My grandmother taught me to live in a world of uncertainty and difficulties, as if all was well – and I learned despite the difficulties that all was well.
My Father through his alcoholism taught me to love the broken.
And I suppose that there are the 2 sages who, through their teachings, have taught me to live without fear – they are Thomas Keating and Matthew Fox.

Breathe, try to relax and focus on the good things in your life! Having been in pain for years, it is not easy, but the alternative causes more pain.
If you get angry or sad then you get tense, tension increases pain, and increased pain causes tension and you get in a vicious circle.
I wish I had studied yoga back then as they have some amazing techniques to focus on breath vs. pain!

The silence walking through an ancient forest or jungle and then only the sounds your feet make as you wander, the ocean sounds – waves, birds, splashing noises, some music/songs/chanting that I like, wind chimes, leaves rustling, and wind sounds. And probably more that I am not recalling.

Joy and love for those I encounter, the world around me and the Ultimate Reality.

In places of awe – some I remember: the redwood forests, a deserted beach standing in front of the waves, a dark night looking at the sky, on some hiking paths, in some buildings or places that are spiritual centers, in cemeteries, and when participating in some rituals/ceremonies with others.

When I recall all the gifts that I have and have been given, gratitude bubbles up, the wants and desires that I may have had pale, there is a shift in focus – and at that moment I am humbled and grateful in an authentic way.
However, it is trying to perpetually live in that gratitude disposition that is a challenge for me.
Yet those humbling moments reground me and I start again.

Our new neighbors, folks from our spiritual community, and dog lovers we have met who have welcomed, taken time to talk with us and invited us to events! We moved into our last home (probably:) in a new city where we knew no one, and have been welcomed by all we meet! Folks kindness has been heart-warming!I thought it would be harder to make friends sans kids – as they are grown, but we have felt very welcomed.

Anywhere and with anyone of like disposition – the challenge for me is the discipline to do so.

Do grocery shopping for someone who does not want to go out due to covid. Visit a neighbor who has no one. Help with chores so it lightens a friends load!

Most nature experiences – standing in outside in the dark in utter silence, looking at a starry night, standing by the ocean – hearing the waves, paddling through a quiet lake or river, hiking through a forest, seeing rays of light come through tree branches and the particles dancing in the sunlight, a sunrise and sunset, moon and moonbeams, storms – thunder and lightning, seeing couples newly in love, sometimes rituals, others that I cannot recall right now.

Talk less; listen more.

How to love the broken.

I value relationships – of all kinds – with people, with nature, with animals, with the Divine. When I invest of myself in a relationship, it becomes richer, deeper and usually more satisfying. I also learn more about the other enabling a deeper connection. It is those connections I value.

The saying by Abraham Joshua Heschel: Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Just to be….

Breathing
A pet
A smile
A dance
A sharing
The sun – then moon – the clouds – the stars
The ocean
A friend – a loved one – feeling loved
A taste – a sight – a touch – a sound- a scent
My feet hitting the floor each AM

yes seeing someone being brave in the face of danger moves something deep inside me too!

LOL – this made me giggle – thank you!!!

OMGosh – I have always talked to trees, and my family, though they love me, they think I am crazy – well a good crazy maybe. Anyway it will be nice to read this and share with them:) Thank you!!!