10% of life is what happens to you, and 90% is how you react or respond to it!~ Charles R. Swindoll

RESILIENCE is the deep seeded quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever. Rather than letting failure overcome them and drain their resolve, they find a way to rise from the ashes. Psychologists have identified some of the factors that make someone resilient, among them a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback. Even after a misfortune, blessed with such an outlook, resilient people are able to change course and soldier on.

“Resilience may be an art, the ultimate art of living. At the heart of resilience is a belief in oneself — yet also a belief in something larger than oneself. Resilient people do not let adversity define them. They find resilience by moving towards a goal beyond themselves, transcending pain and grief by perceiving challenging times as a temporary state.” ~ Hara Estroff Marano, The Art of Resilience, Psychology Today

---

Autobiography In Five Short Chapters 

Chapter I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.

Copyright (c) 1993, by Portia Nelson from the book There’s A Hole in My Sidewalk. 

---

REFRAMING is at the heart of resilience. It is a way of shifting focus from the cup half empty to the cup half full. Resilient people cultivate insight, the mental habit of asking themselves penetrating questions, and expressing honest answers. They also take the initiative. They take charge of problems, stretching and testing themselves.

RELATIONSHIPS foster resilience. One of the cardinal findings of resilience research is those who lack strong support systems seek and receive help from others. They are not afraid to talk about the hard times they are having to someone who cares for their well-being.

❤︎ Who has carried you on their shoulders, supporting you through this life journey? Send some love and gratitude their way.

❤︎ And, who do YOU want to carry? Support them through their life journey. Send some love and encouragement their way.

❤︎ We are here for each other. Be LOVE.

---

Pain Meditation & Mantra Visualization:

Think of a time you experienced PAIN. It may be a recent happening, or from the past. Picture it clearly in your body, mind and soul.
Witness the emotions.
Now turn these emotions into a sensation.
Where do you feel this sensation?
Now bring the sensation outside of the body, RELEASE it with the OUT BREATH.
Now witness it outside of your body. BREATHE.
Notice the sensation has weakened. Feel your RESILIENCE.

“As you inhale, think to yourself: I am strong. As you exhale: I am healing. Continue this mantra for another minute. Next, as you say to yourself, I am strong, envision an outer casing shattering off your body. This is the residual buildup of opinions, experiences, hurtful words, or anything that may have added to your duress. See it combust into a million pieces and flutter off into the wind. As you use the statement, I am healing, envision a flowering vine wrapping around the ailment on, or in your body. This gorgeous plant is drawing up healing energy deep from within it’s roots and transporting it toward you. See the plant blossom as it makes contact with your skin, because you are ripe with healing and fertile with potential.” ~ Kathryn Budig, Healing Meditation for Yoga Injuries, Yoga Journal

---

“At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me! You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me.” ~ Psalms 138:3 TPT

---

Be stronger than your pain. Use your pain for your platform — to bring healing and wholeness to yourself, and others. ♡

Fierce Faith

Southern France Yoga Retreat & Vacation

September 15 – 21, 2019

IS SOLD OUT (as of 7/27/18)!

Please contact us to be put on a standby list.

HANAN PALZ AND HEATHER WIEST ARE SO EXCITED TO BRING YOU AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL DEEPEN YOUR FAITH, MOVE YOUR BODY, EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS, AND INVIGORATE YOUR SENSES IN THE IDYLLIC COUNTRYSIDE OF PROVENCE FRANCE!

Bastide Avellanne is a charming fortified Provencal demeure dating back to the 17th century. Surrounded by vineyards and totally remodeled in 2011, the Bastide is a luxury bed & breakfast set in a private park of 3 hectares, where the olive trees and centuries old oaks blend with the lavender and rosemary, creating a small paradise in which you will find a heated swimming pool, giant chess, tennis and petanque courts. Enjoy the perfect mix of practice, exploration and relaxation —with afternoons free to lounge about the pool, beautiful walks in the countryside, excursions to visit a few breathtaking Provence villages, and evenings with exquisite food & wine, family-style under the stars!

Click HERE for all the details! ❤️

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~ Hebrews 11:1

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire
with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Reflection & Intention: What parts of this reading resonated with you in this moment? This week’s intention revolves around openness — being open to new experiences, possibilities, adventures — being willing to let go of fear and doubt, and with bold faith and trust, saying “yes” to that open door of opportunity.

