HONORING TRUTH

"Better to write for yourself and have no public; than to write for the public and have no self."

~ Cyril Connolly ~

 

It's not possible to please everybody, and yet, so often we try gallantly to do exactly that. We know that one man's trash is another man's treasure, and it's different strokes for different folks, but we figure maybe we can somehow supersede the facts. But we don't need to, and anyway, that's not the point.

     We each have our place, our purpose, our inclinations, and our message to share. And we will do best to remember and trust that those who are meant to understand will.

 

I trust in my calling and believe that my message is for those who can hear it.

LIGHTENING UP

"Count your blessings (instead of sheep)."

~Irving Berlin ~

When life gets heavy and I feel weighed down, it helps me to think about things that I love...
     I love the sunshine and fresh winter air. I love candle-light and dinner-time. I love my desk chair, my down jacket, and my dog's soft ears. I love my husband's beard, his eyes, and his sense of humor. I love the mountains and being less temperamental than I once was. I love incandescent lamp light and the heat of fires. I love thick socks and hindsight.
     Doing this, I am restored to the incredible wonder of life. There is so much to it. It's dense and rich with every element imaginable: sensation, philosophy, progress, hope- And so, although I may feel heavy from time to time, I needn't stay that way. If I will only look for it, there is plenty around to lift me up.

When I am feeling weighed down I remember all of the little things, big things, and wonderful things that I love in my life and let them buoy my spirit and fill me with light.

DREAD

"We would rather die in our dread than climb the cross of the moment and let our illusions die."

~WH Auden ~

I am willing to bet that all of us have things in our lives that we dread- and I don't mean once-in-a-while type things either, but regular, routine elements of our everyday experience. We anticipate the future with a certain amount of exasperation before it even begins; perhaps because the idea of effort is far less appealing than the effort itself. But in truth, once we begin almost anything, we are supported by momentum, increased circulation, and a sense of progress.
     So I think it's really our minds, fundamentally, that take us hostage with dark thoughts, and we fall, as if under a spell. But we don't have to. We can learn to catch ourselves in dread-mode and open our minds to let light in; and awaken to the possibility that things will turn out better than we can understand in advance.

I stop spoiling my future with negative thoughts.

SELF-SABOTAGE

"To the stars through difficulty."

~ Latin Phrase ~

We seem to have a natural talent for self-sabotage, and others can see us heading in that direction far before we can see it ourselves. It may be possible to arrest the process by practicing rigorous self-honesty, questioning our motives, and checking our choices with trustworthy others, but it may not. Sometimes, we need to fumble in order to see the truth.

I learn what I need to learn from the errors of my ways.

WHOLE LIFE CONTINUUM

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."

~ Robert Frost ~

Our lives are marked by peak experiences- highs and lows. These are the events that form us and define us. And if we could see our lifetime as a straight line continuum, these experiences would be markers along the line like crosses on the roadside- cruceros to remember the difficulty, the achievement, the extreme joys and the pits of despair.
     And in between these peaks and valleys are untold blessings of everyday happenings; the things we take for granted, but that fill us out, and make us completely whole.

My life is a beautiful mix of highs, lows, and in-betweens. I experience them all with appreciation.

SELF-DOUBT

"If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

~ Vincent Van Gogh ~

Self-doubt will paralyze us if we let it; rob us of our hope and enthusiasm; flatten our spirits, and dull our lives. And yet, we are all uniquely beautiful, gifted, and visionary. Our dreams and callings are no less valid or significant than anyone else's. The only difference really, is that they're ours.

Though I may feel self-doubt at times, I refuse to let it sink me.

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!