Choose your path
Some Paths are Straight
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
Some paths are straight. At least they start out that way. You may have a good idea of where you want to go. A plan. Good for you - a plan is intentional and can keep you focused. As long as you remain focused and remember your goals, the straight path may work for you. A pitfall of this path can be sticking so closely to the plan you don't allow for possible opportunities. Go ahead, be determined, remain dedicated and focused - but keep your eyes and ears open for even greater possibilities that may enhance your path!
>Stick-to-it-iveness is highly underrated. Cultivate this and you'll really have something!
>Keep your eyes and ears open for tweaks that can enhance your path.
>Appreciate your focus and determination - these are unique qualities.
>Have a cozy cup of tea, coffee, cocoa - whatever you like at the end of the day. Your are focused, but you can still be cozy!
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
A fork in the road is bound to happen. You ask yourself, which path should I choose? Some guidelines for choosing:
>What best fits my talents?
>What do I love doing?
>What decision will I feel best about when looking back years from now?
Only you can answer these questions. Although it's your decision, consider how this affects others.
>Self-Awareness is key.
>Humility is key.
>A Spirit of Give will always trump a Spirit of Get.
>Helping others along the way will enrich your path.
>When you've decided which way to go, give it a good effort. Don't second guess yourself the first time something goes wrong. If the path is something you love, you're good at it and you believe you'll look back some day and feel positive about your decision, you've likely chosen well.
When Your Path Winds
Sometimes You Meet a Fork
When Your Path Winds
Some paths are not straight at all. They wind and they twist and we think - this is not what I had in mind at all!
Being simply cozy means our circumstances can change, but they don't have to define us. Consider this: Years ago, I married a successful man, we had two kids, we were involved in our church, had a beautiful home and I had a fulfilling career - in short, people thought we led a charmed life. What people didn't know was that my first husband struggled with addictions that would rear their heads for over a decade of our married life. Eventually, his addictions morphed into gambling and we lost everything we'd worked for. Our investments were gone. Our home was over-mortgaged unbeknownst to me. My credit was a mess for a decade - not because I hadn't paid my bills - but because my name was attached to properties that had been gambled away. These were terrible circumstances! But - they did not define me. Today, thanks to God, family, a promising career and perseverance - I no longer live in these circumstances. When your road winds - ask for help - and refuse to let it define you!
Bumps in the Path
Bumps in the Path
When Your Path Winds
Bumps in the path will happen. Expect them! Some bumps may be the people you encounter. Maybe there's a cantankerous neighbor or a perhaps you live with someone who is so-not-a-morning-person. Your path can still be bright. Be the first to smile. It seems obvious, but so many times when we're around crankiness we let it affect us. If it does and you find yourself crankifying, try this: Be in a bad mood gracefully. This isn't sandbox living where we can just be cranky at will. Simply kindness works.
Paths that Change
Bumps in the Path
Paths that Change
We don't always know the outcome. Yes, we may have a plan and a good idea of the outcome, but sometimes plans change.
One way to appreciate a cozy in-the-moment lifestyle is to expect change. It will happen whether we expect it or not, but expecting it helps us to stay cozy. And calm. So go ahead, embrace that change!
You can always process with a cozy cup of tea.
Paths of Beauty
Bumps in the Path
Paths that Change
Do you ever take a walk and notice so much beauty around - you almost can't take your eyes off it? No? If you don't - a sure way to add cozy in your life is being in the moment. Appreciating what's happening right now.
Try this:
>Ask yourself to find something beautiful on your walk, hike, commute, etc.
>Appreciate it. Be thankful for it.
>Imagine a world in which beauty doesn't exist. If we ignore it, that's what we're doing.
>Go ahead, look for something beautiful!
Vacation photos
Shelton View Forest, WA
Shelton View Forest, WA
Shelton View Forest, WA
Moss can be found year-round in the forests of the Pacific northwest. Here, the forest near our kid's grade school shows a beautiful display of summertime moss. And yes, that's a little house someone placed in the crook of the tree. My husband and some other folks spent the summer maintaining the trails and even though this is near a neighborhood and school, you feel as if you are in a deep wood. Cozy.
Watson Lake, AZ
Shelton View Forest, WA
Shelton View Forest, WA
Watson Lake charges $3.00 per vehicle to park and the cost is well with it. A trail winds along a small beach and then into the amazing rock formations. I considered the trail easy to moderate. After your hike, right down the road is downtown Prescott, AZ. Visit the Palace for lunch and do some cozy shopping in Courthouse Square. You'll find this western town with the World's oldest rodeo simply charming.
Jerome, AZ
Shelton View Forest, WA
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Jerome, Arizona is a quirky old mining town sitting on the side of a hill featuring ghost tours, historical sites - like the old jail, and wine tasting. Grapes are grown in the green rolling hills and dips of the surrounding Verde Valley. About 1.5 hours north of Phoenix, you'll find cooler temps all year round and a dusting of snow in the winter. Stop for lunch at the Haunted Hamburger and drive the back way through the Mingus Mountains to Prescott. You may also want to continue northeast to the red rocks of Sedona and rim country. The photo of the rim in the distance here was captured while hiking the narrow streets at the top of the town above our cozy Inn - The Ghost City Inn.
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
While visiting Santa Fe a few years back, it was suggested we take the Aspen Vista Trail for amazing clear skies and views. You can head up to the ski area from here, or just take the generously wide trail for a refreshing trek amongst Aspen and Fir. It's six miles to the top of the Ski area, but we just went a couple miles and enjoyed the simple trail almost exclusively to ourselves. Head back to Santa Fe and the charming square for shopping, dinner and outdoor music. The town has a funky, friendly vibe.
Sedona, AZ
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Bartlett Lake, Scottsdale, AZ
Sedona, AZ features a combination of green ponderosa pine and amazing red rock scenery making this a favorite hiking spot. The temps are cooler than Phoenix in the summer and usually warmer than the PNW in the winter. If Sedona makes your list of places to see, check out the Sky Ranch Lodge. Views are amazing, and if you'd like to save a bit, the garden view rooms are lovely. The grounds are filled with amazing plants, unique trees, little creeks and cozy bridges. https://skyranchlodge.com/ From Sky Ranch Lodge, you can walk to the Mesa Grill for breakfast and watch the planes take off while tasting something amazing from the menu such as Lemon Ricotta French Toast, Breakfast Tacos or the Sedona scramble. https://mesagrillsedona.com
Bartlett Lake, Scottsdale, AZ
Aspen Vista Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Bartlett Lake, Scottsdale, AZ
Bartlett Lake has a ton of Spring flowers if you head there in April. The flowers start as early as March and typically last through May. This is a fantastic day trip with a fairly easy trail and awesome views. Rattlesnake cove lived up to it's name. Yes, we did see a rattlesnake sunning itself on the trail. Don't wander into tall grass, stay on the trail and watch where you're going. It was so beautiful we still braved the trails the following year, sans rattlesnakes.