LITTLE GIRL IN THE PARK

I was recently walking in a public park. A short distance ahead of me was a mom and her three year old daughter. The little girl was holding on to a string attached to a helium filled balloon. All of a sudden, a sharp gust of wind took the balloon from the little girl. I braced myself for some screaming and crying. But no! As the little girl turned to watch her balloon go skyward, she gleefully shouted out, "Wow!" I didn't realize it at the time, but that little girl taught me a life lesson...

Later that same day, I received a phone call from a person with news of an unexpected problem. I felt like  responding with, "Oh no, that's terrible." But the little girl came to mind and I found myself saying, "Wow, that's interesting! How can I Help?" One things for sure - life's always going to present situations that throw us off balance with unexpected problems / challenges. That's a given. What's not preordained is our response. We can choose to be frustrated or fascinated. 

No matter what the situation, a fascinated "Wow!" will always beat a frustrated "Oh,no."

The next time you experience one of life's unexpected gusts, remember the little girl and make it a "Wow!" experience. The "Wow!" response always works. 

LESSONS FROM LIFE

Some doors should never have been opened. And some doors that once were opened should be closed forever. 

GIVE UP!

As strange as it sounds, we can have a happier life of we'll just GIVE UP!

ALL CONNECTED

Just like a SUNBEAM can't separate itself from the SUN, and a WAVE can't separate itself from the OCEAN, we can't separate OURSELVES from ONE ANOTHER! We are ALL part of a vast sea of intelligence and love. One indivisible divine family!

SEEMINGLY LITTLE THINGS

There are many things in our lives that can be so satisfying and rewarding if we will but step out from behind our mental filters and experience them. Everyday can bring moments of pure joy!

Our nervous system constantly receives input from all of our senses. If we were consciously aware of all the input we would literally be overwhelmed. To protect us and maintain a state of balance, a part of the nervous system called the Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters through all the input and allows us to be AWARE only of the input we've deemed essential based on our survival needs, past experiences and our beliefs. We can change what the RAS allows into conscious awareness. 

Earlier today my wife and I took a spontaneous trip out to lunch and then a long leisurely walk through a shopping mall. While we were walking and holding hands, I suddenly became aware of the warmth, softness and gentle grasp of my wife's hand. I then noticed the pleasant scent of her perfume. My gaze then fell upon her very long, dark and beautiful hair. My attention then shifted to the smooth gentle features of her face which were angelic to me. I experienced feelings of such joy. Yet these were all things that are always there but that I had  learned to 'filter out' while going through the daily tasks of life. What beauty, tenderness and joy I experienced. I determined it was time to reassess my 'filters' so as not to miss out on the true joys of life. The SEEMINGLY LITTLE THINGS. Have you been filtering out your own sources of joy?

CONTROL?

We can't control the world "out there". When we try, we become aware of how impossible it is and are left frustrated and even anxious. We can control the world "in here", within ourselves. We can manage our thoughts and feelings. When we change our thoughts and feelings, we changed "our" whole world!

MEMORIAL DAY

Our thoughts turn to those who have given ALL to ensure and protect our freedoms. This also includes the tender hearts of loved ones left behind and the burden they continue to bare. 

We thank you!