I am living a bit of an unconventional life situation!! My husband of 31 years has been working a job that he took in Montana. He is back and forth…We have lived and moved all over the West for various job positions throughout our marriage. We have always made every situation work!! Having him away makes me even more aware of the things I truly love, miss and value in him. When he is home, we just laugh and have so much fun being together.
I am creating this post for myself, so I will always remember the funny memories, the pranks, the laughter…THANKS, LOVE. I miss you soo much when you are away.
He just left this morning and what did I find tucked away in my workout shoes—a candy wrapper that he had nicely folded and left in my shoe to remember him by! That guy! He is so fun! I miss you, Love.
A couple fun stories that I want to always remember: While he was just here visiting–the two of us were following one another to return his car rental but had to fill up our gas tanks along the way. I pulled in first and my husband was in the diagonal gas pump near me. I smiled at the gas attendant and pointed at my husband’s car, “Please harass that guy in that car, He is from Montana!” The gas attendant smiled and approached my husbands car. I couldn’t wait to see what crazy antic my husband would pull.
NOTHING!! What. so, not like him. hahaha
We dropped the car rental off and I asked my husband what the gas attendant had said to him. My husband smiled at me & told me that the guy told him “that lady wants me to harass you!” My husband then proceeded to tell me what went through his mind… and that he had to do all he could to not jump out of the car…”I was about to get out of the car and make a HUGE scene and say, “I spend one night with you and now you won’t stop following me!!’
I busted out laughing!! I thought it was soo hilarious!! We played back and forth of what we would have said and done IF he had actually done that!! He keeps kicking himself that he didn’t. We laughed and laughed at the funny antics…we would have been yelling from two different cars, everyone wondering what was going on…I responding, “Yeah. you wish. One night…more like 31 years!!” Then we would have got real serious and my husband would have said, “Get over here!” and we would have kissed and smiled, waved and said, “Nothing to see here!!….Only in Oregon!” hahaha.
We just have so much fun!! My husband is always pulling pranks, having fun and is always the one who brings the FUN to any gathering. He makes life a JOY!! He has all kinds of fun impressions like Mickey Mouse, Shaggy from Scooby Doo and He sings like Kermit the frog, but loves it too much to care & will literally leave our neighbors goodies & sing them a telegram type message…My daughter and I often look at one another and laugh at the silly, made-up songs he creates all the time! He is constantly singing…it is hilarious!! He is always up to something…he has done golden egg hunts with his co-workers throughout the office, poppers on toilet seats and door knobs, filled someone’s shower with floor to ceiling stuffed animals and stacked home decor that just fell out when the shower door was opened…he has done the traditional Pennies on faucets, Saran Wrap on toilet seats, Freeway food fights with family, driving around with Michael Myers masks…his Halloween costumes are always crazy [he is so notorious and memorable that one of his young nephews for Halloween dressed up as Jon & it was classic]…he has rolled dozens of golf balls onto our neighbors yard to make him think the golfers on the course were hitting them near his house (our neighbor was so upset, confused and it was hilarious)…took ten bags of raked leaves (from our yard) over to our brother-in-laws and dumped them in his yard……he is always up for a spontaneous illegal firework run because he is a bit of a pyro (ironically we did start our neighbors yard on fire with the whole fire dept showing up–that was crazy **special note to self: Kate & Jon minutes before fire started were in the drive-way with lighters, smiling and looking suspicious as people drove by**)…he hung a scary halloween floating doll “Annie Lilleth” that he rigged to the garage when we opened the door…AND then also had her fly in front of our neighbor’s window…hilarious….he did a RickShaw race with brother-in-laws up a hill and won…he is a huge Survivor show fan & has actually gone to the casting call & made it fun for those there…he is known as the “Bat man” in our neighborhood because we live in a woodland forest with lots of bats & on various occasions they slip in the garage door into the house. He gets his fishing net and wrangles them back outside. BUT, he also pranked me by hanging one in our loft bedroom with a string from the ceiling so it looked like it was flying….ahhhhh. Terrifying!! He is always hiding to scare our daughter or setting up elaborate door traps and getting her to jump–its a bonding thing they try to do to one another…haha…he LOVES to embarrass our daughter and any boy she is dating by announcing, “We have Kate and so and so here” in restaurants, in front of her college dorm, etc…..He embarrasses friends and family with loud restaurant announcements like… it was my sisters birthday and we show up at a local restaurant and what does my husband want to do…walk in with a megaphone with the siren on!! haha.The whole place stopped, shut up in SILENCE and I think everyone wondered if we were there to rob the place. The cooks in the kitchen…EVERYONE in the whole place…stopped. It got silent so quick…seriously!! Then my husband announced that it was my sister’s birthday & had everyone sing!! It was hilarious. BUT One of the BEST…he went on a guys camp trip (with brother-in-laws and their boys) and backpacked into the wilderness. Before he went he downloaded Grizzly bear sounds and when he was there he hid a speaker in the bushes. In the middle of the night he began a little tease that made one brother stop, listen and ask if anyone heard anything. Everyone in their own tents, all listening….my husband waited and then hit the sound again…my husband just laughing in his tent as they all started scurrying, grabbing shoes, bear spray and alerting one another that there was a bear nearby….my husband was rolling with laughter. He got them soo good!! It was epic!
We just have FUN!! Its all the little things that are not even on here—like laughing together, silly dances or food fights in the kitchen, playing off one another and creating fun for those around us—like a pizza party last night where my husband and I started a fun wave with all our neighborhood friends for our neighbor Wayne’s birthday…the “Wayne Wave”—we all laughed and smiled.
My Jon is just FUN!! He always makes me laugh and I miss that most. I miss just having him around whistling, joking, laughing and playing together. We just bring life to one another in the joy…the FUN of life!! When you enJOY someone—life is just better. I miss that most!! When he is here—life is the best!!
So, find those people who bring JOY…surround yourself with them and appreciate the time you have with them. We all know there are plenty of people who KILL JOY or who drain an occasion…be someone who brings the JOY, who lights up a room, who everyone is genuinely HAPPY to enJOY.
THANKS for doing YOU, UNAPOLOGETICALLY. LOVE YOU SO. xoxo
“Nothing shapes our journey through life so much as the questions we ask.”
Greg Levoy
I LOVE that…IMPORTANT QUEST[IONS]—Deep diving and finding those internal coordinates of your inner compass that hold and offer your distinct directions, personal directives, paths to living, etc…it is a guiding system that will lead you to your greatest work. The grandest quest of your life….the QUESTIONS that lead you to…Finding out WHO you are, WHERE you are going, WHAT you want… for your one, beautiful life.
I am a lover of unique words…questions…and a deeper depth of personal knowledge and understanding of oneself.
We are always journeying to find our best selves, a higher version, a more evolved, wiser, well-adjusted version, right??
I figured this would be a good place to start…a bunch of questions to help you see some things clearly for yourself.
Take what you like…run with the wild ones that excite and light you up. It is your life!! enJOY the journey.
According to Gemini:
It’s fascinating to consider the questions that truly drive a meaningful life. While the “right” questions can vary from person to person, here are five that often resonate deeply:
“Who am I?”
This goes beyond surface-level identities like profession or relationships. It delves into your core values, beliefs, and what truly makes you unique.
“What do I truly want?”
This encourages you to look past societal expectations and external pressures to identify your authentic desires and aspirations.
“What is my purpose?”
This isn’t necessarily about finding one grand, overarching purpose, but rather understanding what gives your life meaning and how you can contribute to the world.
“How can I live a life of integrity?”
This question focuses on aligning your actions with your values and living in a way that feels authentic and true to yourself.
“How can I cultivate meaningful relationships?”
Humans are social creatures. Meaningful connections are vital to a happy life. This question encourages you to consider how you can nurture and strengthen your relationships with others.
According to PsychologyToday article
Part 1. Your Essentials: Who Are You Today?
This is a chance to get reacquainted with the real you. It’s a reality check to remind you who you are at your core. Answering them should be a breeze, but note any areas that give you pause.
1. List 5 adjectives or traits that describe you.*
2. List 5 roles that you fulfill.
3. List 5 of your skills and abilities.
4. List 5 of your possessions that provide insight into who you are as a person.
5. List 5 life experiences that have helped define who you are.*
6. List 5 attributes that your closest friends and family would say describe you.
Part 2. Your Authenticity: What Do You Know About Yourself For Sure?
It’s one thing to know some facts about yourself; it’s another to feel confident and certain about those characteristics. Let’s look at how predictable and stable your sense of self is.
