We delight in the beauty of the butterfly ...

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” 
― Maya Angelou

When you get the chance ... Dance.

A gazebo at sunset ...

My husband and I recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary ... As part of our adventure, we took the Bed & Breakfast bikes for a spin around the city (oh so romantic!) We found ourselves at a park (at sunset) and bumped into this gazebo!

What did we do? We danced. It was spontaneous and one of my favorite romantic moments of all time ...

In love, it's all about the little moments!

Want to dance? YES!!!!!

Keep Going.

Two inspiring words ... Keep Going.

Yes, the road is long but the journey is worth it ... GO!

Take random road trips ...

It's been a stressful week ... ever have those? Oh good - I'm not alone! Bumped into this image via Pinterest and it made me smile. I need a random road trip! Something about the road and 'leaving it all behind' does wonders for my soul.

Cheers to the road and the adventures of life. :)

This far ...

God didn't bring you this far to abandon you.

Ever felt like you were being thrashed about by the 'storms of life'? I like this quote and the reminder that even in the midst of our trials and 'stormy' days, we are not alone. Our Heavenly Father is always there - always ready to take us by the hand and see us through whatever we are going through.

I am so thankful for His constant love and guidance - He is always ready to lift us up and out of troubled waters.

It's humbling to know that He cares about each of us so very much.

Always remember, you are not alone. And with and through the trials and storms of life, He helps us become something better, stronger and wiser. For that ... I am eternally grateful.

Why do we fall?

Truth.

Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from 'Batman Begins' -

And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.

(Not always easy - but worth it)

Rise up!

What do you radiate?

We influence others by what we say, what we do, and who we are.

Every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone, it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. Every person is a recipient of radiation. The Savior was conscious of that. Whenever he came into the presence of an individual, he sensed that radiation—whether it was the woman of Samaria with her past life; whether it was the woman who was to be stoned or the men who were to stone her; whether it was the statesman, Nicodemus, or one of the lepers. He was conscious of the radiation from the individual. And to a degree so are you, and so am I. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

… As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts, if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them.

The effect of our words and acts is tremendous in this world. Every moment of life you are changing to a degree the lives of the whole world. … So, it’s not the surroundings, it isn’t the positions; the thing that will influence [others] in this world, are personalities. No matter what you are, people will feel and recognize this. You radiate, you can’t hide it. 

It is important … that we seek, both in life and in books, the companionship of the best and noblest men and women. [Thomas] Carlyle, a great English writer, says that “Great men taken up in any way are profitable company. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, without gaining something by him. He is the living ‘light-fountain,’ which it is good and pleasant to be near.”

If you will study the lives of these great “light-fountains” of the world, you will learn of at least one thing that has made their names endure. It is this: Each one has given something of his life to make the world better. They did not spend all their time seeking only pleasure and ease, and a “good time” for themselves alone, but found their greatest joy in making others happy and more comfortable. All such good deeds live forever, even though the world may never hear of them.

No good deed, no kind word can be spoken without its effect being felt for good upon all. Sometimes the good may be infinitesimal, but as a rock that is thrown in a pool starts a wave from the center which continues to enlarge until every part of the shore is touched, so your deeds, silent, many of them, unknown, unspoken, unheralded, continue to radiate and touch many hearts.

~ David O. McKay

Artwork by Lori Portka

The value of a moment ...

A beautiful Saturday morning reminder ...

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
~ Dr. Seuss

Leaders (create more Leaders) -

I like this quote ... Leaders create more Leaders.
How do they do that?

I believe Leaders create more Leaders by believing in the people who follow them. Leaders inspire, lift, help, encourage and persevere.

By so doing, they model empowered leadership that allows others to step up and LEAD!

For Kaleb

With a praying mantis ...

Flying paper airplanes ...

Dancing with a peacock ....

Kaleb,

I love your kind heart.
I love your curious spirit.
I love your drive to learn, see and do.
I love being your mom.

Never lose your sense of wonder.

Love,
Mom.

Mom, how do they get so beautiful?

A while back, my daughter and I were hanging out in the make-up section of a local store. If I remember right, we were looking for some fingernail polish.

We couldn't find the perfect color and were about to leave when I noticed my daughter in the Cover Girl section. She was looking up at an Ad and asked: "Mom, how do they get so beautiful?"

Her question caught me off guard. And I realized that in that moment, she was beginning to question what made her beautiful and would she ever be 'like those girls in the Ads' ...

I thought for a moment and said: "Lauren, please know that YOU are beautiful just the way you are."
I wanted to go into all the facts about the Ads - how they are air brushed, changed, edited and so forth - but didn't.

Instead, we talked (right there in the store about ALL the things that made her beautiful) - and it had nothing to do with make-up, gorgeous clothes or sultry looks!

