Home ~ is where the heart is

"There's no place like home." ~ Dorothy (Wizard of Oz)

Like most of us, I look forward with great anticipation to our annual vacation. This year was no exception and I was not disappointed. We spent 7 beautiful days in the Rockies north of Durango, Co. We hiked, canoed, waded in the splashing water of Cascade Falls, shopped, wined and dined. We walked through ancient Indian ruins. We mourned with the locals, the loss of a loved one and we met new friends. We sat and watched the rain, marveled at the myriad wildlife we were lucky enough to encounter, read and wrote poetry, sketched flowers, listened to oldies, luxuriated in a bubbling mineral salt bath and just thoroughly unwound.

I am blessed to have had the privilege to take that time; to get away from the ordinary days that are work and home, and yet...it is always good to come home. To come home to those you love and spend those ordinary days with. It was good to see my daughter again. It was good to have our puppies greet us so enthusiastically. It was good to take a walk in the rain and to snuggle up at the end of the evening. It was good to be reminded that....there's no place like home.

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‎"Reading poetry is an adventure in renewal, a creative act, a perpetual beginning, a rebirth of wonder." ~ Edward Hirsch

Poetry, like music, art and nature is another portal through which we can look at and live life more creatively, more intentionally, more richly. By reading it, we are given new eyes through which to view the world; by contemplating and writing, we break open our hearts and souls to revel in gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us; or to release old wounds that have bound us.

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"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more." ~ John Burroughs

Ahhhh the mighty Aspen Tree. I stand in awe of this magnificent tree, known as the largest living organism. She puts down roots that nurture and produce new seedlings...soon you have an entire forest...physically inter-connected! To me, it is the most beautiful tree, with its snowy white bark and glossy heart shaped green leaves that turn to halo gold as autumn approaches. I can sit and watch its quaking leaves for hours. What in nature soothes your soul, awakens your creativity, opens your heart?

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"Come forth into the light of things; Let nature be your Teacher." ~ William Wordsworth

On our 'boot camp' hike yesterday, this woodpecker caught my eye. I wanted the perfect shot; the sho that would show its magnificent colors, his wings, his bright red cap. He had another idea. As though to teach me persistence, humor, ...and humility, he flitted from tree trunk to tree trunk just long enough for me to get the focus, but not long enough to get the shot. Then, just as I thought he'd never stay still long enough...there he was...and click. Then he flapped his wings and flew right by us. It was as if he was saying...That was fun...thanks for playing. Rick and I laughed all the way up the hill at the absurdity of me trying so diligently to capture his image. I am truly humbled in the face of nature.

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"It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination."~ Henry David Thoreau

I took this photo at the base of our condo up here in the mountains north of Durango. It reminded me of so many photographs I've seen taken by professionals and made me think of how they looked at the trees, the bark, the leaves, the context in which they stood so tall as they rose to the sky from the earth. It made me feel grateful to have this time to really notice the magnificence present in all of nature.

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"Spontaneity is the quality of being able to do something just because you feel like it at the moment, of trusting your instincts, of taking yourself by surprise and snatching from the clutches of your well-organized routine, a bit of unscheduled pleasure." ~ unknown

I need routine in my life...I crave order...I like to know what's happening next. But not all the time anymore. Years ago while planning a vacation, my husband threw a few chinks in my plan. We were newly together and so I thought I would compromise and see where it took us. To my complete surprise, it was the best, most relaxing vacation I had ever experienced. Now, when we 'plan' our vacations, we have a couple of things in mind, however, we just wing it the rest of the time. I am never disappointed. We always come home with the best stories. Some grand, some, just fun. Most, we would not experience if we had a locked in plan.

The same goes for ordinary days. I have what I'd like to do, but if a family member or friend calls for lunch or some other fun outing, I'm all over it. The work is always here when I get back.

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“It is always with excitement that I wake up in the morning wondering what my intuition will toss up to me, like gifts from the sea. I work with it and rely on it. It's my partner.” ~ Jonas Salk

When I woke up yesterday I had a feeling that the day would be different, would not go as 'planned.' The quote that came to me was about joy and smiling. I didn't realize just how appropriate that bit of insight would be for my day. Today's quote is about mystery and the gift of intuition. We never really expect it, and yet it washes over us like a precious seashell in ocean waves over the sand. Have you ever held a shell to ear and heard the ocean waves. You must listen closely to hear it :-). I imagine that intuition is much the same. You must be still to hear it.

Smile ~ I love it when you do that!

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Sometimes you just can't help but smile...it bubbles up from inside, caused by experiencing something special...and sometimes, when you are feeling down, you can smile and change your state...you cannot smile and not change your state of being. Try it and see. Feel it?

