By taking the best care I can of my one and only body. Health is critical for me and a huge focus in my life. I workout everyday; eat as clean of foods as I can; appreciate all that I have achieved and look forward to the next adventure.

How can I not have been surprised by joy all my life? Each day is a gift right out of a big box with my name on it. I always RSVP.

Do little ordinary things- make him a cup of coffee; show up for the ladies at jail for ministry morning; smile and say thank you; do some laundry; get some healthy groceries.

Something new- a book, an idea, anew exercise routine, a place, music that touches deeply into my soul, a smile from a stranger.

Soaring optimism always. I belong and I want everyone to understand they belong. I stand for humor; for perseverance; for ultimate sentimentality.

Self-awareness, mindfulness, sitting in reverent solitude with myself and loving it.. In a way, I “got back to basics’- reading, reflecting, gleaning and cleaning out the junk of life. I came to some epiphanies about who I am and what allows me to thrive.

It means I have noticed life’s RSVP and I did.

Stories. Food. Passions.

Just exactly that- the simple things in life that I may often pass by and take for granted. My first cup of coffee, the first light of day, being in my own home, being alone, being with friends, sharing my garden, feeling the earth beneath my feet and knowing that my feet know where to go.

The challenges I face are the ones with managing a positive attitude within my husband’s’ chronic depression. I stand tall with my own interests, verbal affirmation, meditations and acceptance of his state of mind on any given day or hour. I don’t take things personally and look for the best and rightness of the situation and my own response to it.

Absolutely the joy of reading, the feel of books in my hands, going to a library. Thanks to my parents. Also, the joy of language. My sense of humor and adventure.

YESTERDAY, A PERFECT AND TOTAL STRANGER, GAVE MY HUSBNAD AND ME A GIFT CERTIFICATE AT THE GROCERY STORE JUST BECAUSE HE IS A NAVY VETERAN AND SHE LVOES TO HONOR VETERANS WITH GIFT CERTIFICATES. wow!!!

Yes, everyone has a “back-story” that is waiting to be told but more than that, waiting to be listened to. If we all could only quiet our own silence to a point of total respect and awareness of the “other”. Place our hands over our own hearts to listen to our own heart beat and then realize it is the same for everyone.. I need to be the “listening post.”.

Life in general is going well right now. I an successful at Noom and losing weight while gaining back my self-awareness and love of good decisions and choices. I have come to make well discerned decisions about people, places, activities and what gives me joy and who does not give me joy. My garden is going well this year and my time, effort and ideas are coming into being.. I finally feel in sync with the universe and I haven’t had that feeling for a long time. AMEN!!!!

That everyone has a story and that story may change me OR my story may change them.

Great question for our times. For me it would be about “leaning in” to listen, emphasize, maybe even sympathize but never to take on the responsibility of a culture. What I do is one-on-one relationships. If it works, ok. If it doesn’t, I don’t label the entire culture or race or gender or age group as unworthy. My heart is tuned to God who has whatever “this” is, well in hand. I thrive because others thrive. I am because you are.

..Answering the call. Listening for the call, Being the call. I am the calling.

It matters because that’s all there is- that one moment. Our next breath could be in the light of Jesus’ face. There is nothing MORE sacred than the very moment you have to appreciate, be grateful, feel happiness or sorrow or pain or joy. At least you can feel.

My hair. My hands because they remind me of mom’s hands. My legs that take me places. My smile.