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Posts from the ‘Friends’ Category

Nov 24

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Chief Fun Officer

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton

When the day’s demands weigh heavy, simple moments pull me back to the anchor of gratitude. And a sudden awareness of all that is most important fills the space. When I stray off course to the past or the future, my CFOs (Chief Fun Officers) Lily and Molly straighten me out and show me how to let it go and lighten up.

May you be anchored in gratitude and celebrate Thanksgiving each day. And by all means, take the advice of your CFOs. Better yet, become one.

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

Nov 14

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The Gift

“Reaching this agreement between what is human and what is spiritual is the practice of meeting the world with vulnerability and acceptance until who we are releases what we know. Clearly, we are both the flawed human being hacking through the brush and the hawk-like spirit gliding to what matters. We are the troubled apprentice, never sure what to do, nudged by our deep knowing spirit toward yes, even when we don’t know what we are saying yes to.” – Mark Nepo, The Endless Practice

Another week “hacking through the brush” at work was interrupted when a co-worker and friend Nicki stopped by to share the joy of her new baby boy and the delight of a proud spitfire sister in tow. The staff gathered around to soak it in. During the visit, she handed me a bag with my birthday gift. I put it in my office, rushed around a bit more and then finally sat down for a moment to open it.

She created a beautiful custom calendar with photos from the Cast Light blog and my quotes throughout. I sat quietly and my eyes welled up, instantly my “hacking” moved to “hawk-like spirit,” brought back to what matters, to what we know.

A true friend knows us and they hold up a mirror that only shows our best selves. Lately, I’ve been on auto-pilot of getting things done as quickly as possible because the “list” keeps growing. But we can never go fast enough for what the world throws at us and what we so readily accept as necessity. However, we can choose a different path, a different way.

“The practice of being human is the practice of coming awake, staying awake and returning to wakefulness when we go to sleep…This opening and closing is part of the human journey. Therefore the practice of being a spirit – in a body, in the world – is a practice of returning to our center where we can know the world fully. This return to center is a foundational form of saying yes to life.” – Mark Nepo, The Endless Practice

“The practice of being human is the practice of coming awake, staying awake and returning to wakefulness when we go to sleep…This opening and closing is part of the human journey. Therefore the practice of being a spirit – in a body, in the world – is a practice of returning to our center where we can know the world fully. This return to center is a foundational form of saying yes to life.” – Mark Nepo, The Endless Practice

The gift that she gave was much more than the calendar and the visit, which was plenty. It was a much needed reminder to slow down, enjoy each day and be ever so grateful. She generously shared her joy and delight, that glow that comes when you realize all of the blessings that are already present to us. And we can give that gift to one another as we see someone struggling, hacking. We can pull each other to our spirit, our purpose. The gift is now. Accept it and give it away.

Nov 6

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Where Every Day is Friday

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

We often hear or say thank goodness it’s Friday. I try not to but must admit that some weeks I do. When we live Friday to Friday, vacation to vacation, we miss the joy that is to be harvested each day. Do something new, quietly reflect with deep gratitude, connect with others and by all means, play.

When we live right smack in the moment seeking goodness and light, every day is Friday.

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 4

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The Mettle Behind the Medal

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” – Woodrow Wilson

This is one of my favorite weekends – the Twin Cities Marathon weekend, a tradition. I ran my first marathon at 39 years old in 2004. My last two marathons were the Twin Cities Marathon in 2013 and 2014. Last year may have been my last marathon, but I’m not committing to not committing at this point. This year, I ran the Twin Cities 10 mile with Jeanne, Linda and Terry. Three strips of tape wrapped tight around my lame ankle makes running doable but at times questionable.

Every runner has a story, a battle, a challenge, but they show up just the same to finish the sentence, the paragraph, the chapter of their journey. I’ve never been fast, but stubborn and persistent fit pretty well. And fortunately, I surround myself with some of the same.

“For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” – Wallis Simpson

“For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” – Wallis Simpson

Today, there was a lot of mettle behind the medals. Jeanne, a breast cancer survivor, Mom, Grandma, Cousin, confidant, friend, co-worker, a bit of an ass-kicker and so much more than she knows. Walking joy and delight, she always brings life and the party to the party.

I met Linda through Jeanne in 2004 and the three of us have traveled the last 4-5 years to half marathons throughout the country – officially forming the “sole sisters.” Linda is a Mom, personal trainer, creative jewelry maker and good friend. She has a bone floating around her knee, nothing that a bit of tape can’t hold together.

