“Imagine a world without pleasure. Life would appear colorless and humorless. A baby’s smile would go unappreciated. Foods would be tasteless.” Robert Ornstein and David Sobel It is so true that if there were no joy in life, nothing would make sense. It wouldn’t matter if there were good or bad, up or down, sunshine or rain. Without the ability to experience joy, life would simply become a series of events with no sparkle, no laughter, and no reason to stop and appreciate

“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.” Gilda Radner There is something magical about autumn, especially here in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina where I currently find myself. Everywhere I look, Mo

"If you are sad, if you are heartbroken, make yourself up, dress up, add more lipstick and attack." Coco Chanel There are times in life when the world seems to come crashing down around us. We look in the mirror and barely recognize the person staring back. The sparkle in our eyes has dimmed, our confidence has disappeared, and even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming. Sometimes the last thing we want to do is put on a smile and face the world. I know that feeling all too

“Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably And never regret ANYTHING That makes you smile.” Mark Twain I guess I have always been a bit of a rebel. I’m not sure exactly when that rebellious streak began, but one thing I know for certain is that being told I can't do something has never sat well with me. And being told I must do something a certain way? Well, that is usually when my adventurous spirit starts looking for a

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” - Chinese Proverb There is something very comforting about our comfort zones. They are familiar, predictable, and safe. We know what to expect, and we can settle into our routines without having to stretch ourselves too far. Sometimes it is much easier to remain right where we are than to take that first uncertain step into something new. But here's the thing about comfort zones. While they may feel safe,

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt It’s a new day. An ending and a beginning, all wrapped up in the beautiful mystery of life. As I packed my belongings and prepared to leave the magical land of Alaska, I found myself struggling with something unexpected. The packing itself was easy. It was my heart that was having difficulty fitting everything into the suitcase. How do you pack away the wonder of a glacier, the excitement of a dogsle

“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” James Allen I have always been fascinated by dreams. There is something so mysterious and magical about closing our eyes, drifting off to sleep, and entering a world where anything seems possible. We can fly without wings, visit places we have never been, re

“You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.” Joyce Meyer Our awareness is one of the most powerful gifts we have been given. What we choose to notice, what we allow into our thoughts, and how we perceive the world around us all play a part in shaping our experience of life. Our understanding and perception give substance to the things upon which we place our attention. In other words, what we focus on expands. Every day we have a choice. What are we going to feed

“He had no place he could stay in without getting tired of it and because there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep rolling under the stars.” Jack Kerouac There is something magical about the open road. It calls to the adventurous spirit within us, inviting us to discover what lies beyond the next bend, over the next mountain, or in the heart of a stranger we have yet to meet. A life of constant travel is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. In fact, if someone had told

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abraham Lincoln Today was an interesting day. I gave myself permission to slow down, regroup, rejuvenate, and organize my thoughts. After the whirlwind of experiences I have had here in Alaska, my mind and heart needed a little time to catch up with my soul! There has been dogsledding, glacier gazing, moose watching, encounters with some of God's most magnificent creatures, and the sacred blessing of the land that marked the completion