Winners Listen to Their Hearts

"I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts."  -Sylvester Stallone


What a whirlwind life I have been leading lately! Just over a week ago my wonderful husband came home and announced we were trekking to Arizona to meet friends and just let go. We had never been to the Southwest so what a WONDERFUL adventure we had!! My favorite place was The Grand Canyon. OH MY!! Have you ever been?? If not you MUST put it on your Bucket List and get there someday...AMAZING!!!

It's Day 17 of my my 100 Days of Flying Free and what a whirlwind that has been! I am committed to this journey of mine and it shows...in how I interact with others, how I talk, how I walk, how I feel.
 
"Seek out that particular mental attitude which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, "This is the real me," and when you have found that attitude, follow it."  -William James

So many things are changing in my life, some I have control over and some I don't. All I know is that since I made my 100 day journey commitment 17 days ago I have learned and done so much!

Have you ever read this book ?

I had heard about it years ago and even checked it out from the library...but I never read it. Why not??  This book is FULL of TRUTHS...MY TRUTHS! Wow!! I found the book at my local Dollar Tree a few weeks ago...the BEST dollar I ever spent!!!  Geneen puts FOOD and why we eat it in perspective. I get it now!! I eat when I'm worried, when I'm sad, stressed, bored, happy, procrastinating. I eat for ALL the wrong reasons!! I rarely eat when I am HUNGRY!!

Ok, you might say...well that is what's called an emotional eater...and I would tell you yes. However, what Geneen is doing for me is making me SEE the emotions...she is helping me take time before I eat and ask myself..."What emotion am I feeling right now? Is this hunger or is it an emotion?" Life changing stuff for me I tell you!!

One of the best parts of my journey so far is making time for Scriptures. I have joined several on-line groups that I am LOVING!! Kingdom Come  and Bible Journaling are two Face Book groups I am enjoying!! If you are looking for a community of women who love Christ then these are for you:)

A page I created for my Kingdom Come Study Group

Girls, I am so grateful for my life. I am grateful for the chance I get every day to BE BETTER and DO BETTER!! If you are on your own Flying Free journey please share your progress!! I would LOVE to hear all about it!!!

My 100 Days - So Far

“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.” 
― Eckhart Tolle



Since I began my journey of 100 Days Flying Free...I can honestly tell you...today, I am calmer. I am trying very hard to focus on small things...taking teeny, tiny steps in some cases just so I can MOVE forward.

This is Day 7 of my journey and I have already learned so much.

One of my favorite Brave Art pieces

This week I have...

*taken several walks...making sure I took in my beautiful surroundings, our gorgeous Fall weather
*Tried my very best to choose my meals and snacks carefully
*made time for Scripture Study, really delving into His Word
*I am trying to take every hard situation that has come my way this week and remain calm. This is incredibly hard for me as I tend to overthink most everything
*I have noticed I am not reacting so much to things...another downfall of mine.
*Spent time with my Mom and girl...making sure we did what they wanted. Being an only child I can be so selfish when I am with my Mom...always expecting her to do what I want. She is going through breast cancer and chemo treatments at the moment...it is so hard

There have been moments this week when I think...there is NO WAY I can ever Fly Free. Life is so complicated and messy and I am a wreck. But then I will think about Melody Ross from Brave Girl's Club and what she always says...you have to get through those rough, yucky times so you can really start to heal.

And that's what I am trying to do...heal my heart, break free from all the junk that weighs it down and   FLY FREE.

 Girls, my amazing, sweet, crazy husband came home last night and announced..."Pack your bags we are leaving for Arizona!!" I was like...WHAT??! You see there is something going on there this Tuesday and our dearest friends ever will be there and we so wanted to go...and so we are going!! Nothing like the last minute right? Did I mention we live nearly 1,300 miles from Arizona??!!

We are leaving TODAY:)

I ADORE this man!!

 I honestly cannot believe how BLESSED I am!! In just 5 WEEKS I will be here!!!

 I am headed to Folly Beach South Carolina to teach art to some AMAZING women!! I still can't believe it is happening!! Sooooo happy and excited!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, my wish for you is that YOU will begin your own Flying Free journey. Make a list of things you really want to work on. What is weighing so heavy on YOUR heart?

It is time to BREAK FREE from our burdens and FLY!!!

Making Time for Scripture Study-100 Days Flying Free

“Spending time with God is the key to our strength and success in all areas of life. Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him.”

― Joyce Meyer

As I go through the next 100 Days I intend on putting Scripture Study into my daily life. I currently pray and speak with my Father in Heaven on a regular basis...yet something has been missing.

There is so much to be learned by studying His Word.

So today, I gathered my supplies, sat down at my studio table, said a prayer and began reading. 

I have always loved and admired Joyce Meyer and was so blessed to have found her book "100 Ways to Simplify Your Life" at our local library! 

Today's devotion was taken from Philippians 4:6...it was all about the importance of doing ONE thing at a time. Could that not be more relevant for me as I begin my 100 Days? As I read verse 6 it was placed upon my heart to re-write in a way I understood in my notebook. So here is my version of that scripture....

