“A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.” – Unknown
You may never know what it means to another person when you take a moment to highlight something about them you appreciate or if you bestow an act of kindness on them. You may or may not see what another perceives as a difficulty, but even so you can be a bearer of kindness.
How can the connections you cherish be lifted by spotting the flowers?
“Write your purpose in pen, your path in pencil.” – Gabriela Cardoza
When you give yourself focus and flexibility, you may find that leaving a little room for the unexpected, allows miraculous happenings. You can stay steady in aim and open to edits and rewrites…
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Energy follows intention and attention. People see what they place their attention on and whatever that focus is, is what grows. The moment you are in now has the potential to be filled with joy and happiness if that is what you seek.
What happens if you allow just a few moments to notice the joys in both your external and internal world?
Let simplicity hold your experience as expectation falls away.
The spring of love arrives
to transform the dust into a garden.
The call is heard from the heavens
to bid the wings of soul to fly.
The sea becomes filled with pearls.
The dry land receives the water of life.
The stone becomes a ruby,
and the body becomes all soul.
-RUMI
What is wishing to be transformed in your life? How can love lift the dust and guide you to the areas that are ready to be tended for growth and blossoming?
Some questions to consider for guidance in finding your own silver lining whenever you need:
1.How can you honor whatever this day brings your way?
2.What do you know about yourself that will support you most? Notice your strengths!
3.What are you grateful for and celebrating?
✨You have everything you need for bliss. There’s no need to seek contentment elsewhere. Be or make your own silver lining and if you’re able, share it with someone else. ✨
Much love and good wishes to you all!
One thing to ask yourself as you go through the next days and make choices about your activities:
Will this be nourishing to me or to someone else ?
That is not to compare and suggest that one of those is in greater standing than the other, but simply to check in with yourself and notice your choices. Is the next thing you’re going to choose nourishing in some way to someone? If the answer is no and you proceed, how does that unfold? If the answer is yes and you proceed, how does that unfold?
Let yourself notice how nourishing choices show up in your life.
You’re invited to add more positivity to your life!
If something comes up that is difficult for you, could you possibly find something else in your life that balances that difficult thing? This doesn’t mean that you ignore what’s going on – deal with what is before you – but see if you can find one or two other things that are holding steady at their usual or even going well. Choose to divert some of your thinking to what you like or can appreciate right now in this moment.
Try this with yourself:
What do I like in this moment?
What’s good? What’s not wrong?
_______________________
I’ve been slowly implementing this practice for about eight years and I am so glad that I’ve had this understanding in my toolkit. It works. It lifts. It moves and shifts negative or stagnant energy. It may even help you to experience very little negative.
There was damage to my home during a recent storm in areas that have had work in the past year or so, all now needing similar repairs again. I stood there watching water pour into a room around a light fixture and across the ceiling into the wall, bubbling up under the paint, with almost no emotional reaction, acting enough in response to collect water in a bucket, bring in towels, look at the roof, call the roofer, and take pictures of it for insurance purposes. I also took a long pause in rooms that look like they always do to appreciate the fact that while some things need work – other areas are just fine! This thinking and response are direct result of practicing looking for what I like in each day. I’ve even noticed that I can look for what I like in situations where personal connections are linked in ways that could be perceived as unfavorable, which many would find more challenging including myself —- until I remember that I have choice and I can always take a moment to find what I like in every situation, be that a part of the situation or something else altogether.
Anyone can do this, with awareness and with a want for calm, soothing peace. How do you want to close off your days, even the difficult ones? I hope you can do it with a bit more positivity and find consistent wellbeing in this practice!
How often do you feel expected to be the same day in and day out?
Perhaps in accordance with what is called for from us by society, we call this too from others.
What if you were to mentally burn away what you think you know about the people and routines you encounter today?
Any storyline you’re carrying could be released if you’re willing to stop telling that particular story. With time you can tell a new story, but you have to let go of the old ones first.
Presence and Positivity 