Finding Our Own Path

A friend of mine is subletting her condo and letting spirit guide her into a path of minimalism and travel.  She has sold, given away and boxed her possessions and is going to live out of her SUV for the next year at least.  She is flying free.

My path has led me to a nest. It's the same house where we raised our children but has become my rest zone since I have been disabled.  I needed a space where comfort was key! So I did much cleaning out of anything I didn't absolutely love or hadn't used in several years. Design has always been a great love of mine so it worked right in to decorating with natural elements that soothe and destress me. Comfortable couches and chairs. Plenty of soft pillows and throws. Warm wood and natural accessories like pine cones, shells, rocks and candles. This room walks out onto our deck where living nature abounds. Relaxing in a comfortable chair with my mocha and a book is definitely healing. Or throwing the ball for our two goldens or deadheading roses in the garden soothes my soul.  The rest of the first floor, the master bedroom, bath, kitchen and my creativity studio have all been redone to reflect my desire for comfort. Since I spend so much time here I want to feel warm, cozy and safe. A cocoon conducive to healing and growth. When I lean back to relax, I let out a calming breath of "Ahhhh"

It's always a work in progress because that feeds my creativity, but I know my home will always be my safe harbor through fair weather and storm.

Where is spirit leading you?

Time

Mitch Albom has a new book out called The Time Keeper. It deals with our perception of time and what we do with the time we have. I have been processing this lately, Since I've realized I have more time behind me than ahead. At least on earth.

I wasted so much time worrying about stupid things. Mainly how fat I was (most of the time it was my perception, not reality) how my hair looked. How my kids looked and acted. How everyone else was doing or NOT doing.Like it was any business of mine!. How BUSY I was.  It's too bad we can't learn these lessons early instead of later in life. But THANK GOD I know now.

Today I live to enjoy every minute. Treasure every hour.  Nurture myself. And love those around you. Do you want your last minutes on earth to be spent worrying about your size? Exercise?  Gossiping about someone ?
Rushing around like a chicken with no head? Yelling at your kids?

SLOW DOWN!!! Take deep breaths. Yes, smell the roses, or lavender. Sit on the deck, pet your dog, cuddle your child. Life here is short.

PINTEREST


Well I haven't gotten to my new Vision Board yet. I don't think I'm procrastinating , I have either been down and out or busy with friends/family. Part of pacing myself.

But the other reason is I am addicted to PINTEREST!!!  Are any of you? It is a humongous electronic vision board! I have been creating more and more boards. I started out with a couple and I was kind of picky with what I pinned. Then I realized why? The photos and ideas are endless!! To infinity and beyond! I have boards for house decor, recipes (which I have using often!) DIY things I may or may not ever use, and photos of things that I just love and make me feel good. Whether they are clothes, places I have been or want to visit or just pictures that make me feel good!! I love it!!

I go through and look at my boards,just like I use a Vision Board and I feel good. Some have memories of family vacations, holidays, our dogs or just a simple beautiful candlestick!  I also have found clothes, books, jewelery and many ideas for crafts on PINTEREST.

If you haven't been invited, email me and I'll invite you! I love it and it is a place of inspiration and manifestation to me!!

Out of Commission

So sorry I haven't written a new blog .  Been in a major fibro flare that gets somewhat better then strikes back again. I have been  lying wrapped up in a blanket reading and watching movies. I am so excited for football season!! Especially college football (GO HUSKERS!!!) and The Packers.

I have read so many books on my NOOK this past month that I don't want to see my credit card bill! I read The Hunger Games Trilogy. I found I couldn't put it down even though I sure didn't like the idea of children killing children. I wouldn't let any kid under 13 read it but I sure was glued to my Nook. I also bought the movie and can't wait for the others to be made..  Just like The Twilight Saga. : )

Has anyone read Julia Cameron's book  The Prosperous Heart?  I am hoping it will be a guide to be creative with little money! I plan to check it out at the library since I've spent to much on my Nook recently.
 I haven't felt well, so I haven't started my new Vision Board so hoping I can get going on that soon.

Can't believe it's almost Labor Day Weekend!  We'll be watching the Huskers on Sat. and having one of our last family cookouts as we come into autumn. I adore fall. The cool brisk temps, leaves turning, apples and pumpkins as well as apple cider with cinnamon and cloves! YUM!

My youngest grandson just turned ONE last Sat. LOVE that age. So smiley and cuddly!

I didn't know what to get him . He is the youngest of three boys and they have a million toys and clothes. Their FP school bus that plays music etc was broken so replaced that! He seemed to like it!

Hopefully next time I'll have  my vision board under way!
Deb

ME TIME


My blog will not have regular postings because I have no control day to day as to how I will feel or how high my pain tolerance flag may go. It's been a painful week so I have been using the coping skills I have developed to get through a bad Fibro flare. I believe these can help anyone whether it is a physical pain or emotional.

Meditate. I am usually stuck in bed or my recliner with a blanket so meditating helps so much. I breathe in healing and breathe out gratitude. You can choose any words that work for you. Long deep breaths. So relaxing. Most times I fall asleep which is the most healing thing that works for me.

Guided Imagery. I have a healing place in nature where I go in my head. For me, it's meadow in the Rockies. Full of wild flowers, pine and fresh breezes. My Higher power meets me there and holds me in a warm embrace of healing. You can go to any special place in nature you love. Nothing will harm you there.. you are safe.

