My FB post and this post are two opposite feelings; silence and loud. When I saw the quotes yesterday I knew they had to go together.
Because love also calms the soul.

Then I started thinking about music and I wanted today to be an epic instrumental. I love lyrics, but sometimes I like a sweeping instrumental version of a song.

This version is over the top.
SO GOOD.
Listen to it.

https://youtu.be/GIrc5cnK28g

Did you see the moon last night?

The build up to it this week has been something.

My friend Melissa commanded us via FB to get out there and look at it. Anticipating the power of this month's moon, I absolutely made a point of paying attention to it.

Cast spells.
Make wishes.
Embrace the moods.
Consider there is a dark side as well as a bright side.

Happy Full Moon!

xo

This year, for the first time, I took part in an A to Z Challenge. To write an alphabetical post every day for the month of April.

It was excellent to get back to writing.
I liked my subject matter - positive affirmations.
I liked my Sunday's off - a day of rest.

I am not terribly good at writing posts ahead of time. I might have a plan, a word I like, and then, real life taps me on the shoulder, and I needed to adapt my subject matter to that.

So, in many ways, my organic writing took a backseat to writing with a purpose. Interestingly, although I had done this kind of writing before - Rumi for a month, Dave Matthews for a week, pages from the book, "Words of Wisdom for Women" for a month - this particular challenge was as hard as it was easy. Seriously, the letter "X" is a pain in the ass.

I loved reading new blogs. I have added quite a number of them to my Feedly feed for my day of frenzied reading - usually one Sunday a month where I read every post in succession.

I didn't see any significant upswing in readers as a result of the challenge. My one suggestion for next year would be to have the blog categories separated up front and have the sign up be via the blog category. For example, I am a lifestyle blogger. I love to read other lifestyle bloggers. If we were all together, I could start there and then bounce to the other types out there - writers, photographers, etc.

It's been a fun exercise and I am already thinking about next year; that equals success.

I write for myself with the hopes that someone else might connect with it. It makes my heart happy.

Thanks for coming along for the journey!

xo

PS - music today - this was the first song that popped into my head when the theme for today was revealed. Knowing the lyrics but never really listening to them, I didn't realize how sad it was...

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

AND...that's a wrap, folks!

It has been truly gratifying to write again daily. There is a ZEST of creating things each day, of sharing my thoughts, of listening to new (to me) and old music. Of trying to find the perfect picture quote and if I can't, making one.

From April 1 until today I have watched and felt (thanks to my sinuses) spring burst into bloom. I have put away the shovels and the salt. I tried to put away the winter stuff but it still needs to be pulled out every so often, especially on a field.

I hope I have inspired a few of you.
I hope I have met a few new readers along the way.

Here's to the challenge. I will absolutely participate again in 2016.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

Today.

Just say yes.

To laughter.
To love.
To prayers.

OH. The prayers needed for our world.

Nepal. All those people. All the culture. All the history. Pray for them, for there is pain I can't fathom happening there.

Baltimore. The mama in yellow who takes her kid back from the streets while being filmed. Pray for her and for her son, who will hopefully thank her some day for kicking his ass with love. Because despite the armchair pundits, of which I am apparently one, she did not abuse her kid. She did what I know I would have done - she fought for who she loves and if that means a smack down, so be it. She is all about keeping her son alive.

As Bella and I discussed last night, we will NEVER know what it is like to be born a skin color other than white. But we do say yes to love in Baltimore. We ALWAYS say YES to LOVE.

When anger is broadcast across the airwaves, that is what the focus is on. I want LOVE to be broadcast instead. Imagine how different the news would look.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

XENIAL (adjective): of, relating to, or constituting hospitality or relations between host and guest and especially among the ancient Greeks between persons of different cities

I have had house guests and I have been a guest. I think I'm a pretty easy guest - relatively self-sufficient, neat, able to charm small children with a single sentence.

And each time I am the guest I am reminded that I have been invited into someone else's life to live with them for a few days.

I love watching the interaction of family members I may not know very well. It is always a gift to be a part of someone else's family. One of my favorite visits was to my friend Ronda's house YEARS AGO where her uber competitive family taught me a version of Scrabble that ultimately became Bananagrams. So much fun.

I adore every day visits. You can truly drop by my house ANY time you want. I will absolutely welcome you.

I love a Monday morning coffee klatsch.

And I can assure you, the people who visit my house are welcome to visit my imperfect heart and add a layer of love onto it.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

Find me someone without a deep wound in their psyche and I will be astounded. We are all carrying some sort of emotional baggage. It's what makes us uniquely human.

Here's to opening wounds and dealing with them. It sucks so much to do so. Do it anyway. Refer back to my post "T" is for Therapy for Cathy's number if you need a therapist to guide you.

xo

On Sunday, April 19, Kacey, Demitra and I presented another of our one day retreats. This time our topic was JOY.

