Tired...

Today I found myself... just bone tired. Nothing particularly happened today, just an accumulation of my everyday life. So I did somethings I "had" to do and left somethings I didn't. I'm going to let myself  "off the hook" for the rest of the night and do whatever I feel like, or don't feel like. I'm just going to allow the feeling to pass without resistance or judgement.

If money were no object...

"If money were no object what would you do and what would you have done?"

Here is the link to my friends cooperative blogging post on this subject:

http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2014/09/if-money-were-no-object.html

         I think money is a fascinating subject. Everyone reacts and values money so differently. For me money has never been a big motivator in my life. I didn't have much money growing up and don't remember feeling deprived but I know it has become more of a comfortable place then having money. And in having more money, I find myself intimidated by "more." I've always wanted to learn about investing etc. just to feel more knowledgeable and comfortable with having "more" money and knowing what are the best ways to allow it to flow more freely. A friend told me once that money was meant to be enjoyed and shared. I'm very good with the money I have and I'm working on reprograming my thoughts - "I will know what to do with extra as it comes flowing in."

        If money were no object... I would pay off my house to secure it for my children. I would purchase a "tiny house" that had enough room for company and/or my children. I would allow money to give me "time" to slow down and stop "doing" for awhile.

       What would I have done? I would have saved more and not given it to another, who just squandered it away. But as all things in the past, I can't change it, so I forgive myself for what I felt I could have done and move on. Money "they" say is just energy... allowing it to flow in and out!

You Are...

http://you-are-beautiful.com/pages/faq-free-stickers

A couple of years ago I sent for the free stickers that say "you are beautiful" and gave them out to people that I knew. And recently the company came out with a bumper sticker, and I knew I had to have it! My hope is when seeing the sticker it will lighten someone's heart and be a reminder of how beautiful they really are. 

Notice...

This was on someone's railing ( pretty cool... I thought).

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to start taking more pictures using my phone. One thing I noticed since I've been doing that, is it makes me take notice of the small details, the present moment's in my day. It helps me pause... and that's a "good thing!"

Signs...

Signs Fall is Here...

Mums

Pumpkins

Crisp cool air

Fall decorations

Sweaters and Jackets

Leaves changing color

Crunch leaves beneath your feet

Socks

Need...

"People don't always need advice. Sometimes all they need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them."

Sometimes I shy away from talking with people about "whatever" I'm feeling because I find that there is advice to be heard or a judgement being made, when all I "need" ( most of the time) is a hand to hold, an ear to listen and a heart to understand. It's also a good reminder for me too. All most people want is "love."

Minimalist...

As my road to more simplicity moves on, my thoughts lean into becoming a minimalist. Someone asked me the other day if I had the money to have other people do all the things around my house etc. that I needed done, would I still want to down size and minimize? It took me a day or so to really think about it and the answer was yes ~ I would still like everything very simple and minimal. Just thinking about it brings me relief and anticipation. But also a little overwhelmed as all my "stuff" still lingers longing to  be given a new home.

Human Touch...

The other night one of my children was having a really hard time with anxiety and when it's really bad I've started giving them a amateur massage ( I'm not trained ). The touch and relaxation really seems to help. I do that a lot to the dogs I walk too. I think human touch is SO important. So if you haven't hugged someone lately, held a hand or gently rubbed someone's back... decide to touch someone today and offer healing through... the human experience called touch!

Yoga...

"Yoga is not for the flexible. It's for the willing."

I've been doing my morning yoga for quit some time now, and the last three days I've missed doing it and I can tell. It's the oil for my body and the routine offers a comfort all its own. Back to the usual!

Pictures...

I took this picture this morning

Many many years ago I got a two year degree in Graphic Arts and my goal was to finish my other two years in photography... but that never happened! I have found myself this past week ( and other times since I gave up the dream) wanting to take photos again. But I don't want at this time to invest in or use a camera, just play a little taking pictures with my phone. It felt good...

Give up...

The other day I talked about finding simplicity, so today's post is just a tiny piece in the puzzle that will someday provide the beautiful picture that will be my new life. I have decided to "give up" one of the many jobs I am doing. It does not serve me anymore and it will open up space for something more in line with what I am looking for. This thought has been rolling around in my head for a week or so. FEAR, being the master of those thoughts. But with quiet meditation to tame the "beast called fear" I have decided to leap and let it go. It feels good deep down inside where that small whisper resides. So today I am one small step closer to where I want to be!

What's On My Nightstand...

On my nightstand are a lot of books that I don't necessarily read but they bring me comfort just knowing they are there. I have my battery clock that has served me well. I don't like the digital ones. There is some homemade lotion I'm almost out of and another bottle to use when it is finally all gone     ( someone I know made the lotion and a friend gave it to me). Down in the cloth basket are recipe books and books I am currently looking at. And the two little baskets hold "stuff" like my TV remote, a glasses case etc. I have some herb magazines I'm hoping to get too soon and a couple of pictures that just make me smile. On the far left there is a teddy bear my oldest son gave me one Christmas and it was just so cute I keep him close by to remind me of "love."

This is a cooperative blog post I am doing bi-weekly with a friend. Here is her post... Enjoy!

http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2014/09/whats-on-my-nightstand.html

Again...

" Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale."

Lauren DeStefano

I know, I am talking about fall again and I probable will again soon, but I came across this quote and I just loved it!!! Every time I'm out walking I can't help myself and I come home with leaves I'v picked up and need to dry. This fall is no different... in my house you will find dried leaves just about everywhere.

Unfolds...

"Simplicity is not about deprivation, but about creating space for living."

This is where my mind has been today. All week I have been overwhelmed about the direction of my life and I know what I need ~ is to ~ Simplify! I'm not sure what that looks like at this point but I know that is what has to happen for me. So I am going to ponder this and watch how it unfolds.

Tease...

The last couple of days the weather has given us "a tease of fall." It has been more then delightful and exciting to know my favorite season is coming. The leaves will be changing color and dancing as they flutter down to the ground. The weather offers relief from the heat and it will be time to take down my favorite sweater and shaw from the closet and watch the seasons change. I can't wait!!!

Walk...

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir

This is what I need right now... a walk with mother nature to make it all better!

Preserve...

My actions are speaking loudly this week. I've been very forgetful, saying things that don't make sense, trying to drive with my sunshade still in the window, etc, etc, etc. I have not had space in my days for awhile now and that is partly my fault. I have trouble sometimes saying NO and not pausing long enough to think about my week before I speak. When one day runs into the next with no breathing room, I get a little off center, as my actions have clearly presented to me. As always, with awareness comes change and my hope is I will remember this lesson and allow my life to have ~ PAUSE and preserve some present moments ~ just for me!

Bloom...

As I stepped outside my front door this morning I saw a reminder... "Bloom where your planted" (and stop pulling up the roots to check how your doing)!

Deeper...

"Take me deeper then my feet could ever wander."

I came across this saying and I loved it. It sounded like it would take some pondering, to let it sink down deep in my soul, so that is what I will carry with me today and let it speak to me.

Awkward...

"That awkward moment when you are not sure if you actually have free time, or you're just forgetting everything."

As I was looking for a quote to jog my thoughts today ( because I forgot my original thought I was going to write about) I came across this one and to laugh. It's so true! I usually am going in so many different directions and doing so many things I occasionally have those moments when I'm not sure if I actually have free time or I'm forgetting something!

Explain...

"Learn to say "no" without explaining yourself."

This is something I constantly have to work on. I catch myself, most of the time, after the fact to not explain myself to anyone about anything. It's hard! But with awareness comes change. Each time it happens I have the opportunity to try again.