Anam Nostos House Blog
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 We walk through this life with question, doubt, worry and stress often forgetting that our journey begins and ends with ourselves. Is there something you want for your life that fear holds you back from walking towards? Do you think that it is an impossible feat and only list off all the obstacles and reasons why it won't work out? Imagine a life you want to live, then make it happen! Your life is in your hands....imagine. Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!
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Welcome in Church. Welcome in family. Welcome in social scenes. Welcome in one's heart.
While I don't think others purposefully dismiss those around them, it is easy to forget to extend the simple kindness of a gesture, a word, an invitation to be present with another. Just for today; stop in your day and take notice. As dire as a homeless person feeling a welcome smile, to someone within your work day whom you normally see sitting alone needing company. Just stop and be present today. Welcome someone in... Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here! 
Can you turn to the person next to you who may be struggling along their own journey and offer peace freely, livingly and willingly without question to be witness to one another?
Can you reflect on how you can be Mercy to yourself on the journey? 
Walk along a solitary nature trail listening to the rustling of the leaves, the birds singing in the trees and know earth is speaking to you.
Take a moment to listen in nature today. Pray in nature today. Breathe in and give thanks for the beauty that is given to us each day. Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!  When some hear the word ‘journal’ the eyes role, the dread mounts their minds, and the questions of ‘why’ flow like a river. Journaling is not an easy task for most and for those who do it easily will tell you they still have to make a time plan in order to make it happen. I have started more journals in my life time than I can count, but I also filled just as many. Some I burned in a ritual ceremony as a rite of passage for my self-preservation at the time, others I scanned onto my computer for future reflections and then special entries made their way into two books I am writing in order to share the gifts I learned and was given in life through such experiences.
I am grateful for having taken the time write my story down, for reflecting on life that has past which allowed me to learn, if I hadn’t already, the lessons from the experiences which at the time felt like their suffocation was something I would never survive. Today, step out of your comfort zone. Buy a notebook. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and find the perfect spot that brings you peace. Put a pen in your hand…and write. Don’t think, don’t stop, don’t question…just write. Your story is waiting to be heard today. Check our more 3 Minute Retreats here!  My dear friend Mike is on a level all his own. Most days we all believe he has one on one's with the big guy for whatever he shares, teaches, or touches is of Grace. He has been living his life in countless ways to list for over 40 years...for others. His heart is so big, none compare. Today he shared one of his inspiring morning posts and I chose to take these three little words out. They are powerful. They are real. They are Mike. And...they are a challenge. How can you 'Be the sermon' today? Walking down the street when you see a homeless person, will you turn your head away or will you 'be the sermon?' When you are tired and worn out thinking there is just no more left in you when your child comes to you with wanting to spend some time, will you 'Be the Sermon?' When you have a choice to help or to hurt, will you choose words to, 'Be the sermon?'
There are so many we can list, but only you know your day. Only you know what's stopping you. Only you can make a choice to 'Be the sermon.' Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!  Each person's road through life is guaranteed not to be a boring road. The possibilities are endless from the day we arrive into this world; the predictable shifts, the drastic turns, the complicated mazes, we are always monitoring the calculations and adventures of our own personal daily script. One thing is true, we will continually be 'thrown out of the nest' as Pema states so eloquently. I truly believe we can't walk through one single day without recognizing forgiveness in someone or something for that particular day.
And within the gift of forgiveness, we have to ask daily if we are 'willing to die over and over again.' If we are willing, then we will be able to LIVE FULLY. We will be able to experience the newness of every moment thereafter. Are you able to look at each day and find the one thing you must forgive? Are you willing?  Love is so many things to so many people, but in the end it is as simple as you make it. In our home we try to 'take back' holidays from the commercialism that has become our society's fall back. February is our 'Month of Love.' As we begin our day we choose a quote on love for every day of the month, as well each day we all write a love affirmation for ourselves. At the end of the day we put them on our 'love tree' as seen above in the photo. Every year I am amazed by my children how they are able to truly understand and engage in this process, which reminds me that we all are able to do so.
