The Journey

Even when you feel like you are drowning

You will eventually swim to the top

It may take longer than you hope

And you may get swept out farther into the sea

Before you drift in a little closer

But you will always find your way to the shore

You will always make it back home

And knowing this

Makes the journey just a little bit easier

You will make it

It will be okay

The day will come when you will smile easily

Laugh from your gut

And relax into life

For now

Strap on your goggles

Take a deep breath

And paddle yourself in

If you need a break, float

It is okay to do that

I will see you when you get home

Stronger

Braver

Proud

You are enough

Know that wherever you are standing

Right in this very moment

That you are exactly where you are meant to be

Right here

Right now

The dishes may be piled up

The laundry may still be waiting to be done

Your hair may not even be brushed

But that is okay

Because Y.O.U.

Exactly as you are

Are enough

When you are deep in the trenches

Or celebrating a milestone

When tears of sadness are pouring from your eyes

Or you are smiling wide

Through all the emotions of life

You are enough

Just as you are

In that moment

Never forget that

And if you ever need a gentle reminder

Just let me know

I will shout it from the rooftop

Or write it in the sky

Just to ensure you hear and see it

~ Do something today to celebrate you ~

Slowing Down

they help me heal, and remind me to rest

I am always on the go

There is always some new adventure lurking around the corner

Somewhere to be that I want to experience

Someone I want to laugh with

I never seem to have enough time

To firmly plant my feet into everything

Going from one thing to the next

But you can not always be moving

Every once in awhile you have to stop and rest

You have to sit and soak it all in

And when your feet are constantly going

And your mind is on to the next thing

You may have to be shaken and stirred before you realize

Your need to slow down

And that is what my body did to me

It brought me to a grinding halt

It forced me to slow down

To lay in bed

Sleep

Rest

Heal

And after a few days of laying low

Letting my head rest on the pillow

Allowing my by body heal

I am starting to feel strong again

I know now not to let it get this far

Take the time to rest, always

My body needs it

And so does yours

So today

Put up your feet

Relax

Let your mind wander off to dream

And let your body heal itself

You will feel so refreshed afterwards

Happy Summer Solstice

Summer

My favorite time of year

The feel of the warm sunshine on my skin

The long days

And starry nights

The smell of the ocean

Play

Laughter

Family gathering for all sorts of celebration

Summer makes my heart smile

Puts a little dance in my step

And makes me want to jump on my bike

And cruise around

My wish for this summer is to play more

Blow bubbles

Ride my bicycle to nowhere special

Create with sidewalk chalk

Laugh till tears pour out of my eyes

Spend time with family

Jump rope

Skip

Have the simple kind of fun

To me that is the best kind

What happy things are you wishing for this summer

Missing my friend

I opened up iphoto today

And I was brought back to here

To the days when things were simple between us

Laughter rose from deep inside

We spoke openly with one another

And truly listened to each others responses

We were honest

Kind

Loving

Things were easy

There was no drama, no anger, no stress

We promised each other we would always keep it that way

Especially because of everyone else involved

But look at things now

So complicated

So stressful

And me getting angry

I rarely get angry, how did this happen?

How did it all go wrong?

When will things get back on track?

What is the magical thing that has to happen for it to be ok again?

I miss the days of hanging out

Laughing together

Sharing stories

Listening to one another

No worries

No preconceived notions

No drama

No stress

I miss my friend

Will I ever see him again?

I need

Right now I need to slow down

Make the bed

Wash the dishes

Do the laundry

Sit with myself quietly

Finish some things up

Breathe

~What do you need?

Liz Lamoureux

Oregon Coast, Be Present Retreat

I first met Liz at Squam Arts Workshops back in 2008. The fates would have us sharing space together in the same cabin, sitting around the fireplace at night, listening to stories, and seeing each other. I was very shy then and sat back taking everything in.

In 2009 I had the opportunity to fly across the United States to Be Present. Liz created a the most stunning Retreat that brought like minded souls together, each on our own path of our creative journey's. Over the course of the weekend she soothed my soul with her voice as she read us poetry out loud. I was able to fully be present and shed they shy skin that I used in the past to protect me.

