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Posts from the ‘Everyday’ Category

Nov 10

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As It Should Be

“What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.” ― Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith

As I speed through the days, I long for inspiration, for words and deeds that bring me back to the spirit, to the soul, to what life “should” be. Only to find that right in the middle of every day, of real life in the real world, the spirit and soul remains, anchoring me to what’s real and true. As we pendulum from right to left, bounce up and down, race between busy and busier, all that we need remains right where we are. Wake up. It’s all mixed together, as it should be.

Nov 2

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Bliss

“Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.” – Deepak Chopra

Our life must be more than lists, tasks and the race to what’s next.  As we complicate our life with busyness in hot pursuit of who knows what, it is always the simple moments and encounters that bring us back to our best self, to meaning and joy, to our bliss.

Get off the rollercoaster and get grounded in what is calling to you. We all have it. That quiet voice, the gut feeling, the longing where our spirit and soul resides waiting to be released, to play and dance.

We need not know the end of the story. Write a sentence at a time and the story unfolds through the risk of movement leading us to our true north. Start with one word, a new thought, a simple act, a shift in perspective.

With practice and presence, the mundane transforms to marvelous, laughter to gratitude, simplicity to depth. We become masters of life through practice, ups and downs, wins and losses, work and most important, play.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

 

Oct 20

Entertain Possibilities

Without hesitation, we let doubt and fear enter our thoughts, control our actions, putting us into a “holding” pattern. Holding back, holding up. We too easily accept less rather than risk more, putting conditions, rules and fences around wide open spaces. “I can’t do this because of this … If I do this then this will happen … I need this to happen then I can do that … I am not good enough to do that…I’m too old to do something different…”

Entertain the endless possibilities present for yourself, others and the world. Abundance over scarcity. Fulfillment over comfort. Curiosity over inevitability. Action over acquiescence.

No more fear of what may or may not happen if… Invite, entertain and welcome new ideas and possibilities for your life.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

Oct 19

Class Clown

“If by chance some day you’re not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I’ve said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled.” – Red Skelton

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” – John McLaughlin

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” – John McLaughlin

Remember the kid in class who always made you laugh? The one who didn’t care if she got caught, she was just being herself, looking for a good laugh. The friend who pushed you to have some light-hearted fun and get into some trouble.

The “real world” needs more class clowns. We’ve become way too serious, too self-absorbed in our self-created problems of stress, busyness and “the race.” Lighten up, be silly and laugh more. Life is way way way too short to not enjoy the daily journey and bring others with you.

My golden retriever Lily is our lead clown, never missing an opportunity to make each day more fun for Molly and me. Molly sneaks in a few antics of her own too. She’s a good student of Professor Lily. I’m working on getting my grade point average up.

So go out today and pursue some silliness. It’s frivolous and irresponsible for sure. And we need it. Open the windows wide and stick your head out, skip down the hall, throw a ball and maybe even be so bold to chuckle.

Class Clowns unite.

“Reason, I sacrifice you to the evening breeze.” – Aime Cesaire

“Reason, I sacrifice you to the evening breeze.” – Aime Cesaire

Oct 7

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Wholeheartedly

“If you give your life as a wholehearted response to love, then love will wholeheartedly respond to you.” – Marianne Williamson

If one word describes how we should live, wholeheartedly sums it up. Not merely dipping our toe in the water tentatively, but rushing into the ebb and flow of living.

Word for the day and for each day going forward that will guarantee insight, direction, confusion, joy, disappointment, laughter, tears, fulfillment, wonder, awe, exhaustion and all that makes us become who we are meant to be – wholeheartedly.

No holding back. Risk it completely. Anything less is not enough.

Oct 6

Cascade

“Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson

We can pool up and remain or flow like water over the rocks, dancing, moving, learning, laughing, living. Whether stay dormant or move freely with the flow, each moment cascades over the rocks never to pass the same place again.

Kids start first grade and suddenly they are in college. Parents protect and hold us, now they need to be held. At 25, we race the sprint, at 50 we know it’s a marathon that’s not forever and pace to enjoy the journey.

Yesterday has taken care of itself, tomorrow will do the same. Embrace your nows, right now.

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius

Oct 2

Claim Your Day

“Don’t let anything stand in the way of you claiming and manifesting the life that you choose rather than the life you have by default.” – Joy Page

Enter this day knowing what is yours to claim and that which is not. We are more than our circumstances and greater than we dare to be. When we focus on what we can contribute and stop comparing our lives to others, we create the life we are meant to. Pause and reflect, allowing deep gratefulness to fill the space. Claim it.

Oct 1

Gestures

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

Simple gestures often communicate more clearly than a thousand words. A glance, a smile, a hug speak volumes.

Our four-legged furry family members have mastered the art of gestures since it’s their only way to communicate. And perhaps that’s why they bring deep joy to our lives. They show us how to live lightly through their silliness, their ability to forget our shortcomings and love us unconditionally, their capacity for udder delight and their awareness of the present moment and all that it has to offer.

So when I need a good reminder of how to be a good friend, to be grateful for all of my blessings, to be more humane, I most often consult with Molly and Lily.

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

Be kind, gentle, forgiving, mindful of others and walk lightly through today. Your positive gestures will lift others in ways that you may never know but is so desperately needed. Cast light, warm the world.

Sep 27

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Already Found

“God is an unutterable sigh, planted in the depths of the soul.” – Jean Paul

God is found right in the middle of our struggle, despair, laughter, doubt, victory, defeat and joy. Up and down. Wide and deep. Right and left. The entire gamut that makes up life.

At the altar of the everyday, God is with us whether we recognize it or not. It is God’s choice to be there, not ours. Our choice is one of awareness, acceptance, gratitude and faith. And if we accept grace, we are given a fullness of life right NOW, not someday when…

May we stop searching for what is already found and start living the bigger life that we are called to, fulfilling the purpose for our being. Start today and everyday as if it’s the first ever, dancing in the discovery of all that is new.

“Life is God’s novel. Let him write it.” – Isaac Bashevis Singer

Sep 23

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Where You Are

“The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars, every place is the center of the world.” – John Burroughs

As we convince ourselves that the “grass is greener on the other side of the fence,” we miss all that is present right now, calling us to be on “our side of the fence.” Coveting what’s not ours, we surrender what is our very own to cherish, abiding patiently in our midst in this very moment.

Where you are now is where you are meant to be. You are needed and will be moved when the time is right.

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