Remember, you are an OVERCOMER! Setbacks are often setups for comebacks. There is no achievement without adversity. No rainbow without a storm. No solution without a problem. No victory without a battle. Brene’ Brown describes how to live a wholehearted life: “Let ourselves be seen — deeply seen. Vulnerably seen. To love with our hearts even though there is no guarantee. To practice gratitude and joy, to believe that we are enough.” You are a miracle! ♡

Be inspired by these Switchfoot song lyrics.

Live It Well

Take the burden from my arms
Take the anchors off my lungs
Take me broken and make me one
Break the silence and make it a song

Life is short; I wanna live it well
One life, one story to tell
Life is short; I wanna live it well
And you’re the one I’m living for
Awaken all my soul
Every breath that you take is a miracle
Life is short; I wanna live it well, yeah

I wanna sing with all my heart a lifelong song
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong…
I wanna burn brighter than the dawn

I got one life and one love
I got one voice, but maybe that’s enough
Cause with one heartbeat and two hands to give
I got one shot and one life to live
One life to live, yeah
And every breath you take is a miracle.

The Possibility by Danna Faulds

Do you feel the possibility?
Awakened energy is poised
to flow. Freedom beckons
from every direction.
This is a moment to throw
caution to the wind and dive
right in or fly high above the
rocky terrain of doubt and fear.
You’ve lived your life
anticipating this opportunity.
Rejoice, for it is here.

What new experience is knocking at your door? May you be open to new adventures and have a willingness to say, “Yes!” ♡

My husband and I are celebrating 25 years of marriage this week! *insert applause, high-fives, fist bumps, whoop-whoops!* How do we continue to live happily ever after? Here’s our list of 25 tips. Whether you are single, dating, contemplating commitment, or married—pick a few drops of glue to bind your relationship together.

---

1. Communicate. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
2. Each day ask yourself, “How can I bless my spouse?” Oftentimes, the little things are the best things.
3. Pray for your partner. My favorite prayer is, “God empower me to be the wife Jon needs me to be, and empower Jon to be the husband I need him to be. Work in both of us to bring out the best in each other.” God knows this better than we do!
4. Know your spouse’s love language. This is revolutionary! We highly recommend Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages.
5. Serve and give more as a couple. Find a cause or mission you both love, and bless others together.
6. There are a lot of tense moments in close relationships. Keep things light hearted by having code words or actions to make each other smile. For example, we used to have a rhino Beanie Baby stuffed animal named Spike (umm…so 90’s). He would come out when we wanted to resolve a conflict. “Don’t be a Spike!”
7. Laugh—a lot. Laughter bonds us together like glue.
8. Encourage each other’s spiritual growth. Have a daily quiet time or meditation practice. Knowing everything I am, and everything I am able to accomplish comes from God, encourages me to freely love others without any expectation of return.
9. No devices or screen time in the bedroom. Just full presence with one another. We have never had a television in our sleeping space. Our devices charge in the kitchen at night (yes, buy an alarm clock). Our bedroom is sacred and special—a sweet haven from the outside world.
10. Work towards debt free living. What?! Yes, it is possible. We have done it by the Grace of God, unified priorities, and consistent accountability. There are so many strategies and options out there. Google it.
11. Cry together. Be vulnerable with each other. Life can be brutal. Hold each other’s emotions gently. Be each other’s best friend.
12. Wanderlust. Keep a sense of adventure and travel. Have simple “wandering” dates around town or elsewhere. Just get up and go—there are new memories to be made!
13. Be your spouse’s greatest cheerleader. Challenge them to pursue their talents, passions, and dreams. Give them the time and space to do so.
14. Children are a gift, and add so much to a family, and to our experience of life. They also test every area of a parenting partnership! WORK TOGETHER as a team. Work together as a TEAM. Work together as a team. We grow up with our kiddos.
15. Extend ridiculous GRACE (disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency).
16. Look for the JOY moments daily, and treasure them in your heart.
17. Express genuine GRATITUDE. We all want to feel deeply loved and appreciated.
18. At first, couples think they have a lot in common. But in reality, opposites attract. Honor it. Let your partner compliment you with their differences.
19. Train yourself to notice the good in your significant other, and yourself.
20. Have sex regularly (and yes, frequency varies amongst couples). It benefits you on every level. Be a student of your spouse, and aim to please him/her first. We promise you, monogynous love making gets better and better each time!
21. Stay faithful to one another—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. An always and forever commitment is rare these days. We challenge you to diligently work together on your mind-body-spirit connection.
22. If you’ve messed up in this department, forgiveness and reconciliation are possible. Each partner needs to dig deep. And, it hurts beyond words. Honestly address the root issues. Listen and share with open hearts. WORK TOGETHER as a team. Work together as a TEAM. Work together as a team, and rebuild trust. Healing takes time. There is hope.
23. Celebrate! Special occasions, small successes, meaningful milestones, and amazing accomplishments. Highlight the positive, and lift one another up. When’s the last time you celebrated together?
24. Ask this question once a month. “How are we doing working together as a partnership?”
25. Go on more walks and talks together. Fresh air and nature do a couple and conversation good.

