04.26.09
Posted in beach thoughts (smacked by the Universe till I learn) at 1:15 pm by Beach Chick
Block out a few minutes to go outside and explore nature with childlike enthusiasm. It is sure to refresh and reconnect you to your life.
Beach tip of the day: Want the best floatie for the beach? Swimways Recliner Float. Many have been tested by us – these hold up and are super comfortable. You can find them at the mass retailers.
I woke up this Sunday morning at 6:15 to the sounds of excited young boy cries. Laying there for a moment, I thought how fun to be that excited at the beginning of the day.
I wandered out with the dogs to find three boys (ranging from 6-11 years old) crawling on seawalls, leaning precariously low over the dock and wading in the boat launch area. Each one making their own discoveries and yelling to share with the others. It was such a happy sound. (Although, others who like to sleep in on Sunday mornings may not have thought so.)
When I asked what they had found – one proudly showed me a “hermit” and said he was hunting “hermits”. Another had found a school of minnows – and was fascinated with how they moved together. And the other was going between the two, too busy to be bothered by an adult.
It reminded me that right outside my door I can find the excitement, awe and enthusiasm of small discoveries. Every day, every moment.
Life is so good.
Blessed be….
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04.25.09
Posted in beach thoughts (smacked by the Universe till I learn) at 1:13 pm by Beach Chick
By not wanting, there is calm, and the world will straighten itself. When there is silence, one finds the anchor of the Universe within oneself.
excerpt from 37th verse of Change your thoughts, change your life Dr. Wayne Dyer
Beach tip of the day: Covered with stubborn sand after a day at the beach? Keep some talcum powder in the car as an easy removal secret. Just sprinkle and wipe off…
Monkey Mind. It’s a bitch. There I am, wandering through my day or night – when the attack comes. Spinning thoughts about everything – and nothing. From the little things that I might forget to “Oh my God I have ruined my life”.
I have learned that stopping and recognizing that they are all just thoughts and can be replaced with something else helps. Not fighting also helps – after all, my monkey mind is just trying to take care of me. But mostly now I just repeat, over and over again:
“By not wanting, there is calm, and the world will straighten itself. When there is silence, one finds the anchor of the Universe within oneself.”
This reminds me that everything really is okay. And, I am a beloved part of the Universe.
By the time I have repeated that a few times – I really have found the “anchor”.
Blessed be…
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04.24.09
Posted in beach thoughts (smacked by the Universe till I learn) at 12:47 pm by Beach Chick
Be grateful now. and now. and now. Life will be full of awe and small miracles.
Beach tip of the day: May 1st begins sea turtle nesting season. Pick up your beach stuff each night. Mama turtles can get stuck under lawn chairs or abort nesting because their paths are blocked.
I looked up grateful this morning in the dictionary. Along with the common “appreciative of benefits received; thankful” definition, there was a second one that interested me more. Perhaps because I selfishly always look for happiness.
2. Affording pleasure or comfort; agreeable.
This definition reminds me of the practical benefits of expressing gratitude. That each moment we are thankful for what that moment is – we afford pleasure, comfort and are agreeable. That is how I choose to live.
It seems the Universe is trying to teach me this lesson by showing me what happens when “gratefulness in the now” is absent. Lately, I have met a couple of people who are basically unhappy and fighting their lives. It has been interesting to see the war. Especially how angry they get when it is suggested their lives are actually wonderful, that there is a myriad of opportunities and people who love and support them. It is frustrating to sit back at that point and watch the pain born of ungratefulness. And yet – this has been a gift to me. And for what it is worth, I end up silently offering the Universe gratitude for the incredible things in their lives as well as mine.
And then, I walk away. There is no benefit for either one of us to be around each other. I create each moment – hopefully in gratefulness – sometimes in mindlessness – but always my choice. It just angers others who don’t believe that – talking about it doesn’t help.
Living “grateful in now” does. Choosing others who are on the same path brings together the collective energy of pleasure, comfort and yes, happiness. I choose this moment to be thankful for that. And yes, my life is full of awe and miracles.
Blessed be…
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04.23.09
Posted in beach thoughts (smacked by the Universe till I learn) at 1:05 pm by Beach Chick
Dare to live the way that makes you happy. But more importantly, dare to change that life as you grow and change. How do you know when that is needed? It isn’t easy any longer – life is not meant to be a struggle!
Beach tip of the day: Put sunscreen on as you come out of the shower each morning. If you will also need bug spray, combine the two with “Bug N Sun”!
