Livin. The heart pumps. The breath moves. Here’s a day. 

Am looking at a bottle, the brown glass olive oil kind, seeing the light from the window reflecting at different points and the subtle mapping of room to its curves. If this were a painted still life I would marvel at it. But it’s the real thing. If not for this question I would not have appreciated this beauty in my daily gaze. Thank you. 

If you lean away it’s still going to happen! May as well get on for the ride. 

My morning practice helps, meditation etc. The more centred I am the more chance I will slow down enough to notice. Visiting this community is part of that morning practice and helps orient me. 

It depends on the context. When I’m out in nature, whether on water or land, at its best it feels like a oneness, a deep connection, moving the depths of my spirit. In a save-the-world sense, it’s a mixture of concern, fear and a desire to do something about it. So if I love it I can care for it and take my own small steps in that direction. Love as an action verb again. I am grateful I live in a democracy where I can vote for the people to act on the bigger stage. 

Following my curiosity is a feed back loop for me. Curiosity is my constant companion because I’ve followed it so many times and grown as result. I try lots of things and go down many rabbit holes. I hope on my death bed (if I’m fortunate to have one) that my companion is still there right when I shed this mortal coil an event itself that is a pretty curious one I have to admit. 

This question is a useful reminder that I have created many stories of myself all believable within each story. In more recent years there’s been a shedding of these, a dropping away. It’s not that I choose to be anything it’s just that the stories don’t spin as much although they do still spin. That’s not something I can force, a deliberate choosing; it is, rather, an emergence.

My natural stasis is doing nothing, procrastination. I put structure on my life to get things done. When that structure is in play I can be quite productive and embracing of what matters. Without a structure I am rudderless. 

I frequently avoid difficult interaction so I needed to dust off my memories on this one. I can think of a couple that knocked me sideways. Struggling to see how gratitude would have made a difference. In hindsight there was so much other good things happening in my life that, appreciating them, may have grounded me more. I don’t think it would have made any difference to the interaction though. 

Gratitude helps me focus on what’s right or ok as it is. To appreciate something, flaws and all, is a gift in itself. It helps me see what’s good or right in the world. There’s a skilled balance between that and rose tinted positive thinking that may try to suppress what is not so good. There’s plenty of the not-so-good too; and we need to notice that also, if we are to make a difference. 

I’d say they all do if I have a willingness to let them. It’s mostly how I relate to them than what they are. The magnitude of the challenge can influence the extent of the growth. But again only if I am receptive. It’s probably something like the growth mindset that I’m getting at although I’m not a fan of the term. 

I am called to be more present-moment oriented and in appreciating what is around me I inevitably care more. And in caring more I might take more action to care for what I appreciate. At the small level it could be finding those opportunities for silence. On the big stage it’s the future of the planet’s species including our own. 

It centres me in the now and also feels comfortable that there is some structure to it. I like to make tea and make it in a particular way and I think there is a reverence in it. 

When you’re making adjustments try one thing at a time. Going with two at once can be very tricky. That’s what I learnt from yesterday. In general I gain perspective or not: it’s not something I can plan. But I also know that trying out new things (best one at a time!) often leads to a perspective shift for me.

That is an interesting perspective Ose. Thank you.

Thanks Ose. That hits where I was trying to get to.

That has to win as the single word answer of the month!

Thanks hellokasi for the reminder that self love is so important and indirectly affects all around us. I hadn’t considered that in my answer.