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Glittering magical moments
“Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves how to make room for them, to love them, and to live, really live.” ~Anna Quindlen, A Short Guide to a Happy Life Today is my birthday, so I’ve been reflecting on events that unfolded since last August. What did I learn from them? How did they change me? There have been a few challenges: Coco was hit by a car,…
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Germinating
“During the times we think we’re being ‘unproductive,’ the seeds of new worlds are germinating within us, and they need peace to grow.” ~Martha Beck Somewhere along the line, I bought into the notion that I need to be working 24/7. I feel guilty if I’m not writing articles, teaching classes, organizing my home, working in my garden, or otherwise being productive. Now that I’m semi-retired, I don’t want to become useless or irrelevant. While most of us celebrate the idea of retiring from our jobs, we still live in a culture that rewards busyness. So it’s not surprising that many of us are conflicted (or secretly embarrassed) if we…
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Looking on the bright side
“Every sunrise gives you a new beginning and a new ending. Let this morning be a new beginning to a better relationship and a new ending to the bad memories. It’s an opportunity to enjoy life, breathe freely, think and love. Be grateful for this beautiful day.” ~Norton Juster, children’s book author Over the past two days, Doug and I spent time with a pair of old friends who visit us every year when they’re back in town. One of them was diagnosed with brain cancer a few months ago, and her journey back to health has been both grueling and miraculous. She and her husband shared moving stories of…
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Your grass is green enough
“Get busy taking care of your own grass, and you won’t notice whether it’s greener elsewhere.” ~Karon Waddell Whenever I’m fully engaged in something I enjoy, I’m practically oblivious to what’s going on around me. Some psychologists refer to this state as being in the flow. Whatever it’s called, I’m happiest when I’m focusing on my own goals and projects — free of competitive impulses. Jealousy and envy sprout when we doubt our abilities and gifts. Or when we don’t exercise our potential for success. That’s when we look over our shoulders to see what others have achieved. That’s when we start comparing ourselves and feeling “less than” — even when…
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Appreciation
“It’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on all the things you have long taken for granted.” ~ Bertrand Russell Too often, we take for granted the people and things we love. We assume they’ll always be there for us. And we get lazy. The things we value need regular care and maintenance — whether we’re talking about cars, homes, or relationships. Almost everything will fade or rust with neglect. Likewise, we wrongly assume that Mother Nature is inexhaustible. We take her for granted too. We might turn a blind eye to climate change warnings, or refuse to accept responsibility for the natural beauty we…
