Divine?

” You are not less divine. Divine is not somewhere outside of you. When you see Divinity everywhere, you see it in you as well. You are part of the Divine.” -Sri

All of these images I have taken to help me remember the wonder, beauty, divine essence that is in our every day. How can we not go outside and be in awe, when we see the incredible details that are put into every single moment of every day. I am always surprised when I see the dew drops so delicately balanced on a blade of grass or the lines of ferns that intertwine and roll open with such intricate patterning or the hues of sunsets, rainbows and rays of brilliant light. It is awe–inspiring. I am always falling in love a little more each day with the artistry that is life as a whole. There is growth, light, dark, perfect timing, seasons, struggle, balance, change…in all things. It is what makes everything beautiful.

Living on the coast has made me see a whole new perspective. When I first arrived on the Oregon Coast I watched the ocean and its energy seemed so angry, so intense, and it genuinely scared me. I walked the beach for awhile with certainty that the waves were trying to reach me to pull me into its depths. So as it would get closer I would quickly run away from it.

As I walk the beach every day, you begin to see the rhythm, the constant change, the ongoing struggle of the shore holding tight to the rising tides and currents. You see the sand literally moving and creating cliffs that were not there before. You walk over huge trees that were thrown and rolled onto the shore. You watch the sanderlings, I call them “sand darling” birds rush in and out of the waves as the water moves and glides in back and forth. It is almost like a dance with nature. There is a definite timing. The waves seem calm one day and the ocean looks like a lake, followed by the very next day, it may seem violent and turbulent, full of white foam and churning waves. It is a constant, ever-changing flow. I have learned to see and appreciate the beautiful changes and to not fear them. You begin to understand the timing and I now look at the waves as if they are trying to kiss me. I smile as the waves come closer.

There is a divine timing in all things. I sincerely believe that.

Last weekend we heard word that the Northern Lights were possibly going to be seen down throughout the states and my husband and I got very excited. We knew we needed to take the opportunity to seek out the experience. Our daughter was at a camp with 50 kids through her college about two hours south of us, but we told her about the possible light show.

It was just about midnight and we headed out toward our ocean spit because we knew the light pollution would not be as bad and we may get to see something.

Just then my daughter sent us a beautiful image of a purple/hot pink hued sky with a silhouette of trees and water. It was gorgeous. Her text, “Did you see that?! LOOK” I paused and could not believe the images, I responded, “What!! You got those??” I half believed the images that were so full of color and brilliance were being seen. Her response, “YESS!!”

By this time we were at the spit and our sky looked like there were wisps of white movement but not the incredible color that was coming through for our daughter. I quickly replied, “When did you get those??? Did we miss it??” She then called us and explained that you can’t actually SEE the lights of color unless you put your phone up to the sky and take a picture. Then the colors can be visible.

What!? I thought. What a crazy concept, but sure enough, we put our phones up to the sky and caught the color. It was amazing. It was so fun to point and shoot and see ocean waves with beautiful hues painting the sky. It was so magical. We just kept clicking pictures for an hour or so. The images changed with light and dark or varying in color. It was a once-in-a-lifetime sky and we were doing all we could to capture the magic of it. What a wonderful time!!

It makes you stop and ponder the divinity that is all around us. We may see the details in nature, but there is also a whole other extension, dimension, existence that plays all around us. There are miracles, magic, vibes, energy, starlight….there is so much divine power that whirls and encircles us that we sincerely don’t know very much about. I would definitely rather believe in the brilliance that may not be seen but is there helping run the greater light within my life.

May you begin to believe and see the glorious magic and divinity all around you.

