A reminder...

Today I wrote a reminder on my mirror to make time for the little things, because they are the big things. The to-do list will wait. Sometimes I actually find myself thinking that the to-do list will get done and I will cross that last item off and then relax. Ha! Like that is going to happen! Think of what you might experience if you "paused" the to-do list. I'm going to hit pause tomorrow morning and have my coffee outside! I just might take some time to play cards with the boys, chat with friends, sit and watch my boys ride bikes, read a juicy book or whatever calls me in the moment. What will you do with your pause? EnJOY!

Change comes in all sizes...

It seems like forever since I last blogged. Life took on a new pace for awhile and I chose to let go temporarily of some activities in order to maintain my own sanity! Now that the dust is settling I have found time to blog again! My husband has taken on a new business venture and for the past several months we have been preparing, putting structures into place, learning to work together in a new dimension, and creating a new dance that involves less time together. I am figuring out how to take on these new roles powerfully and stay sane and connected to the people I love! I haven't held it together 100% of the time, but am glad to tell you that I am journaling my way through it all and that is how I stay sane! Change...this time showed up in many sizes and shapes all at the same time creating a space that at times is very awkward, challenging and exciting all at the same time. I am going to tie a knot, hang on and stay on for the ride, after all this is my life.

What is going on in your world? How are you being called to change and grow? Take five minutes today, grab a journal and step back, widen your angle and take a look...are your actions aligned with your bigger picture for what you desire in life? Happy Journaling!

Reach out...

Sometimes in life we reach out to others doing things we feel we have to do. Other times we reach out from love. Do you ever notice, when you reach out from here, there is no attachment to the outcome and no waiting for reciprocation because you are reaching out for the sake of reaching out to express your love for someone!

Today, let's spread good vibes out in the world! Here are some ideas....

• Greet your husband with a huge smile and hug when he gets home from work.


• Surprise an old friend with a phone call or card in the mail


• Get down on your child's level and play a game or better yet - make one up! The simpler the better!


• Gift a bouquet of flowers to the woman in front of you at the grocery store!


• Listen to the people in your life...really listen

Do something OUT OF THE ORDINARY that is an EXPRESSION OF YOU! Don't forget to notice how good you feel after reaching out and brightening someone elses world!

Have FUN!

Amidst the chaos...I found balance within

Some people think you have to be in a quiet, meditative state to journal…I say not always the case! Today I sat in my yard watching 5 boys all under the age of 6 and wrote about my garden and how it relates to journaling. Amidst the chaos and sounds of boys yelling and running…I found balance within.

Similar to time in the garden, journaling helps me to connect to what is real and natural in life. The digging, pulling weeds, pruning, and nurturing in the garden is similar to what occurs when journaling, except you are growing the many aspects of who you are. The rewards of gardening are flowers, edibles, visual and sensual delights while the fruits of journaling show up as your roots of self confidence stretch deep into the ground, relationships bloom, intuition expands and you discover a fresh space of peace and gratitude for all that is good.

Letting Go... (Journaling Made Simple!)

"Journaling Made Simple" - is about pondering questions, capturing thoughts, and creating possibilities. If you have been looking for simple steps to experience the magic of journaling...try these! Check back often for new themes!

If you are feeling distracted and/or restless, try this exercise! Find a cozy place to relax and breathe! With journal and pen in hand....proceed below
Release and Let Go...

If you find yourself stewing over something in your head today - release the thoughts, return to the present moment and discover new insight and clarity.

Write out and acknowledge the things you are mulling over. Ask questions...

Is this in my life for a reason? Is there something to learn here? Who am I being called to be in this situation?

Sometimes the things we mull over are out of our control and what there is to do is let go and have faith.

Standing tall....

Remember my sunflowers?....Here they are today! I love to look at them! Just look how tall and bright they stand. Today they remind me to do the same. I shared the picture with a friend and this is what she said... "Sunflowers are so happy and they do stand proud and face the beautiful sunshine everyday, as we should. They are a very wise flower." - I thought that was beautiful! So as you go about your day...remember the sunflower and it's message "stand tall and shine who you are!"

Find a moment amidst the busyness....

It doesn't have to be the perfect spot or time....I have learned to have paper and pen with me most everywhere I go...just in case! This day...the boys were bouncing off the walls of Grandma's house. Off to the park we went....coffee and journal in hand. While they played....I had a few moments to myself. Between "Mom, look at me and watch this" - I actually had a few minutes to write. It always brings peace of mind and then I get to be a better Mom and give all of myself to them. Journaling is a way for me to process life and restore peace of mind. When I take a minute to pause the busyness...a profound opportunity awaits. Sometimes it's simply to savor a moment and other times a life lesson reveals itself.

Carve out a moment today to hit pause...what awaits you when you stop long enough to listen?

The Treasure Hunt....

Imagine yourself on the beach, barefoot.....strolling. Feel the sand squish between your toes, the salty air breezing through your hair, the sound of crashing waves, seagulls overhead....just be there. Enjoy the scenery, the sounds and the smells. You are there looking for treasures....

Searching for shells is one of my favorite things to do...it's a get-away from thought as I fully engage in the search. Journaling can be this too.... This morning, I found myself stewing in unproductive thoughts and all it took was sitting down to write for a moment...it took my mental attention in a new direction....and those thoughts I was sitting on slowly dissipated.

The "treasure hunt" offers another lesson - just like on the beach the same is true for life...it's up to us to do the looking and searching for the "treasures" in our daily world. What treasures are you finding today?

Facing the sun...

Sunflowers...are on my mind. This will be my third harvest of sunflowers and when I checked on them yesterday afternoon, I noticed how even at this young stage they all face and follow the sun. After a chat with a friend about the sunflower...I was left remembering that when we too find our light and live from our center beautiful things emerge.

Space to grow...

There is a season for everything. The past few months I found myself hibernating, nesting with my family, restoring myself and at times searching for my own sanity. Sanity and peace of mind are found when I stop resisting what is happening and be where I am. I have been anticipating new beginnings in my own life for the past few months...and in doing so found it necessary to go within, write a lot, and let the "doing" subside. What I found was a calm, less urgent way of living and an abundance of time to be with my boys, appreciate my home, and be in nature. Although it wasn't all easy breezy, and at times felt really awkward....I am beginning to see the lessons and why it is so important to allow ourselves the space to rejuvenate. As I look to my garden...I am reminded - that sunflowers too - have a period of hibernation beneath the earth and then slow, steady growth before they bloom their magnificent face and look to the sun standing tall and proud. This is my son Tom who always has the time and often reminds me to stop and check out the flowers.