We all are able to remind ourselves daily about what love truly means in our own lives, our own journey's, for the people in our lives and challenge ourselves to love deeply, freely, selflessly and honor the love that is true and real for us. How often are you able to honestly love yourself? When is the last time you were able to tell someone sincerely that you love them? How can you allow love to heal you? Take a moment... Check our more 3 Minute Retreats here! 
This season itself is about waiting...waiting for the Light.
It's a time of giving without expectation of receiving something for a good act. It's about being an active part of that Light! How will you challenge yourself this time of year to BE a part of the GIVING? How will you walk out of the darkness? Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here! 
 “When you come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something to stand on or you will be taught to fly.” -Patrick Overton Faith is something that comes naturally for some, while others painfully try to acquire this mystery belief system that they simply cannot explain until they are weary. Start small. Look towards the bigger picture. Don't try to answer every question that lies in your path. Just for today take something you have doubted, questioned, struggled to embrace and simply have Faith in its outcome for the entire day.
 "The Soul of the earth is waking… new life is coming. Awaken your spirit...trust your breath. Be still and know..." -Andrea I lived in the Arizona desert on a few occasions, I find it indescribably spiritual. Each person's experience is different from the next, for its beauty has endless definition. I was staying in monastery discerning a call to religious life over a decade ago when a powerful monsoon came pounding through. Just before I was out admiring a sunset that only God could paint to then running for cover over it's power. I remember thinking how the powerful rains poured were a cleansing of one's soul, washing away that which I struggled with in my discernment at the time. When it passed, I breathed in a fresh air deeper than I had in a very long time and a peacefulness fell over me. I realized I was still standing. Through it all, I was still standing. Reflect on a time in your life when the monsoon seemed greater than calm, how did you come out of it standing? What did you take away from the rains to guide you forward? Now, go soar! Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!
Compassion can be so simple in many ways as a smile, a touch, a look into another's eyes.
I cannot tell you how many times I have had awoken to a bad day and thought nothing could make it better in any way, then another human being out of nowhere will comment to me so simple just what I needed to hear. We simply need to be Compassion to each other in all ways, in all moments, every day. BE COMPASSION. "Self Compassion is one the most powerful sources of strength, coping and resilience we have." -Kristen Neff Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!
 What do you see as the extraordinary moments of your one amazing life?
Interestingly enough the most extraordinary moments of my life are not the most recognizable to others. Some days I can look back within the past twenty four-hours and find what was extraordinary to me, would undoubtedly mean nothing to another person. Yet, it changed the complete outlook of the days to follow. Today, simply be aware of every passing hour. Don't miss it. Don't rush. Don't tell yourself, 'Well, that can't be it.' It's your moment, go find it! Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here! 
Notice how their have been mentors in your life.
How have you mentored someone in your life? How can you participate in your community to become a part of the village? Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here!  Fall is a season for balancing light and dark, letting go, and accepting the impermanence of things. We walk a daily journey that changes from one day to the next, never one being identical. Fall allows us to visualize those things which we realize we need to let go. In the changing of the colors to the falling of the leaves, this mirrors that which we may need to forget, find peace within or simply let go.
 "Within each of us is a hidden store of energy. Energy we can release to compete in the marathon of life. Within each of us is a hidden store of courage, courage to give us the strength to face any challenge. Within each of us is a hidden store of determination. Determination to keep us in the race when all seems lost." -Roger Dawson
Life can be one serious challenge after the next leaving you to ask, 'When is it my turn for goodness?' I have had my share moments of questioning along the way that at times left me in a darkness I thought I could never recover in order to see the light, the hidden gifts. I will be the first to share with you...when you take time to pause, breathe, reflect and pray in the darkness you will quickly be able to see the GIFT. Today, take a moment to think back on those struggles and find the LIGHT, the GIFT in those moments. Allow them to carry you. Check out our 3 Minute Retreats here! 
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Follow USAuthorAndrea creates, builds, and offers her teachings and hands on life tools based on her journey healing her body image after a 14yr battle and life of trauma. Her vision always is to help others live a full life with the journey they are given. 
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