Every day, heaven and earth celebrate the gift of you, so why shouldn’t you?
Let every day contain the same wonder and awe that came with you as you entered this world.
Revel in all that you see, be grateful for all that you encounter, and live every moment fully.
Let every day be the gift that it was intended to be. There is no question the world would not be what it is without you.
So, celebrate the greatness of you…every day.
How easy it is to get bogged down in the “what if’s”, to perceive experiences as negative, missed opportunities, or wasted efforts.
What if…instead we believed, truly, down to the core, that everything that happens — even all of these things that seem like mistakes, chances gone by, and dead ends — happens just as intended?
What if…instead of making New Year’s resolutions, we simply resolve to maintain resolve? Facing each moment with openness, acceptance, and love?
What if…instead of holding onto expectations and outcomes, we could see each day as a shiny, unwrapped gift, reveling in the thrill and wonder of that moment?
What if…it is all unfolding precisely as it should; every botch, bobble, and blunder just the next step in the great adventure known as YOU?
Have you ever watched nine-year-old boys play basketball? Five little guys get up off the bench and head out onto the floor in union with one another. They eye each other and perfectly align themselves to support their teammates and play the game together. Trying so hard to remember everything their coaches taught them, their fingers twitch with anticipation as the referee hoists the ball in the air, the whistle blows, and the game begins.
One boy catches the ball as it descends through the air. He grabs it in tight. All the instruction from his coaches, the encouragement from the stands, and the pleas from his teammates go unanswered as he looks around, not for the teammates he moments ago winked at in camaraderie, rather for an open spot through which he will dash. He will ignore every other player on the court, friend or foe, put his legs in motion, tongue hanging to one corner of his mouth as he concentrates feverishly on dribbling the ball while running. Striving to outrace everyone, he pushes on towards his opponent’s basket where, with arms flaying, legs lumbering along, he will reach out through his whole body and force the ball from his hands as if propelled from the very center of his being…all in hopes of scoring a basket.
There is no passing in basketball when you are nine years old. Each player simply runs with the ball, not out of selfishness, but driven to bring back what they believe is the greatest gift for the coach – two or maybe even three points in the game! It’s not for lack of skill. Every day, they practice passing, they move through rounds and rounds of defensive and offensive plays, and they work collaboratively with grace and perfection as a team. But, when it all comes down to the moment, in the heat of the game, the only thing that seems to matter is the race to score.
Perhaps there is a feeling that time will be wasted on passing or the other guy just doesn’t have what it takes, a fear that passing the ball will allow a steal, or perhaps it’s the child’s determination to please his coach, to prove himself. But, the reality is that with more passing and collaboration, the team stands a better chance at scoring more points, a better chance at winning, than they do with a single, lanky kid running straight down the court to the basket with the swarm of opponents and teammates closing in from behind.
The same goes in life. How often do we take off in a mad dash on our own, trying to get away from the crowd, ignoring any assistance that may be there for us, wanting to score that basket all on our own? Sometimes, that swarm can look really scary, resembling more a cluster of serpentine arms randomly reaching out to snag us than the generous hands of our teamates trying to help. Within that dark cloud buzzing behind us is more often the help we need to not just score one basket, but to win the game. It is by enlisting the help of others that the true richness and quality of the game begins to emerge, the true talent can be seen, and the winning really happens.
Certainly, the guy who races to make the layup right under the buzzer is impressive — some might say Hall-of-Fame worthy. But the real champions find a way to tap into the talents of their teammates and to soar to new heights together, bringing even more value to the team. If all you do is focus on the score and ignore the play within each moment, you may never improve your own game. You may never really feel your greatness. Strength is built on collaboration.
Whether on our off the court, success comes through finding your teammates out there, passing to them, receiving from them, making great plays together, and celebrating your successes as one. When truly played in the moment with all players bringing their best to the game, victory is certain, maybe not always as reflected on the scoreboard above the basketball hoop, but most definitely in the joy and quality you find in life.
So, what about that little nine-year old and his lanky drive to the basket? He’s got the passion, he may even have the skill, and one day he might just realize that perhaps his biggest asset is his teammates waiting along the three-point line to help him win the game.
“You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.” ~Robert Anthony
So, starting today…BELIEVE!
Believe in love.
Believe in peace.
Believe in joy.
Believe in family.
Believe in friends.
Believe in YOURSELF.
As a child, falling snowflakes and snow-covered landscapes meant a break from the routine, a chance to play in a different way, no cars rushing by, no one in a hurry to get anywhere, a chance to sip cocoa and enjoy meals together as a family because no matter who you were surrounded by they became family in a snow storm.
