To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. ~Ken S. Keyes, Jr.
We can so easily focus on what we want that we miss out on what we have. We can get caught up in searching and pining for something only to be left with a wanting. It’s not bad to have desires and wants. It’s about the correlation they have in your life. If your desire takes over your present with a distraction of” what I want to get” rather than “what I already have” then you miss out on what’s here now.
We can all get caught up in the rush of wanting something new. I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted something and once I had it, there was a lull. What is it that happens once you get more things? Ultimately the things don’t bring you happiness. Being happy is a state that you get to- by just being. I think once you achieve that then the things can come and go and your enjoyment of them is more fluid. It’s the attachment that we have that brings the despair and the obsessions.
Today take notice of what you are focusing on. Are you upset about what you don’t have?
I am learning to focus more on the moments and less on the things. I am excited about the moments I am going to have with my parents. I am looking forward to the love that will be shared. I am so thankful to be right where I am.
peace work
If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Tomorrow, mom and dad will be landing in LA. It’s exciting that it is finally here. To think that it’s his first time here and I feel relatively calm. He gets to experience my life and my California family. I think this will be a big shift for our relationship. When I think about all the years of struggle and trying to get him to see me, I smile seeing the process and that in the end I simply stopped trying and started being still. My father represents so much to me. This is the relationship where I learned to walk on eggshells. This is the one where I needed to prove myself. This relationship has been my opportunity for growth
I was daddy’s little girl and I grew up. I moved away, came out of the closet and haven’t lived the conventional life that he wanted for me. Now here we are. He is coming to visit and I get to be me. This is a good time. I have an opportunity to practice my peace work. It’s not about getting it all right; it’s about being available for the good.
I feel blessed and I am grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with my parents.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Tomorrow, mom and dad will be landing in LA. It’s exciting that it is finally here. To think that it’s his first time here and I feel relatively calm. He gets to experience my life and my California family. I think this will be a big shift for our relationship. When I think about all the years of struggle and trying to get him to see me, I smile seeing the process and that in the end I simply stopped trying and started being still. My father represents so much to me. This is the relationship where I learned to walk on eggshells. This is the one where I needed to prove myself. This relationship has been my opportunity for growth
I was daddy’s little girl and I grew up. I moved away, came out of the closet and haven’t lived the conventional life that he wanted for me. Now here we are. He is coming to visit and I get to be me. This is a good time. I have an opportunity to practice my peace work. It’s not about getting it all right; it’s about being available for the good.
I feel blessed and I am grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with my parents.
miracles everywhere!
Miracles are happening everywhere around us. Do you see them? It’s hard to see them when we are so focused on ourselves and what we want.
I am experiencing so many miracles everyday just in letting go of the need to control how everything looks and how everything should be. It is freeing up so much time to relax and feel peaceful and as a result be able to see the amazing things that show up in my life. When I am in a state of acceptance, I am able to see how everything I need shows up when I need it.
By putting my peace first I am able to stay centered and let go of my need to control more easily. Now I didn’t say all the time and with ease. It’s hard to let go when you feel like you know better. It’s hard to let go when you feel your whole existence depends on you holding on—TIGHT.
It’s just easier to see how having a peaceful existence will greatly improve the quality of my life. When you are in a state of peace you can live in the amazement of all the miracles that show up all around you.
Today, look for the miracles. Write them down and look for more tomorrow. Life will be so much sweeter
Today I am grateful for the work that comes my way and the amazing relationships I build around it.
Merry Christmas!
My hope for you today is that you feel peace. My wish is for you to feel loved and to give love freely. It is the season to be joyful. It’s an opportunity for love to penetrate the callous ways of being unconscious. Wake up to the beauty around you and enjoy exactly where you are with what gifts you have been given. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
what is your mission statement?
To find your mission in life is to discover the intersection between your heart's deep gladness and the world's deep hunger.
Frederick Beekner
Without a mission statement, there is nothing for the universe to respond to. Do you have a mission statement? Do you have an intention that you have declared out loud? If you declare something and make it your mission statement then the always abundant universe will provide.
This mission statement can change as you evolve and become more and more clear about what your focus is. So start where you are today and think about what you are up to and what you are striving for and write a mission statement around that. When you start to become proactive and make declarations, your world will start to change.
Life only “just happens” when you are asleep at the wheel. This is your life, wake up to the amazing possibilities you have around you. Declare what you want for your life and make it known that you want to participate.
My mission statement: My mission is to wake you up and inspire you to be the change in your own life. In doing so, I hold myself accountable to do the same.
Today I am grateful for the opportunity to give to a family in need. I am grateful for the contributions.
Frederick Beekner
Without a mission statement, there is nothing for the universe to respond to. Do you have a mission statement? Do you have an intention that you have declared out loud? If you declare something and make it your mission statement then the always abundant universe will provide.
