Farewell, summer

Oceanic by Έλενα Λαγαρία
Oceanic, originally uploaded by Έλενα Λαγαρία

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life?

It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony.

We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.

-
Mitsugi Saotome

.
This was not the summer to take on more than I could handle. To overcommit, join or contribute. Yet, something pulled me in like the ocean’s current. Towards these roots. This summer tribe.

I wish I were able to describe the joy and gratitude I feel towards Jenn. The guide, light and force behind this remarkable place.

The internet is filled with inspiration. Advice on eliminating clutter and ways to seek beauty. Tutorials on everything from cooking chicken soup to crafting HTML code. Among all this, there are pockets of warmth and stillness on the web. Calming waters in the midst of a vast sea of information.

Roots of She is a place to find solace, friendship, comfort. Where we can acknowledge our inner strength. Where we can adore our collaborative power.

Roots of She is a place to be. To understand. To grow. To join in community. To know that you are never alone.

Thank you for sharing your summer with me. It has been an incredible journey.

You are powerful

through the flowers. by Casey David
through the flowers., originally uploaded by Casey David

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision,
then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
-
Audre Lorde

.
Think about all that you have accomplished in this life.

Have you mastered a language, or two, or three, or more? Did you wake up this morning with people to love, goals to pursue? How many impossible things have you achieved? Have you overcome illness, battled disappointment, grown from heartache?

You are powerful.

Your cells regenerate, ideas incubate. Creativity bubbles up. You are a walking miracle. With each new day, opportunities rise. Fear, hurt, broken promises. You carry on with genius, strength, courage, grace.

You carry on because you are more powerful than you realize.

The past provides us with reference points. Information, memories, pain, hope. The places we’ve been and the parts we’ve played are data points on a larger graph.

The future gives us something to work towards. Aspirations, dreams, intentions. Places we plan to go. People we hope to meet. Iterations, next steps, surprises.

You carry on because your history, future and all that lies within makes you more powerful than you realize.

We are creatives, dreamers, planners, thinkers. Lovers, friends, sisters, mothers, children. Artists, doctors, musicians, accountants.

We dance, sing, pray, sit. Scream, cry, write, giggle. We are more than where we’ve been. We exist beyond the parts we’ve played.

We are powerful. More powerful than we realize.

Just get on with it

Chelsea II by seanmcgrath
Chelsea II, originally uploaded by seanmcgrath

To accomplish great things, we must not only act,
but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
-
Anatole France

.
I’m a planner, list maker, and task completer. Making reservations excites me. Anticipating vacations brings me joy. I like looking ahead and organizing my time. However, this approach sometimes lands me in perpetual strategy mode. Instead of taking immediate action, I carefully think through each step.

In wishing for improved wellness, I put together a detailed workout plan instead of going on a short run. If I’m wanting to blog more often, I create a daily post calendar rather than sitting down to write.

My eyes are bigger than my stomach. My ambition greater than my availability. My intention is to create commitment out of organization. But I know taking action cultivates forward movement.

When I realize that I’m falling down a planning rabbit hole, I remind myself that sometimes it’s best to go. Leap without the net. Try. Fail. Adjust. Repeat. Then recalibrate, make some plans and get on with it.

Those magical moments

summer joy by Dmitry Kichenko
summer joy, originally uploaded by Dmitry Kichenko

You know when time stands still and gratitude wells up in your heart?

Driving home from work.
Taking your dog for a walk.
Passionately kissing your love.
Diving into calm waters.
Laughing with your best friends.
Finishing an amazing presentation.
Tucking your little one in for bed.
Mailing a package to a friend.
Cooking a delicious meal.
Seeing your favorite band play.
Creating a piece of art.
Going on a third date.
Discovering new inspiration.
Walking out of yoga class.
Smelling fresh flowers.
Enjoying a long bubble bath.
Finding a perfect seashell.

Hold onto these moments. Carry them with you. Seek joy. Know what brings you happiness.

Sometimes we forgot to open our eyes, hold our heads high and operate above the daily grind. We get stuck in the muck and believe the magic has disappeared.

This is never the case, it’s always there. Patient. Steady. Waiting for us to wake up to those magical moments.

When ‘big’ means ‘moderately significant’

Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement.

It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen.
We have to teach ourselves how to make room for them, to love them, and to live, really live.

-
Anna Quindlen

.
I have recently faced some big decisions. With each fork in the road, the future I had envisioned was put into question. If I take door #2, will things turn out as I planned? What might happen if I pick door #1 instead?

It is easy to get wrapped up in the drama of significant choices. Worrying about the gravity of our decision. Fearing there is only one correct outcome.

Ultimately, we must take ownership of the past and open ourselves to the potential of the future. Each path we have pursued has led us to where we are today. For better or for worse, the spot in which we stand has something to offer.

Most of the time, we are not choosing between “terrible option A” and “wonderful option B.” If that were the case, the selection process would be simple. Our decisions lie within shades of grey, helping us create a life filled with sunshine and shadows.

I have come to realize that even the biggest choices are “moderately significant” in the course of a lifetime. It is in making room for the simple moments and unexpected outcomes that we can change the course of our life.

Loading...
Self-care for the Soul: your free e-course. Want in?