life

“A Pause Between Chapters: The Gift Within Divorce.”

/ suefraser / 24 Comments

We can plan our day to day life as much as we want, and often it never transpires in the ways that we think. It’s like driving an unknown road, where there are twists and turns, bridges, valleys and hills, and even a detour or two. And yet, we continue on.

It’s been awhile, since I sat to write my thoughts. I just put it all on the back burner for a short while. At least that is what it seems to be.

Four years ago this September, my life as I new it, changed forever. The man I had loved and married, decided to depart from our 37 year marriage. I was devastated to say the least. Throughout those 4 years, I experienced excruciating inner pain, anxiety, tears and so much more, from a heart that hurt so much from a loss.

However, what I now know today, is that through all that pain, I was given so much more, that I never knew was possible.

Healing can come in many forms. And I was so thankful, to have had my horse Devereux, to turn to when I was in such a low state. He offered himself through a connection of energy, while standing alongside him that reached far deeper than words.

The weight of his presence had a way of softening the sharp edges life sometimes leaves behind. Devereux would meet me in the moment. With no judgement.

Beyond the physical, he would awaken something spiritual within me. He took me into the space of the natural world, grounding me when I felt so overwhelmed. He made me feel a sense of belonging. In the presence of Devereux, my healing wasn’t forced– it simply unfolded.

The greatest gift he gave me, was that I didn’t need to have everything figured out. I just needed to show up, breathe and let the journey of trust and connection carry us forward. And for this experience, I am truly grateful.

Through the storm of my divorce, I discovered the quiet gift of floating out in calm waters. At first it was simply a place to escape, but over time it became a sanctuary where I could breathe, let the weight of my thoughts settle, and listen to the stillness around me.

The gentle ripples taught me patience, the vastness reminded me that life continues to flow forward, and in that space I found the strength to reflect, to release, and to continue to heal. It was in these moments, just me and the water, that I began to rediscover myself.

Divorce is never easy. It shook me to the core, stripped away what I thought my life would look like, and left me standing in a place that felt unfamiliar and raw.

For a long time, that’s where I found myself–lost between who I had been and who I was supposed to become. But what I see now, with a softer heart and clearer eyes, is that divorce is not just an ending. It can also be a beginning, a doorway into something unexpectedly beautiful.

The greatest discovery has been learning who I am apart from anyone else. For years, I measured myself through the eyes of another, but now I am learning to love myself just as I am–without conditions, without judgements, without the need for approval.

I am no longer tied to codependency. Instead, I stand on my own two feet, stronger, more grounded, and with a heart that is finally free.

Divorce has shown me that life is bigger and wider than I ever imagined. There are new adventures to take, new dreams to explore, and a whole world still waiting for me. It is proof that even in the hardest of endings, there is room for new beginnings. And in those beginnings, there is beauty.

From my little corner of the world,

Sue

P.S. “Keep going… Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.” Zig Ziglar

Thank you for reading and do feel free to share. I would appreciate that so very much. And if you would like to support my writings, please tap on the coffee cup link, and treat me to a cup of coffee— for this I am so very grateful.

The Uncharted Path: Confronting Information Overload and Finding Direction

/ suefraser / 4 Comments

My head is swimming! It’s swimming with an overload of information of what to do, how to do it, who can help me, what to listen to, can I do it, what are people going to think of me, is my decision the right decision, do I start when everything is perfectly ready (which it never will be, mind you).

What if I fail, yet what if someone’s life changes for the good, because of what I’ve put out there to the whole wide world? UGH!!!

“Swirling thoughts within the snowstorm.”

Do you ever have these inner thoughts swirling around like a tornado in your head, such as these? Many of us do, and what happens, is we tend to do absolutely nothing about them. Only for the simple reason, is we get overwhelmed and we just don’t know where to start.

We often sit in a state of confusion of not knowing where to begin. But let me tell you, just taking one little step, in one direction, or choosing one little task is the beginning of what could be the biggest step you’ve ever taken in your life.