This mission statement can change as you evolve and become more and more clear about what your focus is. So start where you are today and think about what you are up to and what you are striving for and write a mission statement around that. When you start to become proactive and make declarations, your world will start to change.
Life only “just happens” when you are asleep at the wheel. This is your life, wake up to the amazing possibilities you have around you. Declare what you want for your life and make it known that you want to participate.
My mission statement: My mission is to wake you up and inspire you to be the change in your own life. In doing so, I hold myself accountable to do the same.
Today I am grateful for the opportunity to give to a family in need. I am grateful for the contributions.
me and you
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you.”
Colin Raye quotes
The more we can see our similarities in one another, the more we can let our guards down. I often say when someone says the words, “you don’t understand” they are actually saying that they don’t want to change; they don’t want to see things differently. You don’t understand means I am different, this is different, I am apart….my situation makes me different. It’s a way of keeping separation and isolation active in your life. Our dramatization of our situation prolongs the agony and prolongs the feelings of being separate.
If we spent as much time finding commonality as we spend finding differences we might just feel a little bit better. There is something about this season and how it brings people together that always warms my heart. People gather and families come together to celebrate love and oneness. It’s symbolic and it shows us what’s possible.
There is so much love to give. All of us have a capacity to spread it, to show it, and to be generous with it. Today, give your love generously and be receptive to receiving it.
Today I am grateful for everyone who has ever challenged me. I am grateful for the difficult situations which caused me to grow and have more compassion in my life.
Colin Raye quotes
The more we can see our similarities in one another, the more we can let our guards down. I often say when someone says the words, “you don’t understand” they are actually saying that they don’t want to change; they don’t want to see things differently. You don’t understand means I am different, this is different, I am apart….my situation makes me different. It’s a way of keeping separation and isolation active in your life. Our dramatization of our situation prolongs the agony and prolongs the feelings of being separate.
If we spent as much time finding commonality as we spend finding differences we might just feel a little bit better. There is something about this season and how it brings people together that always warms my heart. People gather and families come together to celebrate love and oneness. It’s symbolic and it shows us what’s possible.
There is so much love to give. All of us have a capacity to spread it, to show it, and to be generous with it. Today, give your love generously and be receptive to receiving it.
Today I am grateful for everyone who has ever challenged me. I am grateful for the difficult situations which caused me to grow and have more compassion in my life.
season of love
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mable
It feels nice to be still and listening to my music. I’m trying so hard to stay centered during a time when there is so much to do and so many places to be. I am appreciating the quiet.
Yesterday was nice, went to the nursing home and gave Norma a little Christmas party. She was so excited she couldn’t even eat. It meant so much and took so little effort. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the commercialism of it. If you can stop for a minute and get wrapped up in the love of it, you can see the opportunities you have to give of yourself. What a wonderful season it is!
If it doesn’t feel like a wonderful season and you are just waiting for it to go away, then maybe you can find a way to see something good. Maybe you can allow yourself to be child-like. Maybe you can allow yourself to get caught up in the excitement. It’s how you look at it.
There is something about this time of year that has a quality of sweetness and love that isn’t apparent at other times of the year. If we could tap into it then maybe we can have this feeling all year round. I certainly don’t believe that peace, joy, and happiness were only meant for Christmas. I believe we can have this peace all year round and that’s why I write. I want to remind you of what’s possible. I want to remind you of what you already know. In doing so I get to keep myself in check.
Today I am grateful for the smell of my Christmas tree and the sparkling lights. It makes me smile every time I walk into the room.
Hamilton Wright Mable
It feels nice to be still and listening to my music. I’m trying so hard to stay centered during a time when there is so much to do and so many places to be. I am appreciating the quiet.
Yesterday was nice, went to the nursing home and gave Norma a little Christmas party. She was so excited she couldn’t even eat. It meant so much and took so little effort. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the commercialism of it. If you can stop for a minute and get wrapped up in the love of it, you can see the opportunities you have to give of yourself. What a wonderful season it is!
If it doesn’t feel like a wonderful season and you are just waiting for it to go away, then maybe you can find a way to see something good. Maybe you can allow yourself to be child-like. Maybe you can allow yourself to get caught up in the excitement. It’s how you look at it.
There is something about this time of year that has a quality of sweetness and love that isn’t apparent at other times of the year. If we could tap into it then maybe we can have this feeling all year round. I certainly don’t believe that peace, joy, and happiness were only meant for Christmas. I believe we can have this peace all year round and that’s why I write. I want to remind you of what’s possible. I want to remind you of what you already know. In doing so I get to keep myself in check.
Today I am grateful for the smell of my Christmas tree and the sparkling lights. It makes me smile every time I walk into the room.
words are powerful
If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.
Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts
I have noticed that I am talking less and doing more. Of course I’m a talker and I love conversation but I find myself having less and less meaningless conversation. Our words are powerful so I am learning to be mindful of them. I think we often use chatter to fill the void. When we talk about things that are gossip it doesn’t serve us. It makes us distant and by the end of the conversation we are left empty.
