{{this}} moment. here. now.

what a week! spring break with my boy, which has been really good. life. making plans for new projects and artwork and stoles to create. piecing together my life-work-motherhood-ministry quilt in slow, meaningful ways. carving space for quiet. space for organizing. space for weeding.

listening to the voice within telling me when to speak up and when to keep silent. what is mine to carry and what is not mine to carry. listening to wisdom whisper when to take risks ((and sometimes being the bold she-creature that says YES!)).

thinking of folks who are suffering or witnessing others suffer. a mama whose heart needs to be with her newborn only to be in the hospital healing from trauma. a father watching it all, whose heart is holding so much just as his hands hold his newborn daughter. thinking of a sweet, sweet one who lost her mama last week to cancer. my heart breaks for these two. oh, what a week.

laughter and tears. witnessing beauty and pain. being taken for who i am, and completely mis-understood and mis-interpreted. it's all in the bowl, my dears. it's all in life's bowl.

through it all: thankful. hopeful. aiming to be brave and kind. aiming to show myself and others kindness, modeling it for my sweet boy. soon to model kindness and love and truth and life to my dear girl.

thankful. hopeful. aiming to be brave and kind. aiming to show myself and others kindness. known and unknown, leaning into both spaces.

embracing life as it is in this moment. in the stillness. in the silliness. in the joy and bravery of it all. hoping. waiting. participating.

hello, lovely you. may your evening and your day be ever so filled with love. filled with thanks. filled with hope. xo.

marking moments: all dressed up.

all dressed up for a night out with the ladies.  

i'm looking forward to many such evenings.

cheers!

the power of thoughts. the power of words.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. —Lao-Tze


my dear soul friend jayme posted this on facebook today.  i love what thoughts can be sparked through FB posts that bring life and add meaning to the day. 


i'll tell you something.  my thoughts are running wild these days.  i am filled to the brim with ideas for the book i'm getting together.  i've been distancing myself from reading as much online while i write, which is a good practice for me.  sometimes i find others using my words and that can be flattering, but these days it really pulls me into some dark spaces where my thoughts aren't pretty.  yet, i choose to shift my thoughts into a positive direction: that a shared language is a sign that i am moving in the right direction with the creative spirit, moving into my truth and wholeness.  


often i shift my thoughts to the present, to the positive, to what brings life.  when i am centered, i am present and i am amazed by what takes shape in and around me. 


rather than become overwhelmed by the fearful thoughts, i release them.  believe it or not, i am afraid of what success looks like.  when things aren't a struggle, when life flows seamlessly, one step in front of another (even when the steps are difficult or sad), i think the ball will drop.  why is life good?  well, it is, even when it's not.  life's full of mystery.  life's full of adventure. life is life. 


i watch my words.  i watch my habits. i'm carefeul about how i live and how i speak.  yet, there are thoughts that have been invading my mind for years that i do not give the space to really grow.  i push them to the side and forget that the wisdom that lives within me has a space and needs to speak.  slowly but surely i've been sensing this well of wisdom rising within me.  right now i'm shaking off some of the dust from my shoes and moving forward.  many of those thoughts are ready for sorting.  


i'm writing.  i'm dreaming. i'm settling into my center and moving from that space.  i can sense the shift that's taking place.  there's a natural shift coming through my routine, my energy, my relationships, my horomones, my desires. 


i'm present.  i'm letting it be.  i'm surrendering.  


more and more i believe i'm on the path. my path.  i'm finding my way.  i'm making my way.  i'm moving forward, living into my call to mother, to minister, to create.  i'm reaching toward my destiny. 


and


i'm silent sometimes.  
i'm full of words other times.  


more and more i turn to the natural world around me for peace, for space.  i pick up my stitching and create.  so, i'm going to do something i've not done. 


i'm asking a few of you to light a candle for me.  you'll know who you are. 


i'm asking for prayers, good wishes, encouragement, and love.  i'm asking for you to be among those in my tribe who believe in what each of us can achieve.  i'm asking for you to root for me, grounding me in work ahead.  i know writing a book is no small task.  my inner critic, my wise elder, my light of truth are each ready for attention.  


i'll lean into my path and move ahead.  i'll share my journey as i do in glimpses, always telling the truth.  always sharing where i am in {this} moment, knowing that is a glimpse into the story.  i'm not afraid of shedding light on the reality of this journey.  

life stories: embracing the sun at soccer.

our day of soccer play could not have been more delightful. 

with a gorgeous old tree in sight, we enjoyed the company of friends. 

we listened to both our coaches. 

we played and kicked. 

we stopped and rested. 

and enjoyed lots and lots of running around.  

it was a good day had by all.  

the sun kissing our faces and arms, 

warmth invading our bodies with such goodness.

pure fun.