energy

There is a living, breathing energy that you put out into this world
It affects each individual you interact with
The cashier at the local bookstore
The friendly lady who makes your Chai Tea each morning
The bike rider you wave to as you pass
Your energy swirls around
When it is positive and filled with light it lifts others up
When it is negative and dark it drags others down
Your energy sets the tone within the environment you stand in
It happens instantaneously
Without any thought or gesture, it is simply there
An aurora around you
Filling the room and affecting others
What mark do you want to leave with the individuals you interact with
What feeling do you want to infuse into a room
The choice is yours
The control is in your hands
Which choose are you going to make

~~~
p.s.  Yesterday I posted over on your heART makes a difference.  I would love for you to stop on by for a visit and read how we are all in this together.

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

Happy May!  Have you gone on your Kick Off to Summer trip to Maine yet?  I know I have said it before but I so love that you guys take a Kick Off to Summer trip.  What a great tradition and a beautiful way to spend time together.  Can't wait to see some photos of your adventure.

I love that you have a view of the city from your office.  There is something so amazing about the feeling that comes from being in a buzzing city.  So much to take in.  People going from here to there.  Stories around every corner.  What a great place to sit and write during the warmer months.

I have been soaking in all the sunshine that May has brought us.  Being on my bicycle is complete and total freedom.  It clears my mind and makes me feel so incredibly happy.  It is the best therapy ever.  I love this time of year.  I will definitely share photos of my adventures.

I have been trying to carve out some time for myself and a little self care each day.  In the morning when I have a bit of extra time I will pick up a favorite book and soak in a few inspiring words to start my day.  It has gotten me off on the right foot when I do it.

Why is self care the last thing we think of to do?  So easily and willingly we take care of others but taking care of ourselves requires a bit more of a push.  I always drain myself to the core before I take the time to care for myself.  It is just not the way to do it.

How do you nourish your soul?  Any ideas for working self care into your normal routine?

Sending you so much love today.  I hope the sun is shining down on you.

xo
Jennifer
{07}

bloom

I was feeling as if there wasn't enough space in the world for my ideas
As if everything I thought of had already happened before
Feeling hopeless, lost, inadequate
Having nothing genuine to infuse into this space

But the spring time blooms bounced me back to reality
So many of them the same, but each uniquely their own
Each one evoking a different feeling and emotion
The slightest change of light shifting providing a new perspective

There is space in this world for each of us
To grow, to bloom, to share
We are uniquely ourselves
No one else has experienced what we have before

We need to stand tall in our light
Share our brilliant ideas and the love that is breathing in our heart
Boldly say what is we dream of doing, than wildly chase after that dream
We need to know that when we bloom we radiate hope and love to others

Lets all bloom together
Put on a magical show that will take the worlds breathe away
Lets cheer each other on, lend a helping hand
And fill the world with color and light

the struggles of being human

There is so much I want to say
So much I wish you knew and felt
I want to rip open your heart and feed an intravenous tube deep into it
Filling you with the love we have for you
Pumping in the deep respect that we feel for who YOU are as an individual
We may not have a way with words
We may not always show how we feel
But my goodness we feel
We feel so deeply
And it hurts even more because we do not know how to navigate those feelings
We do not know what to say
How to act
When to jump in
And when to let you swim
We feel as if we are floating on our own islands
And all we want is to be together
To be seen
To be loved
To be cherished for who we are
We are not perfect, but no one is
And even though we do not speak the words we feel
We still feel them
We are facing our own struggles
We are navigating our own paths
Lost in the forest
Scared, feeling alone and unsure
And you to are navigating your own journey
We wish we could do it together
We wish we were strong enough to say we don't know how to do this
But instead we get mad, we turn inside, we hide behind the reality of what is
We are struggling
Drowning
Longing for you to come home
But what is home
Where is the place that you feel safe, loved, at peace with yourself
We know how strong you are
We know the brilliance in your sense of humor
The way you make us laugh
Your smile when you are with the little ones
We know the big bold heart you have
How hard you try to keep it all together
How smart, loving, and kind you are
We love you for YOU
For the exact person you are
We do not want to change you
We do not want you to be anyone other than who you are
We just want you to know that you deserve the best
You deserve to be happy, respected, and loved for YOU
You do not need to change for anyone
You do not need to prove who you are
We all stumble
We all fall
We all make mistakes
But we do not have to pay for those mistakes for ever, and neither do you
You are beautiful
You are amazing
You are one of a kind and you deserve to be fully loved for you
You have nothing to prove
My wish for you is that you go out into this world and find what moves YOU
Not what speaks to another, but what it is that really truly makes you happy
I want to see you dance, smile, and soak in the glory of how awesome you are
I am so grateful I know
So happy I get to spend time with you
And now is your time to shine
To say to the world you are here
 You are ready
And you are going to live your passion

front porch musings

I love this time of year
Sitting on my front porch
Reading a book
Writing
Chatting with a friend
It makes me so happy to feel the fresh air
And soak in the sunshine
My best ideas come to me when I am outside

Today a special visitor and his four legged friend stopped by
I loved the surprise of the moment
We live around the block from one another but don't see each other that often
I am hoping more impromptu visits like that happen this spring and summer
Maybe even spend some time together on the front porch
Or a walk around the pond

The fresh air wakes me up
The longer days light up my heart
I have a little pep in my step
A smile across my face
And an open invitation to join me on my front porch
To sit with me and share your stories
I would love to hear what is living in your heart

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers during the passing of my Nana.  It was a long few days, but there were so many beautiful memories of her radiant life that were shared which warmed my heart.  It is never easy when someone passes but we all know that she is in a better place looking down on all of us.

