Taking a moment to stop and become fully present to my life, what arises?
Today,
taking that moment
brings me to the physical mess I am surrounded by.
Address book and cards
litter my table that serves as a desk,
along with pages of wordle lists,
a password book,
cups filled with pencils, brushes,
sculpting tools and a metal compass . . .
the kind we used in junior high school.
Then,
of course,
there is my coffee cup,
my timer in the shape of a white chicken,
and a motley cat
who purrs on my left forearm
which is trying type.
I am fully present to it all,
and am aware
that I can be lifted above it all
and be present to the greater thing.
It doesn’t diminish the mess around me . . .
it doesn’t make it go away,
but it makes it all right in the moment–
I can forgive myself.
My life is more than this,
more than all of the worldly things I participate in.
I am a cool breeze,
a floating star . . .
a presence in this vast Universe,
small to be sure,
but loved and in the care of Something bigger than myself.
I also realize
that what I do
down here at my table
is part of the big picture,
and that everything I do or don’t do
counts
one way or the other.
There is always a choice to make.
Living in the present
guides me through the choices I make in my life down here. ♥
I fell last night and because I have a fusion in my neck and several compression fractures in my back, fear literally encompassed me. It did not have a lot to do with the pain that ensued. It was a fear that I might be injured in a way that I would lose independence and I live alone. My mind was racing. I made it to my bed and then I thought, what if I wake up in the morning and can’t get out of my bed which is something that happened to me several years ago. I was every where but in the present moment. Well, I did wake up this morning and though I was still in pain, I did get out of the bed. I don’t know how many times I have shared here and else where that Life is trustworthy. I claimed that Life would show me the way and I knew I had to ask for help. I called a dear friend and she said as soon as she gets off from her job at noon, she will be here. Then I chose to pray as Mother Teresa prayed without words. She says that when she prays, she does not petition God, she listens to the silence and God stops and listens, too. I said to myself, “Be open, Carol, listen to the silence” and I realized that the healing I needed the most was a healing from the fear that had my body so tense.
And so my answer to today’s question is today’s quote from Br. David: “Learning to stop and be still is absolutely necessary before we can listen and respond fully and gratefully to Life—moment by moment.”
Prayer isn’t about begging to be cured. It’s about learning to listen and be healed. For me healing is what arises when I can stop and be fully present because for me God is Love and when I can stop and let that Love encompass me, healing arises.
are you going to the ER for some xrays to make sure nothing is broken/fractured? I can tell how scared you must have been. Prayers for a speedy healing and some peace to calm your anxiety. Love and hugs to you dear Carol.
Michele, I did not go to the ER. The reason being that I have several compression fractures in my back and a triple fusion in my cervical spine. I just had a CT of my head and neck Dec 24th due to some severe nerve pain.It told the doctors nothing they did not already know. I have an adverse reaction to MRIs due to the metal in my neck. CTs and regular xrays generally do not tell doctors much. My dear Michele, I will go to the ER if anything develops that I feel warrants it. ER doctors and staff are wonderful compassionate people but not even spinal specialists have been able to recommend any procedures that are safe to perform. Thank you for your prayers, your concern and your hugs. You are deeply appreciated. The bottom line is I must be more careful. Falls and fear are my biggest challenges.
Carol Ann. Oh my, how scary for you!
I hope that as you relax, you will be feeling better. Please update us tomorrow and let us know how you are doing. ♥️♥️♥️
Your insight today, is very helpful to me. “Healing is what arises when I can stop and be fully present because for me God is love and when I can stop and let that love encompass me, healing arises.
I need to take time for stillness. I need to quiet my active mind. I also believe that God is love, and remembering this helps me to trust that it is safe for me to be still and to allow the love of God to encompass and heal me. Thank you Carol Ann for your insight.
Thank you, Mary, for your compassion and concern. I’m thinking you and I struggle in many of the same ways. I do believe that Br. David is right about the importance of stillness. I too have an active mind. I remember hearing a speaker at a twelve step meeting say that he has to call a meeting and tell the voices in his head that he is chairman of the board. I do believe there is a part of us that is eternal–always was, is and will be–and it has never known fear. It is what Christians would call the Holy Spirit. I’ve come to call it my immortal soul and I believe that being still, listening to the stillness, calls it forth. Blessings, dear Mary, always and all ways.