At random times during the day, stop...and smile. I wonder how it might affect your day. ~ Blessing, Janet

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"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over." ~ Gloria Naylor

When we find ourselves giving the same advice over and over to the same person, we might be better off recognising a lack of readiness and just be still and wait. You can spend your time and energy in more productive and fulfilling ways, as well as be more prepared to help when there is something real to be said or done. ~Blessings, Janet

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With the day beginning a bit inside out or backwards or just different, I still realized that meditation was not going to be sacrificed. What a blessing:

I was reminded that doing the right thing does not always feel good. It is not always "the most fun," or "most popular" thing to do. Do you ever feel like, "Geez, I just want to play right now and I'll work on that later?" "I'll make that phone call later." 'That person is more popular, I'll hang with her/him." Have you every given in to that feeling? Sure you have. We all have.

Doing the right thing can sometimes produce some profound anxiety too. When we take a stand for ourselves or someone else, we take a risk. Sometimes standing up for what is right goes against what society has taught us about 'only the strongest survive.' Sometimes, you feel you are standing alone with giants all around you. Have you heard the bible verse, 'The meek shall inherit the earth?"

When we do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, the rewards are so often greater than anything we could have imagined for ourselves. The vibration in your being will raise and you will experience more self-respect, more gratitude, more support, and more rich experiences that you may have planned for yourself.

For today, when I have a choice, I will do the right thing :-) Will you? ~ Blessings, Janet

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So I was in a rush with my own agenda as I began my morning meditation. There's an art project I'm excited about and I just needed to check this off my list today. (icky attitude, I know) However, with racing thoughts and a cluttered mind I finally settled into my meditation...

And a message emerged..."Patience is golden"

Cool…good I’ll go with that…and my thoughts began to fray again.

God says, "I’m not done yet...but I’ll still be here waiting patiently for you."

Wow…okay, I feel like maybe I should take notice...Here's what came next

"When you rest in Me…and listen…I will be here…with a light…shining so brightly on your path that you won’t make a wrong turn. Magnificent experiences are waiting for you as you journey with me. You don’t need to live in darkness, fight through briar patches, or wade through murky waters.

Okay...I hear You NOW. Thank You for loving US enough to wait for ME :-)

When a meditation ends in tears, I know...I KNOW it will resonate with the world.

For today: When I work on my art project...I will do it as a meditation...I will do it WITH SPIRIT.

Blessings as you wait,
Janet
By the way (This is my favorite Thomas Kincaid print ~ It is entitled 'The Valley of Peace.' Another extraordinary gift this morning. :-)

Making Sense ~ There's a reason for everything

"'Grow where you are planted.' ~ Proverb

My morning meditation revealed a message of growth and expansion and my mind's eye was filled with images of lively greens in nature and of soothing blues in  life sustaining water...I was brought back from a place of sadness, hurt, and anger to a place of calm, peacefulness, and love.

The message: There is a gift in every experience (good or bad), in every mistake (big or small) We are called to seek out, identify, acknowledge, accept, and utilize the gift. We are called to leave the rest behind. ~ Blessings, Janet

Organizing: Who said cleaning the bathroom couldn't be fun?

"Love the scent of lavendar after cleaning the bathroom...:-) Just baking soda, peroxide, lavendar essential oil, vinegar and water..."

Organizing: Books ~ Makes my heart go pitter patter

http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/about/dewey.html

Book Case in need of a makeover

"Am I nuts? I love the idea of putting my personal library in Dewey Decimal order LOL :-) What the heck. I love to know exactly where to find things when I want them. Like when I was on vacation in Durango and my friend Candace called and wanted to know if she could borrow my book on healing mandalas. I told her it was the fourth book from the end on the first shelf in the middle bookcase!

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I was a little lost as I began my morning meditation. However, I stuck with it...focused my thoughts on Spirit and a lovely message began to emerge.
First, a quote

"How can I be useful? Of what service can I be? There is something inside me. What can it be." ~ Vincent Van Gough

Secondly, as I meditated on that quote, I began to realize that the plans I have today for supporting others, while taking time away from directly working my own plans...will in the short run have an impact on my life as well and in a big way.

