Presence …

tree

Christmas morning, and I have to apologize to my kids that the central air is broken. Who would have thought that? Not me, which is why in September when I noticed the air wasn’t blowing cold I figured I had more important things to worry about the next six months.

Suddenly, we’ve got baseball weather. Shorts and T-shirts. Sandals. Clammy Christmas skin. And every window in a three-story house wide open, which is just weird. If I wanted to live in Tampa, I’d live in Tampa.

But because Mother Nature taught us very long ago that we all bow to her – a little lower, knave — we carry on with the things we can control, if we are wise. Checking our gratitude meter, for instance, making sure it’s in top operating condition.

The slings and slights and insecurities of life want badly to rattle our bolts, to make us throw a rod, whatever that means. (“Threw a rod, then the engine blow’d up, Junior!”) Each day offers a walk with that darker side, which I guess could be a Star Wars reference, although believe me I am so far from a Star Wars wonk it’s not funny. I realize that temptation, but I take that walk too often anyway.

Except . . . if I just take five seconds to stare out those wide-open windows with the still-cool morning breeze wafting through, a bird cawing across the street, a big yellow lab on the living room floor impatient to go sniff and mark, brilliant kids home and asleep, health, humor and talent soothing, new love lifting, new days calling . . .

Grateful is as grateful does, Forrest. Does mama really have to keep reminding you of this?

Damn the humidity. It’s a wonderful life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The no-self-hate zone (No. 20 …)

I’m not sure where I came across what follows, but I’ve had it buried in my inbox for, well, going on a couple of years, it looks like …

Decluttering, I found it this morning and read through it again, for the first time, for all intents. I like it. You might, too.

Inspiration is always where we find it. Lessons and learning, as well. They’re all in here.

 

20 Things To Let Go Of Before The New Year
BY SHANNON KAISER
DECEMBER 16, 2013

How much stress are you carrying around? Do you feel burdened by life’s circumstances and emotional issues? Becoming more grounded and happy starts with letting go of worry and stress. I learned this in my own journey, through overcoming drug addictions, healing myself from depression, and walking away from a career in corporate to follow my heart and be a successful writer and life coach. In the process, I had to let go of a lot of things to become the person I am today.

Physically, spiritually and emotionally, I had to learn how to let go of the person I thought I should be in order to be the person I really wanted to be. Letting go of anything in life can be a little scary, but it can also be an amazing act of self-love.

Letting go of my worries and stress made a difference for me; of course I still dip in and out of some of my stress jar from time to time, but I’ve found this list a good reminder of what I need to strive for each day in order to reach unlimited happiness.

Here are 20 things to let go of in order to reach unlimited happiness.

1. Let go of all thoughts that don’t make you feel empowered and strong.

2. Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to do.

3. Let go of the fear of the unknown; take one small step and watch the path reveal itself.

4. Let go of regrets; at one point in your life, that “whatever” was exactly what you wanted.

5. Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you don’t want.

6. Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don’t like something, you have two choices, accept it or change it.

7. Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world needs you just as you are.

8. Let go of thinking your dreams are not important; always follow your heart.

9. Let go of being the “go-to person” for everyone, all the time; stop blowing yourself off and take care of yourself first … because you matter.

10. Let go of thinking everyone else is happier, more successful or better off than you. You are right where you need to be. Your journey is unfolding perfectly for you.

11. Let go of thinking there’s a right and wrong way to do things or to see the world. Enjoy the contrast and celebrate the diversity and richness of life.

12. Let go of cheating on your future with your past. It’s time to move on and tell a new story.

13. Let go of thinking you are not where you should be. You are right where you need to be to get to where you want to go, so start asking yourself where you want to go.

14. Let go of anger toward ex lovers and family. We all deserve happiness and love; just because it is over doesn’t mean the love was wrong.

15. Let go of the need to do more and be more; for today, you’ve done the best you can, and that’s enough.

16. Let go of thinking you have to know how to make it happen; we learn the way on the way.

17. Let go of your money woes — make a plan to pay off debt and focus on your abundance.

18. Let go of trying to save or change people. Everyone has her own path, and the best thing you can do is work on yourself and stop focusing on others.

19. Let go of trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone. Your uniqueness is what makes you outstanding.

20. Let go of self-hate. You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. Who you are matters, and the world needs you as you are. Celebrate you!