Words from the Heart: Week 4/52 Lists

As I awoke this morning to the gray colored sky dripping with the heart of yesterday, my soul awakened to reflection. I began to think about last week and the words that summed up my feelings.

As you might know, I've been writing a weekly blog entry inspired by a project I'm completing for 2014--"52 Lists". This is 52 weeks of lists compiling words that have touched my soul during the week. It's propelled me into the weekly (sometimes daily) practice of pouring out my thoughts to an empty and unknown void of readers. It's been a journey thus far and I've only reached week 4! So, without further ado, here are the words that culminated this week:

Simple. Gentle. Freedom. Anchored. New.

Beautiful is found in the simple.

This phrase jumped into my heart this past Saturday. And like a child who runs and tackles their parents with hugs and kisses, so my heart was taken by surprise with this phrase: Beautiful is found in the simple. Throughout the week, I caught myself in the simple. Each moment was unique: unexpected connections/lunches with newfound and old friends, jumping on a trampoline as the sun kissed my forehead, singing Jessies Girl at the top of my lungs like a 13-year old school girl, running across the unexpected favorite movies from my teenage years--The Breakfast Club & Dirty Dancing, being graced with spontaneous hikes, a door opening ever so slightly on a closed relationship, and the list continues....

Simple. A small word and often overlooked, but profound just the same. Beauty is found in the midst of it. It's in the small simplistic moments that I get to take in a deep drink of life!

Many times it comes in the most unexpected and gentle ways. A kind word is spoken. An act of kindness percolates and latches onto my heart--subsiding like the ocean's water--briefly anchoring itself to the salty blankets of my soul. And this anchor is steadfast and true--reminding me always to root my mind and heart in truth. I am kept safe, secure, and focused as I look to the One who is my anchor.

This can oftentimes be a challenge, as the waves of my ever-stirring heart and mind, tempt me to look at the vast waves. But all things are made new and just as sure as there is constancy, there is forever newness. The sun rises daily, but each day it greets us with new colors, glows, and varying degrees of warmth. But regardless, it is. Light remains.

And what I've been observing this week, is that this beautiful and wonderful LIGHT is bringing freedom into my life and the lives of others. It comes with a decision to make a resounding "yes" in the heart of the responder.

This simple truth remains: With the ever-gentle and present touch from the One, I have found my heart anchored, new, and full of freedom. And my belief for this truth to seize your own life is fastened tight and rooted deep.

Therefore, keep digging into the crevices of life and watch the light peak through the shadows.

Blessings to you and until next week...

Hellen