The world I see...: 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Intelligence...

It seems that there is an innate intelligence in the life all around me. And it happens without the process of thought. trees have the inner intelligence to grow, to change with the seasons, to reproduce, to repel predators. And even within that, to have symmetry and beauty.

It seems that everything in this world is interdependent, connected. And since we are a part of everything, we too are a part of this web. We too have this inner intelligence.

So what is this intelligence? How do we fit into this puzzle of energy? What is our responsibility?

I think as a race we are just starting to really figure these things out on a global level. There are societies which have known our connection all along. Communities that celebrate this interdependence in a beautiful way. Use it to harmonize and thrive within their habitat.

How do we support the worldwide conversation, worldwide action of this wisdom? That is the question I am most interested in.

I'm ready to learn from this intelligence and act from there.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Shadows...

Fears is only shadows. When the lights of consciousness, compassion and love shine, the shadows disappear. Feed these three lights that are one and the fear will retreat. It's a choice to live in the shadows or or to live in the light.

The above came to me last night. I felt inspired and wanted to share it...

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I am...

In my experience, there is the fundamental 'I am". The part of me which is aware of my existence, aware of my experience. This 'I am' is the core of my being.

The 'I am' is independent of circumstances and events. It is always there. Even if I loose everything, the 'I am' is still there.

I notice that I tend to attach things to the 'I am'. I am female, I am tall, I am American, I am happy/sad, I am cold/hot, I am...

In a way, these things I attach to 'I am' start to cover the simple power. 'I am' gets lost in the ever changing circumstances of my life. I then base the value of my existence on what comes after the 'I am'. I forget that no matter what happens, I still am. No matter what.

I imagine the sun is 'I am' and the clouds are the things I attach to the 'I am'. These clouds cover the warmth and power of the sun. And yet, no matter how many clouds there are, the sun is still there. Clear the clouds and the sun shines again. Clear the words after 'I am' and notice how it feels.

I am... you are... we be...

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Jewels...

In my reality, the world is rich. There is preciousness all around us. It is always there. It's up to me to see it. To recognize that it is there.

It may not be the type of wealth I can put in my pocket and spend later in a store. Or pay the bills with. It is wealth all the same.

This richness of life does provide an access point to joy, wonder, amazement and awe. In a way, these experiences can effect how I live life. And how I live life, the choices I make, can effect my bank account and how I relate to my bank account.

When I am immersed in the richness of the world around me, richness occurs everywhere. When I'm seeing jewels in the grass, I know I'm provided for in this life. My soul is enriched. My spirits are lifted. This wealth is for us, in us, all. We are all rich.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Family...

We are all a bit different. And yet we are very much the same.

We are all the same family. Related somewhere, somehow. We are all human, we all feel. We all share the same home, Earth.

So how do our differences keep us feeling so separate from each other? Aren't we more similar than different? How is it that we inflict suffering on our family?

On this log are fungus, lichen and moss. All these are different species. And yet, they live on the same log. They live in harmony.

The conflict started somewhere. The conflict ends somewhere.

The first place to look is inside. If I'm conflicted within, I create conflict without. When conflict within is normal, conflict without seems normal. If I learn to manage my inner conflict, the outer conflict starts to shift. The insanity is revealed. My tolerance for conflict is diminished. I find ways to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. A respectful manner. Other people don't seem so "other" anymore. They are all sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts and uncles.

I love my family.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Reflections...

It seems that images reflected in water are more interesting than the original. Maybe it's seeing the object it a new way. Out of context, perhaps. Or the way it's framed?

It is similar with people in my experience. To me, we all are reflecting each other. When I see myself reflected back in another person it shifts how I see myself. I see things I was blind to before. In the same way, I reflect back other people to themselves. They see themselves in a way they didn't see previously.

If all this is true, what do you want to reflect back to the people around you? What reflection would you like to get from others? How clear is your reflecting surface? How warped are the reflection around you?

There are amazing things about us all. There are ways we all act when we get afraid. Who are we really? Look deep into the mirror. See your divine reflected back at you in the eyes of another. Open your soul and reflect the greatness of those around you back to them.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Seeing...

If what I see is what I get. Then if I change what I see, does what I get change?

I think the way I see what I get changes. Through seeing it differently the way I receive it changes. The way I react changes.

