Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    5 days ago

    I am making a list of “new” things to do when my daughter visits on the 18th. For one I found a neat petting zoo farm which I have never been to. She loves goats and miniature donkeys. I am also looking for outside summer concerts near by.

    1. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      5 days ago

      Having visitors can often be a nice motivator for trying out new things in our home communities, Robin Ann! I hope that you have a wonderful time with your daughter.

    2. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      I love goats too, Robin Ann!
      Love their voices!😊

  2. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    5 days ago

    I am always stymied by this question . . .
    I’ve spent my whole life trying new things,
    as well as doing okay maintaining the things I’m already doing.

    I could try to do better
    or renew a practice I’ve fallen back on,
    but that’s not ”something new.”.
    Sometimes
    I feel like I need to downsize what I already do . . .
    that my brain,
    heart, and soul
    are crammed with cares and goals and concerns . . .
    sometimes
    I picture myself
    lying in a meadow full of wildflowers and honey bees,
    arms crossed behind my head,
    gazing up at the living sky
    watching birds and clouds go about the business of living,
    not thinking of the weeds that need to be pulled in my gardens
    or dishes in the sink
    waiting to be washed,
    a chair to be painted,
    or cats to be fed,
    or all of the multitude of tasks expecting to be taken care of.

    “Something new”
    might be
    to stop putting things off,
    quit postponing . . .
    just get up and do the damn work
    so I can lie in that meadow
    or my own back yard
    without guilt. ♥

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      You make a good point, Sparrow.
      It sounds like you are doing plenty.
      Maybe the new thing could be doing less?

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        5 days ago

        Maybe,
        dear Mary . . .
        I was wondering the same thing. ♥

        1. Barb C
          Barb C
          5 days ago

          So was I. Sounds as if it would be new to lie in a meadow ignoring other things you could be doing and just looking at the shapes in the clouds!

          1. sparrow51014
            sparrow
            5 days ago

            Indeed,
            dear Barb . . . 🙂

  3. Yram
    Yram
    6 days ago

    A friend reminded me to seek out ways to make my carepartnership less stressful. He suggested looking in Imperfect foods. So I will look into it.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      Let us know how you like it, Yram.
      I had to look up Imperfect Foods because when I read your post
      I had no idea what you were talking about. 🤷‍♀️
      Anything that makes life less stressful sounds great!
      And I love getting a good deal on a bell pepper
      just because of it has a funny shape. 🥰

  4. pkr29022
    pkr
    6 days ago

    I am going to a new yoga class Wednesday.
    New teacher, new place…all new.
    I also am planning to check out a new farmers market this weekend.
    🕊️ & ♥️

  5. KC.
    KC
    6 days ago

    i am going to try being aware of old stories / patterns in my bodymind and letting them go, to be open to a much larger truth/ reality/ experience, options and possibility. Tara Brach had two recent podcasts that I find helpful/ inspiring. Lots to work with!

    Also celebrating, embracing, enjoying these gorgeous summer moments, days, evenings, in spite of everything! … 🙂

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      Yes, I too have these tired old stories, KC.
      So I think about what do they mean now.
      And I think about how free I could be if I could/would just release them.
      They are the past. What a waste to let them define me now.

      I love Tara Brach. Were you referring to her Wednesday evening talks?
      Lots to think about, KC.
      Much is good for me too,
      and releasing my self limiting stories could free up some joy for me
      Thanks for inspiring me!

      1. KC.
        KC
        5 days ago

        Mary, Oh my gosh. What a challenge and journey, to be aware of and to practice letting go of our tired old stories! So good that you are on this journey as well, as I am guessing many of us are.

        I listen to Tara Brach on Spotify. Recent talks are ‘Stories that Imprison our Heart – part 1 an part 2’. I imagine they are on her website as well, as she is very generous in posting most of her talks and meditations online, for free. Incredible generosity, and so helpful!

        Wishing you a beautiful day!

        Warmly, KC

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      5 days ago

      I too enjoyed lates couple of Tara Brach installments KC.

      1. KC.
        KC
        5 days ago

        Joseph, I take that as a compliment, hearing that you are listening to and enjoying Tara B’s latest talks. I am so inspired by your generous sharing of the decisions and challenges you face each day, choosing sobriety. Also the joy and delights! Thank you for all your insights and daily sharing. Best for a beautiful day! … Warmly, KC

      2. Mary
        Mary
        5 days ago

        I will have to look into these, Joseph.

  6. D
    Drea
    6 days ago

    I could try setting an intention every morning this week (versus just when I feel like it).

