Love One Another Now~Swiftly Flow the Years

 

Sunrise, Sunset

Sunrise, Sunset

Swiftly flow the years.

One season following another

Bringing happiness and tears.

'Sunrise, Sunset' from Fiddler on the Roof

Swiftly Flow the Years

"The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand 

and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. 

How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give. 

If I carry only grief, I’ll bend toward cynicism and despair. 

If I have only gratitude, I’ll become saccharine 

and won’t develop much compassion for other people’s suffering. 

Grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, 

which helps make compassion possible."

 Francis Weller

Life is filled with ups and downs, bringing both happiness and tears. No one gets through life without experiencing their fair share of difficulties, hurts, and hard times.

Life IS short, and the years flow swiftly by. Why waste time nursing old hurts, going it alone, or keeping yourself separate from others in your grief? Isolation only serves to amplify your pain and suffering. 

As Frances Weller notes, learn to carry your grief in one hand and gratitude in the other, and allow yourself to be stretched large by them. Heal those hurts. Share your grief. Make amends. Love one another now. Swiftly flow the years.

What hurts are you carrying around? What grief are you dealing with? What has you hiding from others, keeping you separate and apart?  How can you learn to carry your grief in one hand and gratitude in the other, and allow yourself to be stretched large by them?

Lightarted Living: Living the Moment-in-Between

Lightarted Living: Living the Moment-in-Between: The Moment-in-Between Stop living for reason; Time to start living for rhyme. I'm on a spree and I'm Gonna make sure  Its a perfectl...

Living the Moment-in-Between

The Moment-in-Between

Stop living for reason;

Time to start living for rhyme.

I'm on a spree and I'm

Gonna make sure 

Its a perfectly good waste of time.

 Carnival the Musical

The Aftermath of Blueberry Pancakes

Lee Bryant

 Leftovers

Look what Lee found by pausing a moment after enjoying her blueberry pancakes. What stunning beauty she found in the mess. What beauty would you find in your own life if you practiced the pause more?

Just like dealing with the aftermath of eating blueberry pancakes, our lives can be messy and we're always left to clean up even after enjoying the main entrée. 

Why be in such a hurry to clean up the mess of life--looking to keep everything neat and tidy, with everything in it's proper place?

If you pause before setting your mind to the task of clearing the table set before you, you just might find the beauty in the moment-in-between. What have you been missing?

Practice the Pause

Waste some Time

Live Life Messy

Stop Living for Reason

Start Living for Rhyme

Find the Beauty in the Moment-in-Between

Lightarted Living: Rebuilding Your World with Hope

Lightarted Living: Rebuilding Your World with Hope:   Heart-Felt Wishes What will this year bring for you?  Good things I hope. My deepest heart-felt wishes for you: 💓For you to discover a re...

Rebuilding Your World with Hope

 

Heart-Felt Wishes

What will this year bring for you? 

Good things I hope.

My deepest heart-felt wishes for you:

💓For you to discover a renewed love of the simple pleasures in life. 

💓For you to find a way to ignite the flames of hope and love in your soul 

to yank you out of this long, dark winter we've all been in. 

But how do you do that?

How to Rebuild Your World with Hope

To refill our lives with all the good stuff, we must think about others, 

not just about ourselves. 

The path to reestablishing a life filled with hope and love 

for ourselves is paved with doing concrete acts of love for others. 

What goes around, comes around--and we're all in this together.

We can create a world of hope and love 

by 'doing unto others what we would have done unto us'. 

Wishing You "Laughfter", Hearts, and Good Will

As I thought about what this meant to me, I  thought

about how important good health, support, connection and love

have been to me in the last year. 

I pondered 'what concrete acts of love have been 'done unto me' 

that I'm grateful for, and how I can I now turn that around to 'do unto others'?' 

Here is a short list of big and little concrete acts of love 

that were done unto me that I am most grateful for: 

💓Healthcare workers and volunteers providing me with covid-19 vaccinations

💓 People going for daily walks with me and my dog, Hannah

💓 People wearing masks in public

💓 Others checking in with with me during my family health crisis

💓 Connection with others to laugh and share tender moments

💓 Receiving support from my community during the tough times.

I have already reaped the benefits of returning the kindnesses 

done to me by reaching out to others. 

It felt good to volunteer for a vaccination clinic to 

help my community achieve herd immunity. 

Like me, recipients of the vaccine are so grateful.

It felt good to support other community members

in crisis through concrete acts of love, providing

food and clothing, and financial and emotional support.

It feels good to reach out to others in need of

connection with another human being

during this time of nesting in place.

If you want to feel good about life and living, 

there is nothing like doing good for others

to make the world feel like a good place to live. 

There is nothing more empowering than 

giving back to others with goodwill. 

So do yourself a favor on your way to building hope:

Get out there and find ways to contribute to

the good of others and your community.

How are you reaching out to others with tenderness, kindness, and compassion?

How are you offering up to others what you want offered up to you?

How are you helping reestablish a kinder, gentler world through your actions?

How are you making the world a better place for others?

Lightarted Living: Don't be Pushed by Your Problems; Be Led by Your D...

Lightarted Living: Don't be Pushed by Your Problems; Be Led by Your D...:   ' It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting' Paulo Coelho Man's Search for Meaning Some...

Don't be Pushed by Your Problems; Be Led by Your Dreams~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting'
Paulo Coelho

Man's Search for Meaning

Sometimes in the overwhelming challenge of attempting to get back on your feet during this pandemic, or recovering from the devastating loss of a loved one, or regaining your equilibrium after an illness, you can be left feeling discouraged, hopeless and isolated. Looking through the lens of defeat, loss, and isolation, life can begin to feel flat and meaningless.

The key to pulling out of the darkness is to change the filter you look through to gain a fresh perspective. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."

When you're dispirited and feeling low it may feel like an impossible task to change your perspective. You don't exactly feel perky and positive. Yet, changing your focus from your problems and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles you face to putting the focus back on creating a life based on your dreams and aspirations is the only way out.

I know you're tired, but come, this is the way.

I Know it Hurts--Just Push into the Pain

When I was in labor with my first child I failed to dilate fully so my doctor manually stretched me during the contractions that occurred one minute apart. This was the most painful and seemingly never ending process I've ever experienced. I could barely remain conscious the pain was so excruciating.

With contractions coming every minute, I would fall into a deep sleep for 45 seconds before the contractions would wake me and the unbearable pain would start all over. As the doctor stretched me, 60 times an hour, he kept saying 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain'. It took all my resolve not to kick him in the groin and tell him 'YOU push into the pain!'

But even in my darkest moment somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I knew when I eventually got out of what turned out to be 24 hours of hard labor, that comment, 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain', would become a metaphor for my life.

If Pain is the Teacher, What's the Lesson?

Birthing a new life--literally or figuratively has it's painful moments--but when you push into the pain and stay focused on your dreams you move through it to gain a new life. It isn't always pleasant or easy but when you achieve a dream it's worth it in the end.

There is no way to avoid or go around the the painful part of life on our way to achieving our dreams. No one 'has it easy'. But if we keep our eyes on the goal, instead of the obstacles, we allow ourselves to be led by our dreams instead of pushed by our problems, making it easier to endure and overcome the difficulties along the way.

"We must endure what we can not escape."  Mark Nepo

Are You Ready to Turn it Around?

• Where have you felt pushed by your problems? 
• If you were led by your dreams what would you do differently? 
• If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do with your life? 

You Got This

You're up to this challenge called life. No matter your age or where you are in your journey, always return to being led by your dreams to find your way forward.

"Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open."   

 Robert Brault

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Lightarted Living: The Magnificent Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins...

Lightarted Living: The Magnificent Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins...: 💙What magnificent journey are you on? 💙Why are you dragging your feet? 💙What overwhelms you as you contemplate your future? 'A journe...

The Magnificent Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step~Lao Tzu

💙What magnificent journey are you on?

💙Why are you dragging your feet?

💙What overwhelms you as you contemplate your future?

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'

Lao Tzu

If you accept life is one magnificent thousand mile journey after 

another to be traveled one step at a time, your journey will be easier.

Don't Overwhelm Yourself

Don't focus on the thousand miles;

Concentrate on actively taking one step 

of the magnificent journey at a time instead.

Stop Worrying 

Stop holding your breath.

Allow your heart to empty of all turmoil.

Begin each day with relaxed breathing. 