And thirdly, the reminder in the message, is that we cannot give of our time, our resources, or our creativity, without significantly and positively impacting our own lives. While self gain may not be the reason we choose to help, self gain is just part of a Universal Truth. ~ Blessings, Janet"

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"‎'Girls should be respected
Girls should never be rejected
Girls like to use their originality
Originality is part of their personality
Their enthusiasm is their joyfulness
...Their joyfulness is their soul
Their soul is their everything'
~ Neudi Ragel, Age 13

And out of the mouths of babes. It has been a roller coaster weekend, as I have witnessed the actions of a wounded woman and the beauty of women coming together to support one another. Today, I will think about all the wonderful, creative, funny, beautiful, sensitive, caring, lovable women who have crossed my path and share my journey through life. I will hold them up with the best of thoughts and intentions. Today: I dedicate my thoughts to lifting up all women. ~ Blessings, Janet

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"'Evil prevails when good men do nothing" ~ unknown (Perhaps Edmond Burke)

I find myself witnessing a sort of David and Goliath type situation involving someone who is as close to my heart as anyone can get. Her hard work, creativity and integrity have been publicly called into question and is undermining her relationships and her business. I consider myself a peace-loving person, and yet every fiber of my being wants to lash out and right this wrong. I am sorry to be so cryptic in today's message, however, a potentiallyy legal proceeding prevents me from disclosing specifics. So for now, I would ask for positive thoughts and prayers for my loved one as well as healing for the wounded soul perpetuating this mess. ~ Blessings, Janet

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Facebook In Her Peace: “Stop trying to fit in when you were born to stand out.” ~ unknown

Do you ever find yourself holding back because you don't want to be the center of attention, or because you are concerned about what someone else might think? Ask yourself: What is the worst thing that can happen if someone thinks a bad thought? Will I survive it? Will I even know about it? What will happen if I go ahead and just do what I want to do, wear what I want to wear, say what I want to say? Take a moment...and imagine the possibilities! ~ Blessings, Janet

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Facebook In Her Peace: "Create moments that matter. Every moment is an opportunity to live life fully, openly, and with heart. You have the power to create meaningful moments that matter, to bring beauty into being. Fill the moment with ideas, values, beliefs, purpose, people, and actions that define who your are." ~ Sandra Magsaman

Reflect on the most meaningful moments you have created in the last week. Think about how you can continue to conciously string together a life of meaningful moments...~ Blessings, Janet

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Facebook In Her Peace: “Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it.” ~ Eileen Caddy

Most of us probably had some fun over the weekend, but do we usually wait for holidays to allow ourselves that time to just let down and play. Or do we build fun into our weekly lives. Fun does not have to be a huge production; it can be simple games, movie night at home, friends over for cards, a walk in the park. Rick and I went to the dog park yesterday and watched the dogs running off the pier into the water, chasing tennis balls, and just playing like kids on a beach...what a riot. I wonder what you might come up with? Enjoy life! ~ Blessings, Janet

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Facebook In Her Peace: “There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those.” ~ Michael Nolan

Do you sometimes think there isn't enough time to experience the things in life that really move you? Take some time to reflect on what activities are taking up your time. What is catching your eye and distracting you from pursuing the things that catch your heart? In this fast paced, media saturated society, it is easy to allow ourselves to become distracted. It takes a conscience effort to notice our patterns and to make the changes necessary to live a life we love. ~ Love and Blessings, Janet"

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Facebook In Her Peace: "I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom." ~Simone de Beauvoir

Happy 4th of July ~ We are abundantly blessed to be able to travel to the ocean's shores or nearby parks, to play games with family and friends, to feast on delicious foods. Today, I will take time to recognize the full measure of blessing in my life. Enjoy my holiday word cloud :-)

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Facebook In Her Peace: "When I was younger I had these enormous vanities about what I expected from myself. I`m glad to have a comfortable and fascinating life, but now I see it for what it is, so I can be braver and more spontaneous and say to myself, 'Oh, screw it, just go out there and do it." ~ Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton is one of my favorite actresses. She plays such hysterical, dramatic, funny, successfully zany roles. I love her portrayal of strong, yet real women.

Prayer ~ Pray for me and I'll pray for you

"All of your answers are only one right prayer away." ~ Janet Ellis

We twist, and we turn, we complain, and moan and groan and cry. We ignore and we deny...Prayer is often a last resort. Prayer is often spoke of as "All I can do is pray." When, in reality, the strongest, most powerful position on earth is On Your Knees in Prayer... ~ Blessings, Janet

Vacation ~ Take a little time for yourself

"'Vacations used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it has become a necessity." ~ unknown

I am looking forward to our vacation...are you too? Sometimes even between those planned getaways we need to renew our minds and replenish our souls. Just taking a few hours to do something out of the ordinary can do wonders... to prop us back up. I like to enjoy an occasional manicure, pedicure, massage, or just lunch out with an old friend. It takes my mind off of house, home & work details.