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Posts from the ‘Family’ Category

Dec 21

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MERRY Christmas

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge

The preparations and rushing around that lead up to Christmas makes this special and reflective time often feel like “Hurry Christmas.” There are no gifts that you can give that are more important than your full attention and presence with family and friends. So slow down, be present and make sure that “merry” is in the forefront and center of your Christmas. And remember to carry the true spirit of Christmas in your heart every day.

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.” – Dale Evans

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” – Dale Evans

Dec 17

3 Comments

Healing

“Changing is not just changing the things outside of us. First of all we need the right view that transcends all notions including of being and non-being, creator and creature, mind and spirit. That kind of insight is crucial for transformation and healing.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Last night, I found a new show on PBS called “Sacred Journeys,” a six part series about pilgrimages people take around the world. This particular story was about wounded warriors, our veterans, going to Lourdes, France to be “cured.” Over 5 million people go to Lourdes each year for healing, a sacred place since 1858 when a young fourteen year old girl Bernadette Sourbiroux had 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin, referred to as apparitions.

Many soldiers journeyed to this sacred place without limbs, blind, suffering from Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the deep wounds of war. Through the many interviews, they made the distinction between being cured and healed. At the end of the hour, their hopes of a cure were transformed into the gift of healing, accepting, peace.

We often focus on the cure, the instant fix, the reset, when what we really need in life and in our relationships is to be healed. That is to accept our circumstances, no matter what they may be, with a peace and grace beyond understanding. For when we search for healing instead of the cure, we find the lasting cure is healing and it transforms and transcends the crosses that we all bear.

And when we find healing within, we can begin to fill the void of that often hollow and distant platitude of “peace on earth”. For when we foster peace within our hearts, souls and our homes, we will bring the world one step closer to peace, justice and love. And we need not go to Lourdes to find it.

May this season bring you healing and in turn real peace on earth.

Dec 14

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Linger

“Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

Stay just a little longer and linger, long enough to be present, to engage intently with others, to be kind, to listen, to understand, to be patient, to witness life while in it and feel the depth of being and gratitude.

Amidst the busy work that often defines our days, we will honor time and remember our days with fondness when we scatter lingering throughout. As ice melts drip by drip, linger a bit longer making your mark.

“I am like a drop of water on a rock. After drip, drip, dripping in the same place, I begin to leave a mark, and I leave my mark in many people's hearts.” – Rigoberta Menchu

“I am like a drop of water on a rock. After drip, drip, dripping in the same place, I begin to leave a mark, and I leave my mark in many people’s hearts.” – Rigoberta Menchu

Dec 7

2 Comments

Good Cheer

“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“A well-spent day brings happy sleep.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“A well-spent day brings happy sleep.” – Leonardo da Vinci

A long unrushed walk in the woods, slowing to explore tracks, discover hidden treasures and gaze up to soak in the blue sky. Time spent together, just together is all that is asked for by friends and family, especially the four-legged ones.

Lily can always muster up a wide smile and bright eyes. And when she does I can’t help but return a wide smile in return.  And when I smiled and said “hi” to the older gentlemen walking slowly on the path, he lifted his head and smiled as well. Instead of merely passing by, we acknowledged each other’s presence.

Attitude and outlook are contagious, but some we don’t want to catch. So we need to be on guard without being guarded or hesitant to be the one with the smile in a room full of frowns. Get your smile on and go out and change the world in a good way. Be of good cheer.

Nov 13

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Here and Now

“So often we imagine that There is more full of gold than Here. It is the same with love and dreams and the work of our lives. We see the light everywhere but where we are, and chase after what we think we lack, only to find, humbly, it was with us all along.” – Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Not in a far off distance or someday soon, but Here and Now, we are surrounded by and filled with light. And when we remember each day to move our eyes and heart outward, and dare to cast our light, we invite others to shine their own special light. I am grateful for all the teachers in my life who cast their light amidst the full on darkness of shadows abound.

Half empty or half full? How about full to the top. Here and Now.