Joseph, I am so thankful for learning about how Mother Teresa prayed. In Aramaic the word prayer means “Be open.” Listening to the silence helps me be present and be open.
Dear Carol Ann, sending you lots of love & healing blessings. I hope you are feeling better as this day has progressed.
You are not alone. The Divine is with you.
Be gentle with yourself.
Love to you.♥️🙏🏻✨
“Prayer isn’t about begging to be cured. It’s about learning to listen and be healed.”
Thank you for pointing this out,
dear Carol Ann . . .
so many people
think that praying is asking for things.
Healing is also different from curing . . .
I feel the pain and horror you must have felt when you fell.
You are human.
You are allowed to have those moments . . .
they are the ones that bring you back to the present
and what you can do.
Two months after I received my new hip
I slipped in cat vomit in the dark
at the top of my stairs
and fell down all 15 of them,
horrified that I might have ruined the work done.
It’ was a miracle that nothing was hurt.
You remind me of those moments
and it brings back all the feelings that you mentioned.
Go forth now,
and be renewed . . .
you are strong,
and you have people who love you.
Accept the help they offer.
I will hold you in my heart too
with much love . . . ♥
sparrow
Carol, as someone who has a basic desire for autonomy, I can imagine how hard it is to lose independence. It takes a lot to detach from our ways. Trusting others to take care of us isn’t easy. Our lives are in their hands. We must allow ourselves to be steered by then.
A clear sense of my great good fortune.
Sorrow and rage at how our country is being torn apart from above.
Wonder at our planet and its many intricate and interconnected systems.
“Anticipatory exhaustion”: Looking at the day and week ahead and how much I have to get through brings a bit of overwhelm at times. I’ve made a couple of changes to take things off my non-work calendar and that has helped.
A grounding in my physical body and what it needs in this moment. (Breakfast!)
When I can stop and be fully present in my life, many things come up. After I wade through all the clutter, I come back to my senses. Back to this moment. The only moment we have. And when I can bring gratitude to the forefront, I am gifted the feeling of contentment and the feeling that I can be content with very little.
When I take a moment to stop and become fully present in my life, gratitude arises. I notice how fortunate I am to have a cozy house and a family filled with love and compatibility. I feel lucky to live with my in-laws, who are exactly the kind of people I value.
In our collective culture, it is important to recognize that marriage is an event between two families, not just two individuals. While people often admire those with wealthy in-laws for the material advantages they might bring, I am proud of my in-laws for their simple lifestyle and their kindness. I am truly blessed. 🍀
Fundemental differences can make my relationship with my family seem challenging at times. Taking a moment to stop and be fully present helps me look past and let go of agendas. My relationships there improve.
What arises comes from the depths of my bones. The innate feeling of wanting the principles of US democracy returned to my city (Minneapolis) and country. Blessings to those called to be peacemakers this day. May we find each other on our paths ☮️
There are millions of hearts
weeping for you and for your city,
dear Carla,
all over the world.
May the recent ‘events’
remind us
what kind of a world we want to live in.
It is obscene what has happened,
and I feel it in the depth of my bones too.
My heart breaks
with each story that comes out,
and as Barb said,
the people who are perpetrating these crimes against humanity
lose a little piece of their soul
every day . . .
their suffering hasn’t even started yet,
but it will.
I stand with you at the horror of it all,
but do not despair
because I believe in Good
in the end. ♥
Today in our staff meeting in our opening “connection before content” question, we’re going to pause to be aware of what’s happening and to ask ourselves how we continue on in public service, what we need for ourselves and from each other to sustain us in working for positive change and for the good. We may have to be at work but we don’t have to ignore what’s happening.
I’m hoping that Congress will wake up and ask what kind of America they’re enabling by funding ICE. We’re being torn apart.
I feel for you, Tom, and everyone hurt by this. That includes the ICE agents, who are being damaged in their souls and hearts by what they do now.
