encouragement

My Top 20 for 2020

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

My Top 20 for 2020.

  1. Do more things that matter not for money, but because they matter.
  2. Share smiles so genuinely that others can’t help but smile back.
  3. Hug tighter.
  4. Allow time each day to bask in gratitude.
  5. Create more. Paint more. Write more.
  6. Read more.
  7. Love myself more.
  8. Encourage others to love themselves more.
  9. Spend more time with those I love.
  10. Live each day as if it is the legacy I am leaving for my grandchildren.
  11. Embrace the wrinkles I’ve earned from a life of smiles and laughter.
  12. Treasure the tears of loss that wouldn’t happen if I hadn’t loved.
  13. Show respect for my body by eating better and moving more.
  14. Show respect for the earth by using less plastic and creating less trash.
  15. Respect myself enough to not accept disrespectful actions of others.
  16. Do not apologize for asking probing questions.
  17. Do not apologize for being a strong-willed woman.
  18. Speak kind words.
  19. Listen with an open mind and open heart.
  20. Cherish all the moments.

Happy New Year!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Only Love Matters

/ Jodi / 36 Comments

Only Love Matters.

Autumn Leaves
are the most beautiful

right before they fall to the ground
and die.

Did you ever notice that
about people?

Some of the most beautiful moments
are experienced

when someone knows
their time left is short.

Things they once thought important
seems insignificant.

Only love matters.

Why can’t we live like this
all of our days?

Embrace that beauty within.
Let it shine.

Share it with others,
and see their beauty.

Only love matters.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Cherish the Moments

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

Cherish the Moments.

When the day is done,
take some time to reflect on the things
that made it special.

Remember the moments
that brought you joy
or made you smile or laugh.

Close your eyes
and savor those thoughts,
knowing tomorrow will surely bring challenges,

but also realizing there will be
new moments to cherish –
even if you have to search really hard.

And tomorrow will bring another sunset
and more opportunity to reflect,
and the hope of getting to do it all again.

Cherish the moments…
for the moments
are what make up a life.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Unfurl

/ Jodi / 42 Comments

Young Fern in Spring, Mars, PA – May 2018

Unfurl.

Spread out your arms
and show your true beauty.

Open up your heart
and show your true love.

Unwind your mind
and show your creativity.

Unpack your burdens
and feel the lightness of hope.

Uncover your inhibitations
and welcome the unknown.

Reach beyond the tightness
and ease into peace.

Unfurl.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Dealing with Change

/ Jodi / 46 Comments
Icicle - Dealing with Change - Mars PA January 2018

Icicle – Dealing with Change – Mars PA January 2018

Dealing with Change.

If you
think
you can’t

deal
with
change,

think of
the drop
of water

who froze
in
midair

when the
brutally
cold wind

met
it.

It became
an
intricate flake

that
landed
on the rooftop

and joined
the
others

to form
a
soft

white,
fluffy
blanket.

Then
the sun
came out

and
warmed
it

just
enough

to create
a crystal
clear,

hard,
solid
icicle.

The sun
grew
warmer yet,

and
the icicle
melted.

The
drop of
water

fell
to the
earth

and
watered
the ground

where
the tree
grew

that
provided
shade

when
the sun
grew

even
warmer
yet.

It went
through
all that,

and
remained
beautiful

in
every
stage.

If a
drop of
water

can manage
through
all that,

You, too,
can
deal

with
change.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Own – Embrace – Explore

/ Jodi / 30 Comments

Owning our story can be hard, but not
nearly as difficult as spending our
lives running from it.  Embracing our
vulnerabilities is risky, but not nearly
as dangerous as giving up on love
and belonging and joy – the experiences
that make us the most vulnerable.  Only
when we are brave enough to explore
the darkness will we discover
the infinite power of our light.

– Brene Brown, Braving the Wilderness

 

One of my favorite Christmas gifts (heck – every gift is my favorite), but this one really speaks to my heart and was from the heart of someone who really gets me.  It is a quote from a favorite book – Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown.

It is hanging in a place where I will read it every day, and this will be my mantra – to own my story, to embrace my vulnerabilities, and to not be afraid to explore the darkness, so I can discover my authentic light.

Will you make a New Year’s Resolution?  Do you have a mantra or a life verse?  Do you choose One Little Word each year?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi