I’ve written several blogs about gratitude or mentioned it in others. Well, here we go again. This time will be short and sweet. I found a quote that offers an easy and delightful way to experience gratitude. As you likely are aware, the practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects on our lives, it can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, promote happiness and well-being and spur acts of helpfulness, generosity and cooperation. There’s a great deal of established research supporting this. You might say gratitude is like Netflix for our well-being -giving you JOY, enthusiasm, love, happiness and optimism on-demand (don't change that channel! Now, here it is: To appreciate life, you just have to be open for business. Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds … Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business. -Anne Lamott Comments Welcomed.
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At this point, the second day of 2023, I have nothing to say that hasn’t already been said in a million different ways. So, let us just toast to a year filled with more kindness, more tolerance, good health, good will, more joy and many blessings. Happy New Year to all of you and yours. Comments Welcomed. Here we are in the last few days of 2022. The word resolutions always pops up at this time. The thoughts are new year, new beginning, another chance to get it right. People tend to resolve to such things as improving diets, getting in better shape, completing projects, less time on devices and so on and on. How long is the stick-to-it time? A week? A month? There are a variety of tips for prolonging these intentions. As for me, I gave up on making resolutions years ago. I knew I would not stick with them. I’ve taken on a different kind of practice for a new year. Basically I review the previous year making note of all that I’ve done or said that was so not cool. I fully commit to clean those things up to eliminate the chance of repeats. On the other hand, I believe it is just as important to look at what went well and that which worked. The commitment there is to do more or better with that which was on the positive side. Periodic reflections throughout the year and renewing my commitment to both doing less of the down sides and more of the up sides becomes a more natural process for keeping the intentions going. My best hopes and intentions are to be kinder, more compassionate, laugh more and have a whole lot more gratitude. What about you? What are your best hopes going forward? How about this - "Let our New Year's resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word." - Goran Persson Comments welcomed. The next time we get together Christmas will have come and gone. Not completely gone as this is just the day after. Still… I just have a few words at this time. What matters most throughout December is also what matters most throughout the year. Love, benevolence, forgiveness, good will, peace, hope for starters. And, when it comes to giving we can all afford to give the gifts of smiles and kindness to anyone, any time, anywhere. Blessings to you and yours during this holiday season with much joy in your celebrations and traditions. Comments are welcome. I recently read an article by Trudy Boyle about finding the simple joys in our day, in our life by paying attention. We benefit in so many ways by noticing and appreciating these little joys and pleasures. Here is an excerpt from her article. “One of the benefits of studying Japanese Psychology is its emphasis on cultivating our skills in paying attention. It helps me to notice all the small joys in my ordinary moments. In fact, the practice of “paying attention,” is in itself a joy because it reminds me every day, in the midst of obstacles and confusion, to look and see what else there is to notice beyond the default of the obvious. In troubled times, it is easy to believe that life is bleak, and there are undeniable bleak moments for us all. Yet, there is also the truth that kindness is rampant, and beauty is everywhere, whether we notice or not. The practice of noticing, using a wide-angle lens, gives us a chance to expand our view. And with that, we rejuvenate, experience gratitude, and possibly consider what we can do to lend a hand. Each brand-new day brings surprises. Some we like. Some we don’t. But, we can cultivate the skill of using our attention to always see small joys. Obstacles are easy to see. But the beautiful moon, the kind words, the smell of coffee, the car that starts, the bed we slept in, or the chance to make fresh tracks in new-fallen snow (well, that might just be tomorrow) – those are opportunities we need to look for. If you are suffering and can find no joy the proven antidote according to the Dalai Lama is to help others. “Our visit to this planet is short, so we should use our time meaningfully, which we can do by helping others wherever possible.” “When you are kind to someone else, you end up being joyful, but why? Because we realize that we are made for goodness,“ Archbishop Desmond Tutu” Comments are welcomed. As we move into December, it seems I have been unusually focused on the characteristics of each month. Personally, I find this a little odd. I guess that’s just how it is for now. Similar