Lay It Down

Are any of you carrying extra weight on your shoulders already this year like I am?

The expectations I have of myself are a combination of my old self and superwoman, both who no don't exist.  

This person I am trying to be ~ having my act together in every area of my life on day 3 of the New Year, aka a perfectionist ~ is unrealistic and unnecessary.

Instead I am choosing to hang up these expectations.  Yes, I will still set goals for myself, yet realistic ones that meet me where I am today.  Not who I was yesterday or who I desire to be in the future.

I am sharing this today in case you too have placed some unrealistic expectations on your shoulders and are carrying extra weight around.  I invite you to join me to...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And let’s lay down the perfectionist mentality.  Instead, let's meet ourselves for who we are, be honest with ourselves about the number of hours in the day and not try to be superwoman or superman.  Let’s take each day as it comes and do what is ours to do.  No more. No less.  

God gave us enough hours in the day to do what we NEED to do but He didn’t give us enough time in the day to have us do all that we WANT to do.

With love and hope,

Shawn

"Cast all your cares on God because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

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Begin Within

(Video from summer 2016)

Happy New Year!

What are your goals this New Year?

Eating clean, exercising more consistently, etc.?

What if you tried something new this year and instead of focusing on the outside, you chose to begin within, where true transformation happens?

I get the pull to start working out and eating well at the start of the year.  Most of my life my New Year's resolutions were focused on bettering the outside of myself.  I thought if I took care of my outside, my inside would be at peace. Yet I can look back at pictures when I was in the best shape of my life and on the outside I may appear well but on the inside I was still not at peace.

What I have come to learn is that to be well within, I need to begin within.

I am sharing this video to give you some food for thought...

To grow strong enough to do these 50 push-ups I started at 10 and then added 2 a day for 21 days. I dedicated the time, used my energy purposefully and was disciplined daily. And those small deposits I put in over time paid off.

The same has been true in my spiritual growth.

When I started having a morning prayer time I would read a quick paragraph which took maybe a minute. Day by day over the past seven years, my prayer time has grown in length.

Why?

Because I have seen how taking the time to Pause. Breathe. and Pray. has brought more peace into my heart than when I would wake up and workout first thing.

Now I am not saying I don't like to workout or eat well. I was a Health and Physical Education teacher and a yoga teacher before becoming a writer. Being active and eating well is part of who I am yet I do those to increase the quality of my life, not to be a certain size anymore. I have come to learn that being at peace comes from an internal workout, one where I practice letting go and trusting in God.

I now spend twice as much time in the morning cultivating my Spirit, mind and heart - through my readings, prayer, meditation and my gratitude journal - than I do working out.

I share this video to demonstrate what can happen when you choose to use your time and energy consistently; you grow stronger. I can show you this growth physically but it is difficult for me to show the depth of internal growth I have experienced. I hope this parallel encourages you to know that change IS possible yet it doesn't start on the changing who we are on the outside.

True transformation begins within.

As you enter this New Year, I invite you to begin your transformation from the inside out. Learn to... 

Pause. Breathe. Pray. 

And choose to live out love, towards yourself, and others.

I admit, hopping on the treadmill may be easier, but will it really bring you the peace you are seeking within?

Begin within today by taking these simple steps:

1. Join my FREE facebook group where you will receive encouragement and guidance for your journey: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/166558437430907/?source_id=695664393827811

2.  Sign up for my blog BELOW to receive weekly inspiration and encouragement and be the first to learn about my upcoming 6-week series classes (in-person and online).  

3. For those who are local, my first 6-week series class, Pause. Breathe. Pray. starts on Monday, 1/8.  To sign up visit HERE

Here's to a new day, a new week, a new month, a new year and a NEW YOU!

With love and hope,

Shawn

"For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are unwell...First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too." - Matthew 23:25-26

Circles of Love

Today I am a bit emotional saying goodbye to 2017.  You'd think I would say, "see-ya!"  Yes, I am wanting to move forward from cancer but what I don't want to move away from is the all the beauty I witnessed this year.

I saw...

My husband wrap me in his arms and love me through sickness into health.

The strength of my children's hearts and them meet adversity with faith and hope.

My parents were on a road trip and drove straight home to be here beside us every step of the way.

My siblings and their spouses, along with our nieces, and nephews rally around our family.  Their love was palpable.

My incredible in-laws show up for us in every way.

My aunts, uncle, and cousin visit so they could give our family a hug.

My best friend since Kindergarten continue to walk beside me in life.

My soul sisters pray over me and my family every step of the way.

My hometown cover us in prayer, provide our family with meals, a clean home, and so many other gifts of love along the way.

Every card, text message, email, facebook message from family and friends, near and far, to let us know we were in their thoughts and prayers.

