The Path to No Where

Earlier today my husband, Thor (our dog) and I, took off to hike the mountain that borders the edge of town and looms upward from our backyard. We accessed a path not far from our house and began the climb. At first it was a straight up, long climb and then eventually leveled off when we hit some woods. From there we had a variety of paths to choose. Some led upwards to an even higher level, some were challenging to navigate and some took us on downhill treks that gave us a breather. Knowing they all just meandered along the mountainside not going anywhere in particular, I named our hike The Path to No Where.

As we hiked along, I noticed it was necessary to stay present with where we were at the given moment. The terrain was rough in places and it would have been easy to trip over the exposed roots of a tree, or a rut in the ground.

There were places that there was a lot of overgrowth that stimulated our creativity in getting through the mazes of limbs and branches and picker bushes.

At times, I needed a hand since it was challenging to climb using my own strength.....especially in the places where there was mud and the ground seemed to slide under my feet.

On the path to nowhere it was sometimes confusing where we were in the moment and how much farther we had to go. In fact, although we were never really very far from home, sometimes it felt like we were on another planet. Our surroundings were unfamiliar and it was easy to lose a sense of direction.

Eventually, we ended up on the same path that delivered us back to our street. In the short walk home on a paved road, I compared the experience of our hike to the path to nowhere that we walk in life.

Every step of the way mirrors the hike through life. We don't know what is coming next and it is important to be present with where we are in this moment; Sometimes it is challenging, sometimes easier; Sometimes we need to be creative to get through challenging situations; Sometimes we need a hand, other times we lend a hand.

Lastly, even when we stray off in some direction that may not be the best for us, or that may be confusing or even frightening, we can always find our path home. All we have to do is remember where we started.

Just Obesrve Yourself

The simpler things are, the better I like it. One of my favorite reminders to live simply, and joyfully is the acronym for JOY. Just Observe Yourself.

Many of us seem to be looking outside ourselves in search of joy, and actually by simply looking within and observing ourselves, we will see joy expressed, or we will see how joy is blocked. Either way, we're ultimately in control by the thoughts we think. Knowing that piece alone is pretty liberating.

So, here's how you practice the JOY principle: At any given moment, check in and observe yourself. How are your feeling? Are you resentful, angry, jealous, grateful, loving, excited, inspired, or afraid? What are you thinking? Are you complaining in your mind about how someone else is not doing what you'd like them to do? Are you replaying an old story that always gets you upset? Are you looking into the future with fear? Perhaps you are dreaming about the future with excitement and a feeling of empowerment? Are you hooked into sadness, blame or anger due to the actions of others? Are you being forgiving or are you condemning? Are you harboring feelings of guilt? Are you holding yourself small and unimportant, or are you appreciating all the gifts and blessings that make up who you are?

When we practice the simple act of just observing ourselves, we can then choose if we want to stick with our current thoughts and actions or choose other thoughts that are better aligned with experiencing joy.

Joy is our natural way of being. It is not exclusive for special people. There are no special people. It is meant for each of us. When we simply observe ourselves and learn if we are aligned with joy or not, we then have the choice to make whatever adjustments are necessary so that JOY can not only be present in that moment, but can be a way of life.

The Little Acorn With a Big Message

Earlier this week while hiking in the Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I was in a conversation with my friend about my personal and professional growth. In one particular moment that I was sharing a fear about taking a big step professionally, I heard something rolling down the hillside. In the instant I completed my statement about fear, a little acorn landed on my path, directly in front of me.

The timing, the placement, and the particular precious piece of nature that found it's way to me in that moment, did not escape my attention. I laughed out loud as I realized God may be trying to get my attention. It worked.

As I picked up the acorn and studied it, I thought about the significance of it's message. Since I was specifically sharing a fear of living big and stretching out of my comfort zone, I realized how the potential for a great oak tree was embedded within this little acorn. It may be small now, but the potential for growth is surely present.

Just like the acorn came from a huge Oak tree on that Smokey Mountain hillside, I came from God. I believe I rolled into this life with all that I need already within me. I have been planted here and I am growing whether I have fear or not.

So, my lesson from the little acorn is that I may as well enjoy my sprouting and growth and reach for the sun rather than hide in the shade, knowing there is really nothing to fear.

The Practice of Presence

It is easy to be distracted by all that surrounds us. We are constantly stimulated in our every day lives by many things that seem to be so important. We have many concerns on our minds, decisions to make and problems to solve that keep us from noticing the simplest and yet the most beautiful elements in our lives. I frequently practice being totally present and tuning into whoever, or whatever is around me. I am never disappointed.