to November, I flip back and forth between the down sides and the upsides. I see more upsides throughout December. My perspective does an unpleasant shift when we roll into January, but that’s for another time. My intention was to share some of my favorite things about December. Then I saw this fun little ditty and opted for that instead. “I heard a bird sing In the dark of December, A magical thing, And sweet to remember: "We are nearer to spring Than we were in September." ~Oliver Herford, "Hope," in The Century Magazine, 1914 Comments welcomed. As November draws to a close, we have been paid an uninvited visit from January. So ill-mannered and disrespectful of others traditions and norms. We’ve been experiencing piles of snow and bitter cold. January, you need to stop skulking around here and return to your proper place in the world order. That said, in January’s defence the world has become disordered the past few years. The pandemic, climate change, up flip-flopping with down, normal getting lost amidst uncertainty and, dare I say, a whole lot of crazy. What are we to do? I suppose we need to decide for ourselves what will be our normal; what will give us our ground zero; what will give us a semblance of stability and comfort; what will provide meaning, well-being and joy in this climate of unpredictability. We just have to work with what we have, do our best while understanding that our best may vary from day to day and that’s okay. Above all, don’t forget to include fun. As the saying goes, if there was no change, there wouldn’t be butterflies. May we all become butterflies. All that being said, January you still need to get out of Dodge and go back where you belong! Comments welcomed. Sometimes the universe conspires for us when we least expect it. There must have been a wrinkle in time or something like that about 7 weeks ago. Twice a year I teach a course for a coach training institute. There’s a minimum number of students for the course to run. There is also a cap. I stress from time to time wondering if we will get the minimum even though we always do. This time something most unusual occurred. Not only did we reach the max enrolment, but the waiting list made up the equivalent of another full class. The head office asked if I would consider teaching both groups as 2 separate classes. I agreed. This was a first for me. I was both excited and a little nervous. The classes were very different - very different life experiences outside of their studies and different vibes over all. Yet , both equally enjoyable and great to work with. There was even a broad international flavor which enhanced the experience. The countries represented included Canada, the U.S., Mexico, South Africa and Russia. Although this course was about enhancing coaching skills, some students shared some extraordinary personal stories. Everyone seemed to feel trust, support, genuine caring for each other. I felt these classes were a real gift, perhaps more spiritually than tangibly. After each class, I felt a whole lot of gratitude and fortunate to be in this position. Sometimes things come together in a most unexpected and extraordinary way. A wrinkle in time? Perhaps. A blessing for sure. Comments are welcomed. It’s still November. I ought not complain as I was noting last week how fast the months seemed to be rolling by. It’s more of a weather thing. November usually tends towards gray, dank, dreary, maybe a little snow, maybe some frosty nights. We actually have had an uncharacteristically warm month. Still dreary with serious cold heading our way. That is the downside. November does have it’s upside. There are several special days. Veterans/Remembrance Day, U.S. Thanksgiving, Advent, for example. Appreciation, gratitude, charity, kindness are top virtues of the month. Personally, I think they ought to be for every month. Here’s the thing. Whatever happens, there is always another side of the story. We have to decide which side we want to focus on, which side will add to our well-being. Here’s another side to the holiday fare. I saw this on Social and had to share. Dear God, I'm writing about some concerns I have as a turkey. It seems that in your infinite wisdom, you decided to make us fat, flightless, and evidently delicious. Did we say something? Did we do something? Will our species become endangered? Sincerely yours, Thomas Turkey, spokes-bird for our fretting flock Comments welcomed. Suddenly it’s November. What happened to January through October? They came. They went. Now we find ourselves in ‘Tis the season’ all over again. It is a curious phenomenon how some days seem to linger endlessly, while the weeks and months fly by. Honestly, I don’t know how to feel about this. Have I missed something along the way? Was I not paying close attention? It’s all a little weird. However, it does give one pause. This pause can be a useful pause by including taking a breath, assessing what has been and what can be going forward, for example. I know such reflection generally happens closer to the year’s end. Why wait? Why not take the opportunity when it comes knocking. That seems a better way to spend my time an thoughts rather than bemoaning the warp speed of time. November comes And November goes, With the last red berries And the first white