One by One

 

 

 

 

 

“I understand you, and I shall not attempt to make you change your mind. I am too old to want to improve the world. I have told you what I think, and that is all. I shall remain your friend even if you act contrary to my convictions, and I shall help you even if I disagree with you.”    Milan Kundera

Wandering down by the wharf, we watched numerous people waiting in line in preparation for boarding one of the schooners.  Some of these boats have beautiful wooden interiors and provide entertainment during the sail.  The musician is usually dressed in vintage clothing playing instruments from early time periods in history.

It was fun to watch these people board the  schooner.  They were all talking as though they were all old friends.  Laughter and conversations floated joyfully through the air.  It is amazing to watch a group of people who are unknown to each other, squeeze
themselves into a schooner and become instant friends with fellow sailors.  Granted, the relationship is superficial at the time, but a respect is generally offered to those one meets.  Compare this scenario with another. Think of  a line of people waiting for a bus, train, or plane.  There seldom is communication, just pushing to get on and settled in.  So what is the difference?  A state of mind, work -vs- vacation?  

Fear prevents us from common courtesies, and I do understand the need for personal safety, but not to the degree of rudeness towards others.  Since we have been here, we have shared our table with another couple when the restaurant was crazy busy.  We have stepped back and let someone in a hurry go before us.  It makes a person feel good, not better.  If we would allow ourselves common courtesies towards others, the recipient would feel good and so would we.  We have to take small steps.  Each one of us has to take small.  One by one we can choose to make the world a better place.



One Slip of Paper

 

I wanna be the best in at least one thing in this life.

~ Toba Beta

We stack up years of life experience, thousands of dollars in education, numerous career moves, and we still wonder what we will be when we grow up.   It all gets rather confusing as we need to address all parts of our selves ... family, career, spiritual, physical, and mental.  We have many sides to our human form and our focus can become quite skewed in our attempt at wholeness.   It is ironic that the most important part of the equation for living a full life is discovered so much later in life. 

Think of it as trying to build a bicycle without directions.  We can make several test trials, errors, rebuilds, and experience very few moments of pleasure before it all falls apart.  When we have finally come close to giving up, the owner's manual arrives.  Just browsing through the directions, we easily understand what we were trying to do was ineffective.   The instructions help us to see our task from a different perspective.  Then we begin to build once again.

If we indeed came with an owner's manual, perhaps we would speed read, or skip pages, or misplace the book.  Maybe we would seek out the 'cliff notes' version and miss the importance of trial by error.  We would compare our mannual to others and become so overwhelmed with conflicting information we might end up a jack of all trades, and master of none.

In my heart, I don't think we would ever be born with an owner's manual.  At best, we would be born with one slip of paper with one message delicately scrawled across it.  It would read:   Be the best version of you!

Far from Done

No wise man ever wished to be younger.

Jonathan Swift

We went on a day trip to take in an art festival in a small town a few hours away from our home.  I had not visited this town since my college days.  Walking near the river, placing my feet on the same sidewalk cracks, and recognizing the old buildings had me spiraling back into my past.

The last time I stood before this store, my hair was a luscious brown draping half-way down my back.  I was slim and my belly was still flat.  My body was well tanned and I felt as light as the breeze.  I faced the future with undaunted courage and wild anticipation.

Back then I wasn't aware of my gypsy blood, my need to travel so many miles.  I was not thinking of children let alone birthing four!  I did not believe in divorce, and never thought it would come knocking at my door.  My world was all external hiding what I thought was my unworthy self deep within my core.  I was not aware of my strengths nor prepared for what all life had in store.

And here I am today, leaning against this same old tree pondering what all has happened to me.  Resilience and writing remain with me, but my gregarious and aggressive ways have long time fallen away.  I wonder what would have happened if back then my life had been shown to me ... fast forwarded glimpsing the rise and fall of so many masks of me ... what if anything would I have changed?

No, I have no desire to go back.  I don't want to change a thing for if I did, would it not be like a domino effect with one thing changing another?  I could run the risk of making other mistakes while correcting the now obvious ones.  And is anything truly a mistake?   I think not.  Mistakes are building blocks or catalysts for change.

 I will forgive my self for things I have carelessly said or done or even left undone.  I will embrace all of my parts from over the years into this one solid sum.  It has been a reflective journey and actually far from done. 

