There is so much dark in this world....

Take Each Day For the Ultimate Spin

LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, PEACE, JOY

Uncertainty

I wanted to share this Poem I wrote in the hopes it will provide comfort to anyone who needs it. :)

Bliss..

                **Thoughts on Bliss… **

Standing on a breezy beach at night and enjoying the star graced sky while taking in the intoxicating beauty of the Moon's reflection on the waves.  Cool sand between your feet.    

          When the outside air feels as if there's never been a more perfect day and breathing it all in you think to yourself, "Life is Good".

              A conversation with a good friend that doubles as a therapy session with some healing guttoral laughs mixed in for good measure. 

             
Listening to a sermon when something unexpectedly touches your heart and your soul feels a PEACE that only FAITH can provide.

Being surrounded by those you love and who love you back wholeheartedly
When you’ve been worried about a loved one and they walk in the door

A compliment from a stranger transforms your day in a positive way

A song lifting your heart and transporting you to a fond moment in time

Napping all warm and cozy under the covers when it’s cold and rainy outside
The sound of children’s laughter resonating throughout the house

Meeting and getting to know an “old friend” for the very first time

Sleeping in…waking up and realizing you can go back to sleep

Relaxing on a patio with good friends and a glass of wine
Full-heartedly enjoying a meal and savoring each bite

A good book you can’t wait to get back to

Holding hands with your sweetheart

Being unconditionally loved

Relishing your good health

Football games in the Fall

Movie dates with your love

Holding a baby in your arms

Living your life good and right

Strolling down sentimental lane

Knowing that you’ve made a difference

Being told that you made a difference

Snow tipped mountains against blue skies

The sound of trickling water in a stream

A bird’s fervent melody

A beautiful sunset

Feeling inspired

Living with purpose

A healing, cleansing cry

A heartfelt hug

GOD’s love

Experiencing

Embracing

Creating

Laughing

Loving

Singing

Dancing

Seeing

Living

Being

*

This Place

This Place

In November, I'll be 48 years old (really?).  God, it took a while to get here.  Not so much to the number… but to what I call “This Place”- the peaceful destination in which I’ve finally arrived after decades of kicking and screaming like a cat placed over a bathtub, claws out.  Had I known how awesome it would be, I would have given in and surrendered years earlier.  But then that wasn’t how it’s supposed to work.  In the journey you have to go through, not around to enjoy the other side.

I endured my first BOTOX® injections at the relatively young age of 36. No, I didn’t need it then but I had a friend who was doing it so I thought it was time.  It wasn’t.  Years later, I sat there grimacing as a hollow needle forced it’s way under my skin.  Eliciting an unnerving crunching sound while piercing into the fascial muscles between my eyes. By this time, I thought I really could use it.  The results were great and the furrow disappeared…for about four months.  

It wasn’t long after, when I was innocently minding my own business, driving home one day after running errands.  Glancing in my rear-view mirror at my reflection, the bright sun highlighted my chest at just the right angle revealing a foreign texture on my skin.  “What is this?”  I said out loud, a little disturbed.   After an emergency talk with my life-long friend  Jenni, I learned the term for it was “orange peel skin” complements to the power combo of accumulative sun damage and ageing.  Usually starts happening in the late 30’s and early 40’s.  Awesome.  

Then I noticed something else new while getting dressed one day.  Somewhere along the way I had accumulated some bonus padding between my chest and arms. As if my bust was migrating east and west.   Isn’t gravity supposed to pull down and not sideways? Regardless, in the future, more careful attention would be paid to the fit of my tanks and summer tops - Geesh. 

And don’t get me started on this dazzling array of cherry moles now adorning my tummy and those brown spots popping up all over my legs.  I know that these trifle changes are only the beginning (like my Mother-In-Law says "Just Wait").  But I also understand that life has a way of holding our hand and gently easing us into each new phase.  For instance we don't go straight to menopause, we get to have peri first. (emoticon for sarcastic wink goes here).

When all of this first started happening though, I was in a low grade panic.  Every time I turned around there was something different I had to accept.  My youth was dissipating at a snails pace while punching me in the face.  Over time though, I grew to be at peace with it like as a Zen master leading a meditation class.  These days when I discover some new inventory, I embrace its arrival with a shake of the head and a smile as if to say, “fine, come along, we can hang together” (no pun intended).  The struggle is over and the resignation is liberating.

The only thing I’m not Zen about so far is the loss of my close vision.  This has been a tough one. Me and my near sight, we were tight and it’s been a bit of a road to resign to her absence.  I miss my old (what I thought was a) trusty friend who I took so much for granted when I wasn’t yet aware she would someday leave me high and dry.  

