Exploring GRATITUDE

Alli Anne and Molly Rose - also known as Allison and Martie - have been friends for many years.  Sometimes they were professional colleagues who did training workshops together.  Sometimes they were friends who laughed and sang and were joyful together.  Then came retirement - came about differently for each of them.  They started a few ideas for projects together but a better decision was to just be friends.  That could work.  They were the same in some ways but in so many other ways, just being friends was an easier way to dance together - and that was good.

So on their journey to being friends, they decided to go on an adventure.  They had created key ingredients for relationships and thought, "Why not see how many towns we can find that have the same name as the ingredients?"  Thought it would be easy - NOT.  Eventually AlliAnne searched the computer and the two decided on a Friend Adventure off in search of Gratitude.  It was on the map on the Cheseapeake in Maryland.  Did they find it?  Well, one discovery is that there is no town with that name although it is on the map.  But check this out

 

They found the Gratitude Marina in a small town right near where Gratitude, MD should have been on the map!  So one discovery was that it existed...sort of.  The real treasures is that they truly understand that Gratitude is NOT a place to be found as much as it is located within them and in relationships with the world.
  

Walking on a beach they saw an older couple pushing a stroller and walking a dog on a leash.  Look at these faces and see what Gratitude is all about.  This couple has rescued and adopted four daschunds.  Alli Anne and their owner talked about puppy health - see Alli Anne cooks bok choy daily for her dogs and so does this owner.  There was so much of the day that gave them messages of gratitude - weather - good food - great conversations with people who might have been strangers and then a visit to Chesapeake City.

Both remembered the little ice cream place by the canal and thought - in their childlike enthusiasm - "What a great way to end the day...ice cream!! "  They gave not a care to the fact that sugar is not a good friend for either of them BUT in the short run they had gratitude that they got favorite ice cream flavors and sat out by the canal watching the boats and ships of all sizes coming by.  A favorite to be sure - the teeny tiny tug guiding the giant car carrying vessel up and under the bridge out to sea!

So lesson learned...many lessons learned.  Best of all is to realize that GRATITUDE is NOT a place but a feeling of appreciation for each and every little things - each precioius present - that life gifts us with.  It's a simple no brainer - sometimes we just forget so it takes an adventure like this sometimes to guide us gently back to reality.

Perfect...or Not...It's Done!!

Here's a lesson learned - another one - and they are - with gratitude - coming at me with warp speed.  I am not aging, but acquiring WISDOM!!

We have a habit in our house of washing the clothes and then hanging them out to dry - usually on the basement clothesline but sometimes outside. 

I have often been fussy that they are not 'scrunched' on the line.  The other day, I stopped and thought about that.  Aren't I lucky that I have a guy who shares the task with me without being asked or badgered?  YOU BET -

So what's the lesson - I can hang clothes precisely (or so I think), Bill can scrunch them somewhat and guess what??  They still dry at the same rate and they are still ready to wear!!  Amazing - and I am totally filled with yet more Joy and Gratitude that I can now let that be!!!  Hey, it's a challenge for me - and for lots of you my friend, but LETTING GO and letting it happen is so much easier on the stress level...life...and time!!

Stop to BE STILL ...and SEE and then turn around and SEE more

I've been looking for crocus in our yard...nothing showing...until today!  I was on the way to the water (and wish I had a camera there today!!) when I looked to the right and the front yard rather than the garden.  Oh my - my wish had been granted - two tiny perfect crocus.  Put the car in park...go and sit and look at them and wait.  OK...the message was to take them together just as they were...later into the center as well!  I was filled with gratitude.

Then I turned around , preparing to stand and get back in the car but WAIT...look what I saw?!?  There was a drip from the tailpipe - and the pattern of the water on the driveway was explosive!!  I sat and looked at it - thankful for the vision and then looked through the camera to see what came forward.  Being contemplative...is about not labeling...just seeing...a challenging lesson to be learned - until then this reminded me of the iron filings in a Etch a Sketch!!  Just happy I turned around and just noticed...
We have started a group - Facebook page - BE STILL...and SEE Photography - inviting like minded spirits to join us and explore - more synchronicities - and what will evolve?  Hmmmmmmm

Discover: Reflect, Regroup and Restore

Driving West to Lincoln from Des Moines, I stopped at Nebraska Crossing Visitor Center, picking up brochures for experiences ahead of me.  Holy Family Shrine caught my eye.  As I looked at the map, it seemed close by.  Then I was driving down the road and the exit was behind me - miles behind me.  I looked at the Shrine from afar and knew that one day, I would have the opportunity to site within and reflect...another time.  Little did I know that Sandy would offer me a gift...the airlines cancelled and I was driving back to Chicago to catch the train.  Guess what?!?!  I was going right past the shrine with the opportunity to get there.  Off at the exit, see the signs and drive down the road...then drive down an unpaved road.  It was worth it.Their brochure says that their mission is

     " a Catholic chapel on the Highway, a gateway to heaven for pilgrims and       travelers ...and awaken God's will on their journey"

    Walk into the main entry building and the outside into a path/garden to the Shrine.  They used more than 850 boards in the construction of the trusses and water cutting through the floor and culminating in a pool beneath the altar.

    Remember I talk about being still - well...here it is...and I did just that.  I asked for guidance and protection as I began my journey home.  Little did I know what was going to happen - I had guidance...just not the adventure I had planned.  I learned it was NOT up to me to make the decision about the path.  Now, my gratitude is for safe arrival at home...and thanks for being able to sit and reflect in the Shrine. Gifts are everywhere IF we just take the time to appreciate them.

Reclaiming My Spirit of Joy!!

The SUN is shining - the days are longer - and it is time to reclaim my spirit of JOY!  It's been behind some clouds - sometimes goes there when I try too hard to be the person that someone else thinks I should be!  Not a grand feeling.  The other night I was looking for a book to read - just something different and 'discovered' on my office shelf TAKING OUR PLACES: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Felt like there were some messages within for me - growing up - maturity - what is it?   And get this - the book has been on my shelf since 2004.  Guess you don't look for the teacher until you are ready??  What has it said to me so far?? 
"The vow to never grow up is a commitment to a quest for truth and a courage in living."
"Maturity is waking up to what's real even if it doesn't meet our desires and expectations."  Now am I not struggling with Expectations?  Am I not struggling with people saying "Well, that's the way I am."  Essentially I feel like they are saying deal with it BUT in my mind's eye, there is a lack of reciprocity and respect.   Have to ponder this one some more to get the lessons squeezed out of it.
"Our tomorrows are life's endless possibilities and they arise in response to our passion to give ourselves fully to what we are doing wherever we are."
and the final one now...the strength of a mature person comes from FLEXIBILITY!!
So what am I saying?  Am I rambling?  I don't think so.  I think I am going back to the necessity of living in the present moment, being who I am and standing firm to my convictions.  If I can accept that of myself, then I can be further along the road to maturity. 
Thanks to Norman Fischer for taking the time to write this book!!
And always  GRATITUDE to LIFE for playing the music and engaging me in the dance!! 

Immersed in the Beauty of the Universe

Today I present to you, my friends, the total awesome beauty that we are given from the Universe. Grounds for Sculpture has multiple ponds that are just lush with these magnificent water lillies - they are in different locations, are different sizes but they all show and reflect their magnificence. For me, this is a representation of Total Peace and Gratitude for my life!!  More words are not necessary- the picture expresses what I see and feel when I am still and just look. Remember to unwrap your gifts too every day!!  These are stress free and at no cost but setting aside the time to nurture your heart and soul!!