I had big plans for this year! Exciting things that have been brewing for a while, like getting my book about my accident and the life-giving centrality of Love when it comes to life, relationships, and God published, as well as becoming a life coach. 6 months in, though, I've made like 1% progress on these endeavors. Does that mean this year's been a failure? Heck no!
Author and activist Shane Claiborne references a quote I think speaks volumes on this topic: "Everybody wants a revolution, but nobody wants to do the dishes." While getting promoted, published, awarded, certified, and other big deal things are great, the mundane is what matters most. Why? Because most of life is full of ordinary moments, practices, and experiences, which means how we engage the normal and what we do amidst regular life is what shapes us and forms others the most.
I haven't moved the needle on my dreams for this year because with my wife Lisa working lots of OT, our purchase of a new home, and coordinating numerous repairs for and the sale of our Tucson rental home, doing literal and figurative "dishes" has taken my time ... and I'm truly happy to do it!
You see, the ancient Israelites had an awesome word for the real revolution that's already changing the world and invites us to join: "hesed". Hesed means lovingkindness. It's little, everyday acts of care and compassion. It's friendly looks and hugs. It's vulnerability and encouragement. It's smiling and high-fiving. It's mingled tears and quick massages. It's holding the door and doing the dishes. Hesed, and the Loving-Kindness Revolution invites us to infuse the ordinary with Love, making it extraordinary. Who wants to join the revolution with me?
#love #light #lovingkindness #hesed #chesed #revolution #dishes #care #compassion #friendly #hugs #vulnberability #encouragement #smile #highfive #tears #massage #kindness #upwardspiral #yoga #magicman #blissarmy #blissology #kitsaphotyoga #whitelotus_yoga_poulsbo
I should have died 10.5 years ago when I was 33. Yet, as traumatic as this surreal experience was (this pic of me in the ICU was 47 days AFTER my accident), I can honestly say it was an incredible gift. You see, it keeps death before my eyes, which, crazy as it might sound, makes life more vibrant, colorful, and miraculous, and relationships more precious, authentic, and cherished. Saint Benedict said, “Keep death always before your eyes”, and I think his point is life changing. You can read more of what I mean at the blog below:
https://gracenpeaceyoga.com/2019/06/14/why-keeping-death-always-before-your-eyes-makes-life-better-lets-talk-about-death-part-5/
#love #life #death #transformation #growth #die #loss #change #trauma #presence #present
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVING OUR MESSY EMOTIONS
Do you ever have a thought or impulse that's inappropriate, uncomfortable, or "bad"? I know I do! The other day, one thought bubble led to another, and before I knew it, I was shocked and dismayed by the notion my mind had centered on. Before my inner shame police got too far into reading me the riot act of what a terrible person I am, though, I employed a practice I learned from an author named SARK, and my inner darkness changed into lightness.
We're all truly in the middle of messy lives, our emotions influence us more than we might realize, and when we don't fully process our emotional energies, it's easy to think and/or act in ways that don't reflect our True, AMAZING Selves. SARK's 3 step Inner Feelings Care system invites us to (1) FULLY feel what you're feeling, (2) Name, accept, and love what's arisen in you, and (3) Receive the gift of lightness that comes from clearing your inner landscape. This process will leave room for you to feel more lit UP by Love!
Much like people, our feelings just want our love and attention, so when we intentionally see, name, and affirm our anger, fear, sadness, insecurity, loneliness, or whatever's arisen inside us, we'll find it can soften, change shape, and move on in a healthy manner. Today, I invite us to love our messy emotions and thoughts, because by honoring and processing these energies, we create more space to be lit UP from the inside out!
#love #light #life #emotions #feelings #emotionalintelligence #processemotions #messy #messymiddle #care #listen #acknowledge #affirm #kindness #honor #space #clear #litup #yoga #selfcare #magicman #upwardspiral #blissarmy #blissology #whitelotus_yoga_poulsbo #kitsaphotyoga
THE HEALING POWER OF PRESENCE
While it was a gorgeous sunny day outside, yesterday, I went to White Lotus Yoga with a stormy spirit. Words can't express the unrest I felt from the Shakespearean level tragedy trying to get our Tucson house sold has become. SO MUCH time, stress, and money spent! AND, after my run I was 99% sure my plantar fasciitis came back. I was spiritually spent when I walked into the studio ... to be met and surrounded for two hours by:
Friendly faces. Wonderful hugs. Compassionate looks. Kind questions. Sweet spirits. Good vibes. Joyous hearts. Encouraging words. Caring acts. Listening ears. Vulnerable shares.
The bright Lights of Olya, Cheryl, Suzanne, Sandy, and Bailey (all beautiful beings) healed and nourished me because they radiate Love through their authentic presence. Thank you ladies! You inspire me to keep spreading Love and positivity by merely being a friendly, warm, curious, compassionate, and kind presence to others. I hope they inspire you too!
#love #light #life #healing #presence #friendly #hugs #compassion #kind #kindness #sweet #sweetness #spirit #goodvibes #joy #joyoushearts #encouragement #caring #listening #vulnerable #positivity #being #curious #upwardspiral #yoga #magicman #blissarmy #blissology #whitelotus_yoga_poulsbo