snows. With night coming early, And dawn coming late, And ice in the bucket And frost by the gate. The fires burn And the kettles sing, And earth sinks to rest Until next spring. Elizabeth Coatsworth Comments are welcomed. Today’s the day ghosts, witches, goblins and all sorts of spooks run amuck. Trick or treaters may not be running quite as amuck as before Covid. Yet, The times have sure changed from my childhood Halloweens. There was never any concern about the safety of the treats. The worst tricks were soaped store fronts or buildings wrapped in toilet paper. We even had a Halloween parade through the main street of my small town with prizes for the most original costumes. One year I won $15.00 for a costume my uncle and I made together. Good times. Good memories. Following is one of my favorites offered up by Linus . Happy and safe Halloween. “With each year the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch he thinks is most sincere. He’s got to pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there’s not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see. Just wait and see, Charlie Brown. I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. you wait, Charlie Brown. The Great Pumpkin will appear and I will be waiting for him.” Comments Welcomed. Thinking about the 4 seasons, Autumn really is the season of change as noted by the Tao. Winter is a time of rest and restoring. Spring brings rebirth and renewal and new hope. Summer is the time of fullness and maturity. Then comes Autumn when everything begins to change and sets the stage for that which is to come. As I’ve written a few times, Autumn is a favorite time of year. I love the vibrant colors, the wonderful smells of spices wafting from baked goods, mulled cider, wood stoves, leaves crunching under foot, et al. Following is Emily Dickenson’s delightful poem about Autumn that caught my fancy. “The morns are meeker than they were, The nuts are getting brown; The berry's cheek is plumper, The rose is out of town. The maple wears a gayer scarf, The field a scarlet gown. Lest I should be old-fashioned, I'll put a trinket on.” Comments are welcomed. This morning I met up with a dear friend for coffee. Returning to our favorite coffee shop felt almost surreal. It was truly a blast from the past. Honestly, I have been super cautious and uncomfortable about dining indoors since restrictions were lifted. We were able to find seating at a good distance from other patrons which helped me relax. I ordered both for eating there and for some take out. Just like I used to do. Our time there was so enjoyable, so normal, so like old times, and so good for our mental health. In these challenging times how important it is to savor and cherish these moments that can increase our well-being. “Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air.” - Georges Bernanos Comments are welcome. Things change. Sometimes permanently. Sometimes temporarily. Either way, things always change. So will this blog on a temporary basis. I’m teaching a couple of classes for the next 6 weeks. They will be consuming my time and attention. I did not want to put a pause on the blog, so I’ve opted for a change that will keep things going. When my time is compressed I will post thoughtful, positive or smile inducing words. Who knows? I may even find some moments to speak for myself. I’d also like to wish a very Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today. Many blessings to you. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John F. Kennedy, Jr.” Comments are welcomed. Truth be told, I’ve been struggling more recently with post COVID stuff than during the restricted times. Crazy, right? I am fortunate that it takes very little to lift my spirits. A friend, who had just returned from a trip to Switzerland, came over. She had remembered something I told her awhile ago about a teaching assistant I once had. He would bring me champagne truffles for a treat. They are my absolute favorites. My friend had taken note and brought me back a small box of Swiss champagne truffles. I was over the moon. The day got even better. We went out to do some errands and I experienced another happiness booster. Pre-pandemic when I was out in the afternoon, I would occasionally get a Starbuck’s Chai Latte. This is something I’d even forgotten about during our confinement. After completing the errands we went to a Starbuck’s and I got a Chai Latte. It may have been the best Chai Latte ever. Those 2 inconsequential moments in the greater scheme of life turned my entire outlook around. I started to think about all the little things that bring joy and happiness and gratitude. It truly is the little things. Following are a few of those little things for me. Happiness is: Champagne truffles A Starbuck’s Chai Latte Time with my daughter’s dog (and my daughter, of course) Doing Wordle and crossword puzzles with a friend The crunching sound when walking through fallen leaves in Autumn The opportunity to do a kindness for someone The smell of Linden flowers A 64 pack of Crayola crayons Roasted chestnuts from a vendor Holiday snow globes My list could go on. Let us just say that happiness is anyone and anything that is loved by you. Comments are welcomed. |
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