March 21, 2011
Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it...huge wet flakes! "It can't be covering the ground." I thought. Then I got closer to the window and saw the street covered by a few inches of the white stuff and lots more coming down! Yes, it is March in Long Valley. I've seen more than a handful of "surprise" snows in March and dare-I-say April in my years of living here. Yet I never expect it.
Life throws us curveballs every once in a while. What "surprise" has left you breathless, reeling, or shocked recently? One thing I try to do when dealing with not-so-welcome life events is to remember what brings me comfort. What do you like to do when you have a few spare moments or few spare dollars? Reading? Enjoying a latte? Taking a walk? Chatting with a friend? Treating yourself to an ice cream snack? For me...I love going to my favorite craft store to browse the aisles and think of all the things I could make with these yummy supplies. I leave feeling inspired and motivated.
You already know what brings comfort to your life...you naturally reach out for it when feeling despair or frustration. Perhaps your children bring a balance that keeps things in perspective. Maybe talking with your mother always brings you back to center. Do you listen to inspirational tapes or smooth jazz?
Whether we are 5 or 50, there's a place in our lives for a "lovey". It's the person, place or thing that brings you back. My daughter's lovey is a pink blanket that is no longer anywhere near pink, nor would most people call it a blanket! (It's pretty shredded.) But she loves it and it brings her back to a place of comfort. Identify your lovey and have it ready for those times when the rollercoaster heads south or the sky drops 4 inches of wet snow on your daffodils.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Waves of Emotion
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The devastation...the lives lost...the impending danger of nuclear disaster. It is nearly too much to take in. The natural disaster of an earthquake and tsunami in Japan touches all of us around the world. Do you find yourself unable to turn off the news? OR do you find yourself avoiding the news altogether? And then there's the parental challenge of explaining it to our children who may fear the worst, internalize it, have nightmares or act out.
It is during times like these that we humans feel powerless. We are jolted into remembering that we live on this planet, but do not control it. We can choose to pretend there isn't suffering. (It doesn't go away, by the way, just because we don't acknowledge it!) We can, on the other hand, become consumed by images of waves and fail to live the life before us.
How about a middle ground? How about seeing what is going on in the world, our country, New Jersey and our household with realistic eyes that are compassionate and filled with faith and hope? By not turning away, we honor those in the tragic circumstances by acknowledging their humanity. By not becoming obsessed with watching the aftermath, we express our faith in goodness and light.
There are many ways to help...not only with a monetary donation to a reputable service organization, but also by being fully present in our own lives. How does this affect someone across the globe? By living our own lives as consciously and graciously as possible, we promote positivity in the world.
Try dedicating your daily household activities to those left homeless in Japan. Do your job with exra focus and perseverance as a way to lift up those working to avert the nuclear meltdown in Japan. Be extra patient with our demanding children as a gift to the littlest homeless in Japan. Help someone you don't know as a prayer to bring the nations together in humanitarian relief. Be gentle with yourself, as a spiritual present to those caring for physical needs in Japan.
We can send love and light outward. Our goodness and kindness will ripple across all boundaries. We can positively affect our fellow human beings with our energy which will go forth into the universe. We are not powerless human beings. In fact, we are just beginning to realize the power we have within.
The devastation...the lives lost...the impending danger of nuclear disaster. It is nearly too much to take in. The natural disaster of an earthquake and tsunami in Japan touches all of us around the world. Do you find yourself unable to turn off the news? OR do you find yourself avoiding the news altogether? And then there's the parental challenge of explaining it to our children who may fear the worst, internalize it, have nightmares or act out.
It is during times like these that we humans feel powerless. We are jolted into remembering that we live on this planet, but do not control it. We can choose to pretend there isn't suffering. (It doesn't go away, by the way, just because we don't acknowledge it!) We can, on the other hand, become consumed by images of waves and fail to live the life before us.
How about a middle ground? How about seeing what is going on in the world, our country, New Jersey and our household with realistic eyes that are compassionate and filled with faith and hope? By not turning away, we honor those in the tragic circumstances by acknowledging their humanity. By not becoming obsessed with watching the aftermath, we express our faith in goodness and light.
There are many ways to help...not only with a monetary donation to a reputable service organization, but also by being fully present in our own lives. How does this affect someone across the globe? By living our own lives as consciously and graciously as possible, we promote positivity in the world.
Try dedicating your daily household activities to those left homeless in Japan. Do your job with exra focus and perseverance as a way to lift up those working to avert the nuclear meltdown in Japan. Be extra patient with our demanding children as a gift to the littlest homeless in Japan. Help someone you don't know as a prayer to bring the nations together in humanitarian relief. Be gentle with yourself, as a spiritual present to those caring for physical needs in Japan.
We can send love and light outward. Our goodness and kindness will ripple across all boundaries. We can positively affect our fellow human beings with our energy which will go forth into the universe. We are not powerless human beings. In fact, we are just beginning to realize the power we have within.
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