I think the first step in creating a life that you love is to change the conversations you are having. Words are powerful and from words you create action. If you want to go after something then first you must be able to speak it. Do you know what you want? Do you have someone who supports your ideas? Asking for support is very important. We all want to grow. We all want to make the most of our lives. In order to do that you have to be willing to take steps, willing to change old habits, willing to ask for help and willing to be honest with yourself.
Life can be anything you want it to be. I choose an amazingly, abundant, peaceful life overflowing with love and kindness.
Today I am grateful for that realization.
gift of peace
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Christmas is one week from today. Does that make you anxious, does that sound exciting or does it have no effect on you? Take this moment to stop and check in with yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything you need to do and everything you need to be. This is your moment, right now to stop in the midst of whatever you have going on. In times when life seems full of lists and so many errands, this is when learning how to be still makes the biggest impact on your life. Yes in the midst of chaos, can you learn to be still?
This has been a great lesson in my life. I have always had a pattern of chaos before an event or a project completes. Even though I make it all happen, I have learned that the mode I have to go into and the stress I create is not worth the outcome. I lived so long thinking that this was just the way that it was for me. I am changing. I am able to see that peace is worth more. My peace is everything and I am learning that giving it up is giving me up.
I just wanted to remind you that season is best enjoyed when you are still enough to experience it. Its not about things, it’s about family and friends. It’s a time when love gets readily expressed. Enjoy it, participate in it. Bless everything you give and aware of everything you receive. Give yourself the gift of peace. And give others the gift of your presence. No matter what arises and how things show up with your family get together or wherever you end up, practice peace.
Today I am grateful for my California family. I am spending Christmas here this year and I am grateful for friends that I can call family. I am also grateful for my mother’s response to yesterdays blog:
I love you too!! You are a blessing in my life. Our journey together has been filled with much love and understanding . In my eyes, your sexuality has not changed our relationship. It has challenged me to grow and appreciate the wonderful daughter that I call ...my Ash.
I am grateful that my children love and support one another.....an answer to my prayers. Love is the greatest gift we can give and receive .
Thank you for sharing so honestly and helping others .
Love,
MOM
fully self expressed
Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have.
Doris Mortman
I realized that I am blessed with this freedom. I know there are many out there holding their sexuality as a secret. I know there are other secrets too. It pains me to think that anyone is suffering with something that they feel they must hide. I was fortunate to not have that feeling more than a moment. When I talk to someone and they tell me why they have to hide, it pains me. I have this thought that every single one of us has an opportunity to show up and because we do, we change lives. When we embrace who we are completely, beyond sexuality, we give others the opportunity around us to grow and stretch. This isn’t about being gay, this about being fully expressed. If you feel that you can’t be who you are then I am talking to you.
So please don’t hide out. Don’t be afraid to be fully who you are. You are a blessing and the world needs you to show up brightly.
I am grateful for my mother who accepts me and loves me no matter what. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters who have always supported me and worked through their own challenges. I am grateful for my father for coming to visit me. I am just grateful that I can be ok with all of their journeys to embrace my sexuality and to know that in the end, it’s just about love. I love you all!
being accountable
A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.
K Denis Waitley
I am very conscious of where I have been and where I would like to go. The difference between the two is my willingness to break out of my comfort zone. I feel as if I am dancing between the two. Some moments I am present and clear and other moments I want to check out. It’s not perfection but its mine and I am in the driver’s seat. There’s something so wonderful about living your life and feeling empowered that each choice and decision is a reflection of where you are and what you are willing to show up for.
I think it’s easy to hide behind the demands of the world. You can say that it’s for the good of your family or your business or whatever else you want to stick out in front of you that prevents you from being conscious. Don’t confuse being responsible with being accountable to yourself. It’s a fine line to lose yourself and call it duty. Just notice today what you are hiding behind.
Today I am grateful to have the freedom to be.
start where you are
“Don't wait for something big to occur. Start where you are, with what you have, and that will always lead you into something greater.
Start right now. What happens when I say that? For most, you are flooded with reasons why not. There are always a million reasons that your head can come up with to put off starting something in this now moment.
I had a dream last night that I was shot in the neck. It was part of a robbery and I got caught in the line of fire. I knew lying there I was going to be ok. I felt a sense of peace and I knew that I was going to get close to death but that I would come out alive. You wake up from something like that and it makes you want to live. I mean live, really see, touch and feel your way through life. So I thought how perfect to have a quote about starting right where you are. We have no way of seeing what’s around the corner. We can’t afford to wait. We can’t afford to forgo this moment thinking that another moment will be better. You have what it takes now. Start with what you have and make the call, take the step, make the appointment….do the thing that scares you. Take the leap of faith knowing that you can and will succeed.
Today, do the thing that scares you most and then write about it.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to write. I am grateful that I have so much support and encouragement.
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