Smile 🙂

It would be lovely if we could hear each other without the veil, really listen to each other. ‘Both/and’ conversations rather than ‘this or that’, or ‘my way or the highway’. What we could learn! My steps are to actively listen, be present with an open mind and open heart. Not sure what that’ll do, but I’m willing to keep on.

Walk gently. Breathe deeply. Allow my inner flame to direct me. Listen like I have no opinion. Smile. Rest.

Breathing in and through. Accepting the tenderness as a valid part of me. Practicing kindness and compassion helps too.

Including laughter and play in my day. I do believe it’s working. :))

A few days ago, walking around a lake snuggled in fog, I stood in wonder as birds went about their morning, chattering on about this and that. Watched squirrels rediscover some plump acorn snack, romping about, whizzing up and down tall trees and skittering across the forest floor. Reminds me how being present in the moment changes my perspective as well as opens my eyes and heart anew to the necessity of play in my life.

By putting one foot in front of the other. Looking up with an open heart and open hands. Prayer and meditation. Listening to my intuition instead of ignoring it. Letting go of what’s holding me back. And not necessarily all or in this order either. Happy 2021!!

New insights? ‘Normal’ is a setting for a washing machine. Humility, diplomacy, and integrity are not old-fashioned ideas. Connection with loved ones and strangers smooth out this introverts ripples and wrinkles. And perspective is the key to moving serenely through my day.

The one I find rekindling my inner light during dark days is God/Divine with skin. Sometimes it is the face of someone I love, someone I know; however, some of the most profound inner lightings have been gifted through short conversations with strangers and random acts of kindness. I express my gratitude daily through prayer, a smile, a simple ‘thank you’, or actively listening to another who just needs to be heard.

Self-compassion. In these last many, many months with no employment, having to ask for help to stay afloat, and enduring skepticism because I do not match or agree others’ expectations (including mine), I learned that I am worthy just as I am, as a child of God/Divine, and that when I treat myself with compassion, I am accepting the gifts of grace and faith, the belief to keep looking up. And the best, I now have something I can give away to others, with love and no conditions.

Today I celebrate the pause between each breath. This quiet gift reminds me of my connection to life, to others, to love. Merry Christmas everyone!

Current outside weather is sunny with a cool breeze. Reminds me that while the outside weather will flex, my inside weather, my heart, directs my being, and my mood. Today my heart feels playful and joyful so I’m going to engage life while I have the opportunity!

Being a human with finite seasons, gratitude expands my perspective of life as a gift to be enjoyed and shared with others. Gratitude deepens my wish, my want, to live fully now rather than regret what I might have done or said because I was too fearful of fill-in-the-blank.

Being present in the moment is a wellspring of joy.

Living gratefully opened my mind and my heart to find joy and light in all I take inside. Gratitude is slowly transforming past damage and trauma into a kaleidoscope of color, hope, possibility, and a belief that I, too, matter. One of the most positive fruits of gratitude I experience is the ability to love myself enough to love others without losing myself. Priceless.

The level of denial, fear, and anger that are cresting over this pandemic. Wow! Thank goodness for prayer and gratitude to keep me grounded in the here and now, in reality.

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, their caregivers and families. Losing beloved family members a piece at a time was heart wrenching. Being on the caregiving side motivated me to make self-care a priority in order to not loose myself so I could be fully present for my loved ones and for friends who are also on this wild ride.

Thank you for this, Kevin. I needed to hear it this morning.

I hear you, Lauryn! Redwoods are comforting old souls.

Happy New Year, Cheryle!