Category Archives: Andrea Scher

Gratitude Friday

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This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. A new washing machine. Something weird about me that you might not know: I love doing laundry. It’s comfort, therapy, so peaceful and simple, the warmth and the clean smell and the hum and spin, beeps and clicks of the machines, the “setting things right” and renewing of order that happens taking the clothes from dirty to clean, wet to dry. It was unsettling for me when our old machine broke and it took a week for the new one to arrive and be installed, (and believe me, I get that this is a first world problem, and as such, I’m grateful to be lucky enough to have such “problems”).

2. Clean sheets, (see list item #1).

3. Dalai Lama chant, gifted to me by the kind and generous Sherry Richert Belul, at the request of my equally awesome reader and friend Tina. It’s a little over an hour long, and I have been listening to it constantly. It has been such a comfort, helping me to feel centered amidst a swirl of uncertainty.

4. The Open Heart Project and Susan Piver, as well as all the practitioners committed to meditation. When I am struggling with my practice, when I’ve dropped it altogether, I know that when I come back, this resource, this support will be there waiting for me. And I know that even when I am not practicing, they are, and many of them are dedicating the merit of that activity, their kindness rippling out to meet me where I’m at.

5. Cultivating Courage ecourse with Andrea Scher. This class and the beautiful humans in it, all of us working so hard to be brave and Andrea making the space for us, has been an inspiration.

Bonus Joy: Another week with Dexter.

Book Writing Saturday

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When I first read this message from the Universe, via Andrea Scher (given to me at her Mondo Beyondo session at the World Domination Summit this past summer), I knew it was true. I had absolutely no doubt about it.

I brought the note home with me, carrying it from Portland to Waldport, and then to Fort Collins as if it were a precious gift, a sacred text, a magic object. I placed it on my writing desk with a collection of other important, inspiring items, right where I would see it first thing every morning when I sat down to write.

Before I start a new project, and every Saturday when I sit down to start my four hours of work on my book, I read a prayer, an incantation that includes “I am here to lovingly and gently manifest the basic goodness that is at the heart of all, to embody wisdom and kindness, to be a warrior with a brave and tender heart.” Whether I remember to read it or not, this is always my intention, with my work, my art, my life.

It was clear to me when I first read my message from the Universe, written in Andrea’s handwriting, that “the dream” was to write and publish a book, the book I’ve been living, carrying in my heart. This was obvious to me, no doubt and no confusion. I though the “space” I was to make was obvious too–clear out the space in your schedule, make time. More specifically, I committed to these four hours, Book Writing Saturday.

I still think making time, committing to that is right, but it’s not everything. There is more to “making space” than just making time. Space is freedom. Space is unlimited and boundless, but also the measurable distance between, unoccupied, open, available. Space is the gap, the blank, the breath, the quiet between words. Space is what occupies this moment. Space is where my voice echoes and sounds, takes shape and is heard. Space is open and vast, can accommodate and contain anything and everything, or nothing.

I need to open up space, allow for things to arise (and dissolve) naturally while I remain open and available. I need to clear out the confusion and clutter, quiet the chatter, to simplify, to surrender, to let go. The other part of the book that needs space is the part I’m living, losing the 2nd dog in three years to cancer. Losing Obi started this book, this life rehab, and here I am again. This loss, this letting go needs my attention, my time, my awareness.

I am here to lovingly and gently manifest the basic goodness that is at the heart of all, to embody wisdom and kindness, to be a warrior with a brave and tender heart.