7. When you think about who you are, what aspects of your personality are most clear to you?*
8. In what ways does the “you” that you present to the world match who you really are?*
9. Think of three examples of when you stayed true to yourself despite societal or peer pressure. How can you continue to do this?
10. What are three of your most important personal values, and how can standing by these beliefs benefit you in the future?
11. What aspects of your personality stay the same regardless of the situation?
12. Look at the “your essentials” lists that you’ve created for questions 1 to 6 in Part I. Do any of these traits conflict with who you think you are? If they do, how can you be more consistent?
Part 3. Your Self-Esteem: How Well Do You Know What You Stand For?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong and forget everything that’s right.
13. What are your three best qualities?
14. If you compare yourself to others you know, what are you especially good at?
15. In what ways is your life better than the lives of other people you know?*
16. List three things about yourself that make you proud.*
17. Describe three of your greatest accomplishments in life. What’s your next big goal?
18. What things do you struggle with? Do you know anyone else who shares these struggles?
Part 4. Remembering the Way You Were
Time to get reacquainted with yourself and remember who you used to be before life got in the way. There’s a lot of good that you may have left behind.
19. List three things you enjoy but don’t get much opportunity to do. What steps can you take to do these things more often?*
20. What parts of who you are as a person have fallen by the wayside? What can you do to help bring them back?*
21. In what ways have you put others’ needs ahead of your own? How can you restore the balance and start focusing on your own needs more?
22. How can you make time in your schedule this weekend for at least one hobby you haven’t had time for recently?
23. Think back to the type of person you wanted to be when you graduated from high school. What positive attributes did you have that you don’t think you have now? How can you rediscover these today?
24. Spend an afternoon looking through photo albums and reading old journals. In what ways could you benefit from becoming reacquainted with the person you were in the past?
Part 5. Your Work Life: How Can You Get the Most Out of Your Job?
We spend a lot of our waking adult life at work. Like it or not, that can shape who we are. But we don’t have to accept that passively. Instead, we can take control by seeing work as an opportunity to improve ourselves.
25. In what ways does your job help you improve as a person? How can you ensure that this will continue in the future?*
26. What types of new and interesting things do you learn at your job? How have these experiences benefited you?*
27. What new responsibilities that you’ve taken on at work do you enjoy? In what ways have these made you more effective at your job?
28. How could you make the mundane and boring part of your work more interesting and fun?
29. In the past five years, what new skills have you acquired at work? How have these been beneficial?
30. Looking ahead to the next five years, what additional areas of expertise can you develop?
Part 6. Your Future: How Can You Become an Improved Version of You
Time to step out of your comfort zone. Push yourself. Try new things, and discover new facets of who you are. Who do you want to become?
31. What are three new and interesting activities you could try? Which of them could you start next week?
32. What are three topics you would like to learn about? Create an action plan for deepening your understanding of at least one.
33. Challenge yourself to improve in three ways this month. What steps can you take toward accomplishing each?
34. Which three places would you like to visit in the future? What could you learn from visiting each place?
35. In what ways have you improved as a person over the past five years? How has this helped shape who you are today?*
36. Think about ways in which you could grow as a person over the next five years. How will this help you reach your full potential?*
Working through these questions will provide you with the opportunity to gain greater insights into yourself and enhance your self-knowledge. That’s important because being more clear about the self is linked to greater life satisfaction, happiness, better mood, and lower stress. As Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Hope you can find some time to do the work for YOU.
Every day we have an opportunity to be kind, to show up, to notice and appreciate, to be a little better than we were yesterday, BUT TODAY….IS THE DAY!!! For all those other days you had best intentions, should have, would have, could have…YOU CAN INTENTIONALLY do RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS…even ONE.
Just ONE little thing you can do can make a shift in someone’s day—make that automatically someone AND YOU. We always benefit from doing something kind for someone. We all know this, but why do we always have too many things on our daily to do list that often leaves out making a small, tiny difference in someone’s day!! Don’t think–just DO.
Here is a list of ideas…go do something small. Go make a difference. BE KIND.
Begin with a SMILE AND BEING AWARE OF THE ENERGY YOU ARE SHARING. We all bring something to the world—make sure you are being and sharing kindness. PEACE. LOVE and LIGHT to you.
Here are some ideas I posted another year…SPREAD THE KINDNESS
SMILE . Write a thank you note to someone you are thankful for . Leave random love notes . Celebrate someone you admire by taking them out to breakfast or dinner & share with them things you appreciate about them . Take some of your left over change & make people smile as you drop it in tip jars . Write fun messages in chalk on local paths or park areas . Leave change at a laundromat . Leave a Happy Day note on random cars . Buy flowers for a friend or teacher . Organize a local activity to pick up trash & fishing line (doesn’t break down for hundreds of years) in your local park . Make cards for Meals on Wheels . Do a sock drive for your local United Way (most needed item at shelters) . Leave a kind note in library books you have checked out . Genuinely listen to people when they talk to you . Turn off lights you are not using . Say kind compliments to others . Share something positive . Hand out some $1 bills to kids at a dollar store . Buy a huge bag of bird food & feed the feathered, little ones . Offer to walk an elderly person’s dog . Deliver positive notes to an elderly home . Put your phone down and invest in the people around you . A little way to say Thank you–give little baked goods or candy bars to those who give you great service at a drive-thru, nail salon, grocery store, delivery driver, mailman, etc . Write encouraging notes for strangers to find . Share something yummy with your coworkers . Give an unexpected hug to someone . Say hello . Walk a path, smile & say hello to every person you see . Start a family gratitude text chain (daily text of five things you are each grateful for) or family gratitude journal . Take a vase of flowers in to an elderly person who doesn’t get visitors . Plant a tree . Make a meal for someone . Give movie passes or tix for an event to someone who would enjoy them . Share a favorite book with someone . Make pinecone bird feeders . Thank local heroes (police, fire) by dropping off a fun bbq kit or baked goods . Ignore your phone when you are with someone for an entire day–try it! . Reach out to someone you have not connected with in awhile . For one day make sure you say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ . Write a letter to a teacher or mentor (someone who has inspired you) & thank them for the influence they have had in your life . Clean up a hiking trail near your home . Connect with someone who seems alone . Send a great joke to someone . Ask someone a highlight from their day . Be happy . Use a reusable grocery bag . Take some time for yourself . High five a stranger . Be present with people . Give longer hugs . Always remember the ‘golden rule’ . Check your personal attitude–is it positive or negative . Get grateful . Do your best to spread some kindness & love . More ideas…
Here are some additional ideas from the RAK website and other sources: Get someone’s door . Be polite & treat people with kindness . Clean up graffiti . Donate used books to a library . Give care packs to the homeless (or a blanket) . Share your talent of music with the elderly . Help someone with yard work or snow removal . Let someone go in line in front of you . Write a note of appreciation to a teacher . Mentor a child who needs a friend . Pay for a coffee for the person behind you at Starbucks . Return shopping carts . Thank your police or fire department with a fun note or treat . Write a letter or email to someone who made a difference in your life . Visit an animal shelter . Take a bag of dog or cat food to your local shelter . Pick up trash at the beach or nearby nature trail or neighborhood . Send a nice note thanking a soldier . Be a designated driver . Give someone flowers . Visit someone who is sick . Collect canned food and give it to your local food bank . Donate $1 to your child’s favorite charity . Start a charity day at your work & give the money to a good cause . Help someone with their groceries . Give hugs . Leave a nice note for your local mail carrier . Thank your child’s bus driver or crossing guard . Plant a tree . Give compliments . Send something inspiring to those you have on your email list . Be a nice driver on the road . Take shorter showers this week . SMILE . Start a piggy bank for a cause . Share something yummy with coworkers . Say thank you to your school principal and office help . Tell your parents (or send a letter or email) how much you appreciate them & everything they’ve done for you . Let your staff leave a little early from work & thank them for all they do . Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs . Make valentine hearts for the elderly home . Give someone a “heart attack” on their door (bunch of paper hearts that say nice things) . Invite someone new in the neighborhood over for dinner . Have your child take a bunch of fun stickers or suckers and hand them out when the final bell rings . Genuinely thank your waitress or customer service agent or barista or car driver for doing such a good job . Make and share kindness bookmarks or give them to the school library to give away . Leave a $20 in an envelope and leave it for someone in need . leave random notes of kindness on a public mirror or bulletin board . give freely . spread LOVE AND KINDNESS everywhere you can…
I was almost living a type of monk life–in a way. [without the meditation 24/7, robes…smile.smile.] No one but me and the dog for months at a time. Besides occasionally hearing from my daughter or friends or family via phone—I have been secluded in my little, beach house all alone. A kind of personal retreat for awhile. I would have background music playing with gorgeous images of places around the world playing on my tv via YouTube. I would work on projects or go on a walk…I have felt so productive…mostly calm. Honestly, sometimes lonely, but I genuinely appreciate the quiet and the alone time.
