it's time to begin

You know that thing you want to do. Yeah, that one thing you have been wanting to start.  I know you have been thinking a lot about it but you still haven't begun. 

You say; "tomorrow looks like a good day to start, no need to begin today".  Or, "I just need to have something else in order before I begin".  Or maybe even, "I don't have the right tools yet to start and definitely not the right outfit". 

I know, you are making up a lot of excuses and wasting a lot of time.  You are doing more talking and thinking about beginning, yet you never actually start. 

Well today is as good a day as any to begin.  

Your hair doesn't have to be perfect. Your house can be in disarray.  You don't need to wait for that magical moment. Because heres the thing, there is no magical moment.  The only way to make it happen is for you to start.  

What is it you want to begin?  Writing that book.  Moving your body.  Eating better.  Getting more fresh air.  Working on a creative project.  Meditating.  

Whatever it is do one small today to get you started.  But don't stop there.  When the tomorrow comes do another small thing, and then another.  Make what you want to do a part of your daily routine.  Don't a day go by where you don't work on it for at least five minutes.  Because even if it is only five minutes you are still showing up, and that is half the battle.  

Always show up.  

You can make it happen.  You have it in you to create whatever it is that is brewing inside your heart.  But it does take hard work and dedication.  Put one foot in front of the other and just keep moving.  You got this.  I believe in you.  

Drop a note in the comments or send an email to me at jennifer@jenniferbelthoff letting me know what it is your are beginning so that I can cheer you on.  Sometimes we just need someone to walk along side us on the journey to keep us motivated.  I am here to walk with you and cheer wildly.  

I may not know you but

I may not know you {yet} but I know how hard you try.  I know the way you show up in this world with your heart on your sleeve giving it your all.  You fall down, but you always get back up.  You look to seek out the joy and you don't stop until you find it.  Sure others try to knock you down but you don't let them push you around. 

You may be quiet, but you are fierce.  A fighter for what is right and true.  You believe in kindness and surprising strangers with random acts of love.  You take the time to listen, truly listen.  You reach out and invite others in.  You know that we aren't meant to travel this world alone so you break down your own walls and share your heart with others.  

Your smile is a gift. 
Your patience is outstanding. 
The way you give others space to just be is beautiful.  

I may not know you, but I see you.  I honor your passion and am cheering you on.  Your light shines so bright in this world.  It touches places you do not even see.  Stand with your head held high, your shoulders back, and your heart shining.  And know that you are AMAZING!

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This post was inspired by the first prompt for this round of the Love Notes Postcard Project.  This free, three week project invites individuals to get back to the basics and connect with others through snail mail.  This is the twenty third time I am hosting the project and could not be more excited.  

dear little one, you can climb mountains

Dear Little One,

I see you.  There is wonderment in your eyes and a sense of freedom in everything you do.  You view the world through a lens of possibility.  I admire the way you show up with your entire heart and give it your all.  You do not worry about what the world thinks.  All that matters is if it is brining you joy.  

You are passionate about everything you do.  When you dance you let go and simply have fun.  When you write you print slowly placing your finger after each word to ensure proper spacing.  When you hug you hold on tight and lean in.  When you smile the entire room lights up.  

You are not yet clouded by the judgment of the world.  You believe there is good in everyone.  Without you even knowing it you give others a chance to prove you wrong and they usually end up proving you right.  You take risks.  You leap.  You are unafraid to fall down.  You always get back up and just keep on going.  

It is incredible to watch you learn and grow.  To see the way you navigate the world.  To watch the way you interact with others. There are moments you hold back taking it all in but then you ease into your comfort and you break free.  I love watching you break free.  It is in these moments you sprint across the grass playing with the other kids and giggle wildly. 

Your laughter is contagious.

You have stories, so many stories.  What a precious gift it is when you tell them with others.  You share how the moment made you feel and you are sure you don't miss one single detail. 

You love to lend a hand and help out.  You create special spots at the table for everyone.  You always want to hold the baby and try your hardest to make him smile.  You help your little brother out even when he may be driving you crazy.  

You have no idea how much joy you bring to the family.  Your imagination, your thoughtfulness, your love, your energy.  It is felt and makes a huge impact. 

Never forget this feeling of freedom of completely being you.  Stand tall with your head held high, your shoulders back, and your heart open.  Let others get to know you.  Continue to shine that smile that lights up an entire room.  Always choose kindness.  And never let the world tell you that you are to tall, to short, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not anything enough because you aren't.  You exactly as you are is an incredible gift!  Remember this always. 

You can climb mountains and you will.  

Sure, there will be some really tough times ahead but you will make it through them.  Always reach out to your friends and family and know that I am here for you.  You create magic wherever you go.  Continue to stay open to the wonderment of it all.  Continue to explore, to dream, to grow.  

And continue to dance wildly!  

Love always,
One of your biggest fans

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Interested in connecting with someone through snail mail?  Join the Love Notes Postcard Project.  We begin on April 8th.  This free three week project connects you with another individuals in the group to send snail mail to.  Unsure of what to write, don't worry we got you covered with a weekly prompt to get the pen moving.  I invite you to slow down and join in on the snail mail revolution.

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national letter writing month

The US Post Office has officially declared April National Card and Letter Writing Month.  How divine to have a month dedicated to putting pen to paper.  Yes social media is great to instantly connect, but there is something special about slowing down and writing someone a letter.  

Writing a letter requires you to take a moment and pause.  You cannot just rush through it like you can a text message or email.  There is intention in the words you put down on paper. 

When it arrives in the recipients mailbox it is a ray of sunshine carrying with it joy and happiness.  What makes a letter magical is the ability to hold it in your hand and see the penmanship and doodles of the person who wrote to you.  It is a treasure that you can enjoy over and over again.  