When I see everything as a gift, then I feel gratitude. When I look for the beauty in everything, everything becomes more beautiful. When I see the niceness in everyone, everyone is smiling.

Shifting my interest has quite an effect on the way life occurs. To practice being more interested in what is positive has me focus on what is positive in any situation. And every situation becomes more positive, an opportunity.

In this picture of the scared bark on an oak, I see a humming bird kissing a crescent moon over a heart.

What do you see? What do you get?

Thursday, December 17, 2009

One Grain...

One grain of sand doesn't make a beach. It takes countless grains to make a beach. And when I've studied the grains of sand individually they seem pretty unique. Some dark, some light, some have sparkle, some are bits of shells. And yet, to get caught up in the individual grains has me forget I'm among a beach full of grains.

If life's the beach, then I imagine the grains of sand as moments in life. Each moment is unique, each moment it part of the whole. All these moments together create a life. Each moment on it's own it precious, all the moments seen together make a bigger picture.

What is the gift in seeing the whole beach sometimes? How does seeing the big picture bring ease to this moment?

When each moment isn't the end all, be all, then the beauty of the larger design can be appreciated. Knowing that this moment is like a grain of sand on a beach full of millions reminds me to relax. It puts the moment into perspective. If I focus too much on one grain of sand, I miss the expanse of beach. If I am only aware of the beach I loose the beauty of each grain. Recognizing that every moment is precious and contributes to this life is a way to be in the moment and not take it so seriously.

Like the sands of the hourglass, so are the days of our lives...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Roots...

They say that a tree's root system is about as big as it's top. As it grows up, it grows down. It creates hight as it creates depth.

As people, how does this compare? Do we deepen as we grow up? As we mature, do our roots reflect our maturity?

As far as I know, roots are what nourishes a tree. Roots are also a foundation of strength. Without roots, the tree would starve and wither. Without roots, the tree would fall over easily. I imagine the tree uses it's roots to harmonize itself with the earth it sits in, gathering information.

The way I see the comparison between a trees roots and the depth of a person is like this: When a person has depth, there is way more to them than what is on the outside. They have an inner strength that keeps them from getting tossed about in life's storms. There is an inner knowing an experience of connection to something greater. And they use this connection to feed their being.

So what creates depth in people? There are countless everyday opportunities to create depth. Every day life lessons. The sort that just seem to keep happening until the lesson is learned. Or great tragedies. Seeing them or experiencing them. Illnesses and near fatal occurrences are also opportunities for creating depth. Reading and listening to great teachers is also a possible way. Cultivating compassion. Getting interested in what else is out there. Becoming curious about this thing called life. The age old question, 'Why are we here?'. Instead of looking for answers, becoming eager for more questions. Opening our hearts. For each person it's different.

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes and seen their depth? Felt their deep strength?

Look into your own eyes and see yours own. It is there. And it always has been. Feel your roots stretching. Nourish yourself.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Waves...

Still, peaceful water is beautiful. A reflective pool is very zen. What about waves? What about huge surging masses of water?

In my experience both hold beauty, both instill a sense of wonder. If I want to get stuff moving though, I make waves!

To create shifts and move energy, often times making waves is the most effective way. Action, turbulence, excitement and movement.

Where are you holding still in your life? Where are you avoiding making waves? Where are you smoothing over turbulent water?

After the waves are done crashing, calm waters always come back. Lots of "stuff" gets stirred up in the swirling washing machine. And it all settles again. It may be intense for a while. Intensity is also exciting at times. I know I feel very alive when life gets intense.

Is it possible to surf those waves? To ride them out? To have fun? Even when we get sucked down into the white water and loose our bearing?

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Variety...

They say that variety is the spice of life. How spicy is your life? How much variety do you include?

If life starts to seem dull, boring or monotonous, introduce some variety. Take a different way to work, strike up a conversation with someone you don't know, explore new social circles, eat at a restaurant you've never eaten at before, learn a musical instrument, brush your teeth with your other hand. Switch it up. Introduce some variety into your day to day.

If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got. -author unknown

See what shifts in your life when you alter your patterns. See what becomes possible that seemed impossible before. Sometimes a small shift alters the course dramatically.

Spicy!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Endings...

I love watching the sun go down. The way the sky and clouds light up. The way the colors change and deepen. It's never the same sunset second to second.