Yes, Barb. I pray for the ICE agents every day. They weren’t trained for this,
When my son’s neighbors were murdered by a guy impersonating a police officer, the police told us how we might recognize whether someone pounding on your door is a legitimate officer.
The police department explained that all of our officers have deescalation training. So, you know that if he is aggressive and impatient for you to comply, “he isn’t one of ours”.
That was just seven months ago, but it seems like a completely different world than the one we live in now..
These ICE agents are no more prepared to deal with the gentle angry people of Minneapolis than we are prepared to deal with their military tactics.
God help us all.
As we learn more about who Renee Good and Alex Pretti were, what we are see are two individuals dedicated to serving others above self. One a mother, the other a nurse. Caring for others to the end. It appears they put themselves in harm’s way and they were martyred for neighborly love.
As horrific as it is in our city (mine too), I find hope in the thought that the world will see the truth, and some good will come from their example, so they will not have died in vain.
I feel we are walking the darkest valley, not afraid, knowing that we are in good company.
Peace.
Great appreciation, interest, and hope. I am appreciative of all the love and support that have helped me feel safe and secure https://bstationhd.app/ right now. The day and the station’s future intrigue me. I hope I’m headed in the correct direction.
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Taking a moment to stop and become fully present to my life, what arises?
Today,
taking that moment
brings me to the physical mess I am surrounded by.
Address book and cards
litter my table that serves as a desk,
along with pages of wordle lists,
a password book,
cups filled with pencils, brushes,
sculpting tools and a metal compass . . .
the kind we used in junior high school.
Then,
of course,
there is my coffee cup,
my timer in the shape of a white chicken,
and a motley cat
who purrs on my left forearm
which is trying type.
I am fully present to it all,
and am aware
that I can be lifted above it all
and be present to the greater thing.
It doesn’t diminish the mess around me . . .
it doesn’t make it go away,
but it makes it all right in the moment–
I can forgive myself.
My life is more than this,
more than all of the worldly things I participate in.
I am a cool breeze,
a floating star . . .
a presence in this vast Universe,
small to be sure,
but loved and in the care of Something bigger than myself.
I also realize
that what I do
down here at my table
is part of the big picture,
and that everything I do or don’t do
counts
one way or the other.
There is always a choice to make.
Living in the present
guides me through the choices I make in my life down here. ♥
I fell last night and because I have a fusion in my neck and several compression fractures in my back, fear literally encompassed me. It did not have a lot to do with the pain that ensued. It was a fear that I might be injured in a way that I would lose independence and I live alone. My mind was racing. I made it to my bed and then I thought, what if I wake up in the morning and can’t get out of my bed which is something that happened to me several years ago. I was every where but in the present moment. Well, I did wake up this morning and though I was still in pain, I did get out of the bed. I don’t know how many times I have shared here and else where that Life is trustworthy. I claimed that Life would show me the way and I knew I had to ask for help. I called a dear friend and she said as soon as she gets off from her job at noon, she will be here. Then I chose to pray as Mother Teresa prayed without words. She says that when she prays, she does not petition God, she listens to the silence and God stops and listens, too. I said to myself, “Be open, Carol, listen to the silence” and I realized that the healing I needed the most was a healing from the fear that had my body so tense.
And so my answer to today’s question is today’s quote from Br. David: “Learning to stop and be still is absolutely necessary before we can listen and respond fully and gratefully to Life—moment by moment.”
Prayer isn’t about begging to be cured. It’s about learning to listen and be healed. For me healing is what arises when I can stop and be fully present because for me God is Love and when I can stop and let that Love encompass me, healing arises.
❤️
I’m so sorry that you fell, but I am glad you’re okay. May you continue to feel better.
And thank you for the wise words about prayer 🙏🏼
You are most welcome, Patti.
are you going to the ER for some xrays to make sure nothing is broken/fractured? I can tell how scared you must have been. Prayers for a speedy healing and some peace to calm your anxiety. Love and hugs to you dear Carol.
