Before our current home, my husband and I lived in the same house for twenty years. We went from 4000 square feet to 2000. When we decided to move, we still had our daughter’s stroller. It was a mammoth job to give away, throw away, store away. I believed I was done until retirement.

Apparently not. My husband and I are about to move again. We have only lived in this home for 4 years but damn we accumulated a lot of crap. Again, I am choosing to give or throw or store. Today it was time to pack my office. Sound like fun? No!

But as I began to take things off the wall, I uncovered quotes I'd pinned-up over the years that moved me in some way. It was like peeling layers of paint away. Each new discovery was a layer of who I was and what was important to me at the time I pushed a thumbtack into the wall. It was a walk down an emotional memory lane.

It’s been a joy to reclaim these words of encouragement. So, for today’s blog, I decided to read to you from my wall. I hope at least one of these hits you right where you are. If I have the source, it is provided.

To the Godiverse: I will take care of the quantity. You will take care of the quality.

Imperfection requires our bravery. Vulnerability establishes our worth. Fear forces us to be enough.

Look, it comes down to whether or not you love me. That’s all. That’s it. The rest is detail. ~ Tom Branson to Sybil Crawley Branson

Be moved by the desire to touch the audience.

Trust my story and tell it as simply as possible.

I have purple hair therefore I couldn’t be lazy. (I must admit I don't get this one but it was pinned up there with all the rest so I assume it was important to me at one point.)

Failure + Criticism + Rejection = I’m making progress.

If I could stick myself on the refrigerator, I would!

Each moment, taken in and of itself, is bearable.

My perspective is my truth.

Obstacles do not block the path. Obstacles are the path.

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray. ~ Rumi

Mistakes are the inevitable consequences of doing something new.

Without mistakes there is no originality.

If I have no failures, I have no progress.

Battles become strength, competence, bravery, compassion.

Magic: Unbelievable but Happening

No matter what gets done or how much is left undone, I am enough.

Only my passion will sell my book.

Don’t worry about the how until I’m clear on the what.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I am an excellent writer – I just need more training.

Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. ~ Neil Gaiman

I am capable of realizing my dreams.

I fail over and over and over and this is why I succeed. ~ adapted from Michael Jordan

Don’t over plan ---> ACT

My healing will continue to be the greatest message of hope for others.

I have a unique combination of gifts.

The Godiverse uses sleight of hand to deliver our treats.

Take my ideas seriously enough to treat them well.

Creativity is … seeing something that doesn’t exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God. ~ Michele Shea

No more excuses: Write That Novel

The Time is Now

There are many great clues in the walls of houses. As an artist, it is not my job to tear at the wallpaper, but to embellish it. ~ Dorothea Tanning

I am a brilliant writer who is about to write dozens of brilliant pieces.

Poetry

I also have four poems and because I did not request permission, rather than provide the poem here, I am sharing a link.

• Tilicho Lake by David Whyte
• How Eternity Could Be Endured by Hafiz
• We Who Are Your Closest Friends by Lopate
• The Real Work by Wendell Berry

These have all been packed away. I'll start with fresh walls and new thumbtacks. I'm excited to see what words I discover next.

Journal Time

Which of these resonated with you at this time in your life? Why?

Do you have quotes or poems that mean a great deal to you?

Are there quotes or poems you should rediscover and reclaim?