“You should be happy with what you have.”   “Be grateful!”  “Count your blessings.” These are but a few of the admonishments/advice I received as a child when I wanted something more.  I can understand the sentiment behind it; being grateful in all things is of utmost importance to a joyful life.  However,  I interpreted those messages as … Continue reading Childhood Admonishments

There are days when I just don’t feel like smiling.  This is one such day.  It stems from too much busyness and too little time in solitude, followed by a lack of energy or even the desire to make an effort.  This results in going through my day feeling emotionally neutral…not terribly happy, not really sad, just “meh.”  Left … Continue reading Feeling ‘Meh’

Recently, pyramid-shaped speed bumps were built on the road to the cottage hubby and I rent for the summer.  One day, a crew appeared and by the time they left, mounds of black tar spanned the width of the road in two places. Mind you, this is a road that sees a maximum of 15-20 cars … Continue reading Bumps

“I wish I was back to being younger,” my eleven-year-old granddaughter said to me on a recent visit.  We were sitting on a bench outside, admiring the beautiful day. “Oh?” I asked, wondering how much younger than eleven she would like to be and why.  No specific age was mentioned as I’m not sure it was clear … Continue reading Where Did The Magic Go??

I remember as a young girl of eleven or twelve, wondering what made the ‘mean’ girl tick.  What made her that way?  Even back then, I had a rudimentary understanding that we are more alike than we are different.   I created a scenario in my mind of the two of us getting stuck on an elevator, between floors … Continue reading Elevator Test

Wandering around the Farmers’ Market with my two-year old granddaughter is always a treat. Even from her stroller, she appears to be fascinated by all the goings on around her.  On this particular Saturday, It took both of her little hands to hang onto the red pepper that I purchased.  Even though it was organic, I worried … Continue reading The Kindness of Strangers

Non-judgment to me means… it’s very possible that I don’t understand everything I’m observing and experiencing here.  When I look at people/situations/events from this vantage point, I’m more likely to learn something.  While judgment assumes I have all the answers, non-judgment entertains the possibility that there’s more than meets the eye. It compels me to be more open-minded. … Continue reading Non-Judgment

“Surrendering to the flow of life seems to come more easily to you than it does to me,” a friend of mine recently commented.  Like so many first-borns, her innate nature is to take charge and control things to the best of her ability. I agree that this way of life is a bit easier for … Continue reading Surrendering to the Flow of Life

I’m a big proponent of time spent in solitude.  Does this make me an introvert?  I’m not sure, but I do know that solitude offers me time to reflect, on life in general, and on my life specifically.  It plays a central role in my continuing quest to unearth authenticity in my life. In this hurry-hurry world, I … Continue reading Heart-Awareness

It’s mid-January. The holidays are definitely over. Why then, am I so reluctant to take down the decorations?  I love their visual reminders of peace, love and serenity that I see around me.  They fill my cup to overflowing.  On Christmas Eve, I was telling my family how the string of lights represents, for me, … Continue reading Tending the Light(s)