Brave hearts do not express courage with reckless abandon, fearlessly, wildly lunging forward. Rather, with discipline, wisdom, and awareness they intentionally explore a space that feels unfamiliar, unsafe, and with trust in themselves they willingly go there anyway.
How quick I am to judge, to impose my needs and perspective on others.
I see what I label as short-comings, inadequacies, and things I want to change in them.
Oh, life is such a magnificent mirror.
When I look to change others, I am seeing in that mirror all that I wish to change in me.
But I forget that what I see is simply a reflection.
Perhaps instead of looking at what needs to change, I can see all the beauty that lies within them and in me, all the gifts, all the talents, all the goodness, just as they are.
If all I see in that mirror is the goodness, then that is all that there will be.
Meek is not to be cowardly, rather it is gentle, patient, non-violent, and creates a soft space from which your power emerges in its most natural form – one of compassion, vision, abundance, and joy. Be meek.
Can I open my mind without thoughts rushing in? Can I clear the path and feel expansive and light when all my thoughts and feelings seem so dense and heavy? I focus on my breath — its softness, its calm and gentle assertiveness as it moves through my body — and I begin to notice the light, to feel the freedom, to be the quiet…to know the peace of just being. On my breath, the fog lifts and I expand beyond.
The embers of the fire need tending to keep them bright and strong, to share their light, to give off their warmth. They are not intended to be smothered, but to be gently stoked and shared, to be given a safe space to fully express themselves. Nurture those burning embers and know the power and joy of that light within.
Can I ask “How are you?” for the sake of simply caring?
Can I learn of your pain, your mistakes, your successes, without judging?
Can I know that your different opinions, ideas, and ways of doing things are exquisite because they are you?
Can I trust that all of your decisions are yours, not good or bad, but those necessary to lead you along the path that is you?
Can I resist the urge to selfishly invade your experience just to feel more powerful from the distant shores of my perceptions?
Can I love and respect you enough to allow you to mind your own business?
Can we all just live freely and in peace to exist in the space of our own decisions, to learn and grow in our own unique ways, and just go to work at the task of being what we were made to be…our own selves?
Whether the Universe creates the nook
or you carve it out yourself,
climb in, cuddle up with peace and joy,
and let everything else go.
Forgiveness is letting go of the idea that the past can be better.
What if the darkest times, the largest struggles, and the greatest grief were treated as gold, jewels, and trinkets? A treasure box shoved deep down underneath brings richness, bright and full of promise when opened. Shadows that no longer remain hidden sparkle with hope, prosperity, and joy when realized as buried treasure.
The dark of night gives way to the brilliance of the morning sun.
Shadows peel back to reveal the light and then at times the light yields to the shadows.
They dance, taking turns at center stage, spotlighting each other’s beauty, celebrating each other’s gifts.
Both always there, bowing to one another, essential to each other’s greatness.
Thankful for the contrast.
Monday Mindfulness 