I love the community we are creating. The women come for a day of inspiration and love and boy, do they get that. You can come alone and leave with a new friend or two. There is power in that.

As is the tradition, Demitra led us in an opening prayer.

Amy Luke led us in remarkable chair yoga. Since I haven't been able to practice yoga since I fell, it was so lovely to move to her melodic prompts in a way that was easy. Savasana (the final pose) was very special and spiritual. I might have shed a tear... (of course I did!) That practice has stayed with me all week!

We had these signs hung up throughout the space. I promised everyone I would share them here.

My sister brought the room to a standing ovation after she shared the joy she gets from volunteering for Relay for Life.

She was mesmerizing, funny, emotional, knowledgeable, and 100% real. She has us all create a link for the "Chain of Hope" that will surround the Jack Devito field in Yorktown on Jane's birthday, June 12, this year.

If you would like to donate to Jane and her team, click HERE. Read her story on her page - it's fabulous!

Once again we enjoyed a delicious lunch from B&L Deli in Cold Spring. We truly can't get enough of their quinoa salad! It was nice to visit with the wonderful women who were in attendance, including two special birthday girls who chose to celebrate with us.

After lunch, Amy led us in a rousing "breath of joy!"

And then it was time for the incomparable Kacey. Each time Kacey speaks we fall under the spell of her words and her stories. This time we experienced a group Reiki circle that had energy moving throughout the room. 

We were then led on a marvelous meditation in the "Wish Room" - a space Kacey created just for the day.

I ended the day talking about how sometimes joy is hard. Because life is sometimes hard. So, take the time to appreciate when life is sometimes awesome. It takes the pressure off of having to appear joyful all the time.

We ended the day singing and dancing to an oldie but goodie with a giant circle of hugs.

As the week has passed by I know of two fun things happened. Amy drew two cards with a private client and this is what she drew:

I went for a pedicure on Tuesday.

My nail technician was named, Joy.

I hope the women who attended this event, actually, each of our events, leave fulfilled, inspired, happy, and feeling the after affects of so much love for days on end.

I know I certainly do.

xo

PS - Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31. We have a very special day planned. Details to follow very soon!

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

It is late on Saturday after a busy and fun day.

I went out to dinner to celebrate a valuable friend's birthday. It was fun, it was delicious, and it was with people I truly enjoy.

The older I get, the more the value of a relationship matters to me. I like spending time with the people who I want to spend time with because they enrich my life.

xo

Gorgeous piano instumental.

https://youtu.be/whbjmTqR_GQ

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

One of the things I am embracing thanks in large part to the women's retreats is JUST how connected we all are.

There will always be differences.

There will always be conflict.

But we are ALL ONE.

It would be OH so lovely if we could resolve whatever the issue by remembering we all bleed red.

The universe is vast, yet tiny.

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

You might wonder how therapy could be a positive affirmation. I am here to share...

Three years ago today I began a journey of body, mind, and spirit. I decided when I crossed the threshold this time (because it wasn't my first rodeo), I would be honest about what was going on inside this cranium of mine.

Today, my mind and my spirit are actually fantabulous.

My body is a work in progress. 

I realized, for myself, I couldn't do all three at the same time. It's a lot to ask of a vessel. And so, I let my body take a rest from the relentless exercise I was doing and the charting of all my food. I found comfort in carbs (always have) and in settling down for a rest.

Then, of course, the universe decided to REALLY wallop me and I ended up with a respite I never expected.

I am extraordinarily grateful to Jen C, Jen Z, Laurie W and Cathy, my therapist, for helping me put the pieces of the puzzle that is me, into a quasi cohesive order.

The women of that group remain tucked in my heart as they helped lift me up when I was a puddle (lake) of tears. I learned crying doesn't kill you.

So. If you are ready to be honest in your heart, and you are ready to be honest in your head, call a therapist. If you already have one, go you! If you need one, click on Cathy's name. Tell her I sent you.

Therapy. It's a tuneup for your soul. It will do your body good.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I like to think each and every one of us has some kind of superpower.

• Kindness
  
• Empathy
  
• Love
  
• Friendliness
  

This was on the Humans of New York page yesterday. 

HOW awesome is this kid? His mom though, she rocks, because she gave him the key he is holding. 

As he says, “My mom found this key on the street. It opens a special lock in the Universe that holds extra superpowers.”

Have you seen this?

Alan Law is a superhero. He goes out every. single. night. to hand out food to the homeless.
https://youtu.be/sMD0E4SFFjc

And then there's this amazing young couple.

They create handmade blankets with extra bits of love to hand out to homeless people.
https://youtu.be/wlBO9GiQjoU

Use YOUR power for good today.

Wear your superhero cape at some point.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I love watching people who have been down get back up and kick a little karmic ass. It thrills me.

