How Do You Begin Your Day?
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I don’t know about you, but often times upon waking my mind is instantly flooded with worries, to-dos, sometimes regret about things I didn’t do, etc.
I have heard it said that the moment we wake up we are connected to Source–God, Higher Power, Love. Then our minds take over–our lower self, ego–and we get disconnected.
Upon hearing this, I became aware of and observed my own disconnection as it unfolded during those first few minutes of waking. I watched my mind automatically begin to reactivate my “stuff” from the day before.
This is not the best way to greet the gift of a new day.???? So I began a simple ritual that allows me to plug back into the Love and the Power that is greater than me and my thoughts.
Now when I wake up and my mind begins churning I interrupt my stream of thoughts: As my feet hit the floor, I put my arms in the air, look to the sky and whisper “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” (If I am feeling particularly stressed, I will shout out these “thank yous” in my mind–with great enthusiasm!????) Next, as I go about the first 10-15 minutes of my morning routine I allow my thoughts to dwell on only one thing: my blessings.
We have all day to plan and to do what needs to get done. But if we can begin our days with this simple practice our behaviors and our mindsets become grounded in love and gratitude. This shapes the quality of our days and experience of our lives.
Love and gratitude (and kindness!) –Life’s magic elixirs!
How will you begin your day tomorrow? 
Better Still
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I was blessed to catch up with an old friend on Friday. Sadly, he has been going through a horrific period, fraught with intense emotional pain. As we talked, I was inspired to know that among his upset and his pain, he has learned to find and experience amazing joy.
He has found his joy in the stillness and the aliveness of nature.
In the stillness, he accesses inner peace. In the aliveness, he senses the powerful, throbbing impulse to grow. I think he (and all of us) intuitively knows: the stillness will save him and growth will transform him.
I love this notion. It reassures us that no matter what happens along our own paths–no matter how bumpy, uncertain, or painful the terrain–if we go deep enough, into the stillness within, there is a wellspring of peace and happiness.
This is the Truth, our Buddha-nature, the Christ within. It cannot be destroyed. It is always available to us.
We don’t have to wait for bumps on our trails to go out and sense the stillness and aliveness of nature to be stirred and filled with its grace. At any time, we can just go outside and experience its splendor. Better yet–we can go inside. 
Enjoy your Buddha-nature today! 
The Little Dash
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On Friday we attended the funeral of a beloved man, Roy. He was ninety-four. His was a life well-lived.
Just two weeks prior to his passing his daughter asked how old he felt–on the inside. His response was “On the inside, I feel happy.”
His answer didn’t surprise me. Roy was a devoted and loving family man, a true and loyal friend, a man of many passions, a kind and wonderful neighbor to me and my family. He lived his life in accordance with his highest values. As a result, Roy was satisfied with his dash–that little line between the year we were born and the year we die that represents our lives.
I began to think about my own dash. As I reflected, I wondered:
- What does my dash stand for?
- Does it represent the best of who I am and what I have to offer?
- What mark will I leave in the hearts and minds of those I love, and those whose lives I've touched, if even for a moment?
- Does my dash reflect my highest values?
- What lessons will people take away from my life?
Today, take inventory of your dash. Together let’s recommit to showing up as our finest selves so that at the end of our days (and all the days before!) we, too, can say “On the inside, I feel happy.”
Rest in peace, Roy. (I know you will.) 
