Savouring January - Day 12 - Be

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Breathe September 2017 :: Day 8 - Present

Lighting candles always helps 

to bring me back to this moment. 

May God bless and watch over 

those in Hurricane Irma's path. 

#BreatheSeptember2017

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Grace Has My Back

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Basking in the Light

(and another one where I sure see my Moma's face in mine)

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August Break 2017 :: Day 11 - One Wish

As with birthday candle wishes, 

believe I'll keep this one close to my heart. 

🌻  . 🕯  .  ❤️  .  🕯  .  🌻

#augustbreak2017

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Happened Upon Love

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A New Meditation Milestone

Yay for a whole lotta "Be Still, Deb" practice. 

❤️

#insighttimer

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Wrapping Myself in Self-Care

Seeing and feeling my way into the truth 

while wrapping myself in

 

roses, 

love, 

and faith. 

💕

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Workday Break = Breathing Space

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Evening Mass

I have been occasionally slipping over to this smaller church

for evening mass for around 15 years now.

The former pastor used to Anoint the Sick 

every first Saturday 

so, when I could, I would always try to make

it over there on a first Saturday.

To my disappointment,

the new pastor hasn't been following suit

(which he certainly doesn't have to).

I was so *delighted* to hear on Saturday that 

I would have the opportunity to participate

in this special sacrament again that night.

It's been a year or more since the last time

I've been anointed so this felt like a real gift.

.    .    .   .    .   .   .

After that, I went about my usual, personal traditions:

Lighting candles and whispering prayers

 🕯 💕 🙏🏻

And seeking out and admiring pretty flowers.

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Blessing Basking

On my way in this morning, 

I pulled over close, 

stopped for just a minute, 

rolled my window down

 and allowed my 4 Sisters 

to love on me a little bit. 

Our weekdays together are numbered 

as our office will be moving soon. 

(No date yet)

..

Blessed be. 

🌳🌳🌳🌳

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A Gentle Reminder . . .

Be Here, Love

. . . 

Even when it's hard 

. . . 

And when you remember?

Return to what you know.

All will be well.

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Time for Refreshment

Feeling nauseated since yesterday morning, I went to see my doctor this afternoon. After 

the blood work (and letting the unanticipated tears fall that were rising), I was in the 

bathroom washing my hands having just collected a urine sample. 

Both the soft spraying sound and the way the water flowed gently over my hands was an 

unexpected moment of refreshment.

Being the last appointment of the day, I knew folks were waiting on me so I almost didn't 

notice. When I did notice, I almost didn't allow myself to take a moment to stop and let 

the water soothe me and my weary spirit.

Almost. 

In a moment of Grace, I reminded myself that it would only take a minute or two.... it 

really was ok to take time to tend to myself... and I stopped and let the water caress my 

hands.

Turns out, it was one of those things that 

this water baby didn't even know she needed....

... until the invitation to quench my parched soul 

presented itself.

Blessed be. 

💦

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Rest and Be Here

One of my sister's and her hubby is coming through town this weekend. We moved here 

almost 30 years ago and this will be her first visit here so that's exciting!

I've been doing some cleaning in the evenings this week and it is very good to sit, rest, 

and just be for a bit. 

💕

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Hope will Find You, Deb

So I picked up a small navy notebook that's been sitting on top of this little stack of books 

for a good while now. Having looked up what I was wondering, and not thinking too much 

about it, I put the notebook down and went on with my afternoon journaling.

Taking a pause to look around between thoughts a few moments later, I was taken by 

surprise to find just the words of comfort that I need during this time of transition and 

struggle with the unknown at work (our company was bought out the first of the year).

Smiling softly as the uncovered message felt like a secret treasure and very well-timed 

gift of Grace. Right here next to me, below my mandala that I named "Sheltered in the 

Cave of the Heart," the two books were offering me their quiet assurance: "Hope will 

find you", Deb. Just remember - "Present over Perfect" and All will be well.

.

Ah, blessed be. 

💕

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Anchors of Change

Awake in the wee hours Thursday morning,

I pulled images from a magazine that drew me.

That evening, I put them together in a collage.

(This mandala is my 98th)

I kept reading "Authors" as

"Anchors"

and that feels right.

All are pearls of wisdom when walking thru big changes

like I am both at work 

and in my family of origin.

Rest

Say yes 

(to listening well and to what feels right)

Be in the now

Believe 

Simple Beauty

⚓️️    .     💙    .     🙏🏻

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Betsy's All Better

Getting my Betsy-girl all fixed up.

My newest teacher.

May I be as gracious and willing to make it right

when I next make a mistake.

Not only did he pay for the part and the labor

to get my side view mirror fixed,

he also had my car detailed.

And he made sure they did it right

(which took three reminders).

The lumber had scuffed my hood

and the big band-aid left some duct tape residue.

But now?  

All gone.

He left us better than he found us.

Blessed be.

Isn't she pretty?

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Trustin' in Grace and in The Wisdom of the Body

So I had a Lent themed book picked out but when it came time to order it, I was having 

trouble finding it. When a copy finally arrived on Tuesday, some of the pages are so messed 

up in places that I can't make out all of the words. While disappointed, after sitting with it 

for a bit, I knew.  It will need to be returned.

In the midst of all of that planning, this preordered book quietly arrived a couple weeks back. 

I remember smiling when I opened it to see more orange, and both the title and cover spoke 

to me. I then set it aside with a promise to return to it... later.

After reluctantly giving up on my first choice for a Lenten companion, I picked this one up 

last night and started reading.

And lookie what I found just in the intro of this book that so clearly chose me:

"You are beginning the long and beautiful journey home."

"The body speaks truth if we would only learn how to listen."

"... the body calls us fully present here and now."

..

Ah, she says as a wide smile spreads, if practicing Grounded means to practice being 

fully in this present moment, doesn't that mean being fully in my dear body as well?

Yes. 

🍊

#grounded2017

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Savoring January Day 9 :: Nourish

Regulars found on my self-care menu are 

soft, lullaby-like music, 

quietly rocking to the steady rhythm of tick tocks, 

wise words affirming my way, 

and intentionally Abiding in the presence of angels. 

#SavouringJanuary2017

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"Abiding in Love" Mandala

It's been a long time since I made a mandala and it was so nice to get out my notebook, 

compass, and markers and play last night.

When I started this one, just filling in spaces with colors that appealed to me in the moment, 

I saw a young one swaddled and held. When I'd finished and held it out at arms length, I saw 

an eye.

Now I see both and the theme of "Apple of my Eye" resonates. 

Or is that "Abiding in Love"? 

❤️