Posts from — June 2008

"Be happy in the moment – that’s enough. Each moment is all we need – not more."

– Mother Teresa

"Live in the present moment and find your interest and happiness in the things of today."

– Emmett Fox

"It isn’t the experience of today that drives men mad. It is the remorse for something that happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring."

 – Robert Jones Burdette

"A smile is the beginning of peace."

 – Mother Teresa

 "Whenever you are sincerely pleased, you are nourished."

 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

http://www.stillnessinaction.net.au/articles/artofhappiness4.html

http://hqhqblog.com/

http://www.tricycle.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=5E106797AE134BF296D55721D6E0ED3D

http://www.freer-mind.co.uk/breathing.html

http://www.breathingbetterlivingwell.com/community/index.php?showtopic=830

Dear Traveling Companions,

It is so nice to hear from my readers. When we
are being tugged in every direction with a million
things demanding our time, I am honored to know
people stop to read my ramblings, and even more,
I feel so grateful to know that they have helped
in some way.

I was sent a sweet acknowledgement email indicating
that a particular quote I included in one recent
issue came at just the right moment to help this
wonderful one out of a pot hole of negativity and
overwhelm. When we train our eyes to see, a miracle
appears… or at least something to sustain us
through the next step.

In response I reminded my fellow traveler that,
“What we focus on expands. Thoughts become things,
so make them good ones!

Negative thoughts and feelings can be very sticky.

Stop for a moment when you can. Right now, perhaps?

Put your hand over your heart and take three deep
breaths, feeling consciously every one. Breath in
the truth of your magnificence before all the untrue
labels took you over. Let this loving sense of who
you really are flow into you from head to toe.

See it transforming all your anxiety and complaints.
Breathe out any attachment to feeling guilty, shameful,
or not enough. Breathe in a willingness to boldly
shine in big and small ways. Breathe out your attachment
to being right. Breathe in the simple joys that surround
you – do you hear a bird?

Smell something delightful? Notice it.

Perhaps only a pin point spot on your elbow feels
glorious amidst all the trouble that surrounds you.
Take that good feeling and double it. Then double it
again… etc. etc. etc.

Now, lean fully in the direction of what you love
and all that is working, giving little attention to
what seems to go wrong.”

So, today I took a dose of my own medicine. I have
been leveled by the flu for several days and still
feel pretty yucky. All the ’shoulds’ clamor for immediate
attention in my head. Then came my miracle… this
acknowledgement to my reminders.

I read what I wrote and felt better. Thanks goodness
we teach best what we most need to learn.

“No need to be perfect. We already are, even with our
imperfections.”

Together we join hands as we learn, remember, and
be who we authentically are in each moment, moment
by moment.

Thanks for the reminder of my reminder!

It came at a perfect time.

In Joy (and with a few aches),

Rhonda

Deciphering inspirational meaning in car metaphors and creating new interpretations for old road signs has become a game for me. A friend, aware of my passion for road signs, sent me a photograph she took on a trip to Hawaii. It was a road sign that read: TURTLE CROSSING.

Although it has been far too long since I last adventured to Hawaii, my memories are vivid and dear. Ideal life there moves at a slower pace and is a vital part of the Hawaiian culture. Those who consciously live with ‘aloha spirit’ seem to have an awareness of the stunning beauty that surrounds them and an appreciation for the happiness found in present moment living.

I am fortunate to have spent summers in Hawaii as a teen. I remember being amazed that even on the busier freeways motorists would pull to the side of the road at sunset to observe, as a ritual of reverence, the end of the day. Then when the last coral and orange hint of the brilliant sun had finished melting into the horizon, they would resume their journey.

Too often we get so caught up in the hustle of our day that we miss moments like this. Recalling these special times in paradise I found it a delight to be reminded with the photograph touchstone offered by my friend the present moment priority reflected by a TURTLE CROSSING sign.

The time spent insuring the safe crossing of these slow and extraordinary creatures or intentionally stopping to view a crimson sunset might seem to some as a waste of time, however there is something important to learn from this ‘aloha spirit’. Slowing down and opening our eyes to these simple and abundant opportunities are keys to deep and authentic happiness.

Joyful and rich are those who remember without a second thought to slow down, even for turtles.

I invite you to pause now and then for a sunset or for for turtles crossing, even when they aren’t there.