Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Seasons’ Category

Dec 11

2 Comments

Passing

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

Amidst the cold days that have arrived early in the season, I am vividly reminded that all things pass quickly. Seasons come and go. People move in and out of our sight. We wake up feeling like we’re 24 and we’re 49.

So as we dread the “15 degrees below days” that come all year round, there is beauty to be found even in these days. If we base our happiness on the weather, a compliment or a list of “rules” that we put on ourselves and others, we are passing by instead of passing through our lives. Each day has its gifts often disguised as inconveniences and interruptions. Get interrupted, wake up and let not this day pass without notice and deep appreciation of the fullness of each moment. Find summer in each day.

Dec 6

11 Comments

Longing

“Like billowing clouds, Like the incessant gurgle of the brook
The longing of the spirit can never be stilled.” – Hildegard von Bingen

"Those clouds are angels' robes." - Charles Kingsley

“Those clouds are angels’ robes.” – Charles Kingsley

For the next three days we’ll be in the deep freeze with below zero wind chill temps. Winter slows us down as we hibernate from the cold. Instead of a curse this can be a blessing to stop and be present. We race through our days thinking we will be fulfilled through speed and velocity, yet emptiness persists. Feel the longing, the loneliness, the starkness. It’s your spirit knocking on the door of your life asking to be let out. Turn in and listen to the still, strong, persistent voice that will not be silenced by the noise of the world. Let your spirit out and the light breaks through. Longing fulfilled.

Dec 3

4 Comments

Quiet

quiet

Today by Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings

“Today I’m flying low and I’m
not saying a word.
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.

The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten
And so forth.

But I’m taking the day off,
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.

Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.”

In this festive, busy season of high expectations, create internal quiet amidst the chaos to prepare, reflect, be still. Quiet to hear the soft whisper of peace, guided by the compass of your soul, breathing in the crisp air to be restored and gently pulled toward purpose and depth.

On a foundation of gratitude, awe and silence, be ready to take it in. All of it. And then go back out and be a blessing to your world.

Nov 30

2 Comments

Never Too Late, But

“The life that I could still live, I should live, and the thoughts that I could still think, I should think.” – C.G. Jung, The Red Book

It’s never too late…to give forgiveness, to ask forgiveness, to break the silence, to dream, to pursue your dreams, to dance, to give, to laugh, to understand, to be grateful, to stop, to listen, to be heard, to say thank you, to try something new, to let go, to change, to yield, to learn, to play, to love.

It’s never too late, but someday it will be. And we know not the day. Start today, so regret has no place to visit tomorrow.

Nov 24

16 Comments

Detach

“In order to settle down in the quiet of our own being we must learn to be detached from the results of our own activity. We must withdraw ourselves, to some extent, from effects that are beyond our control and be content with the good will and the work that are the quiet expression of our inner life. We must be content to live without watching ourselves live, to work without expecting an immediate reward, to love without an instantaneous satisfaction, and to exist without any special recognition.” – Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island

Immerse yourself into each day with no attachments or expectations with the exception of giving your very best to each moment, each person. When we focus on doing good and being authentic, it’s so much more than enough. Detach from that which you have no real influence and get out of your own way.

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” – Rabindranath Tagore

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Oct 28

4 Comments

Hue

“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.” – Anne Lamott

“It was the rainbow gave thee birth, and left thee all her lovely hues.” – W. H. Davies

“It was the rainbow gave thee birth, and left thee all her lovely hues.” – W. H. Davies

Unexpectedly, the rainbow pops out of the clouds, at the just the right time, without hesitation. Light and water collide, casting light, an array of hues. Amidst the clouds, but never defined by them, never holding back. True to itself in strength, color and brilliance. Taste and see.

Oct 22

2 Comments

Forefront

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton

“The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What do you see? Clouds or blue sky? What we move to the forefront defines our landscape, our path. We all have our days when the clouds win. But days turn into weeks, into years, into a life time. The most important people, moments, gifts become the backdrop, unnoticed as we search for something that is right in front of us. The scenery goes unseen. Wake up everyday and choose the blue sky. No more lost time, no more regrets. Make the blue sky the forefront and let the clouds fall back where they belong.

Aug 11

2 Comments

Transform

“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” – Robert Bresson

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

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

The mornings are cooler. The sun setting earlier. The edges of the flowers are beginning to dry and curl, signaling the close of summer, a change of seasons. Instead of mourning the loss of what has gone, each transition can be a transformation. Each season builds on the next, unfolding what is meant to be. No matter the season, grow and bloom. Transform and be transformed.

Jun 2

8 Comments

Sliver of Shade

“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

“Who seeks shall find.” – Sophocles

As I was cutting the grass today caught up in the weight of the week ahead, I glanced up and Lily was laying under a sliver of shade of the new tree. Some would say the tree is too small. Be it ever so narrow, she found the gift of shade and opened it up. We get distracted by assumptions and attitudes that blind us to the slivers that provide real joy and lasting comfort.

Make the most of what’s present in the moment and a sliver of shade is more than enough. Gratitude through all seasons makes the winters warmer and the summers cooler. We do find what we seek, so seek goodness and each day will be overflowing with enough.

May 22

7 Comments

Arrive

“Life is lived on levels and arrived at in stages.” – Edwin Louis Cole

It’s a good place to be, right in the moment. No regrets of what’s been or not been, only lessons, memories, stories and blessings (some disguised as burdens) that sustain us. No worries of what’s to come, only faith that we will arrive where and when we need to, with confidence that it is our place and our time.

Moments by themselves often don’t make sense, but in their entirety make up the notes in our symphony. Looking back, we can see the series of pivot points, challenges, victories and arrivals and the path is complete. So moving forward, knowing that it really does all tie together, we can appreciate and enjoy the moment knowing that we are where we need to be.

Gratitude and awareness of the present cultivates a deep, lasting joy. While we may not arrive to our many destinations in our time, it’s always the right time. Keep showing up. You are arriving everyday.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »