SLOWING DOWN, SAVORING LIFE

My friend and I drive to the coast for two nights at Harris Beach
Slowing down, settling in to a precious day with nothing scheduled
We take  time to savor the sunshine, the brisk breeze, a simple breakfast on our picnic table-fresh cantaloupe, granola, warm tea or coffee, a chance to share meals and be outdoors with a friend.  No bugs, no sizzling heat.
A bunny hops by, eyeing us cautiously.

While Dorothy naps, I read a bit, and enjoy people-gazing: the neighboring camper playing his guitar, enjoying a game of hacky-sack with his sons. An older couple walk by with their 3 month old Chihuahua and a 3 year old Pekingese, not so keen on the youngster dog.
A woman clad in purple jogs by with her backpack, more ambitious than most.
Two exuberant black kids with glistening bodies and wet towels return from their adventures at the beach, likely playing in the cool ocean waters.
Youngsters with parents in tow bicycle by, enjoying this chance to  bike the local trails in this lovely state park, far from the street dangers back home.

That is what vacations are all about.  Taking in new sights, smells, food, breaking from familiar routines to explore in new settings.  We grumble a bit at all the work it takes to get ourselves here, but it is well worth the preparations.
Slowing down, being more present, less distracted by any should do-list, we say yes to life and its beautiful moments, in this special ocean-side setting.  Gratitude makes  everything better!

YOU ALONE CAN CHANGE YOUR THINKING

It is all too easy to fall into negative self-talk

It takes a certain mental discipline to focus on what is working.

On a sultry, hot summer day, what nurtures the creativity in you?

What helps you cool off when it’s too darn hot by midday to even be outside?

How about finding a way to play in water?

A pool, a stream, yes, even the shower or a wet shirt can bring relief.

Fans create an instant breeze, making it easier to focus.

Take action to cool off.  Wallowing in frustration is no help at all!

Look at paintings, or create a collage of images that make you laugh, make you smile.

It takes courage to break old habits

It takes courage to embrace the awkwardness of being human

Accepting our ever-changing moods, needs, desires.

Change your thinking.  See possibility instead of “I can’t do that!”

Be open to surprise.  It is amazing what you can do when resolve replaces self-doubt.

When we choose to free ourselves from old habits and fears, we begin to feel more confident.  We become curious, questioning familiar patterns.  We realize rigid judgments and fixed opinions are old stories that we have the power to change. 

WE ARE DIVINE BEINGS

In our essence, we are all divine beings, full of vibrant love in whom all things we choose to focus on, give our full attention, shall in time, manifest.
     When we choose to feel lucky, healthy, strong, articulate, connected, joyful, capable of attracting what we want, we are living in the faith that we are divine beings, and our actions reflect the generosity, the warmth, the compassion and the openness of the God-spirit that dwells within each one of us.
      Whenever a fearful, sad, or discouraging thought enters our heads, we can choose to stop, push delete, and refocus our attention on  healthier choices.
We can play the "what if" game to our advantage, and allow ourselves to feel better by imagining what we want is already unfolding.  If we face an obstacle, we can recall memories where we've overcome or circumnavigated obstacles in our past.  We can imagine, "what if every cell in my body is capable of wondrous healing, of removing toxic material or thoughts?"  What if I am part of a Divine plan to collaborate with other caring, open-minded folks to bring more light, more wisdom into this world, helping restore and preserve this precious planet?
       What if this isn't just the dangerous world we see portrayed so frequently on the news, but an ever-changing world that is meant to support a more sustainable, harmonious,  and peaceful environment for all creatures?  What if life is an adventure, with challenges, yes, and we do have support if we choose to be open to receiving  it in whatever forms it shows up?
      You are divine, part of the mystery we call God or Great Spirit.  I am part of this marvelous force, too.  We are part of this wheel of life, and with meditation, attention, faith, and collaboration, we are giving birth to a new world ordered not by the dictates of harsh rules and governing institutions out of touch with our basic needs, but by a growing consciousness that is unfolding across this planet.  It is an awareness that we are the peacemakers, the shape-shifters learning to create a viable, just, and amazing new world, governed by love that flows from our core, dispelling hate, doubt, fear, ignorance as it floods this land like the morning sun returning lightness to each new day.  May you be happy.  May you be at peace. May we all be open to celebrating the new life, new freedom, new possibilities we are helping to create.  Blessings to all creatures, large and small!
   July 4, 2012

WITH NO WORD OF GOOD-BYE

iWith no word of good-bye, you chose to die, my friend.  We shared simple joys of living, often without many words.  For you, having Parkinson's felt more like a curse to endure than a disease to somehow befriend, and be open to healing modalities outside Western medicine.  We rarely spoke of it, but as you felt your mind slippage away, your body so often in pain, and mounting frustration as you became more disconnected from your strengths, it must have been disheartening, leaving your home, being with strangers where you needed to adjust to the schedules of a new place.  I weep now, realizing I had no idea you had internally decided life was too much.  So we never said good-bye, even on the phone.