Choose to be inspired and relaxed daily.

Breath in Inspiration, Breath out Calm

Breath in inspiration, and take a single step.

Breath out calm, and begin your daily journey.

Learn to Labor and Wait

All good things come to she who labors and waits.

Patiently take one step, and then another. 

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' 

Lao Tzu

All good things comes to she who labors and waits.

Allow your heart to empty of turmoil.

Take a step.

Begin. 

Becoming Your Magnificent Self

The photo this 'thousand mile art' was created on is one I took of 

our paper poppies birthing caps placed on the garden table.

I watched the poppy birth for over an hour as it

emerged from a capped bud to become a magnificent and spectacular flower.

All of life ebbs and flows through cycles of birth and regeneration,

and you're always beginning a journey of a thousand miles.

With patience and an allowing attitude you'll bloom 

to become the magnificent and spectacular being 

you are created to be over and over again.

Accept the magnificent journey~

choose to savor life's moments,

overcome its challenges,

revere its mystery, 

and release its disappointments along the way.

Lightarted Living: An Unseen Life that Dreams Us~John O'Donohue

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Lightarted Living: What to do while Waiting for the Other Shoe to Dro...: 'Before you criticize someone ,  you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way when you criticize them,  you are a mile a...

Lightarted Living: When Life Knocks You a Blow

Lightarted Living: When Life Knocks You a Blow: "It is not what life brings us,  But the manner in which we receive it That shapes our destiny." Marie Dubsky If you haven't y...

When Life Knocks You a Blow

"It is not what life brings us, 

But the manner in which we receive it

That shapes our destiny."

Marie Dubsky

If you haven't yet had a turn to be knocked about by life, don't worry, your time will come. That's the nature of life~ it brings many challenges and difficult hills to climb. While few welcome the hardships of life, its important to know you can handle whatever life throws at you. 

As Marie Dubsky said, it's not what life brings us, but how we respond that will determine our destiny. If you've come face to face with hardship, understand your attitude will shape the outcome, and therefore choose to take charge of your response. Open yourself up to taking the healthiest attitude for getting through.

When Life Knocks You a Blow

When life knocks you down, what is the proper response? To get back up and start again, and again and again. Trust that you're made of strong stuff and you have everything within you to successfully navigate life no matter how challenging. 

Ask for, and accept, help from others in a position to help, and choose the best path for moving life in the direction you want it to go.  

Let go of the pride, shame, and  humiliation brought on by your difficult situation and choose a strategy for moving through hardships gracefully. With the help of others, and your own strength and resiliency you'll find your way through. You've got this!

"Fall down 7 times, Get up 8 Times"

Japanese Proverb

 

An Unseen Life that Dreams Us~John O'Donohue

 

"There is an unseen life that dreams us,

It knows our true direction and destiny.

We can trust ourselves more than we realize,

And we have no fear of change."

John O'Donohue

What is your unseen life dreaming for you?

What perfect destiny does your unseen life

have in store for you?

When you let go and trust, 

what true path will your unseen life lead you down?

When you trust yourself, 

what marvelous dream emerges?

Let Go

Trust Yourself

Let your unseen life dream you

Look for blessings and opportunities around every corner 

Have no fear of change. 

Have no fear of life.

Dream.

Original Photography of San Francisco by David Love. A big thanks to David Love for sharing his photography. David is a childhood friend I've known since elementary school. There is something about David's photography that catches my attention and pulls me in. I want to sit with his photos to inhale their soul and essence.

Lightarted Living: Love One Another~What the World needs now is Love

Lightarted Living: Love One Another~What the World needs now is Love:   Love One Another Now more than ever  what the world needs now is love, sweet love. Love Makes the World Go Round "Love makes the worl...

Love One Another~What the World needs now is Love

 

Love One Another

Now more than ever 

what the world needs now

is love, sweet love.

Love Makes the World Go Round

"Love makes the world go round,

Love makes the world go round.

Somebody soon will love you,

If no one loves you now.

High in some silent sky,

Love spins a silver song, 

Making the world turn softly,

Love makes the world go round."

Carnival, the musical

Original Photo of "Christmas Cabbage" by Lee Bryant

Can you see the love around you? I look for love everywhere

and that's what pops out at me when I look into photos to see what I see. 

