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. 

💕

.          *          .

Gentle Reminder to Self

The back of my new mug says, 

"Offer whatever light you can."

Smiling warmly as I share that it's my Hope that this cute, quirky kitty 

will be good company for me and my word for 2017, 

Grounded,  

in the coming year (and beyond).

Grateful for some quiet time to write

this morning and listen well to my heart.

Grounding myself in the truth 

of where I am in this moment

by exploring and acknowledging 

what light I truly am able to offer right now

"for fun and for free"

(so with no expectations or obligations attached.)

Blessed be.

.          *            .

Breathe September :: Quiet

Quiet Confidants

(Because, when I remember, 

I tell them what's on my heart 

and mind as I pass by 

and,

as they have for years, 

they just quietly 

stand, 

receive 

and hold space.) 

💕

#breatheseptember2016

.            *               .

Breathe September :: Listen

Six of the songs on my "Be Still, Deb" playlist have my word for this year, Abide, in the title. 

Each one has become a gentle anchor quietly reminding me to take a breath and intentionally 

choose where (in Grace) and how (in Mercy, Hope, and Peace) I Abide.

I love and am touched by each one. 

❤️

Smiling because as I was typing this the one by Sam Cox was on and I found myself leaning 

back with my eyes closed and singing.

I've listened to them so many times that they're in my bones. 

❤️

(And that's a very good thing.)

#breatheseptember2016

.             *               .

August Break :: Three

Three sweethearts

#augustbreak2016 

.            *             .

August Break :: Bedroom Window

Even with 

(maybe even "especially with") 

the shade drawn, 

Grandmother Oak 

watches over us as we sleep. 

#augustbreak2016

.          *           .

August Break :: Red

Paper clip and heart mandala

(Simply stand still and shine)

 ❤️

#augustbreak2016

.            *             .

July 29 :: Something Blue

Sweet little guardian companion, 

always watching over me as I drive 

(and when I ride). 

💙

.           *            .

Blessed Comfort of Daily Mass

There's something so special for me, and has been since I was a small girl, about daily 

mass.

The pace is easier and the seats are usually filled with gray heads, creaking joints, kind 

smiles, and big hearts that have seen and withstood many a trial. Some of the wrinkled 

hands hold prayer books while others caress rosary beads, worn beautiful from being 

fingered for decades. Knowing these dearly beloved elderly people gather daily to pray 

on our behalf brings me deep, indescribable comfort.

Smiling softly as I've been a member of this parish long enough now to witness the 

changing of the guard, so to speak, as my parents' generation (and younger!) are now t

he majority in the seats. One day, which may be here sooner than I imagine, it will be 

my turn.

Until then, it is such a joy for me to join them on a beautiful summer morning.

(It would be disrespectful to take a photo during mass so this was afterwards.)

.      *      .

I posted this a year ago on Facebook 

and was surprised to see that I hadn't shared it here.

Remedying that right now.  

.            *              .

Everyday Beauty :: A Daily Ritual

Practicing remembering to use great care 

in where I choose to Abide 

as I light my sweet red oil lamp 

encircled by her loving guardian angels. 

#everydaybeauty

.             *             .

Focusing on the Beauty

.              *                .

Abiding at Eventide

.              *                .

Being Seen :: Tears

I took this photo this morning before I got up to get in the shower. I had just written a note to

myself of all of my fears and then, as invited in our Being Seen e-course, I folded it up so that

all of my fears were tucked inside.  As Brene Brown has taught me to do, I then wrote a 

permission slip on a blue post-it note, taped it to the top of my fears and held it to my heart 

along with a sweet little red heart that was close by.

When I was in daily mass a short while later, a ritual that comforts, blesses, and soothes me, 

and on my way to communion, I accidentally tripped and fell back onto the chair behind me. 

I am permanently on crutches and pretty solid on them so it was startling for me, and three 

women from three different directions rushed to me to see if I was ok.

While grateful for their concern to be sure, I felt embarrassed and also annoyed and frustrated 

with myself. One kind-hearted woman sensed my discomfort and warmly shrugged it off with 

a "it just happens sometimes" which was such a gift.

Returning from communion and sitting in my seat, I was surprised to have tears well. I reminded myself that this was a safe space and there was at least 10 minutes before mass was over so 

it was ok to let them fall. (hmmm.... tears well as I type). I think if I had been alone, I might've 

sobbed (we are headed to Texas for a short visit with my family later this week and work has 

been so tough for four months now with a new supervisor.  The transition simply isn't going
well for me). 

I had planned some errands after mass but was still pretty shaken up so I came on home and 

laid down. Afterwards, I looked at this picture and was surprised to see that in reality? 

