Stillness: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

STILLNESS

Finding extraordinary quiet.

Finding extraordinary quiet.

Definition: intentional slowing down of body and mind, tuning into the spirit, peaceful

Other: deliberate cessation of chaos or activity, relaxed

Opposite: busy, moving, noisy, clamoring.

Stillness produces tranquility and requires a deliberate act of quieting the heart and mind to allow peace to wash over us.

In allowing, we can find inner peace and stillness even when things around us can be anything but still.

Have you ever been able to concentrate intently when the rest of the room was buzzing with activity?  If so, this is an example of finding stillness and extraordinary quiet.

Have you ever witnessed young children being so intent on what they are doing they tune out the rest of the world and focus on what is delighting them and allowing their internal stillness? They are also intuned with their inner truth and have an affinity with nature, animals, angelic beings, or "imaginary friends" as a rule until someone suggests that they are pretend or not real.  This activity is another example of finding stillness and extraordinary quiet.

Being in nature can be a source of stillness even when there is lots of activity and noise because it brings tranquility just by being a part of the grand scheme of things.  There are the sounds of birds, trees swaying in the wind, and water flowing.

Many of us find great comfort by being at the beach, which is a noisy environment yet produces a great sense of inner peace, calm and tranquility.  We can let go of our concerns and bask in the beauty of Mother Nature with the ebb and flow of the waves.  It feeds our soul and takes us back to the stillness and sanctuary of being in the womb.

Creativity is another way to welcome stillness. What is it that you love to do so much you lose all track of time, or would get up super early in the morning to do or stay up until the wee hours enjoying?  For some, it could be writing, painting, playing music, crafting, or cooking.  Whatever that thing is for you, you benefit significantly by doing it.  Also, by delighting in it, your joy ripples out into the world and sprinkles magic upon all you encounter.

When we can allow stillness, we can increase our level of peace in our days.  Think of silence as exquisite self-care.  It is a gift you give yourself to nurture and replenish your body, mind, and spirit.  You are worthy and deserving of this self-care.  It not only benefits you, it benefits all those that interact with you.  Your inner peace is a contagion for good.  

How can you live life better by incorporating some stillness in your day? 

Here are some ideas:

Walk near a body of water.

Meditate.

Create something that delights you.

Listen to sounds of nature or soothing music.

Have a cup of tea.

Go outside and take a break in your own backyard or at the office.

Unplug from technology for a while.

Spend some time in solitude.

May you delight in the gift of stillness today.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Each Wednesday we share another Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance card message on Facebook and via email. Come join us and click here so you don’t miss out on ways for Living Life Better.

Janette Stuart: Best Selling Author, Certified Angel Card Reader, Blogger, Military Mom, and Emissary of Joy at Angel Angles with Janette Stuart which will assist you to own and embrace your Divine Beauty and live a life of love, joy, and peace. Gentleness and Joy are my Superpowers. www.angel-angles.com

Gentleness: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

Gentleness

Soft waves of compassion wash over me.

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card for Living Life Better for July 22 - 28, 2020.

Soft waves of compassion wash over me.

Definition: quality of being kind, tender or mild-mannered

Other: considerate, understanding, good-natured

Opposite: strong, brutal, indifference, cruelty

Gentleness generates peace and calm.

It is not volatile or abrupt in its response to the world.

One who is gentle strives to be harmless, to not force or hurt others.

Gentle people use their gentleness as a cloak of purpose, aware of the needs of people around them.

It can be a feeling of shelter in the storm.

In these challenging and uncertain times, gentleness may actually be an act of rebellion. It is a time to acknowledge the pain of others and care with a non-judgmental, accepting heart. Human connection is what fosters gentleness.

The truth of what is being felt by each of us cannot be denied. Pretending we are not scared, mad or sad will not make it disappear. However, if we do not respond immediately, but stop and take a step back, so we can ground our thoughts and feelings, we can take a tender approach towards the world and all that is going on.

Gentleness consists of being considerate, understanding and presenting a calm demeanor. Being clear-minded with your intention can show empathy and concern for the suffering and misfortune of others.

Often, we don’t know all the details that lead to the difficult times for those around us, but at this time we can turn on the news and see it 24/7 blasting away at our peace and hope.

Gentleness toward others and even ourselves is another way to show love and may result in making changes toward a better world.

Gentleness is the antidote to cruelty.

-Phaedrus

We share uplifting messages of Well-Being and Wonder each week. Sign up for our Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wellness Weekly.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Becky Wilbur - Silver Lining Specialist at Well-Being and Wonder

Becky Wilbur, Silver Lining Special at Well-Being and Wonder. She is a woman who is wise-hearted and chooses to live with ease. Well-being is the vision which lights her way with peace and love. As an encourager, healer and champion for flourishing and contentment, she is honored to inspire others on their journey of change. She is a widow, and Mom to two girls and a mutt named Sadie from Modesto, CA.