Most people stop and take in the display with awe. Many people go to watch the sunset from a favorite spot. A ritual to say goodbye to the day.

What about the sunsets in our lives? How do we feel about the ending of something? A life, a relationship, a job, a living space, a car, health, a vacation. How open are we to these sunsets? Do we pause and take in the shift? Do we have a ritual to say goodbye?

I know that, for me, there is a certain level of resistance when something comes to an end in my life. I notice that I tend to get grumpy and easily agitated. I feel sad. I want to run and hide. Since I became aware of my automatic pattern around endings, I watch my emotions and desires to react just like watching the sky as the sun sets. There's a level of acceptance and simply being with all the feelings. Taking it all in.

Then it's over. There is darkness for a while. And then a new beginning. There is always a new beginning.

What would the value be in becoming aware of your automatic reactions to endings? Would creating another way of being around endings support acceptance and ease?

Write about a time when there was an ending and you remember reacting. Notice if this way of reacting often come up for you when an end is imminent. Then write out how you choose to be when an end is coming. Create a ritual if you like. A way to transition easily into the next beginning.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Seeing...

How does the world look through a broken window? How well can you see?

Consider our perception as similar to seeing the word through a window. Our perception is a sort of filter of what we make real and important in the world. Everyone perceives a little differently.

If our perception is like a window, then how clear do I want my window to be? If I'm seeing the world through cracks in the glass, I'm seeing the world as cracked and broken. If the window is clean, I see things clearly.

So where do all these cracks and breaks come from? How to keep the glass clear?

First place I look when I notice the world looks broken or hazy is my judgments. As humans we developed a quick way to process information: good, bad, like, dislike, dangerous, safe, want, don't want. It simplifies and quicken the decision making process. And sometimes we mistake them for the truth. "She's mean!", "He's a jerk!", "They're bad people!", "I'm stupid!". Are they the truth? Or are they simply cracks in the glass?

What would happen if I simply listened to the judging part of me without seeing it as the truth? What if I thanked it for sharing and still went about my day? If I didn't attach myself to these thoughts, would they still have the same power?

Make a list of your top ten judgments. Then really look at them and next to each put a 'true' or 'false'. Consider that they are all false, just some dirt on your window. Keep whipping them clean.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

-Aristotle

Thursday, December 10, 2009

On fire...

What lights you up? What sets you on fire? What are you passionate about?

I love being around people who are on fire with inspiration. Their whole being is animated with energy. Ask a person what they're passionate about and watch their face light up.

Being around such people is one of the things that lights me up. I start feeling creative and energetic. I've also noticed that when I'm sharing what I'm passionate about, others get inspired as well.

So it seems that passion and it's flames are contagious. It seems they have an attractive effect. That when you're sharing your fire, I'm lit up. And when I'm sharing my fire, you may be lit up. When I'm feeling passionate the people around me are more receptive. They engage in conversation more, smile more. The world seems like a wonderful place full of friends.

How important are your problems when you're lit up, passionate, on fire? When you're inspired, how much time do you spend worrying? When you have that burning feeling inside you, what sort of place is this world?

Share the flame!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Black And White...

I've heard the expression "It's not all black and white.". And it's not all shades of grey either. What about color? What about the vibrancy all around us?

Sometimes it seems like a grey world, or a world of black and white. A world where the colors are muted. A world of blah...

And then I get a glimpse again! I see colors so intensely! I get reminded of what's always there! I feel in awe of the world around me!

So what changed? How come I see the green of a leaf as shockingly green now, and yesterday that same leaf was just a leaf?

Opening my eyes is how I describe it. An internal opening of my eyes. A feeling of coming to, as if from fainting. Seeing the world again as if for the first time. Really looking, noticing. Putting my attention on what's around me, instead of thinking about what I'm doing tomorrow or a conversation I had yesterday.

Be here, now! And see what you see...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Silhouettes...

The dark shapes make the sky seem so much more bright. These dark outlines. These simple black voids of color.

A silhouette shows what's there in a bold way. The details become secondary. Our imaginations come into play. There is nothing to see except light and dark.

Would silhouetting certain things in your life have value? Just paying attention to the outline and focusing more on the light?

Where does your attention "need" to be?

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Delicate...

