connection with nature & community

If you ever come looking for me you will most likely find me outside.  Breathing in the fresh air, soaking in the sunshine, and connecting with nature.  This is what grounds me and brings me joy.    

Recently I had the opportunity to connect with two dear locals girls to chat about Love Notes as we explored a part of the Appalachian Trail together.  Kristen and Marybeth are the founders of 7th Heaven Hikes.  They believe that life is supposed to be a joyful experience for everyone.  They have a deep appreciation for nature and connecting with individuals.  They have just began their business venture together even though it has been long in the works before they even realized it.  They are a magical duo and refer to themselves as the Wonder Twins.  

Kristen and I met at Yoga Teacher Training.  Her spirt and spark lit up the room.  I admire her courage, the way she takes on challenges even when she is uncomfortable, and her deep spirited nature.  She is also a Jikeden Reiki Practitioner.  I have gone to her for Reiki treatments and always left feeling lighter and more energized.  

The work that Kristen and Marybeth are doing is so needed in today's world.  It is all about getting outside, connecting with nature, feeling the warm sunshine on your skin, breathing in the fresh air, and connecting with individuals. It is about stepping away from technology and stepping into this beautiful world that mother nature created.  As we hiked we saw many hearts which confirmed that it was a true Love Notes walk.  

You can connect with 7th Heaven Hikes through their website, Facebook page, and Instagram. 

What I love most about 7th Heaven Hikes is the in person connection with community.  This has been a focus for me.  I am most comfortable connecting with others through the written word.  Through writing I can cut right to the heart of the matter and do not have to worry about small talk.  As an introvert in person gatherings can take a toll on me.  I want to jump into the juicy stuff but struggle to know how to get there.  So I go where I am comfortable and listen rather than speak. 

But I am craving sitting across from you.  Looking into your eyes as we share our stories.  Reaching out and holding your hand.  Getting to know your mannerisms and being able to hear the sound of your voice.  Connecting in person allows us to go in deeper.  To really see one another.  

I have connected through the written word with so many amazing individuals in the Love Notes community.  It is filled with wide open hearts and I am always left in amazement for how giving, compassionate, and empathetic they are with one another.  I dream of gathering together.  Sitting around a giant campfire, telling stories, sharing our hearts, and simply just being together.  Oh the magic that would unfold if we were all in one place!  

Let's Get Together

Until I can iron out the details for a larger gathering I would love the opportunity to meet up with local Love Noters. 

I am based out of Mahwah NJ and will be doing something in the Bergen County area on the afternoon of August 5th.  If you are around I would to meet you.   

We can do so much more when we come together than we ever can alone.  And when we join together in person we are that much stronger.  I look forward to seeing you!  

Have any questions feel free to drop me a note: jennifer@jenniferbelthoff.com

Love Notes Participants

The Love Notes Postcard Project is a divine adventure of snail mail magic.  It is a three week project where individuals are paired up with one another to send one postcard a week based off of the weekly writing prompt.  

The individuals who participate are overflowing with kindness and love.  This project would not be possible without their wide open hearts and willingness to reach out to a stranger.  I am beyond grateful for each of them.  

What is amazing to me is that the people who are a part of Love Notes are so different yet at the same time very similar because they all understand the human condition of wanting to connect with others.  Below are just some of the incredible individuals and where you can find them on the world wide web.  

I invite you to grab a cup of tea and visit their virtual porches.  Stop by to say hello and let them that you were there.  

Life & Living

• Sarah on Purpose
• Shannan Enjoys Life!
• Pics and Posts
• Rita Herrmann
• Danielle James
• One Small Sentence
• Three Ravens
• Angela Heather
• Debra Fillingim
• Willkommen im Facettenreich!

Art

• Artyzenworld
• Pet Portraits by Lisa
• Meticulosity
• Postcards in the Air
• Hearts Untangled
• Lauren Bell Archives & Preservation
• Lolailo

Photography

• Alice Belthoff Photography
• Mary Farmer Photography
• Christine Cassidy Art & Photography
   

Letter Writing

• Postmark'd Studio
• Postings

People

• Facets of Joy
• Stephanie Jade Wong
• Minneapolis Voice Actor Melinda Kordich
• Color Street

Experiences

• Mohegan Boat Line
• Laura's Learn and Play Nature School

need you to know

I need you to know ...

• You have an enormous heart.  You care so much about those around you and it shows.
• You matter.  What you have to say matters.  How you feel matters.  All of it matters.
• You, exactly as you are is enough.
• You do not need to change for anything or anyone.  Be you, always. 
• You care deeply and those around you feel it.  
• You show up.  You try.  You never give up.
• You deserve respect, love and compassion.
• You give others respect, love and compassion.
• You can do hard things.  I have seen it and have admired the way you stand tall even when it is hard.  
• You are a light of inspiration, hope and understanding.  
• You reach out your hand and invite others in. 
• You have this incredible ability to listen deeply and make others feel comfortable to spill open and share their heart.  
• You do not judge others for who they are or the decisions they make.
• You show up with love and kindness.
• You do not rush through.  You slow down and take it all in.  
• You appreciate the little moments.  The sound of the ocean, the beauty in a sunset, finding a feather.  
• You are a helper.  Being there for others when they need it. 
• You are creative.  
• You are independent and work hard to figure things out on your own. 
• You put your trust in others until they show you otherwise.
• You observe the world and soak in all the beauty that surrounds you.  
• You take chances.  
• You follow your heart.
• You ask for help when you need it. 
• Your positive energy is contagious.
• You are a natural leader.
• You are organized and detail oriented.
• You have a calm demeanor even when things get a little crazy.
• You are passionate.
• You are freaking AMAZING.