Flow: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

FLOW

Everything is Easy.

Everything is easy.

Definition:  unrestricted, moving, open, being carried

Other:  current, stream of consciousness

Opposite:  stagnant, pinched off, blocked, clogged

A friend and I were talking about the concept of being in the flow and she said it felt like she was on a Fidelity investment commercial where the green line and arrow appear and show her the next right step. 

I thought that was a brilliant description of being in flow.  Another cool part of this story was that we were having this discussion while walking into the County Fair and low and behold, a huge long green line was painted on the ground showing guests where to walk and enter the admission gates.  I also love how the background of our flow card is green, just like the green line in the commercial and at the fair.

Being in flow to me also feels like moving forward in faith, relinquishing control, not knowing what is around the next bend, but trusting and relaxing into the knowledge that all is well, that I am loved, supported, and protected every inch of the way. 

Being in flow involves surrender and relinquishing control, not fighting it but cruising along on a virtual “lazy river of life” in an inner tube knowing I am supported by a force much greater than myself.  It is being carried or guided.

Ways to know you are in flow:

·       Things feel good and easy.

·       You are breathing with ease.

·       You can see your journey as a glorious gift even when things don’t go as planned.

·       You use your heart as a compass to guide your way and make choices.

Ways to know you are not in flow:

·       Overthinking. Living in your head. Trying too hard.

·       Things feel difficult and as a struggle.

·       You find yourself holding your breath and your body hurts from holding your shoulders, jaw, and face in tension frequently.

How can being in flow help you live life better?

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Each Wednesday we share another Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance card message on Facebook and via email. Come join us and click here so you don’t miss out on ways for Living Life Better.

Janette Stuart: Best Selling Author, Certified Angel Card Reader, Blogger, Military Mom, and Emissary of Joy at Angel Angles with Janette Stuart which will assist you to own and embrace your Divine Beauty and live a life of love, joy, and peace. Gentleness and Joy are my Superpowers. www.angel-angles.com

Nurture: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

Nurture

I listen to my intuition and know what to do.

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card for Living Life Better for July 8 - 14, 2020.

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card of the week for Living Life Better.

NURTURE

I listen to my intuition and know what to do.

Definition: care for and encourage growth
Other: look after, support, take care of
Opposite: neglect, ignore, forget

INTENTIONAL ATTENTION!
To ourselves and others.

It can be a lifestyle, something we do in our daily lives. To improve well-being and contentment we support the act of being ourselves. There are many habits that encourage caring for mind, body, and spirit. Through trial and error, we learn what is most important to help us flourish.

For me, when I clear clutter from my house it decreases my stress level and gives me clarity. It makes me feel happier and it is a way to nurture my love of harmony and peace. Doing a daily meditation or soaking up some Vitamin D in the sun or saying no can be ways to encourage growth towards living life better.

Making someone feel important can be as easy as listening to them with focus and understanding. You can convey a feeling of cooperation and nurture the relationship. Taking consideration of other’s wishes is not the same as people pleasing or going overboard with YES to everyone or everything. One of the best ways to be lifted up is to lift someone else up. Being a caring person who uses communication in a kind and honest way can lead to relationships where both are sharing dreams and life lessons with mutual give and take. Giving emotional support can make working through a challenge a little easier.

In these quickly changing times, we sometimes face discomfort from different opinions and ideas. We are working towards a goal of listening, to support changes in ourselves and others. We must work together to nurture a climate of acceptance and inclusivity.

It is not easy to figure out what you need in your life to feel cared for or how you can support others.

Listen to your heart.

Tune into your intuition, quiet, and always there, and you will know what to do.

We share uplifting messages of Well-Being and Wonder each week. Sign up for our Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wellness Weekly.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Becky Wilbur - Silver Lining Specialist at Well-Being and Wonder

Becky Wilbur, Silver Lining Special at Well-Being and Wonder. She is a woman who is wise-hearted and chooses to live with ease. Well-being is the vision which lights her way with peace and love. As an encourager, healer and champion for flourishing and contentment, she is honored to inspire others on their journey of change. She is a widow, and Mom to two girls and a mutt named Sadie from Modesto, CA.

Beauty: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

BEAUTY

It’s Everywhere.

Here’s your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Card of the week for July 1 – 7, 2020.

BEAUTY

It’s everywhere.

Definition: Exquisite, gorgeous, attractive, lovely

Other: Stunning, pretty, easy to look at

Opposite: Hideous, decimated, grotesque
 
In this week’s guidance we are focusing upon the beauty we find in the natural world.  Yes, it’s everywhere.  Yet the thing is that we need to be aware enough to notice it. 

