ON THE EDGE

"We are too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet."

~ Author Unknown ~

There is something jazzy and almost addictive about being busy and having multiple things going on at once, burning the candle at both ends, and just generally living "on the edge," as they say. But it's the edge for a reason- hard to stay on for too long, and easy to fall off. This kind of high-intensity living is not sustainable and not particularly healthy. It strips us of soft quiet moments and a feeling of peaceful ease.
     Nonetheless, life circumstances do require it at times, so when that's the case, let's step up, and when it's not, let's stand back. Balance is the key, and good health, and three square meals a day with a good night of sleep. 

I amp up when I need to, and still take time to relax. 

MISTAKES

"A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than he was yesterday."

~ Alexander Pope ~

I have this distorted belief that if I make a mistake or a poor decision that it means I'm a bad person, as if my ability to know how things are going to turn out before they do is a reflection of my intrinsic worth. 

My father told me that I make bad decisions.

Maybe that's where this comes from.

Going forth, I want to act more fluidly and forgiving in relation to all the things that seem to be a good idea initially and then turn out not to be.

I do the best I can with the information I have. 

PERENNIALS AND ANNUALS

"The best place to seek God is in a garden.

You can dig for him there."

~ George Bernard Shaw ~

Our lives are like a flower bed 

that has a mixture of perennials and annuals. 

Some things come and are gone in a season, 

and others are planted 

to stay and grow.

The garden brings spiritual lessons to life. 

TRUE SELF

"The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold."

~ Aristotle ~

It takes courage to be authentic and show our true selves to the world, and the reward for this kind of bravery is worthwhile: we experience meaningful connections with other humans, know the peace that comes from absolute integrity, and feel the joy of unabashed self-expression.

I show up with authenticity and courage. 

THE PRESSURE OF CHOOSING

"To decide what you are going to do is a bigger task than actually doing it."

~ Valerie @ehehval ~

Decision making and doubt are brothers in arms. We choose, and then we think again about the other option- not always- but enough that we can say it happens. Weighing pros and cons and this and that always feels so heavy, as if our balance of happiness rests on the decision we make. And yet, in reality, it only leads to the next choice we have to make, and the next decision, and then the next one.

When I have made a decision, I resist the desire to revisit the choice. 

WIDE AWAKE

"Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around."

~ E.L. Konigsburg ~

When I am excited about the activities of my life, it's hard to stay in bed. I wake up, and I'm up: wide awake.
     Some mornings, the sheets feel particularly delicious, and snoozing and snuggling are like healing and goodness. That doesn't happen much when I'm excited about the day though. When I'm excited about the day, my energy is all charge and no linger.

Excitement energizes my body and my soul.

THE THREE KEYS

"Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you."

~ Rumi ~

Presence, 

Gratitude, 

and 

Faith 

are the three key ingredients that make for a rich and delicious life. 

That's what I've concluded.

That's what I believe.

And that's what I am consciously living

The best I can,

One day at a time.

I live by spiritual principles.