Acceptance!

 Good morning!

Yesterday...it was active, productive, connective, restorative, and grace with something that made a huge difference...

Acceptance!

Not just accepting those around me for who they are and the things they do (not every interaction is smooth... we all got stuff), but accepting that....in each moment I want to feel flowful and fulfilled as best I can.

Not each moment went as I planned. That's life isn't it?

I wanted to do and complete more first thing this morning with my son, but in the moment, I chose that doing some and coming back to the rest later was a better and more serving choice. I allowed more space for connection and flow and conversation.

I wanted to hook up with doing a follow up zoom meeting earlier in the day so I could finish up that pending task, but didn't hear back until later. So I chose to jump on starting and finishing a task that needed doing...and as soon as I finished, I heard back.

I wanted to go outside more and enjoy the weather, and... after waking early and having an event to show up to later in the day (by zoom), I chose to settle into enjoying a nap while watching the birds and the blue sky out my window.

No beating myself up for anything like what I used to hear years ago.

No trying to meet exorbitant expectations so that someone might approve of my checklist.

Just me, knowing what I want to get done, how I want to feel while doing it, and showing up in the way I want to in this world while allowing my priorities(for the day) to get met.

This is a long game focus instead of running around slapping short term bandaids on everything.

Sometimes we agree to different types of activities throughout the day. And no matter the task, I prioritiize that I want to have the right heart and mind behind what I am doing.

I want to BE in the moment with whatever it is before me...with me and that good energy as a part of the picture.

Accepting each moment and being present in it with the best that I can bring to it

#ThankyouGod #gratitude #accepting #priorities #bringMYbest #beINthemoment #playthelonggame #feelinggood #INjoy #productive #goodwork

Where is your consistent focus?

Good morning!

Can I tell you a little something?

I am an offender. There are people in my life that I "offend" on a regular basis.

My sons...I challenge them on the stories they try and tell me . Usually starts with their brother's name in the sentence.

And in those moments...I check myself. Have I started the sentence with someone's name other than my own?

And the answer was yes. Been there, done that. Blame, blame, blame....and you know what? Even my own blame offends me when I catch it.

So, I own up to it. And then "offend" my boys again by asking them to do the same.

And...we ARE in this human journey experiencing ALL the things it feels like, doesn't it?

And through THAT experiencing, the GIFT is in navigating it in a way that serves. It can definitely "serve" the story and blame you are in the habit of practicing and validating...giving life to....feeding more fervently and powerfully even more than your own well being.

"Don't get it twisted..."

That's what stopped me in my tracks and had me reflecting and resetting one December morning as I was reading reflections and inspirations on Jesus Christ...

WHAT is at the top of your focus that you feed with your consistency each day? How to share from your joys and inspirations...? or how much your brother did this thing yesterday and that's the reason for X, Y, and the Z...

I know I held others in "blame jail" and got myself caught up in that snare...AND...I prayed for a heart of compassion. And let me tell you, that lesson has been continuous. Next level...and the next...and the heaviness of heart at times...when all someone can do is see you as "offensive " and "offending".

Don't take it on. Love others...include yourself in the picture and process. Move on and do the next beneficially serving thing. Your good influence matters. It is seen and felt...by you and others.

I loved reflecting on the gift of being inspired by a good work coming through in your life. Humbling confidence to know you are a good blessing into this world.

So yes, I may be an offender (of egos and false, non-serving narratives...even my own), and I know compassion, love, and living a good example from a Great example is first on my mind... most all of my days.

And in that compassionate space, I can hear brotherly banter and smile...because I am #raisingmen.

#ThankyouGod #gratitude #offendingEgos #weare #LoveFirst #lifetothefull #allthefeels #blamegame #levelupyourgame #greaterstill

How do we get hurt? The power of our choices

 Good morning!

Today IS a new day. Thank goodness! Again, it's okay to be sad because of a lack of kindness... and it can be hard to not take it personally...

But there are a few statements that have been floating around this past week... "...hurt people hurt people..." and "victim".

Do those stand out for you? They do for me...because it always made me wonder..."HOW?"

How do we get hurt? How do we choose to hurt? How do we get to the point of victim?

So I looked up the etymology of "vict"...latin meaning "conquer". Then conquer lead to control...and I paused.

I reflected on a recent situation and thought..."What do I have control over? My response and my state" I choose. And if a situation takes me over the road and off course...it is ONLY me that can make the next decision for myself to either get back on course and in a serving state of being and mind OR... roll over in the ditch and wallow in it...whatever "IT" may be.

I've wallowed...and oddly enough...I didn't notice until I stopped and checked in with myself more consistently.

You see ...either way the common denominator is Your choice. You have control over that in every moment...even if we get caught off guard. Even in non serving situations and relationships...

We can flip it. I've done it time and time again. I did not want to go around slinging mud...I wanted people to respectfully, carefully, and mindfully show love THROUGH themselves to others...and be blessed by it.

Be kind. If you can't find a way to be kind, stop...and check yourself. Ask why you choose not to be...ask why you can't find a more loving thing to share...is it because you feel hurt...betrayed...disappointed...disrespected? Did you chose to wallow? Are you tired of the filth?

Be okay with being honest and compassionate with yourself first... then finding compassion in our honesty toward others is easier to find.

#ThankyouGod #oneanotherlove #ofgreatValue #control #yourchoice #agency #spendwisely #beKind #LoveFirst

The Light of life

 Good morning!

I LOVE this time of year. It's quiet, cozy, celebratory, connected, reflective, and inspired by the focus on what is Light.

You are! You are living, connected, radiant beings that are celebrated every day

I know this because...somewhere "out" there someone is truly thinking about "me" with wonder. (And you too... )

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This morning, when my son wakes up and sets up for his morning routine, he'll be thinking of me...and wondering where his headphones are LOL

AND...that's enough really! It puts a smile on my face and helps me to sink into the glory of his existence and my part in it.

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It reminds me of empowering moments that sprung forth from experiences of oppression and disrespect.

It connects me into pondering about the connections HE has in his life (...brother, friends, teachers, etc...) and the village that has created.

It brings my thoughts outside our door and reflecting on the cherished neighbours we have....and all their connections. Families coming closer for the holidays and the loving anticipation in that...

It brings light into my heart to think of all the JOY in having family and friends do that little "dip"...before moving forward in gratitude to embrace you. What a humble place to be in ourselves and in our humanity to truly hold value and gratitude so rich for one another it almost buckles your knees and brings the overflow of celebration to our hearts.

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And ALL this WHILE allowing and embracing from within...that we too wake every morning...not just to greet the day, but to greet ourselves anew with thankfulness in our own divinely radiant presence

Much love to you ALL today...you are celebrated

#ThankyouGod #gratitude #Divinegifts #INjoy #celebrateyourjourney #celebratingtheLight