This business of living
is all creative work . . .
it depends on what we choose to create,
what direction we want to go,
where we want to look,
what we look to strive for.
Desire . . .
where does it come from?
Yesterday
it was all I could do
to take care of a few things around the house,
drive to the pharmacy,
and make supper. . .
my creative venture for Friday.
Today
my desire
led me out into one of the garden beds
where I sat among the decayed leaves from last autumn
and the ticks,
which cannot be avoided,
and cut back all of the flower stalks
on my September hostas,
which form a crescent,
the curve of which,
is guarded by old cobblestones.
The new, green growth of leaves
has been made greener by last week’s rain,
and they seemed to enjoy my touch
as I pulled off debris that they had tried to grow through.
In the background
the phoebes were quiet . . .
their first little brood has fledged,
but the wrens
were joyous and very vocal
as they flew from tree to tree,
house hunting for their first family of the year.
I brought their house to the back porch
and cleaned it out for them,
hanging it in the katsura,
where I can keep an eye on them,
with the doorway turned
so they still have their privacy.
That reminds me
it’s time to put out the bee house.
There are never enough moments in a day
when one has a garden to tend,
but I am grateful for it
because it brings out the artist in me.
We were all made to be artists . . .
each in our own way. ♥
I was up very early this morning to attend a group that meets once a month to conduct secular rituals.Today’s gathering was titled “The Glass is broken.” This story set the stage:
A renowned meditation master was asked to explain the Buddha’s teachings to a gathering of students. He motioned to a glass beside him and said, “I love this glass. It holds water admirably. When the sun shines on it, it reflects the light beautifully. When I tap it, it has a lovely ring. Yet for me, the glass is already broken. When the wind knocks it over or my elbow knocks it off the shelf and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say “of course”. When I understand that this glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.”
It was an absolute life-giving ritual, including a meditation. we shared tea and lite snacks together. I found myself looking into every other woman’s eyes as we drank our tea. All experiences were a reminder that every encounter is precious.
We were all so filled with gratitude that it was palpable.
This,
to me,
dear Carol Ann,
is a profound meditation,
and I know it will help me
in the ‘letting go’ part of my learning,
which,
to be truthful,
needs work.
Thank you
for sharing this beautiful experience
with us . . .
I am grateful to you. ♥
Recently, my husband and I bought a cute little set for our patio. Two chairs, a table, and an umbrella, which is pretty with palm leaves in shades of green and bright teal – the chairs are teal with matching palm seat pillows. After coming home from a class earlier, I decided to take my lunch outside and enjoy it on my little table. I love eating outside and am grateful we can do it at home now, too. I think that’s as creative as I can get with my gratitude!
We’re going to a comedy show tonight, and I look forward to laughing the night away. Hope you all are having a lovely Saturday ☀️
Today I will express gratitude towards the gifts of nature and freshwater by taking my son with me to do my stream monitoring work. I will also keep in mind how grateful I am to have a job that I love, in a beautiful place, that is flexible and allows me to bring my son. I am also grateful that my son enjoys come with me on these days and it makes life a bit easier to be able to work and care for him at the same time– I will keep that in mind as well.
I hope everyone has a great Saturday 😊
Hmmm… I will keep being creative on my mind today🤔 . I am dog sitting while my son takes his GF for an overnight in Boston.
Tomorrow I will be going to a late lunch with my friend Mike at his college friend’s home. A very Jewish household and I love all the special foods they make 🌞
This morning I’ll be one of the people leading a bike ride from our neighborhood. Our local transit agency organizes the Earth Day Market Ride, with people converging from all over town on a downtown park where we gather and have snacks and low-key speeches, then ride through downtown together to the farmers’ market.
I was wishing I had bike stickers to give everyone and then remembered we’ll all get stickers at the park, courtesy of the transit agency.
I have a batch of bicycle poems I printed out a couple of years ago when this ride fell on World Poetry Day. I can find those and take them to give to anyone who wants one as a thank-you for being part of such a great community event.
My idea for next year: Get a stamp pad of ink that will wash off and take a bike stamp (I already have one), offer to stamp people’s hands or cheeks.
