Taking Charge

Every now and then I can begin to think my life is in an unending rut, filled with drama and conflict.  I can be tempted to freeze and become paralyzed out of fear and frustration.  It can feel as though I am an expendable crewman in my own mini-drama.

Today, I choose to remember that this moment holds out promise; an opportunity to listen to new ideas, a chance to try out different things, an option for connection and a prospect for reassurance and self-care.  There are just so many choices that are possible.  I will remember that no one can take me down a road I don’t choose to go.  Even if I find myself in a difficult situation, I still get to decide what my response to it will be.  I choose to be the main player in the story of my day.

Taking Time To Tune In

The noise of the world can be deafening at times.  Consumerism shouts BUY ME messages continually, telling me I can’t live without this or that.  The voice of individualism pushes BE NUMBER ONE; forget about others, get on top no matter the cost.  Perfectionism drives me to overwork and procrastination, reminding me over and over how much I have to accomplish before I can rest.  There are days when the clamor and commotion blasts through to my core.

Today, I have a choice to turn down the volume on the racket around me.  It will not go away, however, I can choose to let it fade into the background as I breath and mindfully tune in to the rhythm of my spirit.  In the silence of being-ness I find peace, space, and blessed stillness.

Let It Be

Sometimes I get so frustrated and incensed that I can’t control what’s happening around me.  I try with all might to ‘make’ someone understand me or put up a fight to prevent an outcome that’s inevitable.  I rationalize my disrespectful behavior and refuse to recognize or hear any other opinion than my own.  I hold on so tightly, afraid of letting go.  Letting go of my beliefs about what others think of me, letting go of my need to be right, letting go of my fear of chaos, betrayal and rejection, letting go of expectations and judgments, letting go of my distrust of others, letting of the illusion of control I create.  I find myself boxed into a small prison of restriction and what I think is safety never realizing I am creating suffering for myself and others.

I am learning to breathe and to open my heart and mind.  I am safe enough to release and surrender control.  I can trust the goodness I experience surrounding me; my connection with my own enough-ness, friends who offer acceptance and care, a higher power that remains present and sustaining.  I can let it go and let it be.  Today the echo of my mantra is LET IT BE.

The Rhythm of Life

The rhythm of life pulsates in this day, whether I am aware of it or not.  It may beat quickly, flowing by in a blink of an eye, or it may resound slowly, stretching out for what might feel like an eternity.  Regardless of my attempts to slow it down or speed it up, it will continue to steadily move forward.  It is relentless, this ongoing process of giving birth, spreading out, connecting, changing, surrendering, and releasing. 

 It is my intention today to accept what this day may hold.  To breathe into it and feel the flow around me knowing I am part of something so much bigger than I can begin to imagine or contain.  I listen to the rhythm and join in the dance of today-ness which will only exist once and never be repeated quite the same way ever again.  What a sacred gift it is to be here and now in oneness with all that is.

I Am Listening

Today, I commit to listening.  I will listen to the call of my own heart, beating out the music of my soul.  Perhaps it will tell me to dance with abandon or maybe to sit quietly and just be.  Whatever the song I hear, I choose to respond wholeheartedly.

Today, I commit to listening.  I will attend to you and try to understand your point of view with curiosity instead of defensiveness.  I choose to concentrate on validation, recognizing that, despite our diversity, we are more alike than different.  I can decide to dance with you rather than against you.

Today, I commit to listening.  I will hear the sound of the trees and birds, the whispers of the clouds and breeze.  I choose to respect, value and treat with loving kindness the spirit of life that dances all around me.

I am listening…

For Now

Is there going to be enough?  I can find myself becoming anxious about resources and starting to panic when I believe I won’t have adequate money, strength, skills, will power, protection, time, or whatever feels lacking.  Sometimes,  I scare myself with my ‘what if’ thinking and either paralyze myself with fear or push myself into endless activity to try to make up for what I judge to be too little.

Today, I choose to live in the present and remember that I have what I need FOR NOW.  I will mindfully focus on what is and practice gratitude for the resources I experience.  It is safe to surrender to this journey and trust that as it unfolds I will have what I need.  I recognize with gratitude that in this moment, I possess all I need and affirm my enough-ness. 

Energy Drainers and Revitalizers

Will I be exhausted this day or invigorated?  Often the energy can be sucked right out, leaving me empty, lethargic and weary.  Sometimes, however, I feel revitalized and empowered; full of life and ready to face another day.  What will I allow to drain me and how will I strengthen and re-fill my inner energy tank?

I can provide myself with a healthy balance of good nutrition, enough rest, adequate exercise, and chances to center and ground.  However, I could also fill myself with junk food and mindless rushing from one thing to another while I wear myself out.

I can decide how I will respond to those who make demands on my time & efforts by setting appropriate boundaries, communicating my feelings and needs assertively, listening carefully to others to make sure I don’t allow distorted messages to fester inside me without checking them out, and looking for opportunities to connect with those who nurture and support me.  On the other hand, I could choose to believe I am responsible for others’ problems, trying desperately to fix and make them feel better, while victimizing myself by over-giving and zapping my energy.

I can choose to empower myself with internal messages of self-acceptance.  Opening my arms to embrace who I am while reminding myself of my resources and enough-ness or I can buy into old messages that push me to prove my worth and value through endless activity.

I can tell myself I stand all alone or remember I am connected to something much bigger than myself, taking time to recognize one-ness with all that is, was, and ever will be. I am part of more than I can even imagine.

The choice is mine today.  How will I expend and revitalize the energy I hold in these 24 hours?