Peace, Love and Light to you. xoxo -H

WANT MORE TO LEARN ABOUT… natural miracles or divine masterpieces to learn about…Monochromatic (one color rainbows)–I actually got to experience a beautiful white monochromatic rainbow that was created by the ocean mist here in Oregon. It was a massive arch rainbow of white over the ocean—very cool. Some other things I read about: Cave of Crystals in Mexico contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found: translucent gypsum beams measuring up to 36 feet (11 meters) long and weighing up to 55 tons. Caño Cristales was found in 1969 by a group of cattle farmers. The river is commonly called the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow,” and is noted for its striking colors. Sea Path in Korea: Every year, the water level in the sea located between Modo-ri of Euishinm-yeon and Heodong-ri of Gogun-myeon falls due to a neap tide, creating a long sea trail that is 40 meters wide. Jindo starts the sea trail festival when the sea has parted and the pathway reaches its greatest width. In Indonesia Kawah Ijen Volcano buns blue. Catatumbo lightning Storms. Essentially a 10 Hr lightning storm with tons of lightning flashes, like several per minute. The Doorway to hell in Turkmenistan. Giants Causeway in Ireland: The 40,000-odd basalt formations at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland Rainbow Mountains of China

Who knew… there were Arctic Snow Chimneys, Ice Volcano, Hawaii has a “green flash”, “Light Pillars” look incredible, Rainbow Eucalyptus trees, Green sand beaches (apparently there are only 4), Frost flowers, Sailing stones, Lenticular clouds look amazing, Hessdalen lights, apparently rains diamonds on Neptune and Uranus, , Ice circles—these remind me of the large air bubbles that occasionally show up in various places in the ocean & that reminds me of the beautiful water rings dolphins make, –(Thank you Reddit on some of these), Dolphins also have names for one another, Trees communicate with one another through their root system, Spider rain, Moonlight makes certain things grow faster. Some whale frequency sounds can travel over 10,000 miles…

ALWAYS more to learn about. LIFE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Yay the Day!

Every DAY is a gift. Within each day is the sum of your LIFE, so it is imperative to take the time to enJOY what is in the daily treasures. Say YAY with each new day! Wake to the brilliance of a new day. Embrace the existence that is you. Follow your heart to the dreams that need you to bring them to life. Find glory and goodness among the paths you take. Seek to unravel the depths of your stories, your tangled lies that you tell yourself, and begin to see the beauty that only you are. In the day, take the walks that break you out of the mundane, listen to the whispers of insight, seek the well of hope within that helps you rise to be better, listen to the songs you sing to find the light, and take the time to find a quiet place. That is where the hidden gems are found.

Your duty to find something BEAUTIFUL within your days…your life. ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ and this is very true. Some people can find beauty in their reflection, or a kitchen design, another can see a texture in a fabric and be taken by its beauty, someone else will find beauty in a natural light that dances off a lake or a lovely melody that plays on a movie soundtrack. Maybe your beauty is the smile of your child, the time spent on a walk with a friend or the giddy laughter of the one you love. There is so much beauty to behold and be charmed by. Life is full of the BEAUTIFUL if you but seek to find it. It is your duty to help you appreciate the beautiful life you are blessed to live.

Your day is in the daily LEARNING & GROWTH This can be a scary place to be. Most people just want the normal routine, the less complications the better outlook. BUT, your greatest moments will come from stepping out of the norm and jumping into life! I always tell my daughter, “If you are not growing, you are dying—in one way or another.” It only makes sense. If flowers are not growing, blooming, sharing the blossoms–they are wilting and dying. It is the way of life. We must move forward, challenge ourselves to learn new ways of doing things, grow higher as individuals to be able to become the best versions of ourselves. There is a great saying, “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown I love that! AND truthfully hate it 😉 because it makes you genuinely stop and acknowledge what difference did you really make today? We are NOT these people, but we have the opportunity to learn and grow and become a little closer to making our own, unique difference in the world—like those people. We all have our own learning and growing to do—live it!!