Reading. If I can balance my NOOK so I don't have to hold it, I read either a comforting new novel or one of my favorites. Some of my favorite books are Simple Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg, any beach book by Nancy Thayer, the Lucas davenport books by John Sandford and the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. I also enjoy reading first time authors recommended on BN .com. They never steer me wrong. I never tire of Mary Oliver's poetry. I have all her books.

Vision Boards. I have many Vision Boards. Some for manifesting dreams to become true in my life. They have always come to be !! Very true!  And I make Vision Boards to affirm me, soother and heal me and just for JOY. I need to make a new manifesting board as well as a healing board. As soon as I am up to it, I'll be drawing and cutting pics out of magazines!

Comfort: One of the most soothing things I do is nurture myself. I cuddle in my favorite fleece blanket, drink lots of mocha decaf, lie with my goldens on the deck and listen to the chimes sing me to sleep.

Listen to your heart and your body. Knowing when you need comfort and healing is the way to Serenity.

Rocky Mountain National Park


A friend suggested I write about what Rocky Mountain National Park has meant to our family.  I doubt I can do it justice but will try.

I have vacationed in Estes Park CO. and RMNP since I was a child.  I fell in love with the mountains, the fresh air and everything Estes Park offers.

My husband and I took a motorcycle trip through the south Rockies and up to Estes for our honeymoon.   There is nothing like viewing the peaks without a car roof blocking your view!  It stormed while we went over the Continental Divide and the lightening and storm clouds we actually straight across from us! It was amazing seeing the lightening shoot out of the clouds into the valley!

As we raised our kids there were no trips to Disneyland or cruises for us. We couldn’t bear to spend our vacation time anywhere but in the mountains. We camped many times because we couldn’t afford to go any other way!  The car was packed with strollers, walkers, bikes etc. My poor husband had to rearrange after every campground! We did progress to staying at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes where cabins were less expensive than lodges or motels.  We played card games at night and during the day, hiked the trails, played minigolf and took horse back rides through the moraines and valleys. We have plenty of family stories of those days. Once a horse took off with Sam and she swore she’d never ride again! We did breakfast rides over the peaks, hay rides with singing around a campfire. The weather always seemed perfect. Pine scented cool breezes and always close to the sun.

For me personally Long’s Peak (the highest point in the northern Rockies) is my spiritual home. When I see it and it’s sister peak Mt. Meeker from 75 miles away as we approach the Front Range on our drive, I revel in it’s majesty. Every time!  The earliest Native Americans called them the Two Guides, so appropriate!  We have spent many hours picnicking at Long’s feet sitting by a calm pond, absorbing the peace.

I couldn’t count the hours we have spent in the park with binoculars and  long-range lens viewing the elk rut. The bugeling of the bulls and muted squeaky cries of the females carry through the valley meadows.  Seeing the bulls butt antlers is amazing, nothing equals it.
I have a few favorite shops in Estes that I check out everytime we are there.  I go for rustic, natural and beautiful accessories for my house. I always buy a blanket, pillows, jewelry or even a skull of a Big Horn. I adore languishing in the coffee shops or sitting by the rivers (Big Thompson or Fall River). My most special place to eat dinner is The Dunraven Inn. They make bay scallops and mushrooms in wine sauce that I lust for all year! The cabin we stay in enjoys an array of wildlife including black bears, elk, deer and possibly cougars so we are always careful to watch our dogs and keep them out of harm’s way.

The Estes Dog Park is also a favorite. Our dogs can swim in Lake Estes and a fence keeps them from going too far. They get to have one retrieve after another and the weather is always perfect!

When I am not in the mountains I long for them. The fresh air with low humidity, the pine and aspens, the elk bugeling, I always feel free and unencumbered there. It’s Heaven.

What Nurtures Me


An exercise I have used for years with my counseling clients and for myself. Making a list of what nurtures my soul, my inner self today fills me with comfort and serenity. Reading it regularly along with meditating on my vision board enables me to feel better about myself and where I am going.

Some of my old list still applies but as we change and grow, so does what nurtures us.

The scent of pine and the crisp breezes in the Rockies.

A mocha, either at home on my deck or at a coffee shop with a girlfriend.

Cuddles with my two golden retrievers, Gunner and Sasha. ALWAYS!

My beautiful David Austin roses in the garden. And the scent!!!! Gone to Heaven!

Spending time with our eight grandchildren. They are such a trip and so fun! And then they go home!!!

Having dinner with my hubby at The Dunraven Inn in Estes Park. Their bay scallops and mushrooms in wine sauce are to die for!

Alone time: meditating, reading my favorite blogs, or watching HGTV.

Driving to the Rockies with my husband, classic rock like Bob Seger or the Eagles in the CD player.

Listening to the elk bugle during the rut in RMNP.

Creating a vision board.

Saying the Serenity Prayer anytime.

Reading a novel I can’t put down.

A yummy Cobb Salad at Lazlo’s. (one of my faves!)

The warm gulf waters and hunting for gorgeous shells.

Setting my eyes on Long’s Peak for the first time every year. It makes my heart swell.

College football season every year!! Love everything about it, the games, the fall weather, changing leaves, wearing sweatshirts with shorts and brisk temps. LOVE it!

Hearing “How It Works” from the AA Big Book. Divinely inspired.

These are just a few of the marvelous things that nurture my soul.

What nurtures you? Just think of all five senses and what moves your soul.