Nov 4

5 Comments

Slices

“If you wait for the perfect moment when all is safe and assured, it may never arrive. Mountains will not be climbed, races won, or lasting happiness achieved.” – Maurice Chevalier

When we live life in slices, in moments, we value and honor each day. If we get stuck in the past replaying what’s happened again and again or in the future wishing or worrying of what’s to be, we miss the power that we have in this very moment to make different decisions, to find and be peace, to dream and do bigger, to push ourselves beyond the fray and excuses to attain our best selves.

“But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.” – Thomas Jefferson

“But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.” – Thomas Jefferson

Some moments are sweeter than others, but they all culminate to define who we are, where we are going, what’s most important and who we choose to be with on the journey. Someday is today with all of its imperfections and beauty. Slice into each moment, moving step by step into who you are meant to be.

Oct 28

4 Comments

Because

“At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear. It is those we live with and love and should know who elude us. You can love completely without complete understanding.” – Norman Maclean

Love has no conditions, is not measured or withheld. Love looks past the obvious, beyond the first impression and beneath assumptions. Love stays when the room clears. To the core, to the bone, love settles in, even when asked to leave. Fearless, love lingers, unmovable, unflinching. Complicated yet simple. Impossible yet possible.

Love lights, thaws, glows, grows and reflects the best in each of us. God loves us first, second and last, no matter what. We are called to do the same. We love God by loving others.

Cast light. Cast love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Oct 26

9 Comments

Circle

“Our friends interpret the world and ourselves to us, if we take them tenderly and truly.” – Amos Bronson Alcott

While my birthday is today, I started celebrating early on Thursday taking a few days off to slow down and slow time. Friday’s family birthday dinner at John, Tina and Emily’s house turned into a surprise party with friends and family. Awesome – those who are most important in my life all gathered together in one place. Laughing, reminiscing and catching up.

“Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be.” – Khalil Gibran

“Love… it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be.” – Khalil Gibran

Some I see almost every day, some once a year, yet they are a part of my circle that embraces, centers and holds me. Each one has their own story, burdens, victories, struggles, joy and spirit. And there’s a comfort in knowing that while we may not see each other every day as life’s demands pull us in different directions, they all remain in my circle, my pack.

Birthdays put into focus what we should be awake to the remaining 364 days of the year. We are blessed beyond measure when we measure the right things. And we are called to be a blessing in return. Celebrate every day as if it’s your birthday because each day is filled with so many gifts to receive and give. Be grateful. Cast light.

Oct 23

22 Comments

The Next 50

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” – Sophia Loren

I am taking a few days off to relax and enjoy the remaining hours of my 49th year. People asked what I am going to do and I told them that I am going to reflect on the past 50 years and think about what I am going to do with my next 50 years. Time moves quickly and slowly at the same time. We wish days away and then suddenly we’re 50 and feel like 30.

If we don’t pause along the way to witness what was and is right now, we miss the gifts and blessings that surround and embrace us. Regret can only be avoided if we remain present in each moment and aware of our power over our own lives and not distracted by the noise.

When we’re younger, we work on getting experience to get to the next thing, the next promotion, the next opportunity, the next trophy… Now I am more interested in experiencing each day giving my best regardless of recognition, learning new things, gaining insight, creating meaning, traveling lighter, letting worries go, trying to be much less serious and making good use of the experience I have earned by growing others.

Looking back, I don’t have the life I thought I would have but I have the life I was meant to and doing my best to live it well. And each day is overflowing with gratitude, grace, love and sprinkled with delight in the simple moments. Figure out what really matters right now and make each day its own end. So instead of the next 50 years, I think I’ll focus on the next 50 minutes.

Oct 20

7 Comments

True North

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” – Albert Einstein

When I lose my way, may I always be brought home to a smile, a warm greeting and undivided attention. And when I go back out, may I carry that with me and offer the same that I have been given and restored by.

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Khalil Gibran

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Khalil Gibran

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