valeriecameronmerritt

Wonderment

Son: Mom, you’re a grown up but you didn’t grow up.
Mother: Sometimes if you’re very smart you can avoid it. Do you know how? Stay innocent. Stay with your heart.

Son: And do silly dancing?
Mother: Yes, do lots of silly dancing!

Last week I celebrated the beginning of another year in life with my sister, children, and a few girlfriends. After the ladies had to say goodnight we spent a portion of the eve choreographing a popular song and putting on makeshift costumes. We had a lot of fun with the movement. The conversation above ensued the following day. Beyond pleased with my child’s observation, I took his words and went flying with them. Luckily the landing was successful and I can now share retrospect with you.

Love, happiness, and contentment reside in staying innocent as we move through life. We can be in the world but not of it. Be a child at the core, delighting in the abundance of simplicity surrounding you. Be cognizant of the wonders at your fingertips everyday. Be open to the newness of it all, because it will be new to you if you allow.

Take time this weekend to identify with something that stirs childlike wonder within. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to go about honoring yourself and your soul. Be in tune with you. Do what brings you the greatest amount of joy. Listen to your inner guidance and easily move where it leads.

Comments about the activities and moments that set your heart humming are welcome!

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Everyday Outreach

humanconnection

Photo shared by -Deb Strother, Santa Fe, NM

Let’s get creative – in the checkout line. When you are going out shopping and paying for the items you have selected do you speak to the person helping you with the purchase? If the answer is already yes, please continue and consider leaving a comment below to share your happy exchanges with us! If the answer is no, then this weekend when you go somewhere try speaking to the people helping you. Ask them about their day, make a kind comment about something they’re wearing, or open yourself up beyond this if you feel inclined to see what more may follow. This activity should not feel forced, rather fueled by the importance of consciously seeking commonalities in one another. When we focus on connecting with humanity through similarities the separation we feel begins to fade. Have FUN with people, find connection –

“The area where we are the greatest, is the area in which we inspire, encourage, and connect with another human being.” Maya Angelou

Clouds & Being There

I want real things –
live people to take hold of
to see-
and to talk to-
Music that makes holes in the sky-

Georgia O’Keeffe

Finding the Positivity in today:

Think of the things that make you feel grateful. This can be and is encouraged to be simple. Is there a warm cup of tea or coffee in your day? Can you feel your feet on the ground when you stand? Are you able to feel the breath in your body? Each and every moment has something for which you can feel gratitude, if you choose.
Spend time focusing on these things and minimize anything in your thinking that does not make you feel good. If you have a tendency to fixate on problems you can practice minimizing by recognizing the thought when it comes, acknowledge it with words like “I see you there”, and then dismiss the thought that diminishes your happiness by releasing it. Learning to use the mind as a tool takes practice and will become easier with time. Know that you are responsible for your thoughts and what you allow to be present in your thinking. You deserve to focus the majority of your thoughts with areas that are uplifting, tapping into an internal source which flows compassion for humanity.
Write down the things you are thankful for each day and take note of how this feels. Try it for a week and recognize if there is a change in your ‘being’.