Beauty is a precious gift from the Divine to delight and enrich our lives. 

A friend of mine was recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and was guided to look for beauty in her midst every day and photograph and document it for a year.  Her first photo was a shot of the clouds and a rainbow that she sensed was a gift to her.  This was just the healing elixir she needed to reawaken her sense of love, gratitude, and connection.  Her project was called Choosing Beauty and you can find out more here.

 I love to go for a morning walk with my dog and see the beauty in my neighborhood.  I could choose to focus on the overgrown yards, garbage, decay but I choose to be on the lookout for beauty and each and every day I find it. Sometimes the beauty is a tree, plant, animal, or a nice encounter with a neighbor. 

These walks are daily meditations where I look for beauty, inspiration, and delight to fill up my heart and soul.  It enlivens and enriches me.  You could call it “walking self-care.”

Today, I found two lush, thriving bushes growing out of a crack in the sidewalk.  They were remarkable. A true example of “Bloom where you are planted.” The day before I observed a beautiful hibiscus that made me stop and look deeper at her beauty. 

Any way you choose to look for beauty in your midst is up to you.  You could look online for images, take a walk, look out the window, go to a local nursery or park, or a thousand other options.  You could take a picture, write about it, tell someone about it or whatever tickles your fancy. 

 Remember, beauty is everywhere and is a gift to enrich your life. 

Today, take a moment to notice something beautiful in your midst as you Live Life Better.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Each Wednesday we share another Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance card message on Facebook and via email. Come join us and click here so you don’t miss out on ways for Living Life Better.

Janette Stuart: Best Selling Author, Certified Angel Card Reader, Blogger, Military Mom, and Emissary of Joy at Angel Angles with Janette Stuart which will assist you to own and embrace your Divine Beauty and live a life of love, joy, and peace. Gentleness and Joy are my Superpowers. www.angel-angles.com

Listen: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

LISTEN

Do you hear me?

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card for Living Life Better for June 24 - 30, 2020

Definition: to hear something with thoughtful attention, give one’s attention to a sound

Other: hear, pay attention

Opposite: ignore, tune out, deaf

Is there a difference between listen and hear?

Listen processes the sound and to hear is tuning in to the message. One is a biological function, the other includes attention and understanding.
And vice versa.
And maybe interchangeable.
Is there a difference?

I can listen to a song with my physical ear but do I hear the message intended?
I can listen to a conversation but do I hear the unsaid words?
I can listen to my intuition but do I take action on what I hear?
I can listen to my body but is that enough, or do I need to hear the lesson?
I can listen to the sounds all around me from Mother Earth but do I honor the poetry of delight?

Have you ever asked a person to pay attention to what you are saying?
Please listen.
I need you to hear me.
I want you to take in my words and understand.

Sometimes when someone asks us to listen we immediately jump to how can I help, what can I fix, what are the next wise words I can offer in this conversation? And really we just need to listen. And listen more. To be heard can be life-changing. T

To see someone nod their head, eyes focused on you but saying nothing, knowing you will figure it out. Or a pause in a conversation on the phone, waiting for you to understand you are not only listening but hearing with understanding. To listen is a powerful tool in relationships, from strangers to lovers. Listening is often the only thing needed to help someone.

Listening to your heart is hearing from within you.

No one else. It’s just you. Are you hearing the message you need in the stillness of the present moment? Sometimes there is nothing else you can do but listen. No action required. To listen is the awareness of NOW.

I have been going on wood walks lately. At the park I walk from tree to tree, touching the bark and waiting for the message. Sometimes the breeze drops a hint of change coming, or the pine cone delivers hope while I am listening to my heart and intuition. No one but me is speaking and hearing what I need in those moments.

Listen has the same letters as silent.
There can be silence in listening.
Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet though.

I saw a meme the other day that said we have two ears and a mouth so we need to listen twice as much as we talk. Seems like good advice. Are you a good listener?

Do you hear the message and understand what is being offered? Or are you really thinking about what you will say to fix the situation or prove you know more? Listening to the pain and change that many are feeling in these challenging and uncertain times will take courage and patience.

Do you hear me?

How can listening and hearing help you Live Life Better?

We share uplifting messages of Well-Being and Wonder each week. Sign up for our Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wellness Weekly.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Becky Wilbur - Silver Lining Specialist at Well-Being and Wonder

Becky Wilbur, Silver Lining Special at Well-Being and Wonder. She is a woman who is wise-hearted and chooses to live with ease. Well-being is the vision which lights her way with peace and love. As an encourager, healer and champion for flourishing and contentment, she is honored to inspire others on their journey of change. She is a widow, and Mom to two girls and a mutt named Sadie from Modesto, CA.

Joy: Your WOW Card of the Week Message

JOY

Look for it. Feel it. Savor.

Are you on the prowl for JOY?

