Signs of Spring.

 A pair of finches eating the dandelion seeds in my backyard.... taking a break from planting/digging/transplanting/weeding.... this area was well weeded for/by the chickens last year...but for now, birds and bees are making the most of it

The relationship, and you being in it, matters most.

 Good morning!

I've been making myself more available for connecting with friends lately. No agenda, just expressing my gratitude and interest. There are some that have busy lives which is totally understandable. For me, my priorities are around my family. That's my core. And their needs and our relationship get first dibs.

It's funny, with the kids as teens now, how I realize that it is THIS time above most that they need that "in the moment" presence the most. I know a demanding toddler can be hard to ignore at times, but you could put a toy in front of them or grass under their feet and they were entertained and grateful with joy.

Now...? The relationship, and you being in it, matters most. At least in our family. And I will admit, it was hard for me to adjust at first. I just had to answer questions about where this or that was and "half-listen" to stories about pokemon LOL. Now they want the feedback, the engagement, the mindful responses...and I (me) have to be present for it. It's good! I am grateful for the opportunity of deepening my core relationships.....and then choosing to share this depth with those around me.

This weekend was a beautiful example with a dear friend and artist..... And I choose to open up for more of those opportunities. PM me if you would like to connect And enjoy a beautiful, spring day

#thankyouGod #oneanotherlove #Lovefirst #startwiththecore #radiant #presence #divinegifts #WeAre

The wonders of Spring

 Yesterday compared to today...all still counts as Springtime

Am I experiencing the fullness of joy?

 Good morning!

Avoidance. I've been pondering on some of my connections lately. Some have grown exponentially BEYOND what I ever expected (will get back to that later) and I VERY happily stepped into it and up to it with receiving arms. "Expect the unexpected," ....A dear friend said it even though I heard and read it many times and used it as a inspiration statement for years, I now hear it in her voice when I think of it (funny right? Thank you Caroline Mccreary )

LOL back to avoidance though....there are certain relationships though, for whatever reason, that I find are in avoidance mode. I keep reaching out and again, who knows, but it feels like they are holding me at arms length. I know I have done it. I know I have done it even in my own marriage...in my relationship with some of my neighbours...after a dating relationship went BAD....and with ALL of those, I also held in my head the possibility of drawing near to them again....yes, even in the failed dating relationships... (hahaha you can ask them and they can tell you ). WHY ON EARTH would I do that?!?! Because I believe in more strongly loving one another (accordingly) more than withholding love from my brother or sister on this earth. It's not for pious reasons I choose this...perhaps it's COMPLETELY selfish I do this, but I honour the JOY within me quite highly and I don't like for ANYTHING I choose to get in the way of that. I'm okay with being wrong and corrected (learning and growing is where my higher value lies)...I don't need to be right and postured (it's too rigid and doesn't flow/adapt fast enough LOL)...I don't need to assume that others can not handle something I will happen to share or say....(what am I assuming of them instead of being direct, connected, and honest?).....avoiding is like holding myself away from my OWN joy and from the possibility of a real and fruitful connection with another.

Recently in a neighbourhood book club gathering, foreboding joy was brought up and my mind jumped in to observe the exchange. A wonderful challenge was presented and I took it on personally....HOW am I withholding myself from experiencing the fullness of joy? Especially by perceiving or assuming a negative or unpleasant outcome? What STORY or expectation am I putting to a circumstance that hasn't even happened 'yet' in order to AVOID pain or disappointment (or rejection)? Am I anticipating someone responding to rejection poorly and through that story, avoiding the relationship all together? Could I be experiencing a deeper and more loving relationship IF I set aside the assumptions, negative story, and perceived pain?

Cuz, wow!! Have you fully experienced joy??? Like really experience it. Because if you have, you could tap into the fact that....EVEN IF it is just for a moment....that moment was TOTALLY worth it!!! To have had the gift of not just hearing about this big awesomeness, but to have it vibrate through your being .....LOL and I can't describe it for you. ISN'T THAT AMAZING??? Right there!!! THAT!!! That no matter how much I share about my joys in life, there is no way to fully describe that feeling. In that feeling, I also experience an overwhelming compulsion to have YOU experience such joy! There are no words. That compulsion turns into passion. The "fear" that was creating stories and the lack of response is made SMALL in the MASSIVENESS of the joy that awaits you on the other side of avoiding and withholding, and NOT connecting.

For even just a moment....to be filled....to be warmed by a long, slow burning coal of joy....that IS a lifetime.

WE are each here AS that JOY! That one moment of elation is the fullness of our lives....and to tap back into just the thought of such a thing....brings the heat. To the front of your mind, washing you with gratitude over and over again....

LOL and I have said so much.... there is a commercial that used to play .... and it closed out with some thing like... "...sorry brother, you gotta get your own."

Let's feel safe and free to go and experience and "get" for ourselves that moment...and connect in with OUR OWN joy. It is already there...and no need to avoid it... it's not going anywhere

#thankyouGod #divineponderings #letsConnect #stopavoiding #yesImeanYou #Lovefirst #INjoy #oneanotherlove

Groceries from Thrive Life arrived just in time for hiking trip

 It has been a busy week and I am just getting around to opening this. Still have laundry to finish putting away and stuff...this is real life though

I like that I put the thought in one time and the rest is done for me.

I didn't spend more than my budgeted amount and I got a bunch more because of the savings from the semi annual sale. This one is here at a perfect time as we are heading to the mountains. Snackies for a long hike.

#groceriestoyourdoor #onlineshopping

Recovery mode when you've pushed too hard, autoimmune style

 So...I am sitting in my bed, scrolling FB, because...my boy wanted to surprise me with dinner...because I couldn't get warm after our trail excursion today, so I am under 5 heavy blankets....AND because I am in 'rest mode'.

I woke at 4am, did laundry, caught up on some emails and work...went for a quick run up the block and back...nagged boys to get dressed (that took a lot of work )....travelled over 5km by foot...

...anyways, I am ready for a nap but my mind is wide awake...so I will 'compromise' with rest mode.

Snakes and ladders run

 Getting the boys out into the sunshine

Apply acceptance and joy into those areas of life that are not as smooth to accept

 Good morning!

Snow? What snow? Are you lying?

Wouldn't be able to tell today that yesterday morning was a beautiful blanket of snow and this morning no evidence of that...

And I know I don't get triggered by the weather as some I have seen. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my mornings and they are ALL beautiful!

The transition from dark to light reminds me each day of my transitions from death to life.

And I am choosing, today, to apply my acceptance and joy into those areas of my life that are not as smooth for me to accept right now. My mindset around my physical fitness has shifted primarily after two major events in my life...one was emotionally devastating and grew me from the seed I was then....and the other, a rollover in my vehicle in 2015. I haven't felt as connected in my body as I was before...definitely has been a relatable journey. I have been frustrated with new pains and ilks as I have been moving forward...taking those setbacks WAY too personally, like those who curse the snow for falling.

Today, I got up and moved. No attachment to a story...I have this body, and I can move it. And I will move it some more...and more...

All that is good can be added in increasing measure...enjoy the process of layering the good in life...we are all layering...let's make it more joyful together

#ThankyouGod #gratitude #itsAResonance #stateofBeing #readthehashtags #Lovefirst #Divinegifts #INjoy