“Available to life,” that is an interesting turn of phrase. And I’m not sure how to think about it…
To be available to a fuller life each moment… I could try not “sleep walk” through those day-in and day-out occurrences, those minutes I take for granted, that pass by unnoticed – so then, to realize the joy in each moment of the commonplace routine.
Hello to everyone here. I haven’t posted in a bit. I can’t say exactly why. Partly a change in my schedule. Partly I just haven’t wanted to think too much about spiritual things. The questions in the Daily Question sometimes cause me to think more deeply about things than I really want to. So I don’t force myself to write. And usually I don’t try to keep my answers light, skipping over the more deeply felt, or uncomfortable things that come up. Another issue for me is that I am rather attached to getting feedback and sometimes feel kind of unseen when I have shared deeply and there are no responses. I know it would be good for me to be more independent and less attached to being seen by and approved of by others. But here I am, 69 years old, and still looking for validation from others. So now, as I so often do, I’ve gotten into some rather uncomfortable feelings. I could go back and erase what I have written. But that feels like stuffing my feelings. Oh my, so that is that. Now what was the question for today? 🤔 Okay, ways of making myself more available to life.
The simple and probably the most true answer is to live in the moment. Thinking and planning are fine, but the trick is to use my thinking in a conscious and healthy way, and then get out of my head and into this world with all the joys and wonder that are available to me. I can feel my body move. I can embrace others as in loved ones, those I am fond of, and of course my lovely four legged children, my cats. I can see beauty as well as sadness in others. I can smell coffee, Indian spiced tea, salt in the air at the beach. I can hear the voices of others, laughter, the sounds of my vacuum (yes, I’ve been using it 😉😇), and in the quiet I can hear softer sounds, such as the purring (and snoring) of my cats, the hum of a fan and air conditioner, and so much more.
As I write this it occurs to me that I might be saying goodbye for a while, just for a while. Or maybe I’m just beginning or re-beginning the habit of coming to this site and responding everyday. I don’t know. Some new things and ways of thinking have been coming up for me lately, so I really would like to share some of that on another day.
Sending so much love to everyone here. My eyes fill with tears as I write this and think of how unique, wise, interesting, and loving each one of you are. Many thanks to all of you for your kindness and wisdom. Sending my love to you. Mary ♥️♥️♥️
Mary, it’s always good to hear from you, and I relate to what you wrote. Like Michele wrote, you do you, no pressure, and it’s always a delight to hear from you.
Good to hear from you Mary and I do know what you mean. Sometimes for me it is the same questions and so I just read it and do not feeling like responding. Hope you do decide to come back and visit us if you do take a break 💕
Thank you, Michele!
You do you (or I’ll do Mary) is one of two sayings that I have been trying to keep in mind on a daily basis.
The other is Comparison is the thief of joy.
It’s always good to see you too!
I’ve wondered where you were and am happy to see you post, even if you may take another break.
I understand your feelings about posting or not posting and also about how sometimes no one comments. But then I think about how I read other’s posts and sometimes they make me think differently, but I might not leave a comment because I’m not sure what to say!
I’ve always appreciated your offerings here and know that I am not the only one 💜
I’m moving to your neck of the woods in a few months. Maybe you can come practice yoga with me one day!
Yes… Jacksonville! We love Charlotte but realized this is not our forever home. When we vacationed at a beach in NC last month, we knew we had to get closer to the ocean again. Jacksonville offers big city stuff, which we love, and beaches! Our dogs enjoy it just as much as we do, and I’m too much of a mermaid to be out of the ocean this long 🧜🏼♀️ Our lease is up in October, and we are figuring it all out 🙂
Wow!!! I’m so happy to hear this!
Keep me updated, SunnyPatti!
3
Robin Ann
6 days ago
How neat if you two meet up at some point!
3
Cathie
1 week ago
Mary, welcome back, even if it is just for today💕 I also come and go here for no other reason as I am not very structured and don’t do well with getting into a routine – so please don’t feel badly, I am with you on popping in and out.
And what I have come to appreciate with this community is I have never felt “shunned” for my lack of consistency, no one ever responds negatively -that I am aware of.
And am given food for thought, or another paradigm through which to try to live gratefully, as I read other responses.
Being part of this community, even with my spotty attendance, reminds me to try to live in the present as you mentioned👍
Thank you, Cathie.
I am not good with structure and routine either. This is such a great place though, that anytime I’ve left, I have always come back. ♥️
I feel the consternation in your voice,
dear Mary,
and hope that you know you’ve been heard,
whether or not there are written responses . . .
you always offer something new,
something to think about
when you post,
and you are missed
when you are not here . . .
you are an important part of this community
of shared hearts.