Joy

Look for it. Feel it. Savor.

Definition: Feeling of gratification aroused by something good or desired.

Other: Bliss, pleasure, enjoyment, blessed

Opposite: Sorrow, sadness, melancholy, bleak, somber

A principle of the Law of Attraction is what we focus upon expands. 

If we are looking for the good of a situation or person we will find it.  If we are looking for what’s wrong in a situation or person we will find it.  If we are looking for beauty we will find it, if we are looking for upset we can find that too. 

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” - Henry Ford

Joy is a choice.  We always have a choice.  It takes bravery to look for joy in the midst of uncertainty, doubt, or challenges.

Joy is different than happiness.  Happiness can be fleeting whereas joy is a deeply rooted sensation.  What brings each of us joy is unique.  It is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. 

Joy is that thing you lose all sense of time while doing, that thing that you’d wake up super early for or stay up late just for the sheer pleasure of it. 

In their book, “The Book of Joy” The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu present their 8 Pillars of Joy and describe them as “practices that lead to great inner peace and greater joy.” I would like a double scoop, please!

1.     Perspective – Seeing from a different angle, retreating to see the situation more clearly.

2.     Humility – Unassuming, keeping our ego in check, allowing others to shine.

3.     Humor – Ability to laugh or be lighthearted in times of difficulties.

4.     Acceptance. – It is what it is.  Moving on or forward in faith.

5.     Forgiveness – Compassionate with others and ourselves.  Dissolving grudges.

6.     Gratitude – Thankful for what is. Embracing blessings.

7.     Compassion – Treating others as equals. Using grace with others and ourselves.

8.     Generosity – Being kindhearted and giving.

Today’s invitation is to ponder what brings you joy and to savor it.  Look for it.  Feel it.  Savor.

If you can’t think of anything at this time, look back on what brought you joy as a child and chances are that thing will still bring joy forth for you today. 

​​How can focusing on Joy help you to live life better?

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Each Wednesday we share another Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance card message on Facebook and via email. Come join us and subscribe so you don’t miss out.

Janette Stuart: Best Selling Author, Certified Angel Card Reader, Blogger, Military Mom, and Emissary of Joy at Angel Angles with Janette Stuart which will assist you to own and embrace your Divine Beauty and live a life of love, joy, and peace. Gentleness and Joy are my Superpowers. www.angel-angles.com

Being in the Middle

Being in the Middle

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card for Living Life Better is on hiatus this week of June 10 - 16, 2020

What does devotion mean to you during the middle of this pandemic, this year, this week?

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card for Living Life Better will be on HIATUS this week.

There are so many words out in the world right now, circulating, enticing, emoting and invoking. Words like hope, commitment, freedom. Every week Well-Being & Wonder strives to instill encouragement and make you think about living life better, for YOU and the world.

We are in Week 24 of this year.
Not quite the middle of the 53 weeks that make up 2020.
This is Wednesday, kind of the middle of the week.
June is the middle of the year.

We are in the middle, not the beginning or the end of many circumstances and situations. We are in the middle of a global pandemic, financial uncertainty, and civil unrest including protests for change, much hostility and public safety in question in many areas.

We are in the middle of life-changing happenings, events, crises, attitudes and it is probable that we are not feeling centered and calm. I know I am not. Trying to live peacefully does not mean you don’t feel pain, sadness and grief. No practice, no meditation, no discipline makes you immune from experiencing the challenges of life.

Between extremes is something intermediate, the middle or center.

Not everything is hard.
Not everything is easy.
Not everything hurts.
Not everything feels good.
Not everything feels sad.
Not everything feels happy.

Daily renewal to live with the intention to do better, feel better, and be better is at the heart of our lives.

The heart is kind of the middle of the human body. Our heart, that central portion leads us with love and compassion for others and ourselves.

What is the middle of the middle?
The dd letters in the middle are calling me to DECLARE DEVOTION!

I don’t want to live in the past. Regret keeps me stuck.
I can’t see the future. Worry will not change it.
I declare devotion to NOW.

The edge of beginning and end blend into the middle.
The middle is now.
Declare devotion to NOW.
Do better.
Feel better.
Be better.

Now.

Find the Good,

Becky and Janette

Each Wednesday or thereabouts we share another Well-Being and Wonder Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance card message on Facebook and via email. Come join us and subscribe so you don’t miss out.

Becky Wilbur - Silver Lining Specialist at Well-Being and Wonder

Becky Wilbur, Silver Lining Special at Well-Being and Wonder. She is a woman who is wise-hearted and chooses to live with ease. Well-being is the vision which lights her way with peace and love. As an encourager, healer and champion for flourishing and contentment, she is honored to inspire others on their journey of change. She is a widow, and Mom to two girls and a mutt named Sadie from Modesto, CA.