Water will find its way to flow gracefully forward.
We can too.
No fears, or worries, keeping us still.
Emotional and physical pain won’t paralyze us for long.
We are strong.
Kindness, and love, for ourselves and others will help us in
Finding our way.
Everything we do can have a ripple effect. The little acts of kindness, or meanness, the caring for nature, or trashing it. Literally how we act can have a ripple effect making deep imprints just like the ocean does along the sandy beach.
Let us all think before we act, and be the protectors of nature and all her beings, and the keepers of our planet.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ~ Mother Teresa
When there is no more and the quiet replaces the noise of living, what is, or was the essence of life?
Did all the arguments and hatred really have a place in our life? All the worrying, stress, and struggling. Was it necessary?
The quiet of death speaks loudly to the living, but will we listen and pay attention to the message for more than a few minutes?
The lessons of life are all around, urging us to love deeply, be happy, laugh, and feel more joy and kindness toward ourselves and others. We hear whispering in our ear to live our best life, and sadly, we think we are.
All our earthly goods, and who our egos say we are, mean nothing. In the quiet thought of when there is no more, the true essence of our life will be found.
“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.” ~ French Proverb
As the pandemic continues to loom before us, and here in America we are still dealing with political madness, now more than ever we must let our life force flow with grace.
Quiet the mind and live moment to moment, enjoying the simple pleasures of life as they show up. Have no expectations. Allow everything to unfold and be as it will.
Let’s smile, laugh, and invite the light to dance in, filling the heart with love and joy. And always pick up the kindness seeds and spread them everywhere.
“Grace is the weapon that disarms the dark.”~ Ann Voskamp
“The earth has music for those who listen.” ~ Shakespeare
We are all just visitors here on planet Earth, and how long we will stay no one knows. But like all good visitors we should remember our manners and always be respectful and kind.
Visitors should always clean up after themselves, never trashing and polluting the area they reside. It’s always the responsibility of the visitor to take great care and pride and leave things in pristine condition so the beauty of the environment can shine through.
We humans are not the only beings visiting Earth. There are many creatures we share this place with. It’s all about living in harmony so we don’t disturb the delicate balance this place depends on. That’s why walking gently is so important. That’s why every action can have great consequences. Even the actions of how humans treat one another.
It may sound like a big burden having to be so careful while we’re here, but it’s not. It’s just common sense. When we are good to this planet the planet will be good to us.
Go outside and connect to Mother Nature. Breathe in the fresh air. See the beauty all around you. Fertile ground, flowers, trees, fresh streams, rivers and oceans. So much for the eyes to take in. These are the gifts, and so much more, this planet gives to us in return.
So before we depart from our wonderful visit, let’s make sure we’ve done a good job keeping our Earth safe, because we were a part of this sacred place while we were here.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~ Albert Einstein
“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm’s all about.”
~ Haruki Murakami
This pandemic has been our storm, and I wonder who I will be when it’s over.
Who will you be? You have learned to go without certain essentials, making do with what’s available. Some of you have paid a heavy price in losing loved ones, businesses and jobs.
Do you think about and cherish the people in your life so much more, and have become patient and less judgmental toward others? Aren’t you just so grateful for each and every breath you take and think about the importance of caring for yourself, instead of always being at war?
If going through darkness changes a person for the good then it can’t be all bad. We should all be looking at our life and life in general in an improved way. No fear should reside within us. We are pioneers in a brave new world, learning to do things differently, and hopefully better. Let’s not forget about this planet. How we care for our Earth and its beings will come back to us, and maybe already has not in a good way. This pandemic might be a big warning to get our act together.
So … Who will you be? For me, I just hope that I’m a better human.
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~ Rumi
If you are lucky to possess good health then you should rejoice everyday into your life. So it’s cold and raining or snowing. Bring that child living inside of you out into the open and jump into the rain puddles, and let the snow tickle your nose. Pay attention and see how each little snowflake has its own design. Marvel at nature. Breathe deep; this is life.