Great timing to have this question on this particular day!
I am not sure.
I am attending an author talk today which I am very excited about. Just finished her book & I am curious to hear her speak. The book was sooo good & disturbing. Perhaps I will come up with a question no one has asked..?
I know I am looking forward to seeing her.
Happy Saturday All.
🕊️🩷
Asking a question that demonstrates you deeply engaged with the book seems like a compliment, which is a form of gratitude for the author’s creative work.
I will be working today, so I will do my best to pass on kindness and care to whoever I encounter, in whatever way I can.
Tonight I will cook a dinner. I will try to do my best to be present and make it as tasty as possible.
As I sit here, by my window, I am grateful for this beautiful morning that is unfolding in front of my eyes.
Although my mind can be heavy with memories and dreams, in this moment, I have much to be grateful for. And I am choosing to have gratitude.
As difficult as it is sometimes to do,
dear Charlie,
you do have the choice of Gratitude.
I don’t always make that choice,
but at least I know that I have it . . .
you do too. ♥
I am going to go on a hike today and learn about wildflowers from an expert and I have never done that so I am grateful for that opporunity and then tonight will go out to hear a good friend’s band and dance my little heart out the gratitude that I am healthy enough and have great friends to go out with.
I will be attending a co-worker’s Celebration of Life for her son that passed away on Good Friday. Afterwards, I need to thoroughly clean my house from all the drilling/dust from the plumbers…. job still not finished yet, they’re coming back on Monday. I have gratitude, just not sure that is is ‘creative’ at all today.
At first glance I didn’t know what I could do with facing what I’m facing right now. The person I blocked five months ago found his way to call me and broke the silence.
Now I think today, this moment, I can re- start ! I fell down face first just now while he begged me let him back in . Now I found you all and this sight – grateful for this very moment that I have choice! There is nothing new going back to that man or any of the lies.
I will block and get up, go outside and walk in the rain and re- start with the wisdom from the universe inside me. The universe loves me unconditionally and I’m gaining strength through learning to care for myself. For self love, I’m learning that I can do it! I can trust life- Truth will set me free. Truth is setting me free from everything. No need to look back or into the future for here now is creation. 🌱💓🙏
Oh my goodness Mary thank you for rewriting and reminding me! See how fast my mind runs off ? Now I can check my mind- it’s evening now and I can check in with the universe and let go of looking at lack because right here right now I’m grateful and if I’m not-
I choose to see that mind and let it go .
Thank you PkR – why does addiction have to be so challenging and difficult? Feels like we are losing something and I know it’s not true. Live for today.
Thank you that reminds me of that song 🎶 you lift me up so I can stand on mountains…😉🎖️🧗🏽♂️This is a True blessing of seeing what is still remaining in my mind . Now I get this amazing opportunity of seeing if there is any residue left ? What am I holding onto now? Anything? If so what is hiding underneath the carpet? Time to cleans 🧼 and clear it by repenting the minds and let them go .
What’s fantastic this time is a can feel the “trauma bond” as the call it losing its grip and releasing. 🏇🏼
Thanks a thank you for the encouragement SUNNYPATTI! We get to focus our energy where there is life ! 💓🌱🙌 keep going with natures flow and trust the universes will- not my will or wants. I am growing .
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This business of living
is all creative work . . .
it depends on what we choose to create,
what direction we want to go,
where we want to look,
what we look to strive for.
Desire . . .
where does it come from?
Yesterday
it was all I could do
to take care of a few things around the house,
drive to the pharmacy,
and make supper. . .
my creative venture for Friday.
Today
my desire
led me out into one of the garden beds
where I sat among the decayed leaves from last autumn
and the ticks,
which cannot be avoided,
and cut back all of the flower stalks
on my September hostas,
which form a crescent,
the curve of which,
is guarded by old cobblestones.
The new, green growth of leaves
has been made greener by last week’s rain,
and they seemed to enjoy my touch
as I pulled off debris that they had tried to grow through.
In the background
the phoebes were quiet . . .
their first little brood has fledged,
but the wrens
were joyous and very vocal
as they flew from tree to tree,
house hunting for their first family of the year.