My hope is that she will continue to see and appreciate that her true beauty comes from being- kind, smart, funny, artistic and true to the things she knows to be right and good!

PS:
I think the main point here is to appreciate the 'beauty' that each of us naturally possess and to focus on being beautiful inside and out!

It's just not healthy to compare ourselves to a Cover Girl model! After all, comparison is the thief of joy! :)

Make each day a masterpiece

Make each day your masterpiece ...

How, you ask? (Below are a few ideas)

Be grateful
Be kind
Lift people around you
Share your smile
Laugh
Forget yourself
Pray
Find the good in everyone and every situation
Be positive
Be patient (with yourself and others)
Share your talents
Forgive
Love


PS: Every day is a gift.
Create something beautiful ...

Begin Anywhere.

BEGIN ANYWHERE - I love those two words together.

Begin -
Commence, create, do, establish, found, go ahead, go into, launch, lead, make, initiate, introduce, open, prepare, set up, undertake ...

Anywhere -
Anyplace, all over, everywhere, wherever, in any place ...

What are you waiting for? There is no time like the present.

Begin Today.

He will bring you through it

Such a great reminder to trust in the Lord and let him guide us through ...
Happy Tuesday :)!

Today :)

4-14-14 ... a really great day :)

So thankful for the gift of new days, new years and new adventures.

Looking forward to the lessons ahead.

Is it possible to be too kind?

Kindness.

It's one of the greatest attributes a person can have. With kindness...we lift lives, add smiles, heal wounds, brighten dark days, inspire and even save.

Is it possible to be too kind? I don't think so.
As far as I'm concerned, kindness is always welcome. Always...

Blame keeps wounds open ...

"Blame keeps wounds open forgiveness heals."
~ Thomas S. Monson

 ". . . Heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive."
~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This week: Choose to forgive. Let it go - feel and share the healing power.

For Travis ...

Happy birthday Big Brother. I think of you often and smile!

Miss and love you always ...

PS: Thanks for inspiring me to run my race with courage, with determination, with patience and with LOVE.

Travis Lichfield / April 8, 1971 - July 7, 1988

Your dash will forever inspire mine.

Little by little, we travel far ...

April 2013 - The foundation

Me - 2013

April - 2014

Time - it's such a gift. We can do so much with it.

Lat year, we had a new home built and this week, we have been working on the outdoor landscaping. I couldn't help but think back to last year and how excited I was just standing in the lot - imagining how it would all turn out! Lots of dirt and dreams :) ...

As I dug holes yesterday and dropped bushes into them, I smiled and thought - WOW, look how far we've come! (Again, lots of dirt and dreams.)

It's been a busy year and I appreciate the following quote that holds so much truth.

Little by little, one travels far.
J.R. Tolkien

Much like this house project, I imagine, at the end of our lives, we'll look back and say: WOW, look how far we've come and how much we've grown. :)

Cheers to time and the journey we each travel.

The Super Faith Formula -

About two weeks ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to teach a workshop at a youth conference. The theme for the event was 'Super Heroes' and we were asked to teach a class on overcoming fear.

We decided to title our class - SUPER FAITH and teach the kids about the power of faith and how it is the opposite of fear. Faith (when used) has the amazing ability to give us super power to overcome our greatest fears.

We taught the class three times and really enjoyed each group of kids! I was touched by their willingness to open up and share their fears and then again, by their willingness to accept our challenge to use super faith to overcome them.

Our super faith formula is this -

Pray. Listen. Act. Repeat.

Pray to know what to do
Listen ... (the answer is usually in a still, small voice)
Act on the prompting
Repeat

This week, use super faith to help you conquer the seemingly impossible.
May the force be with you!

Spring and Lemonade -

It's the first day of spring ... Welcome.
Let the flowers bloom, the birds sing, and the sun shine!

Oh, and I'll have a tall glass of pink lemonade - lots of ice please :) ...

If you are feeling overwhelmed, YOU are not ALONE!

Woke up today feeling a little overwhelmed. I'll spare you the 'busy' details of my life - time has taught me that some days are like this. You wake up and the to-do list is ultra long and the horizon is filled with too much to be done (it seems).

I've learned that the best thing to do (for me), is to slow down! Even a half hour can do wonders!

Here's a few things I do:

I blog. I visit Etsy or Pinterest online. I read quotes. I listen to music. I bake something. I write a thank you note or touch base with a friend. I say a prayer and ask for clarity.

Mostly, I try to do a little nurturing of my soul before I jump back into the fast pace. The slowing down moments give me just the rejuvenation I need to be my best self and accomplish the to-dos ahead.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. It's part of being alive! 

Give yourself permission to have a little 'time out' and before you know it, you'll be back in the day feeling ready to GO!

