You Don't Have to 'Keep Up' ~ Breathing Room for Your Soul

It's a sweetly quieting statement...You don't have to keep up with everyone else's pace. 

You have permission to find God's unique rhythms. Rhythms He's written just for you.

On our own, we live a syncopated rhythm. Off beat. A chaotic pace. The song we sway to is suddenly interrupted and the beat shifts all over the place...over and over in one day.

But, what if you were still with God. Maybe several times throughout one day.
Quiet in his stillness until you found your rhythms.
Sweet flowing rhythms unique to your soul's flow.
A joyful quick beat or a slowing melody.

It's impossible to control the world's cadence. But your rhythm can overwhelm your soul above the other noises. Above another's timing.

You don't have to keep up with anyone else's pace. 

May you find breathing room for your soul by tapping your toes to the song God wrote just for you.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

ps. Maybe you can find your rhythm by trying some of these cups of rest from the lovely Bonnie Gray at FaithBarista.com. Click on the art below to access free printables at Bonnie's site.

Sipping shots of faith with Bonnie

Savoring a cuppa with Holley

Becoming :: A New Season of Rediscovery

Starting my day. The mornings.

I am having so much fun putting my hands to old interests being made new. It's been a slow attempt on my part. The doors have finally opened up time and energy I need to start. My soul already feels refreshed. Space made for soul breathing.

Hand lettering has been an interest since I was a teen. A friend and I would have so much fun at it. Last year, that was renewed in me. All of a sudden friends started to post photos of their practice right at the time I needed a spark.

Art was another teen interest. Airbrushing and charcoal was my interest back then. It's a whole century later. The area I want to explore is watercolor pencils and brush markers.

Tonight, my hubby takes me to pick some last few supplies. He's going to discover along with me. Always fun with a friend. I'm sure many mistakes will be made. I'm gonna keep those to remind me along the way that progress is a process. Mistakes can be fun too.

I would love to hear what your interests are. What new things have you tried? What have you found out about yourself that you never new before? 

I wanted to share these 28 shots to savor in trying new things. Some you might already do. Others you might want to start again. Still there might be a few new ones to explore. You never know what you might discover.

Happy first day of Spring and Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

Originally posted at Faith Barista by my writing friend Bonnie Gray in February. 

The beautiful handwriting and art done by my friend Kelly Ishmael of Minding My Nest.

click on photo to download for printing

Having some shots of faith with Bonnie today

Sipping with Holley too

On Rest ~ The Kind Your Soul Needs

What kind of rest is your soul needing today?

Is it actual sleep?

Do you need a brain break and some play...

 or even pampering?

How about some time to create?

Capturing photos/videos of your days story. Writing your heart. 

Doodling or drawing. Sewing, baking, crafts...

An activity you really enjoy but haven't done lately.

A good book to savor.   While you sip your coffee or tea...

Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray and You're Loved No Matter What by Holley Gerth

Some time outdoors in the sun, on a hike, or riding your bike.

Time for watching the sunset

Some quiet time to pray.

Or just being still in the silence for awhile...

Time with ones who lift your spirits and love you as is.

Talking story or just being quiet together.

May you take time to recall and write down your soul filling activities. God's gifts to you.

May you make time for at least one of them. Be kind to you.

Hugs from Hawaii,

Jeri


Hebrews 4 ~

v10 - for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

v11 - Let, us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest...

Finding rest in Coffee for Your Heart
 with my friend Holley

and

Beloved Brews with my friend Bonnie

Finding Rest on a Weekend {1-Minute Video Journal}

We had our first weekend alone in a long while...

~ Over the holidays we became complete empty nesters. They're all finally settled into their new homes and routines.

~ Our grandson is usually with us. Then, he started school in February. He's settling into his new environment and routine.

~ The whole family is recovering from colds. We're at the end stages.

So...

This past weekend we got our 'us' rhythm back. 

We did a few things we like to do, but haven't been able.

Slow flow is such soul goodness.
Breathing room for my soul.
Fills us up. So we can pour out.

May you find your rest in doing what fills your soul. I'd love to hear about it if you'd like to share.

Hugs from Hawaii, Jeri


Isaiah 58:11 ~ I will always show you where to go.
    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
    firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

Just Us - Full Movie (One Minute Memory of the #minimondaysmovie) from Jeri Taira on Vimeo.

Captured with iPhone.

Music: Thingamajig by Jason Shaw

Free in vimeo music store




Joining Holley for a cuppa and some good conversation

 

Sipping some shots of faith with Bonnie

 

Rediscovering My Childhood

 


That's me on the left just seven days before my eleventh birthday...thirty-nine years ago. That was our new puppy Ilio at the time. Ilio means 'dog' in Hawaiian. Ha, ha. I loved that dog.

You can see the tomboy there. My hair was usually long and never stayed neat. I look at this photo and all the joys of that time come back to me. I forgot, for a few decades, how much I loved to play outside. To run, skateboard, bike, go to the beach, play ball with my little brothers. Even walk or bike for miles to friends homes.

I see now it's no accident how the outdoors re-entered as my soul good space. Even with my condition, it has found a way to move back into my every day. In new ways.

I'm finding the little girl in me again through our grandson. Our days are filled with hot wheels, lots of trucks, planets and galaxies, and our new favorite show, Miles From Tomorrowland.

