Jan 25
“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” – Henry David Thoreau
Our days are passing and we don’t know it. Go enthusiastically into this day, forget the past that holds us from our potential, from pursuing our dreams. Be the hot pink in the room. Bright, brilliant, beautiful.
“Live out of your imagination, not your history.” – Stephen Covey
Jan 20
“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
Sunday rest, reflection, and restoration resets our perspective on the past week and prepares us for the next, ultimately our life as a whole. The fruits of a Sunday well done carry through all of our days. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh, showing us the way.
Work hard, play hard, rest hard.
Jan 19
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
Take your day back. Slow down. Play. Explore. Discover. Have fun. All right in the middle of daily pressures and deadlines, many self-imposed. Put your heart and time into what’s truly important. We too easily surrender control of our day. Transform the noise of busyness into music of meaning. Molly and Lily remind me everyday to lighten up, party a little, laugh alot and keep buying toys they can shred. Now go make your day, your tomorrow, your life.
Jan 16
“Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.” – Morihei Ueshiba
“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.” – George Bernard Shaw
Assume positive intent from others and take positive actions on your own part. We too easily shift with the others’ winds instead of creating our own. We live in degrees, often putting too much emphasis on the irrelevant. We have put most of the obstacles in our own path with our thoughts, attitudes and actions. The bright side – we can change these.
If we believe the best in others and foster it in ourselves, forgetting the “they don’t deserve” mindset, we can see the world in a new light. So ease up on the judgement and discontent. Give what you want to receive. Choose to see the bright side, the dark side will take care of itself.
Get out of your own way, expect the best, give your best and seize the very bright side of the day.
Jan 8
As I passed by my refrigerator filled with pictures, quotes and a few favorite prayers, I stopped and this one popped out at me. I read it, really read it, and smiled deeply. Simple, yet profound. My favorite kind of thing.
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.” – Saint Theresa’s prayer
Right here, right now for each one of us as we struggle, stumble, sing and dance, we are where we are meant to be. Take in the moment. Be present. Find peace in the day, in little things. Be peace, the gift we all need.
Dec 25
“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
“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell
The story of Christmas need not end today. Christmas shows us the very best in us, our capacity for generosity, kindness and love. Carry the spirit forward into each day. And the good news is that we are not alone in the sequel. Joy is found in the name, Emmanuel – God is with us.
“Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
Merry Christmas, today, tomorrow and the next…
Dec 22
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith
“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” – William Hazlitt
We spend several weeks preparing for Christmas – shopping, rushing, baking, cooking, more shopping, searching for the best presents.
As the day approaches and the preparations are complete, be present. Lay your daily burdens aside and celebrate your many blessings.
Unwrap each moment with family and friends with awe and delight. Discover the real gift of the season – your presence in the miracle of Christmas and in each day of your life.
Merry Christmas.
Dec 20
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss
Seek, commit and work for real peace, starting with you. The world will have peace when we create it first in our heart and home. A kind word, the gift of forgiveness, an unselfish act. Be at peace and offer it to others without condition, actively and on purpose.
Search, find and accept peace this season and each day of the new year. Peace be with you and peace start with you. Be at peace.
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Dec 17
“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” – Anton Chekhov
“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
Winter solstice reminds us that all of our days are short. Choose your thoughts, words and actions with careful consideration and careless generosity.
Each day, there are people who need our kindness, compassion, attention, patience and understanding. Without judgment, measurement or reserve, give yourself away to make each moment better, filled with joy and delight.
Shine your light bright through every season. Our love is depleted when we don’t give it away. The more you give away, the more will return to you.
“Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.” – Bill Morgan, Jr.
Dec 11
“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
When I was traveling last week, I noticed something different right away as I approached the gate to get on the plane. The gate agent was smiling and as she scanned each ticket, she welcomed each passenger by name. You could see each person’s demeanor change as she recognized each individually. Some days, it’s easy to feel like a number, a transaction. But she gave the gift of undivided attention, choosing relationship over transaction.
When I got in the cab in Austin, I sat silent for a moment and then chose to start a conversation with the driver. It started with the weather and the local economy and then moved to how proud he was of his family, in particular his grandson who calls him G-pop. A simple encounter, a short conversation, a few moments.
We have a choice to check out or check in to these moments, to be more human, more alive. To be called by name and do the same in return. To see and be seen. What’s in a name? So much more than you know.
