You Have Permission to Just Rest {PhotoJournal}

Sometimes all you can do is inhale and exhale. 

The vacuum seems so heavy. 

The laundry is overwhelming.

You're so tired you don't want to talk to anyone or do anything. 

Even the fun stuff is less inviting.

You just want to put your feet up...lie down...be still in complete quiet

You have permission to rest. 

Take a real breather where you actually breathe.

That's what I've had to do the last few weeks. So I...

Admired my blooming tulips while I waited for my tea to brew.

Thought of soul beautiful people in my life...

and soft smiled for a long while.

Got comfy on the couch and snuggled with my pup.

Said prayers for my friends and fam who are facing challenges.

Got my pretty tea pot out and found some soft light by the window.

Put a tiny mum (from my sweet girl) in a tiny vase

Told our youngest to nap on his visit and soaked in his rest

It really made me breathe.

When you are empty, you have nothing to give. I say to my hubby, "I'm of no benefit to anyone or myself right now. I gotta have complete quiet."

My exhausted friend. You have permission to rest. I pray that you may find many moments for yourself.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri



Mark 6:30-31 ~ The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.  (MSG) 

Mark 6:30- The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. (NIV)

Slowly sipping with Holley

 

Savoring sweet sips with Bonnie

  

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.

The Waiting and Beginning Again

edited with Rhonna Designs app

Grace. Such a powerfully forgiving word. I have been so blessed by countless people encouraging me while on my unexpected break from blogging my heart here.

I have had such a beautiful time of rest and recovery. Our family, on the mend both individually and as a unit. It made room for months of miracles, healing, and restoration.

To celebrate God in this New Year, I pray blessings of joy, peace, healing, and restoration for all of you.

The struggle is hard. 

The issues are real. 

The mess is total chaos. 

Yet with complete surety I can tell you, that in time...

Healing and restoration will come.
God is completely faithful.
The joy and peace that follow will blow your mind.


Praying for you in the waiting. Believing with you for beginning again.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri

I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth

A Sip of Kindness ~ #bekindtoyou

I wanted to drop you a sip of kindness. A gift of permission you can give yourself. Even for just five minutes. The way I think and see in my everyday has presented me a gift to unwrap. I had to share it with you.

The gift of self-kindness.
(We can do these together)

You can go ahead and rest for a bit.

You can take time for slow deep breaths with eyes closed.

You can make a cup of your favorite beverage and put your feet up until you run out of sips.

You can stop to whisper a breath prayer, "Jesus, thank you" or "Jesus, help me."

You can sit in complete quiet and do nothing before they get home.

You can thumb through your magazine or read a chapter in that book.

You can lay on the couch like a rag doll and just be.

You can look at yourself in the mirror and smile...for no reason.

You can be easier on yourself.

You can stop thinking you have to exhaust yourself to be doing a good job.

Go ahead. Yes, you can. Yes, you are totally allowed. Be kind to you and you will in turn be kind to the ones around you. I'll practice with you.

#bekindtoyou

Philippians 4:6-7The Message (MSG)

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

psst...Let me know how you practice self-kindness. How has it affected others? Oh, and do let me know if you try one or more of these this week. I'd love to hear about it.

Hugs from Hawaii,

Jeri

Come visit the communities where I find refreshing

I'm joining my friend Holley today.
Come on over and sip a cuppa.

 Holley's starts coffee for our hearts on Wednesdays. Thank goodness she pours all week, as I sometimes stop by other days. 

Come have coffee with Bonnie over at her place

 For a good 'shot' of Faith. 

Bonnie starts each Thursdays and pours all week long.

On Fridays, 

Share your own way of creating with Jen over at I Believe in Love

Once a month my wonderful friend Jenn from StudioJRU comes over too

When All Your Days Roll into One

A few weeks ago, I sent a text to all the girls in my family. "Ever had one of those days when you thought it was another day? All day today I thought it was Tuesday!" My friends, it was Thursday.

By the time I sent it out I was already laughing at myself.

The days before, almost two weeks' worth of days. I was so exhausted that I felt like the days never ended. It was as if they all rolled into each other and created one never ending day. Ugh! I was going through the motions. I felt like a robot. I was an emotional mess when no one was around and a-okay when they were.

How did my days finally separate?

That Thursday, David came home from work and I asked him what day it was. "Thursday?! I thought it was Tuesday." Before he walked in the door I started to sob. He was so tender to comfort me. Minutes later, I started giggling. He started giggling. Then, of course I texted my girl-fam.

The best thing we can do for ourselves is to make sure we are taking time for us each day. But, in those times we forget to, we can surely know and trust that...

When all our days begin to roll into one,

When we mistake last week for this week,

When the time runs out before days' end,

When exhaustion makes us an emotional mess,

God will step in somehow, someway, and maybe even through someone. He loves us right where we are in our mess and chaos. We are never alone. He will set things right and put the pieces back together. All we have to do is rest in His arms and let Him restore us to refreshing.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Soul Goodness 

Psalm 18:20-24
Msg

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes. 

(more goodness: 2 Samuel 22:21-25, Jeremiah 17:14-18)

Psalm 23:1-3 

Msg

[ A David Psalm ] God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 

(more goodness: Jeremiah 31:25, Joel 2:21-24)

I'm joining my friend Holley today.
Come on over and sip a cuppa.

 Holley's starts coffee for our hearts on Wednesdays. Thank goodness she pours all week, as I sometimes stop by on Fridays. 

24 Seconds of Yellow, Sunsets, and Funstuff

It's so nice to be back out and about after a long rest and recovery. Even nicer to be back here connecting with everyone. My hello to brighten your weekend is in sharing a quick video with you and an invite to a few of my communities below. I've included as many links as possible for your ease. Any hashtags are usable for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Yellow: My teacher  Xanthe Berkeley invites us to color week now and then. Hence, yellow is this week. Come and join in. The color schedule is here. If you are on Instagram you can find her @xantheb and myself @jeri_taira. Let me know if you're there so we can connect. The hashtags are #colorcolourlovers and #colorcolour_____ (the blank is filled with the color of the week ex: #Colorcolouryellow)

Sunsets: You may already know that Sunset walks with My hubby and BigDog are a favorite of mine. One calming activity where I find my quiets and pauses. My friend Bonnie Gray has us reading up on creating and capturing our spiritual white space moments. The hashtag is #spiritualwhitespace
(I'll be sharing more on Bonnie's new book next, community, and activities next week).

Funstuff: I can't say enough of the fun I have with our grandson. I call him LilMan and he calls me Yaya. We seem to be into playing with cars a lot lately. Crash bang kind of playing. Brings out the tomboy in me.

Extras: I am still enjoying my times with God in #gofindourquiet and #pauseandlinger. Please do join in these anytime. I'll be watching for your captured times with joyful anticipation.

Do enjoy my 'hello, nice to be back' gifts to you and the short video below. I couldn't wait to share them with you.

God Bless and hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri xoxo



Yellow, Sun, and Fun from Jeri Taira on Vimeo.

Communities where I find refreshing

Joining a few friends this week. Come on over ...

You're invited to join me, my sweet friend Holley

and a few other ladies for coffee every Wednesday.

Sometimes I stop by a day or two later *blush*

Come have coffee with Bonnie over at her place

 For a good 'shot' of Faith. 

She starts each Thursdays and pours all week long.

On Fridays, Come and join me with Jen over at I Believe in Love once a month my wonderful friend Jenn from StudioJRU comes over too Share your own way of creating here.