For those of you following the blog, sorry for the hiatus. I have been so busy with the new job that I haven't taken the time to post anything for over a week!
I feel frustrated sometimes lately. I am only a few weeks from 40 and when I was younger I had envisioned my life as being so much more "together" by now. Not that it is "apart," but perhaps my understanding of what brings me joy and changes in what I value are just so different that it is hard to compare what I thought my life would be and what it is.
At any rate, here I am. As forty knocks on my door and the last 12 months have brought more changes to my life than ever...I can't help but wonder what the next decade of my life has in store. What wonderful things might manifest from this glorious debris???
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Heart Day
Instead of focusing on the mass marketed perception of the day, let's focus on having happy hearts today. Think of all the things you have to be grateful for, all the beauty around you (which here includes a layer of white from the snowfall yesterday!), and extending kindnesses to others who may be in need, or perhaps are lonely, hurting, or sad.
So often I hear people lament the fact that they are alone on Valentine's Day or didn't get enough from that special someone in their life. What if it wasn't about that today? What if we took the focus off of ourselves and instead made it a day of gratitude and selfless giving to others.
Why not try shooting your positive energy out like Cupid's arrow and see what it can do? Please share any great stories about how it turns out!
Of course all this being said, it is still perfectly acceptable to use today as an excuse to indulge in a little too much chocolate. ;)
So often I hear people lament the fact that they are alone on Valentine's Day or didn't get enough from that special someone in their life. What if it wasn't about that today? What if we took the focus off of ourselves and instead made it a day of gratitude and selfless giving to others.
Why not try shooting your positive energy out like Cupid's arrow and see what it can do? Please share any great stories about how it turns out!
Of course all this being said, it is still perfectly acceptable to use today as an excuse to indulge in a little too much chocolate. ;)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Here's to New Beginnings
Today I have a external new beginning as I start a new job. It doesn't take something like that though. Each day, each hour, each second we have the opportunity to create change in our life, alter our path, shift our view...it really is that simple.
Some of us become so ingrained in our habits and ways of thinking that we see the ability to manifest change as impossible, or at best way too difficult and complicated. I have found that it really just comes down to a willingness to take a few moments to set the intention for the change you would like to see and then releasing that intention out into the universe. Just hand it over to whatever you believe in...something greater than yourself. Often our clinging to the thoughts of how badly we want change actually prevent that change. We are giving all our energy to the thoughts that we will fail in our efforts. Try giving the energy to the thoughts that your intentions can, and will result in the change you wish to create.
Some of us become so ingrained in our habits and ways of thinking that we see the ability to manifest change as impossible, or at best way too difficult and complicated. I have found that it really just comes down to a willingness to take a few moments to set the intention for the change you would like to see and then releasing that intention out into the universe. Just hand it over to whatever you believe in...something greater than yourself. Often our clinging to the thoughts of how badly we want change actually prevent that change. We are giving all our energy to the thoughts that we will fail in our efforts. Try giving the energy to the thoughts that your intentions can, and will result in the change you wish to create.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Be Kind
Yesterday I was reminded of how just simple kindness and genuine listening are the best gifts you can give another person. As I worked my last day with my previous employer, I received numerous hugs and words of gratitude from the diverse group of people I worked with about how much they appreciated the way I treated them.
I didn't think I was doing anything exceptional, yet it touched so many people in such profound ways. I strive to live my life with intention and integrity and yesterday I felt reassured that the energy I offer is making a difference in many people's lives. I feel bursting with a feeling of inner contentment to know that what I aspire to give out is being received. It reaffirms for me that each of us can make a difference, every moment, of every day.
I am sure you all have examples of time when something seemingly insignificant had a significantly positive and meaningful impact on another.
I didn't think I was doing anything exceptional, yet it touched so many people in such profound ways. I strive to live my life with intention and integrity and yesterday I felt reassured that the energy I offer is making a difference in many people's lives. I feel bursting with a feeling of inner contentment to know that what I aspire to give out is being received. It reaffirms for me that each of us can make a difference, every moment, of every day.
