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originally uploaded by Jennifer Belthoff.

The best decisions, the ones that we never regret, come from listening to ourselves.

faces of life

Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton NJ

they follow one another. trudging through the trying times. silence flows between them. unsaid words are understood. the creases on their faces tell their own stories. and the lines on their hands show the hard work that got them this far. times were not always easy, but they always knew they had each other. strangers coming together, forming an incredible bond. making it through the dark nights and dreary days because they all had hope for better days, friends to make them smile and laugh, and kind words for one another. the power of coming together guided them to there dreams.

listen

Sometimes things can be so great, so amazing, so wonderful
But then there is that little voice calling to me
Letting me know the truth, trying to push me to understand

All too often I push that voice away
Not wanting to face the reality
Not wanting to belive what I know in my heart to be true

I need to listen to my heart
Really listen to what it is saying
I need to tune into the song it is humming,
and start singing along

I tend to get caught up in the moment
Enjoying the here and now,
but what does that mean for the future?

What does my future hold?

I dare....

I dare you to be brave
To put yourself out there,
spread your wings and fly

I dare you to dream
To hope and pray for the
magic to unfold in your life

I dare you to wish upon stars
Smile at strangers and
Listen to those around you

I dare you to realize how beautiful
strong and brave
you truly are

I dare you
to embrace the life you have
and enjoy everything that is before you

I dare you to be yourself
Let yourself shine
and soak in the beauty of life

I dare you!

(what do you dare me to do?)

Moments

small bridge at Celery Farm, in New Jersey

Riding through this magical place called life.

Walking through the flowers.

Reading the thoughts on people's faces.

Hearing stories and

Creating memories.

Taking it all in.

Feel the love that surrounds you.

Gaze up at the clouds and

Wish upon stars.

Sitting with the ones you love

Feels beautiful and warm.

When you take a moment to pause you can

See how lucky you truly are.

Swirling Ideas

Flowers in Brian and Laurie's Garden

Giggling in the rain has been stagnant for too long

and I am not even sure why

After a phone conversation last night with a creative soul ideas starting blossoming inside my mind

I began this site for myself

another medium to express myself through writing and words

It was fun to do, even though I never told anyone I was doing it

Over time I have made some unexpected connections through the magic of the world wide web

I have been give incredible opportunities as well

And have really enjoyed putting myself out there in this way

I am not sure when I turned down the path of not posting

Not sure if it was the rain that was water logging my mind 

Or I just needed time to reflect privately about things unfolding before me

But the sun is now shining in my creative soul

Ideas are swirling around me

And I think giggling in the rain may take on some minor transformations

I am exciting about ideas

even though I am not sure where they will take me

I am sure it will be an adventure :)

So lucky

Macy's Fireworks - Hudson River, Forth of July 2009

Sometimes life just comes together.  In this magical, unbelievable, wild way.  We are not even sure how it happens but it does. Often times we are too busy chasing the next thing we do not even take the time to appreciate it.  However I on a constant mission to slow down, look around, and take in all the beauty and magical things that surround me.  

I truly am lucky.  I can't even say it enough.  Magical things have fallen into place.  Opportunities I never thought would happen to me have opened up right before my very eyes.  For all of these things I am grateful, so very grateful.  There is a little fairy watching over me somewhere.  And I am thankful for her.  

It is not all magic and pixie dust, although sometimes I like to believe it is.  But if I stop and look, and not get so shy a part of so many of these things falling into place is because I have been so brave.  I have put myself out there.  I stood up through the nerves, and the worry, and I just did it.  I jumped and have begun to learn how to fly.  

For so many years I have been shy.  Looking in from the outside.  Wishing, hoping, and dreaming that one day I would be that happy, or I would get to do those things, or I would be brave enough to just dance.  It took me 28 years but I am finally learning dance.  To spin and twirl and sing at the top of my lungs while I dance, dance, dance.  So many little pieces have come together and each adding a spec of hope and a sparkle of encouragement.  I cherish these little moments, reflect on them, and smile when I think of them.  These moments have nudged me along, made me not feel so alone.  

I feel strong and proud of who I am.  I am finally beginning to discover who I am.  And that is a magical thing.  I am so lucky.  I am truly so lucky

Live

New Paltz, NY

"Live a wild vunerable life"

   ~SARK