Your day should be the start of PUSHing YOURSELF beyond the muted norm. My daughter just started an art therapy journaling group at school. I have been worried about her being so hard on herself & wanted her to tap into a good outlet that can help teach and lead her to a higher place of expressing emotions and understanding herself better. After the group I asked her how it went. She was very anxious about attending. She is a person of serious routine, so she was not excited (to say the least). I was happy she went, honestly. Her reply, “It was actually nice. It was learning how to breathe & sigh & just collaging. There were a few others who were there and everyone was really nice. It was nice.” I was so relieved. Push yourself to try to go beyond your usual routines. Shake up the norm and challenge yourself in some way. Yay!

Your day is in the DETAILS of the happenings of your life. Take the time to Write highlights, life lessons, details from each day. Finish your a day w a few lines before bed…to read, see and understand the journey of your life. Get grateful by writing down at least five things from the day that you were grateful for. Begin a compliment notebook & get into the habit of writing down some of the nice compliments, actions or reactions you received from people in your life, strangers, smiles, etc. I was stopped at a street light in my car & my window was rolled down. The woman parked next to me at the light yelled, “hey, I like your hat.” I looked over & noticed she was talking to me. I smiled & told her, “Thank you, you just made my day”. She then proceeded to show me a hat she had in her van, “This is my favorite hat. It got me through a hard time of hair loss & it is a great hat.” I smiled, “that is wonderful. That is a cute hat.” She instantly put it on & I yelled back, “That hat looks so cute on you.” Just then the light changed. We smiled at each other and proceeded through the light. It was a sweet interaction with a complete stranger. I really smiled when I noticed a sticker on her car, “I hope something good happens to you today.” It was such a great sticker & I honestly felt soo lifted after the sweet connection. It was a definite highlight from my day. When you begin to notice the little details—they stick with you, especially if you take notice and write them down.

CREATIVITY is the heart to a higher place. I do believe that. There is a creator in every one of us and the way to bring out your divine riches is to seek ways to create. Whether you pen a poem, write lyrics, play music, paint, photograph, write your history, share an idea, create a play, design a tattoo, make a video…there are things within you that are waiting to be fulfilled. Even just doodling seems to bring ideas to life. There is a pathway from creativity that opens doors to other parts of yourself. Seek to bring those ideas to the surface and enJOY the process. Go out and make a mural or take a selfie with a street mural and share it, make a yummy dish to share with friends, write your favorite quote in your personal style and text something inspired to those you care about. Whatever makes your heart smile in creativity—share it! Seek to do SOMETHING—big or small–CREATE daily.

I LOVE Murals & the creativity, the color, the way inspiration is shared. Here was an article on Nice News about mural art

Mural Magic: 9 Artists Making Communities Stronger and Brighter, One Wall at a Time

Fulfilling the potential we have within

Do ONE thing daily that makes you FEEL YAY!! I did that. Yay! I accomplished that one big thing. YAY! I am one step closer to my dream. YAY! I can. YAY! I inspired someone with my words. YAY! Today was a good day.

Take time to do things you LOVE to do. Every person is different, so loving laundry may not be your thing. Loving gardening may be someone else’s sweet spot. Maybe you love to exercise and the feel goods you get. Maybe sports is your love & you make plans to watch your favorite teams. Maybe you just love spending time with your family. Maybe you love connecting with those you care about by phone each day. The things you LOVE are different for everyone. There is a whole big world full of so many colorful details, things to try, foods to experience, games to play, people to enjoy…LOVE is ongoing. Maybe you Love singing, learning, reading a good book, researching your next purchase for your beloved antique jewelry or nike shoe collection…everyone is different, but taking a little time each day to do something you LOVE…makes it a YAY DAY!

Take time to share the LOVE. Being of service, sharing your talents, doing kind deeds, sending love via snail mail, sharing a smile with a stranger…it all adds to a YAY DAY! I just went through my phone and copied a sticker that said, “I hope something good happens to you today” and texted it to a bunch of people in my contacts. People I have not seen or talked to in awhile—maybe even a year. People need to feel cared about and connected. Even just connecting through simple, small ways like a text lets them know you care and are thinking about them. Share some love in some small way. Help someone else have a YAY DAY!

