Join me on a blessed and heartfelt journey of discovery!

A Hero Among Us-De’Vika

April 10, 2020April 9, 2020
by admin

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.” ~Mr. Fred Rogers~

Never have these words been more true for me than today. I have found comfort in seeing all the individuals in our community that have come forward during our current challenges to help, reminding me of the strength, compassion and kindness that is abundant in our little valley. One of the individuals that can be seen helping is De’Vika Stalling as she leads at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Clubhouse which is now serving as a food distribution center for the SB County Food Bank. Timing is every thing they say, and in this case it is very true. Earlier this year, I reached out to De’Vika, thanking her for being one of my heroes and learning more about her inspiring story which she graciously shared with me. And now I wish to share it with you. Here is the story of one of the many helpers in our community.

Read more “A Hero Among Us-De’Vika” →

Mindfulness

Shine Your Light

April 3, 2020April 2, 2020
by admin

The past few weeks, as I have reflected back on my choice for my guiding word for 2020, I have chuckled at the seeming irony of it right now. The word was ‘light’ and little did I know the path ahead was going to become so dim at times. I remember choosing ‘light’ to remind myself the sun always rises and to let go of the heavy energies that cling. I chose it to remind myself I have the power to reclaim my joy and lightheartedness in life. I chose it as a reminder there is always hope and to help make the path clear on my journey. Most of all, however, I chose light for 2020 to remind myself we are all meant to shine for who we are and not hide our true selves from the world.

Today, This Moment

March 25, 2020March 24, 2020
by admin

In the madness around us, the uncertainty and the fear, there is still beauty to behold. I found one of those moments yesterday as we drove to pick up our CSA box from a local farm. Having not been out of the house for a couple days other to than to walk my dog or visit with neighbors while social distancing, this felt like a grand adventure. The world did still exist despite the dire news from the differing media sources we listen to for a few minutes each day. And there, as we turned the corner were the flowers.

Rows and rows of gorgeous stock, enjoying light rain interspersed with sunshine from the sky, greeted us. My dear sweet husband, knowing how I would delight in seeing them, had invited me along for the ride. Such a simple gesture and a simple joy, but so powerful in the moment.

Even in times of challenge there is beauty and joy, kindness and compassion. Sometimes we find them in the most unexpected places and times or from the smallest of gestures. This doesn’t diminish their impact or importance, but rather emphasizes how much they are around if we notice. With this lesson I am trying to stop more and pay attention, not hurry through life. To enjoy the small and seemingly inconsequential things as well as the big important things, because it is today, this moment, that matters.

Wishing you dear friend moments of beauty, joy, kindness and compassion during these uncertain times. Stay safe, stay healthy on your heartfelt journey. ~♥~

Flower field with rows of white stock under cloudy skies with blue sky in the distance

Mindfulness

Should & Entitlement

March 12, 2020April 10, 2020
by admin

It’s funny how we recognize something in another that we don’t see in ourselves. I had heard often that others are a mirror to us if we care to look and pay attention but I am not sure I ever truly understood or believed this theory. I have found that when I am sitting in judgement of another that is usually a signal that I have healing to address but for other emotions or thoughts which I don’t identify as a ‘judgement’ I hadn’t felt this mirror business held true. Until I listened to a podcast by Kara Lowentheil about entitlement.

Read more “Should & Entitlement” →

Wellness

When Our Bodies Whisper

March 5, 2020March 4, 2020
by admin

Our bodies are amazing in their abilities. They provide us with mobility, as well as the ability to communicate with each other, to taste different flavors, experience different scents, see different colors and patterns and finally to think. We breathe automatically most of the time. Our hearts beat without any impetus on our part. Our digestive systems operate quite well when given the correct nourishment. Finally, our bodies are able to heal many of the hurts that we inflict on them.