I think that is why when my daughter came home (from college) to stay for this semester it has been a bit of a challenge juggling our personalities, personal needs, car, time, meals, wants…she wants tv in the background when she works on stuff. I need calm music. It is a time of finding balance. Seeking to find that place within myself where I can exist and be my best.
My daughter and I have been struggling daily with communication, so I teased, “Well, maybe I will take a vow of silence.” Her response, “that’s stupid.”
Honestly, our time together has had very high, memorable moments of walking on the beach together, driving the coast with the convertible top down on a sunny day listening to fun music, moments laughing at memories… but it has also been a lot of conversations with struggle, frustration, intensity… as she tries to find her wings and break free from me. Often I feel things might be better if I just took a vow of silence…honestly.
That may seem a little extreme, but it got me on the wonderment of the benefits and why, oh why, do monks and highly spiritual people usually find some sort of benefit from periods of SILENCE.
Think about it! What happened to the slower times where people would get lost in the silence of washing clothes & hanging them on the line outside, or doing dishes by hand, raking leaves, planting flowers, handwriting letters and cards, reading the paper, ironing a shirt for work…etc. Things use to be a slower time. Silence was found a little easier in the slow stitches made in creating a quilt or outfit by hand. Today there is more of a rush, not a stillness in the between actions of the day. We are on a constant hum of being busy, checking all media, reading texts, making social posts, cars that drive while we work or watch, as well as work, exercise, school, family, etc.
My daughter just spent a month in France with her boyfriend and his family. She came back talking about how fun it was to wash her clothes and then hang them on a line outside to dry. She had a glimpse of a simpler time–when silence was found more often in the daily chores or activities of our lives.
So, what happened to us? Our society use to have more time in silence, even within the doing. Now, we just rush and move within a greater chaos and feel more overwhelmed, anxious and stressed. We are overstiumlated by technology, scheduled busyness, status, expectation…the list goes on and we are left without those moments of silence that help calm, create, and move us to a greater depth within that opens us to something better and healthier.
So, with the change of our lives I decided to jump in, research SILENCE and share, so here we go… the benefits. the method. the maybe you should think about trying to take a vow of silence for yourself…
A VOW OF SILENCE…even for a day! Begin with an hour.
I am going to begin with an hour and go from there. I think we should all at least experience it for a time.
VOW OF SILENCE: On a basic level it is deciding to just take some time to be silent and not speak. To some people they may look at it as means of protest or of deepening their spirituality.
This study1 suggests that silence causes the most brain and neuron growth of all the sounds in mice.
Silence is indeed golden, and many people choose a vow of silence to go inward or reflect on their communication patterns.
According to Healthline: They contend that even people who aren’t religious or spiritual can experience profound benefits from observing a period of silence, whether it’s for a couple of hours or several weeks.
It is a good way to disconnect [from devices, technology, work, life] to truly connect within and on a higher level
It quiets your mind from the external chatter and helps quiet the internal chatter as well.
It awakens a deeper, innate awareness.
Silence may also help people become more mindful and connected to themselves and others.
“You feel more in touch with the universe and yourself,”… “As a result, you’re more creative, you’re more articulate, you get less angry and your negative emotions take a back seat. You’re more aware of your emotions and what you’re thinking, feeling, and saying.” -Michelle Thielen, Yoga Faith from a Healthline article
The farther you pull back on an arrow, the farther the arrow will go when it’s released. We humans are no different. To go further on the spiritual journey, we need to withdraw from all the senses and sense objects and sit in the cave of our hearts…in silence.-artoflivingretreatcenter.org
HEALTH BENEFITS:
Silence may help your health in several ways, including:
one of the benefits is experiencing [silence is] a dopamine reset – being able to create more “pause” between your addictive and reactive tendencies. -myspiritualshenanigans.blog
Silence helps with mental acuity, stress, concentration
The hippocampus—the section of the brain that regulates memory, emotion and learning—is the beneficiary of silence, according to several research studies. In one 2013 study, mice who were given two hours of pure silence each day grew new cells—complete with functioning neurons—in their hippocampus regions. -guideposts.org
Silence can set the stage for the practice of mindfulness, which has a range of mental health benefits. “Being mindful and aware of what is happening in the present moment can reduce anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and calm the nervous system, says Sarah Kaufman, a licensed master social worker based in New York City. -Psych Central
Promotes Self-awareness: Silence can help increase your self-awareness by giving you the chance to observe and accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment. -Psych Central
SOME GUIDELINES:
HOW LONG: Up to you on length—a day, a week, a month…an hour…you decide.
Just begin—you can begin small with five minutes and grow your practice from there.Take the time that FEELS good to you. Find a quiet space, set a timer for five minutes and get rid of any distractions or external noise. Your mind will race but will eventually find a rhythm and begin to calm and slow. Just breathe.
Try a Daily or Weekly Technology Fast Instead of reading on your smart phone during lunch, try eating in silence, savoring every bite. Or program your phone to block calls and your computer to “sleep” for a certain period every day; use that time to slow down, breathe deeply and think freely. You might even fast from technology on your day off or all weekend -guidepost
Nature calls Walking in the woods, meandering down quiet streets, strolling down a beach, or sitting on a bench and just listening to the wind…nature has a special space that opens up and welcomes silence.
WHY are you wanting to take a vow of silence for a period of time? You want to practice more of a mindfulness practice? You want to develop better listening skills? You want to reach a higher, personal spiritual place?
Silence empties you and creates space for creativity, joy, purity, and innovation to dawn.-artoflivingretreatcenter.org
HOW long do you desire to be silent for? For an entire day? A few hours. A certain period of days with certain hours to practice silence. A morning? Maybe two days of the month you do a 24 hour silence vow. Do you want to be silent UNLESS someone asks you a question & then you respond. Will you communicate via text or online during this time? Will you be alone or around people during this time? Is it more an all or nothing period OR blocking out specific time during your day? Do you need to take it to a more serious level and sign-up for an actual retreat or scheduled session with a professional? You decide.
A Sample of a Silent Retreat: In a silent retreat, participants take a vow of silence for 3–4 days based on the length or duration of the program. A vow of silence entails. [taken from artoflivingretreatcenter.org]
No gestures or greetings to fellow participants or staff.
No speech or communication through any medium for a given period
No writing or reading
No looking in the mirror
SHARE your plan, so people are aware of what you are trying to do for yourself. Make notecards if necessary to ensure people understand and see your commitment (especially if you are in any social situations–like work)
TOOLS to make your time intentional. Turn your phone off and take the time wo distractions. Do you want to journal during your time? Do you want to take walks in the woods or at the beach? Do you need to plan it as a special hotel occasion? Make time to reflect and ponder feelings, thoughts that come up, self-awareness, inner work that needs to be noticed, etc.
TAKE NOTE observing what is playing on your mind during silence may unlock creative ideas, personal thoughts and prayers, messages to yourself, personal needs or wants…make a note or journal the various feelings that come up
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…TOO MUCH NOISE. WE NEED SILENCE.Studies report that most adults spend between 3-6 hours a day recreationally on their phone and 3-6 hours at work using their phone. Look around your staff room at the next break and observe the use of phones. When I walk or am at the gym most people have devices in their ears. All this stimulation and information, whether it is auditory or not, is noise to our brains. It is a cultural norm now to be constantly preoccupied, and immersed in noise, information, and diversion. Is there a cost for this constant noise?
Overstimulation or hyperarousal of the brain due to constant information, noise and demands can leave people feeling burnt-out, and anxious and with increased feelings of anxiety, failure, and humiliation, in addition to difficulties with creating boundaries with others3. Continuous noise can affect our mental health, create panic, increase frustration and over time the mind can lose the capacity to concentrate on things 4 Our brains are simply not wired to listen continuously. Cognitively we are listening at a rate disproportionate to our cognitive capacity to process and pay attention.https://www.stemlynsblog.org/the-science-of-silence/
shhh. Breathe. Be still.
Take the time to make space for silence. Our society has created environments that almost indulge in speed, technology and doing. We can only hope that people can begin to see the necessity of space, stillness, and quiet that opens pathways to enhance our brains and lead to more balanced lives. Silence allows us to channel higher awareness, creativity, imagination, dreams… that will open the doors to better health, heartfelt connections, personal clarity, less anxiety and awaken a higher part of ourselves.
shhh. Silence does have so much to say.