When I was in high school I sought out a pen pal through an ad in Teen Magazine.  I had to beg my mom to send in the $5 to have me matched up with someone.  When I received the first letter I was beyond excited.  The envelope decorated with stickers and smiley faces and inside a letter documenting someones life.  We wrote to each other often for a couple of years sharing our heart aches and happy moments.  A friendship blossomed from afar long before internet communication was a thing.  I still have those letters tucked away in my parents attic and when I look at them they still make me smile. 

There are many different types of letters you can write and people you can write to.  What matters most is that you take the time to share your heart in words.  It does not have to be perfect.  There can be cross outs and misspelling.  As you write a new part of the story may unearth or your words may take you in a completely different direction.  Give yourself permission to explore on the page wherever your words want to go.  

Not sure where to get started?  Here are a couple of options:

• Write to a friend or family member sharing your favorite memory of the two of you together.
• Write to your significant other reminiscing about the day you first met and the moment you knew it was love.
• Share a joke with a child.
• Let a co-worker know how much you appreciate them.
• Compliment a business or service that you enjoy.
• Reach out to someone who inspires you and let them know why. 
• Send your best friend the top ten reasons why you adore him or her.
• Write to a grandparent and let them know what they have taught you.
• Write a letter of encouragement to someone who is going through a hard time.  Let them know that you are there for them. 
• Delight a stranger by leaving an encouraging note in a public place for someone to find. 

Your words have power and the ability to bring joy.  Share your words and feelings with those around you.  Let them know how much they mean to you.  I guarantee your letter will change their day.  

Does it feel to overwhelming to begin with a letter?  I invite you to join the Love Notes Postcard Project.  All you need is (1) something to write with, (2) something to write on and (3) three stamps. I will hand-select your pen pal and provides you with writing prompts for each of the three rounds.  We begin on April 8th.  

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your words matter

Since the inception of Love Notes my mom would sign up for each round.  It always made me smile when I saw here name on the list.  Having your parents cheer you on never gets old no matter how many years you turn.  Plus, having them participate in something you created is the icing on the cake. 

But then her named stopped appearing.  I thought maybe she was to busy and didn't worry to much about it.  When the next round came and she didn't sign up I knew something was going on.  Was it that the obligatory phase of having to be involved in your childrens activities had faded?  Was she just not interested?  Did something about the project turn her off?  

Love Notes was created with the intention of being a project that was easy; something anyone could participate in.  I didn't want people to feel like they had to be an artist, create an incredible piece of work, or write brilliant words.  I didn't want anyone to be intimidated.  Yet that is exactly what was going on with my mom; she was intimated by the lovely postcards she had seen popping up in the Facebook Group. 

It is human nature for you to compare yourself to others.  Your inner demons sing their evil songs and weave a tale that tells says you aren't good enough and for some reason you begin to believe them.  You get into a vicious cycle of compare, compare, compare and you forget to look around and see what magic you are creating.  

You are uniquely you and bring beauty
to this world in a way that no other can!

No one expresses themselves the way you do.
No one shows up the way you do.
No one holds hands, gives hugs, or smiles the way you do.
Who you are and what you do matters
And you need to share that light with the world.  

I reassured my mom that she did not have to make her own postcards.  That what matters most is that she is taking time to write something to a complete stranger.  Even if all she wrote was; "hello, I am thinking of you" that would be enough and it would be a gift to the individual who received it.  She decided to fight those inner demons saying she wasn't good enough and she signed up again.  

Fast forward a few years.  My mom is no longer with us yet each time I host Love Notes I can feel her cheering me on.  Her spirit is strong and her handwritten notes that she has sent has touched the lives of others.  

By pure magic and divine kindness one of her notes arrived in my mailbox unexpectedly this year.  As I opened up the envelope I had no idea what it was but noticed the handwriting and was blown away that it looked so much like my mom's.  Upon further reading it was in fact my mom's handwriting. 

A fellow Love Note participant had stumbled across a note my mom had sent her when they were paired up together.  When she found it she felt a deep urge to share it with me and took the time to send it my way.  She also let me know how my moms words had touched her.  Tears filled my eyes as it sunk in that I was holding a note my mom had written.  That very piece of paper was in her hands.  There was intention, love, and kindness embedded into that card.  Those words were a gift to the recipient and they were now a gift to me.  

The words you use do not have to be fancy or perfectly put together.  You do not need to write with special ink or a particular piece of paper.  What truly matters is that you are reach out.  In reaching out you invite others in and remind them that they aren't alone.  Your words have the ability to lift someone up, change their day, and make them smile.  And you never know where your words are gonna end up.  

When my mom wrote that card she had no idea that on a day I was missing her deeply I would receive the greatest surprise in my mailbox, her words.  The words she never would have written had she let those demons win and tell her she wasn't good enough.  

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The next round of Love Notes begins on April 8th.  I hope you will join us.  It is completely free to sign up. All you need is something to write with, something to write on, and three stamps.  I provide you with a partner and the prompts so you have a jumping off point on what to write.  

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leaning in

When things shift you have to learn how to navigate the new normal.  What was once your daily routine has changed and the steady ground you were on is no longer steady.  This shift is uncomfortable because you do not know where the next step is.  But you pick yourself up and you go after this unknown terrain with a wide open heart.  Because you know that above all else you have to follow your heart.  You have to show up.  You have to keep stepping forward.  

And that is exactly what you do.  Even when it feels scary.  You lean in.  You get quiet.  You listen to that inner voice that has been calling for so long.  You do not let this moment pass you by.  You embrace the uncertainty and take it as an opportunity and a chance to unpack your inner dreams.  

Because it is time to do what your heart is calling!