 "He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe." ~ Marcus Ganhi
To live in harmony is much like the melody of your favorite music. How sweet it is to turn on the radio and listen to your favorite song. A certain set of chords resonate within your heart and tug on memories, emotion and evoke either a sense of calm, melancholy or excitement. Harmony is the inner cadence of contentment we feel when the melody of life is in tune. When somehow we're able to strike the right chord at the perfect moment. To balance work, family and personal obligations is a daily challenge amidst an already challenging world. Just as in music, the pause between the notes is just as important as the notes. The pause provides an accent and an appreciation for the surrounding notes. So it is with our lives... Usually, when the distractions of daily life deplete our energy, the thing we eliminate is the thing we need the most – quiet, reflective time – time to dream, time to think, time to contemplate what's working and what's not so that we can make changes for the better. On the gratitude journey, we are traveling together. We begin to learn how to pause and pause often. As we invite more gratitude, simplicity and order into our lives, harmony emerges. We learn to balance demands with pleasure, moments of solitude with moments of companionship, work and play, activity and rest, the inner goddess with the outer warrior. Begin today by slowing down and pausing for a sweet breath. Take a moment to notice the breath and observe. Are you filling the diaphragm completely and emptying fully? Just be with the breath that is your vital life force. And return to your breath throughout the day. Listen to the music that soothes and inspires your soul. And while you listen, pause to consider how all the individual notes flow together harmoniously to give expression to the entire piece. So shall it be with your life. With harmony as your guide, trust that your everyday moments will soon begin to resonate in a rhapsody of fulfillment. Pause and enjoy the melody within...  "The heart of man is very much like the sea. It has its storms, it has its tides, and in its' depths, it has its pearls too." ~ Vincent Van Gogh I will always remember a message my father shared with me. He said, "Your life will change every five years." I was quite young to be digesting such a profound thought. Nevertheless, it stuck. As I became an adult woman, I began to reflect on my life in terms of decades, and I understood what my father meant. Though change happens constantly, we are often too busy to see it. Yet, it is always happening. It is a beautiful gift to reflect, savor sweet memories, let some go, acknowledge past mistakes and learn from them. Life is made up of many cycles How thoughtfully and carefully we treat each cycle makes up a rhythm to our life. I have found it very reassuring to understand the cycle or season I am in and trust in the process. With this in mind, I'd like to share some thoughts inspired by the sea. When a ship is at sea, it can sail through smooth, calm waters. We find ourselves floating with ease and delight. Often, the weather changes quickly, and the seas become stormy, making it difficult to see the horizon. We are each the captain of our ship, navigating both mentally and instinctively. When the seas are calm, we move with ease. When they are rough, it requires strength, skill and endurance. As the captain, it is important to realize the waves will continue to change and show up unexpectedly. In calm seas, you can see ever so clearly, the skies above and deeply beneath the surface. When I think of calm seas, I think of carefree summer days soaking up the sun and riding the endless stream of glistening waves.  What are some of the ways waves may show up in your life when the seas are calm? Life flows like a gentle wave, and you are in the flow. Everything is smooth sailing, and life is good! When the seas are stormy, I feel overwhelmed, anxious, not in my power. You may feel in over your head like you're drowning in work, a sinking feeling. It's just one wave after another. You may see and feel the chaos and suffering in the world. Stormy seas are churning, cold and rough, making it difficult to see clearly. What do stormy seas look like for you? And how do you navigate them and take care of yourself at the same time? How do we navigate through these changing seas? Let's practice:
Ocean waves are influenced by the moon's gravitational pull, wind and weather. Like the waves, we are shaped by outside forces and are directly influenced by our surrounding energy. As the captain, you are poised to navigate many seasons of weather. Remember, the seas will soon be calm. ~Thank you, Dad, for the subtle ways you shared your wisdom~ |
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