Never again would I be able to read another shampoo bottle in the shower or order a simple meal from a menu on my own.  Books and magazines; forget it without the aid of my drugstore saviors (1.50 strength btw), which I'm now dependant on like a blind man needs his walking stick.  Okay, so maybe I'm being dramatic but this has been one harsh adjustment.

All lightheartedness aside though.  The wonderful flip-side to these physical changes are the pleasant refinements happening internally that make it more than an even trade. 

The dichotomy - Your outside vitality gradually fades as your mental, spiritual and emotional intelligence grows in spades.  I’m speaking to; lessons learned, letting go, not giving a darn what others think and the serenity that comes with truly accepting who you are. 

Then there are the biggies; WISDOM, GRATITUDE, PERSPECTIVE and the peaceful deliverance and freedom that accompanies them all.  I’ll trade a few wrinkles (and some hair on my head) any day of the week for the joy of residing in “This Place.”  

Bring it..."Aummm".

Laurie Goyen

September 25, 2014

Comparing is futile - we know this is true.

Should the sky be green or grass be blue?

Yet we alter ourselves -  you, like me - and me, more like you.

We can try this all day but the changes won’t stay

“A leopard can’t change its spots” isn't that what they say?

Embrace who you are - who He made you to be.
 After all, it's part of His plan, don't you see?

Share your  unique light with the world – cuz we're all wonderfully made

What’s the use of a sundial if left in the shade?

L. Goyen

Check out my quite awesome editorial review from Kirkus Indie... So excited!

Check out my quite awesome review from 

Kirkus Indie..I'm one happy girl!

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/laurie-goyen/river-through-my-heart/

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Ever changing....

Life is fluid, a winding stream through landscapes never ending.

The heart grasps at memories past, holding them still to keep them near.

But TIME is moving and ever changing.

The bittersweet sting of nostalgia brings tears for wanting what has gone.

Yet these indelible impressions linger always.

In the midst of a beautiful life happening here and now,

There is joy in the present and for the future yet to come.

Still a faint and dull ache runs deep within the current.  

And the soul grieves little by little,

sentimental for moments transpired

and for precious eras forever lost in time.

L. Goyen

 

Brett

       I miss you Brother.

B eautiful Brother of mine.

R adiant in Heaven with God.

E ternally at peace.

T  ears because I miss you.

T hankful for the Gift of you in my life always.

Switch Things Up.

I noticed that me and the boys were bickering too much of late-so this morning we decided to switch things up and do something a little different.  Sometimes you have to change your routine in order to ease out of a rut. Change is good for the soul..that's why vacations are so wonderful right?

I gently rustled everyone out of bed..."Let's take LuLu (our lab mix) out to the dog park right up the street and throw the frisbee around".  After we navigated through the grogginess, Doug drove us first to the Starbucks drive-thru for some Latte's (some things are fine to stay the same ;) )and hot chocolate for G.  BTW, I would soon discover that ice coffee and heat don't mix well...fyi.  

"The sign says Dog Park Closed".  Doug noticed out loud as we approached the turn in.  "Okay...let's just get out and walk the trails for a bit then". I responded.  We all spilled out of our slightly bruised up Equinox (thanks to that church parking lot oopsie (my bad) two weeks prior). 

We had some quality family bonding time in spite of the heat and I was enjoying the change of scenery; the wildflowers, bridges, creeks, wild bushes and trees.  Afterwards, we decided to check out a Memorial I've passed many times off of Custer Road which is literally down the street from our house.  The grounds of the Memorial are beautifully landscaped with a dedicated rose garden in the center of the lawn and Crape Myrtles surrounding.  Reading the plaque honoring those in Collin County who had fallen and sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War II and The Vietnam War, I glanced up at our flag waving in the warm breeze and appreciated the moment of reflection.  The Memorial is also beautifully designed with sculptures depicting  war scenes in bronze.

I was struck by how close all of this is to our home and how a slight detour from our usual morning was becoming blessing in more ways than one.  We were enjoying our time together and thinking of things beyond our little world.  We were out for only about an hour but the change was what we all needed. When we got home, Garrett  said, "That was fun.  Thank you".  It's the little things isn't it?

If your soul is complacent, turn left instead of right on the way home.  Order Pistachio instead of Vanilla ice cream.  Volunteer and help your fellow man. Call an old friend or have lunch with a friend you haven't caught up with in a while.  Read a book, take a walk.  Do something different..Switch Things Up -it's good for the soul.

Here are some pics from this morning. Thought I would share. :)

Life is good!  

SHE AND HE

She moves along steady and fast and at the same time slow

So much to experience, to learn and to know

A teacher in the school of hard knocks through my youth,

Back when I was immature, screwing up and being uncouth.

But while I was busy sowing my wild oats,

I was also taking meaningful notes

He molds me like an artist with clay

through the experiences He brings forth everyday.

