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Posts from the ‘Summer’ Category

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.

Aug 4

4 Comments

Heads Up

“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Look to each day with the same enthusiasm and delight of a Sunday afternoon. We can choose, in fact, we must choose our attitude and outlook everyday. Don’t fall for the same frustrations and triggers again and again. Positive people don’t have less problems rather they don’t define their life by them. How we go through is more important than what we go through. Heads up. And smile too.

Jun 19

15 Comments

Let Go of the Rope

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.” – Lao Tzu

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

Summer reminds me of waterskiing the beautiful lakes and rivers in Minnesota. Walking out of work after another thick day, “let go of the rope” came to mind. When you start losing your balance waterskiing, you naturally let go of the rope so you don’t get pulled under and dragged along. A vivid reminder of releasing and letting go of the day, finding a renewed balance.

We think that we should hold tight no matter what, even if it drags us under. There’s no heroism or strength in stupidity and stubbornness. When you get off balance and start to fall, let go of the rope. You’ll float.

Jun 9

4 Comments

Breeze

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

“What you really want for yourself is always trying to break through, just as a cooling breeze flows through an open window on a hot day. Your part is to open the windows of your mind.” – Vernon Howard

Heads up and heads out the window – notice the day and simply enjoy it. Don’t overcomplicate, just accept the moment.

Mar 5

11 Comments

Ice Cream in Winter

“The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.” – William James

“People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.” - Anton Chekhov

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” – Anton Chekhov

Ice cream in winter? Why not? Let go of the “rules” and “I’ll be happy when” and start living today. True contentment is not moved by circumstances, negative people or a foot of snow. Get out of your comfort zone which really isn’t that comfortable. Climb the snow bank and get that ice cream cone, with sprinkles on top of course.

Aug 24

5 Comments

Beacon

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” – Dwight L. Moody

Find your light and be a beacon. The light will sustain you and guide others through rough seas and dark nights.

A quiet steady light.

Aug 1

1 Comment

Soak It Up

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
– Buddha

Each season has its own gifts. I can’t ever remember a “slow” summer. So as we dive into August, enjoy the summer days that remain, not lamenting their passing. We have this very moment. Drink it in, soak it up and be satisfied.

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” - Celia Thaxter

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” – Celia Thaxter

Jul 26

2 Comments

Whisper

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.” – Thomas Carlyle

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation's mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” - Charles Dickens

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation’s mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” – Charles Dickens

Be quiet long enough to hear yourself and listen to others. Leave your opinions, judgement and criticism by the wayside. Like a gentle breeze through fragile flowers, whisper.

Jul 22

4 Comments

Above the Clouds

“We’d never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.”  – Emily Dickinson

“Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.” - Winston Churchill

“Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it.” – Winston Churchill

Sometimes our plans don’t always work out the way we plan. Last week, my excitement to escape for a quick vacation came to a grinding halt when our flight was cancelled two hours before leaving. Since it was a quick trip to Las Vegas, losing one of three days is substantial. We were able to get another flight with a stop in Portland, only losing five hours.

Floating above the clouds, I was gently reminded of the importance of rising above the clouds to get a fresh perspective. To know what’s really important and what’s not worthy of more than a moment of our time and attention.

We have daily inconveniences and detours disguised as opportunities to take a different view, to be more patient, to slow down, to stop multitasking every moment away. And the true measurement isn’t in what happens to us but in how we deal with it.

Jul 15

5 Comments

Yellow Lights

“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” –  Joseph Addison

Yellow lights – the sign of caution. That critical moment when you determine whether you stay or go for it. I’ve thought alot about yellow lights the past 24 hours.

On the way back from an 18 mile bike ride with friends, Jeanne and I were riding back home (we live about a mile a part). I was in front approaching a green light. It changed yellow. To make sure I didn’t take any risks, I stopped. This time caution didn’t work in our favor. Jeanne was able to stop in time but not get her feet out of the pedal cages. I turned and watched her fall to the ground, hard. I could feel it, of course, not as much as she did and does.

I’ve thought about how it could have been prevented. I could have gone for it. I should have told her I was stopping. And the post-analysis continues.

Not really sure of the lesson other than to get back on the bike again. Hopefully Jeanne will too. May take a few weeks though and a mattress duct taped around her to soften the blow. Jeanne – here’s to our Tour de France moment. I only wish it was me that hit the cement. You’re one tough chick!

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