Have a beautiful life. Begin today. Be still and listen. Peace, Love and Light to you. xoxo. -H
Love and kindness are those qualities you hope you can authentically show up for in all you do. For the friends who need your support and care. For family. For the close, loving relationships that mean the most to your life. AND For yourself.
Recently I had heard a podcast with Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferris and Liz was explaining a personal exercise that she has found so beneficial to her life….A Love Letter to Yourself. The idea being—having a two-way conversation with God and asking, “What would you have me know”…and listening to the loving response about what God would like you to hear about you.
Now, this is not a new idea and I consider myself someone who prays, has conversations with God and who seeks to be in tune to guidance and a belief in a greater divine. BUT, I have written myself five letters in the past couple of weeks and it has been a beautiful gift to myself. I cannot explain the difference of seeing words come to you and typing or writing them on a page and then going back later and reading them. It is a beautiful experience to say and hear things said back to you. It also seems to bring such clarity and guidance of things that seem genuinely important to myself and what I believe on a grander scale. It has been wonderful.
Highly suggest you try it. I decided to get up early, go on a walk and then sit down to write the letters to myself. Just allow. Open yourself to the dialogue and just begin. Don’t overthink. Just listen and feel your way across the page. It is very connecting.
xoxoxo
So, then I decided to challenge my husband to try the same exercise. He is generally pretty skeptical about any of my far out or not normal requests. It is all fine and good for me, but for him….here is the scenario…me asking him and suggesting what a nice opportunity it could be for him after he had been on a nice walk. I suggest, ‘Maybe try writing yourself a love letter tonight and see how it goes and then maybe you could do it a few more times to see how you really feel.’ He immediately responded, “I will do it for you tonight, but I am not going to do it three more times.” I shared, “Well, if you are not wanting to do it for yourself, then don’t bother. I don’t want you doing it for me, you need to do it for yourself.”
Needless to say, he did write the letter to himself and then he shared it with me. It was a beautiful note and it made me tear up in emotion at the sincerity and kindness that was shared. His skepticism of course chimed in, “Well, it was probably all in my head and I don’t know. I just started to look at it like I was in a conversation with God and that’s what came up.” I smiled and teased, “Of course. That is what you do. Of course you are going to hear your own voice. Its like a two-way conversation, but God is not all of the sudden going to have a different voice in the conversation.” smile. smile. “It is a gentle way of connecting and hoping you feel of your worth and love.”
I was grateful he took on the challenge and I was gifted the opportunity to hear the words he shared from the letter. It was a genuine, loving conversation that meant something deeper.
I highly recommend trying this simple exercise for yourself, with family, with your children…it is a connecting exercise that helps everyone feel a little more LOVE. Period.
Some other ideas to connect with God on a deeper level:
Tune in EARLY–I always heard Wayne Dyer share that he had a lot of inspiration come to him in the morning hours—around 3 am. That is when he would do most of his writing. He felt it was the best time of day to tune in.
PRAY–Prayer truly is a great way to simply begin. You can do a written prayer or just begin to ask, connect and talk. Nothing needs to be formal. Just pray from your heart.
CREATE–creativity through writing, art, music…is a very basic way to connect on some level. Many years ago I worked for a lawyer & I found him to be a very inspiring person. I asked him for a list of his top books he would suggest reading. The top of his list, “The Artists Way” by Julia Cameron. I was shocked that he had an artist book at the top. He just shared that it took him out of his normal routine and challenged him on another level. That is why he liked it so much. Another great book that I am reading currently, Rick Rubin’s book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” Also a great read. Creativity is within all things—the creation of all that is comes from an idea of the imagination…the seed of a dream…a divine spark…a whisper of a possibility. Creativity is a doorway to another depth, a challenge and connection beyond.
READ something inspiring–There are so many people in the world with their unique talents, stories, experiences, lives they’ve led and you can learn so much from them. Find those people or stories that inspire you, read from the masters, learn from the leaders of old, tune in to those people who inspire you and shed light on your world. Follow those souls who bring you to awe. When you read something and FEEL something–listen, take note, be aware, wake-up. When you read something and highlight the whole book…Follow that.
MUSIC–I genuinely feel more alive, inspired on another level when I hear a piece of music that seems to lift to the heavens. I just heard Coldplay’s new album & the song “One World” —it is a gorgeous song that has a lot of instrumental. [enJOY the instrumental parts in this song—gorgeous] It just took my soul to a heavenly place. Music can be like that. Whether its lyrics or the tune or the instruments…there can be pieces that set your soul free. Im sure every song is different for each individual. PLAY the music and see how it FEELS to your soul. Music has a power all its own. The heavenly muses play through us to bring it to the world to share. What a beautiful idea. Truly listen to the beauties.
CALM–through stillness, your breath, meditation, yoga, movement [like walking]…there are so many variables of things that can bring you to a quiet place and allow you to fall into a flow or a deeper rhythm of calm or a focus that transports you higher.
Tapping into your own STRENGTHS or PURPOSE–you have your own unique gifts that lead you to a higher calling to share with the world. Maybe you are really good at lifting people through leadership or have a natural eye for photography or easily string together a beautiful combination of words in writing. Everyone has things that light them up and get them excited. Follow that excitement and enthusiasm to those things that stir your soul and energize you. Chase after them, learn and grow through them and get yourself to a place to share with the world. YOU do you. The rest will come.
Pick a SPIRITUAL TOPIC and study it for a year & share what you learn–I remember when Wayne Dyer decided to do this with the Tao and got rid of everything material in his office space. He then carried a copy of the Tao with him everywhere and began to focus on one part for a specific set time. He then created his own ideas to share.
Keep a list of DAILY BLESSINGS–aka gratitude lists. You can do this on an individual basis or you can ask every family member to also share in this. Have everyone share blessings around the dinner table OR you can also share before bed OR you can also have everyone text things to one another throughout the day to keep the conversation and connections going.
Some other sweet ideas I found online to tap into a DEEPER CONNECTION–Go on a prayer walk around your neighborhood & pray for each individual as you pass their home . Blow a kiss to the sunrise or sunset and give thanks as you enjoy the beauty . Look at tiny details in nature and give thanks for the awe and amazement of such creations . Sing hymns that resonate with you . Go on a hike and give thanks for the grandeur and details all around . Light a candle every morning and read a devotional of some kind . Find a local cathedral and just admire the beauty and detail within the walls . Create your own prayer bead ritual and give thanks in your own way with each bead . Practice being of service by cleaning out your old & donating to those in need . Practice solitude with a specific time or day to have a technology break . Ask God to bring someone to you that needs you to help them . Write down personal miracles or moments of grace that you or your family were given . Once a week [over dinner or breakfast] have everyone share something that they felt helped them feel connected to God in some way . Have everyone in your family write down their own stories or experiences of when they felt God touch their lives .
Strive to JUST LOVE–Love is the opposite of all that is harsh or detrimental or destructive. It is a place of peace, light, calm, a higher place to seek to exist. Do all you can to simplify, grow in kindness, become a little better each day, let go of fear or judgements, calm the waters of chaos or anxiety…do all you can to strive to come from a higher place of love. Practice that. Every thing takes time, so you may as well practice to come from LOVE than anything else, right?
There are many little things we can seek and strive to do to bring a deeper connection with God. Coming from a place of LOVE is the greatest goal. Take it day by day…write a love letter to yourself. Write a love letter to your children. Help a neighbor feel loved. Be love. Spread Love.
As Coldplay says in the song…IN THE END, IT’S JUST LOVE.
a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth’s surface which obscures or restricts visibility
something that obscures and confuses a situation or someone’s thought processes.
Living on the Oregon Coast you see a lot of FOG…marine layer…mist…there are a variety of words or descriptions of what people call it. Huge areas seem to disappear. The island mass that stretches out to the sea can be gone in a moment. Mountain sides, lighthouse structures, roads…can all be covered and it is almost like they magically disappear.
It can be quite magical or mystical or scary—if you are driving in it. It can be beautiful or haunting—it is all how you look at it. The other wonderful thing about the fog is that it can wisp across the sky like fast moving clouds that magically open windows of blue sky above. It is amazing and breathtaking. You can be standing high above on an ocean lookout and see nothing but white fog and then within minutes the fog may move and begin to give you a sneak peak of the gorgeous view below. You patiently wait for more and more of the fog to lift to share the secrets below. Magic.
THE FOG ALWAYS LIFTS
Life is like that…there will be grey days or moments, tough conversations, hurt feelings, broken hearts…but the fog always lifts. The light comes back out, the joy may be found again around the corner.
I believe a lot of our lives are spent asleep, and what I’ve been trying to do is hold on to those moments when a little spark cuts through the fog and nudges you. -Rufus Wainwright
what can we do to awaken out of a life fog?
Follow the spark or nudge—They always say–follow what lights you up. Do you seem to continually get excited about certain topics, books, ideas, places, people, etc. follow those sparks because they will help you find those things that light you up. OR do you seem to keep getting particular nudges with opportunities, conversations, books that stand out to you, a course you are interested in taking, a talk that keeps popping up on socials and catching your attention. There are things…almost hints or clues that come in to your life to help guide you. look for them…sparks, nudges….like life guideposts or personal clues to your best life.
Create a vision of clarity—what does your best life look like? What seems to lift your mood? What seems to drag or drain your energy? You can ask yourself a myriad of questions that get you seeking some clarity for various parts of your life and what you want or need. If you don’t seek and find the answers than you will continue to just be stuck without vision…lost in a type of life fog.
Less time on tech: Step away from the fog of compare and despair, constant scrolling, time stealing, fomo, etc. Even LESS time on your phone or technology will give you a better sense of control. Let go and take breaks away from it.
Get out of your head and into your body–movement is key. Your brain is like a super computer and it can easily go into sleep mode, so make sure you are getting up and moving every 30 minutes. This shakes things up, awakens you and pulls you out of brain fog. Plus, if you find yourself getting in your head about stress, work situations, relationship issues…etc. Movement is a great elixir for stress and getting out of your head. Breathe. Move. Let go.
Are you getting the necessities? Enough sleep, hydration, awareness of personal needs, good foods to nourish…
Connection: Even the simple act of smiling at someone can change your mood or energy. Often we need to do something simple for someone else—to get outside of ourselves, our surroundings, situations, etc. Get outside of yourself and do something nice for someone—even a stranger. Leave a note, send a card, give someone flowers, buy someone a coffee, make and take dinner to someone…a simple gesture helps you step out of your personal fog.
Do we even knowweare wandering around in a fog?
Do you have those moments where you feel out of sorts, not yourself, a bit low, unmotivated, less energy…could be an emotional weight caused by stress, anxiety, fear…and we feel a bit confused of how to feel or what is going on. Maybe you feel like you are avoiding or procrastinating or just unmotivated…Some called it ‘brain fog’, others may say, ‘depression’ but in reality, we all have those moments where we may just feel heavy and unclear in life. That is okay.
Take the day to recharge, ask yourself clarifying questions, get moving, connect, do the little things and the fog will begin to clear.
“Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.” -Rumi
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
This is the tricky thing about life, getting to that point where you feel as though you are actually grasping the lessons that life is offering. ‘OFFERING’— like a silver platter that holds intimate, personal notes and details of learning for your best life.
Oh, how I wish that I could have a magic, silver platter that would offer a new life WISDOM, daily. I really had to sit and think about this—-would I rather have wisdom or a lesson? To keep things in perspective we are given lessons daily, so the real gifts would be a daily wisdom, right?
“Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from LIVING.” -Anthony Douglas Williams
I am going to deep dive into the internet, ask friends and family and share what I can uncover from a deeper, wiser place. haha
I do believe that to become wiser we must EXPERIENCE life. I am a big believer in the deeper, more meaningful stuff that gives life the real richness. Experiences create that. -H
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
“”Every person that comes into our life comes for a reason; some come to learn and others come to teach.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery Are you listening? Learning? Loving? I was at the grocery store this morning and I noticed a nice looking, well-groomed man who was walking around the store parking lot with a small broom and dust pan. I was getting into my car when he was within a small distance. I looked at him, smiled and said, “I bet sweeping is kind of like a nice meditation.” He smiled, “I am grateful I get to do this. I have been working for the man who owns this property for 13 years. We have so much to be grateful for. Gratitude is a wonderful thing. The world needs more of it.” I replied, “Absolutely. He is lucky to have someone like you who cares and takes pride in what he does. Have a beautiful day.” He warmly smiled and said, “you as well.” It was a short but sweet interaction that made me stop and reflect—if this man can find such gratitude in a simple sweeping job, what do I possibly have to complain about?—I am reminded of a speech by MLK that said, “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.” I LOVE that! In whatever you find yourself doing, at whatever crossroad, whatever age, whatever destination—find purpose and give of your best in all you do. There is great wisdom in that!! -H
“If I asked you to write a list of all the things you love, how long will it take for you to write your name?”
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” – Omar Khayyam
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of god, which is why we call it the present.” – Bil Keane
“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ― Gautama Buddha
“The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”
KARMA
NAMASTE
“Know thyself” -Socrates
“Just do it” -Nike
Make your life mean something to YOUrself.
“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” -Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Brothers Karamazov)
I like this…Why do we tell and insist that people, “Have a great day!” Maybe we just need to begin with the small things and be grateful, instead of setting ourselves up for a necessary expectation of an ENTIRE day being great!! haha. Maybe strive for a peaceful morning or what about a nice afternoon and then …take your day, your job, your life moments and appreciate the small wins of a healthy breakfast that you had time to enJOY. Maybe you buy yourself flowers just because. Maybe say thank you that you had a calm, loving conversation with your daughter or that you were able to take the time to see the sun rise or set. Take the time to notice all the little things that end up creating a truly great day.
What’s one piece of wisdom or advice that has stuck with you throughout your life–— When I was a boy 7 or 8 years old, and I’m 76 now, my grandfather, “the most important man in my life at that time and beyond,” told me that there was a treasure chest up in the attic, and that whatever was in it, I could have! So I went running upstairs to the attic and found a box, right where he said the treasure chest would be! So I opened it, and much to my surprise there was nothing in it! So I went back downstairs and told my Granddad, “I found the treasure chest but there wasn’t anything in it!!! It was empty!!!” He said “I know son. That treasure chest is just like life, if you don’t put anything into it, you won’t be getting anything out of it.” At the time, my little boy brain couldn’t process the data! So my Grandad got us some graham crackers and milk, and we ate and drank milk and had a really good time! And here at 76 years old, I can still hear my Granddad’s voice! “That treasure chest is just like life, if you don’t put anything into it, you won’t be getting anything out of it.” That’s as far back as I can go with regard to shared wisdom that stayed with me throughout my life. Great question! And thanks for that trip down memory lane.
And I have a tip for anyone reading this that is fortunate enough to be a Grandparent… You are some of the most precious people on the Planet Earth, please pour into those grandchildren, they love and need you, and they will NEVER forget you. -Harold Lindsey [taken from Quora]
Steve Jobs last words according to close family was “oh, Wow. Oh, Wow. Oh, Wow.”
Some of the last WISDOMS of Steve Jobs, billionaire, dead at 56:
“I have reached the pinnacle of success in business.” In other people’s eyes my life is a success. However, aside from work, I’ve had little joy. At the end of the day, wealth is just a fact I’ve gotten used to. Right now, lying on my hospital bed, reminiscing all my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth I took so much pride in, has faded and become meaningless in the face of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive your car or make money for you, but you can’t hire someone to stand sick and die for you. Material things lost can be found again. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost: Life. Whatever stage of life we are currently at, in time we will face the day the curtain closes. Love your family, spouse, children and friends… Treat them right . Cherish them. As we get older, and wiser, we slowly realize that wearing a $300 or $30 watch both give the same time Whether we have a $300 or $30 wallet or purse, the amount inside is the same. Whether we drive a $150,000 car or a $30,000 car, the road and the distance are the same, and we reach the same destination. Whether we drink a $1000 or $10 bottle of wine, the hangover is the same. Whether the house in which we live is 100 or 1000 square meters, loneliness is the same. You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from material things of this world. Whether you travel first class or economy class, if the plane crashes, you go down with it… Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have friends, brothers and sisters, with whom you discuss, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north-south-east or heaven and earth,… this is the real happiness!!
An indisputable fact of life: Don’t raise your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. When they grow up, they will know the value of things and not the price. “
The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence, and friends. Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.
“The only constant in life is change.” This acknowledges the fact that change is inevitable and encourages us to embrace it rather than resist it. It reminds us to be adaptable and flexible in the face of challenges and uncertainty. -Julie Moraa (Quora)
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein
Tibetan Value: “The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.” – Tibetan Proverb.
“Life is what you make it.”
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.” -FDR
“Your mind is like the sky – Dark clouds, storms, sunshine…It all comes and goes. But the sky, it’s always there. Just watch. Just observe. It will pass.”
“Don’t fear death or dying. Fear never having truly lived.”
“Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.”
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
“Happiness doesn’t have to be chased…it merely has to be chosen.”— Mandy Hale
“You are either growing or dying.”
Yesterday I had an epiphany. I was trying to figure out how to make sense of something I just couldn’t understand. Here is what I asked a man. “Will you teach me, or show me the point?” The man’s response, “I could present all the help required and with a little practice, you’ll learn it word for word.” “If you memorize it, you’ll know it.” “If you experience it, you’ll see the bigger picture and the wisdom will be yours forever.” -Leon, quota
“The one who whines, never shines.”
Do something, learn something, try something to become a little better each day.
Read. Read. Read. Don’t let socials, television, tech steal so much of your one, brilliant, quick life.
“The important things in life, aren’t ‘THINGS”
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with Compassion , gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
“If you judge people, you have no time to LOVE them.”
Hope this list of WISDOMS finds you well and you can take note of some of the ideas that may inspire, change, guide you to further wisdom for your life. So many great guiding ideas.
Make each moment YOURS…seek and find the WISDOMS you need for an even better life.
I LOVE this Serendipity movie line…Greeks didn’t write obits when someone died. They asked one question—Did they live with Passion?
My daughter is on her first world adventure across the continent & I can honestly say that she is doing her best to live with Passion. She hiked to a waterfall, had a kava ceremony, ate pineapple and watermelon from a local market, visited a Hindu temple, yelled ‘Bula’ to children in the villages she passed through out of her taxi window, took a shower in an outdoor, stone alcove, walked the beach & found her first puffy sand dollars along the shore. It was a day to remember!! She then woke up & the first picture she sent me was her with a headlamp, “heading out in the dark before sunrise to find treasures!!”
What is passion to you? What gets you out of bed? My daughter’s friend stayed in bed and missed the beautiful sunrise…missed opportunity! What gets you up and lights you up?
The definition of Passion: strong and barely controllable emotion
This is an incredible word to describe my daughter—she has this on varying levels of emotion 😉 She had her boyfriend on the phone as she found her first Fijian ‘puffy sand dollar’ and he just laughed listening and watching her on FaceTime get soo excited and barely able to control her enthusiasm and strong emotion. She gets lit up and excited about so many things. That is a great trait to have.
Passion is energy. Feel the power from focusing on what excites you. -Oprah
This goes along with the whole ‘what lights you up’ thought process. Follow those things that stir your soul, that add a little zest to your life, things that make you feel energized, get’s you up and excited to follow the energy that is a strong guiding force.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, some humor, and some style. -Maya Angelou
I had a friend give me a sign that has this quote on it. I love the whole idea of not merely surviving, but thriving…living…doing… with PASSION! I don’t profess to have any style—I am my own style. I wear black, usually patterned, slimming yoga pants and a black tank. I wear fit flop sandals and usually a hat of some kind with sunglasses. I own who I am in that!! I don’t have to think, I just do ME. But, I try to live with the compassion and humor part as well. Seeking it all with thriving on my mind. How can we thrive? Chasing the PASSION. It ignites and fuels…it creates barely controllable emotion. smile. smile. That is exciting!!
Think of a time that you got soo excited about something…anything…what was it?
Passion is your joy, it is the essence of who you are. You have to unwrap it and find it. — Jackie St. Onge
The essence or the nature of who you are is found in the passion and joy of your authentic self. You have to look at it like a gift you were born with, but the only way to open it, is by trying on those things in life that bring you joy…passion…that excite or ignite you. Then, the gift will be revealed. You have to shake it, listen, tumble, turn it, be still with it and allow the gift to slowly be opened in due time. SURPRISE!! Life may guide you to the very things you need to become your best version. That is where the passion lies…within… hidden in the essence of YOU.
“Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.” — Denis Diderot
Its like a soulful alignment, a good vibe, an energy that seems to be able to take you to a whole other level of ideas, creativity, a higher awareness of what can be. That is power. That is passion.
“Develop a passion for learning.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo
This is a WIN for me. I have a need and desire to input information. I feel like I have been creating, collecting, reading, learning, doing…a definite passion for learning. There is so much out there to see, hear, read, write, create, inspire, educate, elevate, etc. It is a non-stop wishing well of good things. Learning opens doors to new ideas, it ignites a fire that conspires to be started, it challenges our brains on different levels, It is the beginning of most creations. It is the spark that runs wild with passion. Learning takes you to places and shows you new possibilities or ways of thinking or imagining.
How to find and chase YOUR PASSION : Think about activities or interests that get you EXCITED. What do you enJOY doing? Think about your STRENGTHS. Look at subjects or things you love to share or teach to other people. When you are in conversations—what topics do you like to share or talk about? On the flip side—look at things, topics that seem to drain or suck your energy.
Needless to say there are soo many things out in this beautiful world to be excited, intrigued, curious…about, that it makes you spin sometimes. At least for me. I can have multiple ideas, things to write about, places I want to see and explore…the list goes on. I mean, ‘Who knew there was such a thing as a “colorist”—a person who is great with colors and can be an expert on creating the right feeling for a house with specific colors. Who knew!?! There are people passionate about soft corals, making dog biscuits, hiking waterfalls, quilting for a cause, doing yoga with goats, thrifting for treasures, stargazers & just regular things like gardening or sports…the list is endless. There are experts out there with such passion for soo many things. It is amazing!! So, have fun chasing what gets YOU excited and lights you up! LIFE IS THE PASSIONATE ADVENTURE!
Here are some ways to help…
CREATE: I say…create. In creation you find that special something that seems to whisper inspiration and fill you with focus, energy, direction, excitement…you just go…you flow. You create with passion. It is part of your true nature. Take some personal time each day, week, once a month (up to you on your time schedule) to create—whether you take a creative class, pull out creative journal prompts, write daily writing pages, take photos daily, build a sand castle with your kids, build a shed or a sauna…the list is endless of the creative possibilities—the point is to just create! Take the time to allow those deeper internal guidance systems to engage and lead you to the creative pursuits that stir passion.
ON YOUR MIND: You are excited or passionate about something when it is continually on your mind. Notice if there are specific ideas that keep popping up in your mind. Maybe there is a business that you are curious about. Maybe you keep finding yourself humming a certain melody that is a song idea trying to come through to you…There are so many ideas, creative longings, nudges from random places (think books you are drawn to, videos that pull on your imagination and call you to create, etc) Notice different things that play on your mind.
FIND YOUR FLOW: It is easy to find a rhythm or flow in doing something you are passionate about. Time seems to go by quickly and there is an ease. You have this natural energy and synergy that seems to ignite your thoughts & you feel as if you could keep going and going without a care of time. When you fall into the flow of passion…creativity is even easier. It is remarkable.
WILLING & WANTING TO LEARN MORE: When you are interested in something and want to learn more–there is a reason. You are drawn to a subject, style, hobby, interest…when you are first curious to know something, you become almost obsessed on some level to find out more. You want to get your answers, to learn what makes something so interesting…to practice, to try, to find out the beginning, to become more knowledgable. Think about it. When something peeks your interest…you want to jump in, swim a little deeper, see what’s under the surface and find out more. That is the natural path to finding one’s interests and passions.
BOTTOM LINE–YOU DO KNOW: In reality, YOU DO KNOW what you are drawn to & what possibilities COULD light you up. There may be a tiny grey area of complete knowing until you TRY it on for experience, but if someone asked you…could you be interested in working with doctors to find a cure for something…could you enjoy washing elephants at a sanctuary in Thailand…could you get excited about knitting hats for the homeless…could you see yourself writing a book…could you possibly enjoy detailing cars…could you see yourself flying an airplane…could you get excited to teach and train therapy animals…the list goes on. There are limitless opportunities to try things to see if they get you excited or push your passion buttons. BUT, you have to ask the questions, try them on and see what is a good fit for who you are and the kind of energy and passion that is created.
EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN: How do you REALLY know what you like, are interested in, get excited about…can be passionate about…IF you don’t get out of your comfort zone, try various activities, see and feel those things that create a spark and fire within. You need to explore the opportunities beyond. Its like a trip—you can stay in the safe harbor of the known or you can get out and feel the wind, dive under water, look at the stars from a new perspective, eat something you have never seen before, touch, feel…go beyond to find the real shiny stuff that might excite you that you never noticed or experienced. Get out and TRY things, explore, and find those unknown places within.
Great stories of people who followed their passion: A few stories of people you may have no idea about, their passions and where it took them.
From Inc online : https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/here-s-how-to-turn-your-passion-into-a-fortune.html. My personal favorites from the article…Jim Koch: A Harvard Business School graduate and consultant with Boston Consulting Company, Koch took the Austrian beer recipe that had been in his family for generations and used it to launch Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company). With Budweiser, Coors, and Miller now owned by foreign companies, Boston Beer Company is now the largest American brewery.
Yvon Chouinard: An avid climber, Chouinard bought a second-hand forge and began to make his own equipment. Ultimately he founded Patagonia, a manufacturer of high-end outdoor clothing that did $600 million in sales in 2013. [There is also a great documentary about Yvon’s partner Doug & Kris Tompkins who did North Face–who have literally saved so much of the natural landscape of Patagonia–great watch https://youtu.be/yJL-OAPBDa8?si=emTsKGSueTTUl-nD] Talk about Passion & Purpose. Wow
Wendy Kopp: Kopp turned her senior thesis at Princeton University into Teach for America, a $229-million-a-year nonprofit organization that places graduates from some of America’s top colleges and universities as teachers in challenged public schools.
Kevin Plank: A football player at the University of Maryland, Plank designed shirts that could wick away sweat, and convinced his former teammates who went on to play professionally to try his product and share it with their teammates. The company that resulted, Under Armour, had $2.3 billion in revenue in 2013.
“Things are beautiful if you love them.” -Jean Anouilh
There are so many beautiful ideas to pick from in the incredible life we get to live. We must find the beauty in the symbols of nature with its delicate details that beg us to notice or the intricate symmetry and equations that make up a simple shell and the divinity that is found in the smallest creations. We must love the beauty of flowers, the ancient wisdoms and continued celebrations of their meaning and depth. We must allow ourselves to appreciate the cultures from distant lands and find the sweetness in their words and stories. There are so many beautiful ideas…if we but look to seek, find, appreciate and love them. I sincerely hope you can find something you need here within these ideas. Peace. Love and Light to you. xoxo
“Just like the lotus we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world.” – Unknown
Lotus flower is a beautiful symbol and I appreciate how Alex and Ani jewelry describe it:
The lotus flower has an otherworldly beauty that has the ability to transfix us. Its translucent petals seem lit from within, and it rises from murky waters to emerge untouched by any hint of the mud they’re rooted in. Small wonder that the lotus is often seen as a symbol of purity.
When people think of the lotus flower, they often think of a variety of ancient cultures, including Egyptian and Chinese history. In fact, for centuries, the lotus flower has been central to a number of beliefs and religions.
If there were a timeless flower, it would be the lotus. There are lotus seeds in existence today that have been germinating for over ten centuries. An aquatic plant, these water beauties can expand up to ten feet horizontally. The lotus can grow anywhere from about three to six feet or higher with leaves that can span a foot or more.
And, even though the lotus grows from the mud, its fragrance is like the flower – sweet, delicate, and floral. The color of their petals can range from purest white to understated cream tones to vibrant jewel colors.
The lotus has a unique cycle, opening with the rising sun and closing its petals as the sun sets, submerging itself under the water to emerge clean and “reborn” each morning. But, what may even be more remarkable about this flower is its durability. Its seeds are able to create new plants even after thousands of years and the plants themselves can survive under many harsh climatic conditions such as being submerged under ice or blooming under extreme heat. While they prefer certain soils, these seemingly delicate flowers can thrive under a number of soil conditions. And, once mature, the lotus plant can live a long time with some species approaching the century mark.
I have always had a deep connection to the story of the lotus. It is an incredible symbol of growing through the dark. Finally seeing the sunlight after a storm. Being able to awaken after a loss or heartbreak. In the darkness is where the real growth begins. The lotus is a beautiful reminder to such moments. There are so many lessons of resilience, strength, struggle, power… from this simple, elegant flower. May you look at the lotus in a new light.
“There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” -Leonard Cohen
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. It highlights the big, broken, beautiful imperfections rather than hiding them, and can make the piece more beautiful than before. A lovely metaphor for embracing our flaws.
‘Mono no aware’ is the Japanese philosophical root of it: Literally translates as ‘the aha-ness of things.’ The simultaneous sadness and joy at realizing the impermanence of life and objects. It is rooted in duality of actively being, bearing witness to the ‘being’ of other people, things, yourself, your feelings and experiences while having the knowledge that people, things and experiences do not last.–reddit, supercoolmaniac. ‘Mono’ means ‘thing’ or ‘things’; ‘aware’ means ‘feeling’ or sentiment, and the particle ‘no’ indicates something an object possesses. So mono no aware signifies the deep feeling or pathos of things, the powerful emotions that objects can evoke or instill in us. –school of life. Mono no Aware 物の哀れ (moh-no no ah-wah-ray), which roughly translates as “the sensitivity of things”. It refers to an awareness of the fragility of existence, an appreciation for it’s beauty and the gentle sadness of it’s passing. Well, I found a few variations of this idea, but I liked the overall meaning of “the sensitivity of things” because I can genuinely relate to this idea—and how things can come, go, be of value, be taken away and having the true experiences of it all. The almost, ebbs and flows of life and the things held within it. But, I also like the idea of ‘the aha-ness of things’—all beautiful ideas that make you stop, ponder and evaluate the power of ‘things’ in our lives. Where do we place the greater values? It makes you stop and think or to have an aha moment of what’s important. All good things 🙂 [see what I did there. haha]
Ikigaiis the action we take in pursuit of happiness. It can be defined as the ‘feeling of being alive now and/or individual motivation for living.’The pursuit of happiness has been written about, talked about, movies made, fables and folklore shared….forever. But, I think that is because it is a very important concept that cannot be written off. We need to be seeking daily those things that help us feel alive, right now & build on that daily in our overall pursuit of a life full of happiness.
Shinrin-yoku is Japanese for “Forest bathing”—I LOVE this idea of seeking to find a healthier balance by spending time in nature.There is science that even backs up how just seeing green spaces [even an image of nature] makes us healthier.
“The Whole Universe is based on rhythms. Everything happens in circles, in spirals.” -John Hartford
Spirals symbolize a variety of meanings like creation, change, evolution, cycles of life, the universe and our journey within it, the connection to the divine, expansions of divinity, the gradual way to the center…I genuinely think the depth of such a simple symbol is a beautiful reminder of the constant changes that life brings and our own way of finding a deeper, more meaningful and rich center for our lives. Every symbol, meaning, reminder…is a personal perspective and an opportunity to take what you want to hold to for your own unique guidance and inspiration.
“Seashells wash upon the shore like
smiles from the sea.”
Seashells can be a symbol of love, protection, creation…An open shell can provide a powerful metaphor for the transition from dating to intimate love. When we first meet a potential romantic partner, we often try to present a strong, beautiful exterior. Yet lasting love may require opening ourselves up to reveal the vulnerability and tenderness inside.
In Asia seashells are symbols of prosperity and good fortune. In other cultures they were worn or carried to bring good luck, protection, to ward off evil spirits and protect one from negative energy. For many American Indian groups seashells symbolize birth, renewal and creation.
This is a very thought provoking angle about shells, “With their birthplace being the salty ocean, each shell has been grown following a pattern of sacred geometry.” -thespiritofwater.com to think about the very creation of each shell pattern and the intricacy and perfect symmetry, angles, details, chemistry, etc. It is so humbling to look at any simple shell like that and not be in awe. Wow. That is nature for you—it seems there is always some sort of amazement and divine power at play.
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the mind.” -Luther Burbank
Flowers have long been a universal symbol of so many beautiful meanings. Whether its the lotus or a rose there are a variety of flowers celebrated and sacred. In Hawaii, the lei is a cherished symbol of hospitality, love, and friendship. In Japan, they have Cherry blossom festivals to celebrate the lovely, quick fading blossoms as a reminder of the impermanence of life. In Mexico, Marigolds take center stage hoping their vibrant colors with bring back loved ones during their Day of the Dead celebrations. In Ukraine, Sunflowers are given as a symbol of loyalty and are often exchanged between couples to show affection and commitment. Lavender brings calm & is often associated with romantic gestures. In Chinese circles, the peony represents wealth, prosperity, good fortune & are often included in weddings as a wish for a happy and prosperous union. In the western culture, red roses are a symbol of passion and love. [-some of the ideas here were taken from Medium article] Flowers are the sweet petals and fragrance of the wild places, the romantic gestures, the memories of lost loved ones, the wild flower walks you took as a child, the fragrant hint of a lovers cologne, the natural beauties that take us to so many places in our lives. Take some of these special meanings and gift them to someone you care about. Flowers are one of the sweetest gestures we can share. Bring someone a smile with a sunflower or a handpicked bouquet from the garden. Flowers share your care. Spread the love.
