Category Archives: Election

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. Lemon Poppyseed Scones. I’m kind of obsessed right now. The lemon and sugar combo are like sunshine in my mouth.

2. Cultivating Courage ecourse. It’s technically over now (next session starts January 14th), but we have a private Facebook group and Andrea offered alumni a discounted rate for the next session. 30 days of cultivating a habit is really effective, especially when you have such amazing support. The class gave me more confidence and also allowed me to reconsider what it means to be brave.

3. My original art piece from Mary Anne Radmacher, which I wrote about yesterday.

4. More light for our morning walks. This will only last a week or so, but it was nice that first day after we “fell back” to not have to wear my headlamp and walk in the dark.

5. The end of another election season. Every year, it’s just way too nasty and stressful. Even without regular TV, it’s hard to not feel its impact.

Obi and Dexter

they were so in love

Bonus joy: Three years ago today, we had to let Obi go. He taught me so much about life and love, about fear and courage, about accepting another just as they are, about being safe and loved even when things are uncertain, but most of all how to let go.  It’s because of him, his loss, that I can be with what’s happening with Dexter, be with it and keep my heart open. They loved each other so much. Dexter was actually Obi’s dog, and Dexter loved him even more than he loved us or his Little D. If I could only know for sure that letting Dexter go meant he could be with his Obi again, I’d more easily surrender him.

Three Truths and One Wish

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1. Truth: This presidential election will bring change, no matter who gets elected. The only thing we can ever count on is change, it’s the nature of life. In this specific case, the cultural climate could change, so might the economy and so many other “big” things. Things might get better, they might get worse, but we know there will be some shift.

2. Truth: Whatever is different because of the outcome of this election, it won’t change my core values, and it most likely won’t have a significant impact on the way I live my daily life. My dogs will still need walked, I will still be a writer, a committed practitioner of yoga and meditation, I will still love Eric, I will still do my work, I will still be a woman, a human, and I will still try to keep my heart open.

3. Truth: No matter who is President elect when this is all over, no matter what else changes, I will continue to work towards cultivating compassion and courage, being less confused and more mindful, doing what I can to ease suffering where I find it, and inspiring others to do the same.

One Wish: That we shift from a culture of competition to one of compassion, that we let go of thinking in terms of “us” and “them” and instead develop a deep understanding that we are in this together, we share a common human experience, and that we know that even more important than our vote is our choice to be kind, to love, to keep our hearts open and do what we can to ease suffering in ourselves and in the world.