I Believe, Part II


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In this earlier post, I sought to write about that which I believe. I had to force myself to stop because I realized that I could have gone on forever. After publishing the post, other beliefs swirled through my mind, and I feel obliged to continue. These are more of the many things in which I believe:

  • that no one should be discriminated against because of their race, national origin, sex, age, religious preference, sexual orientation or any other reason.
  • that employers should offer mental health leave to their employees,
  • in loyalty,
  • that one should follow his or her passions,
  • that we can not know happiness without experiencing sadness,
  • that the present moment is the only moment that we have,
  • that our actions affect the environment,
  • that listening is an art form that we all should practice, again and again,
  • that we can learn from everyone that we meet–even those that we dislike,
  • that forgiveness is not about accepting bad behavior,
  • that no matter how difficult that life can get, there is always something for which we can be grateful,
  • that everyone should try journaling,
  • that everyone should try meditation,
  • that we gain more wisdom from life’s lows than from its’ highs,
  • that it takes courage to be vulnerable,
  • that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty,
  • that you can’t judge a book by its cover,
  • that we should stop to smell the roses,
  • that music stirs the soul,
  • that less is more,
  • that laughter is contagious,
  • that we are all connected,
  • in the smell of impending rain,
  • that peace is possible,
  • that mistakes are inevitable,
  • that it is not the falling, but the getting up that is important,
  • that kindness reaps its own rewards,
  • that we are the makers of our own destinies,
  • that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,
  • that love means having to say you are sorry,
  • that “being” is more important than “doing,”
  • that when I am gone, I want to leave the world better than I found it,
  • in the wonder of a night’s sky,
  • that giving is more important than receiving,
  • that we should strive to do good deeds, with no expectation that our actions will be noticed or appreciated, that is, doing good solely for the sake of doing good,
  • that wisdom does not depend on one’s age,
  • that hypocrisy is a societal ill,
  • that the answers that we seek are within us,
  • in the sound of rain on a tin roof,
  • in the song of the wind chime in a gentle breeze,
  • in a cold glass of lemonade on a hot Summer day,
  • in the fragrance of lavender, orange blossoms or jasmine as they waft through an open window,
  • that there is satisfaction to be had in hard work,
  • in the satisfaction of a job well done,
  • in acceptance,
  • in letting go of the past,
  • in surrender,
  • in the love of a parent for his or her child(ren),
  • that children are our future,
  • that teachers are under-valued,
  • that it is the lowliest workers who give the most to a well-ordered society,
  • in the first cry of a newborn baby,
  • in honor, respect and appreciation for our elders,
  • that no one should die alone,
  • that no child should go unwanted or unloved,
  • that our past, informs all that we are,
  • that every person should know freedom,
  • in the sultriness of a full moon,
  • that empathy is a virtue,
  • that “home” is a state of mind,
  • that trust engenders trust,
  • that grandchildren are a gift,
  • in a beautiful sunset,
  • in the sound of water as it rushes along a stream,
  • in waves as they crash on a beach,
  • in a hot beverage on a cold day,
  • that all will be well,
  • that this too shall pass,
  • in a day when there is no place to be and nothing to do,
  • in clean sheets,
  • in a towel fresh out of the dryer,
  • in prayer,
  • in compassion for another,
  • that mental illness should not be treated any differently than physical illness,
  • that any kind of abuse is abhorrent,
  • that it is our humanness that makes us who we are,
  • in the sacred,
  • that creativity is not a lesson to be learned; it is within all of us,
  • that inspiration is all around us,
  • that death is just the beginning,
  • in anticipation,
  • in a hand-written letter,
  • in an unexpected card or letter from a friend,
  • in an unanticipated check in the mail,
  • in new love,
  • in mature love,
  • in all love,
  • in saying “thank you,”
  • in saying “God bless you.”
  • in meditating by candlelight,
  • in the beauty of a candlelit room,
  • in miracles,
  • in wishing on a star,
  • in doing what’s right, even if it finds you standing alone,
  • that you have no control over anyone but you,
  • that each day offers a chance to put yesterday behind us, and to begin anew,
  • that your heart is the vehicle to your truth,
  • that it is never too late to live your dreams,
  • that the only person with whom you should compete is yourself,
  • that as you think, so shall you be,
  • that the first step is the hardest,
  • that yes, you can,
  • that many of your beliefs act as your moral compass,
  • in the journey, not the destination,
  • in the feeling of bliss when surrendering into a favorite yoga pose, and
  • in truth-telling.

