A Heartfelt Journey – Page 5 – Join me on a blessed and heartfelt journey of discovery!

A Hero Among Us and The Cheerleader

July 2, 2020
by admin

When first meeting Ken Ostini, his six foot plus stature is rather imposing, but his friendly, warm manner and easy banter quickly expose his love for Lompoc as well as his long history in our community. My interactions with Ken initially looked to be short lived. He became the CEO of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce as my time on the board came to an end, hardly allowing us to learn each other’s name. Fortunately for me, a short time later, our paths crossed again and again on a regular basis as I was able to work with him for several years on different activities within our valley.

Reflections and Lessons

When a Waterfall Meets Concrete and Steel

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020
by admin

Lower the bar. Don’t worry about what you are accomplishing, there are more important things to consider during these times. I recently had this posed to my by someone asking that isn’t this the time to lower the bar, if only for a bit?

I had to sit with this for a moment as my initial reaction was quite strong. Lowering the bar has never been the answer for me. Pushing through and reaching the bar is what I know because there is always more work to be done, more learning to be accomplished, more cleaning to do, more books to read, more…just fill in the blank. However, I reminded myself, we are all facing different challenges that a mere three months ago we hadn’t even considered. So maybe there was some validity in exploring this option.

Mother Nature

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020
by admin

The first Earth Day was celebrated 50 years ago on April 22, 1970. It was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin, after he witnessed the impact of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. At that time it was the largest oil spill in US history and still ranks at number 3, behind only the Deepwater Horizon and Exxon Valdez oil spills. It was Mr. Gaylord’s vision to have a “national teach-in on the environment” and energize the public to protect the environment by addressing water and air pollution concerns. Over 20 million Americans participated in that first Earth Day celebration uniting many in a common cause that had been previously fragmented over several specific environmental concerns.

Uncategorized

Endings~Today, This Moment

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020
by admin

As my boys were growing up they were involved in the usual team sports, soccer (AYSO-all your Saturdays occupied), basketball and baseball with thankfully only one season of football thrown in. My husband and I being the dedicated parents we thought we were supposed to be, were not content to sit on the sidelines and the majority of the time we found ourselves as coach, assistant coach, ref, team mom, etc. There always seemed to be need and not enough volunteers. Though the sports merry-go-round seemed to constantly spin and at times was overwhelming, those are memories that I cherish.

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us-De’Vika

April 10, 2020April 9, 2020
by admin

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.” ~Mr. Fred Rogers~

Never have these words been more true for me than today. I have found comfort in seeing all the individuals in our community that have come forward during our current challenges to help, reminding me of the strength, compassion and kindness that is abundant in our little valley. One of the individuals that can be seen helping is De’Vika Stalling as she leads at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Clubhouse which is now serving as a food distribution center for the SB County Food Bank. Timing is every thing they say, and in this case it is very true. Earlier this year, I reached out to De’Vika, thanking her for being one of my heroes and learning more about her inspiring story which she graciously shared with me. And now I wish to share it with you. Here is the story of one of the many helpers in our community.

Read more “A Hero Among Us-De’Vika” →

Mindfulness

Shine Your Light

April 3, 2020April 2, 2020
by admin

The past few weeks, as I have reflected back on my choice for my guiding word for 2020, I have chuckled at the seeming irony of it right now. The word was ‘light’ and little did I know the path ahead was going to become so dim at times. I remember choosing ‘light’ to remind myself the sun always rises and to let go of the heavy energies that cling. I chose it to remind myself I have the power to reclaim my joy and lightheartedness in life. I chose it as a reminder there is always hope and to help make the path clear on my journey. Most of all, however, I chose light for 2020 to remind myself we are all meant to shine for who we are and not hide our true selves from the world.

Today, This Moment

March 25, 2020March 24, 2020
by admin

In the madness around us, the uncertainty and the fear, there is still beauty to behold. I found one of those moments yesterday as we drove to pick up our CSA box from a local farm. Having not been out of the house for a couple days other to than to walk my dog or visit with neighbors while social distancing, this felt like a grand adventure. The world did still exist despite the dire news from the differing media sources we listen to for a few minutes each day. And there, as we turned the corner were the flowers.

Rows and rows of gorgeous stock, enjoying light rain interspersed with sunshine from the sky, greeted us. My dear sweet husband, knowing how I would delight in seeing them, had invited me along for the ride. Such a simple gesture and a simple joy, but so powerful in the moment.

Even in times of challenge there is beauty and joy, kindness and compassion. Sometimes we find them in the most unexpected places and times or from the smallest of gestures. This doesn’t diminish their impact or importance, but rather emphasizes how much they are around if we notice. With this lesson I am trying to stop more and pay attention, not hurry through life. To enjoy the small and seemingly inconsequential things as well as the big important things, because it is today, this moment, that matters.

Wishing you dear friend moments of beauty, joy, kindness and compassion during these uncertain times. Stay safe, stay healthy on your heartfelt journey. ~♥~

Flower field with rows of white stock under cloudy skies with blue sky in the distance

Mindfulness

Should & Entitlement

March 12, 2020April 10, 2020
by admin

It’s funny how we recognize something in another that we don’t see in ourselves. I had heard often that others are a mirror to us if we care to look and pay attention but I am not sure I ever truly understood or believed this theory. I have found that when I am sitting in judgement of another that is usually a signal that I have healing to address but for other emotions or thoughts which I don’t identify as a ‘judgement’ I hadn’t felt this mirror business held true. Until I listened to a podcast by Kara Lowentheil about entitlement.

Read more “Should & Entitlement” →

Wellness

When Our Bodies Whisper

March 5, 2020March 4, 2020
by admin

Our bodies are amazing in their abilities. They provide us with mobility, as well as the ability to communicate with each other, to taste different flavors, experience different scents, see different colors and patterns and finally to think. We breathe automatically most of the time. Our hearts beat without any impetus on our part. Our digestive systems operate quite well when given the correct nourishment. Finally, our bodies are able to heal many of the hurts that we inflict on them.

Read more “When Our Bodies Whisper” →

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us-Lucy

February 27, 2020February 19, 2020
by admin

Her petite stature belies the underlying strength and conviction with which Lucy Thoms-Harrington experiences life. Indeed, on our initial meeting, I noticed her calm brown eyes and easy smile but these were accompanied by a presence that meant business. It wasn’t a ‘get out of my way’ impression but rather an ‘I am here and we’re getting things done together’ presence. For several years my encounters with Lucy were brief, (she was working full-time and then some with travel thrown in on a regular basis) however, this consistent strength and conviction to her belief system was apparent. The truth was important to her. Fair and equitable treatment for everyone was paramount. And women’s rights? Ask her a question or address something about women’s rights and the passion in her voice and the light in her eyes many times communicated more about how she felt than the words themselves.

Read more “A Hero Among Us-Lucy” →

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