At some point we “grow up”. Snow becomes a nuisance, a hindrance from work, a blockade to accomplishing life. The critical plans for what we believe is the great work of our life come to a screeching halt and everything is all messed up, or so it seems at the time.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to life at the beach – to live someplace warm, where folks saunter around in flip flops or squish their toes in the sand as they stroll the beaches in quiet reflection, where the pace of life is slower, where by nature time pauses so that you can notice simple surroundings, breathe a little deeper, and reflect more on thoughts and actions.
Life seems so much more in the moment at the beach and maybe that is why I am drawn to it — sparkling water lapping up on the shore, warm sand reminding me to press down through the souls of my feet and feel the earth. Life seems to slow down to a gelatinous bubbling, like the colors floating in a lava lamp.
Oh, how different life at the beach is compared to the hustle and bustle of a big city — that is, until a big snow storm hits. When the snow comes, it is as if Mother Nature is saying, “Come on folks, slow it down!” Have you ever noticed how blankets of snow on hillsides are remarkably similar looking to dunes of sand? The sensation of snow crunching under the boots creates that earthly connection with your feet. Feel the snowflakes splash on your cheeks, like the surf curling up on your toes.
There is rarely a more peaceful and beautiful time than when snow is softly falling. Everything slows down. Branches stand in stillness as snow gathers at their edges. Animals tuck into nooks in tree bases, napping all snuggled together. Snow brings quiet reflection, contemplative movement, an invitation from Mother Nature to slow down, notice simple surroundings, breathe a little deeper, and reflect more on thoughts and actions.
So, the next time the snow begins to fall and seems to be getting in the way of the greatness you had planned for your day, perhaps it is simply an invitation to pause, go inside instead of outside, and allow a new greatness, perhaps your true greatness, to surface from within.
So whether it’s snow in your boots or sand in your toes, slowing down to notice it may bring the perfect opportunity to experience life a little more fully.
***
Got my toes in the snow
Hot cocoa tucked in my hand
Mother Nature says “slow down”
Pretend the snow is like sand.
Take a moment…just relax…and get real.
We all remember growing up. The first time we twirled or rolled so much that laughter, interlaced with a smidgeon of fear, burst from within us as the world spun around uncontrollably and the mind tucked away a note to maybe spin a little less next time. We sampled the roles of mommy or daddy, worker, leader, follower, and friend as we played dress up together or joined in team games on the playground. We dropped objects from tables, stairwells, and out car windows with genuine awe as the mysteries of how these things worked unfolded before our very eyes. We spontaneously erupted in play, as we naturally found new ways to move the body, new ways to see the world, new ways to feel connected with it all.
When children engage in play, they engage in an adventurous journey through the unknown. Play allows you to take chances, to explore edges, to uncover workings of the physical body, subtleties in social and emotional dynamics, expressions of creativity, and to conduct investigations and form solutions through active problem solving. Play is the foundation of learning. Play is critical for growth. Play is an essential element in the development of a bright, well-rounded, well-adjusted person.
Why then do we limit play to children? Why, as they grow older, do we discourage children from going to this natural place of curiosity, wonder, and learning? Why, when we become adults, does play disappear?
While there may be a question about whether you can form new neuron synapses or the brain can improve its functionality after a certain age, there is no question that play, at any age, provides an opportunity for exploration, sensation, and learning.
So, grab your neighbor’s hand and go run through that pile of leaves in the middle of the yard, or roll down that grassy hill, or scoop up some snow or sand and build with it. Dip your fingers in paint and slide them across an empty canvas. Lie on your back, grab your feet and roll from side to side like a happy baby. Smile, laugh, and dig deep down into your inner child and let it shine in the wonder, curiosity, and learning of play.
If you’re worried about what other folks may think as you get silly, serious, loud, or creative in your play, invite them to join in. Free yourself and others from the misperception that there is no room in adulthood for play. Engaging in play could be the best thing to keep you agile in mind, body, and spirit and ensure a lifetime full of curiosity, wonder, and awe. Imagine what you might not discover, what you might not feel, what you might not learn, who you might not become if you never played.
Play is the work of children…and of healthy adults too.
When flying with small children or those requiring special assistance, you notice right away that flight attendants suggest that in an emergency oxygen masks will dispatch from the cabin overhead and that you are supposed to secure your oxygen mask first before assisting others.
What? Help myself first and THEN others? Seems pretty selfish, down right rude, and certainly contrary to maintaining a generous spirit. Should I really tend to my needs first?