I also met Terry through Jeanne and “the running group” in 2004. We gather to run and chat on Wednesdays, Saturdays and various running events throughout the year. Terry is 77 and is more fit than most 30 somethings I know. In addition to cancer years ago, he had an ankle replacement and yet he’s still running. He has an awesome sense of humor and always has a good story worth repeating.

These are the friends that I surround myself with so some of their courage and resilience rubs off on me. I have many medals from a variety of running events throughout the years. None are more valuable than what I’ve learned and witnessed by running the runs with friends who really show the mettle behind the medal.

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 1

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Living Abundantly

“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” – Wayne Dyer

Abundance – it’s all around and overflowing, deep, wide and high. We shrink our world when we buy into the false premise of scarcity, losing our peripheral vision. There is plenty for all. Open your eyes, listen closely, tune in.

One of my four-legged blessings Lily reminded me tonight when she plopped down in front of me with bright eyes and a hearty smile. Time is never wasted when we spend it with those we love and we care about what we do and how we do it.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

One of my favorite writers Wayne Dyer passed away this week. If you want to be motivated and moved, look up some of his quotes and books. May we all be remembered as one who dared to be a wide-eyed optimist, casting light rather than shadows.

“It’s never crowded along the extra mile.” – Wayne Dyer

Go the extra mile and spend your entire being living a good life, recklessly sharing the abundance of your spirit with the world.

Aug 24

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Simple Delight

“All around us is the cosmic game, the cosmic play. The universe is full of joy, inner and outer. When realisation takes place, we have to feel the necessity of manifesting this constant delight in our heart. The delight glows, but does not burn. It has tremendous intensity, but it is all softness and absolutely sweet-flowing nectar.” – Sri Chinmoy

Every morning without fail, Molly picks up a toy to lead Lily and me outside. She knows it makes me laugh every time. This morning, my sox were behind Lamby-boy too. She signals to Lily it’s time to start the day with play and simple delight.

“I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

“I’ve heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I’ve brought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

Walk through today lightly. Be filled with gratefulness rather than grief. Leave behind smiles instead of sighs. Give more and you won’t need to take. It returns all on its own, tenfold.

Jul 19

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Picking Up the Toy

“Life is always at some turning point.” – Irwin Edman

On the first trip outside this morning, Molly picked up a toy in the living room and proceeded to the back yard. She does this every morning, but this morning was special. She had surgery last Monday on a torn ACL from wear, tear and arthritis. She has about 10 inches of stitches on her inner knee and a metal plate screwed in to reconstruct the function. When I picked her up on Tuesday, she was looking pretty rough but anxious to get home.

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.” – Sai Baba

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.” – Sai Baba

She’s been pretty somber through the week, waking up, coughing, limping around, not herself. On Thursday morning, I took her back to have them check out her coughing and it turned out she has pneumonia often caused by anesthesia.

All week, Lily has been keeping an eye on her like a hawk. Patiently waiting for her best friend to feel better and be ready to play again. The toy pick up this morning signaled that Molly is feeling better and ready to bring play back. She’s coughing less and her eyes are brightening up.  She’s on the mend and I wouldn’t expect anything else from her. She’s a combination of tough and sweet with a side of attitude.

During difficult times, we often think they won’t end or it will get worse. As we move through the waiting and worrying, healing is happening, what’s next is being written, it’s all unfolding as it is meant to be. Even though it may not feel that way, it’s reassuring to know that it will be ok soon, that we’ll be able to pick up the toy again.

Jul 1

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Summer Delight

“You must not for one instant give up the effort to build new lives for yourselves. Creativity means to push open the heavy, groaning doorway to life.” – Daisnku Ikeda

I’m still waiting for a “slow” summer. In the past week, I’ve heard several times from others that they can’t believe it’s the 4th of July already, half of the year over. Summer calls out the best in us, inviting us deep and long into each day. We take it a little easier, walk a little lighter.

On Monday evening, Jeanne and I went for a run at Como Lake. The weather shifted quickly so we cut the run short and snuck into the pavilion for a water that turned into a beer. As we listened to live big band music and watched some dancing, the skies opened wide and the rain pounded the pavement. As soon as the down pour started, three little kids rushed out of the shelter into the rain and through puddles with pure joy and delight, without hesitation.

Kids and dogs don’t overthink or complicate their life. They just live it and every damn moment of it. As you celebrate independence day, may we all find the freedom that our four legged friends and little ones have mastered.

Summer, kids and dogs are calling. Heed the call.

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

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