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An Illuminated Path, A Shooting Star
My morning walk is my time for Gratitude expression; each morning when I walk with Grace the dog, I speak out loud of that for which I am grateful. Some mornings that may include seemingly small details and other mornings, my gratitude is for huge and powerful blessings. This morning was HUGE.
I’m currently immersed in a mind-bending project involving the integration of a computer system for data collection. Suffice it to say that I have had to dig deep to find mindful moments throughout the day, which has elevated the value of my morning walking gratitude. This morning, I was expressing gratitude for my previous night’s restful slumber, the excellence of my teammates at the office, the warmth of our home, my dog’s wagging tail, the delicious crispness of the early morning air, and the magnificence of the sky in the pre-dawn light. As I came out from the forest, into an open meadow area, I looked up to admire the sky and was gifted with a shooting star! Right away, I opened myself to the whatever beautiful message that was intended for me; I stood in wonder under the big sky, expressing thanks for the simple beauty of that shooting star, just beginning to see that the message may have something to do with movement, dynamics, impermanence, change…and WOW, another shooting star bestowed it’s beauty upon me. Just for me. My heart was so open in that moment, the word Illuminated came to me just then and I got it! I understood with clarity that my path was illuminated, knowing that this project, with all of it’s distractions and chaos, was simply perfect, and that in holding the energy of illumination, of acceptance, of dynamic state of being–that all was and would continue to be just as it is intended. I felt pure joy in my heart, thoroughly touched by this understanding, and energized for the busy day.
May your day too, be blessed with an illuminated path, wherever it may take you.
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Presence is the Present
With all that’s going on in the world, in our community, in our house, in our brain — ya’ know, the pace that we sometimes allow ourselves to get caught up in; or the stimulation we take on in response to a news story; or the drama that shows up in a family dynamic — all of that can diminish our commitment to presence. To be present. To pay attention. To, with an open heart, observe what is right in front of us, without judgement. To be our authentic, best selves.
Being present is a gift. The present of being present is a gift that is opened and reopened many, many times, and it is the gift that keeps on giving (corny but oh-so-true). When we are present and in the moment, paying attention to our current thought, circumstance, or emotion, we are open to acceptance, learning, and growing. From here, we are receptive to joy and gratitude. Distraction, on the other hand — be it texting, daydreaming, or judging — gets in the way of paying attention to the here and now. We’ve got this one moment to live, followed by the next unique moment, and the next moment, bringing us to a place of gorgeous presence. Let’s make the most of it.
The concept of presence has come up for me this week as I am visiting my family in Florida, staying at my sister’s home with her family — and they just happen to live just down the street from my parents. Sheesh, there’s nothing like a family visit to divert presence — old stuff comes up; being inserted into another family’s routine can create an internal imbalance; and simply being out of my familiar surroundings throws me off the path of being present. Perhaps you experience this phenomenon also, when you are around family that you don’t see very often. If not, wow! you’re fortunate, and if so, phew! I’m glad to know I am not alone in this.
The gift un-wrapping begins by opening the elaborately tied metaphoric bow to get to the personalized greeting card — an invitation to drop into the state of presence. Slowly peeling off the outer layer, you see a glimpse of what the box holds … recognition that awareness and responsiveness have begun to slip and are in peril of being replaced by reactivity. Soon enough, the top of the box is removed to reveal the precious gift inside: acceptance, compassion, and understanding. You’ve just given yourself the present of presence.
Women’s Health Fair Workshop and Discussion
On Saturday, November 5, I have the pleasure of co-presenting a workshop on Women’s Heart Health, alongside Cathy Anderson-Meyers. We’ll be discussing prevention, causes, and symptoms of women’s heart issues from 1 – 1:30 PM; the event is from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Oak Tree Campus in North San Juan. Come on down for the exhibits, health assessments, and information as well as light snacks and music. See you there!
Do Words Matter?
“What you Think, you become
What you Feel, you attract
What you Imagine, you create”. —Buddha
I came upon this quote several years ago and, using a fancy font, I printed it onto card stock, complete with a swirly backdrop, framed it, and gave it to my then teenage son, as a reminder of the power of words. He used strong words in a matter-of-fact manner—such as hate, bad, and stupid—that had a big impact in regards to the type of energy connected to those words. I had already chosen by that point in my life to let go of those less-than-positive words, and when I heard them from him, they sounded “jangly” to my ears—and to my heart. The less often I used this genre of words, the more noticeable they became when used by others.
This quote of truth, from Buddha, can be referenced to both spoken words and to the words that live in our head. The words we choose to use are habitual, which means that we can use them consciously and/or choose to not use them. It takes intention and practice to allow uplifting words to dominate your vocabulary.
Our choices in regards to what we Think, Feel, and Imagine, are reflected in what we manifest in our daily life. Furthermore, the words we use to capture our thoughts, our feelings, and what we imagine, set the tone for the manner with which we affect the world. Words that express optimism, receptivity, joy, gratitude, love, acceptance, and forgiveness create a very different reaction than words of righteousness, indignation, fear, regret, and blame. The reaction to which I am referring is our own internal reaction as well as that of those people who are within our sphere. There is even the sentiment that the energy emanating from the words we speak and think can affect the balance of all living beings.
