Tuesday, June 29, 2010

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






Thursday, June 24, 2010

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 ~

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

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


Monday, June 21, 2010

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

Saturday, June 19, 2010

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?



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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?

Monday, June 14, 2010

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.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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


Tuesday, June 08, 2010

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 ~~


Friday, June 04, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

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