Category: April 2024

I received a video of my nephew’s track meet.

I am not sure what I love more…

Seeing Jean-Marc out ahead and taking first place

OR

Hearing his older brother Noah cheer him on!

There is something so inspiring about hearing Noah’s cheering. Noah is uninhibited in his cheering on his brother. He is undoubtedly all about encouraging Jean-Marc to do his best and be his best!

I wonder who cheers you on or, even more importantly, who you cheer on? Is there someone who would say, yes, that person is the voice I know that will cheer me on to do my best and be my best!

I hope you are that voice for someone. Be like Noah and be uninhibited in your cheering on of others. It may not be with the same volume and will have your touch, but you will bring others encouragement, joy, and inspiration!

It is the time of year for graduations and for the Dr. Seuss book to make its way from Barnes and Noble to Meijers. I remember when it was a new book in print, and I thought every graduate needed it.

It has been a few years, but I reread these words tonight…

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

But tonight, these words don’t read like words just for graduation. Tonight, they feel like solid, everyday living words. I am reminded how often I have believed in words that felt life-changing and inspirational, but somehow, I missed living them out.

I wonder what words have slipped through your fingertips in this way. Words that you believed were powerful but didn’t entirely penetrate your life the way you had hoped.

It isn’t too late. Graduation was only one of the important days of our lifetime. I believe that every morning, we wake up with the same possibilities and opportunities as when we felt our whole lives ahead of us. It might look and feel a bit different, but the truth remains…“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Live with intention every day! ❤️ trish

I remember being in college and reading an Autobiography by Portia Nelson

There was something about it that felt familiar

There was something about it that felt honest

There was something about it that felt freeing

There was something about it that felt empowering…

I wonder what resonates with you when you read this?

Have you ever fallen into the hole and felt powerless?

Can you feel the tension, the struggle, the despair, the anticipation, the relief, the hope?

I read it today and can still feel it. I am guessing I am not alone!

“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.”

No matter what street you’re walking down, don’t lose hope! ❤️trish

I committed to blogging every day of this year. I find it a good practice and discipline. I don’t always feel like writing, but I am always glad I do. Some blogs are completed with ease, and others are a struggle. I appreciate the feedback I receive about what is beneficial and what you would like me to write about. I am always open to your thoughts and critique.

For some reason, Facebook is removing my blog because it says I am violating its rules. I don’t know what rule, as both of the blogs they removed were about my family. They removed She said yes x 2 and 18 years of loving this nephew. If you missed these, you can find them on Journey to My Heart

If you want to receive an email about each new posting, sign up on the right side of the blog at Journey to My Heart, just under my picture. This way, you will not miss a blog if Facebook removes it.

Thank you for being a faithful reader. As I have written about before, I write to document the Journey to My Heart. I write to tell our family stories for generations to come. I also write to encourage and invite others to live as authentically as possible. Somehow if we are on this journey together, we can make this world a better place! ❤️trish

I used to think this was more of a struggle for females, but I don’t believe that as much anymore. Being at home in our skin is a struggle of this world, not of a specific gender. I am keenly aware of how easy it is to be ambivalent about embracing our bodies and recognizing the relationship as a friendship. But when we are intentional and aware of being at peace with our bodies, a new journey will unfold!

Living in harmony with my external world and my internal soul takes a good bit of intention, energy, and kindness!

I am most curious, not about the thoughts that linger in the concept after you have given it much thought but about what resonates in your soul when you initially read this. Know your initial thoughts and feelings, and trust and honor those spaces. ❤️ trish

Somehow, in our culture, we do not focus on the strength of those who have fallen. We call the strong and fit the winners, the people who never fall, or at least don’t make their falls known.

How comfortable are we talking about our falls and the spaces we get up again? How strong do we feel when dusting ourselves off and bandaging scrapes and wounds?

I do believe that many different things bring strength, but I am a firm believer, based on my own story and from listening to others, that strength comes from struggles. I encourage you to consider the spaces where you have discovered your strengths by getting up from your falls. Learning to share these stories can invite others to be curious about their own stories of falling and discovering strengths! ❤️ trish

What do we do with all our emotions when 1oo different triggers provoke us on any given day? It requires a lot of intentionality, maturity, wisdom, containment, and prayer. This piece says it well. May we all, in the end, remain fiercely kind. ❤️trish

This caught my eye as I engage in the conversation of simplifying with so many these days. Somehow, we all feel as if we have acquired so much. It happens over time. But perhaps our focus is in the wrong place. Our gathering and simplifying may distract us from the fundamental question of what we are scattering.

I wonder how you would describe what you have scattered as seeds on your journey. Remember, it is not too late to begin scattering. Scattering can start anytime with a simple decision to begin.

May we be faithful people who scatter goodness and make our world better for all! ❤️trish