---

Cherish yesterday. Dream tomorrow. LIVE TODAY. ❤️

“LET YOUR VISIONS GUIDE YOU. Visions are different from dreams. A vision is a picture that comes from the soul and comes out through the heart. A vision is a small glimpse of light that shines and shows us our path.” ~ Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart, March 9

Trust the vision in your heart and soul — let it guide you home.

What do you want?

What would feel right?

What do you see yourself doing?

What are you willing to do to make this happen?

Is this in the best interest for yourself and everyone involved?

Hold the vision. Trust the process. ❤️

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want and all that is left is compromise.” ~ Robert Fritz

“The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. Vision will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve excellence. Only vision allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. Vision has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our vision is what we become in life.” ~ Tony Dungy

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” ~ Jonathan Swift

---

Guided Meditation: The Forest Speaks (modified from Meg Colby)

I invite you to join me on a journey. 

Imagine that you are standing on a path at the edge of a small forest. The bright sun warms your back as you face the opening in the trees. The cool breeze from the forest is inviting you to enter. The path is clear and broad. It is easy to follow. And so you step into the forest.

All around you, you can hear birds calling to one another. Their sounds are gentle and sweet. It is as if they are encouraging you to take a few more steps into their home, and so you do.

The peace in the forest is embracing. You are aware of small animals around you. You see rabbits and squirrels romping and playing. You can hear the sounds of more birds hidden in the dense canopy of the forest. As you walk on, you begin to hear the sound of running water. You can tell that the water is gentle, and you walk in the direction of the sound. As you walk, you can feel the leaves under your feet and the small branches and roots on the ground. It feels good to have your feet touching the earth. And you let the gentle voice of the water call you on.

Shortly, in front of you opens a little clearing in the forest, and in the middle of the clearing is a small pool. The pool is being fed from a stream cascading down a small rocky slope. As the pool is filled to overflowing, the water leaves the pool on the other side and continues its journey back into the forest. Here in the clearing, there are some rocks where you can sit. The rocks are warm from the sun as its rays make their way down from the opening in treetops. You walk to the largest of the rocks and take a seat on it. It is as if the rock was just made for you to sit on. It cradles your body and holds you steady. And you just sit here for a few minutes in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest and the water all around you. Your eyes are closed and your heart is full of joy.

In a few moments, you begin to sense the gentle presence of another being in front of you. You open your eyes, and standing about 6 feet from you is a beautiful doe, her limpid brown eyes resting on you. She is completely at ease and so are you. For some minutes you sit enthralled by this gentle creature just looking at you as if she loves you. She is so calm and assured in your presence that even her ears are still. And you are so in awe of her presence that your gaze cannot leave hers. It seems that she has brought a message for you, and across the space between the two of you she is sending you that message. Somehow you become aware of the message and are ready to receive it from her. Open your heart now and receive her message.

Your heart is filled to overflowing with the love and encouragement you are feeling in her message. She stands there for a few moments longer. Then she gently closes her eyes, opens them again for one last look at you, turns around and slowly walks back into the forest. You sit for a moment longer simply integrating into your being the message she brought you.

And then you rise from your spot on the rock, move gently back onto the path, and walk slowly and calmly back to the edge of the forest where you first stepped upon the path. Your message from the forest has been integrated into your being. And you will take that message with you back into your daily life. ❤️

---

I embrace the vision in my heart. I know it will manifest according to Divine will and timing. 

I pray for the highest good for myself and everyone involved.

I drop all anxiety and fear and replace it with bold faith and trust. 

My body is light, my mind at peace, and my heart is unconditionally open. 

---

What do you want? What would feel right? What do you see yourself doing? What are you willing to do to make this happen? Is this in the best interest for yourself and everyone involved?

Create an open, positive, affirmative intention around your vision.

Let this be your personal intention or prayer now.

---

Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Source. Hope is future-directed, however, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present. (Modified from Sarah Young,  Jesus Calling, March 12)

---

---

Trust the vision in your heart and soul — let it guide you home. Hold the vision. Trust the process. ❤️