During the summer time we usually think about relaxing with family and/or friends, slowing down, and taking time to enjoy life. Children are out of school, the weather is warmer and our systems tend to slow down.
This may be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in our lives. It doesn’t really matter where we choose to take our vacations or whether it is simply weekend outings we share. What really matters is that we spend quality time with those in our lives that we love.
Plan a summer picnic with friends and family or a day at the beach. How about a hike in the woods or a camping trip? There are so many opportunities to share time with others. We all have the beauty of nature as our play ground and it does not require money to enjoy it. The only requirement is a little planning and our time.
We all have wonderful memories of summers from our past that we cherish. We are now the authors of the memories we will create for our future and that of our children. Let us not miss the opportunities we have now. We are not so busy that we can’t create at least a day in the sun.
Let’s leave our worries and problems alone for a day or two. I promise that they will be there when we return. We may even have a chance to gain a new perspective on how to resolve them. It is amazing how differently we view things when our minds have had a chance to relax for awhile.
Let us enjoy the true blessings of life, which are the times that we share with each other. These are the memories we treasure. Nothing else will take the place of these wonderful moments together.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We seem to be living in a time of such division. People from all sides are trying to gain a larger following to justify their points of view. I so love this statement from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We cannot drive out the hate by more hate and name calling, “only love can do that”.
It is difficult to rise above all of the rhetoric and comments being made but let’s make a genuine effort to do this. Perhaps we could begin by seeing and listening through the eyes and ears of our hearts. How would our hearts respond to this? If someone makes a “seemingly inappropriate comment”, for example, from where did this comment come?
Before we judge any comments that have been made, let us take a moment to walk in their shoes. What in this person’s experience led to those thoughts and/or feelings? Let us get a broader perspective on any issue we are facing. We have all walked through our own life’s journey having many different experiences and beliefs, which have shaped our specific points of view.
We are all unique. It is really amazing that we can agree on anything, let alone everything, which seems to be expected now. Our diversity is one of the most beautiful things about us. Would you enjoy looking at a scenic view if everything looked exactly the same? Would you enjoy listening to a concert with the musicians all playing the same note?
We thrive on seeing nature in the rapture of its glorious colors. We love listening to a concert with the incredible harmony of sounds made by a full orchestra. What would our world be like if we viewed each other as unique and beautiful pieces of a colorful tapestry called life? What if we experienced each other as if we were all making wonderful contributions to the depth, creativity, and wonder of our world.
Let’s follow Dr. Martin Luther King by letting our lights shine forth in the darkness and our love pour out into the space of all hatred. Let us all follow his guidance and choose love.
The disciple walked up to the master and asked, “How can I free myself from what binds me to the past?”
The master got up, went to a tree stump, and clutched onto it, moaning, “What can I do so that this tree lets go of me?” - Zen wisdom
How often do we live through our past experiences, especially the painful ones? Do we carry these memories of regrets, mistakes, or wrongs that others may have done forward into our present thoughts and/or feelings?
As the Zen master stated above, “What can I do so that this tree lets go of me?” The past is gone forever. We are choosing to hang on to these memories, it is totally in our control to let them go. The tree does not bind us to it, nor does the past.
One of the pathways to letting go of our negative past memories is through the process of forgiveness. This process allows our hearts to open and become more fully self expressed as we experience our humanity. This is forgiveness of ourselves as well as others. This journey may seem long but the process is simple and the more forgiveness we are able to express the more love and compassion we are able to feel.
Let’s release all of our negative past memories into the gentleness of forgiveness. We can begin this new moment in the appreciation of who we are and the many gifts we have to offer others. Bask in the glow of being alive and able to love and be loved, to value and be valued and to know that we can make a difference in our world.
Celebrate this moment and use it to create a new beginning thus leading to a new future for ourselves and those around us. Experience the feelings of gratitude for all that we have and all that we are. This moment belongs to us. How will we choose to use it?
“Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it’s what they bring to the world that really counts.”- Lucy Maud Montgomery
Summer is a quieter time for most of us as we slow down our pace and look forward to spending time with our families and friends. Some of us get away for vacations or find more time for rest and relaxation.
Maybe we could spend some of these moments in reflection of our own gifts and talents. What do we do well and/or what do we love to do? What makes our hearts sing? What activities makes us eager to learn more and become even better at doing them?
Each one of us is born with a life’s purpose. We were given specific gifts and talents to accomplish this purpose. The beauty of this is that when we are doing what we were meant to do, our lives have meaning, and we feel alive and joyful. We wake up each morning ready to tackle anything and are often able to see our challenges as opportunities to exercise our gifts and talents.
Have you ever asked the question, “What does the world hold for me”? Many of us feel that if we just keep looking we will find that perfect place to work, live, etc. We just need to keep looking and/or waiting. It will come along “one of these days” if we are patient.
In truth, the perfect place we seek comes from within ourselves. The journey that we must take is one of self-discovery. Who are we and what can we offer the world? What are our unique gifts and talents for which the world is waiting? The specific job that awaits us may not even exist yet but one that we were meant to create.
Let’s spend some time reflecting on our gifts and talents. Make a list of these and add what activities we can do with each one. The longer we remain in reflection the longer our lists will become. The more time we spend doing these activities, the more our creative ideas flow and the more options appear. This is the magic of who we really are as we share our gifts with the world.
It truly is “what we bring to the world that really counts”. “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
