Unexpected Opening

You are in the driver's seat ready to go about your normal life.  Suddenly there is a tap on the window.  What you see is not what you expect.  Everything suddenly looks different to you.  Where are you?  You realize there is an opening just in front of you.  An opening you were not expecting.  It is time to give up the path you you have been on and time to seek new territory - perhaps even with new transportation.  This does not mean that we abandon our responsibilities or our lives, but suddenly without expecting it we realize we need to make changes.  We need to find what we are missing.  We need serenity and rejuvenation. 

The Never Ending Quest

Photo by David Hughes

There is one journey that never ends.  That journey is the quest for knowledge.  Like the abundance of energy in our world there is learning all around us.  As we learn we unlock many more doors.  Each one having a lesson held behind it.  The more we learn the more our minds thrive for knowledge and the more accepting of this knowledge it becomes.  This knowledge is a never ending stream for as we learn newer and even more advanced lessons are being planned.  Learning comes from the strangest places.  Like a lesson a child can teach us or one that nature gives us.  This knowledge isn’t always from a book nor is it always something we can see.  However, you can bet that this learning is your greatest quest.

Listening to my Body

Photo by Ky Olsen

Today I awoke with a great pain in my lower back.  I have not felt anything like this in quite some time.  It is certainly unpleasant, but I thank my body for letting me know that something just isn't quite right today.  I am still not certain what that is, but I know I need to listen.  If I only complain about my back hurting and keep popping over-the-counter pain meds, I am not going to uncover the message my body is trying to get through to me.  Okay, a couple of pain killers aren't a bad thing when it hurts really badly.  Yet, I need to listen.  Why exactly is my back hurting.  Hmmm...I may not figure that out today, but if I pay attention instead of just covering it it I will likely figure it out whether consciously or not.

Use the Moment

When you are sitting at your computer and for some reason it takes a really long time to download something instead of feeling frustration - use the moment.  Take that moment to sit back in your chair and breathe slowly and deeply.  Focus on your breath and relaxing your shoulders.  Turn the lights low if you can.  Or you can get up from your chair and run around the room.  Whatever relieves your stress and offers you a sense of peace.  Use the moment...it has been given to you for some reason :-)

Support

We all need a good support system.  Without one the hills and valleys of life are just not the same.  The journey up the hill is more treacherous.  Even the descent into the valley can be more difficult.  If the tire on your car goes flat and you have a spare you may have to drive a few miles on a donut until you can replace it.  Sometime people just keep driving and driving for days (maybe even weeks) on that donut.  It puts the driver and all those around her at risk.  

If you find yourself feeling alone or even lonely within a group of others, it is time to find a good support system.  Quit riding around on the donut.  Reach out to others that have similar interests as you.  You may be able to find a group who meets regularly in your area.  Or, you can even go so far as to find groups on Facebook that have similar interests as you.  Find a class that interests you.  It can be a weekly class or just a class that runs for a few weeks.  

It is so important that we have support around us or that we can access.  It certainly warms our hearts and souls to know we are not alone.

Dancing Leaves

There is so much beauty around us.  We just need to be aware - be mindful.  One day last week as I was driving our sons to school the wind was whipping wildly.  I chose to be aware of the beauty and peace of the leaves dancing across the road.  I felt the joy in noticing the spirituality of the ordinary and the splendid feeling of warmth offered by nature even in the midst of the blowing wind.  Later as rare fall tornado warnings sent my children to safe zones in their schools I felt no fear for them.  I still felt the inner joy and sense of serenity.  I knew they would be safe that day even as the storm raged outside my office window.

The Bridge

We all have bridges to cross.  Some are long and some are short but they all take us to the other side from where we start.  Some are high and some are low but all take us across some form of valley.  Without our bridges we would just stand on one side wondering about the other side of the bridge.