Food For Thought · Personal Growth

LIFE IS MESSY: Do It Anyway

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So… this past week my time-management skills and work-life balance were a little (a lot) off kilter.

I “glanced” at my Make Art Everyday book, everyday… but I was so brain tired and emotionally drained that I did NOTHING.

Saturday came and work had slowed some, I’d processed some emotional upheaval, and 15 had a BFF over. Suddenly, I found myself at loose ends with a wandering mind and restless hands. Voila!! Time for some ART PROMPTS.

So I didn’t make art everyday, but I still made ART!

Make Art Everyday:Week 6

Lesson for me (always): progress not perfection.

Did I follow My Plan perfectly? No.

Did I stumble and procrastinate? Yes.

Did I get it done? Yes.

Life is messy. Some days my “Best” is not so great. Some days my “Best” is Awesome! … and some days I just show up and make it to bedtime without creating a bigger mess.

Those really “messy” days are full of pain and “shoulds” and “I’ll never be good enough”…. and THOSE are the days I have to work really hard to love myself, so I can make it to my productive, awesome days.

This week had more messy days than usual, but I got in my Awesome on Saturday and made it up to myself with Art ❤️.

Food For Thought

What Inspires YOU?

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Longwalks App

This is such a hopeful, happy quote to start off a new week and Daylight Savings Time (extra coffee??)

Lately, I’ve found myself interested in drawing, painting, and watching BIRDS.

1. Drawing Original by Angelic Westfall, 2. Photo Original by Angelic Westfall

Inspired by artist creating art using birds.

Continue reading “What Inspires YOU?” →
He Reigns: Newsboys
Personal Growth

He Reigns: Newsboys

AngieLeave a comment

youtube.com/watch

This song has been so uplifting.

If you haven’t already, watch “God’s Not Dead.” It’s a powerful movie, an amalgam of court cases between schools and faith organizations.

It speaks loudly of faith being a choice we all have in a free society, just as we have the choice to not have a faith. It speaks to the battle ground of today’s society’s fear of supporting people of faith.

The Newsboys music is featured and the movie ends at Newsboys concert.

You’ll recognize many famous faces in this movie.

I hope you find it as powerful, moving, and uplifting as I did.

Please share your thoughts!

Personal Growth

Healing is a Journey, Not a Destination

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Who else feels like this will take a lifetime?

Honestly, I’ve healed from a lot, and I can share most of it without crying…

There are just some things that leave deep scars, and revisiting them will probably ALWAYS make me cry.

These are the events, traumas, experiences that no matter how many times they are triggered, there is a new layer of shit to process and heal from.

They say, “Time heals all wounds.”

I say, “Time gives me space to heal and scar.” Some wounds are so deep that they are a part of who you are.

For these “scars” I say, “learn from them and share your knowledge with others”

There is someone out in the world dealing with a trauma like yours, wondering if there is a light at the end of their tunnel, and they need your experience to help them navigate the healing process.

Food For Thought

Running in Circles

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So much of the past year (March 2020-March 2021), and even periods of my life before, have felt like illustration #1: I’m running in circles loosing my mind and sense of perspective.

Reality IS illustration #2: I may be running in circles, but I am NOT in the same place.

Each lap teaches me something new.

Each lap forces me to TRY a new approach.

Each lap I get a little bit stronger: mentally, physically, or spiritually.

If you feel like you’ve been running in circles this is for you:
Yes! you may,in-fact, BE running in circles. Running in circles doesn’t always mean your staying in the same place.

Random Thoughts

I’m Ready for NORMAL LIFE (Not the current “Normal)

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This. This is my “Thank God it’s Friday” face… even though I work Saturdays.

My TGIF Face!

I miss weekends when I got together with friends (plural) for dinner, or coffee, or a movie.

I miss having a social life!

Laughing with friends (or commiserating) lightens our load… and let’s face it, no matter WHO you are the load has been heavy since this time last year.

I’m ready for a return to life of gathering with friends.

Easter is coming and I’m ready to join in the annual tradition of gathering with my friend’s family for food and fun.

Spring is coming… I’m ready for picnics, beach parties, and kids laughter.

I’m ready to not be afraid because I have allergies and my runny nose, sneezing and coughing are going to scare EVERYONE into thinking I have The Plague.

I’m ready to give up the mask! To not feel like I’m constantly choking on my own air to make others feel safe.

I’m ready for CHANGE! Back to the normal I’m used to, not this insanity we are currently living in.

Peace 🥰

Food For Thought · Personal Growth

Responsibility IS Freedom

Angie4 Comments

This is a harsh reality for some, but for me I find comfort in being Responsible.

As a person who grew up under severely dysfunctional and abusive circumstances, having the ability to be responsible for my life is a gift. It means I am no longer a victim of my life. I am the commander, with God as my compass, and I have the power to choose.

Quote by Hal Elrod, found on Pinterest

I can choose to change a situation by speaking up, or by removing myself.

I can choose to react or respond, or to walk away with no explanation.

I can choose where I focus my energy and what I deem important in my life.

Yes, choices are hard. Life is difficult. Bad things happen.

Still, I can choose to walk my path with God as my guide.

I can choose to ask others for help and support.

I can choose to share my life, and who I let stay in my life.

There is so much POWER to be had in being RESPONSIBLE.

Food For Thought

You Are LOVED DAY

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Artist Pamela Zagarenski (aka: Sacred Bee), created the perfect ode to Valentine’s Day…

Love comes in many forms… appreciate ALL of them 💕

Family love
Friendship love
Pets love
Self love
Romantic love
New love
Old love
Long-term Love
Child’s Love
Parent’s Love
Sibling Love

Don’t worry about the Loves you DON’T have, Revel in all the ways you are currently loved 💕

Happy “You Are Loved” Day ❤️💕❤️💕

Balance, Boundaries, and Peace of Mind
Food For Thought · Personal Growth

Balance, Boundaries, and Peace of Mind

AngieLeave a comment

A BIG part of my Power Word for 2021: Balance, is learning to walk away from energy draining experiences.

Gotta be HONEST… this is HARD WORK for me! I’m an emotional person. I feel everything deeply. Discussions about Issues and values I hold dear to my heart are hard to walk away from.

I’m increasingly finding that people (especially on social media) want to drag me into arguments rather than honest discussion of differing opinions, ideologies, and values. These so-called “accepting people” would rather finger-point and yell and scream. This is a useless undertaking. These people aren’t interested in a discussion about the complexity of an issue. They simply want to “Take a Stand” and tell me how I am wrong or even a bad person if I disagree with their cause, ideology, or opinion.

This is a complete waste of time and energy. Yet the drama is VERY addicting.

I must work hard to resist the pull of these futile endeavors.

My mantra: “I am living my life in balance and with healthy boundaries.”

And… BREATHE!

Nothing in today’s world is going to be better if i sacrifice my peace of mind.

Life is hard enough without inviting someone else’s “Crazy” into my consciousness.

Current Happenings
Random Thoughts

Current Happenings

AngieLeave a comment
Coming Down Fast & Hard

Winter 2021: Snow, Snow, and more Snow!

I think we’re making up for the past few years of unusual warm Winters🤣.

Last week: almost 2 feet, today 5-7 inches… we shall see 🤔. The rest of the week is calling for a few inches almost EVERY DAY 😖.

I DO love the snow. The impact it has on my job as a Home Healthcare Scheduler, not so much. The worry over caregivers not getting to clients, clients need care but don’t have anyone to clear driveways. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Definitely having a white winter!