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      I was doing that, Drea.
      And then I completely forgot about it.
      If you do this, Drea, I’d love to know how it goes for you.
      🌷🌷🌷

      1. D
        Drea
        5 days ago

        Thank you Mary. To stay accountable, today’s intention is to recover. How about yours?

  7. Cathie
    Cathie
    6 days ago

    Hmmm- will need to think about this, as I have no ideas now🤷‍♀️

  8. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    6 days ago

    Nothing comes to mind but I will stay willing!

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      Your willingness,
      dear Carol,
      made me think of a line from a song by Lowell George
      of ‘Little Feat’ . . .

      “Well, I’ve been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet
      Had my head stoved in, but I’m still on my feet
      And I’m still willin’ ” 🙂

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        5 days ago

        I had never heard that song but went on youtube and listened to it. Brought a smile to my face. Thanks, Sparrow

    2. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      I love your willingness, Carol!
      That seems to go along with noticing possibilities.

  9. Barb C
    Barb C
    6 days ago

    I already have a plan for this: My sweetheart and I are doing our 18 dates for 18 years, one for every year we’ve been married. Today is our actual anniversary. For our date we’re going to bike out to a marina and hope to be able to rent a tandem kayak for our first-ever kayaking adventure on the waters of the south end of Puget Sound. If the kayaks are all rented out it’s a bike ride in the sun and some time by the water, which is also a date.

    If the kayaking isn’t my new thing, there’s always improv practice Wednesday night with my troupe. Improv consists of new things every single time. I expect us to run through some skit forms I haven’t played before as we prepare for our next show. Laughs guaranteed!

    1. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      5 days ago

      I hope that you had a great anniversary, Barb! That sounds like a really fun way to celebrate ♥️

    2. Patti
      sunnypatti
      5 days ago

      Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a lovely date… hope you guys got to kayak!

    3. Michele
      Michele
      5 days ago

      Happy 18th anniversary Barb to you and your husband.

    4. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      5 days ago

      Happy Anniversary!

    5. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      May this anniversary,
      dear Barb,
      be the best so far. ♥

    6. Yram
      Yram
      6 days ago

      Congrats on the 18-year adventure. I hope you have many more lifetimes together.

    7. pkr29022
      pkr
      6 days ago

      Happy Anniversary Barb to you & your husband.🥂🪅🎉

  10. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    6 days ago

    I’m not sure about something new, but I would like to get back to my practices in a more regular way. This week, while busy, would be a good place to start.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      6 days ago

      I too,
      dear Charlie,
      need reminders
      when I veer off the trail . . . ♥

    2. Barb C
      Barb C
      6 days ago

      I’ve had this last week off work and have been re-establishing my yoga and meditation practices. Hoping/planning to carry that into my days when I get back to work tomorrow. Wishing you well in reconnecting with things you want to make a regular part of your life.

  11. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    6 days ago

    I have signed up for an online grief circle with the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. I have heard that it is helpful to be able to grieve in community in these tumultuous times– a different and more empowering experience than feeling alone in our grief. So I am curious to try this out!

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      I looked this up Elizabeth and saw there was a group meeting on this ThursdayJuly 10th.
      I will reflect on whether or not this is for me.
      I have a limit as to how much I am able to engage
      in discussion about my grief over what’s going on in this country and the world.
      It brings up so much anger and rage in me.
      And for me these are very scary emotions.
      Thanks for bringing this up, Elizabeth.
      I just might try it out

      1. Elizabeth H67151
        Elizabeth H
        5 days ago

        Good luck with deciding if this is for you, Mary! I plan to be at the group on July 10th, and it would be lovely to see you there if you decide that it is for you. I agree that it is kind of scary to open up all of those emotions, but I do also trust that if the facilitators are good (which I believe that they will be), that getting in touch with these emotions in a community setting could truly be empowering.

    2. Barb C
      Barb C
      6 days ago

      Thank you for sharing this. I have a cousin who’s now a certified grief educator and I’m sending the link to her.

    3. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      6 days ago

      I could use some of that myself, Elizabeth. 🙏

  12. Kelli Smith
    Kelli Lynn
    6 days ago

    this week. I’m focused on letting gratefulness and intention lead me so I’m ready, open and prepared to experience the pathway Reclaim Joy next week, which will be a brand new experience for me.

  13. J
    Judith A
    6 days ago

    I could try to get up earlier tomorrow, so that I can do my workout before the day starts. I think it will do me good!

  14. Avril
    Avril
    6 days ago

    Good morning gratefulness family. I can try adding my gym workout to my calendar so that it’s an appointment and it doesn’t get skipped!

  15. Michele
    Michele
    6 days ago

    I am planning on visiting the Tampa Theater – I have not been there before, looking forward to it.

    Wishing everyone a good Monday and start of the week 🙂

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