At the tender age of 66

 I certainly don't feel 66, whatever that feels like.  I am grateful for the moments of silence of the wind in the trees, the birds chatting away to each other, to the tiny caterpillar seeking it's destiny.

In this place, I can be peaceful.  I need to hold that close.  I am too often distracted by the world, and, to be frank, the world is a bit of a shit show at the moment.  Democracy is being eroded in our neighbour to the south, and people are divided, and lack care for their neighbours and friends, and family.  The Internet is the place to flourish, or die. Too many of us, myself included spend too much time there.  It's is not a real place, but it is our new reality.  Heaven help us.  This from an atheist. 

love and purpose

Thinking about love lately

How weird it used to feel, and now feels so right

Love people, this includes the ones you work with.  Love them the most sometimes.

I started a new job, after many years at the same one.

At my “old” job, I was well loved.  By many over the years, and many were sad to see me leave, and took the time to tell me I would be missed, and to tell me “I love you”.

Started my new job feeling confident, I understand how teams work, what people need, how to do this.

After not very long, started to feel a lot less confident, seems it is not that easy, that no one likes me,  or trusts me.

So, head down, actions speak louder than words.  You can talk about lots of things, but life depends on the living and showing of things, walking the walk.  A smile, a kind word, a gentle push.

And so, when I realized I had to leave this new job, I also realized that a whole bunch of people now loved me.  They need me/needed me.  They are thriving and blooming with my love.  So leaving was very difficult.  In order to protect myself, and take care of me, I needed to leave, and I did.  But with sadness for the people, who had learned to love me, trust me, and respect me.  And to need me.

Several reached out.  A few weeks passed and I was invited to a party at a staff person’s house.  Not the office party, the “after” party.  Everyone really wants you to come.  So I went.  And they told me how much they love me, and they miss me.

So my truth is, I connect with people, they feel more confident, they feel heard.  And supported.  And challenged. 

I always feel surprised, but also good, when people tell me they love me.  But it is not about me.  It is about them, they love me because I love them.  I see them, hear them, love them. 

coaching

so very grateful for the coaching I received today, I was not myself, really wound up, stressed, basically freaked out.  through some great questions, reflections and just digging down into what what welling up in me, I went from super stressed to peaceful.  to my coach, gratitude.  to myself, thank you for getting to the real deal, which, is not real deal any more.  good bye old me, inner child.  I am perfect just the way I am. 

Gratitude and happiness

today I chatted with someone about happiness.  They are seeking inner peace, like it is a thing to be found somewhere else.  and yet, inner peace is exactly that, it's inner, it's inside you, waiting to be discovered, and embraced.  Gratitude was mentioned,  as what others say is the key to happiness.  And it reminded me that I have not blogged about gratitude lately.  So we go on a journey together, each embracing gratitude, enhancing happiness and finding peace.
Today, I am grateful for the rain and the wind.  Signs of autumn, the changing seasons and the regeneration of nature, in our northern climate, all things hibernate or die as the cold, rain and wind descend.  This is critical to rebirth. So with cooling weather, rain and wind come the hope of spring. 

a day to do nothing

today I am grateful for a soft couch, a fuzzy blanket and the amazing luxury of doing a whole lot of nothing

tiny blue flowers

I was so grateful for the tiny blue flowers in the backyard, but today I am grateful for newly cut grass, (sans tiny blue flowers)... for every thing, turn turn turn...there is a season, turn turn turn

grateful for so much

grateful for balance, for dreams and hope

for day dreams and possibilities

for robins and sunshine and blue flowers in my back yard

grateful that life always holds potential

for family and wee babes being born

grateful for flea bites, however bothersome, they speak of life