Swing Open the Gate ...

 Your only obligation in any lifetime

is to be true to yourself.

Richard Bach

We cannot be true to our most inner self if we do not explore our strengths, weaknesses, and insights.  Unfortunately our strengths are displayed rather nicely as children only to be ridiculed by others instead of encouraged and supported.  In the end, we can find our selves living parents dreams instead of dreams of our own.  The good news, however, is it is never to late to pursue our heart's desire.

Not only is it important to honor our talents and gifts, it is also very healthy to have an outlet where we can totally lose our selves.  When we invest in something we love doing, stress reduces, blood presssure drops, and mental attitudes improve. 

To be involved in an activity that brings us joy, we feel liberated which creates higher self regard.  Being creative in our own personal way heightens our life experiences directly and indirectly. 

We must take time to fan the fires of our passion.  We must give our selves permission to be involved in activities that allow us to be truly aligned with body, mind, and spirit. 

Step off the beaten path, swing open the gate and follow  intuition to where we need to be led.  Something wonderful is waiting ... if we would just stop and listen. 

To Make a Difference

I want an earth that is healthy,

a world at peace,

and a heart filled with love.

I want my life to count.

Eknath Easwaran

Words to Live By

It is easy to be defined by the varying roles we play in life whether it is parent, career person, community icon, or lover.  Eventually, however, all of these labels fall short of the identity we long to have. 

It is ironic that we spend so many years of our life adding layers to our personality, only to spend our later years discarding all of the unnecessary debris.  We long to uncover our authentic essence and be truly who we were originally meant to be. 

It is exhausting to project an image of someone we are not and it takes courage to become who we were meant to be all along.  We need to nurture both our bodies and our earth to achieve an ideal state of health.  When we create peace within, we personally begin to initiate peace on earth.   It is only when we love our inner selves that we can extend true love to others.  We want our lives to count, to make a difference.

For me personally, I have chosen three qualities to lead me to authenticity:  unconditional love, integrity, and courage.  If I can successfully embrace these three things, surely my life can make a difference!

Shards of a Broken Spirit

 There are three kinds of violence: one, through our deeds; two, through our words; and three, through our thoughts.  Most of what we call violence is in the form of action, and it is with our actions that nonviolence naturally begins.  But as long as our minds harbor violent thoughts, that incipient violence will find its way somehow into our speech and behavior.  The root of all violence is in the world of thoughts, and that is why training the mind is so important.

Eknath Easwaran

Many years ago, I served on a Regional Commission for Domestic Violence Prevention.  Doctors, lawyers, ministers, and many other professionals attended.  The determined fore runner was Mick Addison Lamb.  Through educating the public and private sectors, he paved the way for attitudes to be changed, county police procedures to be updated, and eventually laws to be put into effect.  As an in home counselor for social services, I knew first hand how devastating violence could be individually as well as collectively to a family and community.

As I read the above passage, now years later, I was once again reminded of the link that thoughts needed to be trained or else they can explode into words, not just behavior.  I started to recall the terrible things I had heard people say, threatening things that crippled others mentally, yet avoiding the physical.  It is easy to show physical evidence like a broken bone, but it is next to impossible to display the shards of a broken spirit.

The shards of a broken spirit can go undetected indefinitely and it is most difficult to fit all of the pieces back together again.  It is a mental and physical process in addition to the spiritual healing.  

We all have harsh thougths from time to time.  Strong words may cross our minds and we may wonder, "where did those come from?"  Or in a moment of disagreement, insults might fly out of our mouths reflecting feelings we didn't even know we had. 

It is important for us to remember that we are all capable of some degree of violence.  If we are aware of our thoughts and sift through them rather than burying them deep inside, we are much more apt to use nonviolent behavior and no harmful words. 

We can choose our words carefully and strive to bathe others in loving kindness.  If we have any inkling that we are in danger or are a danger to others, it is imperative to seek immediate help.  There are ministers, therapists, abuse counselors, and many other members of society willing to listen and assist in finding a road to healthy thinking.

Let's not point the finger at others, let's focus on our inner selves.  Be as good as we were intended to be!

I loved to swim ...

With the gift of listening

comes the gift of healing.

Catherine de Hueck

We can learn a lot about our selves when we pay attention to the words we use and the facts we share.  We may even surprise our selves by what unexpectedly comes out. 

