See the Things Worth Seeing

The Inner Constellation January theme of diligence is winding down. I'm reflecting on this lovely, fast-paced world of many options, and I don't know about you guys, but--it's easy to be pulled away: phone notifications, daily maintenance, work and life commitments...how do we stay on course?

I'm convinced one answer to this question is--everyday (every moment!) practice what matters. Practice love, compassion, understanding (whatever your North Stars may be) in the hurry scurry whirling world. Begin with yourself, be gentle, stop, breathe; the ripple effect will impact others. Then, to stop the spinning, take time for stillness. Find the calm center, where we remind ourselves, and nourish what matters most. In essence, one might say--REORIENT.

Ha! Look up, open wide those beautiful eyes, locate that North Star and breathe, baby. Grab the jump rope, call your grandma, skip to work after your lunch break, hold someone's hand....diligently turn yourself North, my friend. And, if you're feeling brave and committed, find other star gazers (like Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community) and diligently pursue happiness and True North together. Community committed to higher purpose will keep you grounded, together and less likely to spin off into another galaxy! 

True North is shining bright, and available every day, in every way to navigate you through the storms and joys of life! If you would like Mon-Fri email inspirations as my gift to you, guidance in discovering what matters most, or tools for an individual or community practice, please contact me.

No Coming, No Going--Practicing for Carson May

Hello sweet ones, I entered a practice space this morning without knowing why, but let the morning unfold in stillness and awareness. Minutes ago, I received a text that shed light--the rescue attempts for skier Carson May have been called off, avalanche danger is too high. This young man has been missing since Thursday. His mother is a member of a sister sangha in Sacramento, and Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community has been practicing since we heard the news. At 1:00pm today (January 20, 2016) there will be a ceremony for Carson at a place where he has skied. We're asked to join in where ever we are in wishing him a good journey. The following song will be sung, if you're so inclined to sing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvch42FjWs

We are connected, we are one. Life is too precious to not care for one another. The Inner Constellation Blessing* today is dedicated to Carson May:

"No Coming, No Going"
I am in you,
you are in me.
No separation.

Breathing in, breathing out...Going outside now to join the gathering of life.


*If you would like to receive  Mon-Fri inspirational blips to your inbox as my gift to you please contact me

Diligence Practiced Beautifully

It’s a miraculous process that when we place our attention on something (become mindful), the opportunities to practice present. January Inner Constellation theme is diligence, and yesterday I had the awesome experience of witnessing a student with a disability overcome a challenge in the class room, exhibiting determination that was heroic. The student is legally blind and we made adjustments such as his and my positioning, marker color, the size of my writing and a plan for how to convey visual communication among students. I was grateful for the lesson he modeled —how to set up conditions for success.

I left the classroom asking myself how I set up conditions for success, so I’m able to practice my North Star of compassion and keep love alive?  Self-care is a huge condition for success in addition to having time, not rushing so I can notice opportunities to practice my North Star.  I asked a question of a colleague yesterday that brought tears to his eyes, “How are you nourishing yourself?” He’s struggling to take care of two immediate family members suffering with terminal cancers. We take care of the InnerConstellation so we can generate the compassion it takes to notice the suffering in others and help alleviate and bring joy into their lives. Without a personal practice, it’s easy to be swept away by strong emotions, the to-do list, and general pace of life.

Diligence and setting up conditions for success translates into “Chart Your Course,” in Inner Constellation language. Every moment we have the opportunity to orient toward our North Stars or go in other directions. How will you “Chart Your Course,” in the direction you wish to go? A huge compass for me is my community of practice (Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community), cherished friends who are dedicated to peace, understanding and love. Even just one solid person in your life can provide the support needed to move in a beautiful direction. I would love to hear about your practice of diligence this month of January, please feel free to contact me so we can build our community of practice.