This past weekend I hosted my very first Feast of Words.  Oh Kristine, how I wish you could have been a part of it.  It was magical.  An intimate group of women gathered to share a meal and pour there heart onto the page.  I wish you could have seen the topics that arose from the writing prompts . . . the words and heartfelt emotion that they shared . . . the kindness, love and support that they gave one another. . . it was all so beautiful.  I am still in awe that it all unfolded as it did.

I definitely want to host another one and dreamed last night of "taking the show on the road."  I would love to be able to show up in peoples home town and host a Feast of Words event in their home.  What a big, bold dream, but oh how wonderful it would be.

Dustin and I went to our first baseball game of the season this past weekend.  It was so fun.  We both love baseball and have the same desire to go to every single stadium.  I love seeing how each stadium is different and love the enthusiasm the fans have for their hometown team.  Even though we are Yankees fans we went to see the Mets.  He has never seen the stadium before and it has a really great feel to it.

I  am so happy to hear that you are enjoying your job!  That is fantastic.  If you make your way to New York City let me know.  I am right around the corner from there.  How fabulous it would be to get to meet up.

How are your plans going for your "Kick Off to Summer" trip to Maine.  I love that you guys do a kick off to summer trip.  What a fantastic idea.  I have never been to Maine but have heard it is beautiful.  Have you been there before?

Dustin and I are not so good with the planning when it comes to trips.  He brings up a million ideas and then changes his mind a million and one more times.  So we have a few balls juggling in the air but am not sure which one we will actually catch.

I am looking forward to getting back on my bicycle again and exploring.  It is one of my favorite things to do during Spring and Summer.  I also enjoying sitting outside on my front patio reading and writing.  This is my favorite time of year.

Until next time my dear.  Sending you so much love and I look forward to hearing from you.

xo
Jennifer
{06}

feast of words, oh yes it happened!

It was here where we gathered
Feasting on words and a delicious meal
Hearts opened
Words spilled onto the page
Compassion
Love
Support
Hugs
Laughter
So much goodness

I am in shock that it happened
I am in awe for how open and caring everyone was
Together we bonded
Sharing our inner most thoughts
Letting our hand speak what our heart needed to say

The women who gathered were amazing!
Each one of them blew me away
I am so grateful for them

Head on over here to see more words and images from the night.

through the forest

You may feel small
Lost in your own forest of worry and despair
You may be unsure how to find your path
Which way to go to feel the weight on your shoulders lifted
You may think you will never make it

What you must know is that
You are not in the forest alone
There are others traveling through
Deep in their own struggles of finding their way out
They too wonder sometimes if they will ever make it

You need to seek out those others and come together
Hold hands and walk the journey alone side one another
Have open and honest conversation
Dig deep into the heart and say what it is that scares you most
And also share what it is that fuels your inner fire

Alone we struggle
Fearful, unsure, feeling we are the only ones
Together we conquer
Encouraging, brave, honest connections
Lets travel through the forest together

the road

You are not meant to travel the road alone
The path may be winding
Shadows and darkness may engulf you
But friendship and love will help you get through

You are not meant to travel the road alone
Mistakes will be made
Fear will surface
But a hand will gently hold onto yours when you are falling

You are not meant to travel the road alone
There are so many who love you
A whole world of people cheering you on
But you must be open to their support and kindness

You are not meant to travel the road alone
The journey is more fun when a friend or loved one is by your side
Laughter is richer and memories are made
But you must travel with the ones who deeply care about you

You are not meant to travel the road alone
Open your heart to true love and devotion
Seek out what makes Y.O.U. happy and free
But navigate your journey from your heart, not from someone elses

the journey continues

It is not goodbye
It is simply see you later
The journey continues
Her love lives on
Her legacy is with each of us

Today we had the most beautiful send off for my Nana.  It was filled with love, memories, laughter, tears, gratitude, appreciation, and everything she infused into each of us.  It was a day filled with family and reflections on how grateful we each are for her creating this beautiful bond of love.  The bond of the Belthoff family is strong and unbreakable.  My Nana was the one who infused that into each of us.  She cherished her family dearly and through her actions she taught us to do the same.