Tag: thoughts

Plug Into Life

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I’m really trying to plug into this little community.

That means leaving the house, and making myself visible.

After moving here, my daughter announced, “Hey Mom. You can always go hang out with the bikers on the weekends!”

Now, it’s one of my favorite things to do. A restaurant called Rolling Thunder Roadhouse is less than a mile from my home, and I go there often to sit and read, or engage in conversation. The owner’s Roger and Donna have pretty much adopted me. Roger is a French Chef, and his wife Donna has done a little bit of everything. We had an instant connection, plus, they make the best cold brew coffee!

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Cold brew and Chocolate Biscotti. On my way!

When my daughter and I moved here in January, I was pondering what should come with me. Do I really want to continue doing everything this year, in this new chapter, that I had been doing last year? Was it a fruitful path?

I had a job offer last week. It would still be working from home, but the company would have their calls forwarded for me to answer the calls. The owner knows I have phone skills, and will pay good money for them. A friend of mine busted out laughing when I told her my initial response.

I don’t know. I think I want to harvest seeds from the Hydrangea flower, and grow them to sell to my neighbors.

The company didn’t really have a response to that. Haha

Don’t sweat it lovelies. I’m going to go speak with them in person today. For me it really is about face to face. When I typed the first sentence of this post, is sounded like I was referring to the WordPress community, but I continued on.

I love this community, but over time I find myself letting go of virtual community. My phone still has no social media apps on it, and I’ve closed all my accounts except Facebook. I came across a Blog this morning that explains the technology addiction perfectly. You can read it here.

Do I want to continue Blogging? That has been the big question this year. I’ve posted more this week, than I posted the entire month of April. January through April, I posted one a week, and that used to be daily, so there’s progress.

Maybe I will go see Roger and Donna this morning, and take a book I’ve been reading with me. It’s a gorgeous day outside, and I just want to be out there, instead of in here.

It’s time to unplug from the computer, and plug into life.

“Technology is an option, not a lifeline.” The Robot Rebel

Listening for quiet

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Making a coffee pour over has a calming effect over me.

Once I go through all the steps of setting it up, I’m forced to slow down, and enjoy the process. Watching as the boiling hot water, slowly escapes from the spout of the pour over kettle. It hits the coarse grounds, and they begin to bloom. (My fave) Today, I poured the water very slowly, in attempt to keep the bloom alive for as long as possible.

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That magnificent bloom.

I listened intently during the process. When the water first hit the grounds, and the liquid drained into the empty cup, it was noisy. I could hear it trickling. As the cup filled with the hot liquid, the trickling became quieter, and quieter.

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I knew the cup was full when it was completely quiet.

You’re Not Alone

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I published a Blog yesterday, and went back into my Blogsite and deleted it. The same thing happened today. Write, edit, publish, and an hour later, delete. To the 5 people who read them both, “I apologize if I scarred you for life.”

My email followers received notifications of the posts. Clicked on the link, and stared at air. I apologize to you too. I have discovered that waiting on this appointment next week causes me to feel vulnerable. I don’t mind being vulnerable, but to let someone read about it, amplifies the feeling.

If you’re a writer, maybe you do the same thing.

Publish a Blog, and then delete it, or maybe you have some in drafts that you can’t bring yourself to finish, and publish. I have some of those too, but there is something I’ve learned.

No matter how sucky I think that published Blog may be…it’s going to help someone. It’s going to have something in there that someone needs to see. So, maybe if I write this at night, hit publish, and go to bed, you can read it while I sleep. Because waiting on Tuesday to arrive is not working.

My instinct is to disappear for a few days, and become quiet.

To remove myself from the lives of the people I love, so they don’t have to be a part of what I’m going through. That is my way of protecting them. Well, the last time I checked, my circle of people are some brilliant, grounded adults who can decide whether they need protection or not.

I believe you are only as alone as you allow yourself to be.

I don’t feel alone, so thank you, for not leaving me alone.

 

Shades of Pink

Once my daughter painted her room, it prompted a change in mine. My bedroom is already a color, and it’s a pleasant neutral, so this is not a need. It’s been a slow burning want.

