Well, I have not written for a couple of months because we picked up and moved out of state!! It has been a lot of change, but for the most part, so many little things that make me so grateful.
Change vs Challenge: It is what you make it! Just before we were physically moving, my husband seemed to get into a bit of a funk and was not happy or excited about moving. I knew he was sad and concerned to leave so many things he was use to. He LOVED our walmart two minutes away, his family, beautiful properties that we LOVE to visit, his work was within 15 minutes and the airport 45 minutes away. He was struggling with the thought of so much change and being far away from things that were comfortable. I was actually a little shocked, because every other move we have made throughout our marriage, he was ready for. We had moved over 15 other times within probably a 15 year time period–mostly for different job opportunities. He was struggling this time & that did not make things easier. I had to remind him that we were moving for our daughter & that no matter what happens, she is the reason we are making the move, to be there as a support system while she begins college.
We moved. We have landed. We have taken the jump. The nearest Walmart is 30 minutes away, the closest airport is 2 hours away, according to the USPS we have an “undeliverable address” for the mail system (but don’t worry we get Amazon 🙂 the closest and only fast food that we recognize is Subway, taco Bell and McDonalds, which are all about 20 minutes away. There have been many changes, but with every chance we strive to find the good, the beautiful, to enjoy the new environment, the new experiences and all the new people. It has been so fun to go out of our way to meet our new neighbors. Where we live there are literally only 25% of the people in this gated community. Most of the homes are vacant & are used as vacation or second homes. We have stretched to find all the regulars. We have delivered cookies, had ice cream nights, long conversations and have been going out-of-our-way to connect with those around us. There is a variety of people: artists who do art fairs, a retired camera man from The Price is Right, Farmers from Southern Oregon, Texans, widows…variety is the spice of life!
In all the change, it has been the most rewarding to see my husband completely change his perspective and embrace the whole experience. He walks around our community lit up by the beauty & just talks over and over again about how wonderful everything is and that it never gets old. He takes us to the beach every chance we get together. He gets up at the crack of dawn on a low-tide & takes us agate hunting. He seems to have taken the changes and turned the challenges into positive moments and memories that will last forever.
It is what you do with your experiences that will matter most!
Here comes the Sun: Little did we know that we would be genuinely in awe of the tremendous beauty that is here along the coast. We have been blessed with amazing weather for the two months we have been here. Months leading up to our move we had soo many people share their own opinions—political views, weather related issues,such change, etc . Most people were not supportive and a bit sarcastic to say the least. We have had our own hesitations and concerns, but we take it day by day and enjoy every sunny day we can. There is this incredible mist that comes and goes along the coast. It seems to have its own weather system that brings in a thick, misty fog that mists the trees and green foliage, to then burn off to bring a sunny, blue sky moment or day. With the sun coming and going you definitely find moments where you know you have taken it for granted and just need a little sunshine. I smile when I see my dogs move around the house lying in various sun spots they can find. We all need a little sun…light.
Don’t judge: It has sincerely been a lesson over and over again in don’t judge! If you were to drive around the small town we live in you would see a very distinct contrast from where we came.
I had a tattoo-faced, window washer, musician and father of five come into my home. At first glance many would wonder about him, probably steer clear of him, but I embraced the moment and wanted to know everything about him. We had an instant connection and a very stimulating conversation about his life story, connecting with people, the purpose of life…deep stuff. He became an instant, great friend. It was sincerely one of the funnest conversations I have had in a long time.
Another experience–I had an older, Hippy looking man come over to give us a floor estimate. My first impression wondered what his story was and considered that he could be one of the many people in this town that look like they are coming and going…most likely passing through with this job. He came in and began measuring and letting us know what we would need to do. We got into a conversation and he began to share a personal experience of losing his daughter to drinking & how she was unexpectedly killed in a car accident. It was one of those moments that just connects you to another human being. Here was this humble man sharing part of his heartache while measuring our floors. When he left we felt so connected to this kind man. We later found out he was actually the business owner. One of those aha moments.