As I played with this cabbage, I started to sing the song, 

"Love makes the world go round" and all of the hearts emerged.

Love is all around you, spinning a silver song. 

Listen and look for it everywhere. 

When you wake in the morning, reset your heart 

and vision to absorb the love that is always present.

Reach beyond the ugliness of this moment to become part 

of the collective consciousness of love and goodwill toward

your fellow humans. Reach out to others with compassion, 

and be ready to receive abundant love and kindness in return.

Help reset the world around you to reflect a kinder, more loving

world. Love one another. What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

Lightarted Living: Remembering Lost Loved Ones at Christmas

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Lightarted Living: May Your Troubles Dissolve like Lemon Drops Somewh...

Lightarted Living: May Your Troubles Dissolve like Lemon Drops Somewh...:   Somewhere over the Judith L. Smith I woke up to the sound of raindrops skipping Over the surfaces of my outdoor patio Looking out,...

May Your Troubles Dissolve like Lemon Drops Somewhere over the

 

Somewhere over the

Judith L. Smith

I woke up to the sound of raindrops skipping

Over the surfaces of my outdoor patio

Looking out, I saw several round puddles

Assembled on my glass table top

 

Across the bay a ribbon was shooting upward

Vivid hues – blues, greens, yellow, reds, purples –

And pressing aside dark and water-filled clouds

That hung over the bay and hills

 

The spectra of color persisted for but a short time

But may have been nature’s assurance of hope and joy

Will our troubles dissolve like lemon drops somewhere over the

Original Photo of Santa Monica Bay by Judith L. Smith

Sending you a rainbow of Joy and Hope, and

wishing all our troubles dissolve like lemon drops in 2021.

Happy, Hopeful New Year!

somewhere over the...

Remembering Lost Loved Ones at Christmas

 

Memories of Loved Ones are Songs in Our Soul

The holidays are times of great joy and sorrow. For those of us who've lost loved ones, their memories are etched deep in our souls and baked into every ritual we shared during the Christmas holiday. 

Finding ways to honor loved ones memory through weaving their stories into current rituals releases the tender memories we hold, and invites our loved ones who've passed to sit at our holiday table and join in the festivities. 

Who do you want to Honor?

Who have you lost you'd like to honor and remember? What tender memories would you like to harness and enjoy? What warm holiday rituals can you participate in to bring fond memories of your loved one into your day?

Cooking Up a Batch of Love and Memories 2020

Daddy at Christmas 

For me, Christmas is a time to remember my father who passed in 2014. He is the one who taught us how to make his mother's Christmas rolls. Everyone in the family looked forward to the annual making of the cinnamon rolls. 

Making the rolls always started by taking down the oversized bread making bowl and Irma S. Rombauer's 'Joy of Cooking' (A compilation of reliable recipes with an occasional culinary chat 1931-1943). 

You couldn't be in a hurry when making cinnamon rolls with my father. The mixing, kneading, rising, rolling,  filling, second rising, and baking would take as much time as it needed. Of course that didn't stop me from pinching off pieces of the dough to pop in my mouth while waiting. It made the waiting that much sweeter. 

After my father passed, and we chose things we wanted from our parents home I quickly chose the oversized bread-making bowl. I keep the tradition of storing it up high and ceremonially bringing it down to make the Christmas rolls each year.

And of course I use the dough recipe out of my 1943 Joy of Cooking that's held together with rubber bands and love. It even has some of my father's handwritten notes. 

As I engaged in each ceremonial step of making this year's Christmas rolls, smile after smile arose in me as years of memories making cinnamon rolls with my father embraced and comforted me.  I could even hear him saying, "Who you analyzing now, Suz?"

I sent my siblings pictures of my cinnamon rolls to start the good natured battle at Christmas, in which we egg each other on over who's cinnamon rolls are the best. They replied with pictures of their own sweet masterpieces. It is our way of basking in the fond memories together of the warm and loving family we grew up in.

Dwell on the Warmth of Your Memories

During the holiday season, find a way to dwell on, and enhance, memories of your loved ones who've passed. Celebrate how they've touched your life. Find a way to keep their memories alive in your heart. 

Memories of loved ones are like tender songs in our soul

Lightarted Living: Let Your Heart be Light~Next Year all our Troubles...

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