Do not be afraid. ♥
I was going to say that it’s good to hear your voice. Although I can’t hear your voice with my ears, I feel like I know you well and that you are dear to me, Carol Ann. 💕
Even though I am an introvert
and stay pretty close to home,
even when I travel or am simply out and about,
to my own detriment sometimes,
I’ve always been available to Life.
It’s a feeling of being raw and open . . .
letting it all in.
It doesn’t matter . . .
joy,
pain,
chaos,
order . . .
beauty,
ugliness–
the whole spectrum
flows into me and through me.
It seems I was born this way,
as I haven’t done anything consciously
to make it happen.
It is what both attracts and repels people I meet.
I embrace both the whimsy and the pathos
of Life all around me every day
and find so many fascinating things
that if I wasn’t careful
I’d be sitting at my computer
doing endless searches . . .
tell me more about praying mantises.
What is Millionaire pie?
How is living for you,
with twelve guests in the house?
Do you need any help?
Where did you get those pink tennis shoes?
I love your hair.
Where do the deer on my property sleep?
Could you show me how you do that?
I don’t know how to make myself more available
without losing my rhythm . . .
I need to hear my drummer
to be whole to who I am.
Perhaps this question is too big for me
or I am too small . . .
all I can say
is that I put all of me
into the Life I’ve been given,
and when I am tired
I rest. ♥
Being there for the ones in my care, being and developing tools with the ones that I am with in substantial work and in combination with meditation,; playing music and singing; being with friends in one heart, cooking together or sharing precious time when being together enjoying life. May you all have a vivid and joyful weekend. Thank you for this question.
As life settles down from having surgery, a death in the family, my daughter needing to move and my son starting a new job a week ago and his GF moved in last night. Yes that is a lot!! I look forward to making myself more available to life as my energy gets back to normal. I did go to a free concert last night “Neil Young” tribute band. My town offers over 55 tickets for free as part of a grant. ✨🌞
Enjoy! So happy that your family members are doing well so that your heart and soul calms down. So good that your energy is coming back so that you are able to go to a nice conert and have fun. Blessings to all your family, dear Robin Ann.
I am happy to hear,
dear Robin Ann,
that you have recovered from your surgery,
as well as the multitude of events going on in your family.
I suspect
that you made yourself fully available
for all of it. ♥
To make myself more available to life, I can operate more out of curiosity than fear , and I can say yes to opportunities, and question what is behind my resistance when I say no.
Saying ‘no’,
dear Charlie,
is something I’ve only been learning to do
later in my life,
and it is such a relief.
It sounds though,
that you are saying ‘yes’
to good things. 🙂
Mindfulness is important; It helps me live in the present/presence. As Br. David says, “Prayer is not sending in an order and expecting it to be fulfilled. Prayer is attuning yourself to the life of the world, to love, the force that moves the sun and the moon and the stars.”
If you are in the past or the future, you go there alone. What you need and what Life wants is NOW.
I spent most of Thursday night in the ER with blood pressure issues. I knew it was not a life/death matter, but still unnerving and out of my control. I still don’t have it all ironed out as I am following up with doctors, changing medications, and not feeling at the top of my game (not that I had that much game to begin with). Anyway, this is an interesting question. I was aware that even as I was in the ER waiting area there were people there much sicker than I, who needed my prayers and more immediate attention. It is in those kinds of times that I believe I am making myself available to life – when I am aware of my surroundings, regardless of my own situation, and offering, in my own way, whatever I can, a hope for something better, for needs to be met, for love and life to be shared.
I’m on vacation starting last night for the next two weeks. I’ll stay available to whatever adventures come along, and to the simple peace of unscheduled time. Life will be, as it always is.
Richard, you just spoke to me. Although I’ve continued to make progress in integrity, I still have string-pulling tendencies. When I get to have autonomy, I get jacked up. String-pulling is a form of control. At least with aggression, one can see it coming. That’s why the backstage is even deadlier.
As much as I love being a homebody, I can try and get out more – especially in Nature. Although right now in FL it is too hot and I’m very grateful for A/C.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 🌈
There’s a heat wave in the Southeast… I don’t know about where you are, but we are expecting 100-108 temps this coming week 🔥I, too, am grateful for AC!!
My lovely wife Cheryl and I took a drive to the great divide and over the other side to Lake City, the only town in Hinsdale County. That is what I do to get out, witness our home from a different locale.
I am a homebody too,
dear Michele,
and I don’t think that I necessarily
need to get out more . . .
I have Love in my home
and Nature in my back yard . . .
