returning :: re-entering :: reflecting

I just spent five magical days in the woods of New Hampshire gathering with friends and like minded souls.  Stories were shared, dreams nurtured, words of love circling around.  Something powerful happens when individuals gather.  You see it at sporting events, feel the electricity at a concert, and even come upon it deep in the woods.

I entered these same woods five years ago ~ shy ~ quiet ~ unsure of myself ~ not knowing who I was.  This time I emerged ~ grounded ~ strong ~ glowing ~ with a strong sense of who I am.  It is beautiful to look back on the journey.  To see where I was those five years ago and feel the strength, love, and courage I know embody.  I am blessed to have witnesses to these moments.  Individuals who were there five years ago and who stand beside me today, reflecting back to me all that has evolved.

I have many stories about moments in the woods.  Words rolling around in my head that I want to share with you.  But for now I will leave you with some words dear friends of mine have written.  Hop on over to there sites as they eloquently share what it was like to gather, to be seen, to show up, and to just be.

** Mindy Lacefield  ~ Squam
** Wish Studio ~  truly madly deeply :: postcards from Squam

he

The journey began
With one single step towards each other
A glance from a distance
A warm hello
And the rest is history

It was unexpected
I was not even looking
Soaking in the beauty of friendship
And self discovery
And then he came along

He never tried to take me off my path
He stood beside me, cheering me on
Wishing me luck on my next adventure
Helping me brainstorm my next big idea
Believing that I could make it happen

He keeps me grounded
Makes me laugh, a lot
Holds my hand
And pulls me in close with a simple look
He makes me feel like I am home

one year

Sitting side by side
One year later
One year stronger
Soaking in all the love
Taking a walk through our memories
Laughter erupting
Going back to our first date
Our first meeting
The very first time he walked in

The year flew by in a blink of an eye
We feel as if we have known each other forever
Going through our memories
We see how far we have come
How much is held dear to us
How close we have grown
How intersected we are

A year ago we were each traveling alone
Carving our own paths
Trying to figure it all out
But now we have each other
To lean on
To laugh with
To remember

It has been a beautiful year

summer time gratitude

How do you sum up an entire summer filled with so much
Where do you begin to touch on all the plane rides you took to far away places
The people you met
The adventures life handed you
How do you explain the laughter
The memories created
The family fun that brought your closer together
Where do you start to tell about the love that filled the air
The warm summer nights
The hot days on the bicycle
The day you finally made it up the enormous hill
Baseball game, after baseball game
Cheering for your favorite team
Sitting around the fire
Wishing on stars
Walking through the streets
Cups filled with ice cream
Pictures taken
New memories created
In a few simple words how do you tell the story
Of where these roads have taken you
New ventures started
Connections made
So much swirling around under the hot summer sun
It all begins somewhere
And all falls into place another day
With Autumn on the rise these memories of summer will settle
A big smile on my face
A heart filled with love
Life is so beautiful
And filled with so much joy
I am forever grateful

feel today

Seek out the beauty that is around you
Look for the rays of sunshine that light up your days
The small glimmers of hope that whisper secret messages to you
Love is swirling all around
Be open to letting it in
Feel the kindness and the tenderness that passes through each day
Be present in today

it is time to begin

The summer is quickly ending
And September feels like the time to begin

I have so many things I want to start
Projects put on the back burner
Thoughts never written down

It feels like the new year to me
I am ready

Ready to
~ Get into action, and start working out again
~ Carve out a space for me to create
~ Create healthy enjoyable meals
~ Get that book going
~ Connect more deeply with creative souls
~ Learn spanish
~ Create more tradtions
~ Start the projects I say I am going to start
~ Then follow those projects through to completion

What are you ready to begin?
Want to do it together?
Hold each other accountable, check in along the way?

I could use a partner in crime, how about you?
Lets take flight together

moments unfolding

Reflecting on the memories
Sharing stories about our camera adventures
The rain falling
Ducking into a little bar to chat
A warm glass of brandy warming our chilled bones
The streets of Brooklyn guiding us
Train after train, after train to get home
Lost in thoughts
Happiness abounding
Grateful for my ability to take a risk
Step outside of my comfort zone
Let the world unfold in front of me

being present

Navigating my way between two jobs
Finding my path on my creative journey
All the while nourishing my relationships
And finding some time to soak in alone

Trying to balance each of these things
And appreciate them when I am deep in them
Not wanting to be anywhere else
Except exactly where I am

Trying to stay present

Love Notes Post Card Project

At times it can feel like a chore going to pick up the mail because you know exactly what is in there.  But what if that changed?  What if a hand written post card sat nestled in between the bills?  Words written down on paper for you to hold in your hands and soak in.  A little sliver of sunshine arriving unexpectedly, just for you. 

What if you had the opportunity to bring this sunshine to someone else's mailbox?  Picking up a pen and writing your own words down.  Sharing pieces of your story and words from your heart for them to soak in.  Would you want to be a part of it? 

Social media is great for staying in touch and easily communicating with friends, but there is something so lovely about holding a real piece of paper in your hands.  Seeing someone else's handwriting and feasting on what they h ave shared brings the story to a different level. 

These thoughts are what sparked the idea of for the Love Notes Post Card Project.  Words shared on a post card, mailed to someone you may or may not know.  Hearts opening, sunshine arriving, connections unfolding. 

This three week project brings the opportunity for sunshine to be sent through the mail by responding to a simple writing prompt.  Head on over to here to find out more about it and to sign up.  I hope you will join in. The project begins August 19th. 

the moments

Life is about the moments
The unexpected things that happen between the plans you make
The small pockets of time that lead you down a new path
Connecting with individuals you just met
Laughing over a shared experience
Creating something from a few minutes spent together

Riding your bike to the lighthouse than jumping into the sea for a swim
Sitting along the Hudson, talking about life and all that you hope it will be
Finding a lake when you decide to take the long way home
Sitting along the waters edge sharing cookies and stories
Going out for drinks with friends and meeting the love of your life

The moments you did not plan for
Become the memories that you will never forget
Keeping an open mind and an open heart allows these moments to happen
Each one created in it's own time unfolding as it is meant to
A life time of moments filling us up and weaving us together