Today I will soften into the power of me.
I will flow like a river on a determined path,
fully yielding to the unexpected turns and objects along the way,
not giving into them but using them to jettison me forward,
staying true to myself, even in the face of the unknown…
strong, serene, complete in who I am.
Knowing that my strength is in my peace.
Softness that bends like a blade of grass.
Truth expressed with kindness.
Reverence for all life.
Elasticity to bounce right back.
Nimbleness of a spry young nymph.
Grace that holds others hearts like a leaf catching a falling dewdrop.
Trust that actions today will yield a grander tomorrow.
Happiness in all outcomes.
Fill your cup and keep it full, not just of anything, but with what nourishes, strengthens, and completes you. Nothing bitter, nothing bland, nothing that blocks well-being. Simply delicious, comforting, fulfilling. Sip, smile, refill.
The other day as I lay in stillness at the end of my yoga practice a sensation came over me, one of equanimity, of wholeness -a rather unfamiliar but wonderfully delightful and nostalgic sense of seeing and experiencing pure peace, joy, and perfection. It washed over me and surrounded me as if I was marveling at something on the outside, someone else’s greatness. Then I realized…this was the feeling I often had as a very young child. Pure peace and joy in who I am.
To know that it was all still there – the peace, the joy, the perfection – despite the countless blemishes and scars of a well worn life gave me such resounding hope – hope for the child within me, hope for the child within you.
It is in there, always, forever, no matter what…that we are whole, perfect beings, each and every one of us, each and every moment of our existence.
We just need to remember that.
And, as long as we can remember we will know peace and joy.
To be the master of my domain does not mean to have ultimate power and be in control of everything. Rather, it is to live in complete balance with all that exists in and around me and be in harmony with everything.
Spontaneity, not to be confused with impulsiveness, is the ability to allow your inner guidance system to lead you to take appropriate action without hesitation to achieve the greatest benefit for you and those around you, regardless of any set plan. Step outside predictable. Exercise your creativity and welcome the joy and fulfillment that comes with true and clear present moment awareness.
When the storm rolls in, do you spread your branches and invite it in?
Do you tingle with anticipation as the wind presses against your skin?
As the sky darkens and clouds cluster, do you marvel at their majestic dance?
Do you breathe in the energy, feel the power, as it slowly builds its strength?
Do you know the humble quiet of just watching that storm grow?
Flashes of light, ripples of rumble, dewy droplets in the sky.
As it slowly wraps around you, can you hold peace in your heart and know your courage and your own might to welcome whatever it may bring?
There is the storm
and there is you.
How is it flowers know just what to do? How to sprout leaves and open themselves up so unconditionally to the world? Is it trust? Courage? Or the lack of interference from fear and doubt as they engage their inner guidance system? Imagine a world where everyone were as open and intuitive as a flower.
Compassion, peace, and calm cannot be forced. One cannot demand that someone be compassionate. One cannot command peace and calm. Rather, one must model it, live it, and know that the path to peace in ourselves and others is a steady process of balancing ego and replacing envy and judgment with love and inspiration. And that is the hard work that we must individually choose to do.
Monday Mindfulness 