2016

Chalk Art Festival - 2016
All we need is love ... (and lights)

It's a foggy New Year's Eve in my little corner of the world. The Christmas lights in my neighborhood have all been taken down and turned off. Well, almost all of them. I have a wreath by my front door that still shines light into the night and a little Christmas tree too. It's the last of the lights on our street.

Our tree is still up and it might stay up for another month ...

Our son, is at boot camp and he missed all the holidays. It seems selfish of me to take it all down before he gets to see it ... after all, his choice to serve our country makes all our choices possible. Seems logical to me to prolong Christmas for his sake.

Enough chat about the lights and fog.

What's really on my mind are the past 365 days ... It's been an amazing year. Full of challenges, heartache, disappointment, excitement, surprises and beyond. I think it's safe to say that all years are like that. Full of growing moments. This year has been extra loaded with them.

I am thankful for them all - they have helped me learn, grow and become.

Thank you 2016 - You have taught me much. I'm ready to continue moving forward into another 365 days of ... (what seems to be the foggy unknown). Pressing forward with love ...

Cheers to the last day of 2016.

Light

Image via Pinterest
Light: “Something that illuminates.”

Light signifies hope and new beginnings and a way forward.
I've always loved light fixtures, light bulbs, sunshine, light paint colors and well lit spaces.

All of us have the ability to illuminate - we share light each time we share a smile, a word of encouragement, a kind deed. It's not difficult and the ripple affect is endless.

Have you ever wondered where the ultimate source of light illuminates from? I have.
And I know that the source of all that is good and light comes from our Loving Heavenly Father. His ways are always filled with light, love, peace and hope. Nothing dark originates from Him.

I am thankful for all the beautiful ways His love and light have been poured upon me this year by those who bask in His light and so graciously share it.

Shine on.

Together, we light up the world.

Step forward or step back ...

I love this quote ... So true! At any given moment we have two options!

The first is to step forward into growth. This is usually not the first action taken ... as growth requires change on our part.

The second option is easier because you just step back into safety - which is usually a place of no change and of habit.

Today - STEP forward - choose the growth path.

You got this!

What's your weakness?

The other night, my daughter and my husband were talking about heroes and their weaknesses.
After talking about Batman, Superman and beyond, there was a pause and my daughter looked at my husband and asked:

"Dad, what's your weakness?"

His reply (no pause): "Lemons and your Mother."

My heart melted. 

Cheers to the little moments in life that linger with us - like the taste of lemons!

How can I be more happy?

Earlier this week, I received a text message from a young friend of mine - she is in her teenage years and was asking me how she could fill her mind with good and be more happy.

I think this is a common question for everyone alive! How can I be more happy? How can I live with a more positive outlook?

There are volumes of books on this subject and endless Experts who claim to have the answers.

I believe the quest to find the answer will vary from person to person as our journeys are not all the same and the challenges we face are just as diversified.

Here are a few things that I have discovered that have helped me fill my mind and life with happiness - 

1. Pray. Never underestimate the power of prayer. If you have never said a prayer before - I encourage you to try it. Say it in your heart or say it out loud. Offer a prayer to our loving Heavenly Father who loves you beyond our greatest imaginings. Ask to feel His love for you. Pause and feel the overwhelming love that will fill your heart and mind.

2. Look for the joy in your life! It is there. Even on the darkest days, there is joy. Go outside and feel grateful for this beautiful world we live in. Give thanks for the sun, the sky, the air we breathe and the ground we walk on. Gratitude opens the heart and the mind to receive the good things around us.

3. Keep a happiness journal. I love to write. It is a great source of therapy and joy for me. I use 3x5 cards often! In fact I have piles of them in my kitchen drawer. I love to doodle on them and jot down happy moments! I call it my 3x5 moments!

4. Color. Call. Catch up! Coloring is a major stress release. It causes our brains to be creative and releases pent up stress. Try it! Grab the crayons and color. Calling a friend is another way to be happy. Just hearing another's voice can break you out of your doom and gloom funk! Catch up with a loved one is another great way to fill your mind with goodness. Reach outside of yourself and feel the joy. These above mentioned actions require us to look outside of our self. This is good. When we want to be more happy - the answer is to lift another person!

5. Dump the negatives. I can't stress this enough. Life is too short and wonderful to spend it surrounded with negative energy. Be the happy force and don't participate in the negative stuff that pulls you down. Walk away. Turn it off. Hold your light high. Make it a goal to always be the one who shares the positive energy in the room. Always.

6. Read the Scriptures! They are there for us and our day. They will give you strength and fill you with added insight and inspiration to press forward.

