Progress. It’s so easy to move from one task straight to another – there’s always more to do. But it’s not often enough I pause to appreciate small milestones.
My morning routine is really familiar to me, my first 3 hours in the morning. And I notice how reluctant I am to change anything about it. But changing perspective means looking at it from a new direction. Which direction can I look at it from? From the perspective of my husband, my neighbors, from the perspective of gratitude instead of comfort. Let’s see what happens when I observe myself in these 3 hours.
The only thing that comes to mind is a work task that I have been trying to learn. I think I finally get it and it isn’t so bad lol.
My boss reminds me to feel more confident however my job was a huge career change later in life. It definitely feels great to accomplish the new tasks though!
This question has me stumped today! Even after reading other posts…my mind cannot come up with an answer. I guess..I will say my life. I have had some changes and instead of being sad about it…I need to grasp and be happy with what I can do. I am very, very Blessed.
Most mornings I wake up with a healthy appetite (I’ve long been thankful for that). But my mind is usually anywhere but on the food I am eating. Today is different. I am holding a nectarine in my hand, feeling the coolness and firmness, the colors. I want to paint this beauty. I take a bite and the juices, the flavor, the firm texture fills my mouth…perfection.
The too familiar is the personal story of a suffering me due to past trauma which still appears in front of my perception, so the door is, as it is expressed already in the word for the day; applied it means to go beyond the always repeated story of self, digging a whole into the wall, becoming still, allow to be as vulnerable and go for the love which i feel inside for all which is and which i want to see in the world. This most probably is the only way and perspective which might change the world to the better, personal as well as for all, and beyond. Thank you all for being here together. kindred hearts in one spirit. You are a precious gift to me and all who come to share and who visit here.
Ose, this reminds me of people like my mom and Paw Mu who will look beyond our desires to periodically reinforce whatever we need. Long story short, over the last severl weeks, my mom talked about the benefits of social settings occasionally to Ngoc and me. Adding on to my past posts about being at peace with my career life and Suzuki, the fear of drifting away is the motivation for me to dig out of the vicious cycle leading to me being comfortable at the Vietnamese party mentioned a couple weeks ago. Loneliness only hits harder the closer we move to old age and lose people close to us.
I can see why Traditional Asians will come up and ask about spouse and children. In cultures that have strong family values, the belief is that children will keep us from loneliness as we age. Look no further from my family during holidays or random gatherings from my brother and his relative family, my uncle and his household, and now with another family unit on my dad’s side consisting of a couple cousins, an aunt, and her husband coming to visit for 6 weeks from Vietnam.
I could notice my life with a fresh perspective.
I could look at each day with less self evaluation.
Each day does not have to be a test of my efficiency.
Although I can make it that, and often have.
I know better.
I know about being grateful, about stop, look, go, and being in the moment.
I would like to bring lightness into my days.
I choose to live my life today with a fresh perspective
Less regret, and more joy.
I can get things done, and also be free and be joyful.
I want the gentleness and ease in my life that I wish for others.
I can have a kinder and wiser authority for myself.
I choose to live my life today with wisdom and joy. ♥️
I love this this Mary! “ each day does not have to be a test of my effectiveness or efficiency” this is absolutely fabulous and I could definitely learn how to let this go each day can be something entirely different and I am just like that in my mind. I always want to be effective and try to sort of suck the marrow out of each day.! Thank you so much for saying
My home and yard came to mind first. We finished remodeling our home earlier this year. Every so often I look around and say, “What a great new house we live in!” in appreciation for the changes and the many, many (many many many) decisions that went into it. As I typed this I looked up at a big laminated beam we installed when we took out a wall, strips of wood layered and glued, making good use of smaller wood instead of being responsible for the death of a bigger, older tree. We left it unpainted as a striking new feature that I don’t always remember to look up at as I move through the house.
In the yard, it’s familiar and yet each day brings change. The tomato vines have spilled out of the raised beds, heavy-laden with fruit that’s ripening. I go out each day now to pick, put them in a bowl, and my husband eats the cherry and grape tomatoes like they’re candy. I realized yesterday that a tomato plant I thought was red tomatoes is actually yellow tomatoes so I’m picking those today, gorgeous and golden. So, so many more to come! I’ll be canning tomatoes and making tomato jam soon.
I mentioned our tomatoes and then read this poem so I had to come back to share it. Poets have the art and craft of giving us a fresh perspective on the familiar.
“Cherry Tomatoes”
Anne Higgins
Suddenly it is August again, so hot,
breathless heat.
I sit on the ground
in the garden of Carmel,
picking ripe cherry tomatoes
and eating them.
They are so ripe that the skin is split,
so warm and sweet
from the attentions of the sun,
the juice bursts in my mouth,
an ecstatic taste,
and I feel that I am in the mouth of summer,
sloshing in the saliva of August.
Hummingbirds halo me there,
in the great green silence,
and my own bursting heart
splits me with life.
The job of selling my deceased sister’s house.