I am sure you all have examples of time when something seemingly insignificant had a significantly positive and meaningful impact on another.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Upward Spiral
Today I am preparing for my second to the last day at a job I chose to stay at less than four months. Monday, I will embark on a journey with a new job. Less than a year ago I left my career to start down a new path. I left the financial industry determined never to look back, focus on my creativity, and work in the green or non-profit industry. Well, guess what?? I am going back to a financial institution (albeit a non-profit.)
As I was making the decision to go back to my previous career, I initially felt like I was going backwards, and wondered how I could end up back where I had already been. Then I remembered how one of my yoga teacher's suggested we think of a mountain as a metaphor for our life, and our individual journey as the road spiraling around the mountain to the summit. At many points during the journey we are going to stop and see a view that seems familiar. We may feel despair because we think we have ended up right back where we already were, as if we are going in circles. In those moments, if we are mindful, we will notice that the view is not exactly the same. We are a little bit higher up on our path and our view is expanding each time. Our perspective continues to grow the closer we get to the summit. We can now see more and carry with us what we learned from our perspective of this place at a lower point on our path. There is no need to feel frustrated, we are moving forward and getting closer to the top. When we reach the summit, we will have a panoramic view in all directions!
The last year has brought many twists and turns I never would have imagined. Ultimately it has made me stronger, humbled me, and made me much more aware of who and what really matters. I am not back where I started I have a whole new chance to have a entirely different experience with the experience and lessons I carry with me.
As I was making the decision to go back to my previous career, I initially felt like I was going backwards, and wondered how I could end up back where I had already been. Then I remembered how one of my yoga teacher's suggested we think of a mountain as a metaphor for our life, and our individual journey as the road spiraling around the mountain to the summit. At many points during the journey we are going to stop and see a view that seems familiar. We may feel despair because we think we have ended up right back where we already were, as if we are going in circles. In those moments, if we are mindful, we will notice that the view is not exactly the same. We are a little bit higher up on our path and our view is expanding each time. Our perspective continues to grow the closer we get to the summit. We can now see more and carry with us what we learned from our perspective of this place at a lower point on our path. There is no need to feel frustrated, we are moving forward and getting closer to the top. When we reach the summit, we will have a panoramic view in all directions!
The last year has brought many twists and turns I never would have imagined. Ultimately it has made me stronger, humbled me, and made me much more aware of who and what really matters. I am not back where I started I have a whole new chance to have a entirely different experience with the experience and lessons I carry with me.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thought for the day...
I have to run off to work this morning, but I came across this quote and thought I would share it.
I sincerely hope that this blog will in some small way serve others.
Success means we go to bed at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others. ~ Marianne Williamson
I sincerely hope that this blog will in some small way serve others.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Yum!
My happy thoughts today center around food, which in all honesty, they often do! I just made banana bread, but tweaked the recipe a bit. I used whole wheat flour, coconut nectar syrup instead of sugar, added shredded coconut, and mixed in chunks of pineapple. I am repeatedly amazed at how easy it is to alter recipes to consist of
whole grains and non-conventional natural sweeteners only to have them
taste even better than the original. Pure bliss....
* Note: I often use a flatter 7 1/2 X 11 inch pan for a more cake-like loaf.
Blissful Banana Bread
Preheat the oven to
350°F (175°C). Start by mixing the butter into the mashed bananas with a wooden spoon. Next, mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle
the baking soda (and salt if you opted to use it) over the mixture and stir it all together. Add the flour, but mix just until moistened and then fold in pineapple chunks. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1
hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.- 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 coconut nectar (or any other sweetener to your own taste)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup pineapple chunks
* Note: I often use a flatter 7 1/2 X 11 inch pan for a more cake-like loaf.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Don't Give Up
I have a dear friend who has been awaiting news about the pathology of the lumpectomy she had on Friday. I can't imagine what that feels like. Some days just getting up and through everyday disturbances can feel challenging, but what about the days you are waiting to get things like a diagnosis about your health??? I believe this is when our mindful prayers, positive energy, and being encircled with people helping to heal us with their love and light, make all the difference.
I am hoping the number of you checking in on this blog will increase, I hope each of you will contribute, and I hope eventually our little circle trying to make some difference in some way, will grow into a bigger circle.
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