Ten Tuesday Thoughts (Written on Wednesday Morning)

Looking through a garden gate in Saugatuck, MI

Tuesday was quite the day. I'm just settling back into my work routine after enjoying two weeks (mostly) away from my office (I say "mostly" because I am almost never free from my self-imposed monitoring of email...but that's another post).



John was away for most of the first week, which gave me some time to be alone and putter...going to Saugatuck, Barnes and Noble, and playing the piano. The second week we enjoyed the company of John's mother and father and niece and nephew as well as my mother who all stayed with us.

But, upon their return to southern Illinois this past weekend, I began to reflect on their lives. So my mind became a jungle for monkey mind...thinking about aging, caretaking, retirement, financial planning...all those adult things.

To make matters more complicated, Toonces, our precious cat of 18 years seriously declined and we had to allow him to transition...and then Monday afternoon we endured a harsh storm that took a large part of one of our maple trees down.

Here's what I've been reflecting on:

1. If you cannot adapt to change, you cannot grow.
2. Letting go of something or someone you love allows the heart an important opportunity to expand. That's why it hurts.
3. Motivation is nice, but one must be able to do without it.
4.  If you choose do something, do it with your entire being. If you find the time isn't right (for whatever reason), let it go completely. Your actions are important. Don't be half-assed about them.
5. Empathize before speaking. Think of what it would be like to be the person hearing your message. Always leave the door open for more conversation.
6. If you are closing the door on future conversations, do that with respect and grace. 
7. Avoid drama. It's old and predictable to many of us. Be original with your kindness.
8. Say what you mean, but do it respectfully. Challenge yourself to find the right words even when delivering a critical or difficult message.
9. Plan, but be flexible. Let life unfold as it does...learn to ride the waves.
10. Give more than you get...make generosity--in goods, friendships, family relationships, with colleagues, and strangers robust and filled with energy.

Letting life happen

"Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all"

— Siddhārtha Gautama

Of course, sometimes even trees get challenged.

Beginning the day with Kerouac

"Life must be rich and full of loving--it's no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone."