…to love yourself. 1.) Celebrate small things. 2.) REST. 3.) Say “no” to toxic people. 4.) Express what you need. 5.) Set boundaries. 6.) Slow down. 7.) Forgive yourself. I saw this list on Instagram (@chronically_cheerful) recently, which seems to be my magic 8 ball of self-care wisdom these days. And I thought those were…
Category: nature
Making the most of it
Welp. While we gained an hour of sleep, the sun is setting super early — and now I’m officially running in the dark. Gone are the glorious autumn scenes like the one above, replaced instead by a few feet of sidewalk illuminated by my flashlight. Usually this is a tough transition for me. As a…
Imagination
“Clouds are the sky’s imagination.” – Terri Guillemets I like to think the sky was imagining fire this afternoon. I know my neighbors think I’m strange, but every time I step outside the front door, my glance goes straight up to see what kind of show the sky is putting on. Of course, my second…
Things I wish for you
I spotted this wonderful sentiment and thought it was worth sharing with others (along with photos from my morning run in the Park and my later-in-the-morning walk with Finn). Things I wish for you That you go on lots of long walks and enjoy your own company. That you learn that the real magic doesn’t…
No filter needed
Today’s visit to the park was brought to you by the color red.
Love
“Love your life. Take pictures of everything. Tell people you love them. Talk to random strangers. Do things that you’re scared to do. Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Don’t waste it.” – unknown
Smile
“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant Trying to get outside as much as we can these days to take in all the lovely smiles. Including my dog’s smile. They say you should write down three things each day for which you are grateful. My list today? 1.) Red; 2.) Orange; and…
You’re not normal; you’re amazing.
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou And you are amazing, funky reddish-pinkish-orangish vine. That’s right. You just keep on showing off your colorful self amidst all of your green neighbors. I’m here for it.
Everyone
“Be extra kind, and show respectevery chance you get.Keep reminding yourselfthat everyone you meet is a human being whodreams of something,fears something,loves someone, andhas lost someone.” -@marcandangel
Party!
Every walk is covered in nature’s confetti right now. Which is wholly appropriate for this guy — who turns ONE tomorrow! Woo hoo, let’s celebrate!
Here we go
The trees atop Art Hill seem to have gotten the memo and are really starting to show their colorful stuff – and the rest of the park is trying to follow their lead. So the next week or two should be really fun.
Twofer
Yesterday I fell asleep before I had a chance to post day #6 of the “7 ways to be more kind to your mind” exercise/self-reflections from @laurajaneillustrations. So today I’ll post the thoughts/reflections for both Friday and Saturday. Twofer! For Friday: “Check in with your feelings. What are you feeling today? Why are you feeling this way? What…
Pause
It’s Thursday — day #5 of the “7 ways to be more kind to your mind” exercise/self-reflections from @laurajaneillustrations: “Take a moment to just stop. Stop and breathe. Breathe in, pause, breathe out. In the silence, listen closely to what your body is telling you – what do you need more of today? I took this photo the…
It’s okay
I have to say that I’ve cut through this tunnel countless times, but it’s never looked quite as magical as this before. I don’t know if it was the golden hour light this evening or what, but it stopped me in my tracks. I half expected to come out the other end into another world….
A work in progress
I’m continuing to make my way through the “7 ways to be more kind to your mind” exercise/self-reflections that I found on Instagram from @laurajaneillustrations. Here’s the thought/action for Tuesday: “Choose to forgive yourself for still being in the “process.” Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” remind yourself that you are still learning, still…
You’re doing great
Goodness, it seems like the leaves are slow going this year. But I’m milking every glimpse of color I can find. Even the ones like these just starting the transition give me hope. Anyway, as I mentioned yesterday, I found an exercise/self-reflection on Instagram (@laurajaneillustrations) that I really liked: “7 ways to be more kind…
Ways to be more kind to your mind (Day 1)
I found an exercise/self-reflection on Instagram (@laurajaneillustrations) that I really liked: “7 ways to be more kind to your mind.” She breaks it down to one item per day for a full week. Looks like Sunday is Day 1, so I figure I’ll start there – and I thought I’d share, just in case you…
Saturday Scenes
A beautiful day in the park. The swirling patterns of algae floating on this pond reminded me of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
Fun Fall finds with Finn
This week’s walks are brought to you by the letter “F” — fun fall finds with Finn. Above: A house along our route knocks it out of the park every year, but this year’s skeleton scene actually made me gasp out loud. Below: Finn cannot understand why I cannot walk and pick up leaves at…
Hint
They’re thinking about it.
Life lately through the iPhone
This was the sunrise before an ill-advised half-marathon I completed recently — my first in-person race in two years. I wasn’t even vaguely prepared, but I helped a friend cross the finish line of her first half. Totally worth it, but I will never go into an event without properly training ever again. And here…
You never know
You never really know the impact you have on people around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk. So don’t wait to be kind….
How it started…
…and how it’s still going. We saw this nest of eggs on Mother’s Day and have loved watching the little family evolve ever since. I suspect the next time I walk by the nest will be empty.
Five Words
Five words to keep in your vocabulary (even when you’re facing the unknown): 1.) Rest The act of ceasing to work in order to be refreshed and recover your strength (even when you don’t think you’re worthy of it). 2.) Play To engage in an activity just for the fun of it (even when there’s…
hey there, friends 