An Irish Blessing

I love this! My favorite part is the ending - And until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - May the road rise to meet you :)

See the light in others ...

Have you ever been around someone and found yourself saying (or thinking) - "I like myself best when I am with him/her."

Most likely you like yourself best with them because they only choose to see the BEST in you!

Today, choose to see the good in others and see what happens ...

Driving with tulips -

Went to Costco earlier today and picked out a bunch of red tulips!
They added instant happiness to my day! 

Arranging the red tulips for my kitchen ... even more joy!

PS:

I am so thankful for the little moments that matter.

Be your own kind of beautiful ...

There's only one you. ONLY ONE. That's what makes you beautiful! No one else has your smile, your laugh, your tears, your dreams. No one else has your thoughts, your ideas, your passion. No one else can be YOU.

Be you. Be real.

Let your authentic beauty shine!

Accept what IS...

Love this quote!
Great reminder to - Live in the now. Let go and keep moving forward with FAITH.

Happy Monday.

Let your faith be bigger than your fear.

Faith ... it matters.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Kiss slowly, play hard, love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything, and have no regrets.

Life is too short to be anything but happy. ~ Unknown

Photo 'kiss' moment: North & South, BBC film

For those who want to see

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
-Henri Matisse

I bumped into this quote today and totally agree. There is beauty everywhere - if we choose to see it. Amazing how much energy and time is wasted on looking for the negative in life ...

Today, slow down and see the beauty that is all around. It's there. Always.

Is silence a sound?

One morning on the way to school, I had Simon and Garfunkel playing in the car. The "Sound of Silence" was on and the lyrics hung heavy in the car.

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

The song ended just as we arrived at my son's school and before he jumped out (in his usual way) he paused and asked - "Is silence a sound?"

"What do you think?" I asked.

"I don't know, I want to think about this." He shut the door and walked away.

Later that afternoon - I picked him up from school and he announced:
"Silence is a sound. My science teacher told me."

He then asked, "Can you play that song again?"

Later that night - he downloaded "The Sound of Silence" it is (to this day) one of his all time favorite songs.

Mine too.

Amazing what happens within the sound of silence.

This post inspired by The Daily Post at WordPress.com 

Running.

Glance back -

Pictured above is my letterman jacket from high school. I graduated in 1991 so my high school days have been over for some time!

I was surprised today to find a tweet from my cousin who posted up a picture of himself in a Bomber sweatshirt and the words: Bomber Wednesday.

I was a Richland Bomber and ran for the school as a member of the cross country and track teams. His little Bomber tweet helped me glance back for a moment and remember some really great memories.

In fact, it inspired me to pull out my jacket. I put it on and was immediately transported to years long gone and races long over. (Happy to say it still fits!)

One of my favorite John Denver songs is ... "This Old Guitar"

It goes:
This old guitar taught me to sing a love song
It showed me how to laugh and how to cry
It introduced me to some friends of mine
And brightened up some days
It helped me make it through some lonely nights
Oh, what a friend to have on a cold and lonely night

And so on ... I feel the same sentiments towards this old letterman jacket of mine as it serves as a reminder of days in my life that were filled with a lot of growing and becoming.

Thanks for the tweet, Ty.

It is indeed a Bomber kind of day!

Run on -

What's GREAT about this?

The dead skunk

Our daughter was very excited for school today because there was an Author coming to visit and the entire school could wear PJs in his honor – as one of his titles is about pajamas. She picked her outfit carefully and was ready for a great day!

Her science project art board was also due today. She was ready – wearing fluffy sheep PJs, carrying her lunch bag and juggling her science art board, backpack strapped to her back and carrying a helmet for circus arts in PE. An adorable sight! (To me, the mom).

As we were driving, we saw a dead skunk in the road. "Poor skunk", I said. Her only comment was - it stinks soooo bad. Our drive to school takes about 10 minutes so we had time to think about the skunk and it's life.

Upon arrival to the school we were both very surprised that no one else was in PJ's. She was the ONLY one wearing PJ's. 

My daughter walked to the front door of the school – and with each step lost confidence in her fluffy, pink sheep PJ's. 

Someone at the door informed her that the pajama and Author day was tomorrow.

Thank heavens I lingered in the drop off line - she was able to find peace and solitude in the family car.

And regroup! My daughter is the most organized, collected and sophisticated kid I have ever known. So this was not a normal event. She does not like surprises and plans out everything. As she sat in the car beating herself up for getting the PJ/Author day wrong I said "It is OK, this will be OK!" And I told her how I loved her energy and enthusiasm for the spirit days at school.

And as we drove home, I tried to play the ‘What’s GREAT about this game?’

