Breathing Space & More...

An inspirational way to display a neighborhood's gratitude!   Almost every night, over the past 2 1/2 years, I have made time to jot a note of gratitude.  It is one of the last things I do before I put my head on the pillow, which means it allows for a quick review of the day.  I run through the good and bad and think of what went well and what I want to let go of.  Then I jot a little phrase or word in my pocket-sized journal. Some days these phrases are simple and some days they are more profound.  There are days when things feel heavy and my note becomes about simple bodily functions: breathing, the ability to smile, walk.  And other days, it comes easy and there are more ideas than space in the journal.  I try not to judge these notes, just let the day be what it was and know that I found at least one light spot in it. Here in the North we have entered the season where each day can bring a bitter cold that makes it hard to get up and motivated.  During these stretc

be open to eye contact from someone passing by be open and offer a compliment be open to whatever comes around the next corner be open to letting your guard down be open to laughing loudly be open to wearing your best outfit on a regular old day be open to the possibility of singing off key and sing anyway be open to eating something new  be open to a splurge be open to a hug be open to quiet just be open What small shift can you make today to open yourself to possibility?

"Having an honest friend-one before whom you can dump all your heart's pockets and still feel that you are worth something-is a form of wealth that will buy you nothing but will give you everything.  -Mark Nepo Tribe is what Cheryl Richardson calls, "your soulful community" or "your chosen family."  These people are in your inner circle.  People that are completely invested in you.  They are running the race with you. The people that I would call when I need a laugh, a reality check, or a shoulder to cry on.  The small group that would know my dreams and desires and only want the best for me as I continue on the path toward those things.  They would keep me accountable and honest when I am reverting to old patterns or when fear is driving my decisions.  They would celebrate when I have a breakthrough, no matter how big or small. It sounds great and it is something that I aspire to create to enhance my life. These past few years, I haven't l

"You can't be that kid standing at the top of the waterside, overthinking it.   You have to go down the chute."  -Tina Fey I love this quote.  And I love Tina Fey.  She cracks me up and I completely applaud that she puts herself out there.   I pulled this quote out of a magazine, stuck it on the fridge, and forgot about it.  It then became buried under the school lunch menu, artwork from the kids, and a large magnet.  The other day, as I was recycling October and making room for November, I found it.  It was like I was reading it for the first time-how fun!   Sometimes this happens with little quotes or things that I read.  Something resonates, so I write it down and then later, sometimes months later, I stumble upon it and it strikes like a dart.  It hits home and in just the right place.  I am a huge over-thinker.  I read the books, I make the lists, I create the scenarios in my mind, I hem and haw.  It works great if you want to keep your feet firmly