I,
like you,
can just be sure
to pay attention. ♥
Just stay the course. I’m comfortable within my own skin, have no regrets as of this writing, and am proud of the man I’m becoming. Not too long ago, I pulled strings to protect my basic desire for autonomy. Now, I go about my life with integrity through the peaks and valleys by embracing care, specifically the protective one.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are 3 types of care: protective, nurturing, and autonomous. Collective cultures use more protective care. Nurturing is the one that feels comfortable. Autonomous is the one I use which aligns with the US and modern age. There’s also 2 types of nurture care, nurture protective and nurture autonomy. The cuddling, petting, and affection my elders give me at gatherings fall under nurture protective. My gentle assertive communication style which I talked about a couple days ago, of getting more straight-forward, in the name of self-care, falls under nurture autonomous.
Socialability and looking at the ship through the eyes of others, particularly the average person, helps me accept nurturing protective care. Not everyone cares about details, depth, and analysis the way Ngoc and I do which is also why we make a match in heaven. As the old addage goes “Stay out of the weeds.” Or, I like to say “Stay away from the classroom.” Knowing my sheep gets me straight to the point. This all helps me with seeing the ship through the eyes of others.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
“Available to life,” that is an interesting turn of phrase. And I’m not sure how to think about it…
To be available to a fuller life each moment… I could try not “sleep walk” through those day-in and day-out occurrences, those minutes I take for granted, that pass by unnoticed – so then, to realize the joy in each moment of the commonplace routine.
Exactly,
dear Cathie . . . ♥
Hello to everyone here. I haven’t posted in a bit. I can’t say exactly why. Partly a change in my schedule. Partly I just haven’t wanted to think too much about spiritual things. The questions in the Daily Question sometimes cause me to think more deeply about things than I really want to. So I don’t force myself to write. And usually I don’t try to keep my answers light, skipping over the more deeply felt, or uncomfortable things that come up. Another issue for me is that I am rather attached to getting feedback and sometimes feel kind of unseen when I have shared deeply and there are no responses. I know it would be good for me to be more independent and less attached to being seen by and approved of by others. But here I am, 69 years old, and still looking for validation from others. So now, as I so often do, I’ve gotten into some rather uncomfortable feelings. I could go back and erase what I have written. But that feels like stuffing my feelings. Oh my, so that is that. Now what was the question for today? 🤔 Okay, ways of making myself more available to life.
The simple and probably the most true answer is to live in the moment. Thinking and planning are fine, but the trick is to use my thinking in a conscious and healthy way, and then get out of my head and into this world with all the joys and wonder that are available to me. I can feel my body move. I can embrace others as in loved ones, those I am fond of, and of course my lovely four legged children, my cats. I can see beauty as well as sadness in others. I can smell coffee, Indian spiced tea, salt in the air at the beach. I can hear the voices of others, laughter, the sounds of my vacuum (yes, I’ve been using it 😉😇), and in the quiet I can hear softer sounds, such as the purring (and snoring) of my cats, the hum of a fan and air conditioner, and so much more.
As I write this it occurs to me that I might be saying goodbye for a while, just for a while. Or maybe I’m just beginning or re-beginning the habit of coming to this site and responding everyday. I don’t know. Some new things and ways of thinking have been coming up for me lately, so I really would like to share some of that on another day.
Sending so much love to everyone here. My eyes fill with tears as I write this and think of how unique, wise, interesting, and loving each one of you are. Many thanks to all of you for your kindness and wisdom. Sending my love to you. Mary ♥️♥️♥️
Mary, it’s always good to hear from you, and I relate to what you wrote. Like Michele wrote, you do you, no pressure, and it’s always a delight to hear from you.
Good to hear from you Mary and I do know what you mean. Sometimes for me it is the same questions and so I just read it and do not feeling like responding. Hope you do decide to come back and visit us if you do take a break 💕
I love that this site is so uplifting. It is nice to see you back Mary. No worries, you do you.
Thank you, Michele!
You do you (or I’ll do Mary) is one of two sayings that I have been trying to keep in mind on a daily basis.
The other is Comparison is the thief of joy.
It’s always good to see you too!
I’ve wondered where you were and am happy to see you post, even if you may take another break.
I understand your feelings about posting or not posting and also about how sometimes no one comments. But then I think about how I read other’s posts and sometimes they make me think differently, but I might not leave a comment because I’m not sure what to say!
I’ve always appreciated your offerings here and know that I am not the only one 💜
I’m moving to your neck of the woods in a few months. Maybe you can come practice yoga with me one day!
Really!!
My neck of the woods!
I’m in Jacksonville.
I would love, love, love to do yoga with you, SunnyPatti!
