Sunday Sunshine: Look Deeper

You've probably heard the adage that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. It's often true that what we see on the surface isn't the total picture. 

First impressions of people often don't give us a complete understanding of them.

When we encounter a difficult situation in our lives, it's easy to think it's all bad or all good. It's only when we look deeper that we see that our initial assessment was incomplete. Even the most difficult situation can hold a gift, something beautiful to take away from the experience.

Whether it's the first impression of a situation or of a person you meet, stop yourself before judging and making a sweeping decision. Instead, give yourself the time to look at the person or situation from a deeper, more complete perspective. 

By scratching below the surface, the beauty will reveal itself.

Today, this week: Look deeper. Allow yourself to see the beauty hidden where you may least expect it.

Sunday Sunshine: Be Still and Listen

We're bombarded with information these days -- coming to us from all directions, all hours of the day, mostly thanks to the technology that is as accessible as in our hands.

While it's great to receive information and to readily connect with others, such constant communication doesn't leave much time for stillness, for silence, for introspection.

When you feel overwhelmed, your head will start taking over anyway, trying to rationalize things based on information and your previous experience. That's worry, fear and doubt reside.

Rather than rely on the information overload and the head-centered thinking, step away from the technology and step away from your "talking head."

Instead, become still. Become silent. Sit for a while or perhaps take a walk. When we allow ourselves to disconnect, we actually connect. We connect to that inner wisdom that has the answers.

In the stillness, in the silence, the answers come.

Today, this week: Make time to be still and silent. Listen to your inner wisdom. The answers are there.

Sunday Sunshine: Out Like A ______?

The blustery month of March is nearly behind us. Will it go out like a lion or a lamb? Thankfully, it appears to be the latter this year.

Whatever the weather ultimately decides to do, think of this day as one of transition.

What does the end of the month mean to you? What does the eve of a new month represent in your life?

Review the blessings you’ve experienced in the past month. Name them. Spend time breathing in their life-affirming properties so that you experience those blessings for a second time.

Now, look to your hopes, dreams and wishes for the new month to come. Name them. Spend time examining how you will make those desires a reality, what first steps you will take.

When you move beyond your distractions to a place of complete presence, you begin to see the blessing and the opportunity in each new day.

Today, this week: Be present to the moments in each of your days. Breathe in your blessings and opportunities with gratitude.

Give Yourself the Sacred Gift of Time to Be

     I have been writing this blog since October of 2011. I called it Time to Be because during that chapter in my life, I came to understand that I needed time each day for silence, for space, for centering, for reflection and for renewal in order to benefit my well-being. My energies were pretty well depleted at that time because I was still working my way through the profound grief of the passing of my beloved mother, as well as a lengthy recovery from a serious and debilitating illness. 
     The name of my blog came from the writings of my late mother's favorite author and one of mine, as well, Gladys Taber: "We need time to dream, time to remember, and time to reach the infinite, time to be."
     At this time of year as the holidays roll around and our calendars seem to roll out of control with the chaos of myriad seasonal activities, obligations and expenses, I believe that the precious gift of giving ourselves time to be is even more vital. It is in that sacred time and space, I believe, where we can fully experience this season for its beauty, its goodness, its joy and its awe -- not the contrived expectations and rushing around that we've come to identify with December. 
     When we give ourselves the gift of time to be, we give ourselves permission to stop for a while and allow hope and love to envelop us.
     We don't need to succumb to the pressures of racing through a holiday season of decorating, partying, baking, shopping, and merriment magnified. In fact, for many, this isn't a jolly season anyway. Sorrow and loss do not take a holiday, and often our griefs feel more intense at this time of year. If you're in a place of sadness, now is the time to be gentle with yourself. Listen to the wisdom of your inner being and respond with self-kindness.
     The bottom line: Consider carving out sacred time this month to be silent, to let go of your burdens and to breathe in peace. Feel the light and love that are with you today and always. Make time to reach the infinite. Make time to be.

Be watching for a "bonus" December blog post on Friday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. central time.