When your words express confidence, success will follow. Words of tolerance lead to harmony. Words of gratitude bring joy. And you can figure out the stark contrast of the responses to their antonyms: doubt, prejudice, and entitlement…
Recently, at a meeting of Business & Professional Women of Nevada County, at which I was presiding as the President of the organization, I made a declaration about words. Our meetings include an activity called “Good Dollar / Bad Dollar” – a fun way to share a slice of our personal lives, as well as to add a few dollars to our kitty money. It may have seemed trivial when, at that meeting, I purposefully modified the title to “Good Dollar / Interesting Dollar”. This is just one small example of how a word changes the way I perceive a situation. An “interesting” occurrence offers the opportunity for learning and growth, regardless of the outcome, and connotes a sense of observation. A “bad” occurrence implies absoluteness of negativity, with an attached sense of judgment.
Words are central to the Coaching for Optimal Health practice that I share with the world. For instance, when a client exclaims, “I have got to start exercising”, I will invite that client to shift those words to “I get to start exercising” – a subtle shift of words, with a huge impact on the way the brain responds to that exclamation. When we “have to” undertake an idea or activity, it is perceived as a burden, yet when we “get to” contemplate that very same idea or activity, it is perceived as an opportunity with endless possibilities. The perception of a burden triggers the fight or flight response, which will minimize the likelihood of that desired outcome coming to fruition, whereas when we approach an idea or activity with optimism, all things are possible.
Words do matter.
Spring Blooms in August
The Eastern Sierras are simply magnificent in August! I am so blessed to be in the Mammoth Lakes area and we are being treated to a high-altitude spring awakening. At 9000 feet, the wildflowers are prolific and varied — their exquisite colors are found only in nature. Rich purple of the Monkshead, Lupine, and Larkspur; soft coral colored Indian Paintbrush and her sister, the bright red Paintbrush; Columbines of white, yellow, and pink; one of my personal favorites is the hot pink stalk of Elephanthead…I could go on and on about each gorgeous bloom, just as I could write hundreds of words about the pristine alpine lakes, crystal clear and inviting. Superlatives abound in my mind that describe the rushing streams, the expansive meadows carpeted with color, the haunting call of the Clark’s Nutcracker, and the stark beauty of the granite spires reaching toward the cloudless blue sky.
There is no doubt that being outdoors, immersed in nature, is connected to your optimal health and well-being. How? Let me share…
- The breeze that ruffles your hair will push away worry and hectic-ness.
- Any mood short of euphoric will improve vastly when in the presence of wildflowers .
- Cruising around outdoors offers more exercise that if you hang around indoors. Either by foot or bike, you’ll get your heart rate up.
- The sound of water bubbling over rocks is a metaphor for tension being washed away from your physical and emotional state.
- Standing atop a rock outcrop, looking down at a clear lake, brings clarity to your own perspective of the world.
Whether you can get to the mountains, the ocean, or a local park, allow the lovely experience of savoring time in nature to uplift, comfort, and nourish you.
Yellowstone Guided Imagery
From me to you, a gift of quieting relaxation, shared from my recent experiences in Yellowstone National Park.
In your busy life, I invite you to consider relaxation as medicine. Taking a few moments each day to quiet the mind and the body will beneficially alter brain chemistry as well as physical metabolism. In addition, the spiritual self is nourished…you will come away refreshed, pleasantly balanced, and ready for whatever else comes your way that day!
May you find as much delightful quieting in the practice as I did in the creation.
I AM what is right with the world — and so are YOU
That might sound a bit grandiose, so let me explain…
While on our Sunday morning bike ride, I was filled with a deep pleasure of being outdoors. The terrain changes, taking us by pastures with goats and horses, rolling hills with gardens and orchards; forests of mature oaks from which I can hear the woodpeckers calling; quail and wild turkey alongside the road; barking dogs and waving neighbors — all of this being shared with my sweetie as we rode together.
Along side the road, nearly at our turn-around spot, were 3 old tires in the ditch. On purpose. Those tires were not there on Friday, my last riding day, and were incongruous to the scenery and to the pleasure I was experiencing, so much so that I felt twanged. A thought came to me then: “What’s wrong with those people”?, meaning of course, the person who left those tires there–then right on top of that–a jangly feeling, not-so-pleasant, and I recognized the vibe with which I was putting out that thought and energy.
The Universe opened up just then and I immediately was able to let that negativity go and hold compassion and acceptance for the tire-leaver (TL). It was apparent to me that this person does not hold the same reverence and appreciation for nature and being outdoors, hence the lack of stewardship and responsibility; I held the TL in empathy for not having that connection to the planet, and put out an invitation to the TL to open his heart, to accept his place in the world in regards to sister & brother-hood, and to have the opportunity to be outdoors, somewhere quiet and lovely, to be in the right place at the right time, and then, then, the shift will occur.
Ah, in the writing as well as in that moment, I felt grateful and relieved. The feelings I am referring to are In reference to the documentary, I AM, which my husband and I watched a few weeks ago. A very awakening film, reminding us of the opportunity to be our best selves and that what we put out into the world is what comes back into our lives. Corny? Maybe. What I can say though, is that this morning, when I consciously chose positivity, acceptance, and understanding, I felt so uplifted and that is undeniably so much better than choosing resentment or righteousness.
Doesn’t that make sense?