Humans are resilient in how we bounce back from life throwing us curve balls. We keep going. Like I said in the blog last week, we take one step forward and two steps back - but we keep going.

• It starts with our first attempts at walking.
  
• I see it every time I am at Occupational Therapy. Until you don't have the use of your fingers, wrist or elbow, you have no idea how often you use them.
  
• I see it in the people doing Physical Therapy and I imagine how hard it is to ride the bike, walk the parallel bars and get their limbs moving.
  
• I see it with people who have been ill and they fight back with all their might.
  
• I see it with young people after their first love goes south.
  
• I see it with older people when marriages end.
  
• I see it with death.
  
• I see it with people suffering with infertility.
  
• I see it with people who are in a 12-Step program.
  
• I see it every day in some "good news" post that shows the power of resilience after something that threw them a curve ball.

Sometimes, a smile is ALL it takes to help someone bounce back.

Here's to us. We're amazing.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

Why would quilt be a inspiring word? Because seriously, the amount of work and love that goes into a quilt is unbelievable. I know, I made one once a long time ago. It wasn't the intricate, amazing, over the top kind that are made by so many talented people these days.

I have a number of wall quilts including one my Nana made when she was pregnant with one of her kids. (At least that's what I've been told.)

I have the quilt I got for Peter before he was born.

I have a beautiful one I got for my 40th birthday in Hawaii.

I read the entire Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini over a summer and I swear to you, that is part of how TGHR came to be. If ONLY I had an old mansion that someone I loved was living in and willing to let be converted to a retreat house. ::: sigh :::

We had the sweetest taste of spring this weekend. Today, it is rainy and gray. Cuddle up under a quilt. It will warm your soul.

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

Pausing is underrated.

It is the equivalent of giving yourself a time out if your mouth is about to run.

When I remember to actually pause I save myself lots of grief.

Waking up and pausing, even if it's for 30 seconds, is such a brilliant way to start the day. I like to reflect on yesterday and then go about the journey of what today will be like. The shower provides me much needed meditative time.

How about you? Have you paused lately?

xo

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I tend to always look at the bright side of life. I have even written about optimism before HERE and HERE <-- I really loved this piece.

Now, don't get me wrong - if I am pissy it isn't pretty. But in general, life is an amazing thing and I am living it the best way I can.

Here's to Friday. Usually we dance - today we sway.

xo

Music today - did you know Eddie Vedder and Kenny Chesney both covered this song? Bruce wins. I know. You're not at all surprised. I know this song appears to be pessimistic, BUT, he keeps taking that forward step and that's why I like it.

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I am always impressed with young people who "get" this soulful lifestyle. Kids who don't roll their eyes at the woo-woo parts of life. There are so many who are SO FAR AHEAD of where I was at their age.

It took me more than 40 years to reach a point of listening to my inner voice instead of poo-pooing it.

At our event last month there was a young woman who took in everything we said. She wept when we did. She hugged when we did. She smiled when she did. And all I could think to myself was, "she gets it."

My own children scoff at this lifestyle. I get that. I was a scoffer before I started walking the walk and talking the talk.

Nourishment isn't about food for your body - it's about food for your soul. It's about KNOWING you have found a community of people who share your thoughts and beliefs and who will hold you up when you want to fall. It's about knowing you belong.

Find your tribe. It will make you stronger.

xo

Music today - if you haven't spent some time listening to Joshua Radin, find him. You will be nourished musically.

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

Have you ever meditated?

It's hard.

You have to shut off your mind. Over and over and over and over again.

BUT ~ if you can quiet your mind, even for a little while, it makes a giant difference in your disposition.

Try it.

That powerful brain of ours needs a time out now and again.

xo

PS - for the record, I wrote the sentence about "quiet your mind" before I even knew there was a song! The video is glorious.

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I will make this easy for you. 

Use the search bar (up there on the right if you're on a computer and at the 3 horizontal lines on your phone) and type in the word, "LOVE."

That will let you know just how many times I have waxed poetic about one of my favorite topics.

Love makes the world go round. Let's just keep doing our part to make sure it keeps spinning.

xo

Music today: In 1997 Bob Dylan wrote this song. It was covered by Bob Dylan first. Then Trisha Yearwood. Then Garth Brooks. It was most notably covered by Adele. But. Oh. This. Version...

Welcome to my A to Z Inspirational Word Journey for the month of April. Naturally, there will be a picture quote and music. 

I invite you to join me daily as I explore a word that inspires me and speaks to me in some way, shape, or form. 

See the whole list of bloggers HERE

I hopped onto FB this morning and 'lo and behold, this quote was staring me in the face. Perfect timing.

I could wax poetic about kindness - I have many other times on this blog.

BUT...

...here's a 10 year old who does an amazing job.

This is a beautiful instrumental.

https://youtu.be/meZwetu4vuM