The Art of Being Human


I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about today.  Feeling scattered. 
I know what's technically on the day's agenda:
  • Attend meeting with a group of amazing, creative, entrepreneurial females.
  • Go to work for a few hours.

But there's always more than that on my mind and in my heart. 
Mind:
  • Light a candle, do laundry, vacuum the apartment, wash my hair, feed myself, write grocery list, buy groceries, read a book, check agenda items off list, connect with other humans...

Heart:
  • Compassion, excitement, fear, wonder, determination, love, and so much more, in varying amounts and combinations. 

And more and more. I'm feeling busy, but not at ease in it. I have worry of being swept away; not grounded; losing connection with my Self; becoming lost; forgetting something... These happened in my past when I thrived on being "busy", therefore, "productive." But, I define these words differently now...

Lastly, I'm acknowledging these summer-like days. I went to the beach yesterday. Read spiritual stories of female writers. Heart-hurting in the background, feeling troubled about a beloved friend's struggles. When walking, I saw a dead bird splayed on the sidewalk, chest ripped out... I immediately connected with the metaphor. 

Life has so many layers.  It is not linear.  And it is filled with contradictions. I am breathing through it all. Giving myself love, gentleness, and patience. I suppose this is the art of being human.
Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting Lost

Image
Sometimes I get Lost.  Feeling overwhelmed.  Too much information. All external.  Not sure where to go.  Wandering around in circles. No direction.  Every direction. Time to regroup. Pressure. Idea that "bring in-motion is best", but getting nowhere . Bombarded with others' maps and suggestions. Only I know the way for my Self. How to get centered, and find MY way: A Plan of Internal Action STOP MOVING Do not take in new information REST Breathe.   Let the panic dissipate Then 1.  Take stock:  What do I have right now, in this moment? Resources, skills, connections... 2.  Create a compass:  Where do I want to end up?  What are my passions; what gives me life?  Letting the goal arise from this. It is authentically mine. 3.  Create a map:  How can I create a path to my goal, with what I have?  Are there mini destinations I have to focus on first?...
Read more

Having an Open Heart

Image
Practicing having my heart Open I envision a cage in my chest; opening a door with rusty hinges: A little painful A little freeing  A little empowering A little scary Exposing the soft, vulnerable piece within Thinking about being "ready" to be Open Sometimes, I think it's easy to say , "I'm ready" Ready to be open to connection Connection with other humans, connection with the universe But Open also lets in rejection, disappointment I'm not ready for that Is anyone?  Can't be picky when Open Can't discriminate to keep what I deem as "good" and turn away what I deem as "bad" Open allows all experience All emotions  And, Closed blocks it all I think To be open equals the ultimate practice in bravery
Read more

Grain by Grain...

Image
Feeling pretty bogged down. Aware of the endless layers of things I don't have control over from the macro to the micro. Making steps each day in the direction that feels right, but it feels like trying to move a desert, one grain of sand at a time.  With a metaphor like that, who doesn't feel overwhelmed?! Good to remember that I'm not alone in the task; we don't all have a separate desert to transport. This grain of sand I'm moving is one that you won't have to move, and vice versa. In addition, there are unexpected gifts to be grateful for... like being given a turn to use a shovel (or even a teaspoon) and then being able to offer it to someone else... or a wind that temporarily helps with the task...  And so on with other ideas that pop up with a metaphor that I'm getting super into...  Granted, I'm still viewing life as a burdensome task, which may not be the most healthy/appropriate mindset for everyone, or to use all the tim...
Read more