Saved by a bike

How is it possible for one to be saved by an inanimate object? I have no answer. But this I know for sure...I have been saved by my bike! Separation, divorce, single parenting, teens, two jobs, a household, bills, responsibilities, family and life in general have filled my cup. I am not complaining and understand that all these things, these events, these issues are all happening FOR me not TO me. I am learning, I am growing, I am evolving, I am open to the abundance that is to follow. So each day I gently greet my beautiful pink bike with its wicker basket, silver bell and flower and together we ride off into the countryside. It is there that we are welcomed by passing dragonflies, curiously looked upon by goats and cows, passed by busy people in their cars heading to their next stop and waved at by the tall stalks of corn swaying in the breeze. This my open road symbolical reflects the road I have traveled in my life. I have graciously pedaled pass the past and eagerly cruise into the future; breaking only to nourish my body and soul with water and reflection. And so the story goes...this girl has and shall be saved by her bike each pedal forward at a time. For when she straddles her bike and moves forward; she is free, she is happy, she is a child, she is full, she is open, she is hopeful, she is restored, she is trusting, she is faithful, she is one, she is me.

Living BIG enough

Today I received an email greeting on Facebook from a peer who lived near our childhood home. I did not know this girl but she knew of me. The interesting thing is that she found me in the enormous vast land that is cyberspace. In her note she asked how my brother is. In any circumstance the question of family well being is common but this simple sentence stopped me and brought me in the moment. Like many others busier than I, my mind was reading her note and without warning I was also mentally drafting a grocery list. That was, until "that sentence". At that very micro-moment I returned to the present and informed her of my brothers fate. Anyone who has lost knows that to speak or write such words are done so with a heavy heart. But in contrast I explained that in that second when my brother exhaled his last breath and met his maker, I received a magical gift. Odd isn't it. One's loss is a gain for another. That moment defined me as much as genetics defines the color of my eyes. It was at that moment I realized how precious life is. The grandest gift. After all the tears I vowed to not surrender to fear, live in grace, see the world and all it's beautiful people and LIVE BIG ENOUGH for the both of us.
So to you my childhood neighbor, I thank you for bringing me back to the present and for reminding me of my vow. The gift you gave me today was that of self reflection. Looking back, I have lived BIG ENOUGH for the both of us! I'm not done. There still are people I must love and things to see and learn.
Chris, hang on, stick with me and lets go!

The Mastering of Balance

Often my body, life, The Universe/God reminds me...no nudges me, to get my life back in balance. What I have learned: that we as women often put ourselves last on the list therefore creating a life out of balance. Each Sunday morning a wise woman I know sits with her cup of coffee and her calendar/agenda in tow. There she arranges her highlighters and neatly marks each day of the upcoming weeks with specific color coding. The color Yellow represents the time dedicated for work and work activities, the color Blue marks the duties and times for personal errands and responsibilities and the glorious color Pink represents the time she adamantly reserves for her personal joy/fulfillment. Pink cannot be things like doctors appointments but rather time reserved for manicures, gardening, reading, a massage, a walk in the botanical garden or any activity that fills your cup. So today I dust off my worn Filofax and gather my highlighters and purposefully set aside time for myself daily. This habit will be a challenge but I am committed to doing so for 21 days (the time necessary to create or break a habit).

THE ART OF FORGIVENESS...

When and how do we learn to forgive? Is it like a muscle...the more we use it the stronger and easier it gets? Is it an art? We all have people we must forgive or ask for forgiveness ourselves. To not do so is to live in bondage, a half life.

Today, I forgive all those who have hurt me, ask forgiveness for those I have hurt and just as importantly I forgive myself.

Forgive And Pass It On!

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will received untold peace and happiness."

THE OPEN DOOR...
Is it in my blood, my culture, my life experiences, my beliefs or all of the above? I love people. I love learning about people, their cultures, their story. And so it is, my life (and the lives of those who share my life) are surrounded by perfect strangers who simply are friends we haven't met. Our door, as humble and worn as it is, is always open. Open to family, friends, travelers, kids, students and even the door to door salesman. As one friend leaves another arrives. This I know for sure...Yifeng (our first exchange student who lived with us 5 years ago) arrives next week for a two week visit. Shortly after his arrival, two strangers from Belgium arrive to surf our couch. I used to look at my chipped walls, stained carpet, and worn furniture as blemishes, imperfections that needed immediate repairs and sometimes a source of embarrassment. I now embrace the imperfections of our home like I have accepted and celebrated my grey hair. What is wrong with imperfections? It adds character and tells a story! Like the rings of a tree, each grey hair represents all the years I have been blessed to live and each stain in my carpet tells the story of those that stayed here. And so it shall remain...My life, my door, my mind and my heart shall continue to be open!

Fill your Rx

We are given Rx's when we have too much and when we don't have enough. When we retain too much fluids, take this and call me in the morning. When we don't have enough of a mineral, take this and we'll see you next visit. Let's not forget all the other Rx's we are given...for pain, for stress, for just about everything.
Where is our Rx for Living?
I guess that all depends on you! Like, what is your current "condition" (in life and living)? Who is your "doctor" (Higher Power or what you belive in)? What is the Rx (50 miligrams of Love, 25 miligrams of Joy, 75 miligrams of Laughter, 100 miligrams of Hugs, 125 miligrams of Friendship or 150 miligrams of Forgiveness)? How much "dosage" (2 hugs a day, 5 laughs ad day, etc) do you need? Are "refills" needed?
Hhhhmmm...something to ponder. What do you need more or less of? Now go fill your Rx!