Take that first step, even if you need a helping hand to get started.
“Take that first step, even if you need a helping hand to get started.“

This past Sunday, was a “down” day for me. Very low key, pondering my life, and just being present within. We all have those days. Then on Monday, I got another surge of spunk in my step, and an urge to get going, with all of my many irons that are in the fire. 

I listen to many, many podcasts, informational Youtube Channels, read exceptionally well authored self-help books, sit in meditation and collaborate with others upon ideas that may have an astronomical effect on my life moving forward. For all these things, I am truly grateful.

"In the stillness, comes profound awareness, a tranquill space where the whispers of our innermost thoughts are heard, and the essense of our being becomes clear."
“In the stillness comes a profound awareness, a tranquil space where the whispers of our innermost thoughts are heard, and the essence of our being becomes clear.”

One of my most favorite, highly regarded motivational speakers and philosophers, to whom I have been immersed into his content lately, is the late Jim Rohn, a farm boy who grew up in the state of Idaho. Many of Jim’s heartfelt teachings are such an inspiration to me in my day to day living. Many of his notable insights of life, have truly assisted me in my journey these past two years and continue to do so.

I would like to share with you, some of Jim’s most highly repeated content quotes that I lean on often.

  1. “Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.
  2. “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”
  3. “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
  4. “The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become.”
  5. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
  6. “Don’t join an easy crowd; you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high.”
  7. “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”
  8. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
  9. “Success is doing ordianry things extraodianarily well.”
  10. “Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.”

Jim Rohn’s teachings often emphasize personal development, the importance of mindset, and taking responsibility of one’s life with continual learning.  We only have one life to live, so we better make it the best one we can imagine.

Are you ready to take that first step? Life is awaiting.

From Home on the Ranch

Sue

P.S. “Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well, to be aware, to feel deeply, and to live fully in each moment.” Sue Fraser

Thank you for reading and do feel free to share and if you would like to support my writings and photography, please click on the coffee cup link to the right and treat me to a coffee-it really does help.

So Very Grateful

Unveiling the Uncharted: Navigating Life’s Unconventional Paths and Igniting Your Inner Spark

/ suefraser / 4 Comments

When you look out to the horizon of your journey in life, many see a path of routine and predictability. It’s a path that is hugely driven by many people. Yet there is a road that is less trodden, that is barely visible by the overwhelming or uncomfortableness and insecurities within us.

What if you are at a fork in the road of life, and you come to a full stop. You turn around and you look back over the days, the months, the years of what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished, yet you also see the fading dreams of the many things your heart desired to do, but never had the courage to do it. You ponder all that comes to mind. Then it is time to move forward, and make a choice as to which road moving forward you will take.

Will you continue to walk in the path of routine? Or do you feel deep down in your soul, that it is time to stand out and weave your new path, regardless of the uncertainty of what lies ahead. All that you know is that there is a spark deep within you that has wanted to ignite into a burning inferno, to let the world know who you truly are for some time now. You were just afraid, and insecure to take that first step.

To stand out, and weave your own path can be intimidating and challenging, being in fear of judgment of another. Being in fear of the unknown. Fear no more. The unknown is the path of possibility.  

It’s’ time to ignite that inner spark that explodes into an amazing colorful fireworks display, over and over and over again. Take that road less travelled. Pave your way to a new beginning. Breathe fire into your true authenticity. Be distinctive in your journey. The world is awaiting your rebirth to who you truly are and what it is you were placed on this earth for. It’s never to late, and your never to old.

A rare gem isn’t noticed, until it is polished and shined to reveal its true sparkling beauty.

Surround yourself with people who see your potential. Who will challenge you and make your thoughts and dreams dance in the realness of what could be. Not what you are, but what you can become.

They will be your cheerleader’s along the way. They will also be there sitting in the mud with you when the tough gets going, and the going gets tough, and you have thoughts of quitting, but they won’t allow you too.

Your new journey to stand out in the world, doesn’t require monumental leaps. It only needs consistent purposeful steps.

Your life begins with a possibility that begins with you, with your choice to embrace your uniqueness. To flourish like a colorful spring flower in bloom.

Carry with you the understanding that to stand out, is not to be seen, but to be felt, to leave an imprint on the world that whispers:

“I was here. I mattered. I made a difference.”

