Moment by moment,
with each flick of the paintbrush
each note of music played –
each scratch of the pen –
and every key stroke –
beauty!
…and thus, joy
Bliss is in the details
Live Small
positive psychology
Consider Other Options
This week, instead of clicking in on the news or net surfing (which always leaves me feeling rather deflated), I have done the following:
- given myself a pedicure;
- jogged with my daughter (twice);
- worked on my blog;
- taken a bubble bath;
- meditated;
- had brunch with a friend;
- updated my “goals” list; and
- started a draft of my mind map
This change made me feel energized and productive, not anxious and deflated.
I wonder…what would happen if I quit the “news/Internet surfing habit” permanently?
Need for Speed
Photo by Camilla Coffey
Z is for Zippy*
We Americans like things fast
Speed of light, full throttle, move like lightning, fast food
I move quickly by default
preferring to zip about, and get things done
but it’s in the moments when I consciously s-l-o-w d-o-w-n
that I feel the most grounded, relaxed and content
*part of my alphabiography project
Ahhh! Bliss…
Photo by Andre Mouton
V is for Veracity*
Truth —-> Self-Awareness —> Integrity —> Self-Contentment —> Peace
Which would you prefer: to be happy or to reach xyz goal?
When I find myself starting to worry or getting wrapped up in achieving xyz…The question, Isn’t it important to be happy? realigns my focus. The truth is, it’s not what I do that’s important, it’s HOW I do what I do.
*Part of my alphabiography project
You Can Feel This Way All the Time
S is for the Sun
When I was four, I stood in the backyard
dotted with dandelions and a baby pool
I looked up – the sun radiated my face
I felt melded with everything and life was so good
We were “poor”, but I did not know that
Dad was already worrying about college for his three kids
Mom cried and missed her family back in Korea
But the sun was out and I felt like a flower, blossoming
Alphabiography
I recently assigned an alphabiography to my 6th grade students. For each letter of the alphabet, they had to write 4 sentences regarding a meaningful topic (could be a noun, adjective, verb) to that letter. After reading theirs, I was inspired to write my own. My version is presenting itself in poem form:
A is for Acceptance
I am learning to accept what is
to see every “flaw, mistake, tragedy” as beautiful
I’m getting better at not asking “why?”
And replacing it with “why not?”
*My Alphabiography project
Thanksgiving in August
You know someone who is always cheerful and helpful, don’t you? This person has a big heart and is dependable when you need them most.
Don’t wait for Professional Administrative’s Day to give him or her a small token of appreciation. Don’t wait for birthdays or holidays.
Say thank you. Write a card. Give a small gift.
Make a positive, unexpected gesture. See what happens…
Wave Your White Flag
Acceptance of what is real is one of the main precepts of freedom, according to the great spiritual thinkers. Most of us have not met complete inner peace because we resist reality. Our egos take over and react: We complain about things that “happen to us.”
Practicing full surrender to reality means accepting (completely) the fact that you have to take your car into the garage for the second time in two weeks (this time, to fix the tail lights).
It means that you are not disappointed or frustrated when technology fails, when your plane gets delayed or when you realize you sent the wrong email to the wrong person.
Full surrender means you accept that you just got canned and you’re now unemployed….you accept the sudden death of a loved one or that you lost your (fill-in-the-blank) competition.
If you can accept all that life brings you, then you are well on your way to true happiness.
Apps Used to Stand for Appetizers
Apps have become so ubiquitous that we joke, “There’s an app for that.”
And yes, technology can help you achieve your goals and it can entertain you, but when it comes to creating art or work or works of art, there is no substitute for the consistent effort and focus on it.
Sitting under a tree, pondering nature all around you…that is how Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity. So legend has it.
Objective and careful observation of nature, our pets, our loved ones is how we will help society. Sustained effort for the greater good is what will be effective. Apps and other technology alone won’t do it.
Buying Fishing Tackle
Her name was Daisy.
She got blue ice cream.
After she named all the colors of the various dots on the ice cream window (blue, red, orange, green, and purple), I told her parents that she was adorable. I asked her, “How old are you?”
She held three fingers up.
“Wow, you know all of your colors and you jump so high and you’re only three?”
She nodded yes. Not proud, not shy, just being factual.
“My name is Daisy. What is your name?” Her voice was a shiny bell.
“Caroline.”
“How old are you?”
Her parents and I laughed.
“A LOT older than you!”
Her brows furrowed and she asked, “Why can’t you tell me?”
And I realized that I have bought into it hook, line and sinker*. Why was I being coy about my age? Because I’m a woman? Because 49 is old?
“I’m 49.”
She turned to her ice cream, satisfied. Not judgmental. Not shocked. Simply satisfied.
I watched her spoon blue ice cream into her mouth.
And I thought, I’m 49. I’m not proud, not shy, just factual.
*American idiomatic phrase
Kismet 