Yesterday while on a six mile trek on country roads, I was totally tuned in and present in each moment. Only a block away from my house, I noticed a pair of gold Finch that played in the air just a few feet in front of me. They seemed to be putting on a show just for me.

A doe and her fawn crossed the road only 20 feet ahead on my path.

I watched the breeze shift the leaves on the trees, with each leaf having it's own rhythm and dance in the air.

The highlight for me was several miles into my trek. I was walking up a long incline on a dirt road and about a quarter mile ahead, I saw two figures crest the hill. They were in a race walking rhythm that was perfectly in sync. They were highlighted by the sun behind their backs and a swirl of misty fog that seemed to follow them. While watching this beautiful scene, the music from my IPOD was the perfect soundtrack. A cinematographer would have won an Academy award for creating it, yet it just naturally happened. I was mesmerized by the beauty of nature and my fellow walkers.

These natural and beautiful experiences couldn't possibly be planned. They were there in every moment ready and available to be appreciated. I'm grateful that I was awake on my walk and not distracted by what was yet to come in my day or by what has already passed.

Presence takes practice. I recommend it highly.

A Salute to Alan

Twenty eight years plus 19 days ago, my husband and I brought home a little red headed baby. We named him Alan and watched him grow up to be a truly unique human being. In the wee hours this morning, he and his company shipped off to Afghanistan.

Alan has always had a great deal of confidence. So much so, my husband and I would tease that we may have overdone it in the esteem building department of his rearing. Alan has also always had a love and delight for life. He amuses all those that come in contact with him. He's eccentric and usually off the wall with his humor and antics.

His childlike delight is also balanced by his extreme caring, sensitivity, and a desire to protect and care for others. His past employers have always given him high praise for his skill and his integrity, as well as a great ability to connect with his clients.

It is hard to take a grown man that skips (whenever he has the chance) seriously, but I do know that inside this soldier's heart there is a wisdom that is greater than his years.

When he and I had a chat three days ago during his home visit, I asked him how he thought he may deal with the aftermath of "war" when he comes home in a year. He said, " I'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, I am dealing with this now". He told me his purpose is to protect his buddies. It is that intention that I believe will keep him sane, since that is who he is.

I'm sure Alan will not lose his spirit during his tour of duty. It will be all those whose lives he touches that will never be the same.

Straight from the Students

I am repeatedly inspired by the wisdom of students that have taken part in Project: Inside Out, a leadership program that I lead for diverse teens. When students complete the program, I interview as many of them as I can and compile their responses in a document I call Straight from the Students. It is always a joy to hear the highlights of their learning and how they anticipate the program will change their lives.

One comment that stands out for me was made by a girl that was truly open to experiencing a new dimension of herself. When asked about a highlight of her learning, her response was "Confidence...I was very shy, even though I was a cheerleader. I realized I honestly didn't accept who I was. If I didn't accept myself as I was.....how could other people accept me?"

Obviously, the application of this beautiful piece of wisdom is not applicable to only teens. This little gem is one we all need to remember.

True confidence does not come from the compliments we hear from others. It does not necessarily grow with each award we receive, with each accomplishment we create or with every skill we master. It comes from the positive relationship we have with ourselves.

Confidence grows as we master the art of loving ourselves, unconditionally. When we "get it" that our value in this world is not dependent on our skills or accomplishments, we can enjoy the pure joy of confidence, regardless of how we are seen by others.

I agree with my student that it doesn't make sense to expect others to accept us, if we do not give the same unconditional respect to ourselves.

The literal bottom line.....Confidence is an inside job.

Give It UP

Whenever I have a little extra time after my morning routine, I pull out one of my inspirational card decks, believing whatever card I choose is exactly what I need to know. Today I pulled a card from my Inner Peace deck by Wayne Dyer. This message hit be between the eyes ( in a good way). The affirmation said "I release the need to determine how things 'should' be".

Whenever I feel myself getting hooked away from feeling joy and peace, I am more than likely attached to something occurring the way I think it should. Of course, I always know what's best for me. Of course, I know the most efficient and effective way for everything. Actually, the truth is, I don't......and when I am emotionally holding onto "my way" when events are occurring in a different pattern, my peace is left in the dust.

My intention in this life is to get this lesson down pat. I know that when I stop resisting and allow things to unfold, all will be well. Perhaps the route is different than the one I planned. Perhaps even the end result will be different than my goal, but allowing, rather than resisting always brings peace.