October 2022 – yourhappyplaceblog

Many would argue that this post should just say…Shelter, water, food, Clothing, but what kind of life is that truly going to consist of? Maybe, these are enough if you are sleep walking through life, but to truly awaken, one must go deeper, seek those essentials that are the true necessities for a life fulfilled.

Here are SOME of my personal necessities.

CONNECTION

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” -Albert Schweitzer

In all my many years of life, I sadly say this is one area that I genuinely struggle with, but with anything in life, we must continue to strive to become better. So, with my recent move I have been striving to connect with my new neighbors and investing in the people around me. It has definitely been more moments of positive connections that I am very grateful for.

In all things we connect, whether it is with nature, a gaze of eye contact, to hug your pet, to recharge your phone—all things have a current; an energy that connects in one way or another. Just like in nature, whether it is how a tree is connected to a grander forest, how the ocean ripples energy and connects to a shore, how bees are connected to a hive or how stars are connected to the sky, there is a deeper connection in all things. That is a sacred, deep truth—we are all connected.

May we find ways to seek out these deeper connections in nature, in relationships, in friendships, in strangers. There is a beautiful spark that flows and transforms in all we do. Be aware of the power you carry—the power that connects you to others. Everyone is on a personal journey, so smile, share the care, spread the love and connect deeper in all you do.

WATER Water has this beautiful magic, whether it is to cleanse, to hydrate, to bathe, to nourish, to balance, to energize. Water has a power and energy that covers the earth and is a living life force. We need water in our lives on every level. Our bodies are more than half water and our planet is 70%. Life is created from water, can heal from water, and bring an overall wellness to everything it touches.

“Always be like water–float in times of pain OR dance like waves along the wind which touches its surface.” – Santosh Kalwar

I love the visual of this quote. A visual that seems to always calm my soul is the idea of floating on my back down a slow moving stream with the sun warming my face. In any time of pain we need those visuals, feelings, experiences of floating, rising to the surface in a moment of adversity. OR dancing like waves along the wind makes me think of the ocean tides and the way the sunlight glimmers and dances like diamonds on the surface. It is a visual delight that brings serenity, calm, peace…to my soul. Water holds and carries a magic all its own.

“Don’t ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak.” -Wm Paul Young

This quote hit me straight to the heart because my beautiful, college daughter just had her first heart-breaking break-up that has left her feeling emotional and teary eyed. Her soul is aching and as her mother, my tears have welled to the surface many times for her sadness. I just read this quote and called her immediately. I told her to never discount or apologize for crying because tears can be such a healing vessel for the soul. I expressed how they bring about feelings, they rise with emotion, tears are a gift to help us understand our hearts fully. They are the cleansing balm for a broken heart, a message from heaven to those left behind, they roll down our cheeks as expressions of longing for something, whether love or loss, laughter, hopes, dreams, sadness or solitude. Tears are a deeper doorway to something within us that we need.

BREATH

“Breathe in the sweet air of limitless possibility, and make life as rich as you know it can be.” -Ralph Marston

Your breath can align your body, calm you physically and help you slow in times of stress, struggle, fear or frustration. It can guide you with an inhale and exhale to a solid space that allows you to just let go. Your breath is the life-force of your being–it controls, slows, and reacts to your own personal necessities to strengthen, fight or flight, to soften, to calm, to just be in a stillness of a needed moment. Your breath has power. Just breathe and allow. Your breath can take you on your own needed internal journey.

In my mindfulness class we did a lengthy body scan of breathing and body awareness. I was very intrigued as I began to control my breath to see how my physical mind began to react. As I put my breath in a steady inhale and exhale rhythm, I began to see physical images of the ocean tide coming and going. My breath began to follow the images in my mind, my heart slowed and I began to be guided by the rhythm of it all. It was fascinating.

GROWTH

“Personal development is the belief that you are worth the effort, time and energy needed to develop yourself.” -Denis Waitley

I stretched myself a bit and signed up for a mindfulness class that began last night. It was full of so many great things–connections with complete strangers, hearing people’s experiences, breathing exercises, and even a moment of mindful eating. Who knew there was such a thing! It was wonderful to step out of my norm and seek a deeper understanding of myself through guided meditations, listening to my internal dialogues and allowing a space to develop.

I believe you are your best asset to invest anything in. The more we can learn and grow in this life, the greater the nourishment we will feel from those things we take in. You can learn and grow in so many different aspects of your life. Seek within to find those areas that you need to stretch and move out of comfort. Maybe you need to sign-up for a class, maybe you need to push yourself to enter a race of some kind, maybe you just need to pick up a book and explore learning something new or maybe you need to watch an educational documentary instead of the mind-numbing regular programming that steals your time.

You may tell yourself you don’t have time or that luxury, but YOU are your best asset, so invest in you! Make and take the time back. Even if you listen to an inspired podcast while you are driving carpool, or you take a break from social media & take an online course. Your time is your time—take it back for the incredible benefits that are for you.

CREATIVITY

“Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.” -Anais Nin

I have heard the thought that creativity is a a divine connection with something greater than ourselves. It is awakening to ideas that swirl within, dreams that seem to come to life after a deep sleep, a pulse that pounds until you take notice, a whisper, a silent knowing…there are so many ways to describe the secrets to creativity. For some it is different than another. Every one of us has a creator within. It is just taking the time to tap into those places that swell up with excitement, a brilliant drive that overwhelms our heart, a nagging pull until you begin a work. Creativity is a divine calling and we must be still and listen within to hear the directions.

We must then also, act! Taking action is the other main ingredient for a creative life. When we begin to take notice of the little details that make life beautiful, when we fall in love with the simple realities, when we aspire to create something, worlds collide, magic happens, inspiration takes flight and our wings run wild to try and keep up with the whirl of creativity that calls to us. Listen. Be still and feel the rhythm that seeks you. Be a co-creator.

SHARE

One of my favorites…a Tibetan proverb: “Eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.”

Because when we can find things that inspire us to share with others—that is a gift to everyone. Life is about giving and taking and the balances we can find in the essentials of living well. Always be seeking to find things to share, things that are positive and will send a goodness into the world. The world needs more light & giving, sharing, gifting GOOD is a start.