My favorite color has always been Red, but I surprised myself.

Walking into my room with two paint samples. One was a good, solid red, and the other was a pale version of red. After trying each on the wall, I chose the softer one. It feels good.

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Courtesy of Shades of Pink

This morning, this photo came up on my Facebook news feed.

It was posted by one of my favorite pages called Shades of Pink. I have settled into no social media apps on my phone. Checking it via laptop a couple of times a day is sufficient.

Melody Beattie’s words that resonated today are:

“Stay open to every opportunity.” (Doing that)

“If you’re tired, rest. If you’re sad, cry.” (Did that)

“Let destiny have it’s way with you.” (Thought-provoking)

Right before falling asleep lastnight, I read this. “Maybe that relationship that made you doubt yourself so much came along to help you learn to listen to and trust your inner voice.”

I’m not bold Red. Presently, I am various Shades of Pink.

A Healthy Environment

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bloom

My daughter and I are learning about life through plants.

I’ve only killed one, but I learned a lot, and I’m not giving up.

My Blog introducing the Boston Ferns, caused me to pay attention to their needs. What started out as something important for my daughter, became important to me as well. A lady commented on the Blog, and this part stuck with me. She said, “Drench them.” At the end of the day, I pour a gallon of water over them. They drain, and I watch as the stream of water falls to the porch, like a waterfall. Our kitten drinks the water from the porch, and plays in the puddle.

A healthy environment brings new growth. Sometimes it’s obvious, like when it sprouts from the top. At other times you have to look for new growth underneath.

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My daughter re-potted her Philodendron. Who wouldn’t thrive in that pot? It’s ceramic, and has deep scars filled with grey, to match the theme of her room. I just enjoy the scars.

This plant was so root-bound, they started growing upward. The lady who sells us our plants said, “It’s part of it’s character, so you can leave them uncovered.” They are beautiful, and well-earned, so not dirt it is.  The pot is huge, so the plant has plenty of room to grow. Everyday it sprouts a new leaf. It’s so heavy, we had to buy a stand with wheels.

Back to the ferns, a bird built a nest in one. At first it concerned me because she was taking out part of the fern, for the nest. Then I realized she loved the environment so much she wanted to live there. I have to be gentle, but it still gets drenched daily.

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Who Cares

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I ran out of my favorite coffee for the coffee maker, so the past few days, I’ve been making hand drips, or pour overs. It gets messy to be half asleep and do that for one cup of coffee.

My favorite has been ordered, and should arrive today. I love the fresh ground pour over method, but not first thing in the morning, when all I want is a cup of coffee. This morning I found myself feeling ungrateful over something most people have never experienced.

I-m-Not-Perfect-Sorry.

I have been reading a lot, and there seems to be a bigger trend than ever before of, “I don’t care what people think” syndrome. What people think of me is their own business. They have a right to think what they want. I am discovering my authentic self cares how they feel. It’s not so much their thoughts, as it is how they feel. I still care.

Whew! I said it. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It has been brought to my attention that I still care what people think, but that’s not it. It’s how they feel, and how I make them feel. Now, I’m getting ready to do some good preachin’, so I hope you’re sitting down.

I belong to half a dozen social media sites, and dedicate a good chunk of time helping people feel. How do I want them to feel? Loved. They are fed love, laughter and hope.

Let me be clear. What they think, and what they feel are two different things. People are quick to judge, and the Devil’s greatest tool is offense. If he can keep us feeling offended towards one another, he wins. But God says, “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”(Matt. 7:5)

I stopped being offended. People apologize to me over the slightest thing, that I didn’t even notice. I don’t take it personally because I have learned that their thoughts belong to them. It has nothing to do with me personally because they don’t know me at that level. How many people know me on an intimate level? Three. That number includes God.

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What people think belongs to them. People have stepped out of my life because I didn’t add up to what they thought I should be. Who they thought I was. I have no control over that, but how I make them feel is on me. Maybe I unknowingly pressed a button, and it revealed a character defect they need to work on. That is how it works for me, so you’re welcome.

