The Waiting Game

“Patience is the training in abiding with the restlessness of our energy and letting things evolve at their own speed.” Pema Chodron

“The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind. It enables us to remain undisturbed, even when the situation is really difficult. (…) rather than being driven by our disturbing emotions.” Dalai Lama

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.”  Joyce Meyer

The waiting game is difficult  until I settle down and learn the rules. Really, they are the same as the rules of life.

1. The present moment is all I have. I am happiest when I can relax in it and not waste it on worry or fast-forwarding.

2. It is what it is. No amount of mental and emotional machinations will change what it is.

3. Whatever the outcome – good news/bad news – (s)he calls/(s)he doesn’t call – it arrives/it doesn’t arrive..I will deal with it. I am capable and strong and can be flexible.

4.The best I can do for myself is to continue my life as I would do if I weren’t waiting.

Remembering the rules is the trick, isn’t it?

Life Student

 

 

 

Generosity and Abundance

Listening to Deepak Chopra’s meditation on Creating Abundance  reminded me: always give what I most desire.

Generosity with material abundance is a wonderful thing. Generosity of spirit is more precious to me. It will carry me through all aspects of my life.

Being a “giving” person has many connotations for me. I can’t tell you why in the past it has conjured up more bad images than good, perhaps I related it to times I have given with less than a whole heart. Or I have associated giving with the tight-lipped martyrdom of less than generous people in the church of my youth.  I only know that I want a broader definition for myself.

I want to remember that when I feel unloved and underappreciated I need only give love and appreciation to those in my life.

I want to greet life with open arms, looking for that person or purpose that needs my embrace.

I want to unclench my spiritual fists and let the energy of the universe flow from my fingers.

It’s  another choice in life, isn’t it? It is a learned response from a heart that is cracked open, spilling out on the world. Here I am, grateful for the opportunity to give what I am fortunate to have – a spirit of love.

The Student

September 11

As I was commenting on a post regarding 9/11, I was spurred to post the thoughts  on my own blog:

Painting by Sharon Abbott Furze

We will always remember those we have lost.

We’ll not forget the many heroic deeds on that day.

Just as deeply, I hope that we let go of anger and thoughts of retaliation. I hope we mourn the acts of terrorism everywhere in the world and remember that these acts are perpetrated by individuals, not by entire peoples.

I hope that when remembering this and other acts of terrorism perpetrated on our home soil, that we also remember those who have been affected by such acts in other countries…that are also perpetrated on home soil.

I hope that remembrance draws us ever closer to all people of the world as we mourn the loss of all victims of violence everywhere.

The Student