That one story that has been playing on repeat
Dragging you through the mud
Yes, now is the time to let it go
That story no longer serves you
Because you, yes YOU
Are a divine human being
What you do and what you say matters in this world
That other story, it's just nonsense
And it doesn't deserve a single second more of your time
So drop it
Right here, right now
Toss that story into the fire and watch it burn
As flames engulf this old story allow new words to fill your heart
Words of love, light, happiness, and strength
Because you, yes YOU
Are strong, brave, fierce, and incredible
You impact individuals with your quiet way of knowing
Your presence is calming
And the way you invite others in makes them feel right at home
You care about connection, love, and kindness
You aren't afraid to stand up for what you believe in
Or take the time to put in the hard work
You my dear are a rockstar, a total rockstar
So toss out that old story
And embrace a new one
The one that says "Hello world, here I am, ready to shine"

Love Notes Postcard Project :: virtual dock

virtual dock.jpg

The last round of the Love Notes Postcard Project for 2016 began on Sunday.  I cannot believe that we are already in our last round for this year.  Where has the time gone?  

Words are a powerful tool.  They have the ability to heal or to hurt.  When we choose words of kindness, reach out to strangers to say hello, and open our hearts up to the unexpected magical things happen.  I am grateful to all the open hearts that arrive each time to share words with a stranger.

For this round we have individuals writing from:

  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

I love that this project brings back the feel of pen and paper and encourages individuals to slow down and take a moment to write.  But I always wish that I could click my heels and we could all be gathered together.  Since that isn't possible I invite you to join me on the virtual dock and get to know some of the individuals who are participating.  There are artist's, chef's, pet photographers, writers, magical individuals, and so much more!  It is an incredible gathering of divinity.  Stop by their virtual porch and say hello.  I just know leaving them a comment on their website will make there day.  Go ahead, make their day!

In no particular order here are some of the individuals participating in Love Notes:

moments can change your life

There are moments in your life that happen.  Moments you could not have thought up or dreamed about because you had no idea such a thing could ever occur.  Yet somehow these moments present themselves.  You are given the opportunity to embrace them and let them flow with you, guiding you along.  

These moments are stepping stones in your life.  Taking you from one place to another.  However, describing them as stepping stones not seem adequate enough because these moments are life changing.  Opening up a whole new door of possibility.  Breathing life into your tired heart.  Holding you gently.  Nudging you along.  Encouraging you to keep your head held high.  

Sometimes these moments happen with individuals who come into your life for a brief moment in time.  They change the course of our life forever and are gone in the blink of an eye, leaving you feeling in awe at the power of connection between individuals.  There are many people in this world, many individuals we pass on a daily basis and spend time interacting with, but only a select few stirs our heart and wakes us up.  Only a handful have the ability to creep in and see below our outer protective barrier.  

Why is it that certain individuals connect and others do not?  What is it that pulls us deeply into each other?  What needs to be aligned so that connection happens?  It is interesting to be roaming the roads of life and meeting so many different individuals and then unexpectedly meeting one that changes you.  You are traveling down your own path and then through a brief encounter you are propelled in a direction you never dreamed of.  The power of this is incredible.  

Strangers can open you up.  They can stand before you and accept you exactly as you are in that very moment.  They do not know the past.  They do not know your struggles.  They just see you.  You hold your heart in your hand revealing your true self.  You stand there in all your being, radiating who you are.  You never know if you will walk away with something new.  A new opportunity, a new friend, a new chance to take.  

Yes, one single moment can change your life.  And you never know when that moment will happen.  You just have to be ready to be present, be you, and be open.  Because in one single moment your life could change forever.  

my wish

My wish is to gather with you in community
To sit by side
Unfurling open into the great unknown
I want to empower you to live your best life
And help you find the path you want to navigate
We aren't meant to do it alone
We must lean on one another
Reach out our hands
And be willing to share our hearts

My wish is that I could help guide you
Be a beacon of light in your time of darkness
I want to create a space that you feel safe showing up into
And encourage you to lean deeply in
This thing called life is a journey
There is no wrong or right way to do it
We each must navigate our own path
But when we are together it doesn't feel so hard
Let's do this together

My wish is that you are willing to trust
That you show up as you, exactly as you are
That you don't hide your scars
That you know you are deeply loved
I want to invite you in
I want to stand beside you
I want us to be together
Because you need to make your own happy
And together we can do impossible things