Friends wrap their love around our children and help us whenever we needed it whether it was have them over or help with carpooling.

Strangers become friends.

The circles of love around us are something I never realized were there until this year and I am so grateful for each and every circle of love.

Why am I having trouble saying good-bye to 2017?

Even though it took cancer for me to see it clearly, what I witnessed this year was the best in people.  I saw people pour love towards a family in need.  I witnessed God's love in action every day through all these beautiful people as they lived out love towards our family.  

And I don't want to lose sight that perspective. 

Yet as I have moved further away from treatment, I see the lens being blurred as day to day life weaves its way back in.  Yes, I need to move forward yet my hope is to keep the lens clear and the perspective I gained this year.  How will I do that?  My hope is to...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And in 2018 make it my goal to be a vessel of love in someone else's circle of love.  From my child navigating a new stage in life to a friend recovering from surgery.   From those in our community who don't have enough money for groceries to those in need of clean water on the other side of the world.  There are opportunities near and far for us to live out love towards others.  

I know I can't do it all, but I can do something everyday for someone.

I share this with you today because I wanted to extend this invitation to you too.  I invite you to...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And consider making one of your goals in 2018 to be a vessel of love in someone's circle of love.  If we each do what is ours to do, the circles of love will broaden in our homes, communities and around the world, hopefully someday wrapping everyone in love and care.

I hope wherever we choose live out love, that whoever receives it can feel God's love working through each of us, just as our family did this year.

Thank you 2017 for showing me the beauty in people and what life is all about; to be a vessel of love in someone's circle of love; helping those in need.  

Here's to 2018 and the possibilities it holds to live out love...

With love, gratitude, and hope,

Shawn

"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." - 1 John 4:16

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Merry Christmas 2017

Have you ever been skeptical about someone and were hesitant to get to know them?  

Then you decide you will make an attempt to get to know them just to see if you connect?

Surprisingly, you do connect and the person is so different than what you initially thought.  And now you just can't spend enough time getting to know more about that person?

Me too.

And one of those people for me is Jesus.

Now if the name Jesus throws you off, I get it, it used to throw me off too.  If someone would simply say his name, I would tune out of the conversation.  So if you’re there, I get it and honor where you are.

But seven years ago I decided to learn more about Jesus.  I was skeptical.  I asked a lot of questions and I did my own studies so that I didn't take someone else's opinion on as my own.

And I became quite intrigued.  

What I have come to learn about Jesus is that he was a patient, kind, compassionate, and forgiving man. He met people beyond the surface at their heart. He was selfless, humble, and charitable.  He was always willing to put his desires second to other people's needs.  He walked with purpose and gave us an example of what it looks and sounds like to live out love towards others.  

I wondered...what if I put these truths into practice in my own life?  What would happen?  Well, I can wholeheartedly say, that my life has been transformed when I have (imperfectly) put these truths into practice.  I have received a fullness in my heart that I had never experienced before.

And then this year cancer came to visit.  

I looked at cancer for a while but realized I wasn't going to get anywhere staring at the problem, so where did I look?  

I looked to Jesus to guide me.

What did he do when he met adversity?

Four things stood out to me were that he accepted the hand he was given, he prayed, he trusted the path God had for him and he loved others.

And so I did my best to follow that guidance through my journey this year. Also, when I would sit in a doctors office, on the radiation table or in my chemo chair, I would open my palms and picture Jesus kneeling beside me, holding my right hand with his head bowed in prayer.  I felt comforted, strengthened, and peaceful in those moments.

I share this with you today because it is Christmas and for most of my life, Jesus was not a part of my Christmas.  But now he is as I recognize that Christmas is the celebration of his birth.  My life has truly been transformed because I invited Jesus into it and I wanted to invite you today to...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And just take a moment to consider getting to know Jesus better.  Maybe if you do, you will be surprised like I was and will also gain a new perspective when you say Merry Christmas.

No matter what you decide, I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!  And if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry day!

With love, peace, joy, and hope,

Shawn

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

The doorbell rang as I was brushing my teeth. I went to open the door. As the man from Edible Arrangements handed me my arrangement. I said “thank you” without thinking (I forgot to put my obturator back in🤦🏼‍♀️). He smiled my way then said “I only know a few signs” and attempted to sign with me assuming I was deaf because of my impaired speech. 

I can’t express how grateful I am towards him for choosing to try and communicate with me rather than judge me💗

Mercy triumphs over judgement, every time💕🙏🏼💝

It made me....

Pause. Breathe. Pray. 

And ask, “Who can I extend mercy to today?

