Grace

There is something full and whole in this little orange marigold. Pure and True. Carefully planted in a pot, hand painted by my little boy’s hands. Did I know that when I too planted little orange marigolds and delighted in their growth, that I would also be celebrating a time when he says, “for momma” and hands me the most beautiful gift in the world? Something so simple, yet I find few words to describe the utter joy that I feel. A flower, a pot, a boy that hold so much love that I feel I could burst from being filled so completely with it. Unexpected, healing, grace.

And so it begins

Spring! Color, flowers, the smell of mud and dirt and grass and things growing. Cleaning up and clearing out. Opening up. After a long, incubating winter, breathing deep breaths, in and out, full of sunshine and rain and light. Shaking it off, refreshed, lighter, joy filled. Heart open, arms spread wide, standing tall, in the center of it all.

Today I am grateful for...

• Spring weather
• Little white flowers 
• Going on a run (that I've been craving for months)
• Heading to a playground and running into a playgroup of moms and toddlers
• Remembering
• Self-kindness
• Warm showers
• Breakfast made with love from my husband
• Blonde curls
• Sweet compassion
• Trying again

What are you grateful for today?

Links of Joy

I've watched and re-watched these videos this week, and they always leave me with a big grin on my face and a dance to my step. Happy weekend!

Let It Go. Oh Jimmy Fallon and Idina Menzel--you are awesome!

Happy.  Instant dance party.

It passes

It's been one of those weeks when I've felt up and down a few days in a row. And yet, for each down, I always come out the other side feeling lighter, refreshed in some way. Now, I just want to remember that when I'm feeling down!

Links of Joy

Some links that brought me joy this week:

I Like Giving. The power in the smallest of gestures. 

Kindness Girl. The whole way to each other. 

Momastery.  The Sacred Scared series--such permission to show up and be beautiful.

Enjoying the Small Things.  As someone who's food never touched on her plate, while ETST speaks to "can't also", this post refreshed my belief in AND instead of OR.

Jennifer Louden. Total shift. Being grateful for all the things, even the ones I usually use to punish myself. They are my ticket home. 

Bryan Williams.  This is just awesome. 

Happy weekend!

You are beautiful

I received this sticker in the mail recently on a note from a dear friend (thank you!). Turning over the envelope and finding this message stopped me in my tracks and was like a jolt to my heart. Something so simple, with such power. 

The best part--I have it stuck to my computer, and every time I see it, I feel the same way.  I am full of gratitude for such a wonderful reminder that cuts through a lot of static to get to the heart of the matter.

The other best part--this is a movement! A You are Beautiful movement. What could be better than one person feeling beautiful--the whole world!  To learn more and to get stickers, please see You are Beautiful.