Step Out - Give - Grow

The world is in peril. Let's shift it for the good of future generations.

In what way? Great question.

Nature is shifting and warning us, silly humans, to take a closer look and take the signs seriously. Do we? No. We don't. Should we? Absolutely.

How can you shift it personally? Let's explore together.

• Giving back.

• Living in gratitude.

• Embracing others just as they are.

• Stop trying to change everyone and everything else. Look inward. As MJ said, "Start with the man in the mirror."

Giving back never felt so good this spring. Why, you ask?

Let's break it down.

At the end of March, my daughter and I ventured south to Whites Creek/Joelton, TN. This is just north of Nashville, the best-kept secret from mass travelers. The dearest of friends has been there for a few years, embracing music and animals, giving back, soul-searching, and moments of solace.

It is a special blessing when someone opens their heart to invite you into their personal and peaceful world. Don't let those moments become minimized. See them for the special gems they truly are. With that comes greater connection. Step out and embrace each other's worlds. It's worth it every time.

While hanging out at the Piccolo Farm (animal sanctuary), I connected with one of the founders on a spiritual level. Bonnie's spirit matched mine in many ways. She is whimsical, youthful, and energetic about older items gaining new life again. Where Bonnie is all animal love, I enjoyed listening to her dreams for the farm and desired garden projects. My heart soared with excitement at the thought of helping in the plant realm. Leaving a place better than I found it is a lead-by-example attribute. Upon departing from the farm and a soul-fulfilling visit with my gem of a friend, I set to work.

The loving work involved me spending hours passionately at my computer, putting pictures of the farm, plants, and whimsy together. It evolved from a single dream into a 36-page PDF, broken down into projects with images, website links, and notes. It was all out of sheer passion and giving back to this beautiful soul, whose dream is to support the livestock of ailing and uniquely made creatures until they are called home. It's astounding how many are in need and continually appear on their doorsteps.

Do you mean to tell me that giving back can look like my God-given talent supporting another God-given talent? Yes, yes, it can. How much cooler can life become? I'm sharing this experience to encourage you to take your worldly talents to others for the greater good and the pure joy of doing it.

Something has awakened in me to continue giving and doing more design work at the garden landscape level. I wasn't expecting that to bubble up from this experience, but here we are. When you step out on faith and love with your whole heart, beauty grows.

Now it's time to take the next step—research, plan, do! If it's meant to be, it'll take flight.

Happy giving back and growing!

~ Brandi

Milo offers Animal Therapy