😄♥️
Yes… Jacksonville! We love Charlotte but realized this is not our forever home. When we vacationed at a beach in NC last month, we knew we had to get closer to the ocean again. Jacksonville offers big city stuff, which we love, and beaches! Our dogs enjoy it just as much as we do, and I’m too much of a mermaid to be out of the ocean this long 🧜🏼♀️ Our lease is up in October, and we are figuring it all out 🙂
Wow!!! I’m so happy to hear this!
Keep me updated, SunnyPatti!
How neat if you two meet up at some point!
Mary, welcome back, even if it is just for today💕 I also come and go here for no other reason as I am not very structured and don’t do well with getting into a routine – so please don’t feel badly, I am with you on popping in and out.
And what I have come to appreciate with this community is I have never felt “shunned” for my lack of consistency, no one ever responds negatively -that I am aware of.
And am given food for thought, or another paradigm through which to try to live gratefully, as I read other responses.
Being part of this community, even with my spotty attendance, reminds me to try to live in the present as you mentioned👍
Thank you, Cathie.
I am not good with structure and routine either. This is such a great place though, that anytime I’ve left, I have always come back. ♥️
I feel the consternation in your voice,
dear Mary,
and hope that you know you’ve been heard,
whether or not there are written responses . . .
you always offer something new,
something to think about
when you post,
and you are missed
when you are not here . . .
you are an important part of this community
of shared hearts.
Do not be afraid. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow. I always appreciate you, all you share and the way you share it.
Sending my love 🩷
Namaste, dear Mary. All will be well, All manner of things will be well.
Thank you, Joseph. You are always such a calming presence. Sending love. ♥️
It’s good to hear from you, Mary. Thanks for sharing.
I was going to say that it’s good to hear your voice. Although I can’t hear your voice with my ears, I feel like I know you well and that you are dear to me, Carol Ann. 💕
Hope this finds you enjoying this day and thank you for your kind words.
🥰
Even though I am an introvert
and stay pretty close to home,
even when I travel or am simply out and about,
to my own detriment sometimes,
I’ve always been available to Life.
It’s a feeling of being raw and open . . .
letting it all in.
It doesn’t matter . . .
joy,
pain,
chaos,
order . . .
beauty,
ugliness–
the whole spectrum
flows into me and through me.
It seems I was born this way,
as I haven’t done anything consciously
to make it happen.
It is what both attracts and repels people I meet.
I embrace both the whimsy and the pathos
of Life all around me every day
and find so many fascinating things
that if I wasn’t careful
I’d be sitting at my computer
doing endless searches . . .
tell me more about praying mantises.
What is Millionaire pie?
How is living for you,
with twelve guests in the house?
Do you need any help?
Where did you get those pink tennis shoes?
I love your hair.
Where do the deer on my property sleep?
Could you show me how you do that?
I don’t know how to make myself more available
without losing my rhythm . . .
I need to hear my drummer
to be whole to who I am.
Perhaps this question is too big for me
or I am too small . . .
all I can say
is that I put all of me
into the Life I’ve been given,
and when I am tired
I rest. ♥
“letting it all in” – I like that 🙂
Thank you,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
taking pleasure with the pain. ♥
Resting when needed. Always a good thing, that took me many years to realize the importance, fully.
Me too,
dear Joseph . . .
I’m starting to enjoy the ‘resting’ part. 🙂
Being there for the ones in my care, being and developing tools with the ones that I am with in substantial work and in combination with meditation,; playing music and singing; being with friends in one heart, cooking together or sharing precious time when being together enjoying life. May you all have a vivid and joyful weekend. Thank you for this question.
A vivid and joyful weekend to you, too, Ose!
As life settles down from having surgery, a death in the family, my daughter needing to move and my son starting a new job a week ago and his GF moved in last night. Yes that is a lot!! I look forward to making myself more available to life as my energy gets back to normal. I did go to a free concert last night “Neil Young” tribute band. My town offers over 55 tickets for free as part of a grant. ✨🌞
Enjoy! So happy that your family members are doing well so that your heart and soul calms down. So good that your energy is coming back so that you are able to go to a nice conert and have fun. Blessings to all your family, dear Robin Ann.
Robin Ann, You have had a lot on your plate!
Ditto!💕
I am happy to hear,
dear Robin Ann,
that you have recovered from your surgery,
as well as the multitude of events going on in your family.
I suspect
that you made yourself fully available
for all of it. ♥
Yes that is me Sparrow lol
To make myself more available to life, I can operate more out of curiosity than fear , and I can say yes to opportunities, and question what is behind my resistance when I say no.
Saying ‘no’,
dear Charlie,
is something I’ve only been learning to do
later in my life,
and it is such a relief.
