Inspiration ~ The Heat of Transformation
Chickpea to Cook One of my favorites of Rumi's stories, Chickpea and Cook tells us about the fire of transformation. Through heat we are challenged, re-worked, and ultimately transformed. The process [...]
The Love Within
This summer I’ve spent time cultivating that feeling of connection and oneness. I’ve become aware, with a deeper knowing than I’ve ever known before, that the source of that deep sense of connection and love is within.
Soul Story: It Takes Only One
It Takes Only One By Guest Blogger: MJ Harden I've known I can write since I was eight years old when I was a "reporter" for our community newsletter. Since then, I've [...]
My Window Box
Who ever heard of a shy flower? An introvert of sorts? I was delighted at the discovery - and it made me think of the people I know and their lovely hidden gems - available for admiration by those who give them a chance and who patiently wait and slow down enough to look and discover them.
Stop Talking
As I sat down to take on the challenge to stop talking and stop thinking – because you’ve got to admit – it’s a great challenge – my first thought was, “No talking? No thinking? What else is there to do?”
What Do You Want?
People pleasing and reluctance to notice what I want and risk asking for it is a learned strategy for avoiding disappointment. When viewed this way I have to bow down to the little kid in me who must have figured this strategy out long ago. It worked brilliantly to avoid major disappointment. But now that I’m older – and have the ability to look at this more deeply – I’m thinking disappointment isn’t so scary anymore. I’m thinking the risk of disappointment is definitely worth the gain of living more fully by noticing and feeling free to express my preferences.
Getting Back To Happy ASAP
I want to feel good all the time. And when I don’t feel happy – in addition to the unhappy feeling – I’m unhappy about being unhappy! I want to as quickly as possible figure out the problem, change things up, find a solution and get back to happy. This is my habitual way of processing life events. But as I bring a more mindful approach to everyday life it becomes apparent that it’s the resistance to unhappy feelings that’s the real problem. Why so much fear around feeling anything other than happy contentment?
Exploring The Truth
I’m on a kick of exploring the truth. What I’m looking at is my personal truth. I’m trying to be completely open to and honest about what I’m feeling. Does the thought of brutal honesty make you nervous? No worries. I’m not communicating to others exactly what I’m feeling! I’m simply trying to be honest with myself. Not “brutally honest”, but “lovingly honest.”
The Problem Of Instant Replay
I couldn’t escape the conclusion that telling and retelling the story was making me feel worse – every time. I had to ask myself – what is the point of retelling the story?
What Would It Look Like If It Were Easy?
My daughter and I were having a fun conversation exploring ways to approach some challenges. She threw out the question, “What would it look like if that challenge were easy?” I can’t stop thinking about that question.