Many years ago, while attending a meeting, I was seated by a gentleman I did not know.  He asked me about myself and what I most liked to do.  I immediately responded, "Oh, I love to swim!"  Then I sat with those words for a long time.

As a youngster, I loved the water and I became a life guard when I was a young adult.  I grew up on Lake Michigan, but also had access to a pool on a regular basis.  In college I was a good strong swimmer, but lacked style and grace.   So, yes, I loved to swim ... past tense.

Facing this unknown gentleman, he immediately picked up on the pensive look on my face.  Being a good listener, he encouraged me to explain.  As we often bare our souls to total strangers, I proceeded to tell him I had just realized how disconnected I apparently was with my self.  Yes, I had loved to swim, but had not been in a bathing suit for years.  The very thought of being in a bathing suit gave me the willies!

Sorting out my feelings while I talked, I soon realized that it was the water I always loved and still loved.  It doesn't matter if it is an ocean, lake, pond, stream or bath tub, I am calmed just by being by the water.  The water some how relaxes and comforts me.  It is also cleansing.

After my meeting and the nice man departed, I continued to ponder his original question, "What do I like to do?"  This innocent question sent me on a quest to rediscover myself and to determine what no longer suited me.  What did I want to bring more of into my life?  There was so much to choose from:  painting, writing, reading, and collecting antique dishes, spoons, boxes, napkins, etc ...

Eventually, I updated the activities in my life and found more creative ways to express who I was.  I began listening to others about their own passions and what how these interests played out in their lives.  I listened more attentively to community announcements finding classes and workshops to expand my skills.

So the art of listening works both ways.  We must first listen to our inner voice to really connect with our heart's desire.  It helps to monitor our own conversations for authentic reflection.  Then as we listen to others we can enhance our understanding and skill.  We can creatively act upon our dreams and desires, but if we don't first listen, how will we ever know?

Finding Safe Passage

The heights by great men

reached and kept,

were not attained by sudden flight,

but they,

while their companions slept,

were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In my late twenties, I was reading a book that supported the idea of re-framing our language to change our self-assessments and general out look on living.  The substitution of words that impacted me the most were "I made a mistake," instead of "I failed."  Somehow, I had been thinking that every time I did not succeed or perform to the best of my abilities, I had failed. Failing carries a great deal of pressure and judgment whereas making a mistake is correctable and forgivable.  

Several months ago, I was reading an inspirational message suggesting the substitution for the word "worry" with the word "wonder."  I thought I would give it a try, and once again I felt a definite shift in how these two words impacted me.  The word worry is frequently accompanied by stress, anxiety, and tension.  The word wonder is light, creative, and positive in nature.

Now enters Dr. Wayne Dyer who distinguishes between the two words beliefs and knowledge.  "Beliefs," Dr. Dyer explains, "are notions we acquire from the outside world -  judgments and world view of those who influence us.  Knowledge, on the other hand, proceeds from within.  We know what we know because we know it, and it has nothing to do with what anyone else tells us or does."

The difference between words can alter the cadence of our life.  By re-framing through the choice of using words that are accurately defined and less harsh, alters how we feel about our selves and the world we live in.  For example, the word "sin" is derived from a Greek archery term meaning "to miss the mark." How in the world did this word get so twisted into a threat of being condemned to hell?

We choose our words carefully.  We try not to offend.  We speak in a way that others will understand us and accept us.  And the more we do this, the farther we grow away from our own truth and identity.

I had been selected to be a part of a team to present an inspirational message to an audience of emotionally and spiritually wounded human beings.  I was very excited about this opportunity and I gathered several of my favorite books to be used as resources.  I quickly made an outline that would include all of the support the audience would be wanting to hear.

The team met for a preliminary meeting and the chairman, a man I greatly respected, examined our outlines and accompanying notes.  I knew he would be very pleased with my expertise.  After he read through my material,  I could tell that in his hesitation he was trying to find the best words. 

This kind gentleman looked me right in the eye and said, "These are wonderful facts based in psychology and sociology, but I want you to go home and write from your heart."  I was stunned.

Eager to do my best, I immediately picked up my pen and started writing based on my feelings from personal experience.  I wrote what I felt was a definite part of my self.  I understood that the listeners would not be hearing from my professional self, but from my own wounds and healing.