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” ~ Lao Tzu
Be kind to yourself, especially if you’re caring for a chronically ill human, or pet in your life. Caregivers get lost in the caring and forget about themselves. Sometimes depression sets in as constant worry and the workload take over. It’s hard to feel joy, or for that matter, feel anything. All warning signs to take better care of You and find help.
“A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun. A bird settled on the fire escape. Joy in the task of coffee; joy accompanied me as I walked.” ~ Anais Nin
Joy is found in the little things. Get the rest you need, and feed your soul. If you can’t give to yourself you will be of no use to anyone that needs your help. A little bit of time to yourself will make you a new person filled with energy and happiness. Seek balance.
“I rejoice in what I have, and I greet the new with open arms.” ~ Louise Hay
Rejoice into this life you’ve been given, and live.
“When I am talking about ‘It Takes a Village,’ I’m obviously not talking just about or even primarily about geographical villages any longer, but about the network of relationships and values that do connect us and binds us together.”
~ Hillary Clinton
Especially in today’s crazy world, children need all of us – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, teachers, etc. to guide them and help them to reach adulthood in one piece. They need to be taught not only manners and right from wrong, but to think outside the box, and to love and honor themselves and all of life’s beings. We need to teach them to put down their phones, and be one with nature. To walk gently upon the earth with love and kindness toward one another, and to be strong, but also bend in the wind like the trees.
“If every eight year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”
~ Dalai Lama
As adults we need to make time to listen to what children have to say. We need to reassure them that without judgment, they can always talk to us. In our busy lives we sometimes forget to listen. But also, as they become teens they like to push us away. Don’t let them no matter how hard it gets, because once they succeed, you’ve lost them forever.
“Listening is often the only thing needed to help someone.”
~ Author Unknown
Maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference with the present and future generations. But, we have to act now before it’s too late.
“Apologizing does not always mean that you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.” ~ Author unknown
Saying “I’m sorry,” is so hard to do when we don’t feel we did anything wrong. When we say those words we feel like we’re admitting and taking ownership to hurting someone, or doing something wrong. If that wasn’t our intent, or we don’t believe it’s true then why should we apologize?
I think telling someone you’re sorry even though you had no idea you hurt them is something you do as a kindness and just being a good human. You do it for them; not for you. After all, I don’t think very many of us have a problem when shopping at the grocery store saying I’m sorry when we bump into someone’s basket by mistake, or cut them off. It doesn’t seem to bother us to say it because it’s a courtesy that just flows out of our mouths. So why isn’t it a courtesy when someone lets us know that we upset them?
Every day we deal with other humans and we say things that people take the wrong way and we even hurt feelings. We make decisions at the time that seem right but sometimes end up wrong. Our mouths say things before our brains have a chance to digest words and actions. It’s all part of the human condition, but so is being considerate of our fellow humans.
When you apologize to someone in the case of not intentionally trying to cause them emotional pain, you are not admitting guilt. You are being a human connecting to another human and sending love. When you do apologize make sure it comes from the heart. Really feel that empathy for another being.
Maybe if more of us could be selfless and learn to connect the world would be a happier place.
“Apologies are the art of spiritual housekeeping. They help to put and keep our lives in order.” ~ Julia Cameron
“Start working to fulfill your dreams, otherwise some day someone will put you in work to fulfill their dreams.” Author Unknown
Fulfill your dreams before attempting to fulfill others.’ It’s not being selfish–it’s nurturing self, and will lead you to become a more selfless person. If you let yourself get too caught up in everyone else’s drama, or simply get so involved in helping other people find their way, you will lose and rob yourself of the very reason you are here.
Give yourself time to grow, travel, and experience life before you saddle yourself with too many responsibilities. This advice is especially for the young just starting out in life, and also empty-nesters trying to fulfill dreams put on hold so long ago. It’s never too late.
“No matter what has happened in your past, you have not missed your destiny. No person or negative event can stop you from fulfilling your purpose, but it’s up to you to keep going.” Author Unknown
If you don’t give yourself the gift of fulfilling your dreams, I hope you realize that nobody around you ever will. And if you don’t try you will end up a bitter and angry soul with a life not lived.
Remember, if you are good to yourself you will be a happier and kinder person to all those you care about.
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
Life as a Garden 