Liz is one of those people that instantly calms your nerves when you see her. She has a way of making you feel completely at ease. She stops to listen, and she really hears you. She has a warm heart and a loving smile. She inspires you to create. She is an incredible photographer and sews the most wonderful creations from her little room. If I were you I would sign up to know when she is going to be back there.

Liz is hosting another Retreat in the Fall this year. Reveal Everything Liz has her hands in always ends up spectacular. I left the retreat last year feeling so full and happy. That feeling has stayed with me. I know once you reveal yourself you too will feel this elation, this calm, this heartwarming tingle inside of you.

Liz just had a beautiful new baby. And while she is soaking up the goodness of being a new momma I am guest posting on her blog. Hop on over there to check it out.

A secret dream

Deep in my heart a dreams lies.  Hidden in the darkness.  Covered with dust.  It has always been there, but as time has passed the dream has become dormant.  My lips are terrified to speak of it.  My mind too scared to even think about it.  But dear Kelly Rae is giving Flying Lessons and she is teaching us to spread our wings, acknowledge our fears, and speak them out loud.  So I am taking the leap and sharing my dream.  

I always dreamed of being a teacher.  Every since I was a little girl I  held that dream in my heart.  I remember receiving a "teachers kit" for Christmas one year.  It was filled with all sorts of fun things like report cards, a roll call book, stickers, awards, a pointer, and a little American flag.  I would make my brothers sit at the kitchen table with me and play school.  Me being the teacher and them the students.  When they wouldn't play with me I would go to my bedroom alone and still take on the role of teacher all by myself, and I was happy.  

As I sit here thinking about what it is that I really want to cultivate in life, being a teacher came right to mind.  The thought of it terrifies me.  What if I fail?  What if people do not like me?What if I am terrible at it?  Am I to shy to teach?  This fear has stunted me from putting myself out their and taking any steps to achieving my dream.  

Awhile back I was a preschool teacher for three year olds.  Oh how I loved it.  Creating lesson plans, doing art, connecting with the kids.  All of it made my heart sing.  I loved going to work.  I looked forward to seeing those children and getting the chance to interact with them.  Once I left the preschool my dream became silent and the fear grew. 

I can feel in my heart that working in a public school would not make me happy.  But teaching in some fashion would.  Teaching an appreciation for life, each other, our environment.   Being kind to one another and sharing our stories.  Creating along side each other.  Watching each other bloom and grow.  I am not sure exactly what it would look like.  But I do know that I am going let the thought of teaching sit inside me.  Now that I got the courage to speak it out loud I am going to let the idea grow and expand.  

What is it that you secretly dream about but are to afraid to say?  What is holding you back from speaking it out loud?  Share it here today, I will hold your hand as you speak that secret dream.    

Beauty

Sometimes beauty comes in not what you created

But in what you set aside

While you were in the midst of concentration

This Moment

Since I have been so quiet lately

I thought I would show you me

As is

In this moment

I would love to see you

Exactly where you are right now

Come on, show me :)

Balance

I was traveling down the path I wanted to be on

Writing diligently

My hand reaching out and finding the words

That my soul longed to speak

Then something stirred inside of me

Perhaps it was spring fever

I cannot sit long enough to compose

One cohesive sentence

Or finish one thought

My legs are on the move

Pushing me outside

I have a strong desire to soak in the sunshine

Breathe in the fresh air

Before I had a craving to write

A deep rooted feeling that I could not shake

Until I put pen to paper and wrote it out of me

That voice is still their

But she is much quieter these days

The louder voice is saying "jump on your bike"

And I do just that

Balance

I need to find balance

Between writing and riding

~~ I miss you guys ~~

Bicycle

It was a hand me down

A little rust here and there

And it is purple ~ I am not a big fan of purple

But when I sit on the seat

And push the pedals

My heart and soul are filled with joy

Mile after mile

My entire body smiles

My legs pushing me forward

As my mind relaxes

Oh how I love my bicycle

A dream

Last night as I lay sleeping

You visited me in my dreams

The sound of your laughter ran through my ears

So familiar

As if I heard it only yesterday

Your beautiful smile filled my mind

I saw your eyes sparkle with happiness

I felt your touch

As our feet found each other

Your scent surrounded me

As I took you in

Tears soaked my pillow

And woke me in the middle of the night

Sadness rushed over me

As I began to wake from this dreamy haze

Reaching out for you

But knowing you are not here