At the weekend retreat, I did not find my self to be nervous.  I was uncomfortable with allowing my self to be so vulnerable, but I was willing to be open.  I asked spirit to use my words to comfort all who were present.

The end result was overwhelming.  Without referring to one note, I spoke to the hearts of each person present.  I offered encouragement and the promise of living in the light again.  There was not a dry eye in the audience when I ended with, "It is not enough to know God's love, we must be God's love."  I have 'no' idea where those words came from other than the knowledge that dwells within us.

So when we are crossing a bridge from one section of life into the next and a fog seems to settle in, we can think about the impact of our words.  We must choose our words wisely from our heart as we work steadily to improve our life.  The fog will clear, the sun will rise, and we will find safe passage once again.

 

The Whole Package

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure.

I make mistakes,

I am out of control,

and at times hard to handle.

But if you can't handle me at my worst,

then you sure as hell don't deserve me

at my best!

 

Marilyn Monroe

 

I came across this quote the other day, and it made me laugh.  Not at Marilyn Monroe, but at the spin she attached to defining herself.  It seemed up front and honest to point out weakness, and yet maintain appreciation for strengths. 

Our strengths can be our weaknesses, and at times our weaknesses may stand out more than our strengths, but is this not human nature?  A person may criticize a friend for displaying passion for a cause, but that very same person may welcome the friend's same level of passion to assist in a personal crisis.  

We do not have instruments in the back of our heads to regulate our emotions.  Yes, we have an obligation to monitor ourselves, but we also have an obligation to be authentic.  As we slowly move through the sludge in our lives, we may not always perform for the highest good.  It may take us a while to gain momentum or to recalibrate our direction, but ultimately after cleansing, we will shine again.

We eventually learn to recognize our weaknesses, and   hopefully temper them with our strengths.  We want, however, to be embraced in good times and in bad.  We want to be accepted as a whole package. 

We desire a person to see our authentic self and to love us inspite of our imperfection.  A phrase worth repeating, "Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest. It's about who came and never left your side."   We long for a companion to support us when we are ill or dying, not just when we are fun and adventurous.

I can only assume that Marilyn Monroe had many admirers when she was famous and performing.  They were probably present for the parties and road the waves of her success.  When she escaped into weakness or fell into the darkness that eventually overcame her, I wonder where all of the feet were that needed to be standing beside her.



Fulfilling Needs

For it was not into my ear

that you whispered,

but my heart.

It was not my lips 

that you kissed,

but my soul.

Judy Garland

We all need to have attention on some level.  We need to be noticed to validate our very presence in the world.  A simple simile from a passing stranger or a kindness reflected in a quick eye glance.  An isolated comment between strangers can have more significance than we could ever imagine.  


Isolation can be debilitating and it is happening to children, adults, and the elderly.  Children are bullied or not chosen to be a part of a group.  Perhaps parents are hard working and too exhausted to have meaningful exchanges.  The elderly may be surrounded by others, but frequently withdraw into themselves.  Isolation is not only physical.  It is emotional and spiritual as well.

Adults as well as children need affection.  We all need that physical touch whether it be a handshake, hug, or a massage.  Years ago, children spent hours sitting on the laps of their elders or families cared for isolated neighbors.  In many situations now, we may not even know our neighbors and our relatives could be living in an entirely different state.

It is fun to be in a grocery store or library and randomly compliment a stranger.  Maybe the color they are wearing brightens them up or perhaps they remind you of someone else. Any simple recognition lifts kindness into the face of the lonely. Sincerely thanking a clerk in the check out lane or a server cleaning off your table at a restaurant can acknowledge a job well done no matter what level of skill.

We all long to be accepted.  For some it may be politics, family, relationship or career, but sadly, many long to be accepted just as a human being.  We all want to feel connected or to feel like we belong whether it is to family, club, specialty group or the human race.

The first step in fulfilling needs is simply recognizing that we have them and then acknowledging that needs deserve to be met.  We are worthy in spite of poor choices or our age.  We are never too young nor too old to meet our needs.  

We need to be  mindful of our words as they so often go directly to the heart ... ours included.  We need to be appropriately generous with our affection as it kindles our souls.  In freely extending attention, affection, appreciation and acceptance towards others, our needs will be met in kind.

