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Posts tagged ‘Family’

Mar 6

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These ARE the Days

“I get those fleeting, beautiful moments of inner peace and stillness – and then the other 23 hours and 45 minutes of the day, I’m a human trying to make it through in this world.” – Ellen DeGeneres

It quietly occurred to me on the drive home last night from my brother’s birthday dinner, these are the days. We struggle, we work, we overcommit, we jump from one thing to the next in the hunt for the time and place that we’ve conjured up in our head called “someday.”

Someday is the place where there are no problems, we love what we do every minute, everyone gets along, there’s pure peace, we’ve magically lost that last 10 pounds, our work and efforts have paid off and it’s all come together at once and we’ve arrived. While we experience moments like these, this place of perfect “someday” doesn’t exist. The hunt is for naught.

Our life is happening right now in this very moment. In celebrations with family as we talk over each other, laugh and argue as well as in our daily, life-changing struggles, disappointments and tears.

What and who we choose to spend our time make up our days and write our life’s story. And when we stop the hunt for someday and enter today, we witness, share and awaken to the joy that can only be found and built in the small moments of each and every day.

Feb 22

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Be Held

“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
– An Old Irish Blessing

When the road is uncertain, the wind is in your face, the clouds hide the sun and the storms are strong, may we know, trust and believe that we remain in the palm of His hand, held even closer.

Be the road that guides the lost, the shield that blocks the wind, the light that radiates warmth and the midst that quenches a thirst.

Just around the corner of patience and faith, the road rises, the wind subsides, the sun awaits and the symphony of soft rain quiets the soul.

No matter if lost or found, the truth remains. We are held in the palm of His hand, whether we know it or not. May we open our senses to our blessings in both abundance and scarcity. Be held, and when you can, hold someone in return.

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” – Bernard Williams

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” – Bernard Williams

Dec 29

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The Walk

“We’re all just walking each other home.” – Rumi

On our daily journey, it’s good to know deep in our heart and bones that we are not alone. And we have the opportunity, the obligation, to remind each other that we are all on this walk together. Being present, quietly listening, holding a hand, a phone call or text can turn a day around.

While we each have our own purpose, blessings and burdens, our journey is meant to be shared. And in the sharing, our loads are lightened and blessings multiplied.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

Dec 20

Sacred Moments

“Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred.” – Barbara de Angelis

Coming home from work last Thursday exhausted, I felt the weight of the past month of travel and busyness resting on my neck. Suddenly the doorbell rang. An unexpected visitor. My niece Emily stopped by and we went to dinner. The weight lifted. What I thought mattered, really didn’t anymore.

On Friday, I went to a friend’s brother’s funeral service. Family and friends gathered to remember and grieve. The priest noted someone once said that coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. Puts a new perspective on how we are a part of “coincidences” every day.

On Saturday, my nephew Mark earned his MBA while working full-time. We celebrated his hard work and diligence. You can feel the joy on his face and it’s well deserved. The degree is an accomplishment, but who this young man is becoming as a person is much more important. A bright and purpose-filled future.

“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

Whether a surprise visit, a graduation or a funeral, sacred moments surround us longing to be noticed, honored and taken in. We have 20/20 vision when it comes to problems and irritations, yet somehow we are blind to the gifts and blessings that remain faithful and ever present.

God’s ringing the door bell, crying with us at the funeral, cheering our victories as we foster and grow the gifts that He bestowed on each one of us. When we recognize, witness, fully participate and emerge ourselves in these moments, we show the gratitude and awe that is owed.

As we enter this most holy and sacred week, may we see with new eyes, hear with uncanny clarity and let the spirit that is born at Christmas enter our very being all year long, each day, each sacred moment.

Nov 6

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Where Every Day is Friday

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

We often hear or say thank goodness it’s Friday. I try not to but must admit that some weeks I do. When we live Friday to Friday, vacation to vacation, we miss the joy that is to be harvested each day. Do something new, quietly reflect with deep gratitude, connect with others and by all means, play.

When we live right smack in the moment seeking goodness and light, every day is Friday.

Sep 4

Coin New Memories

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” – Carl Sandburg

The Minnesota State Fair brings back wonderful memories of growing up. Every year, Grandpa would take my brother, sister and I out to the Fair. We had the same routine – machinery hill to see all of the tractors, Peter’s hot dogs in the Grandstand, the animal barns and the All You Can Drink Milk stand. We each got $10 and silver dollars, but Grandpa wouldn’t let us spend any of it. He took care of the entire day.

Today, my niece Emily and I made some new memories at the “Great Minnesota Get Together” that I hope she will remember as fondly as I remember my time with Grandpa. We biked up, visited the dog barn and grandstand, shared Sweet Martha’s cookies and strolled through the Midway where Emily threw a ping pong ball into the floating bowl to win a polka dot teddy bear. We also picked up our awesome University of Minnesota “Goldy Gopher” sun glasses and relaxed a bit on a very comfy swing.

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.” – Horace

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.” – Horace

We simply spent time together, being silly, laughing and talking. The little girl that I used to dance with and sing Patsy Cline’s classic song Crazy to is suddenly a beautiful young woman starting her third year of college next week.

Life goes on whether you choose to slow down enough to witness, observe and enjoy each moment of it or not. Choose well and create new memories each day.

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

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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.

Jun 12

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All the Beauty

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” – Anne Frank

When I ground myself in what’s important and authentic, all of the useless, draining stuff falls away. No matter what is going on, we all have the capacity and calling to smile, to laugh, to love, to transform regular moments into special memories. Lighten your load, lighten up, cast light.

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Jun 7

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In the Middle

“Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking.” – Khalil Gibran

Without hesitation, Lily ventures right into the middle of the grass to explore. Never worried about getting out or stuck, confident in each step she moves swiftly focused on the next step and sniff.

When I saw her amidst the foliage yesterday, it summed up the last few months. Head down, a day at a time, not seeing much past the tall grass. Quietly working my way through, knowing the path ahead is clear even if I can’t see it quite yet.

Our journey is not always understood. And as hard as we try or as fast as we may go, we can’t out think, out run or out smart it. When we release the need to know exactly what’s next, we discover that one step at a time is enough. Lift your head and peak beyond the tall grass.

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” – John Hope Franklin

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” – John Hope Franklin

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