Revitalize Your Soul - Life's Tornado

"It's just life..." That's why my mom has been telling me for years. I always discounted her words, dreaming of a life with a few road blocks but not an annoying series of speed bumps.

Recently, my life has been like a wicked bad tornado - material belongings, friends, hopes and dreams nonsensically churning in the grey clouds. Some things stuck it out and enjoyed the twirl, but many were tossed hundreds of feet away, landing in a tree or on a trailer.

This "it's just life" attitude helped me realize that stuff is stuff and unfortunately friendships come and go. Through this tornado of rough times, I've seen long time friends fly away and new ones that chose to join in the fun of the chaos.

I've lost three cars...four if you count the brakes going out on my in my rental car yesterday. Most of my worldly belongings are roaming the proverbial sky or landed on a roof due to the move, and the tornado is heading to Middleburg tomorrow, so I'll have a whole new set of stuff to jump in.

Typically, my reaction would be that of anger and sadness due to loosing things like my favorite rug, yet another car or that favorite painting a friend made me. But all that is just stuff.

The only pain from this "life tornado" that I'm feeling is the damage that it has had on several of my closest friends...some that have been in my life for more than 15 years. My appologies and canned goods don't seem to help anymore. I choose not to be upset, however, knowing that they, too had something to do with not holding on in the wind.

And like mom says, "It's just life". One minute the sky is cloudless and vibrant blue, and within moments another tornado can just pop up (and probably will). We know that this will happen again and again, so the trick is how to handle it.

Will you see your next tornado as one of nature's glorious creations or a destructive force aimed to scatter you life?

See the beauty in the change; not the pain of the destruction.
It all happens for a reason...

Much love,
Jess

Welcome to Animal Nation!

Lions and tigers and bears ... oh my! Pets and the wild and their rights ... oh my! We will now be writing a weekly posting dedicated to all things animals, called Animal Nation!

I would like to start this off on a cute and funny note about my dog Hannah (a.k.a. Hannah Banana .... also, the love of my life). There's no doubt that pets have a way of brightening your day. Nothing compares to that unconditional, never ending love they give .... and of course, who can forget all those entertaining and hilarious moments.

Hannah has acquired this quirky new habit lately of sleeping with her tongue sticking out of her mouth. The first time I noticed it, I laughed so hard and grabbed my camera right away to make sure I could document this kodak moment. So, here is my Hannah Banana caught with her tongue out ... hehehe!

ENJOY!


On this day, the tongue was slowly making it's way out ... lol

The Shift - A movie being made by a movement

Check it out!

Revitalize Your Soul

Forgive quickly. Love without boundaries or fear. Laugh without control. Never stop smiling. Be thankful for all your blessings. Live with hope and positivity. Embrace every moment.

xoxo,
Lovebug

God and Dog

This is so beautiful! Made me appreciate and love my Hannah even more. Can't wait to take my morning walk ... and my walks are also my pray time. This video really touched my heart :)

Shelter animals make GREAT pets!

Between three and four million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in animal shelters across the nation. If more families looking for a pet chose to adopt their new furry friend from a shelter, we could put an end to this tragedy. The bottom line is shelter animals make great pets! Your local shelter is full of pets looking for love and a second chance for a loving and forever home.

That's why I encourage you to please take a moment to watch this video and pledge to adopt your next companion from a shelter -- you will be saving a life!

You can also search for adoptable pets near you

The gratitude campaign

Jessica and I both had the opportunity to watch this video for The Gratitude Campaign before we went to NY on vacation. While we were in the city one day, we passed by several soldiers at Penn Station and we both took the opportunity to acknowledge them, say hello and most importantly ...to say Thank You. They smiled at us and you could tell that it meant a lot to them. It truly warmed my heart and felt wonderful to show my gratitude. I promised myself that I would post this video when I returned to share it with all of you.

Check it out and pass it on to others.....

With deep gratitude, warm thoughts and peaceful wishes to all our brave soldiers!

~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul! - Life according to Mister Rogers

A friend of Jessica's posted this on facebook and we wanted to share this wonderful message with everyone:

"If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." Mister Rogers

Every encounter we have leaves a lasting effect; even when we don't realize. And the ripple effects are limitless. We should always present the best, most real version of who we are in all we do.

"Won't you be ....my neighbor?"

Cell Phones for Soldiers!

Got any old cell phones laying around the house? Has you or anyone you know upgraded or bought a new phone recently? What should we all do with all these old phones? ....... We have the best solution for you that's super easy AND free!

Donate your old and unwanted phones to our brave soldiers. The phones are recycled and the money is used to offer a source of communication for our troops to keep in touch with friends and family. This is a true gift from the heart and is so simple to get your donated phones shipped out...

... Just throw them in an envelope (chargers and batteries are not required, but gladly accepted). CLICK HERE and print your postage free shipping label. Stick the label to the envelope and toss it in the mail.

I've shipped out old phones twice already in the past month and I have to tell you..........It feels GREAT!

If you prefer, you can also collect old phones from friends and family (spread the word) and bring them to one of our future gatherings or donation drop off locations and we'll ship them out for you.

Well, we hope this has given you another opportunity to share your hearts and send a gift of love.

May you have a restful night's sleep and wake up feeling at peace and rejuvenated!
xoxoxo
~Lovebug

Picnic in the Park! Langford Park, Tomorrow!

We hope to see you at this year's Picnic in the Park, as the Revitalize Family continues to grow and grow! The weather should be marvelous and the friends bountiful! Plus it's also another opportunity to give donations to our brave soldiers oversees!

If you need donation ideas, check out our blog.

Let your voice be heard!

Revitalize would absolutely love it if you joined us to share a piece of Your Soul!

If there is anything you want to talk about, a message you want to spread to the world or an experience you want people to hear about, just email us..... We are so excited to come together as we Revitalize Our Souls!

We can post your message or just be here to listen.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Have a beautiful day!
Jess & Ami

Friends – How Many of us Have Them

Friends RULE!

Today I feel especially warm in my heart. I have been thinking a lot about each person that is the closest to me....that has a strong impact on my life. Although I always have you in my thoughts, today seems different. I feel a new sense of realization on what each of you mean to me, my life, my survival of everything. You are my angels, my joy, my love, my strength. I hope you all know how much you mean to me and I will always do my best to show you. I LOVE YOU!!!!


xoxoxoxo
~Lovebug

Aren't true friends the best??!!

I don't know what I would do without them. I am so lucky to have some amazing people in my life. Someone to turn to no matter what is is that I am dealing with at the time. Someone who will listen, give me strength, give me hope, remind me of the important things I can sometimes forget about. They make me feel special and loved. They lift me up when I fall and lead me back to myself when I am lost. They wipe my tries and give me hugs that brighten my day. They keep me wanting to be a good person and help lead me in a path that brings me closer to the person I want to become.

They are pieces of the puzzle I call my heart. It is a love and bond so special that I can't even begin to express what it means to me. I promise to always give my all to these sweet souls. I promise to express the love I have for them in every word I speak, in everything I do and in how I live my life. Friendship is another reason that life is so GREAT!

True friends ARE the BEST!!! Together we can make it through anything!

Know your true friends, love them, appreciate them, hold them close to your heart forever!

xoxo
Lovebug