Read more “When Our Bodies Whisper” →

Heroes Among Us

A Hero Among Us-Lucy

February 27, 2020February 19, 2020
by admin

Her petite stature belies the underlying strength and conviction with which Lucy Thoms-Harrington experiences life. Indeed, on our initial meeting, I noticed her calm brown eyes and easy smile but these were accompanied by a presence that meant business. It wasn’t a ‘get out of my way’ impression but rather an ‘I am here and we’re getting things done together’ presence. For several years my encounters with Lucy were brief, (she was working full-time and then some with travel thrown in on a regular basis) however, this consistent strength and conviction to her belief system was apparent. The truth was important to her. Fair and equitable treatment for everyone was paramount. And women’s rights? Ask her a question or address something about women’s rights and the passion in her voice and the light in her eyes many times communicated more about how she felt than the words themselves.

Read more “A Hero Among Us-Lucy” →

Heroes Among Us

February 20, 2020February 19, 2020
by admin

We are all teachers and yet we are all students when we allow ourselves to witness another’s story. I truly believe that everyone has a story of interest with lessons we can learn from and be inspired by. I know I have experienced this with many different people throughout my life. People that have given me hope or insight into how things can be better. Sometimes they have been the light on the path when there is darkness, the encouraging word to believe in myself when I didn’t, but more often than not, they have shown me a different way to approach this thing we call life and for that I am eternally grateful. These are my heroes.

Grief, The Price for Love

February 13, 2020February 12, 2020
by admin

It was a brief conversation I had with a friend as we discussed our common experience. I had lost my dad a short two years ago and she had lost her mother in the past year. The discussion was a few sentences of shared feelings, of how we each hadn’t realized how connected to our parent we had been and of how there was a lack of acceptance in our community for our mourning. And then the conversation moved on, but the words had intrigued me and I reflected on them for several days. There seems to be an unspoken taboo in our society about showing grief or mourning the loss of a loved one unless it is done quietly, behind closed doors where you aren’t seen. In general, grief for any loss or transition is not tolerated beyond the first brief time frame of a few days by our society. We are told to ‘get over it’ , ‘move on’ , ‘they are in a better place’ , ‘everything happens for the best’ or a multitude of other platitudes in an effort to move us beyond this place of sadness. While I truly believe these things are said in good will, I also believe they are stated because the person speaking them is uncomfortable being in this place of grief with us. I get it, it is not an easy or fun place to be and I have also witnessed someone being stuck in this place, but overall my experience has been that we hurry through it. We push the pain away, deny the tears and are afraid to acknowledge the impact or changes in our life as we go about our day to day activities as if nothing is different. Read more “Grief, The Price for Love” →

Reflections and Lessons

A High School Hangover

February 6, 2020February 4, 2020
by admin

I had the chance encounter with someone that I had associated with in high school a few years back. We had not been close but had many mutual friends during our teenage years and our paths had crossed on a regular basis with friendly interaction the norm. Many years had passed before our paths crossed again at a public function. I acknowledged her with a smile and greeting, however, she acted as if we had never met and remained very distant. I thought this strange and took on the burden of her reaction thinking I must have done or said something that warranted the treatment. Believing this was a one time encounter I didn’t pursue the issue and didn’t even give it much thought for quite some time. Then, several months later, she joined the adult dance class I was in. Again, week after week, she treated me not only as a stranger but as if I didn’t exist. Wow, I must have really done something, I chastised myself, ceasing my friendly overtures and mentally shrugging because you can’t fix something if you don’t know what the problem is. Read more “A High School Hangover” →

Mindfulness

It’s the Small Things

January 30, 2020January 29, 2020
by admin

Daily walks with my dog in our neighborhood have become my morning ritual. The differing paths we take covering 1.5-2 miles each day are an opportunity to enjoy the brisk temperatures in the colder months and the warmth of the sun other times of the year. I have found so much to be thankful for on these treks not the least of which is my dear walking companion. There is also the birdsong, the caress of the breeze (or the forceful shove of the wind) and other walkers that we have come to know over the years. Initially our encounters were brief, a good morning or hello but as time went on we now spend a few minutes catching up with each others lives. Such simple pleasures but probably one of my most joyous times of the day. Read more “It’s the Small Things” →

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