BEING FULLY ALIVE!

"Express yourself!"

~ Charles Wright and the Watts ~

When we are excited about something, I'm not sure where and how we learn that we should temper it and keep it constrained somewhat so as not to appear too bubbly. Why not? Our excitement excites others and spreads good feelings of possibility and hope.
     We are taught to dampen ourselves- that being exuberant is for children, and proper adult behavior is more serious than that. How dull! How droll! Let's consider the impact of years and years of squashing ourselves down- of being contained and constrained- and take back our right to authentic self-expression. Let's claim our right to be fully alive!

I increase my excitement and joy of being by sharing authentically with others. 

THE LIMITS OF NOT KNOWING

"Love what is." 

~ Byron Katie ~

We pretend without knowing that we are pretending, and act on our fears without knowing that we are afraid. Our not knowing keeps us shackled. But the moment we wake up and see - then the world becomes a playground, and each day becomes a blessing for being alive. The moment we start to pay attention, we can live honestly in each moment. We can stop making up stories and treating them as truth.

I stop creating endless meaning and let each moment be as it is.

LASER BEAM REALITY

"The struggle ends when the gratitude begins." 

~ Neale Donald Walsch ~

We complain more than we realize- about the way things are, about the circumstances in which we find ourselves, about our health, the weather, politics, and the state of the world. And by pointing out everything that's wrong, we see and experience more of what is wrong. But there's another choice, and it's simple: appreciation for the way things are, for the circumstances of our lives, for our health, the weather, politics, and the state of our world.
      We can focus on either. The good and the bad exist side by side.

I focus on what I want to experience.

WHO WE ARE

"A secret freedom opens through a crevice you can barely see." 

~ Rumi ~

Honest communication with everyone we encounter is the elixir of good living. In this way, we can connect with others at a level of authenticity that refreshes us both. It takes some courage, the willingness to be fully human, and the sincere acceptance of our own vulnerability. But the result of allowing ourselves to completely be who we are is more than worth it- it's genuine well-being, truth at the core level, and the experience of unconditional love.

I am totally real with people so they can be totally real with me.

RECIPROCITY

"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Life is so reciprocal! When we help others become clear, we become clear ourselves, and when we create new possibilities for ourselves, we create new possibilities for everyone around us as well. And it works with negativity the same way. When we are angry, irritable, judgmental, or fearful, that's the energy we spread, and that's what it feels like to be in our company.

     So it really is true that what we send out comes back to us and what we contribute is returned. understanding this, let's be mindful of our inner space, our willingness to be open, and our intention to be free.

I am careful and conscious as I travel the road.

DELICIOUSNESS

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day." 

~ W. Earl Hall ~

There are few things in this life as delicious to me as warm sun and a cool gentle breeze- cool enough to wear a jacket, warm enough to not need gloves. The sun, at such times, is a source of love no less than a smile, or a long enveloping hug.

I am grateful for the sunshine on still-crisp early spring days.

SECOND-GUESSING

"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." 

~ Sylvia Plath ~

I realized today how often I second guess myself. I do something and then I think I shouldn't have done it, or I should have done it differently. I fret over how it might be received- not always, thankfully, but often enough to impact my journey through the day.
     So next time I catch myself in the act, I'm going to stop myself and remember that what's done is done, what will be will be, and regret is a sorry waste of my time. The fresh and possibility rich future awaits.

I let the past be past and come into the purity and clarity of NOW.