Have you ever noticed that something so delicate as a flower can have an impact? Or that something as insubstantial as a spider web can hold such strength? Soap bubbles are barely there and I find them absolutely fascinating.

What is the magic of delicate?

Think of all the delicate things in this world that capture our attention. They seem special, cute, precious and amazing. How powerful are they, really. If they initiate a strong reaction in us they may be the more awesome than we realize.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Gratitude...

What about gratitude for the little things? What about a smile, someone letting you go ahead of them at a stop sign, the wind in the trees, the moon rising, a hug, a beautiful flower, the line at the bank being short, having exact change, the wagging of a dog's tail, dew drops in leaves.

For some reason when I look at this pumpkin, I feel gratitude.

Noticing opportunities to be grateful enriches life. What if wealth and richness were based on how grateful a person we are? There is such a satisfaction in gratitude.

Take on practicing little gratitudes. Like before a meal, pausing and feeling grateful for the food. Or saying thank you to the every day occurrences. As in, the light stayed green for me! "Thank you!". Feel the feelings of gratitude as much as you are aware throughout the day. Notice what sort of day you have.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Yummy...

When I say something looks or is yummy, I'm not always talking about food. So what is the word to feeling relationship? How does a flower, hug or a sunset feel yummy?

First I investigate the feeling of yummy. For me, it's an open, warm desire type feeling which is localized behind my belly button. It feels good.

Then I look at where in my life I feel that way. What people, places, situations and things feel yummy? Am I in a certain mood? I notice how broad the range of yummy things there are. I also notice that when something feels yummy, I feel closer to it. I feel one with it.

What I like about the word yummy, is that it is such a "feeling" word. If yummy doesn't work for you then use another "feeling" word. Ask yourself questions about this feeling. Investigating feeling and what has these feelings shift is important to me. I have all these "feelings" and when I'm not being aware of them, they control me. When I get curious about what my feelings are and what triggers them, I am in a position to manage my feelings. I use them to enhance my experience, to avoid emotional patterns, to be empowered in my day to day life.

When I act instead of react life is a whole new place.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Image...

On one level, life is all about 'image'. That act we put on. We dress in character. Even if that 'image' is falling apart. That in itself can be an 'image' just as much as the polished 'image'.

An 'image' is something we can identify with. And we welcome people with the same 'image'. Often excluding others of different 'image'.

Call it style, self expression, or lack of regard. If it is to enhance the outer you and hide the inner you then it is possibly an 'image'.

I catch myself acting out my 'image'. I say things and take on certain gestures. I can feel this outer persona take over and the real me hide. I replay the incidents later in my head and laugh at myself. I said what? I did what? I also look at what had me feel that I needed to hide. That usually tells me a lot about myself.

What is your 'image'? Who are you without it? Do you notice other people's 'images'?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chaos...

I hear the term chaos when events seem out of control. When life is overwhelming, and nothing makes sense. So what does chaos really mean?

If you look up chaos theory, you will most likely find a lot of mathematical terms. I don't understand the math, I understand the theory. Basically it is an infinitely complex system in which one variable will produce dramatically different effects. One tiny variable ripples out to effect the whole. Like weather patterns. Nature uses chaos in it's designs all over the place.

What does this have to do with day to day life? Why does nature use such a complicated model?

My guess, is that nature is a whole system. No part is separate or independent. It all works together as one system made up of infinitely smaller systems. From the universe to atoms.

To me, this means that how I act and who I be effects the whole. If I'm being fearful, it ripples out to effect everything. If I'm being loving, it ripples out to effect the whole. I like to think of my life as separate sometimes. That it doesn't matter if I'm in a bad mood. It's me, it's my world. It turns out I am responsible. I do make a difference.

So if chaos is just a complex system then what makes it challenging? What if we shifted how we related to chaos? What if we danced with it, instead of resisting the flow?

You must be the change you want to see in the world- Mahatma Gandhi

By the way, this is a picture I took of the gages in a car at night. Precise instruments of measure turned into chaos!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Tides...

Tides, cycles and seasons. Change is ever present our world. And change for humans, it seems, is one of our biggest challenges.

Have you noticed resistance to change? How come we resist?

I notice I resist change because I've gotten comfortable with the way it is. Even if the way it is "sucks". It is what I know. I may want change, I may talk about it a lot. But in the end, how accepting am I when change comes?

