Archive for the ‘Gratitude’ Category
Hopeful
Thursday, March 25th, 2021
I have been thinking about hope the past few weeks. Perhaps it is the new season of Spring and watching the flowers burst through the earth. Perhaps it is because I have been watching the birds return to the cherry trees out side my window. Perhaps it is the light that lasts longer each night. Perhaps it is knowing that family and friends are getting vaccinated and I too will soon get the vaccine. Perhaps it is because I feel like making plans of things to do or places to go for the first time in 12 months.
Or perhaps I have been meditating on hope because it is the season of renewal, miracles, and the Easter season of resurrection and new life. Perhaps it is just my faith reminding me that hope returns (or perhaps never left) that I am given constant reminders of hope in nature. All I know is that any time I have been asked how I am dong the past few weeks, the only word that comes out of my mouth is “hopeful.” I am hopeful of new beginnings and of miracles. I am hopeful that I can live more fully out (especially after a year of having to live fully in). I am hopeful that I can soon see people and hug my family. I am hopeful that so much goodness is waiting for me — us — you.
Even with so much still unknown and a year that will bring a lot of change, I still feel hopeful. And of course that doesn’t mean I don’t get scared or cranky or worried. I am hopeful that my voice will return and my writings will be expressed. I am hopeful that I can be quiet and still. I am hopeful that my inner compass will show me the way and love will lead me home.
And I am choosing to be hopeful. It’s a daily practice — and some days I am better at it than others.
My faith reminds me this time of year that from the darkness comes the light. Without the dark earth, flowers would not bloom. And so I too am rising from the dark earth with new life, new blooms, and new eyes. What are you unearthing? What is blooming inside of you? What has been waiting to bloom inside of you?
Practicing Gratitude
Tuesday, November 26th, 2019
This is the time of year where we make plans for a big meal with family or friends, for volunteering to serve others in need, and for expressing our thanks. After some reflection about this time of year we call, “Thanksgiving,” I have realized that each day is an opportunity to live from the place and space of gratitude. We have a choice of living from scarcity and complaints (isn’t there enough of that on the news?) or we can live from a sincere place of gratitude. I choose to work, collaborate, and hang out with folks who are thankful for what is in their life – even the painful experiences. I see such liberation when we open to gratitude in every form, even walking in the rain without an umbrella!
By expressing gratitude as a daily practice, I have discovered that gratitude is an attitude and that once you have it, you can make it a regular practice like brushing your teeth. There are many gratitude attitudes practices that can be incorporated into everyday life. Here are a few:
As soon as you open your eyes in the morning, say thank you.
Thank at least 3 people every day for something (from holding a door to being in your life).
Start a gratitude attitude journal – write down each day something you are grateful for.
Take 3 minutes each day, close your eyes, inhale and exhale the words “thank you.”
Each night say out loud at least one thing that brought a smile to your face.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, let us take this spirit and energy of the harvesting of the past and bring forth more fruits into the world. Let us all bring “Thanks” and “Giving” to all we know.
When I am grateful, the world is grateful. Happy “Thanks-Giving!”
What are your gratitude attitude practices?
I am grateful for my spouse, my family, my friends, co-workers, books, meditation, nature, sunsets, health (my knee getting better!), the ability to travel, my spiritual teachers, my faith, and my ability to hold space & so, so much more!
A Meditation on Gratitude
Thursday, March 28th, 2019
What would our life be like if we inhaled and exhaled gratitude? Let’s experience more gratitude with each breath.
Take a nice slow breath – in through your nose and out through your mouth. Soften your gaze. Make your spine long and tall. Allow your shoulders to drop away from your ears.
How are you breathing? Allow yourself to breathe in and breathe out. And with your next breath, hear the words: Thank You.
Take a deeper breath. Allow more gratitude to come in and exhale and allow more gratitude to go out. Allow your mind and heart to take in more and let go more.
Listen and send the mantra Thank You to every part of your body. Allow the mantra to move more deeply within. Breathe in and out. Follow the inhalation and exhalation. Follow your brilliance. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Direct your hand to the center of your chest – your heart center. Direct the words Thank You to your heart center. Allow the gratitude to grow in and around you. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Carry this mantra with you. Notice when you are not in gratitude. Thank You. Notice what takes you closer to gratitude. Thank you. Notice how we can be gratitude with each breath. Thank You.
The invitation today is to thank at least three people today.
Thank you.
A Reflection on Devotion
Friday, January 11th, 2019
When I picked my word/mantra for 2018, I had no idea just how powerful it would be. My word for 2018 was: Devotion. I thought that word would be all about “Devotion” to stillness, to meditation, to love, to service, to creating, to healing, to traveling, to causes, to writing, to connections, and to nourishing peace.
What I didn’t know was that devotion to family and time. It was a year devoted to my dad as he spent most of the year ill. It was a year 
devoted to time and spending as much as possible with my dad and family. And it was a year devoted to love.
As I reflect on what was a difficult and sad year, I will always be grateful for the devotion I had for my family and their devotion to me.
Perhaps I didn’t choose the word devotion for 2018, rather devotion had chosen me.
Dedicated to beloved father who passed away in September.
Permission for Joy
Thursday, August 30th, 2018
After attending the 5th and final year of Camp Good Life Project, I had a clear sense of what nourishes me. Connections. Conversations. Community. All of those fill my heart. Meditation. Mindfulness. Mantras. Those fill my soul. Letting the rest go. Clearing the way for what comes to me and fills me up with joy. As I sat on a rock looking out at a lake, I started listening for what I could give myself permission to experience to feel more joy and more peace.