I brought their house to the back porch
and cleaned it out for them,
hanging it in the katsura,
where I can keep an eye on them,
with the doorway turned
so they still have their privacy.
That reminds me
it’s time to put out the bee house.
There are never enough moments in a day
when one has a garden to tend,
but I am grateful for it
because it brings out the artist in me.
We were all made to be artists . . .
each in our own way. ♥
I was up very early this morning to attend a group that meets once a month to conduct secular rituals.Today’s gathering was titled “The Glass is broken.” This story set the stage:
A renowned meditation master was asked to explain the Buddha’s teachings to a gathering of students. He motioned to a glass beside him and said, “I love this glass. It holds water admirably. When the sun shines on it, it reflects the light beautifully. When I tap it, it has a lovely ring. Yet for me, the glass is already broken. When the wind knocks it over or my elbow knocks it off the shelf and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say “of course”. When I understand that this glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.”
It was an absolute life-giving ritual, including a meditation. we shared tea and lite snacks together. I found myself looking into every other woman’s eyes as we drank our tea. All experiences were a reminder that every encounter is precious.
We were all so filled with gratitude that it was palpable.
That sounds so fulfilling and peaceful. 🙏
This,
to me,
dear Carol Ann,
is a profound meditation,
and I know it will help me
in the ‘letting go’ part of my learning,
which,
to be truthful,
needs work.
Thank you
for sharing this beautiful experience
with us . . .
I am grateful to you. ♥
Thank you Carol Ann !
A simple yes to life and whatever life brings my way.
YES,
dear Richard. ♥
Recently, my husband and I bought a cute little set for our patio. Two chairs, a table, and an umbrella, which is pretty with palm leaves in shades of green and bright teal – the chairs are teal with matching palm seat pillows. After coming home from a class earlier, I decided to take my lunch outside and enjoy it on my little table. I love eating outside and am grateful we can do it at home now, too. I think that’s as creative as I can get with my gratitude!
We’re going to a comedy show tonight, and I look forward to laughing the night away. Hope you all are having a lovely Saturday ☀️
Sunnypatti, you’re from North Carolina and probably have quite a few of those days. Fortunately, we’re starting to have more of that up in Minnesota.
Today I will express gratitude towards the gifts of nature and freshwater by taking my son with me to do my stream monitoring work. I will also keep in mind how grateful I am to have a job that I love, in a beautiful place, that is flexible and allows me to bring my son. I am also grateful that my son enjoys come with me on these days and it makes life a bit easier to be able to work and care for him at the same time– I will keep that in mind as well.
I hope everyone has a great Saturday 😊
Hmmm… I will keep being creative on my mind today🤔 . I am dog sitting while my son takes his GF for an overnight in Boston.
Tomorrow I will be going to a late lunch with my friend Mike at his college friend’s home. A very Jewish household and I love all the special foods they make 🌞
This morning I’ll be one of the people leading a bike ride from our neighborhood. Our local transit agency organizes the Earth Day Market Ride, with people converging from all over town on a downtown park where we gather and have snacks and low-key speeches, then ride through downtown together to the farmers’ market.
I was wishing I had bike stickers to give everyone and then remembered we’ll all get stickers at the park, courtesy of the transit agency.
I have a batch of bicycle poems I printed out a couple of years ago when this ride fell on World Poetry Day. I can find those and take them to give to anyone who wants one as a thank-you for being part of such a great community event.
My idea for next year: Get a stamp pad of ink that will wash off and take a bike stamp (I already have one), offer to stamp people’s hands or cheeks.
Great timing to have this question on this particular day!
My boss offered me an amazing revamp of my job! My response was creative: YES!!!
Congratulations! 🙌
So happy for you, Christina!
This is very good news,
dear Christina,
and will inject new life
into the work you do!
Congratulations! 🙂
Congratulations, Christina! So good to hear!!!
That’s wonderful! Congratulations!
Thank you all!
I am not sure.
I am attending an author talk today which I am very excited about. Just finished her book & I am curious to hear her speak. The book was sooo good & disturbing. Perhaps I will come up with a question no one has asked..?
I know I am looking forward to seeing her.
