Bolder!

Trust

Yesterday afternoon I watched the clouds race across the still snow-covered lake. I'm beginning to feel like I live in Narnia during the reign of the White Witch. Always winter. Never Christmas.

Still, when I looked further, expanded my horizon, so to speak, there was open water north of me -- a small strip out in the middle reflecting blue sky overhead. Something is happening.

I can trust the cycle. Winter will pass. Spring is present even if it's hard to see. I don't need to worry that winter is stuck on hold.   

Someone once told me that all fear comes from the fear we won't survive. I'd also add that it's usually a result of looking too far ahead and expecting the worst. LIke winter never ending.

As a life coach I often hear the words "I would but... I can't because..."  We get stuck in our story and have a difficult time getting out of our own way.

So try this next time you find yourself dithering about something that might happen or why you couldn't possibly ______. (You fill in the blank.)

Bring your attention to the moment. Focus on whatever is in front of you. Check in with your body, take a deep breath and tell yourself, "I'm safe right now."Another deep breath. "And in this moment now, I'm still safe." Keep breathing and checking until you feel it.

It's the gift of the present.

What's In Front Of You

One way to become present to the moment is to surround yourself with meaning.

Currently on my desk is a dragonfly paper weight, a small picture of a nesting Canada goose and an angel figurine cradling a book. Each holds special meaning for me.

The dragonfly reminds me of a life-changing process I took part in. During CTI's Leadership program I moved through my fears, woke up to my life again and got serious about my writing. The dragonfly prompts me to remember that time of metamorphosis. It brings back my commitment to live with passion when I look at it.

I live beside a lake that is home to flocks of Canada geese. Often as they take off or come in for a landing, they fly low overhead and I've heard the wind whisper their flight feathers. It's an incredible sound. I've read that Canada geese represent creativity in native traditions. The nesting image reminds me to allow incubation time for my ideas. You can't force the creative process.

Finally, the angel figurine was given to me by a dear friend. When I glance at it during my day I feel her energy and support. The book reminds me that I have important stuff to get up to with my writing AND my friend is waiting to read it!

What's in front of you today?

Bring into your daily life small reminders of what's important to you in your journey.

Human Be-ing

It's a quiet day today. My husband is away on business and the dog is asleep at my feet. Outside a spring snowstorm is brushing by the windows as the afternoon wanes. I've built a fire and the logs are glowing red. This why I love living where there are four seasons.

What am I celebrating today? What little moment caught my attention and pulled me away from the computer and business and the million little details of life that I distract myself with?

Up until this moment I would have had to say nothing. I got busy. I had clients and phone calls to return and emails to write and oh yes, a blog posting to get done. Up to this moment I hadn't stopped to pay attention today.

I'm sharing this because a funny thing can happen. You may start comparing your experience to mine and you need to know that I forget or get too busy just like all the rest of the world. Here's why.

When I first started teaching writing workshops I discovered there was a myth attaching itself to me. A majority of my students assumed I faithfully wrote every day and it was discouraging to some who had lives that intruded on their creative time. (Which was most of them.)

When I realised what was going on, I 'fessed up that I had my own rough patches and Inner Editor to deal with and there were days when I just didn't sit down to write. Relief flowed into the room. My students had permission to be human.

The practice of mindfulness is just that - a practice. Because we miss a day or two doesn't make us wrong or mean that we should throw out the whole idea. We just return to practicing.

Take a deep breath and look around at THIS moment.

That's the brilliance of waking up to your life and the small miracles that inhabit the space surrounding you. You can't do it wrong. As soon as you pay attention, you're back in the moment and it's absolutely perfect.

So I'm enjoying the glow of the fire and the quiet. That's my moment for today. What's yours? 

Taking Notice

We had a dusting of snow here last night and, as much as I am longing for spring, the white frosting on dark cedars stopped me for a moment. I sipped my coffee and enjoyed the picture it made outside my kitchen window as the early morning light sparked off the crystals.

Even as I watched, a squirrel ran through the upper branches sending a shower of white falling to the ground. A small breeze sifted more powder from the trees. By lunch the beauty framed by my kitchen window will have changed. If I hadn't taken that moment when it was offered, I would have missed the gift.

On one of my recent journeys I picked up a book by Stephen Levine called "A Year To Live". The premise of the book is to spend one year living as if it was all the time you possessed. The idea intrigues me however the book isn't quite what I was looking for. I'm a practical kind of gal while Stephen stays firmly in realm of philosophy and ideals. To be fair, he gives some advice for a practice and the book does make me think more about mindful living.

As I read the chapter on Noticing this past weekend one quote jumped out at me:

"What we describe as 'our life' is not the sum total of what has passed through our hands but what has passed through our minds."

What are you noticing today? Fill your mind with what's around you and enrich your life.