I give myself permission to… 
Take a weekend off to play;
Read the entire Sunday New York Times;
Take a long afternoon nap;
Read three books at the same time;
Write from my heart all day;
Impulsively book a weekend get-a-way;
Connect more with nature;
Be open to not knowing;
Make room for what is next;
To experience JOY;
Love myself more.
What are you willing to give yourself permission to experience?
Do Work That Brings You Joy
Monday, August 20th, 2018
I didn’t set out to change the world. Most people I speak with don’t either. I set out to change an intense emotion – grief. It was important to me and over the years I have found it’s important to others as well.
People want to do important work. Work that has meaning. Work that brings joy. Work that matters.
I bring the best of who I am to my work and that is enough – I am enough. And what I have learned is bringing my best inspires others to bring their best too.
There will always be nay sayers (I have my fair share of those too). The gift is knowing what you offer and finding people who are open and ready to receive.
Changing the world is too big. Changing ourselves is about finding our growing edge and expanding from there.
If it’s not important, why bother?
If it doesn’t bring you joy, move on.
If it is meaningful and joyful, keep going.
Big gratitude to everyone who shows support with my coaching and shamanic healing practice and to those who attend my meditation and spiritual retreats. It is work that brings me so much joy.
A Meditation on Gratitude
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017
You are invited to a meditation focusing on gratitude.
Take a nice slow breath – in through your nose and out through your mouth. Soften your gaze. Make your spine long and tall. Allow your shoulders to drop away from your ears.
How are you breathing? Allow yourself to breathe in and breathe out. And with your next breath, hear the words: Thank You.
Take a deeper breath. Allow more to come in and exhale and allow more to go out. Allow your mind and heart to take in more and let go more.
Invite a free hand onto a part of your body that needs some attention. Listen and send the mantra Thank You to that part of your body. Allow the mantra to move more deeply there. Breathe in and out. Follow the inhalation and exhalation. Follow your brilliance. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Direct your hand to the center of your chest – your heart center. Direct the words Thank You to your heart center. Allow the gratitude to grow in and around you. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Carry this mantra with you. Notice when you are not in gratitude. Thank You. Notice what takes you closer to gratitude. Thank you. Notice how we can be gratitude with each breath. Thank You.
And take a deep full breath in and out. Repeat the mantra: Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Invitation: In the next 24 hours, find at least three people to say Thank You to and pass on a transmission of gratitude.
Open your eyes and look at the world you help co-create with gratitude. Look at the world with Thank You eyes. Look at the world with a grateful heart.
When we see this love and gratitude in ourself, it will be seen in others. Thank You.
Imagine
Thursday, August 31st, 2017
Imagine three plus days at a summer camp for adults. Image a summer camp for creative souls, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. Imagine a weekend of connecting, listening, learning, playing, creating, laughing, crying, painting, meditating, hugging, experiencing, and living with the fullness of our being. Imagine showing up as is – raw, vulnerable, happy, sad, worried, emotional, curious, anxious, hopeful, and playful. Imagine a weekend of community building, deep learning, reflective meditation, mindful conversations, and new friendships. Imagine a weekend of homecoming, soulful humanness, and joyful play. Imagine a weekend of being with allies of love, connection, and community. Imagine all of this – that’s Camp Good Life Project (CampGLP).
Imagine a weekend where conversations can be about loss and longing, place and space, love and liberation. Imagine a weekend where our day can start with meditation and end with a collaborative puzzle. Imagine art as a way to connection. Imagine art as a form of contribution and celebration. Imagine uplifting murals of hope. Imagine learning about how art can heal. Imagine a community mural with 400+ campers. Imagine getting a piece of that mural to take home. Imagine the other half of the mural going to an art project with refugees.
Imagine noticing what gives us purpose. Imagine noticing the hard things in our life right now. Imagine noticing what keeps coming back and letting it be. Imagine noticing the struggles and what makes it worth it. Imagine noticing what we can do to serve. Imagine possibility. Imagine creating possibility for others. Imagine showing up. Imagine shedding what no longer serves us. Imagine being in the home of our heart.
Imagine a conversation on race and liberation. Imagine knowing our whole and complete truth. Imagine giving up something in order to belong. Imagine belonging. Imagine settling down into being uncomfortable. Imagine beginning with our own liberation. Imagine reconnecting with our humanity. Imagine being curious about what we have lost. Imagine reclaiming our wholeness. Imagine not being defined by place. Imagine touching into the suffering of our own being. Imagine the desire to know ourselves. Imagine taking care of ourselves.
Imagine listening. Imagine where conversations can lead. Imagine being seen. Imagine celebrating. Imagine mourning. Imagine releasing. Imagine inviting. Imagine welcoming. Imagine welcoming ourselves home.
Imagine asking, “What If?” Imagine living with openness.
Imagine celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love with 400+ people from around the world at a summer camp for adults. Imagine CampGLP.
Imagine.
Much love and gratitude to Jonathan and Stephanie Fields, the Camp GLP team, crew, and volunteers for letting us live all of this and more.
Come Dance with Me
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Every child has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does
Anything weird,
But the God who knows only 4 words
And keeps repeating them, saying:
“Come Dance with Me.”
Come Dance.
— Hafiz (1320-1389)
I Give Myself Permission…
Monday, August 26th, 2013
To be kind to myself 
To wear multicolored socks
To take hundreds of sunset pictures
To be vulnerable
To be seen, heard, and received
To feel loved and embraced
To meditate everyday
To cry at commercials
To create my art
To sing in public
To dance around the house
To talk to birds
To create peace tribes
To practice radical generosity
To be grateful and share my gratitude
How about you? What does your permission slip say?