All You Need is Love
The other day I lost it with my teenage daughter.
Moments later I felt the sting of shame and guilt at my outburst. I couldn’t seem to let go of the lingering feelings of anger and frustration with my daughter nor the shame and guilt with myself.
Then I remembered something I learned long ago: there are really only two emotions–love and fear.
As I remembered this, I could see the fear at the root of my frustration and anger with my daughter as well as the shame and guilt with myself. Recognizing the fear seemed to diminish the intensity and burden of those other emotions because the fear felt reasonable and understandable. This gave way to compassion for both my daughter and myself.
Then I asked myself one of my favorite questions: What would love do?
Love would love her and all of her complexities and human frailties. Love would support her and reflect her perfect being so that she could more clearly see that in herself. Love would cut me a ton of slack for my own behavior. Love would trust in the flow of life. Love would remind me that everything that happens to us happens for us.
Love would let go. So that’s what I did. And in that moment, life was good.
I don’t know what the next moment, the next event, the next point of contention will bring…but none of that matters. The only thing that matters is being fully awake and in love in this moment.
The next time you feel sad, frustrated, angry, or confused ask yourself the simple question: What would love do? Then, act in love, and bask in the feeling of present moment perfection. 
Sending you blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving! 
My Morning Meditation & Journaling Ritual
This past week, I recommitted to my practice of meditating and journaling in the morning.
Here are my observations on the effects of stillness through meditation and journaling during a challenging and stressful week.
* Perspective - though the challenge in my life has not gone away, my perception of it has changed. No challenge is insurmountable. This offers much-needed perspective.
* Compassion - I remember that I am not the only one with problems. Indeed, my problems are far less than what many others have to manage. When I think of others who are struggling, I feel compassion and my heart expands.
* Acceptance - I remember that pain is just part of life. I don’t have to fight or resist my problems. Acceptance lessens the emotional grip that problems have on me so that I can respond from a more resourceful place.
* Resolve - I have little control over my current worry. But I can get to work on that which is ALWAYS within my control: how I choose to think about and respond to my current situation.
* Opportunity - within the kernel of every problem is the opportunity for new growth, new meaning, and new purpose. All we need to do is look for it!
* Peace - in the silence of early morning there is a profound, ever-present peace. In that peace, there is a comfort and a quiet knowing that everything will be okay–no matter what–because that is the nature, the balance, and the wonder of life.
These are a few of the reasons why I meditate and journal. These things help me to show up at my best.
I hope in some small way this inspires each of you to begin a practice, or, to recommit to the one you have! 
Wishing us all peace in a sometimes stress-filled world, and the ability to show up in that world at our very best! 
