In the AM my study group had my wholehearted attention for about an hour. My yoga practice most always gets my whole-hearted attention. And part of the day my 90 year old mother had my full attention. Spending time with her, listening to her, making dinner with her and eating with her.
And my hubby got about 30 min. as we shared a drink on our swing.
The rest of the day I was probably multi-tasking and not fully present to the moment with any one activity or person.
As I reflect, I would like my entire day to be totally present with my full attention to whatever I am doing – so I journey forward toward another day and another chance to be fully present to each moment:)

Life in general has surpassed my expectations – as a child I was small and a late bloomer add this to family addiction issues and let’s just say life was tough and I had to get tough to survive.
Then as a young adult my path began to get smoother, only for me to have mysterious health, pregnancy and pain issues – – well at 30 I thought this is it I will be like this the rest of my life. Childless and unable to move much if any at all!
But then I was gifted with Tai chi, meditation through contemplative prayer, good doctors AND had a child and my life turned around!
You just never know what to expect if you remain hopeful, grateful, and keep trying.
At times I am so thankful for minor issues because that means I am functioning – LIVING!!!
When I take the time to look back I realize I had never expected the life I am living – it has surpassed any hope I held during my dark times.

Always – Always, have I found that when we give – time, talent, or treasure – we have had unexpected returns or enrichment!
*Inviting folks we don’t know to a holiday dinner wasn’t awkward but became a wonderful evening of sharing.
*tutoring reading as a volunteer is amazingly gratifying
* offering time and treasure to causes we believe in allows us to not only support those causes, but getting to know the folks is rewarding personally
* when in a new city, volunteering my time has helped me meet new friends
There is always some return or enrichment to self when one gives. You only need look.

In the past several years, one of my evolving values has been to try to leave a smaller footprint – to take care of our earth.
Though never seeing it as a value when I was younger the concern has moved more and more into my consciousness.
That being said, I don’t feel I am doing enough. I need a shift for better execution!
This question made me realize that I do not have a plan to move the value from thought to reality.
So for greater alignment, I need a plan vs. just saying and doing things on the fly…like…I will buy less in plastic etc.
Step 1 – realize and write down all the things I can do to better care for our earth! (this today:)
Step 2 – determine how I can achieve these intentions
Step 3 – execute and pivot where needed
Step 4 – forgive myself when I fall short and start again

Years ago, a man in the same career position that I held told me what he was making and told me it was far more than what I was making. We had similar experience and performance. So, I found out it was true. So I was very angry, but had agreed to my salary and thought it was more than fair prior to this information. So I tried to mitigate my anger, vowing to myself that when yearly raise came around, I would negotiate for more.
However I could not rid myself of the anger – I tried every tool I knew.
Well, it just so happened that I read or heard the story of the vineyard workers and how those who were hired toward the end of the day received the same as those hired early morning and the the foreman’s response.
It was magical – my anger was lifted, I had a prosperous year and received the amount for which I asked at the next review.
It was an amazing internal transformation that somehow I couldn’t get to on my own.

Have you listened to the Lauren Daigle song – “I Believe” – -I have copied the lyrics for you but the song reminded me of what you wrote..————————“I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low
Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know
CHORUS – Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe (I)
Oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity
(chorus)
Taking all I have, and now I’m laying it at Your feet
You have every failure, God, You have every victory
(chorus)”