All that it took and more…

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. Things have become more obvious then ever before, and time doesn’t seem abundant anymore. I am getting older, and the thought process changes with age. At least mine is. All of a sudden it is most important to live my best life, to ponder what I am willing to accept and what needs to change. There is a hunger to live every day with the fullest awareness possible, to not take one moment for granted and to feel with such intensity, that it is that very feeling that makes me feel alive.

It’s been a tough two years, and yet I am grateful. It’s hard to be thankful for the losses and the pain, but without them I would not be where I am today, and I don’t want to go backwards. There is a bigger understanding, a knowing, and the light that I’ve carried within for so long, is emerging from the cracks, the seams that stretch over my entire being. The once believed brokenness is actually what was required to make me whole. Each crack resembles a battle, a hurtful event, something that felt as if my heart was being ripped, and yet today I have come to embrace these scars.

Only in my pain, did I find my will.

Only in my chaos, did I meant to be still.

Only in my fear, did I find my might.

Only in my darkness, did I see the light.

🙏🏼❤️

The deposits of your life

I recently heard of a story that should inspire us all. A story for a better life, and who wouldn’t want that? To face your challenges with a greater approach and to grow richer as time goes on. See for yourself..,perhaps you can apply something to your own life, and make to it deposits a little higher.

A 92 year old man decided to go to the retirement home after his wife’s death. The apartment seemed too big for him, and he wanted to have a little company for his last few days, because he was mentally still in good condition.

In the home he had to wait a long time in the hall before a young man came to him and announced that his room was now finished. He thanked and smiled at his companion while he slowly went next to him, supporting himself with his walking cane.

Before entering the elevator, the old man caught a look into one of the rooms and said, “I like it very much.” His young companion was surprised and said that he hadn’t seen his room yet. The old man answered carefully, “You know young man, whether I like the space or not, does not depend on the situation or the furnishings, but on my attitude, and on the way I want to see things. And I decided to be happy. I make this decision every morning when I wake up and cast my vote on the day.

I can stay in bed and wrestle with the fact that my body can’t make this and that smoothly anymore – or I can get up and be grateful for everything I can do. Every day is a gift and as long as my eyes can open, I want to focus them on the new day. As long as I can open my mouth, I want to thank god for all the Happy Hours I was allowed to experience and may still live.

He looked at his companion and said, “You are still young, but take the advice of an old man to heart. Deposit all happiness, all joy, all the beautiful experiences and special memories in a special account in your heart, to have and treasure, and to access when you are old. An account that will help you over the bad times whenever you need it. It is up to you how high the deposits are on your account and it doesn’t need anybody but yourself to make the deposits. I’ll tell you two more simple tricks to make your account grow quickly. Have in your heart only love, and in your thoughts only joy. In the consciousness of owning such an account, the future loses it’s uncertainty, and death loses its fear.”

The young man had listened very intensively to the amazing story the old man shared with him, and thanked him with a bright glow in his eyes. Joyfully he took the arm of the old man and said, “Thank you very much, I just opened a reminder account at my own bank, and this conversation is my first deposit.”

With these words, he opened the door to show the new resistent his room.

With a smile, the old man looked at him and said, “I like it very much.”

A matter of choice

When you forgive you live. When you let go you grow.

Allow yourself to be loved

Art A. Andrew Gonzalez

Different things inspire me at different times. I have always been a sucker for quotes and wise sayings because I think they are confirmation for various stepping stones along our journey. Other times these confirmations serve as inspiration to keep going, or perhaps to consider a different approach and point of view.

Recently I realized that I am in need of some healing. I never fully dealt with some early trauma in my life that continued into my adulthood and beyond. I have carried these burdens for many years, decades even, and allowed them to manifest illness in the form of RA within my body. My blog is a warriors journey, and warriors give the impression to be strong beings, right? I have always had to be strong, and I’ve been strong, perhaps too strong for too long. It’s time for some changes and I’m not saying to get weak, but in my opinion there is much strengths that lies in the ability to be vulnerable. Others could easily perceive it as being soft, but have you ever found the courage to wear your heart on your sleeve, trusting, believing and hoping that you won’t get hurt in the end? Have you put yourself last, putting everyone else before you? I know I have, and the following quote stood out and spoke to me, perhaps as a reminder for the “Now” in my journey. If you believe that everything has meaning and is relevant for that given time you encounter it, you will believe that there are no ordinary moments and everything has purpose.

When Teresa of Avila was asked what she did in prayer, she replied, “I just allow myself to be loved.”

~Anthony de Mello

Maybe it’s time….

Zen saying

You should sit in nature for 20 minutes a day…unless you’re busy. Then you should sit for an hour. ❤️🦋

A secret to happiness

A secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be, and then making the best of it.

The power of choice

“What you think, you become.

What you feel you attract.

What you imagine, you create.”

~Buddha

Wings and roots

I came across an old quote that always spoke to me. It reminds me that everything is possible, to soar, be flexible and follow your dreams, but it also reminds me to stay grounded and strong. What a perfect time to revisit this wonderful wisdom.

Picture taken from Pinterest

Harbor

From this liminal state we are reborn into a threshold between worlds.

Through the fabric of fog, a map for another way presents itself, we see-in a flash- how life could be.

Can we return to what is familiar, and make it new, finding mystery in comfort,nor do we embark upon the adventurous unearthing together?

Surrender to the acceleration of self-discovery that can only come from encouraging the emergence of dormant forces, embarking this vantage point, let the past be memory.

This pause between present and future is the alchemy that will wake us, unlock us, transform us.

There is barely a moment, even in morning twilight when I forget to remember the shift is happening.

I am a light in the harbor, leaving the weight of the past at sea, change is my anchor deep inside peace is so close.

~Nancy Levin

A realization

“Sometimes it takes uncertainty to appreciate certainty”

~Wildchoicez