Intentional beginnings

When we start a new project in life we usually have some form of expectation for the outcome. Over the last 10 days I took part in a commitment to eating whole foods, no sugar and no breads, alcohol or caffeine. "A" did the cleanse with me. We both set some intentions that were personal to us.

My intentions were different from his and for the first time we both felt satisfied while eating a similar diet. It got me reflecting on other aspects of my life and why I am often disappointedly, afraid or unwilling to make changes.

Intentions are reasonable expectations you have for yourself. Expectations that are kind and gentle and understanding of your heart. They give you the opportunity to feel accomplished and provide the confidence to take bigger more passionate strides.

Some days my only intention is to be ok. To be ok with my body, my job, my life.... Other time I feel the greatness rise up, a need to create and be loud! A need to indulge in my love for all that I have and all that I am.

I realized today that I have built a life where I am because I decided to. I made the decision to try new things, be bold, volunteer, host meetups, walk into tea shops and offer my helping hand if not only for an hour a week... These intentions have led to a life I could not have anticipated. People I never expected to meet. Friends I never knew I would cherish. Reflecting on these intentional steps reminds me that I always have choices and new opportunities available to me.

Today my intention is to reflect and say thank you. To dream without inhibition. And to smile deep from within. And to share my thoughts with all of you :)

What will your intentions be today? Small or large, I think they'll be quite impactful.

BPositive and BFree!

Love,
B

Ah Spring

Its finally spring. In northwest Florida the air is dry, the birds are a choir outside my house, and the bay just sparkles like diamonds.

While I've felt the initial buzz of the new season, my routine hasn't yet caught up. I've been working a lot (think cubicle...) My husband "A" too. We're in the early stages of a new business and it's not always easy. In our tired state we often fall prey to our winter comforts...Not so kind foods...Movies and TV... Holing up in our house on the couch...

But March is bursting through my windows!! so why am I finding it hard to break these winter habits?

I talked to "A" about my dilemma. I want to embrace my playful side again and open my heart to all the beautiful gifts around me.

So we made a jar. A playful jar. A jar with ideas for activities, outings, and ways to just love our surroundings. I thought I would share some of these.

Finger paint. Dance in the rain. Muppet graffiti. Drive 50 miles outside of town in any direction. Hit the swings at the park. Make a fort. Side walk chalk. Frisbee. Skip rocks in the bay. Star gaze. Dance party! Just to name a few.

Yesterday we sat in the park decorating rocks (this is muppet graffiti in case you were wondering) with vibrant colors and love to leave for others to find. It was a concrete plan that turned into running around the gazebo, taking silly pictures and then tossing the frisbee around the park. "A" challenged me to see if I could get the frisbee through the tree branches. A game that failed in execution but resulted in uncontrollable laughter. We played. We actually let go and played like children. Free from the bills, the business and all the responsibility. It felt so good!

With winter just barely behind us it's not always easy to shift. Coming to the surface should be a gentle experience. Small actions. Embracing the energizing sunlight. Opening the windows. Challenging yourself to a new and maybe silly activity. And maybe even finding a way to PLAY that's right for you!

An open heart gives way to a free spirit
A free spirit changes as she pleases
She embraces her beauty
She's knows that all beauty around her is simple and real
She stops to smell the roses and picks one for herself because roses are meant to be shared.
She lives brightly.
Sparkles deeply.
Loves passionately.
Plays jubilantly.
Her actions are deep hues of sapphire, emerald and garnet.
She's Alive.

Happy spring my dear friends!

BPositive and BFree!
Love,
B

Presence

Wanted to share a few present moments today:

Harmonic wind chimes dancing.
Crisp breeze.
Church bells singing.
Sunshine.
Radiator humming.
Hot sweet milky tea.

What rejuvenates you this Sunday morning?

BPositive and BFree!
Love,
B

The Sadness Handkerchief

I go months and months without crying real tears. And then one day they all come out, representing every emotion repressed or previously misled. Today I couldn't find the right distraction. My husband A has a lot going on. Everyone feels so far away. Most of them are at least a plane ride.

From my bed I saw a perfect little white handkerchief with the letter B embroidered on the corner, perched on the mantel. It's been untouched by tears, perfectly preserved in the old cigar box painted powder blue. It was a gift of thanks with meaning deeper than I can explain in words. It felt the right time to put it to use. I wrote down a few words on small pieces of paper. Short. Sweet. Telling words. Words that belong to my heart. That are for my eyes only.

I share this because we all have sadness that creeps out from the darkness. And maybe letting it out one word, one tear or one thought at a time will provide you with the relief it provided me.

BPositive and BFree!

Love,
B

Road Trip Flashback #1

It's fulfilling to look back on our experiences. They build our character and teach us things about ourselves we never knew. A and I decided to do a blog series together remembering our life road trip through Instagram photos. We both agreed we were glad not to have this technology at the time (talk about distracting!) but we're sure glad to have it now :) enjoy some "enhanced" versions of moments on a really significant journey.

Here's to I Love You

A and I have never really been ones to celebrate Valentine's Day. We're not strangers to the romantic dinner or coming home with surprises, but we've always struggled to find excitement for this one particular day that we all simultaneously celebrate.

It's not that I'm anti-valentines day. In fact I love any day that people choose to celebrate love and not hate. We spend so much of our time finding the flaws in the world. What's not refreshing about a day devoted to the compassion in our hearts?

Although A and I probably won't do anything out of the ordinary on the 14th of February I wanted to recognize that I'm glad we have a day devoted to love. I still have the valentines day cards my dad gave me growing up and I like hearing about people's plans and how they choose to celebrate. Love is a good topic. We should have more days about love!

This February I got crafty (I know...what month do I not get crafty?) I get to see A everyday and tell him I love him but I don't get to do that for the other loves in my life. It's one of the ways I know how to show I care. Making things truly comes from the heart and I'm glad to have so many to share it with.

Happy day of love!

BPositive and BLoving!
Love,
B

Call me domestic...

A and I like to start our morning together. It's easy to be distracted by iPads and morning text messages. But I try and make it a point to make breakfast and sit together. Even it's just sitting sleepily at the same table (I'm a bit more of a morning person than A....)

Call me domestic, but I love to cook. The art of preparing something that is nourishing and vibrant is exactly what I need to start my day. Veganism has given me the opportunity to make all sorts of things for breakfast that I may not have made in the past. I thought I'd share some photos from our morning.

It takes a little extra effort but it makes all the difference in how we start our day. Happy morning friends!