  I want you to know you were a real gentleman, always kind, grateful to have my company for plays, walks in a park, shared meals.  I shall not forget you, and hope you afre now at peace in a way that was not possible when so many shoulds, so many regrets from your past madae it hard for you to live with present realities.  I am grateful we had some fun together.  My life, too, is challenging every day, and I am sad for us, and glad to still be a part of this marvelous journey we call life, with all its joys, sorrows, and in-between  time

In the Early Morning of the New Dawn

In the early morning of the new Dawn, I hear you gentle voice, Ancient Mother
Calling us to come home, honor you in whatever ways we are called to do.
   For some it means walking the land, gathering strength, courage, tenacity to endure and embrace the changes to come.
   For some it means creating gardens that give joy to our vision, our tummies, our sense of working in harmony with you, our dear Mother.
   For some it means traveling far from our comfort zones, offering our services in other lands that need our helping hands and hearts at this time.
   For some it means climbing to the mountain and the hilltops, to have a clearer perspective on the direction we are to go, granting us courage for the journey.
   For some it means taking more time to tune into the stillness, letting go the busyness and the mind-chatter that detracts us from our deeper yearnings.
  
     You speak to us in the wind, the soaring eagles, the busy ants, the ocean waves, the old forests quietly holding hillsides in tact, protecting our watersheds.
You speak to us through voices and photos on the Internet that touch our souls, encouraging us to reach out to one another in love, not in fear.
      You speak to us in prayer, in song, in dance, in storms, earthquakes, eclipses, and tsunamis, reminding us to listen to your pain, listen to your need for us to protect, preserve, and honor you however, whenever we can.  May we have the good sense to listen, Ancient Mother before it is too late.  You have blessed us to be alive at this time when the Earth is changing.  May our lives help make this planet sustainable by our collective and individual choices.  Ho. Ho. Blessings!

Living for Today: Finding Meaningful Ways to Connect

Is all the media craziness and focus on violence, scandals, angry tirades against the “other” side depressing to you, too?  How can we connect with one another with hearts full of frustration, judgment, and fears?  Even activists with worthy causes can burn out when not paying due attention to their own personal and community needs.

We need to create networks of support, some on-line like Facebook or Twitter, but we also need supportive circles where we meet face to face—book clubs, church groups, neighborhood potlucks, community gardens, intergenerational gatherings for causes dear to us locally.  The list is endless.  These are gatherings to rebuild communities where folks care about one another, and small enough that we genuinely get to know one another at a deeper level than is possible in large protests, taking a cruise, or workshops with large numbers of strangers.

When we are sick, and someone brings us soup, we feel cared for.  It makes a difference when we are grieving the loss of a parent, spouse, or good friend and someone gives us a helping hand, alleviating our loneliness and worries.  Kindness and a gracious heart matter more than rhetoric when we are down, and need somebody to be our friend.

In this technological age, it is too often easier to connect on computers instead of taking time to get together or have a phone visit, letting us tune into non-verbal cues. A pyramid has strength because it has a firm foundation.  When we focus on building sustainable communities where we live instead of expecting Washington to come up with answers, we return to a self-reliance and interconnectedness with a strong base when we have to make tough decisions that affect our home fronts.  We create meaningful connections that can keep regenerating when elders retire and the kids move far away.  In such a mobile society, we often have to count on extended family for much of our support. Often our original family members live far away and cannot lend a hand due to distance or job demands.  We need to stay open to new ways to connect so feeling isolated and alone isn’t our constant reality.

Part of being resilient as we age is staying open to new friendships, new ways of learning, and keeping our brains active and curious as well as attending to our bodies.  All this takes time, focus, and commitment or we fall into familiar habits, some of which may no longer serve us.  It feels good to give back to community with our own unique talents.  It feels good to have a sense of belonging, and be flexible instead of rigid in the face of changes we often cannot predict or control.

Carol Browning

A Prayer in Celebration of Peace

May we be instruments for Peace

Tender, kind, forgiving one another

Open to new possibilities beyond old patterns

Respecting and treasuring our diversity.

May we be well, healed from our personal

Addictions and consuming anxieties

So we are more aware of grace in our daily living.

May we be open to courage, tenacity, and faith

Taking risks to move beyond our insane beliefs

That too often prevent us from nurturing the best within us.

May we be of good cheer, with a grateful heart

Today and forever more

Peace begins within, spreading like the rays of the morning sun

Giving hope to this war torn and weary world,

Ready to consider and celebrate our common yearnings for Peace

In our time, on this precious planet.

Carol Browning

Inspirational thought:  “That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives and our character.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson   “In any given moment, we do have a choice.  Pause.  Does this choice serve my intention?” 

Carol Browning