“Change the story and you change perception; change perception and you change the world.”
Love today’s quote. It reminds me of Toltec teachings. It’s good to check in and see what story you are telling yourself. The biggest battles are always within!
Thank you ! Being stuck in my mind world and locked into the same old drama or storyline is something that I could notice today .
Did you know we have 60 thousand thoughts a day ! 90% from the day before and 85% negative!
It’s not wonder we need a new perspective!
But how do we do this ? Why should we be locked into any perspectives?
Using the meditation method that discards the mind world that I hold onto I am able to practice really letting go ! I can’t imagine how I would be if I didn’t actually have a method to take out the trash !
Thanks for the question!
I am kind of stumped on this one. As I look outside and see a tree starting to change color, I am dreading anticipation of a dreary winter. My perspective is to stay in the present.
A fresh perspective is always needed and
I am always seeking to see things clearly
and without judgment or projection.
It’s not really possible. I bring all of my past experiences. In some ways, it’s like a multi
layered filter. It can become difficult to
see things as they are. If I am able to truly
listen, seeking other peoples perspective on something can be a good way to get a fresh
perspective on something. But, as the saying
goes “be careful careful what’s you ask for,
you just might get it.” 😁
I think I’ll choose my husband. I love him and we are soul mates for sure, but we’ve both been on edge with the pending move and all of the many things that have to be done before it happens. He deals with stress differently than I do. I would like to be more patient and allowing – today and every day going forward.
Sunnypatti, the stress coping part sounds like Ngoc and me all over again. I resignate more with your husband in this area based on the clues you dropped.
Not too long ago, there was a time where I felt that Asian people are rude. Being more at peace with Paw Mu along with my life continuing to guide me in the direction closer to the people from my family, culture, and elders, my perspective on them has shifted to authentic and natural with their strong communication style along with their intimacy and enthusiasm at social gatherings. I love gentleness, but I’d choose honest but comes off aggressive over gentle with agendas anytime of the week. Honest and gentle is the best policy but a rare combination.
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Progress. It’s so easy to move from one task straight to another – there’s always more to do. But it’s not often enough I pause to appreciate small milestones.
My morning routine is really familiar to me, my first 3 hours in the morning. And I notice how reluctant I am to change anything about it. But changing perspective means looking at it from a new direction. Which direction can I look at it from? From the perspective of my husband, my neighbors, from the perspective of gratitude instead of comfort. Let’s see what happens when I observe myself in these 3 hours.
The only thing that comes to mind is a work task that I have been trying to learn. I think I finally get it and it isn’t so bad lol.
My boss reminds me to feel more confident however my job was a huge career change later in life. It definitely feels great to accomplish the new tasks though!
This question has me stumped today! Even after reading other posts…my mind cannot come up with an answer. I guess..I will say my life. I have had some changes and instead of being sad about it…I need to grasp and be happy with what I can do. I am very, very Blessed.
Most mornings I wake up with a healthy appetite (I’ve long been thankful for that). But my mind is usually anywhere but on the food I am eating. Today is different. I am holding a nectarine in my hand, feeling the coolness and firmness, the colors. I want to paint this beauty. I take a bite and the juices, the flavor, the firm texture fills my mouth…perfection.
The too familiar is the personal story of a suffering me due to past trauma which still appears in front of my perception, so the door is, as it is expressed already in the word for the day; applied it means to go beyond the always repeated story of self, digging a whole into the wall, becoming still, allow to be as vulnerable and go for the love which i feel inside for all which is and which i want to see in the world. This most probably is the only way and perspective which might change the world to the better, personal as well as for all, and beyond. Thank you all for being here together. kindred hearts in one spirit. You are a precious gift to me and all who come to share and who visit here.
Glad you are here with us Ose!
Ose, this reminds me of people like my mom and Paw Mu who will look beyond our desires to periodically reinforce whatever we need. Long story short, over the last severl weeks, my mom talked about the benefits of social settings occasionally to Ngoc and me. Adding on to my past posts about being at peace with my career life and Suzuki, the fear of drifting away is the motivation for me to dig out of the vicious cycle leading to me being comfortable at the Vietnamese party mentioned a couple weeks ago. Loneliness only hits harder the closer we move to old age and lose people close to us.
I can see why Traditional Asians will come up and ask about spouse and children. In cultures that have strong family values, the belief is that children will keep us from loneliness as we age. Look no further from my family during holidays or random gatherings from my brother and his relative family, my uncle and his household, and now with another family unit on my dad’s side consisting of a couple cousins, an aunt, and her husband coming to visit for 6 weeks from Vietnam.
I could notice my life with a fresh perspective.
I could look at each day with less self evaluation.
Each day does not have to be a test of my efficiency.
Although I can make it that, and often have.
I know better.
I know about being grateful, about stop, look, go, and being in the moment.
I would like to bring lightness into my days.
I choose to live my life today with a fresh perspective
Less regret, and more joy.
I can get things done, and also be free and be joyful.