It sounds though,
that you are saying ‘yes’
to good things. 🙂
Mindfulness is important; It helps me live in the present/presence. As Br. David says, “Prayer is not sending in an order and expecting it to be fulfilled. Prayer is attuning yourself to the life of the world, to love, the force that moves the sun and the moon and the stars.”
If you are in the past or the future, you go there alone. What you need and what Life wants is NOW.
Amen,
dear Carol Ann. ♥
Say yes to invites & opportunities.
Be open.
Get out of my own way.
Release fear of the unknown.
Trust the Universe. All is well.
🕊️❤️
PKR- I am currently struggling with the question: do I need to get out of my own way, or jump in with both feet😂
I spent most of Thursday night in the ER with blood pressure issues. I knew it was not a life/death matter, but still unnerving and out of my control. I still don’t have it all ironed out as I am following up with doctors, changing medications, and not feeling at the top of my game (not that I had that much game to begin with). Anyway, this is an interesting question. I was aware that even as I was in the ER waiting area there were people there much sicker than I, who needed my prayers and more immediate attention. It is in those kinds of times that I believe I am making myself available to life – when I am aware of my surroundings, regardless of my own situation, and offering, in my own way, whatever I can, a hope for something better, for needs to be met, for love and life to be shared.
I hope you feel better Katrina and that your blood pressure issues resolve.
I hope all will be well for you, Katrina 🙏🏼
I was in the ER at our rural hospital with what turned out to be B. P. issues in 2014. I understand. Best of results for you, Katrina.
May your blood pressure subside soon, dear Katrina. ✨
I hope,
dear Katrina,
that the doctors
are able to get your blood pressure
under control. ♥
Prayers that your Blood pressure gets more in control 🙏
Awareness, Awareness, Awareness! Well said.
Hope you are feeling better Katrina.
I will say a prayer for You.🙏🏻❤️
I’m on vacation starting last night for the next two weeks. I’ll stay available to whatever adventures come along, and to the simple peace of unscheduled time. Life will be, as it always is.
Enjoy! I hope you have plenty of adventures!
Enjoy your 2 wk vacation 🙂
Enjoy your free time Barb.
Be spontaneous…..🕊️❤️
Enjoy,
dear Barb . . . ♥
Have fun on your vacation, Barb.
I could focus on how my heart is receiving life, rather than analyzing first.
Drea, this aligns with my stance on intuition over reason. As the old addage goes “Paralysis by analysis.”
Stop
Look
Go
I find that I can receive life the best when I am able to give up my attempts to control what life gives to me.
Richard, you just spoke to me. Although I’ve continued to make progress in integrity, I still have string-pulling tendencies. When I get to have autonomy, I get jacked up. String-pulling is a form of control. At least with aggression, one can see it coming. That’s why the backstage is even deadlier.
As much as I love being a homebody, I can try and get out more – especially in Nature. Although right now in FL it is too hot and I’m very grateful for A/C.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 🌈
There’s a heat wave in the Southeast… I don’t know about where you are, but we are expecting 100-108 temps this coming week 🔥I, too, am grateful for AC!!
I’m in the Tampa Bay area.
My lovely wife Cheryl and I took a drive to the great divide and over the other side to Lake City, the only town in Hinsdale County. That is what I do to get out, witness our home from a different locale.
I am a homebody too,
dear Michele,
and I don’t think that I necessarily
need to get out more . . .
I have Love in my home
and Nature in my back yard . . .
I,
like you,
can just be sure
to pay attention. ♥
Just stay the course. I’m comfortable within my own skin, have no regrets as of this writing, and am proud of the man I’m becoming. Not too long ago, I pulled strings to protect my basic desire for autonomy. Now, I go about my life with integrity through the peaks and valleys by embracing care, specifically the protective one.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are 3 types of care: protective, nurturing, and autonomous. Collective cultures use more protective care. Nurturing is the one that feels comfortable. Autonomous is the one I use which aligns with the US and modern age. There’s also 2 types of nurture care, nurture protective and nurture autonomy. The cuddling, petting, and affection my elders give me at gatherings fall under nurture protective. My gentle assertive communication style which I talked about a couple days ago, of getting more straight-forward, in the name of self-care, falls under nurture autonomous.
Socialability and looking at the ship through the eyes of others, particularly the average person, helps me accept nurturing protective care. Not everyone cares about details, depth, and analysis the way Ngoc and I do which is also why we make a match in heaven. As the old addage goes “Stay out of the weeds.” Or, I like to say “Stay away from the classroom.” Knowing my sheep gets me straight to the point. This all helps me with seeing the ship through the eyes of others.