Filling the mind with goodness takes effort and work - but all great things do!
You got this ...  LIVE a life you LOVE while becoming the best you possible.

Turn on your happy light - see the joy around you!
Help others see the joy as well.

Hold your light high.

A bit of your heart? Or a piece of your mind?

So true ... our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.

It's not always easy. We have these things called - emotions and feelings. They surface and when anger, frustration, jealousy, resentment, and other negative energy abounds (inside of us - we want to give others a piece of our mind!) We want to be heard, understood, right, validated and so on...

What good does that really do?

It just feels better to be kind. Kindness and love always win.

Today, I received a very sweet email from my son (who is on a mission for our church) and I have not seen him for about a year. He has another year to go on his mission before he will come home.

I was touched by his kind words and the love he shared. The bit of his heart he shared with me - caused my heart to smile and it made me cry! I am thankful for his kindness.

He caused a kindness ripple affect - made me want to turn around and be kind to everyone around me. Amazing how that works!

What are you sharing today? 

A bit of your heart or a piece of  your mind?
Warning: Our actions have an affect on those around us.

Choose to share the good stuff. You won't be sorry. And a heart will smile :)

The Human Condition ...

Life is fragile. We are fragile. 

The human condition is real. We all face challenges, heartache, happiness, pain, joy, sadness and the entire gamut of emotions.

The beautiful thing about the human condition, is that we are all in this thing called LIFE together. We can offer -  a listening ear, a kind heart, a hug, a smile or a word of encouragement.

Together, we do lift and love and make life better and more beautiful!

This Christmas season, slow down and share your love. It won't be wasted and you may give the person you slow down for the greatest gift of the season - someone who cares!

 

Coal into diamonds ...

This made me smile... Time and Pressure. We have all encountered challenges in our lives. They are real. And when we turn to God, He can help us endure and become.

He is working on each one of us.
His plan for each of us is far better than anything we could dream up on our own!

BE a positive force!

It's easy to get caught up in the 'my problems are bigger than yours' conversation or game. But why play that game? Instead, focus on the joys. Focus on all the good in your life and in the lives of the people you love.

Let joy win!

Today - focus on all that you are thankful for and tell those around you what you love about them.

:)

This changes everything ...

Gratitude.
noun 1. the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful:

I met with my youth (young women) group last night and we had a gratitude night. It was so fun and uplifting.

I hear so many people complaining about the gray skies and cold days of winter. And they worry about the winter blues. Those things are real. Dark days happen. Winter - it comes. It's here now.

I have learned that gratitude changes everything.

Dark days become light! Winter has it's magical moments - look for them!

Chase away the winter blues and gray skies in life by creating a list of people and moments you are grateful for! It works.

:)

The Travis Lichfield Award 2015

Travis Lichfield AKA: LICH (read more about him here)

With my parents and our good friend, Trevor Larson - He ran Cross Country with my brother and I

Congrats to Jacob Gill

Congrats to Katie Andrus

Richland Bomber Cross Country team / Awards Night

I gave each recipient a photo and a pair of black socks

My mom and the Gill family ... Congratulations!

With Katie Andrus

I was invited to present the Travis Lichfield award last night at the Richland Bomber Cross Country Banquet. It was an incredible opportunity and a night I won't soon forget.

I said a prayer that I wouldn't cry.
I said a prayer that my message would lift and inspire!

I believe Travis was there with all of us!

Special thanks to Trevor Larson for sharing a few thoughts and memories.

I ended my comments with this write-up from my fellow teammate - Christine Hess (class of '88)

It's been 27 years since I was a Bomber alongside Travis Lichfield, but I can still clearly see him running in my mind's eye. Not running, exactly, but floating. I see him rounding a curve on the track surrounded by heads bobbing and arms crossing their bodies. Towards the front of the pack was Travis. Long, skinny legs, black socks and impossibly long stride. Arms in a relaxed swing by his sides. You see, Travis had perfect form. He was one of the lucky few who was born to run. He ran efficiently and, well, beautifully. I recognized it even as a 16-year old. When we distance runners ran strides at the end of practice, I would try to emulate Travis's stride, try to capture some of that magic. When I went on to compete in college, and I was pushing myself against a much tougher crowd, I'd get tired and realize my form was suffering. In my head, I'd think to myself "Run like Travis." But his perfect form is not to say his success came without effort. He had the heart to back it up. He worked hard. We never got to see what Travis would have accomplished as a senior or as a collegiate runner. But it makes me smile to know that there are other runners carrying his torch. I was so happy to hear that fellow athletes who embody the same spirit are given an award in his name each year. As one who ran with him, I hope they understand the honor it is to stand in his company and that they continue to carry that spirit forward in everything they do.