Michele, I did not go to the ER. The reason being that I have several compression fractures in my back and a triple fusion in my cervical spine. I just had a CT of my head and neck Dec 24th due to some severe nerve pain.It told the doctors nothing they did not already know. I have an adverse reaction to MRIs due to the metal in my neck. CTs and regular xrays generally do not tell doctors much. My dear Michele, I will go to the ER if anything develops that I feel warrants it. ER doctors and staff are wonderful compassionate people but not even spinal specialists have been able to recommend any procedures that are safe to perform. Thank you for your prayers, your concern and your hugs. You are deeply appreciated. The bottom line is I must be more careful. Falls and fear are my biggest challenges.
I’m sure it comforts you too that your son is close by and you have wonderful neighbors who can help.
Michele, Yes, it does…family and community…everything in life is about relationship!
I am glad you are okay and thank you for this message.
DeAnn you are welcome
Carol Ann. Oh my, how scary for you!
I hope that as you relax, you will be feeling better. Please update us tomorrow and let us know how you are doing. ♥️♥️♥️
Your insight today, is very helpful to me. “Healing is what arises when I can stop and be fully present because for me God is love and when I can stop and let that love encompass me, healing arises.
I need to take time for stillness. I need to quiet my active mind. I also believe that God is love, and remembering this helps me to trust that it is safe for me to be still and to allow the love of God to encompass and heal me. Thank you Carol Ann for your insight.
Sending love and healing energy to you, Mary.
Thank you, Mary, for your compassion and concern. I’m thinking you and I struggle in many of the same ways. I do believe that Br. David is right about the importance of stillness. I too have an active mind. I remember hearing a speaker at a twelve step meeting say that he has to call a meeting and tell the voices in his head that he is chairman of the board. I do believe there is a part of us that is eternal–always was, is and will be–and it has never known fear. It is what Christians would call the Holy Spirit. I’ve come to call it my immortal soul and I believe that being still, listening to the stillness, calls it forth. Blessings, dear Mary, always and all ways.
Thank you, dear Carol Ann.
And, yes, I also think that you and I share many of the same struggles.
Sending love to you ♥️♥️♥️
Reads that you did stay present when it was needed most . . . releasing fear’s grip on your tense body, dear Carol Ann. Good for you.
Joseph, I am so thankful for learning about how Mother Teresa prayed. In Aramaic the word prayer means “Be open.” Listening to the silence helps me be present and be open.
Dear Carol Ann, sending you lots of love & healing blessings. I hope you are feeling better as this day has progressed.
You are not alone. The Divine is with you.
Be gentle with yourself.
Love to you.♥️🙏🏻✨
PKR I’m doing much better this evening. Thank you for your love and encouragement.
“Prayer isn’t about begging to be cured. It’s about learning to listen and be healed.”
Thank you for pointing this out,
dear Carol Ann . . .
so many people
think that praying is asking for things.
Healing is also different from curing . . .
I feel the pain and horror you must have felt when you fell.
You are human.
You are allowed to have those moments . . .
they are the ones that bring you back to the present
and what you can do.
Two months after I received my new hip
I slipped in cat vomit in the dark
at the top of my stairs
and fell down all 15 of them,
horrified that I might have ruined the work done.
It’ was a miracle that nothing was hurt.
You remind me of those moments
and it brings back all the feelings that you mentioned.
Go forth now,
and be renewed . . .
you are strong,
and you have people who love you.
Accept the help they offer.
I will hold you in my heart too
with much love . . . ♥
sparrow
I feel the love, Sparrow and it warms my heart.I’m feeling much better this evening.
Carol, as someone who has a basic desire for autonomy, I can imagine how hard it is to lose independence. It takes a lot to detach from our ways. Trusting others to take care of us isn’t easy. Our lives are in their hands. We must allow ourselves to be steered by then.
Thanks, LOC
I hope you I feel better and better and continue to heal from all that is going on for you, and that your body continues to be your home.
A clear sense of my great good fortune.
Sorrow and rage at how our country is being torn apart from above.
Wonder at our planet and its many intricate and interconnected systems.
“Anticipatory exhaustion”: Looking at the day and week ahead and how much I have to get through brings a bit of overwhelm at times. I’ve made a couple of changes to take things off my non-work calendar and that has helped.