Ohanamiliterally means “flower viewing” and it’s used to describe gathering to enjoy and appreciate cherry blossoms. In Japan, cherry blossom viewing is a centuries-old tradition that is grounded in the idea that nothing is permanent, not even beautiful flowers. This is also known as Hanami. -MS*
b love . share kindness . b happy . do GOOD .
find the BEAUTY . enJOY the PURE LIFE
Pura vida: It means ‘pure life’ but has come to symbolise the simple, cheerful and care-free lifestyle the country is known for. It urges Costa Ricans (also known as Ticos) to not sweat the small stuff, to slow down and focus on what’s important. *. Cheerful and care-free—those words remind me of my daughter, who happens to wear a shell bracelet by a company called Pura vida, so this is soo fitting and symbolic of a ‘pure life’—which my daughter, Kate means ‘Pure’ WOW! wonderful. LOVE that!
Niksen from the Netherlands, means–the art of doing nothing. This concept takes having a break to a whole new level. It’s about listening to your body and knowing when you need to recover and it’s a great idea for relieving stress. -MS*Take a moment today to STOP and do NOTHING.
Friluftswiv Norwegian “free air life” Coined relatively recently, in 1859, it is the concept that being outside is good for human beings’ mind and spirit. -treehugger.com.Who can argue with this concept!! Being outside is so good on so many levels, both physically and emotionally.
Lagomis a Swedish word that translates to “not too little, not too much”. Mainly, the Swedes are focusing on a balanced lifestyle. Sweden is well-known for their philosophy on moderation. Employees work six hours per day and are given the opportunity to pursue their passions with the extra time. This sense of balance reduces stress and anxiety and produces more joy. While it may not be possible to work a six-hour day and maintain your employment, there is something to be said for pursuing a balanced lifestyle. [taken from Genietraveler].To see a culture that strives to give balance, especially through limiting their work hours per day and then giving them more time to pursue personal interests—brilliant!!
Craic from Ireland is all about having a good time with friends. -MS* Friends + Good times=priceless
Tri hita karana: from Bali has its own three pillar approach to a good life, elegantly named tri hita karana.A three pillar principle, meaning ‘three causes/ways to happiness’, it is concerned with three relationships: parhyangan (the relationship between a person and God), pawongan (the relationship between a person and their neighbours) and palemahan (the relationship between a person and nature). The trick is to find a happy harmony between all three*. It is a beautiful idea when a culture can have such an awareness of the greater needs and meaning within a life well lived. LOVE.
Greek Meraki:Meraki, which literally translated means ‘essence of ourselves’, is a concept of doing something with unbridled creativity and effort.*. I think if we could all ponder the deeper meaning of this idea and genuinely take a deeper look at the essence of who we are and what we want to contribute to the world, the world would awaken on a higher level with more of us fully moving towards the unbridled passion and direction of our inner selves. I strive for that!!
Entrückt, Germany: Being entrückt is about being lost in thought and in your own mind. It’s about forgetting everything around you and daydreaming, being absentminded or even meditative. It’s about being calm and quiet and enjoying time alone. -MS* [Marieskelton.com]. This sounds nice.
Estrenar, Spain: This is about using or wearing something for the first time. Think of the soft fluffiness of a new pair of sweatpants, or the whiteness of a new pair of socks, or the great feeling of wearing a new top on a night out with friends. -MS* Everyone loves new or even clean sheets, new socks, the confidence something new can create. It is a little bit of something great!
shh . “naps are nature’s way of reminding you that life is nice, like a beautiful swinging hammock strung between birth and infinity.”
-Peggy Noonan
Siesta, Spain: the idea of taking a 2-hour break in the middle of the day for a siesta, or nap, may seem preposterous. But this practice has been proven to relieve stress and recharge your mind, leading to greater happiness and wellbeing. -MS*. LOVE THIS. the power of naps can do great things and could possibly change the world for the better, right!? How can we implement this everywhere? haha. Who doesn’t LOVE a good nap? It begins with YOU. Take a good nap. xoxo
Flâner, France: is to stroll or potter around. If you’re in a rush, it’s not flâner. Instead, this means to take your time leisurely walking and observing the world around you. It’s about having no purpose. -MS*I was talking to my daughter’s friend who is an exchange student from France and he was explaining the meaning of this word—it was more of a ‘person who wanders and has no purpose.’ He was saying that in France it is not a great meaning, but then as we both talked he explained it further as ‘a well off person that seems to wander around wherever they want to go.’ We both laughed and said, “actually, I wouldn’t mind be a well off person who could wander and enjoy wherever they want to be in the world.” It was a fun understanding of how perspectives can vary–in any language. haha.
Lumineuse, France: to describe a person or place of light. This was another word from our French friend. He shared it is a beautiful word to describe someone that is a bright light, radiates sunlight.
Tetu, France: No matter what you are not going to change you.
Azart, Russia: Seeking the zeal of life. Finding passion and excitement – often from activities that would make many other cultures feel uncomfortable. Think about scary movies, or sky diving or rolling around in the snow after nice warm sauna. -MS*. Pushing your personal limits and within those outer boundaries finding the zest or zeal within the excitement. We all jump on many levels when we take any leap that is out of our comfort realm.It is always a good thing!
Keyif, Turkey: In Turkey, Keyif is all about practicing the art of quiet relaxation and living in the moment – like mindfulness. It’s about savouring the simple moments in life, spending some time alone and resetting. -MS*.I appreciate the idea to savor the simple moments, to take a moment and sincerely settle into feelings or environments or the quality time with another and especially the alone time with ones self. That is a beautiful thing.
Ubuntu, So. Africa: Ubuntu is practiced by the Bantu people across Africa. It’s a concept of common humanity and oneness. Think “I am because you are.” It acknowledges the power of togetherness and community. -MS*. I sincerely appreciate those cultures who have such a strong desire for togetherness and community. To see and celebrate our connection to one another, that idea of I am because of who you are—that is a greater gift to any community.
LIFE IS TOO BEAUTIFUL TO MISS
There are SOOO many beautiful ideas, words, concepts held within our world. I hope you can find some here that made you think, ponder, smile, and want to live the incredible practices and beliefs…I will keep posting all the beautiful things I can find. Life is too BEAUTIFUL. LOVE THAT. PEACE. LOVE and LIGHT. -H xoxo
“The loss of a brother or sister is not small, unimportant, or invisible. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I call sibling loss ‘the loss of a lifetime,’ because who else do we expect to have relationships with that stretch our entire lives?” -Lynn Shattuck
It has been a year today since I got a call from my parents & they told me my brother had died. I was with my sweet husband driving down Hwy 101 in Oregon & I could sincerely not believe the conversation or loss that would forever change my life. I cried and cried. I was not sure where to go or what to do. I was alone with my husband in another state away from any family. I wanted to get as close to heaven as I could to make sure my brother knew I was thinking about him. We drove to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and climbed a small mountain that looked out over the ocean. I had never experienced such wind, but we pushed ourselves to the top & as I looked out over the vast ocean view all I could do is cry, throw my hands up like a bird & face the wind. I stood there talking to my brother like a prayer. “Scotty, you had always wanted to visit Oregon. You have always loved the rain. I know you are looking down on me right now. This is for you…enjoy this view.” It was such a beautiful way to think of him. To feel so close to the sky & have a huge, vast ocean view below. It was humbling and memorable and forever.
It is definitely a ‘loss of a lifetime’ because you think of all the things you miss together, the conversations you could have had, to see his face or hear him talk about his first grandchild that was born this year and to know how excited he was to know and love him. It is a bunch of emotions and feelings of want, need, wonder, wishes…but in the end I have no control or idea where or how my brother is. All I can do is blow kisses to the wind, talk to him when I am alone or wonder what he is doing. I can look at old pictures or ponder memories, but its like a faded story that seems to lose a little more of the details, the almost hazy blur that sneaks in when you try to think of a specific smell or detail. Its like you slowly forget about someone you loved so much. It is heartbreaking. No matter how hard you try to hold on. Life continues without someone who was always supposed to be a witness to my life, a sibling, a friend, family that knows and loves you no matter what…why? because you have a history together and your bond is unbreakable. It is hard to lose someone like that!
I love you, brother. Wherever you are I hope you FEEL nothing but LOVE. You deserve that peace. xoxo
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