I had already written my morning meditation when I read today’s question but think it applies so I share it here:
“Life is like a ten speed bicycle.
Most of us have gears we never use.”
– Charles M. Schulz

Good Morning, We are literally having a heat wave with the weather man saying temps will be hitting about 100 degrees now through Saturday and the heat index will be hovering at 110 degrees; so, I headed out early this morning (73 degrees/6:30 a.m.) for my walk and decided to tackle a big hill that leads to what, as children, we used to call “Pilot Knob where the rich folks live.” It was quite a challenge for me. I’ve not hiked in mountains since leaving Arizona in 2008. Actually, I haven’t really hiked since leaving the desert. I’ve just taken neighborhood walks. And, since my spinal compression fractures in 2018, they have not been lengthily.
As I climbed, I experienced some shortness of breath but realized that it was caused by fear not age. I was afraid I would not be able to make it or worse not be in good enough shape to back track and make it back home. I slowed my pace and breathed deeply; I shifted the gears in my monkey mind. I connected with the process of taking one step at a time. I settled down and settled in to the moment.
I felt such joy when I topped the hill and began my descent. I could see a large group of high school students gathered on the high school athletic grounds at the base of the hill and heard their coach barking orders about staying hydrated as he arrange them in pairs for a long run. I’m sure they are beginning summer training for various high school sports they will participate in when school starts in late August. When he saw me, he said, “Good Morning, Ma’am, would you care to join us on our run?”
I chuckled and declined the offer as the kids began gathering around their coach and me. I looked at their young respectful faces and said, “I was in the first graduating class from this high school back in 1960.” One young man gasped as he calculated the math in his head. I shall never forget the look of shock on his face. I’m sure he was thinking that I must be ancient. No comments, please!
No matter how old we are OR how set in our ways we might be, to always be willing to see with new eyes, willing to shift gears to attain a different view is important. We crave the comfort of the familiar and we often miss the possibility of the present moment. May you all “top a hill” today and marvel at the view.

Yesterday’s Word of the Day by Philip Gulley prompted the reflection I wrote earlier this morning and I find that it relates to today’s question as the past year has made me extremely conscious of my mortality due to several compression fractures in my back and limiting physical mobility. Here is the quote and what I wrote in reaponse:
“I wonder if gratefulness is the bridge from sorrow to joy, spanning the chasm of our anxious striving. Freed from the burden of unbridled desires, we can enjoy what we have, celebrate what we’ve attained, and appreciate the familiar. For if we can’t be happy now, we’ll likely not be happy when.” Philip Gulley

I’ve always enjoyed the thoughtful wisdom writings of Philip Gulley. The words “anxious striving” hit me between the eyes this morning as I’m reminded that my jaw is tense and taught. My mind is jumping from future to past, manufacturing “What ifs, ands and buts.”
I’ve injured my left foot. X-ray says no fracture so the doctor thinks I have most likely damaged a tendon in my little toe. I see a foot specialist next week and in the mean time, elevate, ice and limit use which means no neighborhood walks, no water exercise, a lot of sitting down. I’m already feeling stiff from a lack of activity! I’m lamenting my physical limitations; regretting all the opportunities I let pass me by when my physical health was vibrant and I more able. My mind is “when-ing.”
I’m reminded of how mentally crippled I can become when I gorge on regret. I reread the quote.The closing sentence grabs me, “For if we can’t be happy now, we’ll likely not be happy when.”
There is always something or someone for which and whom to be grateful and gratefulness produces happiness. The mail man is delivering my mail to my door. My sister calls to check on me daily. My son continues to work on making my new home comfortable for me. My next door neighbor hugs me every time she sees me and I’ve only known her for 6 weeks!
WHEN is NOW….or as my a dear friend’s daughter whose life was limited from childhood seizures used to say whenever she saw me, “You better get happy.”
Blessed BE, Carol

Kristi, I read this while listening to a Leonard Cohen CD. I love Leonard Cohen. Today is my 77th birthday and the sentence in your essay that stands out for me is “If we hold our vulnerabilities and sensitivities as sources of rich information about how we deserve and need to be treated, and if we honor ourselves with compassionate care, we can forge an abiding friendship that will deliver blessings into every aspect of our life, and into the lives of others.” I have said for many years that another word for incarnation is vulnerability.. And, I believe we are all called to be incarnate. I deeply appreciate your essay. It’s a birthday gift for me. Blessings, Carol Conner

