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Posts from the ‘Samoyed’ Category

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.

Aug 4

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Surround

“To all the other dreamers out there, don’t ever stop or let the world’s negativity disenchant you or your spirit. If you surround yourself with love and the right people, anything is possible.” – Adam Green

“The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

Surround yourself with that which gives you joy. Ground yourself in simple joy and release that joy to the world. Life is filled with reminders of its brevity. Wake up and live fully each day with no guarantee of anything more. Surround, engage and multiple a life well lived. Now, no excuses, without constraint or delay. Dive deep, rise, float.

Jul 29

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The Whole Pie

“The thing that grounds you, and the thing that really gives you a sense of wholeness, is your family, friends and your community. Those are the things that can mirror back to you what you’re experiencing, and can affirm to you that the stories you are telling are true.” – Dan Chaon

After Sunday and Monday traveling for work with delayed flights and stuck for about 12 hours each day in airports waiting, I spent the last leg of the re-booked late Monday night flight not doing work, listening to music, watching the sun glow above the pillows of clouds as the moon entered, reflecting off the wing.

This year, I’ve traveled more for work than I have in the past three years combined. In addition, there have been a lot of family health issues and challenges – stage 4 breast cancer, Mayo Clinic trips, hip replacement, dog ACLs repairs, dog allergies and a roof replacement for 9 year old roof … and the list goes on.

Exhausted and on the verge of feeling sorry for myself, I started to scan all of the pictures on my iPad from the past seven months. And that simple exercise gave me the entire picture – vacations with friends and family, special moments, running events, a college graduation, birthdays and celebrations. I’ve got a GOOD life with wonderful people/dogs scattered through all of it.

We can easily focus on the slices of life that test our mettle, patience, faith and resolve. But when we look at the whole pie, we immediately discover the wholeness and holiness of our life. While we often don’t see it in the midst of the moment, challenges grow our soul and spirit, teaching us to let go of that which is not worthy of our desperate grip. We become more compassionate, less judgmental, more accepting, loving unconditionally and simply amazed.

When on the tipping point into the hole of self-pity, take a step back, a deep breath, be quiet, reflect and thank God for all of the blessings bestowed on us through grace alone. Life is as good as we allow it to be. Start living each day with a light heart, heavy joy and deep gratefulness. Eat the whole pie.

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” – Francis of Assisi

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” – Francis of Assisi

 

Jul 19

11 Comments

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 13

2 Comments

Full Throttle

“There’s a rebel lying deep in my soul.” – Clint Eastwood

A long weekend cabin getaway was good medicine for all participants. The dogs waded in the lake, wandered in the woods, played without hesitation and rested well. On the last escape into the woods, Molly came back looking like a large skunk, unapologetic. If you’re going to go, go big, go deep, get dirty, no holding back, nothing less than full throttle.

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.” – Lord Byron

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.” – Lord Byron

When people disappoint (and they will, including you), when you question your commitments, don’t measure your input by others input or lack thereof. We only have control of how and what we invest into each day. A life well-lived comes up short if not lived at full throttle, in the present, to our complete capacity and potential. Be a full participant, not a spectator.

Jul 1

5 Comments

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

Jun 14

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A Breeze and a Stick

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell

When walking the girls this morning with my thoughts bouncing to the week ahead and the month behind, a breeze came off the lake and for a moment I was held and engulfed, awakened to God right in the midst of the moment. Always present, never alone and gently carried whether I realize it or not.

Listen, watch and hear all that is around calling out to let us know that we are alright. A few hours later, the girls began to play with a stick. It instantly made for play and fun. A stick, a simple stick.

Enjoy each day and be open to the breezes and sticks that enter our day to call us out of our thoughts and worries into the moment. A breeze and a stick – sacred space found.

“Oh, my God, this amazing cool breeze is coming through my window and the sun is shining. I'm happy.” – Liv Tyler

“Oh, my God, this amazing cool breeze is coming through my window and the sun is shining. I’m happy.” – Liv Tyler

May 22

7 Comments

Fan Club

“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

A week ago, Mom was getting her hip replaced. It was scheduled but she had to go in a few days early due to severe pain – it was actually broken. She’s now recovering in transitional care and getting stronger every day. It hasn’t been the same without her. She’s what makes home, home.

There’s been a lot of in and out the past few weeks with family health issues. Molly and Lily know something is going on. They miss Mom like crazy and the feeling is mutual. Every time they see each other, their eyes light up and smiles extend from ear to ear. Home returns.

“Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.” – Dag Hammarskjold

“Friendship needs no words – it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.” – Dag Hammarskjold

Yesterday, we went to visit and they were thrilled to see her. We sat outside in the sun just spending time being together. The world was right again. Absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder. It amplifies the depth of fondness that’s already rooted and strong.

True friendship draws us out and invites our spirits to rise. It’s good to be home.

Apr 19

8 Comments

By My Side

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

Molly went in for her spring grooming last week. Lily knew something was up when we were leaving and tried to nose her way out the door with us. The same way Molly does when I take Lily for her allergy appointments. Molly was gone for four hours. When I brought her home, Lily pounced on Molly with elation as if she was gone for four months. Never saying a word, they communicate volumes.

One of my favorite quotes is from St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Our actions – what we do, our follow-through, time and attention offered freely, promises kept, a long gazing look, a smile mean so much more than empty words unfulfilled. It’s a noisy world. Make your actions and words count.

Mar 7

7 Comments

Thaw

“Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring.” – William Alexander

After high 30s yesterday and with a steady increase into the 50s the next few days, the snow will melt transforming the hard ground into soft green grass. The spring thaw uncovers not only the girls’ toys but my socks that they’ve snuck out the past four months. When they grabbed one this morning, I let them go knowing clean up begins today and it gave me a good laugh.

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters

The thaw brings a newness and fresh start that we all need on many levels. It’s been a particularly busy three months and there’s been a lot of autopilot just grinding it out, doing more and more. Frozen and buried in habits of too much doing.

As winter transforms to spring, so can we. The thaw of our judgments, assumptions and ego makes way for hope, joy, kindness and delight in each day. The buds asleep beneath the earth break through and the beauty and promise of what’s next reveals itself in its own time. Cast light and let the thaw begin.

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