There is a practice in positive, joyful living to seek out and soak in the new life growing up and pushing through.  Whether this is vegetation, animal, ideas or human connection, take the time today to notice new beginnings.  These fragile states or existence long to be seen, admired and cherished.  In this present day there are young, joyful events determined to thrive – acknowledge them, study them and support their growth.

 

 

 

   

Photo by Kin Lye.  Maine

 

 

At any point in the day, in repeating cycles, in this ever pressing and turning reality we know as life, you may find yourself carrying weight in various forms.

If we can pinpoint the areas where we feel stuck or held back by habits or by forces outside of our control, we can begin the process of letting them go.

When you know thoughts, actions, or beliefs are holding you back or keeping you tied to a certain way of being that you may have outgrown, you also know it’s time for change.  To change, we have to let go of what was.  This can be difficult. Depending on the requirements of your situation, it may only be a matter of time and patience,or you may have to go through steps associated with grieving before letting go.

Hold presence with yourself this week to recognize the ways in which you can help yourself to let go.

 

There is happiness and joy all around us.  Our day becomes what we look at, focus on and worry about.  That day becomes our month which becomes our years and so our life.  We chose to see, focus and ruminate on specific aspects of life.  10,000 versions are offered, and we choose 10.  Make this choice very carefully.  Not only does this choice become your life, it becomes you.  We are what we think, do, say and choose.  Every little glance, breath and smile.

 

“We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs.”  – Lisa Delpit

Our culture defines us. It may dictate how we communicate, the customs we include in our life, and the way we view the world.  To make an effort to see ourselves apart from our culture and to look at others apart from theirs may be a challenge.  It is well worth the effort to see another human for their core essence and not for what has coerced their current circumstance.  Integration of various cultures can be a beautiful part of our lives or it can be a limiting barrier, depending on your interpretation of “different”.

Some friends never know your name or hold your hand.

They might never compliment a new shirt or see your many talents.

They can’t play ball with you or laugh at your jokes and yet they are a part of your favorite days.

They are the reason you can withstand difficult weather and offer protection from danger.

These giant friends are constant companions; giving gifts, listening, offering advise of patience and strength.  

They are quietly essential to the best summer day.

They are quiet, still…

Take notice and thank them anyway.

 

 

Alex Honnold, 31, climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park June 3 with not one piece of supporting equipment.  Free Solo Climbing: no ropes, no protection, no fear?

I have watched and spoken with Free Solo climbers in the past and they are an interesting type of person.  They plan, the study, they prepare and train….in short, they beautifully obsess over a piece of nature and then climb it putting enough fear aside to typically make it to the top with ‘ease’.  This man made incredible, astounding history flying up El Cap’s 7,569 feet in just under 4 hours!  This climb takes most amazingly skilled climbers days to accomplish with protection, if not at least 24 hours!

Protection.  This is something to think about.  I never have wanted to free solo climb, not ever.  It has to be in your blood.

Protection is something we use in every aspect of life.  From defensive personalities to weapons.  Honnold is saying that although this life long goal was scary, fear does him no favors in his performance and so he says, ‘I set it aside and leave it be.”  He is so incredibly good at this skill that scientist/neurologists are studying his brain to see how he differs from the average Joe.

Does this take Training?  Faith?  A missing Amygdala?  I believe these answers are worth looking at, thinking about and sitting with for each individual person.  Fear separates, exhausts, ruins, kills, breeds hate and disease…. What are you afraid of, I mean truly afraid of and what Protection are you using in your daily life to run and hide from fear?

“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running to and from and why.”  James Thurber

 

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” -Linda Grayson 

Hope you can make time for both this weekend!

– Jessica &Valerie

 

The mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.     -Robin S. Sharma

Meditation on quieting the mind:

I breathe in, and notice thoughts passing.

I breathe out, and let the thoughts go along without me.

Slowly inhale and exhale for counts of 5 while mentally repeating these words.

Everything seems to be attached in some regard or another.  We want to welcome commonality and unity, but these may lead to feelings of attachment if sought for more than their offering in the present moment. When caught in analyzing our minds can go deeper into layers of control and perhaps obsession.  Expecting fulfillment through people, places, or things can be a hindrance.  We may understand the concept of non-attachment and even find ourselves committing to the idea, but an active practice takes diligence and patience in realization.

When it is time to detach, these flowers will know it, the branches will know it, and they will surrender to their cycle.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that YOU are exactly where you have always intended to be. Laugh, Cry, Breathe, Appreciate just how powerful you are and just how cared for you are to be where you are right this very moment.

We breathe, we chose.  We give and take.  We take and give.  It is all just right to learn what is needed and find what is wanted.  It is just perfect.

Can we begin the day with our breath and our acceptance that it is just right, right now.