Hi Kristi, Thanks for this beautifully written reminder. It’s so filled with the wisdom of “going with the flow,” of “expecting what you need” not what you think you need; It is a reminder that life is trustworthy. I’ve been in my new home for about two weeks. I made a major move due to health reaons and am learning so much about myself from this experience. As Br. David says in your essay, “Deep trust in life is not a feeling but a stance that you deliberately take. It is the attitude we call courage.” Yes, it’s the attitude of gratitude. As Matthew Fox says in his book “Meditation with Meister Eckhart”
“The Word of God
Is always “In the beginning.”
And this means it is always in the process of being born
And is always already born”

Life is process not product and we are LIFE!
Blessings, Carol

I prefer to accent belonging instead of longing and found Ken Wilber’s quote helpful to me this morning. I share the meditation that it prompted:

“Be the most ethical, the most responsible,
the most authentic you can be with every breath you take,
because you are cutting a path into tomorrow
that others will follow.”
Ken Wilber

The above quote is such a powerful reminder of our evolutionary obligation. To be ethical is to be honest with self; to take responsibility requires the ability to respond not react in all situations. Authenticity is the commitment to grow not only our own soul but to nurture the souls of others. We are called to be evolutionary-soul-food for everyone and everything—to be Eucharist in the world.

I immediately thought of some quotes from “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle and wanted to share them:

The ego could be defined in simply this way: a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment.

Tolle asks, “What kind of relationship do I want with the present moment?”

Then he says, “Do I want the present moment to be my friend or my enemy? The present moment is inseparable from life, so you are really deciding what kind of relationship you want to have with life. Once you have decided you want the present moment to be your friend, it is up to you to make the first move. Become friendly toward it, welcome it no matter in what guise it comes, and soon you will see the results. Life becomes friendly toward you.”

He points out that this one decision changes your entire reality but points out that you have to make this decision again and again until it becomes natural to live in such a way.

As I read the postings of others, I thought they could all be summed up with one word—compassion. The reason I frequent this site is because it shouts out the importance of compassion for oneself and for others to include our planet and all forms of life that share it with us. If I turn on the television, I see violence being acted out on so many programs; if I go on the Internet to sites like Facebook and Twitter, I see postings filled with darkness, fear and hate. They are “I’m right and You’re Wrong” messages filled with judgment and in many cases inaccurate information. In his book, “Walking Between Two Worlds,” Greg Baden tells the story of mystic and philosopher Gurdjieff’s (1866-1949) search for truth in his life. “…the mystic and philosper Gurdjieff came to a point in a remote and hidden monastery in an unnamed country where he was offered the following words: ‘you have now found the conditions in which the desire of your heart can become the reality of your being. Stay here until you acquire a force in you that nothing can destroy.’ I believe that force to be compassion.” P.148 I love the phrase: “the desire of your heart can become the reality of your being.” Our job is willingness—the willingness to let that force known as compassion work in and through us. It is our eyes, our words, our hands and our feet that must become compassion in a needy and confused world.

I definitely agree with Kevin on this one. My pain levels have been very high for over 2 months so to not feel this pain again would be welcomed. But what is really on my mind this morning is Ken Wilber’s quote of the day
“:Authentic spirituality is revolutionary. It does not legitimate the world, it breaks the world; it does not console the world, it shatters it. And it does not render the self content, it renders it undone.
i JUST DO NOT AGREE WITH IT. AUTHENTIC SPIRITUALITY IS TRANSFORMATIVE NOT REVOLUTIONARY. AND MY JOB IS WILLINGNESS. REVOLUTION TENDS TO PUT A NEW BOSS IN POWER.. IT’S KINGDOM ORIENTED BUT SPIRITUALITY IS KINDOM ORIENTED.. iF YOU WANT TO SHATTER THE WORLD, SHATTER YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD, INTEGRATE YOUR INSIDES AND YOUR OUTSIDES; BECOME THE PERSON YOU WERE MEANT TO BE AND LIKE THE PEBBLE IN THE POND, YOU WILL BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF THE SPIRIT OF WHOLENESS.