Don’t judge—then you miss out on the treasures inside.
Grateful: I know gratitude is talked about constantly, but there truly is a loving power in the grace of getting grateful. Say thank you for your day. Find little details to be in awe of. Experience something new and be thankful for a beautiful view, a new perspective. Gratitude has power—utilize it in your life. It is constantly talked about for a reason.
With my new environment, I seek images to capture, moments and memories to make, admire sticks or rocks in the sand, love watching and connecting to a bobbing seal in the water, to be in awe of the thunder of the rolling ocean and to be humbled by it all. Change can shake you, bring you to your knees and help you see a different perspective. Be grateful for that. What a gift.
With the topic of CHANGE I am beautifully reminded of one of my favorite speakers, authors, spiritual advocate…Elizabeth Lesser. Here is a great quote by her about embracing change.
Have a blessed day. Peace, love and light to you in all you do. -H
I have always loved this quote because it is so true. I am still waiting for the feeling of confusion to turn to clarity, but every experience is what you turn it into. I pray we can turn this into an even better vision for tomorrow.
You can always find so many things you are grateful for right now!! Since my husband has been gone he has mentioned a few of the ‘comforts of home’ he misses. It may sound funny, but he missed the cheese & bread we usually buy. He misses going to our local gas station & buying his favorite soda. He misses our shower, because now he showers in either a KOA shower (used by numerous people) or his tiny RV stall (which is 3 x 3). I am not complaining. We are extremely grateful for the RV. We are by no means destitute or living on the street, but I know this experience will help us learn a few things about ourselves, our relationship and all that we take for granted. Think of some things you take for granted & are grateful for. LIST THEM.
I am grateful to have my little family, even though we are apart. Separation truly does make the heart grow fonder. (I have learned that!). I am grateful to breathe, to smile, to walk, to smell fresh air, to take warm showers, to see the beautiful, blue sky, to hug my daughter, to talk on a phone, to have my parents still close, to have a home, to have a job, to have clean water, to live in freedom, to have a healthy body that can move, to walk through forests, to feel the sunlight upon my face, to play with my dog, to dream, to create, to write, to have an abundance of food, to hear my dog bark (haha–he is crazy), to see butterflies, to see the change in light outside, to…there are so many things if we take a moment to notice. What are you grateful for? Think about it.
Now, seriously. It was humbling and my heart ached for people who suffer from health issues. It made me think of my friend who was pregnant and had a stroke during her pregnancy. She lost mobility and memory. She struggled to find a reason for what had happened to her. She came to the realization that if it was for her child, she could struggle through & then she was thrown into the fire of losing that child. She wondered why. She began to question everything. She fell into a depression. She had not only lost physical mobility, she was now struggling with emotional mobility. She had other children she needed to take care of, so she had to go deep into her emotional reserve and find a place where she could begin to build again.
Do you have healthy children? If you need a little more realization on this go watchthe movie, “Miracles from Heaven.” My husband and I balled watching what that family had to go through and endure. It is based on a true story. Just imagine having a sick child & how difficult that would be. Go hug your children and thank the heavens that they are healthy and happy.
Two gifts you opened this morning–your eyes: You have the gift to see. There are many people who don’t take the time to look at the details, to notice the small gifts all around them. Read something. Go outside and look at the symmetry of leaves. Watch the clouds. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Notice color.
Do you have abundance? Whether it is fruit available for picking, a grocery store full of a variety of goods, running water, energy, family near, somewhere to live…My sister-in-law just moved to California. They had a house lined up to move into when they arrived, but the day they were to move in, the funding fell through. Luckily they had a trailer to live in while they are trying to work things out. My sister-in-law laughed as she explained their situation, “and I wanted to sell the trailer!” My response, “I bet you are glad you have it right now.” They are living in a trailer, but are abundant with love. They took a day as a family and made it a memory in Disneyland. She joked that they are homeless, but they are in Disneyland and enjoying it. Every situation is different, but if you can find the abundance wherever you are, you will find the gift within the situation.