"Do not be excessively worried-but in everything humbly pray with Thanksgiving...let your requests (your heartfelt desires) be made known to God."

I do tend to worry about tomorrow, next week, next year. I can have myself so worked up into a frenzy about stuff that probably won't ever happen...but I have it in my mind it will. I must trust that the Lord will take care of my Tomorrow. He wants me to be happy in the NOW. 

I love the reminder Joyce gives me..."give your thoughts, conversation, energies, every part of you to the day at hand."

I am so grateful for quiet mornings...for a place to go and feel safe and warm. I am grateful for my family who understands me and loves me. And I am so grateful I am going on this 100 Day journey so I can let my heart go. So I can be at peace with who I am.

Are you taking this journey with me? If you are, I hope you will share your thoughts, your blogs, your art with me!!

100 Days of Flying Free

“Laugh, even when you feel too sick or too worn out or tired. 
Smile, even when you're trying not to cry and the tears are blurring your vision. 
Sing, even when people stare at you and tell you your voice is crappy. 
Trust, even when your heart begs you not to. 
Twirl, even when your mind makes no sense of what you see. 
Frolick, even when you are made fun of. Kiss, even when others are watching. Sleep, even when you're afraid of what the dreams might bring. 
Run, even when it feels like you can't run any more.
And, always, remember, even when the memories pinch your heart. Because the pain of all your experience is what makes you the person you are now. And without your experience---you are an empty page, a blank notebook, a missing lyric. What makes you brave is your willingness to live through your terrible life and hold your head up high the next day. So don't live life in fear. Because you are stronger now, after all the crap has happened, than you ever were back before it started.” 
― Alysha Speer


Last week I shared my heart with you. I told you how I was READY for a new outlook on life...a new way of living with intention and love and heart. Yes, I have been through so much and yes life will never ever be all sunshine and lollipops. I will continue to go through trials and sadness...but life was meant to be lived in spite of those trials...in spite of how hard it may be. Like the quote above says...

"Don't live life in fear. “Laugh, even when you feel too sick or too worn out or tired. 
Smile, even when you're trying not to cry and the tears are blurring your vision. You are stronger now than you ever were back before it started."

 I AM stronger now and my eyes are open. I want to LIVE not merely go through.

It was destiny then when my Soul School Class came in the mail on Saturday. Soul School was created by one of the most amazing people I know Melody Ross...and the fact that this months lesson is all about finding out what's trapping our heart so we can fly free...well, it was meant to be. I was trying to figure out what to call my 100 Day journey and Saturday, when I opened my Soul School box I knew...

"100 Days of Flying Free"

As soon as I opened the box and sifted through all the gorgeous papers, artwork and beautiful, soulful sayings I came across the Journaling Prompts...my heart knew this is what I needed to begin my journey!! So I curled up on my couch Sunday morning and began writing...sorting out my thoughts and feelings, really listening to what my heart was saying, not just writing down what I thought was the "right" answer. There are 20 questions in all and I am not even close to being done...I am taking my time...pondering each question. 

One of the first questions I answered was "What has clipped my wings throughout life? How about recently?" WOW. As soon as I read that I KNEW what to write and so I began...slowly at first, searching for the words...but then, my heart just took over and I wrote faster and faster...page after page...I didn't even know what I was writing...my heart had taken over. When I stopped I looked at my page...I just kept nodding my head up and down..."yes, yes those things...those things stopped me from flying. Those things are what hurt my soul so deeply and made me feel like I couldn't be who I really am...those are the things I need to break free from in order to fly free."

So here I am...going on this 100 day journey. I know I have lots of soul work to do. In order to really focus on me there are other things in my life I will work on...stuff my soul needs to feel my best...

*long walks

*clean, healthy foods

*lots of water

*time with my family

*time with my scriptures 

*less social media and phone games

*less drama

*less worrying about those things I can't control

*daily studio time 

Today my journey begins. 

Today I am striving to just let go. Not fuss over the house so much (this is a biggie for me and one of my main stresses). 

It's afternoon and I have my jammies on. There is laundry to be done, beds to make, my daughter's room to finish (we are in makeover mode) and so many other things. But today I chose to write my blog, to spend some quiet, thoughtful time in my studio FIRST. That is pretty huge for me and something I hope to do more and more.

If you want to join me on your OWN Flying Free journey I would LOVE it. Heck, you don't even have to call it Flying Free...you pick what's best for YOU. Just listen to your heart...it knows:)

I leave you today with something to think about...

“Because fear kills everything," Mo had once told her. "Your mind, your heart, your imagination.” 
― Cornelia Funke, Inkheart

Don't let fear kill you. Squash your dreams. Create a place for yourself where you can be comfortable...where you can be you. 

Girls, we get one life. One precious life.

It's time to live it.

PS...I will checking in at least on a weekly basis (maybe more some weeks). I want to keep a record for myself on how much I grow/learn/do. I encourage you to share here, on your blogs and our facebook group your journey.

Blessings.
xoxo