This summer, I have spent hours watering, feeding, pruning, harvesting fruit and simply enjoying my garden. It's not surprising at all to realize that I'm tending to more than my plants out there. I am also taking gentle care of myself.
In Scotland, where the weather can be moody, you learn how relaxing it is to go with the flow. You learn the beauty of savoring what you get to do and not worrying at all about what you don't. I am trying to bring a "wee bit" of this is a mindset home with me.
It can be hard to know what to do for someone who is hurting. Mostly, the right answer is to look for ways to love them. What does compassion like this look like? There are as many answers to this question as there are friendships. Trust that you'll know what to say or do because you love them.
We have a lot of experience living with adult kids. Though none of us would have chosen to be roommates, none of us would trade this time together either. I've learned through my practice that equanimity can not only get you through a lot of discomfort, but it can reveal glimmers of goodness as you do. Though living well with our kids again has taken some effort, we have shared treasured moments that we would never have had otherwise.
Friends, I am super P.O.'d. The worse part is that I'm not just P.O.'d at the person who upset me. I'm even more P.O.'d with myself for still being so P.O.'d. I would desperately like to stop this "extra," self-inflicted pain and suffering. What am I to do?
Everything in this world is made for our growth and evolution. Spring is the perfect season to witness Life all around us and to feel it bursting within us. All you have to do is step outside!
The summer after my brother died, something deep within me learned the power of adjusting the aperture of my awareness. Keeping my metaphorical lens as small as possible helped me realize that - moment to moment - I was OK. This same strategy is helping me to feel more settled and calm in the wake of the national and global chaos of the last months.
I've always been in awe of people who can fix things and make things. Until this week IKEA shelves were the extent of my handy-ness. But now I know how to use an orbital sander and - it surprises me as I bet it will surprise you - I have brand new mindfulness practice to help keep me in the present moment.
In the face of the hugeness and mystery of the Grand Canyon, I experienced the relief of surrendering to the unknown. Could I learn to receive my real-life moments “at the edge” with even a smidge of the wonder and awe that I felt on the edge of the Grand Canyon? I really hope so.