Once again, I must stop because this post has become way too long. Choosing this topic, has given me considerable insight into my thoughts and beliefs, many of which had lain dormant, unknown and never verbalized. Some of them are quite mundane, but many, anything but. Yet, that is the nature of life. I recommend this exercise as a way of getting to know yourself at a far deeper level. It has given me a glimpse into the best parts of myself.

What about you? What do you believe? WARNING: Once you begin, you’ll find it difficult to stop, but then, what an excellent way to gain an understanding of your core beliefs?

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A Fact Of Life

Life is a precious gift. Don't waste it being ...

Life is a precious gift. Don’t waste it…. (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

I have a confession to make. Although I don’t watch television, with the aid of internet apps, I don’t have to miss my favorite shows. I, armed with a law degree, am embarrassed to admit that most of my favorite shows are about the supernatural. Give me zombies, witches, vampires and the like and I’m a happy girl. (I blame it on being born and raised in New Orleans, where tourists clamor for voodoo dolls and potions as souvenirs.) One of my all-time favorite shows is “Charmed.” Without going into boring detail, the show is about three sister witches whose destiny is to fight demons, warlocks and all manner of evil supernatural beings.

Anyway, in addition to loving what some would view as mindless drivel, I also love meaningful and thought-provoking quotes. As crazy as it sounds, I heard one as I watched an episode of “Charmed.” The quote is:

“Life only has meaning because there is an end. Death is what forces people to live.” ~Death, “Charmed,” Season 7, Episode 5.

Now, if you are like me, death is not on your top ten list of things to talk about. Yet, for all of our dodging the issue, it is an inevitability for each of us. I find the quote comforting in a way, because instead of focusing on death, it serves as a call to us to live each moment of our lives as enthusiastically and fully as possible. It punctuates the preciousness of our lives and incentivizes us to stop with the procrastination and to live our dreams, as meaningfully as we can. Take that long-awaited trip. Read that book that has been on your end table for months. Learn a new language. Use your best china, just because. Say I love you, over and over again. Take risks. Life offers endless possibilities.

Each of us has our own “bucket list,” and it is time to take it from the level of aspiration, to experience. The thing is that we put off our dreams and desires at our peril. Life is meant to be lived–now!

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Quote Tuesday

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting (Photo credit: Lyle58)

“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

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What is Grace?

Wind Chimes

Wind Chimes (Photo credit: kulicki)

I am taking an e-course titled “30 Days of Grace,” taught by artist and healer Alena Hennessy. In one of the lessons, she asked us to consider what the word ‘grace’ meant to us. When I initially read the lesson, I groaned thinking, “Yet another important question that I cannot answer!” To my surprise, I quickly realized that I knew the answer to the question, that I felt the answer to the question.

I’d never given the question much thought. Growing up, I was taught to define the word in one of three ways. First, as the prayer that we said before a meal, second, one’s way of handling themselves in various situations and third, one’s way of presenting themselves to those around them.

Yet, as I began writing, it occurred to me that the list of instances and things in which I see ‘grace’ is limitless. There is no set of definitions that can define the word ‘grace.’ Grace means different things to different people and though there may be some commonality, there is rarely a common agreement as to what the word engenders for each of us. In my case, I believe that ‘grace’ = life and all that comes with it.