A grounding in my physical body and what it needs in this moment. (Breakfast!)
Gratefulness.
Endless possibilities.
Curiosity.
Joy.
🕊️♥️
When I can stop and be fully present in my life, many things come up. After I wade through all the clutter, I come back to my senses. Back to this moment. The only moment we have. And when I can bring gratitude to the forefront, I am gifted the feeling of contentment and the feeling that I can be content with very little.
I can too now,
dear Charlie . . .
it wasn’t always this way. ♥
Charlie, often times, basic needs are all that we need.
Introspection and openness.
Serenity.
When I take a moment to stop and become fully present in my life, gratitude arises. I notice how fortunate I am to have a cozy house and a family filled with love and compatibility. I feel lucky to live with my in-laws, who are exactly the kind of people I value.
In our collective culture, it is important to recognize that marriage is an event between two families, not just two individuals. While people often admire those with wealthy in-laws for the material advantages they might bring, I am proud of my in-laws for their simple lifestyle and their kindness. I am truly blessed. 🍀
beautiful Ngoc. My mother remained very close to her in-laws after she and my dad had divorced.
My Ngoc, we often rush through things that we forget to be grateful for the little things. The little things add up and are not so little after all.
Fundemental differences can make my relationship with my family seem challenging at times. Taking a moment to stop and be fully present helps me look past and let go of agendas. My relationships there improve.
What arises comes from the depths of my bones. The innate feeling of wanting the principles of US democracy returned to my city (Minneapolis) and country. Blessings to those called to be peacemakers this day. May we find each other on our paths ☮️
There are millions of hearts
weeping for you and for your city,
dear Carla,
all over the world.
May the recent ‘events’
remind us
what kind of a world we want to live in.
It is obscene what has happened,
and I feel it in the depth of my bones too.
My heart breaks
with each story that comes out,
and as Barb said,
the people who are perpetrating these crimes against humanity
lose a little piece of their soul
every day . . .
their suffering hasn’t even started yet,
but it will.
I stand with you at the horror of it all,
but do not despair
because I believe in Good
in the end. ♥
Today in our staff meeting in our opening “connection before content” question, we’re going to pause to be aware of what’s happening and to ask ourselves how we continue on in public service, what we need for ourselves and from each other to sustain us in working for positive change and for the good. We may have to be at work but we don’t have to ignore what’s happening.
I’m hoping that Congress will wake up and ask what kind of America they’re enabling by funding ICE. We’re being torn apart.
I feel for you, Tom, and everyone hurt by this. That includes the ICE agents, who are being damaged in their souls and hearts by what they do now.
Yes, Barb. I pray for the ICE agents every day. They weren’t trained for this,
When my son’s neighbors were murdered by a guy impersonating a police officer, the police told us how we might recognize whether someone pounding on your door is a legitimate officer.
The police department explained that all of our officers have deescalation training. So, you know that if he is aggressive and impatient for you to comply, “he isn’t one of ours”.
That was just seven months ago, but it seems like a completely different world than the one we live in now..
These ICE agents are no more prepared to deal with the gentle angry people of Minneapolis than we are prepared to deal with their military tactics.
God help us all.
As we learn more about who Renee Good and Alex Pretti were, what we are see are two individuals dedicated to serving others above self. One a mother, the other a nurse. Caring for others to the end. It appears they put themselves in harm’s way and they were martyred for neighborly love.
As horrific as it is in our city (mine too), I find hope in the thought that the world will see the truth, and some good will come from their example, so they will not have died in vain.
I feel we are walking the darkest valley, not afraid, knowing that we are in good company.
Peace.
Great appreciation, interest, and hope. I am appreciative of all the love and support that have helped me feel safe and secure https://bstationhd.app/ right now. The day and the station’s future intrigue me. I hope I’m headed in the correct direction.
Wonder…Peace…Présence…Heightening of my senses…Deep appreciation. The context of the moment influences what rises.🩷
Acceptance, gratefulness, love
Gratefulness.
Happiness, fulfillment, love, and wonder.