Oct 21
“It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.” – Joseph Conrad
Define your day, define your life. Clarity of purpose is found within, not from our surroundings.
“Derive happiness in oneself from a good day’s work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.” – Henri Matisse
Sep 27
“So often we try to gird ourselves to face a harsh and difficult world when we might instead gentle both ourselves and our world by slowing down.” – Julia Cameron, Walking in this World
Walk softly through this day and observe. You can be a gift to someone who may be having a really tough day. Don’t race by. Go deeper instead of farther. A smile, a laugh, a hug, a helping hand, your full attention – all simple acts that can transform your corner of the world. This race is won by the slow.
“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
‘In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams
There’s an easiness and simplicity in summer. We overcomplicate our days, our lives – over committing, overdoing, over the top. Summer calls and reminds us of what could and should be in our hearts and minds all year long. Life is before us in this very moment to be taken in and given back out. Be present, gentle and generous as a summer breeze.
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress. “ – Charles Dickens
Mar 5
“Softly the evening came.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Coming off of a very intense three weeks, someone asked me “what keeps you up at night?” Years ago, my mind would have lept immediately to work – the drama, the politics, the what happens if someone does this or says that. This time it didn’t.
What keeps me up at night? My parents health, my nieces’ and nephew’s future, friends struggling with challenges. Am I enjoying each day surrounded by people who make my life more complete? These are the thoughts and questions that keep me up at night. And once a in a while, work jumps in there.
Perhaps the more important question is, “What keeps you moving through your day?” I don’t need anymore sleepless nights – I’ve already contributed many through the years. I need days where I am very awake to what is right in front of me with gratitude. And as the evening comes softly to rest easy, content with my contribution to the day.
