" How ... "

There’s a time and place

For one more sweet embrace

And is time ... 

Time can come and take away the pain

But I just want my memories to remain

To hear your voice

To see your face

There’s not one moment I’d erase ... 

How can I forget your love?

How can I never see you again?

~ Regina Spektor ~ How ~

***

I’ve heard a lot of talk about checking things off your bucket list.  Making sure you have the experience, while you can, before you go.  And it makes sense, as I’ve myself talked about as well ... but I also believe it’s not only about checking things off your bucket list, its about being present in every moment.

Being present in every moment allows you to fully experience the now.  Sounds simple, but as most of us know by now, difficult to stay present when there are many many many things to distract you into the past or future.

So how do you live your life ... bucket list or presence?  Most will answer, presence of course.  But when was the last time you couldn’t call a friend because you were busy planning your trip, from your bucket list?  You know you’ll get to it, eventually, yet eventually sometimes doesn’t come.  And so you have all these wonderful experiences you can broadcast all over social media, to social media friends ... and completely be disconnected from society.  We’ve all either read about it, or are the one writing it at some time ...

For some, an opportunity to detach from relationships and check out LIFE.  For others, there is a quest for balance.  To be able to do what you want to do and share with those you wish to share with.  Yet life seem so busy for so many.  I hear from others how their lives are full of ... stuff.  Stuff that causes suffering.  But this suffering is familiar.  So on with the busy-ness of life.  And that is “how” most of us live ... busy planning out next experience.

But, hey you are the only judge regarding “how” you live your life ... thrive on adventure or human connections.  You have the free will, how you live your life.  But does your how bring regrets?  Regrets that you didn’t spend enough time, you didn't put enough energy into, you didn’t say what you have to say, or you didn’t do what you wanted to do ...

Is it as simple to decide in this very moment “how” you will pass each moment going forward?  Simple concept that requires moment by moment practice .

Move with purpose, have an intention ...

How we live our lives is an example of who we are, not what we say we are going to do, or going to be ... but how.  How we live and how we treat others.  And it is never too late ... to change how you want the rest of your life to be.

" Fear ... "

No sleep today

Can't even rest when the sun's down

No time, there's not enough

And nobody's watching me now

When we were children we'd play

Out in the streets just dipped in fate

When we were children we'd say

That we don't know the meaning of

Fear, fear, fear

Fear, fear, fear

We don't know the meaning of

Wish I didn't know the meaning of

~ One Republic~ Fear ~
***

Robert Albert Bloch wrote, anxiety is thin stream of fear trickling through the mind ... if encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.  

This probably resonates with everyone, IF they are really honest with themselves.  Because we all have anxiety about the one thing that will happen to every single one of us ... DEATH.  

And there is something called death anxiety with four types of fear associated with death ... fear of pain, fear of the unknown, fear of non existence and fear of eternal punishment.  But don’t feel so bad because the fear of death is very natural because we are born to stay alive.  The survival instinct within us is coded into our DNA.  We always want “more time”.  We feel we are owed more, we are getting ripped off, life isn’t fair, how can this be happening, but I am a good person ...

And basically we really want to keep the party going ... life is good, or life is great, or life is as it is, pain et al ... but we want more of it.  Our thoughts ... People need you.  You are responsible for so much.  How will they go on without you.  Get the idea? ... there is so much attachment to what we have in our lives and how we play in the story.  WE are the central part in our story.  And so we figure, how will life go on without us? ... reality shows us it always does.  

our fear of death feels like the end of us and the end of all we know ... 

The truth is we are energy and energy can never die.  It only transitions, transforms, and transcends towards another.  Life is equally valuable and fleeting.  It comes to be then replenishes itself by destroying what came before it.  

I hear a great deal about how to live fearlessly and I often wondered what that really meant.  And now slowly it is revealing itself because to live in fear is to live a dying life.  

Truly being here, now and living in the moment allows you to make note of your mortality, not for the sake of celebration but for the sake of gratitude.  Serving as a reminder of why there is joy, available in every moment to you us ... if we choose to access it.  

Ups and downs, ebbs and flows, chaos and calm ... the heartbeat of life.  Giving us the opportunity all while living with “something”, fully, wholly, and wisely in the present.  Enjoying the experience, rather than controlling it and killing the moment.  The moment when added to the next, makes time, into a lifetime worth living.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Blessed … "

At the first sight of rays of light I hear the birds sing

It's a sign he's given me every thing will be OK

Sometimes when I wake up 

And I'm wondering how my life would have been if I didn't sing

I get a little stressed out every now and then

But problems come and problems go when I'm around him

Blessed in the morning

Blessed in the evening

And again I realize the reason why I sing

Every time, Always

I'm blessed, So blessed

~ Avicii ~ Blessed ~

***

Almost three years ago to the day, we met some very interesting people.  Under the circumstances, grasping for hope, these same people became our life long friends.  One of those friends was Charlie Hardin.

I always appreciated how openly Charlie expressed himself.  From our time in Tijuana till our last conversation, we would share, console, encourage and motivate.  Recently, Charlie had told me how he was getting back into daily activities and continuing to live his life in the present moment.  Charlie said that he felt an inner calmness and quiet peace.  He said “it’s not a state of euphoria, it’s an absence of the self induced inner torment I used to live with daily”.  Charlie's attitude was inspiring …

Charlie often spoke to me about gratitude and how grateful he was for his wife … as in his words “ my gratitude for her is off the charts and in a class all on its own”.  And also expressed his appreciation for earthly angels, friends and family, who were supportive of his choices.  

Charlie told me about his gratitude for understanding the principles of natural healing and how it helped him take control.  He mostly appreciated the peaceful life they had grown to love enjoying nature and outdoor activities in the rich natural environment of their region.  

And I always enjoyed our lengthy discussions, especially on the book “The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying”, as it brought us both a sense of understanding as to who we really are and why we are really here.  We often talked about how we were tired of tests, doctors and thinking about “that stuff”.  Rather than revolving our lives around cancer, new therapies and new trials, we would rather just enjoy life instead.  Again, Charlie's attitude was inspiring ...

My life is so much more richer having known Charlie Hardin.  His wisdom, kindness, love and sincerity will stay with me till my journey ends.  Thank-you for blessing our lives Charlie, rest in peace friend … 

"On this life journey that I have chosen, I learned a lot, loved a lot and laughed a lot. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams with a wonderful wife and children and family and friends. The more years I lived, the more tangible God's presence in my life became. That presence has enabled me to have a peaceful mind in this life and it enables me to embrace my transition into the next life without fear." 

 Charlie Hardin

" Celebrate … "

Everybody spread the word

We're gonna have a celebration

All across the world

In every nation

It's time for the good times

Forget about the bad times, oh yeah

One day to come together

To release the pressure

We need a holiday ...

You can turn this world around

And bring back all of those happy days

Put your troubles down

It's time to celebrate

Let love shine

And we will find

A way to come together

And make things better

We need a holiday ...

Holiday Celebrate

Holiday, Celebration

Come together in every nation

~ Madonna ~ Celebrate ~

***

Holiday celebrations are in full swing as cookies are baked, lights are displayed and gifts are bought.  This time of year we hope to witness the best that people have to offer.  We celebrate connections, we celebrate life.

So it is also a great time of year to reflect on what has occured in your life during the year.  Some years have been filled with significant landmark events while others have been more subtle, appearing to be less significant.  Yet what emerges from quiet reflection is an appreciation of my life.  

In the begining of the year, life started in one space and has ended in another ... the unfoldment of life and the changes that have occurred.  I am able to see how my life is supported and tailored to my growth.   And although there are situations that may have blinded my objectivity, the key is to release it when the bigger picture is explored.

Anticipating 2014, I am working towards a new sense of freedom, a deeper sense of joy ... I see my life working even as I know there are still many mysteries to explore.  But that is okay because I am starting from a new place within me.  And this new place verifies that action from a place of inner knowing works.  No matter what happens, I am safe, I am protected and I am definitely loved.  

❇ ❈ ❅ ❄ ❆ MERRY WINTER SOLSTICE ❇ ❈ ❅ ❄ ❆

May the solstice and turning of the wheel bring love, peace and good fortune in our coming year as we welcome the returning sun with joy ☼