How about the child in you? Take some time to sit and remember what you loved to do in those early years. You might just find a few of those things made it's way into our adult seasons of life.

May you rediscover the joys that filled your childhood days. 
May it create breathing room for your soul.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

Savoring a sweet brew with Bonnie.

Come have a few sips with us.

Sipping Coffee for Your Heart with Holley. Another cup for you here too.

Soothing Soul Whispers

This photo was taken a few months ago on an early evening rain walk with David and Shadow. A special time when I find breathing room for my soul.

My new rain boots. I was so excited to get them wet and dirty. I happen to look down and saw the fallen blossoms lit by the street lamp. I heard the soul whispers from days earlier. Our grandson's voice sweetly breathed out, "Yaya, I'm so proud of you."

Inspired by Bonnie Gray
Finding Spiritual Whitespace (Ch3)
Feel free to download this image for yourself.

It was a moment when I could choose between being loudly angry at him or choose to bow my head and pray, "Jesus, help me." Immediately, God gifted me with those sweet words and a hug from the little man.

God whispered to my soul. Now my soul whispers to yours...

May we see that there is no pressure in being an example of God's love, when we come to Jesus just as we are. Yes, truly as we are in our innermost parts that matter most. No need for masks. We are safe there.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Psalm 41:6 ~ You are a safe place to hide
You are ready to help when I need you...

Isaiah 1:18 ~ "Come now, and let us reason together
Says the Lord...

Savoring a sweet brew with Bonnie.

Come have a few sips with us.

Sipping Coffee for Your Heart with Holley. Another cup for you here too.

How to Declutter the Soul

photo from tea time with my grandson

Physical clutter causes me to hold my breath. I am now becoming aware of the many other things that clutter my soul.

The random thoughts that speed in and out of my mind.
The ping-pong emotions that accompany those disorderly thoughts.
The indecisiveness that brings chaotic dilemma.
The past hurts I would rather forget that stomp extremely loud on the floor of my heart.

Oh, but to breathe. To find God's space to breathe. The space he created just for me and him. Our oasis.

Room to partition from the disorganized clutter.
A quiet place for respite from the clamoring noise.
Wide, open space where fresh air rejuvenates and revitalizes...the soul.

How do we start?

Just show up and be with God. No words necessary. My favorite way to declutter and decompress. My second go-to when I need more encouragement is to connect. Online or in person. Both are good.

May we make time to be kind to ourselves. 

To go find the room to breathe that God has created for each one of us. May we do it often.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Psalm 46:10 ~ 
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

Isaiah 41:1 ~
[ Do You Feel Like a Lowly Worm? ] 
“Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. 
Listen! Sit down and rest, everyone. 
Recover your strength. Gather around me. 
Say what’s on your heart. 
Together let’s decide what’s right.

I am sipping a good brew with Bonnie.

We saved some for you.

Sipping Coffee for Your Heart with Holley too A cup for you here too.

Soul Goodness::PhotoJournal

Giggles, snuggles, and just plain being together have been my soul food in this season.

So calming, soothing and full of rest. 

Especially, before the little one goes to school in a week. 

BigDog and I are going to miss the full days with him. 

But the new normal holds promise for more whitespace for my soul. More of God's breathing room for my soul:

May you have many moments of soul goodness to feed your soul the rest it is craving.

Isaiah 60:2 ~ ...But God rises on you, His sunrise glory breaks over you.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

Hi Dabee. Just home from work.

This is a God only miracle. BigDog is a rescue-rehab
trained with our grandson since his birth.

Something new. He learned while I did edits. 

"Come make with me, Dabee!" When he comes home.

His new and very own safari bed. Mickey space bedding.
Saturn is his favorite.

Bedtime rituals. He asks for his bible and learns as he flips through.

He wanted to make me laugh when I wasn't feeling well.
It really worked!

One night at mall closing. This lifted my soul so high.
Strangers joined in every so often and had a blast too. 

Sipping soul good brews with Bonnie and the gang.

God's Breathing Room for my Soul

I walk back and forth from the kitchen table to where I was sitting at least three times before I realize I have. I stop at 'my seat' and see the pile on the table. Before I can get overwhelmed, I notice my journal in the center of it all. Breathe...

I smile, slow, breathe and am calmed. It feels so good to be able to get there.

It was last November when I kept hearing God whisper to become slower. Mind you, I'm already at such a slow pace. My condition requires it. My doctors prescribe it. So, I'm thinking how much slower can I get. I trust God. I don't get it sometimes. It's painfully hard at times. But, I trust Him.

Faithfully, He shows me Psalm 61 and 62. I read about breathing room and I get it. Slowing my pace is only part of it. Lightening my load is a crucial part. Finding my support circle of women a very vital part.

I've done what I can...what He's asked of me.

Now, He wants me to let Him do His part. All I have to do is be with Him. Ah, now I get it. Become slower and just breathe. To find breathing room for my soul often. Embracing that breathing room by being with Him.

Whatever God has given us for this upcoming year in a word, anchor phrase, or verse. We can know that He is in the center of it all. It's going to be alright if we invite Him to be there. Just be with Him.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

Psalm 61 The Message (MSG)

3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
    a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
    an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
    made me welcome among those who know and love you.

Psalm 62 The Message (MSG)

 1-2 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

I'm joining my friend Bonnie for Coffee today