The tears were already right there . . .

. . . here.

.              *               .

Sabbath Abiding

My angels still bring me such Peace

Gently reminding me

to use great care

in where I intentionally

Abide

Evening 

So love the quilt that my sister made for me

and the ever-present reminder that 

Grace

is always near.

(and still *so* loving this new app, Cortex Cam)

.            *             .

Cultivating Enough :: Day 8 :: Boundaries

Years ago a wise one, who knew and loved me well, made the keen observation that my eye 

for detail is so well tuned that I notice details without even realizing it. She said that the 

things I notice are just "there" for me (so it's not something I'm seeking out) and that most 

of the folks around me simply don't see what I see. (And so they are able to let them go, 

sometimes a whole heckuva a lot easier than I am).

I've noticed lately that, once again, I've been tempted to pull off my path and get stuck in the

ditch ruminating about what I'm noticing that could be improved, especially at work. Smiling 

softly because with my wiring and conditioning, this one may be a lifelong journey for me so 

even that becomes a practice. Can I be gentle with myself when noticing this old pattern 

coming up in me again?

I am growing quite fond of this mug and it's quirky little angel playfully reminding me to 

"Water Seeds, Pull Weeds" and so I'm asking her to be my guide and teacher in the next 

little while.

I want to focus on what is going well and water those seeds rather than getting stuck in the 

weeds, *especially* those I can do nothing about, simply don't have the time, energy, or 

patience for, and/or are not mine to tend to.

It dawned on me this morning (so I had a spiritual awakening) that it really comes down to intentionally practicing my word for the year, Abide. By making a conscious choice (again 

and again if need be) about *where* I want my attention, dear heart and beautiful soul to 

Abide, and then honoring my choice, I am setting and holding internal boundaries.

Of course, there are times when weeding needs to be done. I just want to use care and be 

mindful of when I might be stuck in a ditch, overgrown with weeds. So a playful example 

would be, "Whoops! That's a weed, Deb, not a seed!" 

With the help of my Gardening Angel, Mama Grace, Auntie Mercy, Hope and Peace, may I 

become a good winnower, one who is learning the art of separating the seeds from the weeds.

#cultivatingenough

.              *             .

Heart Anchor

Cheerful little heart anchor, happy to companion me 

wherever I sit in the office, quietly, steadily, faithfully reminding me 

that I am more than who I am at work. 

Smiling softly because I didn't realize just how much 

she helps to center and ground me 

until last week when she wasn't in the cabinet 

waiting for me two mornings in a row. 

❤️

.           *            .

Today's Truth

It's been a long week.

This morning I felt tired and weary

and grief.

It's the first real day of practicing choosing

*where* I want to

Abide.

I'm so grateful for Liz Lamoreux's example

and gentle encouragement

to take selfies as a way of finding 

myself

in my day and in my life,

especially when I'm feeling a little lost

and lonely.

Remember to Abide with intention, dear heart. 

.     *     .

As I was creating the photo above,

I looked up and saw this . . .

So love how another circle of angels 

gather at eventide.

.           *             .

Abide

Peace was my word for 2015. She was good company and an important teacher who, as with all of my prior words (Grace, Mercy, Enough, and Hope), I intend to keep close by for her special, individual way of support and guidance.

For a couple of months I had thought my word for 2016 might be "Rest." So much so that I started the process of looking for a mug with Rest on it and a Rest quote to add to my email signature quotes to serve as visual anchors.

In recent days, "Abide" has shown Herself to me.  I remembered this photo that I took back on August 3, 2013 and, as I was sharing it with a class I was in then, the word "abide" just showed up and seemed perfect. 

Earlier this week I circled up my 4 new beautiful sister angels (a Christmas gift from hubby) in a spot where I can see them from here in my blue rocking chair. I knew they would remind me of the picture I've always held in my heart of all of my word companions as wise women who stay with me and surround me, each one lovingly offering me her gifts of wisdom. 

My sweet little oil lamp in the middle feels like a gently profound reminder to place myself 

--- to Abide -- 

in their wise presence.  Sure, I can Rest there if/when I need too, but the bigger, more important question for me feels like *where* and in *what* am I resting? *Where* am I putting my Trust? 

*Where* am I choosing to Abide?

And sitting with and seeing my sweet altar of angels for the past several days? 

And listening to Amy Grant sing "Abide with me," a song I have come to love? 

And the tears began to fall?

Yes. 

That's when I knew.

Abide has gently taken my hand and asked me to dance, and we are waltzing into the new year together. 

.            *            .

Almost Home

.              *               .

3rd Sunday of Advent

.                *               .