I want the gentleness and ease in my life that I wish for others.
I can have a kinder and wiser authority for myself.
I choose to live my life today with wisdom and joy. ♥️
I love this this Mary! “ each day does not have to be a test of my effectiveness or efficiency” this is absolutely fabulous and I could definitely learn how to let this go each day can be something entirely different and I am just like that in my mind. I always want to be effective and try to sort of suck the marrow out of each day.! Thank you so much for saying
Thank you Antoinette for your kind words. Writing about living my life with ease is important for me. I’m glad it touched something in you!
That line struck me too, Antoinette.
Myself. A tender loving soul who desperately wants to love the world every minute every day.
So simple, so elegant, Carly. Thank you.
I love your answer Carly. May you continue to express your love in every way possible, including to yourself 🧡
A Yes to you both, dear friends, thank you, your post and comment i can only second.
My home and yard came to mind first. We finished remodeling our home earlier this year. Every so often I look around and say, “What a great new house we live in!” in appreciation for the changes and the many, many (many many many) decisions that went into it. As I typed this I looked up at a big laminated beam we installed when we took out a wall, strips of wood layered and glued, making good use of smaller wood instead of being responsible for the death of a bigger, older tree. We left it unpainted as a striking new feature that I don’t always remember to look up at as I move through the house.
In the yard, it’s familiar and yet each day brings change. The tomato vines have spilled out of the raised beds, heavy-laden with fruit that’s ripening. I go out each day now to pick, put them in a bowl, and my husband eats the cherry and grape tomatoes like they’re candy. I realized yesterday that a tomato plant I thought was red tomatoes is actually yellow tomatoes so I’m picking those today, gorgeous and golden. So, so many more to come! I’ll be canning tomatoes and making tomato jam soon.
I mentioned our tomatoes and then read this poem so I had to come back to share it. Poets have the art and craft of giving us a fresh perspective on the familiar.
“Cherry Tomatoes”
Anne Higgins
Suddenly it is August again, so hot,
breathless heat.
I sit on the ground
in the garden of Carmel,
picking ripe cherry tomatoes
and eating them.
They are so ripe that the skin is split,
so warm and sweet
from the attentions of the sun,
the juice bursts in my mouth,
an ecstatic taste,
and I feel that I am in the mouth of summer,
sloshing in the saliva of August.
Hummingbirds halo me there,
in the great green silence,
and my own bursting heart
splits me with life.
https://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2013/08/anne-higgins-cherry-tomatoes.html
The job of selling my deceased sister’s house.
“Change the story and you change perception; change perception and you change the world.”
Love today’s quote. It reminds me of Toltec teachings. It’s good to check in and see what story you are telling yourself. The biggest battles are always within!
Thank you ! Being stuck in my mind world and locked into the same old drama or storyline is something that I could notice today .
Did you know we have 60 thousand thoughts a day ! 90% from the day before and 85% negative!
It’s not wonder we need a new perspective!
But how do we do this ? Why should we be locked into any perspectives?
Using the meditation method that discards the mind world that I hold onto I am able to practice really letting go ! I can’t imagine how I would be if I didn’t actually have a method to take out the trash !
Thanks for the question!
We have to retrain our brains, I heard this at some point in the last year. We automatically think negative. Food for thought!
I agree with you, Robin. Human nature gravitates towards negativity.
Antoinette, what an interesting fact to keep in mind. It goes to show the value of letting go.
My son has a saying when I start harping on something from the past. “Mama, that dog done died!”
lol
Carol, LOL. What a catchy saying.
I am kind of stumped on this one. As I look outside and see a tree starting to change color, I am dreading anticipation of a dreary winter. My perspective is to stay in the present.
I too also dread the cold months ahead. May we continue to cherish our current moment instead of worrying about the future. 🙏🏽
A fresh perspective is always needed and
I am always seeking to see things clearly
and without judgment or projection.
It’s not really possible. I bring all of my past experiences. In some ways, it’s like a multi
layered filter. It can become difficult to
see things as they are. If I am able to truly
listen, seeking other peoples perspective on something can be a good way to get a fresh
perspective on something. But, as the saying
goes “be careful careful what’s you ask for,
you just might get it.” 😁
I think I’ll choose my husband. I love him and we are soul mates for sure, but we’ve both been on edge with the pending move and all of the many things that have to be done before it happens. He deals with stress differently than I do. I would like to be more patient and allowing – today and every day going forward.
Sunnypatti, the stress coping part sounds like Ngoc and me all over again. I resignate more with your husband in this area based on the clues you dropped.
Not too long ago, there was a time where I felt that Asian people are rude. Being more at peace with Paw Mu along with my life continuing to guide me in the direction closer to the people from my family, culture, and elders, my perspective on them has shifted to authentic and natural with their strong communication style along with their intimacy and enthusiasm at social gatherings. I love gentleness, but I’d choose honest but comes off aggressive over gentle with agendas anytime of the week. Honest and gentle is the best policy but a rare combination.