"...what you're thinking, is what you're becoming..."                                                                   muhammed ali two words have been filling my thoughts these last couple weeks... resolve (ri-solv)

v. to come to a definite or earnest decision

resolution (rez-uh-loo-shuhn)

n. a solution

I have been quiet.  quiet on purpose.  I know, rare for the spaz in me. :) but I think I am coming to a resolution about a few things about myself this trip... one, I am indeed a snapdragon in the morning ;) I like to pretend that I am sunshine in the morning, but I simply am not. and whereas other people I know need dirty water to "become human",  I need quiet (and a chilly diet coke) the first fifteen minutes in the morning to gather my thoughts and attitude...it's not good, it's not bad...it just is.  and to protect that when I get home, I need to get up earlier. yup, resolve numero one. two, I need quiet to grow.  and I've treasured quiet this trip. life seems to swirl around me when I'm home and I tend to feel a little less grounded there. I love and crave without knowing, weeks like this last one where the freedom to explore my thoughts and hear them are abundant.  it allow me to think clearly about where I am lacking in resolve. I love that word...resolve. it has muscle to it.  determination.  drive.  but also, quiet strength. so where to find quiet amidst the business of my life? I think it's in the morning...possibly in the evening...but, I think it's outside...no, I know it's outside. I am SO nature deprived...I got to walk through the forest preserve this week with my man (yes, it was cold...but a good cold.) and he made that glaring need for resolution for me. there is a part of me that simply comes alive when I'm outside. I've felt it most deeply standing small by the ocean... I've felt it when the wind teases my hair... I feel it when the tree's whisper up north... but when it's just me and my AWESOME boots (seriously, they are awesome and my feet NEVER get wet or cold), my camera and the o.u.t.s.i.d.e... I can breathe.  deep. and more importantly, I can literally feel His presence. the world feels a little less important when that happens...and I find deep peace when that happens.  three, I'm learning that rest is terribly important.  I tend to go until I burn out. not good. I run around thinking that everything needs to get done and I'm the one who needs to be doing it. not good.  and not truth. I've come to realize I need to protect rest in my life because I am the one who is not protecting it. I need to be okay with turning off the cell phone and simply not answering. I need to be okay with closing the laptop. I need to be okay to pause and say no, if necessary.                    be quiet...be quiet and rest.

I have many more resolutions filled with resolve to come but I'll leave you with glimpses of my quiet rest... my beautiful, beautiful quiet rest.  :)  

I love my man...

really, really love him... :)

THIS makes me smile.  a lot.  I have a serious obsession with owls. always have, always will.

I also have a large obsession with moss...it fascinates me and I LOVE the color. :)

one of my most favorite moments of my trip so far, the mist seemed to envelope us...and the quiet was astounding. :)

hello, my old friend. :)