Hi Shenanigan Enthusiasts!

I am sitting down to share my heart about this week's LOVE & SHENANIGANS covered in dirt, a little sunburned, so sore it hurts to walk from today's chores, sipping some of my hubby's homemade apple pie moonshine (because FAITH & MOONSHINE HELP), feeling GRATEFUL for the satisfaction of a hard day's work. My booty is literally cramping a bit! And I could not ask for more. 

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the daily shenanigans here at the funny farm. One of the fun facts this week is the whole gang is bananas for bread! Old buns, new buns, sourdough, whatever kind of bread it is, they LOVE it! They might get that from me! Next up Nachos! Then I will know they were meant to be mine! Just kidding no nachos for them. I felt a little like a rock star (or more like it a country star!) as they smothered me in hopes of getting the next piece of yumminess! 

Love is Patient, Love is kind......

Love is patient, love is kind, I keep this phrase up in our home because I love the sentiment and we can all be reminded of this from time to time. Patience and kindness, so simple yet so powerful. Like so many things in life, practicing patience and kindness is simple but not always easy. As the funny farm has grown and each new animal has joined the love and shenanigans it has required patience and kindness to earn their love and trust. Some have been easier to win over than others, but one thing is true with all of them, it had to be on their terms, at their pace. I had to love each one where they were at and let them come to me for more. Rowdy was the most timid in the beginning, so to say it makes my heart smile is an understatement when he lets me love on him and he loves on me back. I love my slobbery Rowdy kisses! He is a momma's boy. 

As I reflect on how patient I have had to be earning the trust of the whole gang, I can't help but recognize the parallels in life and love. Often, the most powerful thing we can do let go and trust the process, simple but not easy when we are invested in a specific outcome. Intent verses mechanism. Such a powerful concept. With Rowdy I was committed to earning his trust- my intent, how I did it required patience, kindness and knowing the "how" would reveal itself - mechanism. Slowly but surely, he would come to me on his own. I simply stayed consistent and helped him feel safe. I let him find his way on his terms, in his time, and today I get Rowdy kisses, definitely MAGIC TO CELEBRATE! 

Intent vs. Mechanism....

I love this concept and have found it to be so true in life and love. Sometimes I get so caught up in the "how"(mechanism), that I have gotten in my own way in both life and love. However, when the best things have unfolded in my life I have been very clear on my goals and dreams, knowing I would make them a reality(intent), even when on the outside looking in, it likely seemed impossible. You know what is crazy? Starting a funny farm! I had NO IDEA what I was doing but I was clear on why I was doing it and the rest was FIGUREOUTABLE (one of my favorite books, is Everything Figureoutable by Marie Forleo- click to buy.) 

What are your dreams and goals? Have you ever really allowed yourself to truly answer that question without holding back? Without the yeah but, in the back of your mind? What is your "FUNNY FARM"? What would you do? Where would you go? If EVERTHING is figureoutable, what do you want to figure out how to make happen in your life? My wish for you is to let yourself dare to dream, get clear on what your dreams are, and live your BEST LIFE! Oh there goes my music lyric brain again.....

MY WISH by Rascal Flatts

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish (Click to listen)

Not Easy but Worth It...

When you dare to pursue your dreams, it won't always be easy, sometimes it will be really, really hard. You will fail, but if you CHOOSE to, you will learn and be better than you were the first time. The journey will be full of both blessings and lessons that become blessings. Muster all your GRIT and give yourself and others some GRACE and make those "impossible" dreams a reality. I promise, it's worth it! YOU are worth it! Remember, YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. Yep, I know it's hard to believe that I have another theme song from the soundtrack of my life for you!

I CAN DO HARD THINGS by Jennifer Nettles

It's a lot to look at all that I got
It's a lot to see who I am and am not
But I can laugh and
I can love and I can dream
And I can do hard things (Click to listen)

Jerry is always doing hard things like balancing on the backs of everyone else! Goat Yoga!!!

SHENANIGAN ENTHUSIASTS...

Until we connect again, may you laugh 'til you snort, take the bull by the horns (GRIT), give yourself and others some GRACE, live a good story, climb your mountain, dream, do hard things, and always look for the magic to celebrate!

Much Gratitude, 

Zanna

SHENENIGAN ENTHUSIAST

p.s. Help share the LOVE & SHENANIGANS...Every time you share a post from Love & Shenanigans on social media you will be entered to win a goodie from the store! We will do a drawing each Sunday! Share away, tag us and check to see if you are the lucky winner! xoxo