  

The Escape of Little Birds

The quiet man filled with worry kept shaving while his soul kept whispering beneath his reflection:

Loving yourself is like feeding 

a clear bird no one else can see.

And once in a great while 

if someone loves you enough

they may see her rise

from beneath your fear.

 

AS FAR AS THE HEART CAN SEE

Mark Nepo

To love someone is an act that seems to come easily, but to love our selves ... well that's a lot more challenging.  We are our own worst enemies and we judge our selves more harshly than any one else.  When referring to someone else, we lavish compliments and point out gifts and talents.  In discussion of our selves we are more apt to focus on our weaknesses.  

"You must love your self before you can truly love another," was a statement I heard as a young person.  It totally did not resonate with me.  Loving my self? How was that going to happen? I was too busy trying to convince other people to love me while attempting to become whatever they needed instead of being my original self.

As time passes, we learn there will be others who will never like us let alone love us.  We come to understand the false goal of seeking acceptance from all peoples.  Time turns us inward to our authenticity and it is up to us to learn to embrace it.  Once we begin to like who we are we eventually learn to love our selves and not care so much about meeting expectations of others. We turn to our own desires and dreams creating a passion which suddenly seems to be pulling our lives together.  In loving our true selves, we attract others to us. 

When we learn to embrace both our weaknesses and strengths, it is easier to accept others in their totality.  As we learn to be 'comfortable in our own skin', those around us become comfortable in theirs as well.

NAMASTE` is an ancient Sanskrit blessing meaning:

"I honor the place in you

where spirit lives.

I honor the place in you

which is of love, of truth, of light, of peace.

When you are in that place in you,

and I am in that place in me,

then we are one."

When we are able to develop this Sanskrit blessing into a way of living, we experience love in many forms.  It is in this NAMASTE` approach we just may catch a glimpse of little 'inner' birds escaping from beneath undisclosed fears.

Arriving Where I Began

We shall not cease from our exploration

And at the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

T. S. Eliot

In the last few years, I believe I have become content with the knowledge I have rather than continuously seeking new.  I will always love to read and welcome new thought, but no longer will I be searching.  While exploring what I have gathered, I realize that all of the messages are the same, just spoken in different ways.  It is now time to practice all that applies.

Perhaps it is a simple transition from searching outside to going within my own true nature.  The more I honor my inner self, the less compelled I am to pursue other information defining who I am.  The transition, although simple, can feel threatening as I give up old definitions and old ways of thinking.  Any time I step into the new, I feel discomfort and even fear until a new comfort zone is established.  Once I embrace all that I hold to be true, I know that I have arrived back to my original starting place which I will now call home.

Realizing that my spirit is perfect, created by Divine, the need to reinvent my person fades.  Taking strides to perfect presentations or to master writing is enjoyable but no longer a requirement to secure who I am.  As spirit does not change, the discomfort stemming from change is created by the masks or false identities we strive to create and maintain.

It has taken a life time to override the teachings of being a sinner and a lesser than female.  It has taken a life time to become proud of my authentic and creative approach to life.  I am no longer driven to discover an identity that will be accepted or approved of by others.  I am simply me ... the same beautiful soul that began this journey so long ago.

Self-Sabotage

As the long night slowly yields to day,

I, too, surrender to my next step

Which carries me toward

My natural state of limitlessness.



Danaan Parry





Every day of this week, I have been hoping to have a solid time for writing. I have this idea in my head that needs to get down on paper before it floats away as quickly as it arrived. It is a great thought and I keep adding color, feeling, and substance to it. Each day, however, something gets into the way.

So this morning I awaken, knowing that the day is absolutely free! I can get up, put the coffee on and begin my journey through the written word. I can finally write to my heart's content.

This doesn't happen. I sort laundry, brush lovely Hannah our Golden Retriever, wash out the bowls for Trudy the Tuxedo cat, dust mop floors, run the vacuum, and think about tackling the linen closet that seems to be in disarray. 

This is clearly self-sabotage! I need to give myself permission to create the time and space for my artistic or creative expression. Self-worth is certainly laced into this scenario. All of the roadblocks I have been placing in my way are just distractions. This hesitancy I feel is nothing but fear.

The ego laughs at its ability to mess with my mind. It whispers, "who do you think you are?" It creates images in my head of others invalidating my work. I know this old trick and I must quickly step through this self-imposed fear before my ideas evaporate into thin air.

