Experience It
Ralph Marston
Instead of being concerned with fitting every new experience into a preconceived category, put your energy into living the experience itself. Instead of using your thoughts to place a judgment on each thing that comes your way, put your energy into being more fully aware of it all.
How many things do you miss completely because you think you already know what you're looking at? How many new concepts do you fail to grasp because you're trying to fit them into concepts you already have?
If your life seems to be stuck in one place, the most likely reason is that your thoughts are preventing anything new from coming into your awareness. Relax your need to judge and to analyze, and you'll glimpse the abundant richness that is always available to you.
Let go of the need to know it all, and you'll begin to experience more and more. Move beyond the desire to always prove that you're right, and your eyes will open to profound truths.
What has it ever gained anyone to be cynical and closed minded? Choose instead to open your mind, to open your eyes to the astounding, ever-increasing richness of what is.
Let yourself out of the prison that your ego keeps trying to build. There's a big, beautiful universe right here and now that's filled with value for you to live.
If You So Choose
Ralph Marston
If you so choose, the challenges can make you stronger. If you so choose, the disappointments can make you more determined.
If you so choose, every mistake can lead to greater understanding and effectiveness. If you so choose, every frustration can help you to be more patient and more persistent.
If you so choose, even the unexpected setbacks can bring new and positive possibilities. If you so choose, you can find value and fulfillment in every circumstance.
If you so choose, each day can be filled with even more joy than the one before. If you so choose, even the most seemingly random events can work in your favor.
If you so choose, you can remain steadily focused no matter what distractions may attempt to throw you off course. If you so choose, you can look back on this day with no regrets.
Life is filled with an endless variety of circumstances, opportunities, and possibilities. If you so choose, you can make the most of it all in this and every moment.
When?
When did you last lie on your back
to read the clouds
floating in a sea of blue
or watch a little beetle
crawl up a blade of grass?
When did you last
splash happily through puddles
or talk to buttercups?
When did you last kiss
your smiling image
in the mirror
or hold a cool frog in your hands?
When did you last
just sit, and watch the world go by
in wonder
believing in the magic of it all?
You see,
the playful child in you knows all the doors
to peace of mind
and innate bliss.
Awareness
Doris Fritsch Crompton
How aware have I been today?
A little—some—what shall I say?
What color was the sky this morning?
Did I hear a bird sing?
Did the clouds move with ease?
Did I feel the gentle breeze?
Did it carry the smells of early fall?
Or didn't I notice anything at all?
How aware have I been today?
A little—some—what shall I say?
What did the children say this morning?
Did I tune into their feelings?
Did I appreciate their presence?
And miss them in their absence?
Did I listen to their every call?
Or didn't I notice anything at all?
How aware have I been today?
A little—some—what shall I say?
How did my spouse feel this morning?
Did I take the time to ask him?
Were we happy to be together?
Did we share moments of laughter?
Was my appreciation great or small?
Or didn't I notice anything at all?
How aware have I been today?
A little—some—what shall I say?
Did I feel God's love this morning?
Did I take the time to talk to Him?
Were my mind and body in unity?
Did I thank Him for my life, my family?
When He spoke, did I heed the call?
Or didn't I notice anything at all?
The Dry Seasons
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Expect hope to be rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.
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