I can tell the direction of the wind by looking at the seagulls on my dock. They always seem to face the wind. They sit easily – without ruffling their feathers. And, if the weather changes during the day, they turn into that breeze also. Happily squawking – no struggle.
If only I could apply that lesson consistently. I find a happy rhythm, easily wandering through my days only to find that I have grown in some way and my life no longer suits me. Instead of turning into the breeze – I hang on to the previous direction. Sure that what made me happy is the only way – struggling and throwing my new “squareness” into the old round hole.
Sometimes, I don’t even recognize the change – only the vague feelings of dissatisfaction and lack of enthusiasm. Or if I do – I think “NO, I just got this right!” Shutting down to the flow of life and struggling to keep my feathers smooth despite the change.
I am currently in that mode. Love where I live. I feel so connected with the water and nature.
But not happy with drifting on the career front any longer. Sure, it was great while I decompressed and figured out some things. Now, not so much. I miss the camaraderie of a workplace and the challenge. But love the flexible schedule I have now. I miss not being needed – yep, I said it!
I love my close friends – they are incredibly supportive and feel like family. Now, I am finding myself missing a group of friends that like to have stupid fun. Going out and listening to music. Doing festivals. Laughing and goofing around. And because I work from home – I am not discovering those kind of people here.
Finally, I have loved making a home that is all about me. Clean, simple and totally geared to my new life. Now I am almost ready for someone to share it. But who will suit me and who will I suit? What happens as I change or he does? Do you ditch and run (again)?
So, my feathers are ruffled a little and life isn’t exactly easy. But, I am turning slowly into the wind and know that all of this will change and new things will come up. And the whole process is exciting and fun. What I know for certain is that the Universe is on my side!
My goal for now is to “dare to change easily”…
Blessed Be…
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04.22.09
Posted in beach thoughts (smacked by the Universe till I learn) at 1:21 pm by Beach Chick
Be alone. Be uncomfortably alone. Get so “alone” that you notice the small miracles in this Universe. From the miracle of moving your finger with just a thought to the majesty of a great blue heron flying overhead.
Beach tip of the day: Bring two plastic grocery bags when walking on the beach. One for shells and one for garbage. Hunt for shells both ways – but only pick up garbage on the way back.
I am not a person who is afraid of “alone”. I tend to revel in it. Crave it like the air I breathe. It is always comforting and easy – a way to disconnect from the business of living.
But the uncomfortable, soul tending aloneness – that is a different story. And that is how I know it is essential to my growth. Just like meditation – it isn’t suppose to be easy – but it does have a purpose. It connects you with the part of you that is also a part of everything. It humbles you in such a gut wrenching way that you aren’t the same person once back out in the real world.
I went walking the other day on the Pine Beach Trail. It was just suppose to be a mindless hike – observing all of the beauty and feeling the lushness of my body’s movement. A gift – right?
I sat on the observation deck to enjoy for a moment – thrilled with the opportunity and grateful for my life. And suddenly, I was overwhelmed with icky feelings. Those dark ones that pop up – you aren’t sure why or where they came from. I saw myself as separate, judgemental, vane and egotistical. I was incredibly sad that I have and will again – touch others’ lives from that place. That my sons, loved ones and friends have all been hurt – lives actually changed – because of my mindlessness and mindless actions.
So, I sat still. I felt the feelings, grieved the pain caused (to myself and others). It wasn’t just uncomfortable – it hurt. It sucked. And I sat. My nose itched. But I sat. My leg felt like it was being bruised to the bone from sitting cross legged. But I sat. And slowly – reconnected. To the “oneness” of everything and myself. Those dark feelings – were brought about by thoughts. Not real. The consequences of my actions – are exactly as they are suppose to be. That there is no reason to second guess anything – it is what it is.
That doesn’t mean it is okay to judge and feel somehow better than others. But because I sat with the uncomfortable aloneness – I hope to be even more mindful. And vowed to find affirmations and reminders to think before I speak. To know I create the thoughts and continue to (or at least attempt) to observe them.
And so, a different gift was given to me. And I once again was grateful and full of the joy that comes from knowing everything is connected and you are a part of it. I could then see all of the small miracles of nature.
They say that for many species of caterpillars – once in the cocoon – they literally dissolve. If you cut open the chrysalis, you’d find nothing but liquid goo. It isn’t in there – happily sprouting wings and thinking about its new life. It is melting down and reforming into the butterfly. Which, of course, is it’s dharma. Uncomfortable soul tending aloneness is my equivalent. And I am grateful for it.
Blessed be…
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