Discover the Pocket of Peace

"Always try to keep a patch 

of sky above your life."

Marcel Proust

Every one benefits from having a safe place.  It can be located in the mind, the heart or in sleep.  Wrapped in a favorite blanket with a special tea can bring more calm than one hoped for.  The warm soak in a tub of soothing salts can readjust the mood.  A friend stands on the bare ground with naked feet to reconnect. 

Since childhood, my safe place has been the sky.  Whether I'd be in trouble, out of sorts or just lonely, I would lie down on my back in the grass and seek solace in the sky.  This space above us is constantly changing, but it is infinitely dependable and easily available.

We need to discover one solid thing for lifting the spirit.  Whether it is a great grandmother's ring or a favorite piece of music, our level of joy can be instant.  A deep breath outdoors or a favorite meditation one can easily drop into, just choose something.  Look around and discover a pocket of peace just waiting to be found.

 

Thanksgiving Residing in the Heart

""Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

Marcel Proust

Let us open our hearts with gratitude for those who decorate our lives with joy, happiness, and wonder.  With deep appreciation, let us count our blessings for the treasured gifts of family and friendship whether near or far.

There is much to be grateful for in spite of our shortcomings or losses.  We can shift our perspective and dwell upon the positive unfolding in life.  Inconvenience or disruption surely can be tolerated by embracing newly created traditions.

Get creative and use candles even if frozen dinners are the chosen entrée; participate in a creative project that will reflect ability to adjust in favor of love; and initiate conversations allowing each person or just the lovely self to give voice to Thanksgiving residing in the heart.

 

Wanderings as Travel

"Always try to keep a patch of sky

above your life."

Marcel Proust

Down town New York City created anxiety within me as I rarely could catch a glimpse of the sky.  Streets were narrowed and crowded with especially tall tightly aligned buildings.  The modified absence of trees fed into my discomfort, but the close proximity to others was just the way of city life.

The one mile trek through Key West was a sense of freedom and originality.  Whether looking in unique little shops or checking out the tourists reactions, the weirdness of everyone blended well.  The on going comfort of water, boats, and fishermen was daily highlighted by sunset festivities.  Scant restrictions continuously allowed each being to be whom they felt like being.

For a person who doesn't yearn for travel, I have visited far and wide returning with exceptional impressions of people, places and things.  I have both felt and seen the presence of Divine Spirit wherever my feet happened to land.  I believe I shall always wander, but within me is a vast blue sky, massive giving trees, and clear streams of water reflecting the light of the moon.  

A FEW SPECIAL WANDERINGS:

San Francisco (Grace Cathedral/Sausalito); Sedona (Vortexes); New Orleans (Chaos); Seattle (Market); Quebec (Quaint); St Thomas (Megan's Bay); St John (Ferry); Alaskan Cruise (Village Mountain Train); Fairview (Hot Air Balloon); Acapulco (Private Chapels) and Maui (Spiritual Visions).

Souls Blossom by Actions of Friends

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom."

Marcel Proust

Gratitude is seldom expressed out loud as it may feel embarrassing or awkward; but, as the recipient of gratitude, the heart swells. To verbalize gratitude,  the listener is enhanced.  When we have acted in a caring way in alignment with our nature, we may have easily forgotten the exchange.  So when we receive gratitude, we may struggle to remember what was said or done.

This is the point, of course, to be extending kindness naturally without seeking praise or recognition.  When we intentionally use kindness towards others, it becomes a habit we wear well.  There is enjoyment to see a smile spread across a person's face by having the most simple complement.

A while back, a "sister of the heart'  anonymously mailed unsigned cards to her friends, recognizing the value of the relationship.  When together, the friends were asking if they too had received an unsigned card.  Everyone had, but only a few determined who had sent the cards of joy.  Imagine how this effort  generated  genuine praise, recognition and mystery.   Be creative doing simple acts of kindness and experience the uplifting of our own spirit.