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Posts from the ‘Health’ Category

Apr 7

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Unbound

“As you make choices to let go of attachments that no longer work for you, your options seem to grow and expand. But what you are really doing is increasing your perspective, as all possibilities were there all along.” – Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr., The Five Levels of Attachment

What seems to be loss becomes gain when we release our tight grip on what was so we can reach for what’s next. And what has been is part of the journey that has prepared us for today. So no regrets or what ifs, just forward motion to what’s waiting for us now that we are ready. It’s all a part of the whole journey, the growth, the pain, the process of becoming more authentic.

“The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.” – Pamela Hansford Johnson

“The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.” – Pamela Hansford Johnson

And as the sun sets on this chapter, our ego, fears, self-imposed limitations fade as we release them and ready for the depth of abundance in the next sunrise. In letting go of the attachments that now bind, we discover what’s of lasting value, hiding right in front of us.

Feb 26

Underneath

Underneath the cold and bitterness outside and within, there’s hope in the quiet of winter and sweetness in the anticipation of spring. A bud ready to burst through the frozen ground, the warmth of the sun grows stronger, as do we. The blur takes shape and clarity ensues. Underneath will rise, if we allow, trust and believe.

“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther

“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther

Feb 3

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See the Flower in the Tree

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” – Helen Keller

See the flower in the tree. Forget what has been, look with new eyes, a softer heart and a gentle touch. There is beauty and wonder everywhere and in everyone, hidden deep down, longing to be invited out, to be found, to be seen.

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Choose to be optimistic, enthusiastic and excited about the promise of each day and your place in it. Life is overflowing with goodness and light, just behind the thin shadows and hollow cynicism. Finding the worst case scenario is a short trip. We find what we are looking for so look longer and deeper.

Cast light today and discover that life is more than your limited thoughts or limited to you. See the world as it should be and then make it that way, one smile, prayer, hug, word at a time. See the flower in the tree.

Jan 24

Travels

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

Twelve days and six flights later, I’m home. A business trip on the west coast, vacation on the east coast and a last minute business trip in the middle made up the first half of January. All travels went very well.

The annual “sole sisters” half marathon trip with Jeanne and Linda dropped us into Key West, Florida. Considering winter, busy schedules and a few ailments, we were all thrilled to finish healthy and happy. The ocean, sun and blue skies with friends who know and accept us as we are make up the ingredients for a good time.

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

There’s something about getting away to change your perspective, relax and discover new places and people. There’s also something about coming home, refreshed and grateful for the people/dogs and places that just feel right.

In all of our travels, across the country or across town, we can be present to each moment with our hearts open to discover the beauty that surrounds us and within us. Cast light and let light in.

Jan 6

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Set the Day

“It is not surprising, then, that though we feel intermittently gifted, our gifts are ever-present. For if enlightenment stems from clarity of being, then talent is no more than a clarity of doing, an embodied moment where spirit and hand are one. The chief obstacle to talent, then, is a lapse of being. It is not that people have no talent, but that we lack the clarity to uncover what it is and how it works. Talent, it seems, is energy waiting to be released through an honest involvement in life.” – Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Each morning when I ground myself in quiet and reading something good, the day is set no matter what will come. One of my current favorites is Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening. And the days when I rush through too “busy” to do this, my day is set as well, in chaos.

The day’s circumstances, people and challenges are always present but when I anchor my mind, I can see beyond the three ring circus and know that life and who I am is so much more than mere circumstances. An old Polish proverb is a good reminder to not be defined by the crazy makers or to join them – “Not my circus, not my monkeys.”

We can choose calm and light by leaving our ego (I deserve, I demand, I need) at the door and focusing on what we can contribute to make things better and to simply enjoy the day we are given. We can control of our thoughts, actions, reactions and attitude. And more than just trying to remove the negative, we need to replace that void in our thoughts with inspiration, ideas, dreams, plans and aspirations. We are all called to go deeper to find and be so much more. Set your day, set your life.

Dec 22

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New Old Self

“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” – Gilda Radner

For the past seven weeks, Lily has been wearing a cone on her head to stop her from scratching at her face. Thanks to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital treatment, the infection is healing with a combination of medications and she’s been “cone-free” for five days. She’ll be going back in January to start tests for food allergies.

Even with the cone on her head, she’s kept a good attitude but not quite herself. In the past week, Lily’s starting to get back to her new “old self.” Frolicking, wrestling and of course getting into a bit of trouble.

On Friday when we were opening gifts at our first round of Christmas family events, she was busy on the table eating dessert ahead of us. Luckily we caught her in time before she cleared the table. She’s back on her game, full bounce in her step.

“From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” – Dr. Seuss

“From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” – Dr. Seuss

We all go through stretches of difficulties and challenges (cones on our head) where we lose perspective and a bit of ourselves. And when we come through, we return to our old selves but somehow newer, stronger, with a deeper gratitude.

And Lily highly recommends eating dessert first. It’s a sweet life.

Dec 7

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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.

Dec 3

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Tune In

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

The world and its demands will not slow down, so we must. To rest, reflect and reach in to our center to reveal a deep sense of gratitude. Scarcity thinking will never be satisfied because it can’t recognize the abundance that already is within and surrounding us. Instead of searching in far off lands or in the future when things are “perfect”, journey to what is now and discover your many treasures hiding in plain sight.

Be quiet, tune in and be grateful. And then move back out into the world and share that joy in abundance.

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs

Nov 29

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Rooted

“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” –Simone Weil

Thanksgiving morning began with the Turkey Trot 5k with my nieces and nephew Emily, Jenna and Mark in 0 degrees. It ended with sixteen family/friends, four dogs, two turkeys and new memories as the holiday season commences.

“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.” – Michel de Montaigne

“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.” – Michel de Montaigne

Many find this season difficult with loved ones who are gone and/or strained family relationships. It’s easy to retreat and hibernate. But if we keep moving and living as fully as we can, we honor those who are not with us by staying in the game. And when rooted by the love and companionship of friends and family, all things are possible, even forgiveness. Care for your roots and plant some new ones this season.

 

Nov 6

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Like a Kid

“Just imagine becoming the way you used to be as a very young child, before you understood the meaning of any word, before opinions took over your mind. The real you is loving, joyful, and free. The real you is just like a flower, just like the wind, just like the ocean, just like the sun.” – Miguel Angel Ruiz

On the way out of dinner with the running group last night, we stopped at the game where you use a crane to win a stuffed animal. When we pass those machines, our first thoughts are “you never win” or “that’s for kids.” Well, we won five out of six times and we were giggling like kids.

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Next time you pass one of those machines, drop in a dollar. Or drop a few quarters in the bubble gum machine. It’s pretty easy and more than alright to feel like a kid again. Unravel your complicated life if only for a moment. Dare to have fun, play and laugh every day. Pretty simple.

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