April Love 2017 :: Day 29 - Serenity

Porch swing therapy

is serenity 

💜

#aprillove2017

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April Love :: Day 5 - Favorite Quote

This quote from 

The Language of Letting Go 

by Melody Beattie 

is one of the first I ever memorized. 

Decades later it still soothes, quiets, and comforts. 

#aprillove2017

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Prayer Partner

❤️

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August Break :: Breathe

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Abiding in Grace

I've been walking thru a pretty tough ol' time for awhile now.  Along with some old grief 

surfacing in an unexpected and fiercer way than usual, I have a new supervisor who's trying 

to force (and hotwire) a closeness between us.  Smiling softly because this is actually a pretty interesting turn of events.  Usually it's been me who's longing and, yes, pushing for more 

closeness.  

While I know in my heart of hearts she means well (just as I always did) and I do have hope 

that, in time, we will find our way to a good working relationship, the reality of right now is 

I'm finding it all smothering, frustrating and extremely draining.  Plus I've been triggered a 

lot lately which has just added to the painful difficulty of it all.  This is so not how I want to 

show up. 

Still, I'm quite clear that my resources are very limited right now and that my hands are full 

tending to my own weary and grieving heart.  In a way it's a gift that I'm so spent, making it 

easier for me to truly understand and accept that, messy and imperfect as it all is, I just don't 

have any room on my plate to take care of her, too.  So, as best I can in each moment, I gently 

remind myself that it's ok to let all of that go for right now. 

What I also know is I took care of my Moma in an unhealthy way and this is an opportunity 

to practice saying some important and firm "no's" that I wasn't able to when I was younger.  

This is a skill I want and need in my life and the only way I'm going to learn it is to practice.    

Today I wanted to continue feeling calm and supported after yesterday's lovely dental visit.  

It was *amazing* to me how much time spent in the presence of a kind angel in human form 

helped to shift things for me. 

This evening, I spent some quiet time in meditation, being still and Abiding in Grace.  

(Abide is my word for this year and Grace is my fond nickname for my higher power.)  

It warms my heart so much to see my face so relaxed.  

Ah, so maybe all of this really will pass, too. 

And, maybe, just maybe it already is.

May it be so.

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Cultivating Enough :: Day 1 :: Connection

I think my favorite thing about this picture is the softness I see in my face.

I've come a long way since I arrived home from work this afternoon,

filled up with tense rumination.

An evening of putting my house in order,

starting laundry,

watching cooking shows,

and cross stitching

has really helped to calm me.

I'm feeling a connection with the still, small place inside

and it is a blessing indeed.

#cultivatingenough

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Morning, Mary

Quiet Light

Faithful presence 

Rinses, refreshes

Reassures.

Blessed.

(and grateful)

❤️

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Morning Advent-ing

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Blessing Basking :: Day 16

Today I am grateful for 

the quiet nourishment 

found 

in between the covers of a book 

while tucked up 

in a soft, beige down comforter. 

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Blessing Basking :: Day 7

Today this water baby 

is very grateful for some time to luxuriate 

in a hot bath with a book.

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Morning Welcome

Rocking and welcoming my angels 

with the soothing warmth of a mug of chai tea.

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Thankful Tuesday :: Heath

Taking an intentional moment during my annual physical 

to be grateful that these days? 

It's all routine. 

❤️

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Favorite Word

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August Break 2015 :: Smile

Remembering 

that I am companioned 

by beautiful angels 

and Grace 

always brings a warm smile. 

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Remembering :: All is Well

The last couple days back at work, yesterday especially, were *rough.*  Our house is still a disaster from not fully being unpacked and I'm too weary to do anything about it right now. 

Carving out time this afternoon to reclaim the space on the table next to me, nourish myself with candlelight and take in 5 Deep Breaths (for a start). It is so good to be the company of a beloved angel and, with the help of a beautiful song, to remember that All is Well. 

❤️

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A Day at the Beach

5 Deep Breaths while waiting for hubby 

to lock up before heading to the beach. 

Good company

on a perfectly lovely afternoon

Just chillin' 

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5 Deep Breaths with Mary

Five Deep Breaths 

with Mother Mary 

watching over me this morning.  

(As she has so often in my life)

Growing up and helplessly watching my beloved parents' marriage fall apart into divorce while I was struggling with bone cancer in my left hip, there were So. Many. Times. that I felt so alone in all of the craziness.  

While I couldn't have verbalized much less explained it then (which I've since learned doesn't mean it isn't real), I came to take great comfort in seeing Mary (and Joseph) at mass each week. I understand now that seeing her calm face and kind eyes reassured me that she could see what I couldn't speak and that she fully intended to stay put and present when so many others were running away.

This Grace was such a deep reassurance for me that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as alone as I felt. 

I will always treasure her loving witness. 

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Watering My Soul and Basking in Enough

I said what I needed to say 

and set a boundary 

with the intention of choosing Love 

this morning. 

It wasn't perfect by any means 

but I did it!! 

Basking in Enoughness, 

I took this photo afterwards. 

(And look! No more churning belly! )

Then, 

after running a couple of errands,

I took the scenic route on my way home 

just so I could pause by this small, nearby pond. 

Ahhhhh . . . rest (and water) for my soul. 

 ❤

5 Deep Breaths :: Between Roles

5 Deep Breaths 

while transitioning from Billing Queen to Wife 

during a red light on my way home. 

I'm really liking this idea 

of stopping and intentionally 

inviting Peace into my day.

 ❤️

One Self-Care Move

 

With my hand over my heart, I took a quiet moment at work to read John O'Donohue's "For a New Home" from his book, "To Bless the Space Between Us."

This is becoming a very meaningful daily practice for me because, as I read his blessing, I gently remind myself that I am coming home into my heart more and more each day.   

It touches my heart each time. 

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