As I grow older, He helps me to evolve,

Into someone with wisdom, peace and resolve.

He is patient as I fall and keep getting back up.

He’s always waiting there patiently to fill up my cup.

I still have my cracks and I have to confess,

That I will always be a work in progress.

But now I want to pay forward the gifts and insights

that I've soaked up from Him and Her through all my days and nights.

Because in everything, we know there is a season.

And it's time to share my light for a purpose and reason.

So when the time draws near for me to be at rest and free.

I’ll take comfort in knowing,
 I honored God and the precious Life that he gave me.

L. Goyen

My thoughts for the day...

This photo encapsulates the joy and fulfillment I have felt and continue to experience since I've started stepping into those things that have always been within me (the ones that I used to let my head talk my heart out of).  Things like writing and speaking - sharing myself more with others and being open to all of the possibilities that life has to offer.

My heart has also been heavy lately...I can't believe it's been six months now since my brother Brett died and I miss him so much. My uncle Don just passed this past week from cancer and today we attended his funeral.  
Sunrise, Sunset...

Yet I know in my heart that both of them are really good now.

Being 47 is an interesting dichotomy. Things seem more heavy now as my youth gradually becomes less and less.  But at the same time, life has truly started coming together in a wonderful way.  A veil has been lifted - one that was threaded with fear, anxiety and self-induced limitations of many a kind. Now its all in technicolor. 

In this half of my life, the possibilities are as vast as the ocean and as many as the grains of sand on any beach.  So, while I walk in life each day knowing that heartache and loss surround and are a possibility.   I also know that things have truly never been better.  

Not because we're suddenly rich (which we're not) or that all of our problems of have dissipated.  No, life is more meaningful and fulfilling because I've learned through the years to truly enjoy and be grateful for all that I have.  And I've learned to savor each moment for what it is...A BLESSING. 

Life is also richer because I've come to realize that the only thing that has ever held me back was me and I decided to stop doing that.

Here's to embracing Life and all that it is;

the good, the bad, the happy and sad.

Save the Date: Speaking Event! -Wed., April 30th - 7p.m. to 8:30p.m.

"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. 

What's a sundial in the shade?

Benjamin Franklin

I am excited and honored to be speaking at my Church -
Christ United Methodist:

Wednesday Night, April 30th from 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Trinity Hall

(Location:  on the corner of Coit and Parker Road)

Event Title:

  

"Step Up, Step Out, Step In to your Purpose/s".

My book "River Through My Heart",  

will be available for sale after the Q&A.

Women and Men are welcome.

I hope to see you here!

Thought for the day...

The cure for negativity is GRATITUDE...

the two are like oil and water...

they cannot co-exist together.  

Try it! :)

Happy Friday! 

The Beach

Recently, I was grateful to go on a beach trip with some of my friends to Mexico.  I couldn't get over the beautiful white sands, the aqua blue waters and the stunning visual contrast of the two.  

It made me think of the many people who have written about their "Heaven Experiences" (I've been reading a lot of books about Heaven since my brother's passing - my way of feeling closer to him).  

These people write about the amazing colors in Heaven, ones we don't even have here on earth. I thought about how Brett is enjoying these wonderful colors now...and how someday I'll be there with him. 

Whenever I'm surrounded by nature, my thoughts go straight to God and Heaven - I can't help but think that there is a connection...every time we see striking scenery; the ocean, the mountains, lush greenery..are we catching a glimpse of our Eternity?  I truly believe in my heart that we are...

I wanted to share some of the breathtaking surroundings we enjoyed in Mexico..

...what do they make you think of?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

So much I see

in the world around me

There's the good, the bad

the happy and sad

Cruelty, pain and travesty

Anger, injustice, hypocrisy

But I choose to truly see and place my energy 

On Him and the love of my friends and family

And on joy and peace and loyalty

So many in this world are gentle and humble and kind

The thoughtful and caring are not hard to find

There's the vibrancy of youth and the wisdom of old

Always a hug to be given and a hand to hold

Death precedes a new baby’s cry

The circle of life - as vast as the sky

And there’s song and music and books to take pleasure

Culture, art and dance for good measure

There’s the splendor of nature and all He has made

Majestic trees which provide much needed shade

The song of a bird as it glides through the air

The feel of a breeze as it rustles your hair

Fields of green  and skies of blue

Flowers abounding in colors of all hue

Waves of the ocean and a tide coming through

The sun, the rain, and a rainbow too

Mountains and snow and sand between your feet

And the joy of foods that we’re blessed to eat

The list goes on of all that is GREAT

To focus on these will ensure your fate

In Life, it's who you are and what you choose to truly see

Where in lies the key to enjoying this rich life He created for you and for me

L. Goyen