I open the back door, slip off my shoes and stand on Mother Earth. I let her energy run up my legs and restore my energy. I look at the birds flying freely, flowers pushing themselves up through the ground, and the beautiful blue sky. I breathe in the crisp calm air and release my stagnant thoughts. 

I am ready now. Once again, I am excited to share my words even if they never get read. It is what I do. It is what brings me fulfillment and joy. I am happy to be me!

 

Wandering Down The Path Of Life ...

If we did all things

we are capable of,

we would literally

astound ourselves.

Thomas A. Edison

We have free will and so we may wander from a Divine plan, making wrong turns and false assumptions.  Eventually, life leads us back to where we belong.  We retrieve knowledge as we cycle in and out of lessons in life and hopefully try to apply what we know.

The course in life is best traveled if we have some idea of where we are wanting to go.  It is necessary to identify our dreams and desires before we set off traveling into parts unknown.  To keep balance, we also need to keep an open mind and be willing to alter our route.

As we travel, having a mentor can be pivotal and frequently the most authentic voice to listen to is the one deep inside.  By remaining connected to the Divine, life blends together in a more synchronized way.  

Sometimes the road we follow does not lead us where we thought we were going.  Did we miss a turn or take a detour?  To be aware of our attitude and actions while navigating can be the best compass we will ever need.  Consequences frequently are set into motion by our own careless actions.

We need to be well grounded in our life, to have a certain sense

of who we are and who we will serve.  If we are well balanced, connected, and grounded, we can wander anywhere and be delightfully inspired by the presentations before us. 

Multiple Choices

No one else can ever make your choices for you.

Your choices are yours alone.

They are as much a part of you

as every breath your will take,

every moment of your life.

 CHOICES

"100 Most Important Life Choices"

Dr. Shad Helmstetter

Life is constant change and with each change choice is made.  It is imperative that we make our choices and not allow some one else to do so.  Well meaning family or friends or bosses have important and valid input, but we get to make the choice, not them.  Remember there is lesson in every choice as this is how we learn.

We may think we have no choice in the matter which translates into we cannot make a different choice ... we are pressured or frightened or not yet prepared to take the educated risk.  If we make a personal choice, perhaps we will be cut out of the family will ... is that the lesson, to do without dependence on someone else's fortune?  The family may say when we follow our desire, we will be disowned ... is this a lesson in love?  A lover may tell you that no one else will ever love you as much as they do, but the little voice inside of you is screaming to leave ... is this about allowing people to have power over us?

There are so many parts to making a choice.  We educate ourselves by listening to others or observing life or taking note of history, but ultimately, the truth of a decision resides within. What other choices people make are simply alternatives to be considered.  It is frequently the build up to the moment of decision that stresses us out. The actual choice can feel liberating, right or wrong after the agony of deciding.  

Some choices are very easily made, while others are so much more challenging.  If the right choice is not obvious, then take more time to sort through what would be best for you.  When my children were younger, they used to rush in and interrupt whatever I was doing, wanting an immediate answer to their request.  Here is what I learned to say:

      

     "If you need an answer right now, it is no.

       If you give me some time to think, it still may be no,

       but there is a better chance for it to be yes."

In careers we are frequently backed into a wall where we feel like there really isn't much choice at all, but there is always choice.  The choices might not be the ones we want, but they are there.  Some choices are made simply to please others. Eventually we realize by saying yes, we may be making the other person's life easier, but ours much more difficult.  Once we start having better boundaries and making better decisions, we feel better and more capable.

Choices can be very impulsive and fun.  Others may be heart wrenching and nearly impossible.  Still others may be accidental.  Throughout the day, we make endless decisions ... when to get up, what to wear, what to eat, which road to take, who to call, how to prioritize or organize, and when to stop or go. The choices are endless.

Multiple choices, however, are all exercises in using your voice, empowering your spirit, and aligning your mind, body, and spirit.  Take a few moments and review your life and you will see the impact of your choices or lack thereof.  

Integrity Intertwined with Inner Courage

Sometimes a glance,
a few casual words,
fragments of a melody floating 
through the quiet air of a summer evening,
a book accidentally comes into our hands,
a poem or a memory-laden fragrance,
may bring about the impulse 
which changes and determines
our whole life.