I didn't cry. Well, not until I got home! And then, I let the tears fall - It was a good cry. One full of gratitude, memories and love!

Thanks Richland Bomber Cross Country for letting me be part of your special night! And for giving this award out for the past 26 years.

Encouragers Wanted!

Encourage:
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence

Have you ever been around an encouraging person? If so, you probably remember how he/she made you feel! They didn't put you down, focus on your flaws, point out what was wrong or missing or complain about all the problems in life.

An Encourager uses the precious moments of life to lift, love and cheer others forward. There is no time or energy wasted on negativity or blame.

Today, use your time and energy to encourage those who are placed in your path.

Use your voice to lift and move them forward with courage and confidence.

Let's go! We got this ...
Let encouraging win!

Open the door and let HIM in ...

My Sunday rainbow.

“The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ” (David A. Bednar, April 2005 general conference).

I received one such tender mercy yesterday ... It started first with a text from a sweet friend telling me to look outside because there was a rainbow in the sky.

I opened my door and right in front of me was a gorgeous rainbow!

It touched my heart. And I knew it was evidence of God's love for me.

His love and presence is everywhere. We have to open the door and let Him into our lives.

So thankful for the tender mercies in my life from a loving Heavenly Father who is ever aware of me, my family and each one of us.

Together.

Halloween 2015 ...

Together. It's my favorite place to be! I am so thankful for a loving husband who loves me. He is good and kind and he LOVES our children. I love that we enjoy spending time together and that we make family time important.

Today, I have a grateful heart. :)

Happy Halloween - :)

Happy Halloween ...

Enjoy this last day of October ...
Happy Halloween!

A beautiful heart.

A beautiful heart can bring things into your life
that all the money in the world couldn't obtain.

I read that quote this morning and thought - What is a beautiful heart?

Here's a few thoughts:

A soft heart (one that feels and cares and is humble)
A loving heart (one that forgives and understands)
A happy heart (one that finds and creates joy)
A patient heart (one that endures the trials of life and waits upon the Lord)
An open heart (one that is not closed to ideas and suggestions)
A kind heart (one that seeks to always be kind)
A grateful heart (one that appreciates)
A lifting heart (one that lifts those around them)
An in tune heart (one that hears the needs of others)
A true heart (one that is real)
A brave heart (one that stands up for what is good)
A serving heart (one that serves those around them)
A trusting heart (do what you say)
A musical heart (sing)
A prayerful heart (one that prays)
A teachable heart (one that learns and hears and changes for the better)
A wise heart (one that knows and moves forward)
A friendly heart (one that makes room for old and new friends)
A welcome heart (one that is not closed and has room for love!)

What would you add to the list?

PS: I agree, living with a beautiful heart brings blessings, peace and JOY that money can't buy.

Patience.

I taught a lesson in church today about patience.
I started by telling the young women a story from my life ... one that happened over 20 years ago. It was a challenging time as I had been in an accident that had caused me to go into a coma and I told them about the recovery involved. It was long and painful and full of questions and unknowns for the future.

I look back now with new eyes on that experience and see all the ways I grew and learned through that experience.

Patience makes us wise. It teaches us to appreciate. It helps us change and be better.

When you rush things, you don't let the natural process of life take it's course.

Patience. It matters.

I told the girls to wait on the Lord and let Him help them become the best version of them possible.
With Him, all things are possible.

All things. Even being run over by a motorcycle ...

I am grateful for the blessings of each new day and for the opportunity we have to become, learn and grow as we patiently endure life's trials and challenges.

The Lord is mindful. He is aware.

Wait upon Him.

Create a way!

I love this. Love it.

It seems that so many people allow themselves to be victims of everything around them. Blame this, blame that, blame this person, blame. blame. blame. (Blame is lame).

What good does it do to blame anything or anyone for anything in our lives?

If you want to change something - you have to change. You have to create a way for something good or better to happen.

Create.

Such a powerful action.

So today, when you find yourself turning to blame and victim mode, stop it and switch to creative change mode.

Be the change you wish to see.

CREATE a life you love!

Forward. Always Forward.

Slow and steady gets you there. I was talking to a friend the other day who said, "It seems like I just do the same thing over and over everyday. Am I really getting anywhere?"

YES! Keep moving forward - it's the little things everyday that add up to a lifetime!

Slow and steady my friend. Just keep moving forward. Don't stop. Don't get discouraged. Make a plan and move forward!!

There are turtle days. Lots of them and the important thing is to enjoy them and recognize that YOU are making progress.

Forward!

Not Stuck.

I love the simplicity and boldness of quotes. Always have.
Are you feeling stuck? Decide not to be and move forward.

Get unstuck.