Author: Bethany Howard
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The imperfect of it all makes it hard to breathe.
The imperfect of it all makes it hard to breathe. The tangle of should and my own expectations leaves me disenchanted and trapped in wishes. The wishes are light but strong and form a web that gives the illusion of structure of safety of purpose. One wrong turn and what I thought was giving structure…
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Gleaning: What are you carrying into the next season?
A gleaner collects gradually bit by bit. I’m a sifter and a savorer. It explains why I still have letters from a friend in high school. Or why I walk around with days old coffee. And why I am wearing a cardigan that was once in the closet of my friend’s mom. I’ve had it…
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New This Fall! Look In The Mirror And See Purpose.
Take a walk in the woods, on a paved path, in the desert or in a tropical paradise. Notice your surroundings as you take in fall. Notice the leaves that have changed their colors or notice the cacti that doesn’t experience quite as dramatic a change. Notice the evergreen staying true to its colors. Each…
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You Don’t Have To Try So Hard: A Book Review and GIVEAWAY!
The harder I try it seems the more I fail. I will be the first to admit that it is no fun, this messed up cycle of trying too hard and failing. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory’s book, You Don’t Have To Try So Hard: Ditch Expectations and Live Your Own Best Life, is a…
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Savoring the place where you are.
Savor. Right now I am savoring the sun that is playing peekaboo with the clouds. After Hurricane Michael came through last night I can’t help but soak up the sun. I am savoring the crunch of leaves and and the fact that chili is now a great option for dinner. I am savoring the the laughs…
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Let go. Take part in the dance.
The leaves carpet the ground. A walk across the yard yields a satisfying crunch. The leaves release their grip on the branches as they are supposed to. Their free-fall to the ground is an intentional, choreographed dance. A dance that is part of the cycle of bringing forth new. Their decay feeds the earth and…
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I need to see the reminder every single day
For over 365 days a reminder has popped up on my phone from my son. It says: I see it a couple times a day either on my computer or phone. And I need the reminder every single day. Of course I need to hear it from him, hear him say the words in his…
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A moment of irresistible in the in between
I’m not a big fan of in between. I don’t like the awkward, the not there yet – the ending and not yet beginning. A few days ago I found myself in the in between and I smiled pleased to find an intermediate spot of perfect. I didn’t really think this existed. A not here…
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Sometimes bravery is a whisper
I think sometimes we glorify bravery. Meaning – bravery requires a marquee sign. It has to be something that shouts Or requires a microphone or A large audience. This makes bravery inaccessible and unachievable – if this is all bravery is. Bravery happens in the quiet, too. In the morning when you wake up and…
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Outside the box
I stepped out of my box today. And guess what. It was awesome. I’ve done that a few times this week, actually. I think what it might be is that I have surrounded myself with people who routinely step outside of the box. Maybe, just maybe, some of their bravery and gumption is rubbing off…