We all have a comfort zone. In it are all the things we know. Outside our comfort zone is the unknown, change. The bigger the change, often times, the bigger the resistance. Like the first day of school, it is uncomfortable and exciting all at the same time. Change is exciting. Doing something different can be exhilarating. And doing something different brings new possibilities. There's a saying that goes something like this: "If I do what I've always done, I'll get what I've always gotten."

What if life were more about embracing change, accepting the natural progression? How would this world be different? What would shift in your life? How effective is it to resist the tides?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hooks...

It seems like there are hooks all over in my life. Situations, people and circumstances are all possible places to get hooked.

By hooked, I mean the experience of feeling instantly upset. Everything is great one minute and then you get a call from your boss/ex/mom/dad and they say that thing that sends you spinning. Or you check your bank balance and it's negative and there are checks out. Or you loose grandma's antique such and such. Or you hear that your best friend is saying terrible things about you. For each person it's a little different.

So what to do about getting hooked? How to avoid the hooks? How to get unhooked?

When I notice I'm hooked, I stop. I stop resisting the situation. I mentally/energetically take a step back to see the situation in a wider view. I see where and what hooked me. I take a deep breath and ask myself "Is this the truth?". And then I let go. Just let it go.

If I'm not attached to a situation, person or circumstance then there is no place for the hook to hold. By letting go, I essentially free up the place where the hook got me. The hook has nothing to hold and falls free. Which doesn't mean I've stopped caring. It simply means I've stopped making these situations personal. There may be actions to take, and it doesn't mean anything about me personally.

What hooks you?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Layers...

In my experience, life is continually happening on multiple layers. Take me for example, there is the layer of 'How other people see and relate to me', and the layer 'How I see and relate to the world', and the layer 'How I see and relate to me', and the layer 'Who I am', and the layer 'Existing'. All these layers are happening at the same time. And it's possible to transfer awareness to one and then another. It's also possible to be aware of them all at the same time.

There are diferent layers to this picture. The flowers, rocks, fence, tree, cliffs and lighthouse, two layers of mountains. It's possible to focus on just one, or to see them all at the same time.

What is the value of being aware of multiple layers? What would this picture be like if it only had one layer? Are any of these layers "the truth"?

To know that there are multiple layers and that any of them could be true, for me, gives life a richness, a depth. Everywhere I look in life I find layers. And when I think I've reach the last layer, a new layer presents itself. With more layers, there are more options, more range, more room to play. It lends powerful understanding to any situation. For me, it has life be more interesting. A life with only one layer is finite, there are limited options. A life with infinite layers is infinite, anything is possible.

Think about something in your life, something that involves curiosity and discovery. A project, your health, a relationship, your life as a whole. Start noticing the layers.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Quiet...

There is a lull after any event. A quiet time. It is natural. The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, elections, sports events, weddings, birth, death of someone close, buying a home, car accident, our day to day lives...

What is the gift of quiet?

To me, the gift of quiet is the opportunity to reflect. To gather my energy and reconnect to my center. To ground and relax.

It seems like as we progress as a species, the more constant and intense the stimuli. TV, radio, iPods, news, computers, cars, cell phones, video games, airports, etc.

Do we constantly have to be engaged and entertained?

Taking the time to be quiet is a way to balance. To take a breather, so to speak. Get clarity, organize thoughts, be at peace, hit the reset button, get perspective. And then, plunge back in.

My mood as I step back into the barrage is strong and happy. I have the energy and presence to handle whatever comes next.

Breath...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Grace...

What is grace?

According to Dictionary.com, grace is:

Elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action. Favor or good will. The influence or spirit of God (please substitute whatever name you call this energy) operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

So what brings grace into our lives? Can anyone be graceful or bring grace to any situation? How is grace of service in your life?

To me grace is an inner quality. A way of interacting with the world. Grace lends ease, peace, gentleness, courage, brightness, presence and beauty.

When I am feeling grace, or graceful, I move through life with a sense of flow. A sort of dance. I move out of the way of things without having to think about it. I arrive at the perfect time. I meet the very people that I was wanting to meet. I move into situations that I never would have thought possible. I'm simply being. Not trying.

In my experience, inner grace manifests through identifying grace where and when I see it. Studying the aspects of grace and trying them on. Look at a rose. The way the petals are arranged. See and feel the texture of the petals. How the stem and leaves are in proportion to the whole. Smell the aroma. Take it in. Notice where it resonates inside. As if the rose were a musical note and when you feel and hear that note, the same note chimes inside you.