Do you have love? We all come from love, but sometimes that gets lost in the confusion of life. You may be surrounded by friends and family who love you or you may have a best pet friend or maybe you are constantly searching for love. Do you love yourself? Love can be found in service, caring for another, holding the hand of someone afflicted, listening to someone in need…LOVE is everywhere, it is a gift that may be freely given or you may need to seek and find it. Love is in our nature.
Do you have a healthy body? Many of us take for granted and sometimes abuse the incredible gift we have been given–our body. It is an amazing piece of systematic genius. How are bodies function is a miracle & we do not have to do anything. It runs beautifully. Sometimes it is put on us to take better care of this amazing gift and we need to take it seriously. When we begin to break down, life becomes more difficult. We need to seek out good healthy habits. We need to find exercises we love. We need to sleep, drink water and do good things. Do you appreciate the ability to touch, to hear, to breathe, to taste yummy foods, etc. We need to be grateful for the health and happiness we have.
Do you appreciate being able to learn and grow? We have a great ability to learn anything with the help of the internet, youtube, connecting with others, etc. It is amazing!! We are only limited by what we do NOT do. Learn something new & guaranteed you will find a new zest for your life. You will begin to strive to seek out new things more often to enhance your life. You will learn and want to share with others around you. It is contagious! When we don’t seek out new things, we become stagnate and don’t grow. Take the time. It is worth it. Seek to learn something new each day, even if it is something small. You will fill it boost your day. I promise!
Do you have balance? Mind. Body. Spirit. All come together as a whole.
“When you get on the joy and gratitude frequency that I write about in this book, you radiate an energy that draws things into your life. The right people serendipitously walk across your path. The answer to a troubling question miraculously appears.
“It wasn’t until I began counting my blessings that the other frequency was able to make contact, the still, small one that whispered kind truths…
“What could elicit more joy than realizing your assignment here on this big ball hurtling through space is to have fun, follow the GPS of your joy, and create the good, the holy, and the beautiful.”
“Rather than take steps to flee or change it, you have to first allow it. You have to bless it. You have to go so far as to call it good. Freedom and power come in choosing to bless with gratitude every single thing that shows up.”
“Once you come into coherence with your real self, a sacred being with no beginning and no end, you can get on with creating beauty and expanding love. You can give up the grasping and the clawing, the pointless plans to protect your linear self.
“Sh*t happens. And I would be the first to agree. However, 99.9 percent of life, even during the sh*t storm, still operates in perfect working order, continues to run as efficiently as that annoying Energizer Bunny.
That is all I am going to share. There are some great quotes, statistics, stories. There is SO much more, but I did not want to “spoil” it. This gives you a tiny glimpse of her message. Take the time and take the good.
With the US Independence day this weekend it makes me reflect how blessed I feel to be free. I think many Americans have no idea how free we are.
GET GRATEFUL: This morning I shared with them a video clip of a girl who got cancer when she was nine & had to have her leg amputated, but what they did with part of her leg was inspired. Check it out. 
EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE: Life Lesson–You don’t have to do anything…you don’t have to be happy, you don’t have to be sad. It is a beautiful freedom to feel, be, do, say and become anything we want. We have a choice every day to decide the direction we want to go in–positive or negative. We decide how we react to any situation and we decide what we learn from every situation. We have a choice every single moment of our lives.
Thomas Edison’s laboratory was virtually destroyed by a fire in December, 1914. Although the damage exceeded $2 million, the buildings were insured for only $238,000 because they were made of concrete and thought to be fireproof. Much of Edison’s life’s work went up in spectacular flames that December night. At the height of the fire, Edison’s 24-year-old son, Charles, frantically searched for his father among the smoke and debris. He finally found him, calmly watching the scene, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind.
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