Grace is the joy that I feel when I look into the faces of my children and grandchildren. Grace is the music of my wind chimes as a gentle breeze rushes through them. Grace is the scent of orange blossoms, jasmine, lavender and more. Grace is a candle-lit room as I sit still in meditation. Grace is prayer and thanksgiving. Grace is the beauty of my daughter as she labors to give birth to her first child. Grace is the love and devotion on my son-in-law’s face as he stands vigil to support my daughter through a long, difficult labor. Grace is being there as my grandson, eyes wide open, takes his first look at his new world. Grace is the sound of rain on a tin roof. Grace is the sound of my favorite songs. Grace is the feeling that propels me to dance and sing to those songs.

Grace is laughter. Grace is a smiling face. Grace is my husband. Grace is having my mother still with us. Grace is in spite of fibromyalgia, being able to get out of bed most mornings. Grace is the trusting look on the faces of my grandchildren as I look into their eyes. Grace is in the beauty of the night sky with its infinite stars, planets and galaxies, unhampered by city lights. Grace is the smell of freshly laundered clothes. Grace is a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Grace is a steaming cup of tea or coffee on a cold day. Grace is coming home after an extended trip away. Grace is a field of wild flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Grace is the birds who gather each morning at the feeder outside my bedroom window. Grace is a surprise call from a loved one. Grace is serendipity. Grace is the feel of the sun on my skin. Grace is having the exact amount of money to pay for a purchase. Grace is not looking, but finding that ‘perfect’ gift for a special person in my life. Grace is in the amazing art that my daughter creates. Grace is my son’s tireless determine to make a better life for himself and his family. Grace is in the strength to overcome horrible circumstances. Grace is in falling down, and picking one’s self up.

Grace is being there for someone in their time of need. Grace is saying “I’m sorry” and meaning it. Grace is forgiving, both others, but especially, yourself. Grace is the pleasure of friendship. Grace is going to the mailbox and finding a beautiful card or letter, sent to me, for no particular reason. Grace is helping those in need. Grace is paying it forward. Grace is hot water for an insanely long bubble bath. Grace is having the time to slow down and enjoy the moment. Grace is being alone without feeling lonely. Grace is being my own best friend. Grace is in spite of having three children by 21 years old, I persevered to graduate college and law school. Grace is a piece of ice cold watermelon or a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. Grace is the feel of settling beneath freshly laundered sheets. Grace is expressing my creativity. Grace is writing, painting and drawing. Grace is playing a game of jacks. Grace is playing bingo with my 7 year old g’daughter. Grace is the stillness and quiet of the early morning before the rest of the house wakes.. Grace is realizing that I can after years of believing I can’t. Grace is loving myself, just the way that I am. Grace is reading a good book. Grace is learning something new.

Grace is being grateful. Grace is saying ‘thank you.’ Grace is being a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. Grace is the love that gripes my heart when I think of my little brother who died much too soon. Grace is saying ‘I love you.’ Grace is being told “I love you.” Grace is every morning that I wake to a new day. Grace is kindness and generosity. Grace is the faith that I have in God. Grace is food on the table, a roof over my head and clothes on my back. Grace is in the challenges that I face, in order to appreciate the grace around me. Grace is me and you. Grace is the special person, now a friend, who gifted me this class when we only knew one another through FB and not very well. Grace is in accepting things as they are and not as you want them to be.

I wrote and wrote for pages until I got tired and had to stop, but I could have written for hours. I understand now that grace is everywhere and a quality in everything that I do. Grace is in the faces that I see in stores and on the streets. Grace is in every encounter. Grace is the blessing of each of you that I ‘meet’ and connect with through this blog. In fact, grace is the opportunity to spend my time with you in this way. I feel blessed that I’ve had the chance to ponder this question as it has done for me what I intended in creating this blog, brought me closer to my true and graceful self, as well as an appreciation for all the beauty that surrounds me. As I said earlier, grace  is — life.

Blessings and grace to you, Lydia

All Will Be Well, ~ Julian of Norwich

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