Happy Saturday All.
🕊️🩷
PKR, I love to hear from speakers whose work I admire. Enjoy!!!
Asking a question that demonstrates you deeply engaged with the book seems like a compliment, which is a form of gratitude for the author’s creative work.
I will be working today, so I will do my best to pass on kindness and care to whoever I encounter, in whatever way I can.
Tonight I will cook a dinner. I will try to do my best to be present and make it as tasty as possible.
As I sit here, by my window, I am grateful for this beautiful morning that is unfolding in front of my eyes.
Although my mind can be heavy with memories and dreams, in this moment, I have much to be grateful for. And I am choosing to have gratitude.
As difficult as it is sometimes to do,
dear Charlie,
you do have the choice of Gratitude.
I don’t always make that choice,
but at least I know that I have it . . .
you do too. ♥
This morning is housecleaning and laundry. This afternoon is mine to spend however I want. Can’t wait to see what creative spirit enters my soul.
I am going to go on a hike today and learn about wildflowers from an expert and I have never done that so I am grateful for that opporunity and then tonight will go out to hear a good friend’s band and dance my little heart out the gratitude that I am healthy enough and have great friends to go out with.
That hike sounds fantastic. And dancing, too, especially to live music. Enjoy!
Sounds like my kind of day!
I love wildflower hikes & music!🌼🌸
Have fun Actived5.😊
Sway to music
I will be attending a co-worker’s Celebration of Life for her son that passed away on Good Friday. Afterwards, I need to thoroughly clean my house from all the drilling/dust from the plumbers…. job still not finished yet, they’re coming back on Monday. I have gratitude, just not sure that is is ‘creative’ at all today.
I’m sorry to read that the plumbing is not complete yet. Hopefully Monday will finish things up and without anymore mess!
Of course it’s creative,
dear Michele . . .
just not glamorous.
It sounds
like the plumbers
have run into a mess. 🙁
At first glance I didn’t know what I could do with facing what I’m facing right now. The person I blocked five months ago found his way to call me and broke the silence.
Now I think today, this moment, I can re- start ! I fell down face first just now while he begged me let him back in . Now I found you all and this sight – grateful for this very moment that I have choice! There is nothing new going back to that man or any of the lies.
I will block and get up, go outside and walk in the rain and re- start with the wisdom from the universe inside me. The universe loves me unconditionally and I’m gaining strength through learning to care for myself. For self love, I’m learning that I can do it! I can trust life- Truth will set me free. Truth is setting me free from everything. No need to look back or into the future for here now is creation. 🌱💓🙏
In your deepest of hearts,
dear Antoinette,
you know,
you know what choice to make.
I applaud your wisdom,
no matter how you use it. ♥
“No need to look back or into the future for here now is creation.”
Thank you, Antoinette.
Oh my goodness Mary thank you for rewriting and reminding me! See how fast my mind runs off ? Now I can check my mind- it’s evening now and I can check in with the universe and let go of looking at lack because right here right now I’m grateful and if I’m not-
I choose to see that mind and let it go .
You’re putting your own oxygen mask on first. You can do it.
I agree with, Barb!
Antoinette, sending you love & strength.
Stand firm. You got this. I am cheering you on. 🕊️🩷✨🙏🏻
Thank you PkR – why does addiction have to be so challenging and difficult? Feels like we are losing something and I know it’s not true. Live for today.
We can do hard things. I’m lifting you up today.
Thank you that reminds me of that song 🎶 you lift me up so I can stand on mountains…😉🎖️🧗🏽♂️This is a True blessing of seeing what is still remaining in my mind . Now I get this amazing opportunity of seeing if there is any residue left ? What am I holding onto now? Anything? If so what is hiding underneath the carpet? Time to cleans 🧼 and clear it by repenting the minds and let them go .
What’s fantastic this time is a can feel the “trauma bond” as the call it losing its grip and releasing. 🏇🏼
I love your re-start 💫
And you CAN do it!
Yes!
Thanks a thank you for the encouragement SUNNYPATTI! We get to focus our energy where there is life ! 💓🌱🙌 keep going with natures flow and trust the universes will- not my will or wants. I am growing .