What’s great about this is…we get more time together in the car this morning. What’s great is that your outfit for tomorrow is all ready. What’s great is this is the first time ever in your entire elementary school career that you have ever been tardy for school. What’s great about this is we get to drive by the dead skunk 2 more times this morning.

“Look, I said, there’s that dead skunk again.” She smiled, and laughed.

Thank you dead skunk – your stench and life were not useless. You helped us laugh on a rather challenging morning and we thank you for it.

She will wear the fluffy, pink sheep PJ's tomorrow. :)

PS: So glad that everything ALWAYS works out.
And so thankful for the little moments in life that help us to laugh, grow and become.

Inspiration from a heart shaped tree

Oh, heart shaped tree picture why do I love you?
Let's break down the reasons:

Filled with green - the color of life, growth, vitality, freshness, hope, knowledge

Blue skies - springtime, fresh air, open spaces

Clouds - fluffy and romantic and full of charm

Little white flowers - whimsical, romantic, welcoming

The heart tree - screams love and hope, happiness, purpose, steadiness, longevity, roots, and stability from the storm ...

Happy Valentine's Day - fill your day with LOVE and more love.

PS: When we really slow down and look for what we love in a person or thing, we can find all sorts of amazing wonders and beauties. Try it.

10 Inspirational Quotes

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
- Gandhi

When you get up in the morning, you have two choices - either to be happy or to be unhappy. Just choose to be happy. 
- Norman Vincent Peale

Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities -- always see them, for they're always there. - Norman Vincent Peale

Change your thoughts and you change your world. 
- Norman Vincent Peale

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.
- Richard Bach

No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. He loves each of us - insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all.
- Jeffrey R. Holland

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no greater investment.
- Stephen R. Covey

Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved.
- Thomas S. Monson

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.
- Zig Ziglar

Love is born. Everything else is learned.
- Dalai Lama

What is love?

One of my favorite portraits of the Savior, Jesus Christ by Liz Lemon Swindle

A long time ago, I was a student in college. One of my classes was English 101. Our Professor gave us a topic for an essay and a couple of days to work on it. The topic was: What is love?

I was young, 18 to be exact and this question caused me to do some deep thinking, reflecting and soul searching. I remember thinking - what a big question. And because I loved to write and wanted to do well in the class, I wanted to write something profound and inspiring. As I think back upon that time, it makes me smile. I had very little knowledge (it seemed to me as to what love was). My experience in the 'love department' was very limited. I had a couple of boyfriends in high school - did that count? I remember thinking - I've had my heart broken. I know that love can hurt the heart sometimes.

On and on my thoughts went. I don't have that essay - wish I did. It would be interesting to see what I finally penned as love back then. Thankfully, I know love has very little to do with boyfriends and romantic escapades.

Time and experience can teach a great deal - I am happy to say that I know what love is and what it can teach along the way ...

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is understanding
Love lifts you up
Love heals
Love helps
Love inspires
Love mends
Love believes
Love listens
Love forgives
Love endures
Love gives you space and time
Love can make your heart hurt
Love teaches
Love encourages
Love invites
Love remembers
Love cherishes
Love mourns
Love celebrates
Love is unselfish
Love welcomes
Love awakens the heart, mind
Love reaches out
Love enables us to become something better ...

The greatest example of love is from our Savior, Jesus Christ. His entire life was lived for each one of us. His purpose for living was to show us a better way to be and offer us hope by His example and by His atonement for each one of us. His life enables each of us to be able to return to our Heavenly Father and to live in His love forever. His love makes our ability to receive and give love possible.

I am thankful for that knowledge and in turn am able to receive and give love. The kind of love that lasts, the kind of love that lifts, edifies and enables.The kind of love that helps us become our greatest selves.

Love - it matters. In fact, it's all that matters.

snow.

{A heart in the snow}

Lovely.

Questions are the answer

I was recently re-reading Tony Robbin's Awaken the Giant Within and found myself on chapter 8: Questions are the Answer.

This chapter is my favorite in this book. Why? I'll tell you. (See? Questions are the answer).

The questions (and our willingness to answer them - prove we are seeking and open to the answers).

Tony Robbins offers power questions (for self reflection) for both morning and night. He teaches: Our life experience is based on what we focus on.

At the end of the day, I like to answer his 3 evening power questions -

1. What have I given today? (in what ways have I been a giver today?)
2. What did I learn today?
3. How has today added to the quality of my life or how can I use today as an investment in my future?

He has morning power questions too. These questions help the reader to focus on what's good and productive in life.

If you have not read this book, add it to your 2014 'to read list' ... you won't regret it!

Cheers to questions & answers and the ways we choose to focus our energy!

a touch of yellow ...

Amazing what a little yellow can do ...

Thank you daffodils - you make me happy when skies are GRAY!