With gratitude,
Shawn

“Mercy triumphs over judgement.” - James 2:13

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Be Still & Live Simply

I just rearranged pillows at Barnes and Noble to remind myself to slow down today and that simplicity is best. What we all need is each other’s presence, not more presents🎁

Who knows, maybe someone else could use this message too today💝

With love and hope,
Shawn

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

The Healing Garden

I am back in Boston today for some appointments as part of my “new normal.”

I have some time between my appointments and came to a place I didn’t share with you during my seven weeks here.  This place was too sacred a space for me and I wasn’t ready to invite others into it at the time. 

This is the healing garden at Mass General Hopsital.  It is located on the 8th floor down the hall from where my chemo treatments were and floors above where my radiation was.

Years ago I read something author Jon Acuff wrote that has always stuck with me.  He said that we all need to find our Central Park in the city of our lives. A place where we can get away from the crazy and leave renewed.

This was my Central Park during treatment.  In the middle of Boston, on top of the hospital, some beautiful people gifted people like me a calm, nourishing space to get away from the waiting rooms and doctors offices.  In between appointments I did not have to be out in the hustle and bustle of the city or go back to my hotel, I could come to this quiet place to renew my heart, mind and Spirit.

Today, I once again am choosing to come to this sacred space because it means so much to me and gives me a place to pause. breathe. pray. in my busy day/week.

I share this for two reasons today.  First, because I am ready to share this space with you now and show you the gift the healing garden is to the patients and their families at Mass General.  Secondly, because I want to encourage you today to...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And although you may not be going from appointment to appointment like I am, you may be running around yourself today checking off things on your to do lists, going from meeting to meeting, running the kids from here to there and everywhere in between, etc. 

I want to invite you to find your own Healing Garden and Central Park today.  Whether it is sitting in your car for a minute or two before you get out at your next stop, sitting down at the kitchen table to drink your coffee, taking a walk outside for 5 minutes, etc.  I encourage you to find a place that will take you away from the crazy  of your day and will leave your renewed.

With love and hope,

Shawn

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

A Beautiful View

The other day as I walked along the rails to trails, I thought about what a peaceful path this is. Yet this same path was originally the railroad tracks through our town.  This serene path used to be hustling and bustling with trains passing through.

It made me pause.

Recently I was telling Stephen that I feel like we were given a gift this year to step off the trains in life we were on and step into the countryside where we gained a beautiful view of the world.  Although it took cancer to get us to step off the train, it was a gift.  We have been gifted a perspective in life of what truly matters.

People.

The things, the places, to do lists, schedules, etc. exist but they are not what nourish you in those moments when you are on the edge of life.  

It is the people.  

The relationships.

The conversations.  

The comfortable silence.

The ones that hold your hand and heart and walk beside you.

I enjoy the countryside and for most of this year we have lived there.  I was blind and deaf to the trains that may have been passing by.  I saw those beside me and was present with them.  

Yet recently I am starting to hear and see those trains pass through, inviting us to hop back on.

The thing is, I don't want to jump on.  I want to stay in the countryside and keep this perspective yet I know I need to also move forward in life.  

How do I move forward and keep this God-given perspective I have come to cherish and not allow the craziness of the world to move in and sweep us away on the next train passing through?

I need to stay close to the edge.  

No, I don't want cancer.  But I want to walk beside others who are on the edge.  Being there beside others who are going through their own "edge experience" helps me keep perspective and rooted in what matters, loving others.

Yes, the path before us today may appear like the old railroad tracks, with trains passing by inviting us to hop on at full speed off to our next destination.

Yet, I invite you to join me and...

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And let's not hop on.  Or if you are on a train, I offer for you to hop off the next stop.  Let's all meet in this countryside.  Let's take a moment to watch the trains pass by and ask ourselves if one those trains is where we need to be.  Sometimes the countryside will make us face our truth which can be challenging, but there are others of us here waiting to walk beside you on your journey to a fuller life.  And together, we can enjoy this life and the beautiful view.

With love and hope, 

Shawn

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Wise Words

What do you do when one of your children arrives home and shares with you a quote that captures your heart and how we can move through this season with more peace?

You pass along the love and wisdom💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Root Ourselves in Love

My morning pause💗🙏😊

May we all take a moment this morning, and every morning, to... 

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

And fuel our hearts and minds with love today. We will encounter moments today that will try and shake us up. Like the other day I guess I didn’t move fast enough at a stop sign for the person behind me and they honked and gave me the finger☝🏼(ya, not that one). My initial thoughts were to defend myself verbally or to go real slow 🙃 but instead I drove along ignoring it and offered loving kindness their way💕

We can’t change what will happen today but we can control our responses to what happens. Let’s be proactive and root ourselves in love and truth in the morning so when we are shaken, love can flow from us onto others. For from the heart our mouths speak. Let’s fill it with the good stuff and let hate stop with us and pass along love to one another instead.

With love and hope,
Shawn

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JOURNEY