Tag: appreciation

Finding Our Awareness.

When we practice mindfulness, we expand our capacity for this fullness of life. Moment by moment, bit by bit – we take it all in, our heart relaxing to the expansiveness of this single point in time.

In this space, our consciousness grows. We begin to pay attention, to cultivate our awareness. Even the sound of trees swaying may become like a symphony.

Which is body, which is spirit? The space between, of narrowed focus until only an impression remains.

And, the pacing of breath – our teacher.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

The Beauty in All Things.

“It is love alone that leads to right action,” writes Jiddu Krishnamurti. “What brings order to the world is to love and to let love do what it will.”

Though, we may recognize love as ‘the answer’; the ‘antidote’ to our social ills. How often do we allow it to run its true course, to effect the greater need of day?

Love transpires not without purpose; it bends, it twists, it finds its way. All for the benefit of healing past wounds – to cast light within this frame of being.

To remind us that the divine within is stronger than all else.

We see love and we appreciate its presence, though – do we truly allow its energy to flow? Unimpeded, like water over stone.

“To transform the world,” he writes. “we must begin with ourselves.” To that end, we must strive to remove all barriers to love, in order to see the beauty in all things.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

The Warmth of Awareness.

We are our own worst critics, my loves; yielding so quickly to this energy of self-doubt, challenging all perceptions of ‘self’.

How easily we assign those labels – our need to qualify greater than any possible measure. We are either ‘too this’ or ‘not enough’ of that; taking on fully the characteristics of bias, limiting our capacity to be.

If only we might learn to view in a light other than harsh disapproval.

In walking through the woods, are you stricken by the inconsistencies of trees? Do you qualify their bark, their straightness or their pitch of changing leaf? Or, do you stand in quiet appreciation – simply grateful to share in their blessing?

Though, perhaps the greater question still – how do we begin opening to ourselves? Cultivating both curiosity and awareness for that which makes us so brilliantly unique?

And, allowing the spaciousness of being.

Like the many trees which stand before us, we are intended to share in the warmth of this radiance.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

In the Stillness of Rain.

I was having such difficulties writing this morning, the result I’m sure of a restless night’s sleep.

It happens, you know, from time to time – the mind reaches, though to no avail. And, generally when our hearts are seeking.

Through the years I’ve learned, some matters can not be forced. Rather, they must be revealed…in and of its own way.

Just as gratitude within an unyielding rain. And, the tenacity of speckled lead against the howling winds. Our kingdom awaits through lessened pace.

This is the essence of life’s gentle unfolding — patience, simplicity and willingness. In this way, the nature of self is revealed.

Wishing you peace, my loves. And, remember…

Where the mind is still, we find our bliss.

Namaste ❤️

In Appreciation of Life’s Much Simpler Things.

“The kingdom is now or never. Enlightenment is now or never. Life is now or never. Don’t run. Stop. Touch life deeply. Everything you are looking for is right there. What you want to become, you are already. That is Apranihita, Aimlessness, a very strong teaching of the Buddha.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

My darlings, did you know that it’s my birthday today?

Now, I don’t typically celebrate these sorts of things, save for a dutiful counting of blessings. Likewise, it inspires a much needed sharing of heart in return.

And, though it may seem a rather odd practice – I literally bow to each blessing received.

Whether by way of a morning sun salutation or a simple nod in return, I welcome the energy of a gracious heart, as it helps to humble the soul.

But, more so – it is a time to ‘begin anew’.

To begin anew, is to look deeply within ourselves; to consider our past actions, our thoughts, our deeds. And, with this insight – create a new path of understanding moving forward.

This can be a difficult practice, particularly for us ‘wandering souls.’
However, I think it to be one of the most important yet – as, it helps to cultivate a soul-filling sense of appreciation.

So today, I lieu of presents and gifts – I shall be offering my day in service. As, there’s no greater gift in this world – than the smile of another precious human soul.

Namaste, and much love, my dears ~ and, on this day I pray that we may continue to share our love with this world.

Oh yes, and remember to ‘make room’ for all of life’s much simpler things.

Me, I’ll be off climbing a couple of trees

<3

Finding the Light Within.

[blockquote source=”Mark Nepo”]“The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary.

Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe.

Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers, if we are willing to be where we are.”[/blockquote]

“I’m embarrassed to be seen with you,” he hissed.

It was the first time anyone had every spoken to me in such a way—deliberate, and with the intention to wound.

We had been dating for almost a year, and I had become transfixed by the allure of a new ‘romance.’ Though, looking back I can see that I was merely filling the void.

He then reached over, disengaged the lock on the passenger side door, and forced me from a moving automobile.

It was 1:30 in the morning, and I had to walk home from there—the cobblestone streets unforgiving to a lady in heels.

Even after all these years, I can still feel the chill of that evening’s air.

In time, I learned that he had been seeing another woman—an old flame from many years ago. She actually walked into the apartment one afternoon while we were having dinner. And, when he chased after her – well, I just knew.

He was such a horrible human being, and yet…I couldn’t leave. When you don’t feel that you’re quite good enough, what does that leave?

What happened over the next year is too difficult to put into words. I cried every day for the person I once was…independent, free spirited and just brimming with love.

Sadly, I began to see the world through his jaded vision – and, in doing so, I had inadvertently assumed the burden of his deepest pain.

Eventually, and through the love of my dearest friend, I found the courage to say, “I’m not done living yet.” And, just like that – I walked away.

Still to this day, I’m not quite sure how it happened – but, through some fate of miracles I found this incredible source of inner strength.

And, my world was forever changed.

Beloved Buddhist nun, Pema Chödrön once said, that the “genuine heart of sadness can teach us great compassion. It can humble us when we’re arrogant and soften us when we are unkind. It awakens us when we prefer to sleep and pierces through our indifference.”

It is only through this ‘continual ache’ that we may begin to know, and fully embrace, the hearts of others.

My experience, though tragic – was my greatest lesson, and subsequently my gift to you. Through it, I learned compassion in a manner that most will never know. I learned how fully the heart might ache, and how deeply these wounds may burrow.

But, more importantly I learned, that the “light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond.”

When we’re able to appreciate this fundamental truth in our being, only then can we begin to appreciate the ‘light’ in all things.

The light never leaves us, my loves—no matter how profound the darkness, it is always right there for us…and waiting for that one moment to finally pierce through.