Those are just a few ideas to help create a positive space for you to YAY your DAY! We all need to seek out the good, to get excited about the little things, to connect, to find the wins and the wonderfuls in our every day….they will all lead the way to YAYS every day.

Peace. Love and Light to you. xoxo. -H

FABULOUS 4 for HAPPINESS

According to CBS news In the newly released 2024 World Happiness Report, the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 on the list for the first time in the report’s 12-year history. The U.S. now ranks at No. 23, compared to No. 15 last year. The researchers say this is driven in part by a decline in how Americans under 30 feel about their lives. “In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults,”  Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey

When my husband and I visit our daughter on her college campus we can’t help but wonder why everyone seems so sad and isolated. No one talks to one another, we pass bus stops where the kids are in a single line, all looking at (more like hiding out) their phones. More people than not are just walking alone. It is worrisome and sad.

My daughter has been talking (via a dating app) to a young man on a student-exchange from Sweden and his happy outlook was something to adore. I told her, “you obviously need to go stay for a longer period of time in the nordic countries because they are doing something right there!” haha AND when you look at a list of the happiest countries…fyi: top 10: Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia…the list is covered in that area of the world. Good for them!! Genuinely. They are obviously doing some good things.

So, how, why and what can we do to HELP our beautiful country get better??

ONE way…the way we cope. Our coping mechanisms need some updating. I know from listening to my daughter talk about college kids on campus, seeing her friends resorting to social drinking, drugs to cure loneliness and even seeing my daughter struggle with expectation, personal stress, loneliness…that our young people are struggling with happiness.

THE FABULOUS 4 for HAPPINESS:

How could we help ourselves? What could we naturally do to feel happier? What’s that you say!!?!

Natural hormones within your body that help you feel happier…naturally high on life. These hormones can be supercharged and influenced by the activities we participate in, the foods we eat, the thoughts we think. It is an incredible outlet and source for better, happier health and wellness.

Getting to know your body and finding ways to see how these natural hormones effect You is a clear indicator of what you can do to increase your own personal levels to be even more effective.

DOPAMINE….

Dopamine: Known as the “feel-good” hormone, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s an important part of your brain’s reward system. It’s associated with pleasurable sensations, along with learning, memory, and more. -healthline

This ‘DOPE’ haha hormone is often called, “the happy hormone” because it is a pleasure seeking hormone that derives happiness from things that are enJOYable or highlight the brain’s reward system, like compliments, falling in love, praise, shopping, sex, food, goals,

According to Psychology today: Dopamine is known as the feel-good neurotransmitter—a chemical that ferries information between neurons. The brain releases it when we eat food that we crave or while we have sex, contributing to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system. This important neurochemical boosts mood, motivation, and attention, and helps regulate movement, learning, and emotional responses.

Here are some ways to naturally increase dopamine: set a goal & take small steps to achieving it. Each day you work toward your goal you will be rewarded with a natural hit of dopamine because of your accomplishment. Engage in activities that are pleasurable and help you feel good–playing with a pet, exercise, avoid processed foods [Eat foods rich in tyrosine including cheese, meats, fish, dairy, soy, seeds, nuts, beans, lentils, among others. While tyrosine supplements are available, consuming foods is preferred.-psychologytoday], avoid stress with mindfulness, mediation, yoga, getting out in nature, reading a book, get good sleep, etc.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOPAMINE & SEROTONIN: (according to Healthline) Serotonin is developed in your gut, helps stabilize mood and anxiety, helps regulate sleep and wakefulness AND Dopamine is developed mainly in your brain, helps affect motivation and helps you feel more alert.

SEROTONIN

Serotonin: This hormone and neurotransmitter helps regulate your mood as well as your sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. -healthline

This hormone is known as the “happy” chemical/hormone because it is the hormone that keeps away anxiety and depression. This chemical plays a pivotal role in your mood and overall well-being. Most prescription drugs used to treat these factors increase the brains serotonin levels. produced in exercise, good sleep, getting outdoors in nature

Serotonin is a chemical that nerve cells produce, and it sends signals between your nerve cells. Serotonin is found in many parts of your body: in your digestive system, blood platelets, and throughout the central nervous system.

Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid must enter your body through your diet and is commonly found in foods such as meat, dairy products, eggs, and nuts.——–Healthline

Here are some ways to naturally increase serotonin: exposure to sunlight, practice gratitude, get a massage, manage your stress, exercise, eat healthy nuts, pineapple, eggs, get out in nature, vitamin D,

OXYTOCIN

Oxytocin: Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is essential for childbirth, breastfeeding, and strong parent-child bonding. It can also help promote trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships. Levels generally increase with physical affection. -healthline

This ‘love’ly hormone is very connection and physical based. This is the hormone that is necessary for a new mother to bond with her baby. It is also key in hormonal spikes in intimacy, physical touch, cuddling, massage, holding hands, sex & can be naturally increased through telling someone you love them, a hug, laughter, pets, socializing, having sex, time, physical touch, service, giving back, foods like avocados, spinach and vitamin c…

ENDORPHINS

Endorphins: These hormones are your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to stress or discomfort. Levels may also increase when you engage in reward-producing activities such as eating, working out, or having sex. -healthline

These hormones are highly associated with “runners high” and are natural pain killers. The natural ways to increase and boost endorphins: chocolate, sex, exercise, music, meditation, laughter, food (spicy food), UV light…

Top Tips to help with a Healthy Wellness and Happiness Practice

According to CALM https://www.calm.com/blog/healthiest-lifestyle Drink plenty of water, eat nourishing foods, regularly exercise, get good sleep, spend time outdoors, make time to pay and explore, practice mindfulness and meditation

According to the Mayo Clinic: Eat nourishing foods, Sleep 7-8 hours a night, Keep company with people you enjoy being around, Avoid news overdose, Regular exercise (150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week), Do something meaningful each day (Putting effort into the things that matter most to you will help you use and reserve your energy in ways that will bring out the best in you.), Think good thoughts for others (compassion for others)

According to Psychology today, The formula for health and happiness is a life oriented towards effortful rewards. Pursue goals that demand your best self (e.g., intimate relationships); seek out achievements won only through dedication and sacrifice (e.g., fitness); and create a lifestyle encouraging ongoing learning and personal growth (e.g., self-actualization). This is one lesson from history that will never become obsolete.

According to Oprah: Discover your purpose, Speak kind words to others and yourself, Have self-compassion, Adjust your mindset (be positive, stop overthinking), Get grateful & Be present, Lean into the Joy of Aging, Strengthen your relationships, Self-love, Learn how to cope with stress, Get some therapy, Build healthy habits, Prioritize sleep, Write it down (journal),

According to Real Simple Magazine: Don’t Start with Profundity (Start with the basics), Don’t let the sun go down on anger (Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate.), Fake it til you feel it, Realize that anything worth doing is worth doing badly. (Challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. People who do new things―learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places―are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well.), Don’t treat the blues with a “treat.” (ask yourself, “will this truly make things better?”), Buy some happiness. (Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, and good at what we do. You also want to have a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, but it sure can help.), Don’t insist on the best (sometimes good enough is enough), Exercise to boost energy, Stop nagging, Eat less ultra-processed foods (they lower your mood), Start Volunteering (according to one study people who engaged in volunteering were 7% happier than those who did not), Connect with the outdoors (According to one study, being in nature for at least 30 minutes a week is proven to lower blood pressure and decrease your risk of depression.), Hang out with friends (seeing friends is a great way to reduce stress and feel a sense of support), Consider seeing a therapist (When life gets difficult, it can be beneficial to have someone to turn to for advice.) -Gretchin Rubin article

Hope these ideas get you moving in a happier, healthier direction for your best life!!

Peace. Love and Light to you today. xoxo. -H