Om Bhvam Namah

I love Deepak Chopra.


He loves me too. He loves all of us.


In need of replenishment from a little too much worry and little not enough sleep, his encouragement for a 21 day detox from stress, caught my attention. That's funny - I just typed "intention" instead of "attention". A good reminder that it needs to be both.


"Nourish your heart - nourish your mind - nourish your spirit - nourish your body" he says in that almost hypnotic and oh so soothing voice. Although his words are always wise, even just the sound of his voice is often enough to remind and reassure me.


I know this to be true and I will be more mindful of eating well, resting deeply and spending some time each day in meditative reflection.


I remind myself that it is when we are at our busiest that this matters most.


I will end as he suggests with "Om Bhvam Namah" which translates to "I am absolute existence: I am a field of infinite possibilities." 


As are you dear ones, as are you.


All good things, k

Peaches

Death does not wait to see if things are done or not done, said Kularnava.


So I am getting it done.


We’re redoing our wills. Many hours of the precious life I have left have recently been spent thinking, planning and meeting with our notary. We will sign them this week and then get on with living.


Our life and what we have gathered together is not so large or complex and yet, it does take some thought.


I catch myself saying “well, if I die”, as if somehow I might not.


Rather like taking out insurance and hoping to never have to use it. I, in fact, hope to live happily to a very old age and then having just tidied up from having family and friends over, sipping a cup of earl grey tea and reading a wonderful book, close my eyes for the last time. And, if I do, then all the nuts that have been stored away for that long winter of retirement will be gone. Taken out one by one and enjoyed.


Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it. ~Alice Walker


Enjoy the fresh peaches dear ones.


All good things, k

Dance

To live means that we will die.


I know that. We all know that. But, when you get the call that a friend is suddenly and unexpectedly gone, knowing that it is just part of life didn't help. Not in that moment.


There have been two such losses in the past few days. Turn around and they are gone. Friends my own age.


So begins the days of family and friends gathering, food and flowers arriving, rooms filled with stories, memories, tears and laughter. What more can we do but to be there. To feel what we feel. To share what we can share. To do what we can do. To say nothing when there are simply no words. 


I read a piece several years ago and sadly have had occasion to share it on many occasions. I offer it again for myself and for anyone else who may find some comfort from these words. 


“I have survived so much loss, as all of us have by our 40s—my parents, dear friends, my pets. If you haven’t already, you will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of a beloved person. But this is also the good news. They live forever, in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly—that still hurts when the weather is cold—but you learn to dance with the limp.” Anne Lamott


Dance dear ones.


All good things, k

Lucky Penny

Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you'll have good luck.


As long as I can remember, I have stopped to pick up pennies. In fact, I react with childlike glee each time I see one. While some practice the "put it in your shoe" philosophy, I simply tuck it in my pocket. Reach in to the pocket of any of my coats and it is likely you will find a penny or two.


With the Royal Canadian mint officially ceasing distribution this week, what will become of this much loved ritual.


Apparently there are 35 billion pennies out in the world. So, that should keep us going for a while. But, just in case, I plan to do my part. I will save a bottleful for future generations. To be sprinkled here and there. Bringing a moment of happiness and a little luck to those kindred spirits who stop, look again, bend down, and say `'oh look, a lucky penny".


"It's hard to detect good luck - it looks so much like something you've earned." Frank A. Clark


Keep looking dear ones.


All good things, k

Oprah Came To Town

Oprah came to town.

I wasn't among those that spent an evening with her.   That is not to say that I haven't spent many evenings with her, and mornings, and afternoons too.

My work meant that I missed a great many of her shows over the years.  Friends ensured that I always heard about the most inspiring ones. 

She has my admiration.  I remember when, listening to her inner compass, she began to walk a new path.  Bringing what she wanted to understand more deeply to us all.  Embracing the sentiment, "what we wish for ourselves we wish for others".

These days you'll most often find Oprah and I together on the couch on a Sunday morning, along with a team of thoughtful and creative people, which come together every month in her magazine. 

As Oprah would say "What I know for sure...", well what I know for sure, is that our world is a better place because she is in it. 

"I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become."  Oprah Winfrey

Dwell well dear ones.

All good things, k

 

I Want To Live To Be 112

I want to live to be 112.

It used to be 100, but then I saw a photo of a woman who had reached 112 years, surrounded by family, a large cake in front of her, and a glass of wine in hand. 

As I have often said that the rent we pay for a long life is the opportunity to experience more joy…and more sorrow.  This past year had plenty of both.  In recent months it meant that I felt able to only focus on what I must.  Other pursuits, like writing, no matter how pleasurable, simply fell to the side. 

But, here I am.  And today, for the first time in a while, I felt able to sit and share.  I hope this is the beginning of more - much more - as I regain my balance, figuratively and literally. 

I wish that for you too in this new year filled with promise.

“Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving.”  Albert Einstein

Keep moving dear ones. 

All good things, k