Be unapologetic of who you are. There is only one of you. And you are special.

There is a song to sing within all of us, just waiting to be sung. A melody of our distinct thoughts, dreams and ideas. To stand out, you must find the courage to sing your solo, even at the times when you want to blend in with the chorus.

Just know, your song doesn’t need to sound like anyone else’s. It’s your tune and yours alone.

Won’t you begin to sing your song today? All the while, walking the path less traveled?

From Home on the Ranch

Sue

P.S. When we step into the unknown, the endless possibilities of life surround us. It is then, and only then that we realize the changes we can make within ourselves. 

Sue Fraser

Just a little side note:

As my life continues to unfold, as a single lady, I love to write my thoughts from the voice within on this blogging platform. Firstly in a form of therapy for me, and secondly, that I may assist someone else in their journey of life.

I have added a feature that supports me in a nominal way from you, the audience. It’s called “Buy me a Coffee.” The coffee cup logo is located in the bottom right hand corner of my blog.

It’s a simple and friendly way for fans to express appreciation by contributing the cost of a virtual coffee. This voluntary gesture assists creators such as me to sustain my work and continue to produce the content I share, that the reader enjoys.

I like to think of it as you and I, sitting down at your table, sharing my thoughts from within….while enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

So if you feel up to joining me from my “Thoughts from the Voice Within”, and that hot cup of coffee, I would be so ever grateful.

“Embracing Ephemeral Rain: A Journey Through the Healing Power of Tears”

/ suefraser / 2 Comments

Tears, they are a myriad of several types of emotions that occur throughout the lives of us all. Not one person on this earth, is exempt from tears flowing from their eyes at one time or another. To allow the wet salty tears to flow freely from the soul can feel so abundantly amazing and freeing of matters that lie deep within.

Whether the cause is sincere joy, the kind that fills your heart to the brim, and spills over in tears of happiness, overwhelming sadness and grief, physical pain, or empathy for another, we all feel it throughout our lives…some more than others.

As a baby is birthed from a mother’s womb, the tears begin to flow. Not only do the tears flow from the new born beautiful baby, but by the parents who co-created the tiny little infant. Tears of joy, of a miracle so perfectly formed, overflows like an erupting volcano of hot boiling lava. Emotions also run high, as the wee one is gracefully and lovingly held by the aging proud relatives.

Tears are those silent storytellers to which speak volumes about the kaleidoscope of a life. When the tears cascade down the cheeks, they are not just droplets as the water in a vast clear cold lake, they are the manifestation of feelings too profound for words at times.

Conversely, tears born of sorrow are a poignant symphony of grief. Each droplet carries the weight of unspoken pain, a release that brings solace in acknowledging the depth of one’s emotions, as difficult as it is. Tears born of heartache can flow as if they will never cease. These tears become like a soft cleansing rain, washing away the heaviness that lingers within, allowing for the possibility of renewal of calmness and peace.

Compassion too has it’s tears, those shed in empathy for other people who struggle. These tears are often an unspoken language of solidarity, forging very close connections between human hearts shared in understanding. In their quiet descent, they bridge the gap between one soul and another, acknowledging the universality of human experience. Something so definingly loving and unique.

Tears of surmountable gratitude and extreme joy are perhaps the most tender of all tears. They embody the overwhelming acknowledgement of the many blessings in our lives, both a very deep appreciation for the beauty in the mundane and the extraordinary. In these beautiful tears that well up and trickle down, there is extreme humility, a recognition that life’s most precious moments are often wrapped up in the simplest of gestures, that we dare not dismiss as they may come by few and far between.

Sometimes it warrants an individual to go out to an earthly space in nature, a vast body of water, or a gushing fast paced stream, and be present. Water, in itself possesses a unique therapeutic power, a balm for the inner soul. The melodic sound of rushing water, a cascading waterfall or capping waves becomes a symphony that resonates with the innermost chambers of the heart.

The sheer force of the mighty water serves as a metaphorical cleanse. It can well up the tears within, and allow the flood gates to open and release the built up emotions, sad or joyful. Just as the river sweeps away debris in its path, so too does the warm salty tears flowing softly down one’s cheek, washes away the many burdens and concerns carried within.

Water and tears in itself serves as a subtle healer, stitching together the frayed edges of the soul. It whispers tales of resilience, offers a cleansing embrace and invites us to find solace in the ebb and flow of life’s currents.

In the embrace of nature’s dynamic waters, the inner soul finds a sanctuary, a place to release, recharge and rediscover the harmony that resides within. In this stillness, one can find a quiet refuge, a monetary escape from the demands of a fast-paced world.

When was the last time you allowed those tears to flow freely? They are a testament to the richness of the human experience, a language spoken without words.

From Home on the Ranch

Sue

P.S. “Tears are the unspoken poetry of the soul, each drop a poignant verse telling a story only the heart truly understands.”

A side note:

As my life continues to unfold in my young senior years, as a single lady, I love to write my thoughts from the voice within on this blogging platform. Firstly in a form of therapy for me, and secondly, that I may assist someone else in their journey of life.

I have added a feature that supports me in a nominal way from you, the audience. It’s called “Buy me a Coffee.” The coffee cup logo is located in the bottom right hand corner of my blog.

It’s a simple and friendly way for fans to express appreciation by contributing the cost of a virtual coffee. This voluntary gesture assists creators such as me to sustain my work and continue to produce the content I share, that the reader enjoys.

I like to think of it as you and I, sitting down at your table, sharing my thoughts from within….while enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

So if you feel up to joining me from my “Thoughts from the Voice Within”, and that hot cup of coffee, I would be so ever grateful.

Who Inspires You?

/ suefraser / 16 Comments

Wow! When I sat down with my thoughts, of what inspires me, or who is an inspiration in my life, the little hamster wheel in my brain began to spin. My first thought, was that the bulk of inspiration comes into our lives from another human being. Which much of it truly does. However, I began to dig deep in thought, and began to realize that inspiration can come upon is in so many other forms that surround us.

I must say, throughout my life, I have had soooo many people come into my life that truly impacted and inspired me in some way, shape or form. And for that, I am truly grateful. Of course I could never mention every single person, but today, I want to share with you, my friend Jenn.

This past summer Jenn and I went on a exciting fun adventure, to the Bowden SunMaze located in central Alberta, Canada. We were looking so forward to enjoying the mass fields of bright yellow sunflowers. Well, the experience didn’t disappoint. We were thrilled to view bright yellow fields for as long as the eye could see. But first, we came upon these goofy boards, to which Jenn encouraged me to get in behind and poke my head through, to which brought forth quite a few chuckles and giggles, to us and the passersby’s.

My friend Jenn continually inspires me, as she is as bright and radiant as a fully bloomed sunflower. Jenn ignites creativity, motivation, and positive change in her day to day life. She has lifted my spirits many times, when they were on the floor, so to speak. Jenn’s joyous laughter resounds from within, capturing others attention nearby. I can’t help myself from laughing along too!

Jenn captures the beauty in that one single sunflower that towers above all the rest. There is a meaning to that she says. Jenn is an inspired individual that is true to herself.

She embraces her uniqueness and authenticity, which in turn, this genuine expression of self, resonates with others, encouraging them to be true to themselves as well. Jenn has truly impacted and inspired me with all her wonderful qualities in life.

In essence, inspiration in a person such as my friend Jenn, is a transformative force that not only elevates her own life, but also has a ripple effect, touching and influencing the lives of others. I’m so very happy and grateful that our paths crossed when they did.

My friend has been very instrumental in my healing journey of life these past two years, when my husband decided to depart from me. I cannot thank Jenn enough for when she answered the call to have a listening ear, anytime I needed to share. I like to say, Jenn’s sat in the “mud” with me many many times. A term I especially like, that comes from American author Simon Sinek.

Ultimately, inspiration in a person is marked by the positive impact they have on the world around them. Whether through their work, relationships, or contributions to their community, inspired individuals leave a lasting and uplifting legacy.

And in closing, who or what inspires you in your journey in life? Feel free to send me a message and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

From Home on the Ranch

Sue

P.S. “To be inspired is great. To inspire is incredible.”