I’m not perfect, nor do I want to be. I’m not interested in those who think they are.

What you read, and what you see may look perfect, but my life went through a whole lot of messy first. It still becomes messy, but I’m not here to show you that. That is easily accessed, and makes great headlines. My goal is to put the saying, “Life is hard,” into extinction. What do you see when you look at the world today? I see 48 levels of sadness.

Life is a gift. Each day God opens our eyes we should feel refreshed and renewed. To be full of what God gives us. Can you imagine asking God something and He responds with, “I don’t care.” I will unapologetically be me, and strive to become who God wants me to be. God is love. He has no conditions, and we create these rules we live by. He just loves.

Barbara is a Writer, a Mom to her 17-year-old daughter, a recent Breast Cancer survivor, and she loves God. When she started this Blog in 2014 Letitgocoach was the name that stuck. She enjoys helping people Let Go of what is holding them back from having a beautiful life. Her life is beautiful, and an example of Letting Go and Letting God. You may connect with her via email. Letitgocoach@gmail.com

The Oldtimers

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I just finished reading a Blog written by a young lady. Younger than me anyway, and she truly learned just by living her life. I was amazed at the wisdom in such a young mind.

On the other end of the spectrum, I thought of the oldtimers. These were the souls sitting in my AA meetings well over retirement age. I would sit and listen to them share their life lessons, and soak up every word. They would share the good times, and the bad, and I could learn what to do, and what not to do in sobriety. Similar to listening to a parent.

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had listened to my mother/father?”

I know I have. One of my brother’s never listened to anyone, so he learned life the hard way. He told me over Christmas that thanks to his wife, he was still alive. Now, he could tell us some stories, because I’m pretty sure he did everything ‘the rule book’ of life said not to. He is pushing 60 years old now, but he is full of wisdom, and blessed to be alive.

The longer you are on this earth, the more you learn. Adding years to my age doesn’t scare me. I believe what would scare me is if I kept it all to myself, and didn’t share my life with others. That they may read something they needed to hear to help determine their path. I don’t look back and see mistakes or have regret. They were all a part of life, and I learned.

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A Better Way To Live~Day 16

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I have made my share of mistakes on this earth. The good news is, I have learned to take my mistakes as life’s little lessons, and not forget them. Not by dwelling on the past by no means, but pausing to reflect before making a decision. Have I been here before? How did it turn out? If it didn’t work the first time, don’t do it again. Learn.

Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valleys you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So you will learn things in adversity that you would have never discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.

dearpastI love the way God never gives up on me. I know I’ve disappointed Him and myself, but you can’t stay there my friend. He picks me up, brushes off the dirt, and helps me stand upright to try again.

Make good choices. I usually pray and ponder for at least 24 hours if it’s a big decision. Sometimes I take days. I don’t talk to many people, and get bombarded with opinions. If I let time pass and continue to ponder, usually something will occur that let’s me know if I’m on the right path or not.

It’s how we learn. Just like a toddler learning to walk. They have to tumble and fall to know what that feels like. They soon learn it feels better to walk and not fall, so they get better at walking.

God allows me to make a mistake, just so I can see how good He truly is. Something good always come out of it. Things may not turn out the way I planned, but isn’t that even better? Isaiah 55:8 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Thank you Jesus!

 

 

A Better Way To Live~Day 5

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We are what we think we are. What we think about most, usually comes to fruition. The type day we have is seen through our perception. You wanna have a bad day? Think negative thoughts. You wanna have a great day? Wake up grateful, and think pleasant thoughts. Expect a great outcome, and consider the active role we have in choosing our thoughts and what we experience.

Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider defeat again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life’s blueprint. Smile!

always-do-your-bestWe have all had the experience of seeing how what we dwell on becomes magnified in our lives.  Like a garden our lives will bear the fruit that we tend.  The garden, our lives, is going to produce something, there will be some net result to show as the sum total of the choices we have made.  Poor choices or no active choices made at all and the unattended garden will yield weeds.  Tended, cultivated and paid attention to the garden that is our life will produce in abundance.