Never forget this.  Ever.  Believe in yourself ALWAYS.  Stand tall in who you are.  You deserve to have all of your dreams come true because you work hard to make them happen.  Continue to take risks.  Do not be afraid of falling or looking the fool.  Step outside your comfort zone and know that no matter what happens you are a divine light in this world.  

sinking into self-care

In the beginning of June I dedicated the entire month to self-care.  To sinking in deep.  Getting back to me.  Slowing down and appreciating the moments.  Unearthing what I love, need, and desire.  I made a promise to be present.  

I am seven days into this journey and so far it has been fabulous. 

They say you teach what you most need to learn and that couldn't be more true for me.  I decided to dedicate June to self-care because it is a hard month for me.  It is the month I lost my mom and also the same month that we would have been celebrating her anniversary of being married to my father and her birthday.  I knew it was time for me to be tender with myself. 

As I began to cultivate what I wanted to do for June my 'Mindful Moments' online class began to take shape.  The class started the first day of June and runs until the 30th.  It has been wonderful to share this content with the individuals who have gathered. 

What I am learning from this experience is that we all need a little personal TLC.  We all need permission to slow down.  We all need to take care of ourselves a little bit better.  We are always taking care of others and putting ourselves on the back burner, but we need a bit time just for ourselves.

We need to be able to look in the mirror and love the person looking back.  We need to speak kind words to her and hear them, really truly hear them.  We need to shift our inner dialogue and speak to ourselves the way we would our best friend.  We need to believe in ourselves. 

One of the daily assignments I give in class is one move.  This is where I invite individuals to try out one thing that day to see how it feels.  One simple self-care move.  Each day as you get ready you look at yourself in the mirror.  How often do you speak kindly to yourself when you look deep into your eyes?  How often do you say 'hey there, I love you'? 

Pulling from the one move assignment in class I encourage you to look in the mirror and really see yourself.  See how brave and beautiful you are.  Appreciate the wrinkles around your lips because it means you are smiling often.  Look in deep and give thanks for your courage.  Give thanks for your patience.  Appreciate your ability to adapt.  Be fully present and crush on yourself.  

You deserve to give yourself a little love.  You deserve to speak kindly to your heart.  You deserve to be compassionate.  Go ahead and give it a try.  Feel the love you have for yourself.  

{If you want to join Mindful Moments there is still time to jump in.  You will receive one self-care lesson a day for thirty days delivered directly to your email box.  You will be able to hold onto these lessons and go back to them time and time again.  Go ahead, give yourself permission to do something just for you.  Click HERE to join in.}

motherless

It was three years ago that my world changed forever.  Changed in a way I never thought would happen at that stage in my life.  Yes, I knew one day I would be motherless but I never knew that day would arrive before I turned 35.  Before I ever got married. Before I had any children.  Before we ever had to have the conversation about "going into a home" which she always joked about. 

I thought there was time.  

I thought there was so much time.  But time is a funny thing.  We feel like we have endless amounts of it and then it is taken away from us and we cannot comprehend what just happened.  

And now here I stand; a daughter without a mother.  There is a huge piece of my heart missing and I know that no matter what I do it will never be filled.  Only my mom could heal that space and she will never get the chance to.  

It wasn't always rainbows and butterflies.  

My mom and I had our fair share of differences.  But as I grew older, we grew closer.  She became more than my mom but my friend.  She arrived at my doorstep with chicken soup when I wasn't feeling well.  She always checked in to see how I was doing.  Made my my favorite meal on my birthday.  And there were many nights spent crafting or roaming the aisles of TJ Maxx trying on the most ridiculous hats.  

There was laughter and inside jokes.  Family dinners and trips down the shore.  There was love, lots and lots of love and so many memories made.  

As I come upon this three year anniversary, motherless I will continue to share the stories.  I will share the laughter and even the moments when she would drive me crazy.  It is in this sharing that I feel closest her.  I appreciate it when people ask me about my mom, when I am reminiscing about her, and when individuals do not shy away from these types of conversations. 

I may be motherless but my mom lives on forever inside me.  

fill your cup

Because the time has come to make yourself a priority.  Yes, the time has come to take some time for you.  It is not selfish to do so, in fact it is needed.  

For me this looks like a few minutes on my porch, riding my bicycle, fueling my body with healthy options.  All of these and many more are a part of my self-care arsenal.  I turn to them to fuel my mind, body, and heart.  I turn to them to fill me up.  I turn to them and they bring me joy.  

Somedays I can spend hours emerged in one of these practices.  Other days it may just be a few minutes.  And then there are the days when I miss it completely.  But one thing is for certain, I am tuned in to knowing that I need to dedicate some time for me.  If I do not I become irritable and cranky.  My temper becomes short and I feel like I am living in a fog.  

To avoid going down that rabbit hole I pause.  Take a deep breathe.  Notice the way the blue sky and green trees make me smile.  I say hello to strangers.  I choose to be present.  

Taking care of me is important.  I know that I do not show up as my best self when I have slacked in the care department.  But when I do I am a better partner, friend, aunt, daughter, co-worker.  I choose to notice and be aware.  When I slack, I feel it.   

I am looking forward to diving in to 30 days of dedicated self-care as I host the Mindful Moments e-course.  I will be sharing the lessons I learned on my ten year journey to finding myself and unearthing what self-care practices work for me.  We begin tomorrow {June 1st} and I hope that you will join me.  

Now more than ever we need to show up for ourselves so that we can show up better for the world.  Make yourself a priority today and join me in Mindful Moments.

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