All around us are gateways to grace. Notice, look, feel, smell and taste. Where does it resonate in you?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Holidays...

I've noticed that this time of year gets intense. The general mood is a bit stressed. There is more hustling, bustling and tempers are shorter.

I know I feel a little bit crazy at times during the "Holidays". I am more moody and get annoyed more easily. My internal dialogue gets louder and more judgmental.

How to keep the internal peace is my every day, moment to moment inquiry. When I notice myself feeling annoyed, stressed, judgmental, negative and taking everything personal I recognize it, take a deep breath and ask myself "Is this really how it is?". There's a voice in my head that will often times wail, "Yeeeeeesssss! It's all wrong! Poor meeeee!". The part of me I'm asking is deeper than that voice. It's my inner knowing. My inner knowing is the part of me that holds internal peace. When I connect to it with the question, I am once again at peace.

What is your general mood this time of year? Would stopping, breathing and asking yourself a question to reconnect have value? Try it and see.

Your shift in mood has an impact on those around you. What would it be like to find your inner peace and also shift others to be in a peaceful place? What if it's like dominos? How would the Holidays be different?

It starts with one...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Clear or a rainbow?

What seems like clear sunlight is actually all the colors. It takes another transparent tool to separate the colors. It seems like magic!

In my life, I often wonder, if I had the right tool what would I uncover? What would become visible that was seemingly invisible? What has been there all along without my knowing it?

I've realized that there are things I know, things I know I don't know and things I don't know that don't know. I'm getting more curious about the things I don't even know that I don't know.

I think having a clear tool to uncover these things is key. I take that to mean my clarity. Keeping myself clear. When I'm clear, I am able to filter life through my consciousness in a clean way. If I'm like a cloudy dirty prism then the light doesn't come through brightly. The light comes through hazy. I don't see clearly.

How do I keep my prism clear? What are the things in my life that cloud it? Where am I in a haze?

Letting go of fears, living in integrity (being my word), opening my heart, following my passions, being in the moment, generosity for no reward... These are some of the things that keep my prism clear.

How about you? Do you see rainbows?

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Pause...

It only takes a few moments to smell a rose as you pass by and sometimes the memory of it lingers all day. Or taking the time to talk to a person and the connection lasts a lifetime.

These seemingly small things at times have a profound impact on our lives. How come we don't do them more often? How come we choose to rush onward to the next thing and bulldoze the moments?

Are we rushing to something? Are we rushing away from something?

This moment is all there really is...

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Contrast...

What is life without contrast? Light and dark, high and low, hard and soft, big and small.

Neither is better than the other. They simply contrast each other. If there was only one all the time, we wouldn't be aware of it. It would disappear from our experience.

Imagine a world without joy because there is no sorrow to contrast it. No pleasure because there is no pain. Without one, the other disappears from our experience.

Life, it seems, would loose it's vibrance. There would be no dance...

At the low points in life, sometimes it's challenging to remember that this low is showing me the high. That this tragedy is proof of how wonderful life is. And to realize these things in the middle of trying times has the trying times not be so all encompassing. It's never one way all the time, and that is as, as it is...

To be at ease in sorrow and to be at ease in joy because, this too shall pass.

Friday, November 20, 2009

The Edge...

How does it feel to stand on the edge? To look over the side into a dark unknown? What is the unknown?

I've hear it said that the unknown is where all that can be starts out. If that's true then, to me, the unknown it just a bunch of possible outcomes. Simply a vastness of possibility, as infinite as space.

What generates one outcome over another? How does possibility become reality?

As I stand on the edge of the cliff, am I scared or exhilarated? My experience may determine whether I fall or fly. If all things are possible (definition of possibility: all that can be.), then all experiences are possible. If all experiences are possible, then how does one experience occur over another? Can I choose my experience in this moment, and the next? If so, then I may be generating my reality. I can choose exhilaration! I can choose to fly!

It's possible...

(By the way, this picture is of the inside of a fallen tree. Sometimes the unknown seems so big and it turns out to be very small.)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Play!

Why are puppies so much fun? What are they a reminder of?

To play! To have fun! To be exuberant!

