The earth is full of thresholds where beauty awaits the wonder of our gaze

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“The earth is full of thresholds where beauty awaits the wonder of our gaze.”

—John O’Donohue, 20th Century Irish poet and Hegelian philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Rob Mulally

During a recent morning walk a friend used the phrase It’s a beautiful Day.

Instead of agreeing with him and moving on with our conversation, I let this statement linger and penetrate my thinking and my senses.

Planet Earth is a gem in our solar system.

Compared to any other rocky world, it is paradise where life abounds.

How often do we truly appreciate its wondrous beauty?

How many times each day do you stop at the thresholds in your world to gaze and be amazed at what you see?

EXERCISE:

Here are some of my favorite nature documentaries:

Planet Earth miniseries (2006), Planet Earth II miniseries (2016), Blue Planet II, Chasing Ice (2012), and David Attenborough’s A Life on our Planet (2020). What are some of yours?

What are some beautiful places close to home that await the wonder of your gaze?

Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.

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Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Tamara Manzi

Many people operate at a fast pace in almost everything they do these days.

How fast do you talk, walk, eat, and drive?

What are some of the benefits of moving in the fast lane?

What are the negative consequences of always being in a hurry?

For many of us, our pace is ingrained and set on auto pilot with only modest awareness.

How might a slower and more patient pace of living offer hidden benefits?

Where would a steady as she goes approach help you arrive more safely and sanely to your desired destinations?

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would a slow is smooth and smooth is fast approach make the biggest difference?

Where can and will you bring greater patience to your path beginning today?

Friday Review: AGE

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Friday Review: Age

What are your attitudes and beliefs about age? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“I don’t know how to act my age. I’ve never been this age before.”

 

 

 

“The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished.”

 

 

 

Aging mindfully and gracefully involves embracing the law of impermanence. Each thought, emotion, and sensation can be a portal to all kinds of new discoveries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher.”

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“The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher.”

—Ryan Holiday, American author and host of the podcast The Daily Stoic

Image from Unsplash by Taylor Flow

Look back on your life and consider your most impactful teachers.

Which of them left a lasting impression where — even today — you still refer to their lessons?

How often do you recall wanting to be challenged and stretched versus going for that easy “A”?

In today’s convenience-centric world, the goal most often seems to focus on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

What has this approach taught us and how has it weakened our spirits and resolve?

EXERCISE:

Consider reading Robert Fritz’s book, The Path of Least Resistance to see what it has to offer.

Feel free to let me know your top take-aways as you wrestle with this concept.

“So much of the development of mental strength flows from our ability to normalize adversity.”

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“So much of the development of mental strength flows from our ability to normalize adversity.”

—Rohan Rajiv, Author of A Learning a Day Blog

Image from Unsplash by Aziz Acharki

Over the years writing this blog I’ve reference a book titled The Power of Full Engagement numerous times.

A key premise of its content is to expand one’s ability to increase their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energies.

Consider replacing the word energy with strength.

Where are you experiencing adversity in your life?

How are you being challenged and tested in your personal and professional pursuits?

Where are you feeling resistance and a sense of being stretched beyond what’s comfortable?

How do these situations actually increasing your overall strength, capacities, and resilience?

EXERCISE:

Read or re-read The Power of Full Engagement. Consider how normalizing adversity has actually supported your growth and development.

Feel free to reply to this post with some examples from your own life.

Abundance is not something we acquire, it’s something we tune into.

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“Abundance is not something we acquire, it’s something we tune into.”

—Wayne Dyer, late self-help author and motivational speaker

Image from Unsplash by Braden Callum

When is enough enough? How much money, possessions, status, and achievement lets you know you’ve made it?

Western society keeps fanning the flames of a “more is better” world. Many of us seem to be trapped in a vicious cycle of gluttony where our appetites are never satisfied — often to our own detriment.

Where do you find yourself running this race? To what degree do you find yourself on a treadmill getting sweaty but not getting anywhere truly satisfying?

EXERCISE:

What are the absolute essential elements of a good and meaningful life?

How tuned into and appreciative are you of the things you already have?

Try quietly sitting in this space to explore the peaceful abundant feeling it can offer.

Separate your notions from your emotions

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Separate your notions from your emotions.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Uday Mittal

Ever found yourself upset by every little thing going on in your life? Times when the smallest details of your days grate on you and trigger levels of annoyance that feel well out of proportion?

Perhaps your mighty mind is actually making mountains out of molehills! Your power to interpret life’s events and other people’s motives have gone to the dark side, and you start playing the victim.

EXERCISE:

Where are your notions stirring up your emotions?

How might some buffer space between stimulus and response — and a bigger helping of objectivity — help settle your nerves?

Friday Review: Fun

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Friday Review: Fun

How often do you make “fun” a part of your day? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Ask yourself: Does the job touch my heart and feed my soul? You will never be what you were meant to be if you aren’t having fun.”

 

 

 

 

“Adults need recess too.”

 

 

 

“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.”

 

 

 

 

It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.

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“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”

—Claude Monet, 19th Century French painter

Image from Wikipedia

I’m a big fan of the Big Bang TV series and don’t mind spending a bit of free time watching a few reruns.

In one particular episode the whole gang decided to go to an escape room as an evening diversion.

With only an initial clue or two, the group, with their mighty minds and keen powers of observation, found the key to escape in only six minutes.

EXERCISE:

How strong are your powers of observation?

How much time do you patiently and calmly reflect on life’s sticky situations to find a way forward you might not have ever considered?

Procrastination is the thief of time

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“Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him.”

—Edward Young, 18th Century English Poet

Image from Unsplash by nit niu

When we think of the word “collar” most of us think of the piece of clothing around our necks. In Young’s day, it was often used as a term to apprehend or arrest a criminal.

If you watch police shows on TV,  the term often points to the success rate of bringing in the bad guys and taking them off the streets to pay for their crimes.

Procrastination is indeed a thief.

What has it stolen from you over the years?

How is it picking your pockets these days?

EXERCISE:

What strategies can and will you use to collar procrastination and free yourself of its choke-hold on your life?