WINTER SUNSHINE

"The sky and the strong wind have moved the spirit inside me till I am carried away trembling with joy."

~ Uvavnuk ~

I love the sun- especially the winter sun. It is the giver of life, light, warmth, and healing; delicious, soothing, and bright. I love it shining through windows and moving across the sky. I love it when it pops out from behind dark clouds. When I encounter the winter sun, I completely understand the notion of sun-worship, and diligently make it a regular practice in my life.

I am grateful for the blessing of the sun!

BEING AUTONOMOUS

"You shall listen to all sides and filter them for yourself."

~Walt Whitman ~

Back in the 80's there was a popular hip-hop song called "Don't believe the hype," and truly, those lyrics are classic, and still apt. We are so ready to believe anything and everything, to get swept up in public opinion and the constant spin of the media.
     Let's not. Le's remember to think for ourselves and be autonomous and authentic and true. Let's not get herded along like cattle, or sheep, en masse.

I have a good brain and many years of living experience so I needn't allow others to tell me what I ought to think. 

KARMIC REALITY

"Gardening is a question of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it."

~ Author Unknown ~

Every day, we are planting and harvesting. We experience the result of our past actions and sow the seeds for our future outcomes. Consequently, doing the next right thing is the best path I know. Living with integrity, moving steadily in the direction of our dreams, and being kind and compassionate with ourselves and others every step of the way is a good mix for a good life.

Serendipity goes both ways. Payback can be a pleasure or a slap.

WHAT WE HEAR

"The imagination sees the projection of its own deceit."

~James Russell Lowell~

Often what we hear is far different from what is actually being said. We read meanings and establish implications beyond the spoken words and react accordingly. Our insecurities, our past, and our negative expectations lie in wait like booby traps to be triggered by whatever passing comment may tread nearby.
     So when we find ire and fury rising within us, let's pause and consider the real source of our dismay. It may not be what we initiallythink.

I witness myself jumping to erroneous conclusions and take a step back to examine the facts.

STANDING CLEAR

"The struggle ends when the gratitude begins."
 ~ Neale Donald Walsch ~

 

When I operate from love and appreciation I have a much better time than when I operate from self-pity. Getting tangled up in bitterness is dangerous business. It sucks me into darkness and blinds me to the light.

 

I focus on appreciation instead of resentment.

WALKING THE WALK

"The man who has won millions at the cost of conscience is a failure."

~ B.C. Forbes ~

It's always a strange thing for me to encounter an individual who says all the right things about well-being, but seems physically and energetically unwell: haggard looking with lines of strain about the eyes, sickly skinny, and rigidly smiling.
     I believe that good health requires that we be honest with ourselves and live authentically. We must be guided and directed by love and not fear. And it's not enough to speak the words. We must live by them.
     If we are truly trusting and willing to let go, we will not be afraid to step into the unknown. We will admit and abandon our dysfunction and stop covering it over with beautiful philosophies that we profess to believe in, but refuse to actively incorporate in our life.

I practice what I preach.

SOLUTION ORIENTED THINKING

"No matter how big and tough a problem may be, get rid of confusion by taking one little step towards solution. Do something. Then try again."

~George F. Nordenhold~

It's easy to stay stuck in the problem, whatever problem we may be facing, but it doesn't get us anywhere worth going. It's far better to gather ourselves together and be real about what's what and the things we can and can't change about the situation at hand,
     If nothing else, we can become willing to change the way we're thinking. We can re-frame our position, flip the script, and open to alternative points-of-view. Being a victim feels lousy and puts us at the mercy of anything and everything. Let's make the decision to choose a solution focused orientation instead.

I focus on what's possible instead of what's problematic.