I cherish....

* I cherish my studio apartment and the love and strength I feel when I am here

* I cherish giggling in the rain. It is a door that has lead me to so many wonderful and inspiring people

* I cherish my proximity to my family. Living so close allows us the opportunity to spend so much time together. It is lovely.

* I cherish art retreats and how much my world has grown because of them. Opening my eyes and heart up to so much love and support.

* I cherish that I live so close to mountains that I can hike in. Taking a walk through nature always opens my heart and clears my head.

* I cherish my bicycle. Giving me so much freedom and the opportunity to explore the world around me in fresh new ways.

* I cherish my friendships and the love and support we give one another. Nothing is more powerful than what an happen when we are kind to one another, cheer each other on, and support one another.

* I cherish my connection with writing. It heals me. Pushes me forward and allows me a place to show myself to the world.

* I cherish the sound of the ocean and the feel of sand beneath my toes. Nothing grounds me more than the ocean.

* I cherish kindness. It is what brings us together. Lifts us up. And propels us forward

~ what do you cherish?

opening

I was standing there

But I felt like I was somewhere else

Looking in on this interaction that was taking place

I was speaking

Yet I was not sure where the words were coming from

I felt like myself yet also totally outside of myself

Words were coming out of my mouth

Yet I was not even sure what I was saying

They came quickly and without thought

My heart was beating a little bit faster

Redness flooded my cheeks

I surprised myself with my inner reaction

I was not sure exactly what I was saying

Or even where it was coming from

All I knew is that I wanted to keep the conversation going

I wanted to hear more

Listen to the stories

Look into those eyes

What does one say to someone they never met before

But would like the privilege of getting to know?

What are the right words to bring someone in?

What was coming out of my mouth sounded foreign

I was stumbling over words and thoughts

Struggling a bit to keep myself going

Then I walked away

Without looking back

Never asking the question I really wanted to ask

I was awakened with nervous energy

Pulled towards this unknown

Filled up with hope again

A brief interaction

Infusing my heart

With the possibility of what lies ahead

sun

When the sun shines

Lift your head up towards the sky

Feel the warmth on your face

And soak it all in

Beauty surrounds you

Engulfs you

And heals you

thankful

I am so thankful

For this precious life I have been given

For the journeys my feet have taken me on

And for my wide expansive heart

That just keeps opening with each new experience

I am so thankful

To be dancing around this earth

And have the chance to soak it in

The laughter, the tears, the heartbreak, the joy

I am so thankful to feel all of it

Love surrounds me

Family

Friends

Scarf sisters

Each of them filling me up with so much

I am so thankful for each of them

Life is pretty amazing

Each day a precious gift

Where opportunity awaits

I thankful to get to share my life here

With all of you

Thank you

To all of you

For loving me

Seeing me

Taking me in

I am so very thankful

story

Your story is in your heart

Just waiting to be told

You made it here

To this point

To this day

You may have struggled

Got lost along the way

Veered off path

But here you are

Right where you are suppose to be

You are beautiful

You are strong

You are brave

You deserve to be seen

You deserve to shine

The world needs to hear

What you have to say

The worlds need to hear

Your story

Tell it, share it, speak it outloud

put yourself out there

You have to put yourself out there

Experience it

Joy and pain

Happiness and sadness

You have to put yourself out there

Show your beautiful face to the world

Let them see you dance

Let them see you sing

You have to put yourself out there

Be vulnerable and open

Share your stories

Let others in

You have to put yourself out there

Because it is the only way to open up that heart of yours

To feel

To live

To be

"your good"

"your good" he says

When I am deep down in the trenches

Unsure of how I will find my way out

Struggling, fighting, blinded by the road ahead

"your good" he says

When I think I cannot take another step

Exhaustion setting in

Thoughts of failure overtaking my confidence

"your good" he says

When I feel defeated

My hope has dwindled

And I am struggling to see myself

No matter where I am

he says "your good"

And he is right

I am good

If I am deep in the trenches

Struggling to take another step

or fighting to keep hope alive

I am good

In that moment

Where ever I am

I am exactly where I need to be

I am good

I have worked hard to get to that point

Persevered and pushed myself forward

I have been on the constant look out for how to take the next step

And when I find it I forge right ahead and take it

I may not be where I want to be

I may wish to be further along on the journey

I may stumble and I may fall

But wherever I am, I am good

Grateful

I am grateful because

You listen to what I am feeling

You help me find answers to the difficult questions

You open up my eyes to a new way of seeing

Or you confirm that I need to follow my inner voice

I am grateful because

You allow me the space to open up

You are tender

You are kind

You are there for me

I am grateful because

You stand in that space with me

You see me

Exactly as I am

And you accept that person

I am grateful

For who you are

And how you show yourself to the world

You lead by example

And you go for it

For all of this I am grateful

i am enough

Wherever you are

Whatever you are doing

Know that you are enough

Exactly as you are

Even if your house is a mess

There are dishes to be cleaned

The bills have yet to be paid

Your dreams have not yet come true

Even though everything may not be perfect

It is still enough

And you are enough

Just as you are

I hope you will hop on over to Tracey Clarks blog to read my guest post on being enough.

wish

So grateful

For this moment

This day

And having the ability to wish and dream