Sunday, March 31, 2019
The love of living the day
The love of living the day as fully as possible is a daily pursuit for me. Waking up in the morning to do my practice of writing, reflection, and meditation is an expression of love - for myself. It is my form of self-care. I am blessed with a profound freedom of choosing how to live today. That act is easier to realize when the stressors and anxiety are low; by pursuing the practice of the practice, I am strengthening my muscles for the inevitable future of struggle and pain. The practice is in the present but the rewards are realized now and later. I am grateful for the time and space to explore these ways of living. Gratitude is both an internal and external expression of love, too. I am grateful for the ability to start my day off with a mindful presence.
Art by Melissa Harris
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Connecting with strangers
We often hear that we should teach our children about 'stranger danger' and that makes sense, to a certain degree, and I wonder how we unlearn that messaging when we become adults?
I find one of the most charming experiences in life is talking with someone I don't know, a stranger. Whether it is a moment shared while waiting for the light signal to change or walking to your car with another volunteer talking about the theater you support.
Just last night, I met another volunteer usher with Trinity Rep. I started volunteering there soon after arriving in Providence. We walked together to our cars last night after assisting at the theater and she shared that she is a case worker for the state of Rhode Island. That caught my attention because of my work as a fundraiser for Kinship House, an outpatient mental healthcare agency for foster and adoptive children in Portland, OR. We had a commonality. Her genuine spirit was light and loving although she carries the weight of dealing with heart wrenching circumstances in her work in the world.
In our brief exchange, we shared a little bit of who we are with one another. And although we agreed to catch up the next time we crossed paths, with a likelihood it will not happen, it is a loving human experience that I will carry with me.
Last night, two strangers became acquaintances. Who knows, maybe someday we will become friends. It could happen. This is Rhode Island, you know. Our experience offered us the chance to share a piece of our heart and soul with one another in a brief connection. Just because.
I find one of the most charming experiences in life is talking with someone I don't know, a stranger. Whether it is a moment shared while waiting for the light signal to change or walking to your car with another volunteer talking about the theater you support.
Just last night, I met another volunteer usher with Trinity Rep. I started volunteering there soon after arriving in Providence. We walked together to our cars last night after assisting at the theater and she shared that she is a case worker for the state of Rhode Island. That caught my attention because of my work as a fundraiser for Kinship House, an outpatient mental healthcare agency for foster and adoptive children in Portland, OR. We had a commonality. Her genuine spirit was light and loving although she carries the weight of dealing with heart wrenching circumstances in her work in the world.
In our brief exchange, we shared a little bit of who we are with one another. And although we agreed to catch up the next time we crossed paths, with a likelihood it will not happen, it is a loving human experience that I will carry with me.
Last night, two strangers became acquaintances. Who knows, maybe someday we will become friends. It could happen. This is Rhode Island, you know. Our experience offered us the chance to share a piece of our heart and soul with one another in a brief connection. Just because.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Love is the company you keep
Love is in the company we keep. When I spend just ten seconds thinking about all the loving connections that I am blessed with, I experience about 100 years worth of saturated love-ness in each of those seconds.
I don't know exactly how I got to this place of welcoming love as an essential need and want - it is as essential as food, water, and air. Perhaps although I navigated a bumpy childhood littered with trauma, there were loving helpers who kept me safe. People like my paternal grandparents.
Later, the lessons were many as I learned through a chose family of friends and then the ultimate experience: motherhood. I learned that all of us worthy of love.
It has been a painful and a joyful journey that is far from over. And, I still find myself learning how to love.
I don't know exactly how I got to this place of welcoming love as an essential need and want - it is as essential as food, water, and air. Perhaps although I navigated a bumpy childhood littered with trauma, there were loving helpers who kept me safe. People like my paternal grandparents.
Later, the lessons were many as I learned through a chose family of friends and then the ultimate experience: motherhood. I learned that all of us worthy of love.
It has been a painful and a joyful journey that is far from over. And, I still find myself learning how to love.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
An intention to inspire: Love and Kindness
A few months back, I treated myself to one of those monthly subscription services called Lunarly. Each month, I received a package that contains a plant, a crystal or special rock, some self-care products, and an intention...all of which are based on the New Moon cycle. I love it!
Each morning, I write a reflection on the month's intention. It provides an opportunity to really go deep on a specific topic or issue. I do this on top of my morning journal writing and evening gratitude reflection. I am learning a lot about how I can best navigate life's challenges and celebrate the joys.
Moving forward, I hope to share some of those writings here on my Direct Living blog because it is very much in line with the intention of living a life as directly as you can by understanding your deepest essence. Perhaps you may recognize a similar journey or be prompted to pursue the same practice. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts!
*********************************************************************************
Love is...a friend (or two!) who give you a call when you least expect it. Love is...thoughtfully assembling a few birthday surprises to ship to a friend across the country. Love is...convening a social outing group for your new friends so other women can also pursue fun activities that they might not know about and make a few new pals. Love is...recognizing my own needs for self-care and joyful living. It is reminding myself that the day will be filled with challenges and joy - no doubt about that! Love is...taking note that I get to choose how to see and feel each of my experiences and determine how I will move forward - and through - those experiences. Love is...believing and knowing that all is well. Love is...welcoming the lessons and learning from them.
“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.” – Vivian Komori
Each morning, I write a reflection on the month's intention. It provides an opportunity to really go deep on a specific topic or issue. I do this on top of my morning journal writing and evening gratitude reflection. I am learning a lot about how I can best navigate life's challenges and celebrate the joys.
Moving forward, I hope to share some of those writings here on my Direct Living blog because it is very much in line with the intention of living a life as directly as you can by understanding your deepest essence. Perhaps you may recognize a similar journey or be prompted to pursue the same practice. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts!
*********************************************************************************
Love is...a friend (or two!) who give you a call when you least expect it. Love is...thoughtfully assembling a few birthday surprises to ship to a friend across the country. Love is...convening a social outing group for your new friends so other women can also pursue fun activities that they might not know about and make a few new pals. Love is...recognizing my own needs for self-care and joyful living. It is reminding myself that the day will be filled with challenges and joy - no doubt about that! Love is...taking note that I get to choose how to see and feel each of my experiences and determine how I will move forward - and through - those experiences. Love is...believing and knowing that all is well. Love is...welcoming the lessons and learning from them.
“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.” – Vivian Komori
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