That innocent expressiveness that seems to, at times, slip away in our daily lives.

Puppies are an invitation to play. They bring fun wherever they go.

What if we brought play to every activity? How would our experience of that activity shift? Is there a way bring play to work, and still do the job well? Would it still be "work"?

Hey puppy! Lets play!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wishes...

What are wishes? Why do we "make" wish? What are we making? Who/what grants our wishes?

Sometimes I wish things were different than they are. Sometimes I wish I had more, sometimes less. Sometimes I wish for an event. Sometimes I make wishes for myself and sometimes I make wishes for others. Sometimes I make wishes for the world.

The feeling of wishing is interesting. For me, it's like a slight pause. A holding of breath. I feel my mind focus and the energy of my body comes together around my heart. And then after I make the wish, it all releases. Like the fluffy seeds of a dandelion after I blow them off the stem. The wish goes out into the world to take seed.

Wishing is much like setting an intention. Wishing lacks follow through. What if I followed some of those wish seeds and actually watered them? What if I put an action plan to my wish?

What do you wish? And are there action step to take in fulfilling that wish? Write out what you want, write out the action steps to getting there. Take an action a day. Feel as if your wish was already granted.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Larger than life...

Yesterday started out as the sort of day where all my "problems" seemed larger than life. They seemed like huge looming cliffs, closing in. I felt weighed down by the thoughts of them.

This cliff line seems very daunting. Especially if I thought I had to climb the highest, most sheer part. When I thought about my "problems" today, I saw all sorts of solutions. Many different paths to the top. I also realized that the climb is one step at a time. And as long as I keep looking ahead to my next step I'll be fine!

What are the looming cliffs in your life? How many solutions can you come up with?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Behind clouds...

When the sun goes behind the clouds, does it effect the sun?

To us on earth it may seem that the sun has gone away when there are clouds covering it. Above the clouds the sun is always shining, all day... everyday. The clouds come and go.

If the sun is love, what are the clouds? How do we think or feel sometimes that love has gone away. If we rose above the clouds in our lives, would we always feel love?

And when the clouds pass, the sun always seems brighter and more beautiful...

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Light...

Light uncovers all sorts of things. Light reflects, light shows, light opens.

Light is like our consciousness. Using consciousness to uncover what is in the shadows. To illuminate the path. To see clearly what is in our way and remove it or move around it.

The light is always there. It shines from within. Sometimes it's only a matter of opening to it. Like opening my eyes. Like waking up. Like taking off dark glasses.

When I'm full of light, I notice the people around me light up and reflect my light, as I reflect theirs. There's a noticing that seems to happen. A recognition, smiling, longer eye contact. As if we're friends, though we've never met.

In the light, the world is beautiful, loving and full of friends...

Lets see your light!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Zooming in, zooming out...

When life is seen on only one level, much is missed. Seeing only the details has limitations and seeing only the big picture has limitations. Zooming in and zooming out lends understanding and perspective.

If I only see this flower close up I am unaware of it's entire beauty, it's purpose and it's relationship within the whole. If I were to only see the flower as I walked by I would miss it's complexity and detailed beauty.

Awareness is always happening on multiple levels. It's just a mater of focus, of tuning in. Notice...

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Personal...

It seems like, as humans, we take so many things "personally". The way someone looks at us... being behind a slow driver... someone not returning a call... There are so many things to take personal. My whole experience changes when I'm taking something personal. My heart starts beating fast... I feel stressed... I'm looking for evidence that I've been wronged... I feel crazy. It's like I get possessed or taken over, like a "taking it personal" zombie.

I notice that when I take something "personal", I make it about me. They did this to me! If they hadn't done that my life would be great and I'd be happy! That's what the mind seems to say... And yet, why give that power to people and situations? In the end, there are a variety of ways to interpret any situation. So why choose one that causes unhappiness? What's the alternative to taking it all so personal?

For me, I just let it go... and keep letting it go. I notice I tend to 'pick it back up' again sometimes...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

When's the last time you sat in a tree? Relaxing, being held by the tree? Looking down at the activity below?

Everything looks different from up a tree... The perspective shifts. I notice things I never noticed before. Things that seemed big seem much smaller. What is most important changes. Balance becomes very important. Being present becomes important. I feel at peace...

Is there a way to shift perspective and importance here on the ground, in the moment?