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Posts tagged ‘Peace’

Jan 3

The Pond, The River, The Harbor

Mornings at Blackwater by Mary Oliver, Red Bird

“For years, every morning, I drank
from Blackwater Pond.
It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,
the feet of ducks.

And always it assuaged me
from the dry bowl of the very far past.

What I want to say is
that the past is the past,
and the present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what that will be,
darling citizen.

So come to the pond,
or the river of your imagination,
or the harbor of your longing,

and put your lips to the world.
And live
your life.”

Fill your mind and heart with beauty and light to stay positive, to live positive and to never succumb to the magnet of negativity. Guard your heart, keep it soft. Fill your thoughts with love, forgiveness, compassion and understanding – those things that make absolutely no sense and are not warranted. And yet there is no peace without them.

Fight the good fight and live YOUR life. No regrets, unrelenting joy and a peace that passes all understanding.

Jun 1

Strivings Cease, Prayer Ensues, Peace Enters

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” – Meister Eckhart

A simple glance, a quiet moment, a sliver of pause prompts a prayer. Of gratitude. Of depth. Of awareness. Sacred, holy and awe-filled moments surround us awaiting to be released into our very being. In play. In joy. In letting go of all that we carry that is not ours. A small, soothing voice of calm. Strivings cease, peace enters with ease. Amen.

“Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress.
And let our ordered live confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the hearts of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake,
wind, and fire.
O still, small Voice of calm.”
– John G. Whittier hymn, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

Oct 18

Hope

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Elizabeth Appell

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Elizabeth Appell

Hope is the unbroken promise of what is to be in the passage of time, at the right time. Never, never, never give up hope for the best tomorrow. The fullness of time, trust and faith merge together to create our becoming. And in the waiting, in the building of patience, pursue joy beyond understanding and never give into despair. You are right where you are meant to be right now.

Our regrets will be centered on not enjoying moments in each day as they present themselves, even in difficult times. Full bloom comes with rain, sun and time. Full bloom, the fruition of hope. Choose hope and give permission to others to do the same.

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

May 29

Eternal Youth

“Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.” – John Muir

Reflection and remembering are the stepping stones on the path of gratitude and awe. A simple walk in the woods can transform our minds and surface our spirit. Rather than busily moving through time we become immersed in it, unaware of the clock and deep in the moment.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

In quiet repose, we move from reaction and positioning to creation and mere being. Amidst the waving trees, in the rhythm of the stream, in the heart of the meadow, we are called to enter and join the sweet harmony of nature. Eternal youth flows uninhibited and free for the taking.

Feb 24

3 Comments

Show Tunes

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” – Victor Hugo

My great nephew Liam who’s six months old actually smiles when I sing, so naturally, I sing. I downloaded a few show tunes this week to add some “depth” to my performances of made-up songs  – Singing in the Rain, Good Morning and Oklahoma. A little Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds go a long way.

Music, art, prose pull us beyond our routine daily-ness to a higher calling of simple delight and soulful connection. Feeling out of sorts? Pick up an umbrella and start dancing and singing in the rain.

Dec 29

2 Comments

Beginnings

“Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.” – William Throsby Bridges

While this is the season of new beginnings, we are surrounded by new beginnings all year long, well beyond January. Make your resolution this year to be awake, attentive and open to all that’s new each and every day. If we can achieve this, we won’t need New Year’s Eve to start again.

This year has been a year of many endings with seeds of new beginnings scattered throughout. Snuggle and hold tight to your blessings and release all of the rest.

“Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed.” – Muriel Rukeyser

“Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed.” – Muriel Rukeyser

Oct 4

16 Comments

Mark This Day

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” – Washington Irving

I need to mark this day. A day of loss and one of deep gratitude as well – often what life is made of – a mix of both.  So many of the good lessons I’ve learned over the years have come from Lily. My funny, goofy best friend who always knew how to brighten a room with her levity and capacity for sheer delight.

After over a month struggling with an auto-immune disease, I needed to make a choice for her today, not me. Even after two blood transfusions, multiple tests and over eight medications, she wasn’t bouncing to her natural state of joy. As soon as she generated blood red cells, they were destroyed. After her second transfusion on Sunday, her red blood count dropped to half where it should be at a minimum. She wasn’t who she was and she was suffering.

It’s never easy to make the decision to say goodbye to a loyal and loving friend, but when you see the relief in her eyes as the pain releases from her body, you know it’s the right decision. She was only six years old and was still heartbroken over losing Molly in June and Dad in April. We were making our way, marking our days together, mending each other’s heart.

lilyanddadlilyandmom

Mark your days – each and every one – the good ones and the oh so difficult ones. And know underneath someone else’s distant or distracted nature, something very difficult may be going on in their life and most likely is. It happens to all of us to be sure. Be kind and compassionate especially if you don’t feel like it. And remember that we don’t have forever, so start enjoying your life today.

Lily showed me unconditional love, how to lighten up and how to greet others – with wide open eyes, boundless energy and an unending smile. And, if necessary, gently holding your arm in her mouth.

Safe travels to heaven Lily and give Molly and Dad a big hug from me. You’ll be sure to make your mark there like you did on my life here. Thank you love.

lilyandmollylilymollylake

Jun 22

5 Comments

There’s Blue Up There

“Shining through tears, like April suns in showers, that labour to overcome the cloud that loads 'em. “ – Thomas Otway

“Shining through tears, like April suns in showers, that labour to overcome the cloud that loads ’em. “ – Thomas Otway

“The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through.” – Edna St. Vincent Millay

Life is a mix of clarity and ambiguity. To live an authentic life, we find the wherewithal to cast light amidst, because and despite the clouds. The blue pulls us through, wakes us up and forces patience and faith to do their work in their time, not ours.

The assumption and expectation that life should be easy leads us down paths that spiral into nowhere, to nothingness. We have what we need within us to thrive in the good times and survive the tough times. Sometimes surviving is enough. Thriving waits in the wings to show itself when the time is right, when we’re ready.

Feb 22

4 Comments

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

Feb 14

Fundamental

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19

Pretty simple, yet often so hard to live out each day consistently with unwavering commitment. No matter where we wander or where we land, our choice is between life and death, blessing and curse, abundance and scarcity, loving unconditionally or with condition. When we let go of our theories, judgments and justifications, the choice is crystal clear. Life, blessing and light sustain and propel us forward.

Choose life, love wholeheartedly, live well. It’s fundamental.

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