Whether raising children, caring for loved ones, supporting colleagues at work, or just moving through life, others are always relying on us. We are no good to anyone if we are running ourselves ragged, neglecting to care for ourselves, or giving until we are all tapped out. What if we engage in self-FILLED service instead of self-LESS service? What if we were to keep ourselves strong, healthy, vibrant and full, so that we can be there for those who need us when they need us most?
So, maybe that flight attendant was right. To best serve those in need, maybe I do need to put on my oxygen mask first. Maybe I need to get my own oxygen flowing first before I can help others with theirs.
On your Boeing 737 lifecraft, don’t let the voice of that very wise flight attendant be drowned out by engine noise. Know the information on the safety card, and, whatever else you do, be sure to secure your oxygen mask before assisting others with theirs.
Give your seat belt a tug.
Give your neighbor a hug.
This Boeing is going.
We’ve been cleared to fly!
It should have taken 20 minutes, but instead I sat in traffic for an hour and a half, I spilled tea in my lap, and I had a headache. Immediately, frustration bubbled up in me and I said, “Grrr, I’m having such a BAD day!” Why????
Why is it rational thought encourages us to label everything, to justify experiences, to identify feelings, and define our world as “good” or “bad”? Rational thought is a great gift, but it sometimes gets in the way.
The ego steps in to say, “this is hard work, it’s a big challenge, so to help you feel better, let’s call it bad”. (or maybe even use more expletive words)
What qualifies as a bad day…or a good day? Does it change over time as new labels are affixed to experiences? Can experiences be relabeled? Why is it easier to label the bad before the good? Why do we need labels?
Perhaps, instead of creating labels for the challenges, the hard work, the setbacks, the traumas, they could just be there…all just part of LIFE.
Would I really be loved less if people around me didn’t hear me complaining, if I told of my day without defining it? Is the outcome truly different if I call a situation good or bad? Or, can I simply move through the experience and see these challenges as adding to who I am, but not defining me or causing that roller-coaster of emotions.
The tea in my lap dried up. Deep breaths alleviated my headache. I arrived in time and my day went on.
I think I will work on not having so many good days or bad days, but just having more days.
When you do something…
…are you fully present?
…does it make the corners of your mouth crease upwards?
…does it make your belly tingle?
…does your spirit dance like a leaf on the wind?
…do others around want to jump in?
…can you feel their curiosity about this delightful state of you?
…do you feel the heat, the light of your true self shining?
…do your eyes sparkle?
Yes, yes, yes!!!!! That is JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let them in. Teach them how. Remind YOURSELF!
We need more JOY!
Sparkle…laugh…love…find that natural state of being —
and do it over and over and over again.
The door flung open, bells slashing loudly and abruptly against the wooden molding. She raced in, tearing her coat off, kicking her shoes from her feet, keys dangling from her teeth. Her breath was heavy, forehead glistening with sweat. And, as the other students sat on their mats waiting for class to begin, she looked up through her tousled bangs and shouted, “I’m here to get my Zen on!”
Since when do we live in a world where we must turn our Zen on? Why is it we need to make formal space in order for us to experience such a natural state?
What would happen if we no longer forced spaces in our day for “being in the moment” and instead each day naturally contained them — opportunities for breathing deeply and richly, moments of acute awareness of and engagement in our surroundings, and action from a place of compassion and kindness? What if every day included time to play, to create, to enjoy our food and each other – not scheduled time, but naturally occurring moments in our day? What if we could let go of goals and outcomes so that all of our actions could naturally lead to positive end results?
A few weeks ago, my mom greeted a work colleague with a question – “What are you doing tomorrow, on your day off?” The friend paused and, after rendering a bit of a puzzled expression, said, “I don’t have days on and days off…I just have days.” He went on to explain that there is no difference in his experience of “work days” and “non-work days” as he treats every day as a gift and finds reward and ease in each day.
That is getting your Zen on!
Class ended. She slowly stood up with a soft sparkle now in her eyes and a gentle smile in the corners of her mouth. Her movement was easeful, her air calm and floaty – she was almost unrecognizable from the form we saw racing in the door just an hour before. She stood back and let others move first through the doorway. She asked one student about their health, another where they had been the prior week. She had an awareness about her, an aura of wisdom, an unbridled confidence, without arrogance.
She had indeed gotten her Zen on and hopefully it will stay with her a little longer each time it happens until she arrives at that place where her Zen evenly flows throughout each and every day.
Until then, we’ll keep the light burning, the door open, and hold a space for her and all the others who are racing to get their Zen on.
Monday Mindfulness 