Today is the Day

Today is the day...

to open the door for the stranger behind you.

to breathe during rush hour and enjoy the song on the radio.

to watch the sunset until it disappears.

to read ten pages of your latest book.
to take a hot bath with candlelight.
to turn off the tv.
to unplug for an hour.
to write a letter to a friend.
to listen to the sounds that surround you and really hear them.
to eat a new food.
to say your prayers.
to listen to your heart and go for it.
to wear your favorite socks even if they don't match your outfit.
to hold your children.
to love those around you.

Today is the day.

Listen to the Whispers of your Heart

Her car was jutting out from the driveway into the street.  Obviously not where a car belongs.   We drove past her, me looking back at her all the while we drove into the next driveway and pulled into the garage.  Something just wasn't right.  I didn't really know her other than the once or twice I was introduced to her when she was visiting from college.  Her body language in the car showed hurt and with her head bowed, my instinct knew something wasn't right.

We pulled into the garage and told my husband I was going to walk over and see if she was alright.  He followed a few steps behind me.  She got out of the car as I headed her way and just stared at me, saying nothing really.  I asked if she was ok, and already knowing the answer to the question, I walked right over to her and gave her a big hug as her tears fell.   Her car was stuck on the ice and couldn't get it into the garage.  That's not why she was crying though.  I didn't ask why, but told her everyone has one of those days now and again and that she would be ok and get through it.  She looked at me and just smiled.  I hugged her once again as my husband tried to move the car up the steep ice rink.  I told her I'd go get some cat litter and she'd be in the house in a few minutes.   

Sure enough, a cup of the deodorizing magic grains onto the ice in front of the tires, and my husband was on his way up the mini Mt. Everest of a driveway.   She breathed a sigh of relief and said thank you.  We told her if she needed anything to come right back over to our front door and knock and we'd be there.  

It was my gut that told me something wasn't right.  That instinct that whispers in your head, "do something, don't sit."  I only share this because that little voice in your head, is there for a reason.  It's purposeful. It's meaningful.  It's your heart telling you to act in a compassionate way.  When you act or make a decision out of love, rather than fear, there can never be a wrong choice.   Listen to your heart when it speaks to you.  Listen to that whisper that finds its way into your ear.  Listen and listen well.   What may seem like a simple action to you, may be the huge difference in someone's day.   Don't be afraid to act, but simply act out of love and listen to your heart.

I'm Blushing....Thank You

I was recently nominated for the Liebster Award from my sweet blogger friend, Ginger, over at 
The Amateur Writer and just now have had a few minutes to sit down and say, thank you.  I'm blushing and tickled pink you thought of me.

The award comes with a few rules:

The Rules
Share 11 facts about myself.
Answer 11 questions from my nominator.
Nominate 11 followers (with less than 200 followers) for the award.
Create 11 questions for the nominee to answer.
When the Nominee is finished you must link it back to me (as I did above) in your blog post.

So, without further adieu, I happily accept this award and am honored you have come by today to share in all my beautiful blow award glory.

Here goes...

11 Facts About Me

1. I have been happily married for 22 years and am mom to two amazing boys, 16 & 12.
2. If you call me to meet for tea or pie, I will drop everything and meet you, no questions asked.
3. I could sit in a boat on a lake for hours and hours without talking.
4. I am a photographer, a poet and a writer, yet never call myself such things to others.
5. I believe God has plans for me and continue to ask for hints from Him daily.
6. I don'l like dogs. We, here, are cat people.
7. I am a morning persona and have troubles staying awake for movie night.
8. I have a secret desire to be on Broadway on day (or off-off-Broaday is ok too).
9. I believe everything happens for a reason and do not believe in coincidence, ever.
10. I have 7 books on my nightstand, all started and not one finished.
11. I believe everyone is inherently good, when it comes right down to it.

Answer 11 Questions From my Nominator

1. What's your favorite date night activity?    - Order in and watch a movie together. Pretty simple.
2. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  -To be more patient.
3. What would be your dream job?  - A magazine writer/editor or photographer or a research guru.
4. What bones have you broken?  -Zero
5. Name one thing you've always wanted to try. -Living in New York City
6. Chocolate or vanilla?  -Vanilla
7. Why do you blog? -I blog as a creative outlet and to hopefully inspire other to be true to themselves.
8. What's your favorite hobby? -Reading and learning about any and every thing.
9. What season of the year do you like most? - Fall because of the cool crisp weather and the smell of ripe apples.
10. Would you consider yourself a dreamer or realist? -My heart is a dreamer and my head is a realist and most often act as a realist.
11. What household chore could you wish you would never have to do again? - Duh, Laundry!

Blogs I Nominate for a Liebster Award

Daytons Day to Day

Clumsy Crafter

Finding Joy

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Questions for my Nominated Blogs to Answer

1. What is your favorite book of all time?
2. Where do you go when you need to be quiet?
3. Do you run in the rain or watch from inside?
4. What do you do when you're "in a mood" and need to get out of it?
5. Do you Pinterest
6. What is your favorite vacation sport?
7. Are you a morning person or night owl and why?
8. Do you play an instrument?  Which one(s)?
9. What music do you always turn to to energize you?
10. If you were a fish, what kind would you be?
11. If I asked you to pack your bags, where would you hope I was taking you?

Thank you so much, for stopping by today.  I love that you spent a few minutes in my corner of the world with me.  It's like blogging chocolate (or vanilla in my case)!  Happy Sunday.

I am a Soul Seeking

I am a soul seeking truth

   truth that sets you free of worry

   truth that opens the walkway

   truth that breathes lavender into your heart

  

I am a soul seeking love

   love that sets your feet firm

   love that opens the window each morning

   love that breathes sweetness into your ear

I am a soul seeking joy

   joy that sets your heart soaring

   joy that opens new doors

   joy that breathes warmth into your toes

I am a soul seeking peace

   peace that sets your mind on everything

   peace that opens you to others

   peace that breathes gold into your being

I am a soul

seeking

truth

love

joy

peace.

Morning Time Has Come

I guess you could say I'm an early riser. My body clock goes off at 4:25am each morning with a glance at the clock and then I gradually fall back asleep just as the alarm goes off for the day.  The morning is my favorite time of the day. 

Our oldest and Grandpa have headed out once again on a fishing excursion to catch the winter "big one" and I am sitting in his room with the window shades opened and can hear the three little wrens chirping to their friends.  Our youngest's music is playing in the next room at a level fairly loud for sleeping music and my sweet husband, still recovering from his cold, is tucked under the covers with a cat at his feet.  I love this quiet of the house.  

The morning offers me time to gather my thoughts and prepare for the day ahead. I have read a page in my "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo, read the headlines and am contemplating a cup of hot blueberry tea and some blackberry jam toast.  Too bad, mornings don't come with room service.

I'm looking forward to our youngest's soccer game this afternoon and then possibly a nap later.  Yes. The type of nap where you turn off the lights, close the blinds and get under the blanket.  A true nap.  It's important to slow down when you can.  We don't do it often enough and when the weeks are filled with soccer, basketball, scouts, homework, on-line classes, friends, and so much more, it's good to start the morning slow and plan a nap.  It's good for your soul, at least my soul.

It's supposed to be in the low 60's today.  A little out of the ordinary for us, but good fishing and soccer weather for certain.   I hope you will take time today to slow down a little, enjoy the sunrise, your hot coffee (or Dr. Pepper) and enjoy a slower pace today.  Listen to the birds, feel the breeze on your cheeks and embrace your day.