Llama Gouinda

A simple impulse can change our lives, but we need courage to step through any fear or hesitation.  It is courage that allows us to feel, to act, or to be still.  Inner courage, however, is equally important.  

In his book, FINDING INNER COURAGE, author Mark Nepo states: "The word courage means to stand by one's core."  He also shares:"By inner courage, I mean the ground of quiet braveries from which the more visible braveries sprout."  

This is the layer of courage we need to recognize within ourselves.  It is what allows us to say, "No, I will not agree to a divorce," or "Yes, I feel qualified for this position," or "I no longer desire to hold this belief for my self."  It is the same courage allowing us to remain still when we are tempted by judgment or depriving someone else of their time in the light.  Decisions made throughout our day requires this inner courage.  The more we honor this courage inside, the stronger our spirit grows and we become more courageous on the outside as well.

The word integrity, to me, has always meant who you are when no one is looking. So it would seem that integrity is intertwined with inner courage.   It takes this inner strength to over ride human weakness and temptations that others never see.  It is at the core of our being.

It is definitely a challenge to stand by core beliefs, but it is what we are called to do with an open mind and forgiving heart.  We must not expect others to view life exactly as we do, but we can expect others to honor us as we honor them.

  

Celebrating Self

Some people think letting go

is the same as giving up.

It's not.

It's releasing those things

that are no longer right

for you

or your happiness.

It's making room in your life

and in your heart

for something new.

It's believing ~

like I do ~

that you are

a wonderful person

who deserves nothing

less than the best.

Carlton Cards

I purchased a card with this inscription in it, intending to mail it to a friend.  Then realized I wanted to share it with everyone!  

If you are reading these words, I cannot help but believe that you are consciously or unconsciously searching to stretch and grow.  And in order to do this, you must make room for the new by letting go of the old. 

The challenges in life can be very trying so you must try to keep support in place ... mentors, teachers, retreats, classes, books, etc... In truth,however, the person you see the most is yourself.  You need to be your best means of support.

Very few of us see ourselves as being 'wonderful' and that is a horrible loss.  A loss not only to ourselves, but to our friends and community.  We each have a gift to share.  We each are a piece to the puzzle.  Without our individual contribution, the whole is lacking completion.

No matter what poor choices we have made in the past or what we have left undone, we are all deserving to lead creative and nurturing lives.  We must set the pace for others to follow by respecting and honoring our gifts and talents. 

Begin to fan the flame of passion and seek ways to make authentic contributions no matter how great or small.  It is through giving we truly begin to receive.   



Clearing in the Forest

This is what I believe:

That I am I.

That my soul is a dark forest.

That my known self will never be more

than a little clearing in the forest.

That gods, strange gods, come forth

into the clearing of my known self

and then go back.

That I must have the courage to let

them come and go.

That I will never let mankind put anything

over me, but that I will try always to recognize

and submit to the gods in me and the gods

in other men and women.

STUDIES IN CLASSIC AMERICAN LITERATURE

D. H. Lawrence

There is something about this poem that truly speaks to me.  It resonates within me with every reading and stirs my inner 'knowings' with certainty. 

In the past, I have always used the word 'veil' to describe  unexpected moments seen with precise clarity.  The veil is pulled to the side and spiritual vision comes into focus bringing understanding to elements of life otherwise indescribable.  The moment passes and the veil slides elegantly back into place leaving the viewer at a loss for explanation.  There are no words in our language to explain what the eyes have seen and the heart has heard.

The unexpected moments of 'knowing', I believe, are the same as the 'strange gods' mentioned in this piece.  Spiritual intelligence or whatever term comfortably used, nudges us into an awareness so we can receive insight, encouragement, and rekindled faith. 

The unfortunate part is the brevity of the experience.  It is never lengthy as a vision might be or as detailed as a dream.  It is simply a pocket in time where an other worldly impression is made with all senses responding and miraculously understanding. 

The experience passes as quickly as it arrives.  In the passing instant the entire universe has been opened to detailed comprehension, but only leaving a vague memory. 

Is Divine Spirit really... out there ... or does this supreme power also reside within each human being?  If this deity could be seen deep inside each of us, would be quite so eager to kill and destroy or would integrity and diversity prevail.

I believe my life is more peaceful when I listen with my compassionate heart, respecting the spirits within me as well as the strange gods residing in others. 

.