My heart feels like it is might burst; expanded to a capacity where I know something deep has taken place.
Why? I did something CRAZY!
I journeyed with a few women away to the mountains this past weekend and turned everything OFF.
Cell phone. Computer. Email. Social Media. OFF
MAGICAL.
Have you done that recently? Taken a day or two and unplugged?
Let go of the tangled web of comparison…
I can’t begin to tell you how clear-headed, clean and energized I feel.
Life comes at us at a million miles an hour.
Work demands our strength.
Family requires our attention.
Friends desire our time.
Daily tasks delay without attention.
But what about your heart, dear daughter? Is it alive?
Do you remember glimpses of YOU before the swirls of life took over with its needs?
Are you living from your heart?
In returning home from this weekend, I am pondering the idea, the notion, the audacious and terrifying longing of living from the WHOLE heart.
Not living from my daily task list, work demands or even family necessities. (They never seem to stop, do they?)
But the heart? I’m not sure I have time for all that…
In Biblical language, your heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage and action; thus it is the ‘wellspring of life’ (NIV Study Bible Note on Psalm 4:7)
Our heart houses so many beautiful aspects of our identity. It is the source of our thought life, what we feel and all of our deepest desires. How many of us feel like our heart is barely beating, our dreams have fallen under piles of laundry and the feeling of opening up brings up pain and heartache.
All too often we hear voices scream “Suck it up… You don’t have time to feel… You are too much and no one cares…”
Yet God, in the riches of His goodness, has called us to live wholehearted, alive in love with Him. He has crafted us to represent His glory and beauty, aspects of His nature that only women can display. Our heart is essential to our very being, the core of who we are. Without it open, tender and vulnerable, we fall into deception, confusion, isolation and despair. (Anyone else out there??)
Yet there is a Father who loves, sees and cares.
A Father in heaven who wants to take us on the journey to discovering how we can learn to love US.
To be patient with the process, gentle with the journey, humble in the breaking and loving what He intentionally made.
You, beloved, are not a mistake.
You, dear daughter, are not too much.
You are bright, beautiful, astounding, capable, tender, fierce, courageous, inviting, beautiful and life-giving.
You have much to offer and much to experience.
Find a safe place to sit in silence, even for just a few moments, and ask your Father to take you on a journey of discovery. A journey into the place of loving yourself, accepting your faults and patiently opening your heart to His love.
The adventure is worth it.
You have a huge part to play in the most beautiful of stories.
YOURS.
With Valentines Day less than 2 weeks away, are you ready for the heart gushing day of looooooove!!?
Mmmmmmm. L O V E.
Chocolates, Roses, Dinner out, the works!
(I know, I know, love isn’t defined by this… But I still love the oooey gooey nature of it all.)
But do any of you need some inspiration to help set the mood once you get back home!? The aromatic benefits of using essential oils to enhance the atmosphere are quite LOVELY.
Here are some of my FAVORITE diffuser blends for a romantic and *AHEM* inspired evening <3
Frankincense is an amazing oil that assists in promoting focus and attention while also calms ones emotions as well as balances mood. The rich, earthy smell blends well with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Lavender Ylang Ylang is a complex, calming, floral scent that surprisingly has uplifting properties as well. When used aromatically, this soothing scent promotes a positive outlook and aids in reducing the effects of daily stress. Patchouli is known for its calming and stabilizing properties as well as being known as a base note in many perfumes with its musky, sweet aroma. Emotionally it can help to bring balance and grounding, naturally. Sandalwood is wonderful for promoting relaxation and reducing stress as well as enhancing ones mood. Frequently used in meditation, Sandalwood has been used for its grounding and uplifting properties. Clary Sage is a musky, feminine flower that has incredible balancing properties to it. Not only can it aid in promoting a restful nights sleep but also assists in relaxing the body and mind, stabilizing (women’s) emotions. Orange is one of the most versatile, happy oils to help energize and revitalize your body! Its uplifting aroma is invigorating and renewing, blending perfectly with many of the rich and musky oils. Bergamot is one of the only citrus oils that actually has calming and soothing effects to the emotions. (Most citrus oils invigorate!) Its great in tense, stressful situations as well as a promoting calm and harmony and self-confidence. Lavender is a common favorite of many and the most well-known fragrances of essential oils. It is widely used for its calming and relaxing properties but is also good for easing feelings of tension and melting away stress.
So many options! So much luxury! Have fun and get creative 🙂
Make sure to comment below your FAVORITE blend and don’t forget to pop over to Facebook and join the conversation!
Happy Oiling!
*If you want to know more about my faaaaaavorite essential company click HERE <3
I don’t know about you, but most years I have struggled with my birthday.
The longing to feel celebrated… but the fear of being seen.
It is a tension I’ve known all too well.
But this year is different. This year is full of beauty, wonder and freedom from fear.
Freedom from the fear of being truly known. The fear of walking with an open and vulnerable heart, fierce in love.
The fear of rejection and abandonment. The fear of being truly seen for me.
“Show me your face, let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.” -Song of Songs 2:14
This year I am on the journey towards releasing fear and entering into the adventure of living from the heart.
Truly letting my heart believe what God says about me and allowing my heart to feel and believe that truth.
Living from the place of total surrender.
Living free from comparison, performance and striving.
I want to come to learn how to live a beautiful life.
Did you know that your beauty is shouting and beckoning those around you.
Your beauty speaks. Your beauty is inviting.
Your beauty is real, raw and vulnerable. Your beauty nourishes those around you.
Your beauty is comforting and alluring. Your beauty is meant to inspire, encourage and bring life.
Your beauty draws those around you to God.
This year I am choosing to live open and vulnerable, and I want to invite anyone willing to embark on the journey.
Living with the goal to know and be known by those around me.
Taking down the walls of preservation and letting the gift of love soften me.
Sometimes life hardens us, shames us and causes us to hide. Not anymore. I welcome you 34, with a heart tender, open and expectant ❤
