Love is the Action, Joy is Your Natural State

Go Outside & Feel the Joy

Express the Love and feel the Joy.

Shame and regret are just as much hooks as blame and anger.

We aren't here to be sad ... we are here to experience love, joy and beauty.

It isn't so much what happens to us as how we react.

And if there is someone in your past whom you feel you could have loved more, helped more, treated with more kindness and you chose not to or you just weren't able to at that time ... you can still express that love now.

It may not be a direct exchange with that person but it won't matter as we are all one.

If you are still breathing you are not done yet.

Don't sluice your joy. And if you need a little help ... go outside, look and listen.

And so this morning Jason Mraz's song "Outdoors" just kind of fell into my lap. I can only consider this confirmation!

"Well open up your door
And be like me
Open up your door
And then breathe free
Look at all the beauty you'll feel
Love love love love

"Listen to the music of the wind
And the birdies sing
We're just one big family
And all of nature deserves to be
Loved loved loved loved loved"

Thinking About Perfection and Practice

"Well, that sounds like courage" she said.

I remember when I first heard "it's yoga practice not yoga perfect."

It was such a revelation. It was releasing and demanding all at the same time.

It meant I could release the need to for perfection but I couldn't release being present. It meant that I might not be able to get into the pose and perfectly mimic the teacher but I could use each second to stay with my breath and be present with all of my attention.

I think that for many the drive for perfection is just a manifestation of the fear of criticism. Ironically perfection is no cure for criticism or the fear of criticism.

There is a misplaced drived for perfection as opposed to excellence. I do think that the quest for perfection has probably stopped more people in their tracks than any opposition they might find externally. When the goal is perfection there is a lot of work up and worry and very little launch.

I used to teach braille transcription. It's very detailed work and there are a lot of mistakes in the beginning. Many people loose their gumption around lesson 6 or 7 and it's because they feel they can't do the lessons perfectly.  I taught in a wide variety of settings from colleges, church basements and even prison and this was true with those with PhDs and those just earning their GEDs. Their likelihood of finishing the 20 lessons and completing their Library of Congress manuscript was solely their ability to not allow mistakes to discourage them.

I would post a sign:

It's far more important to be resilient than to be perfect.

One day Ella saw me packing my equipment up to teach and she asked what "resilient" meant. I said that it means "you continue to try with the same amount of enthusiasm."

The little 7 year old Ella turned to me and confidently said, "Well, that sounds like courage."

Yes, yes it does.

Finding A Mother's Day Gift In San Clemente

Marigolds in a milk carton, one of the first gifts I remember giving to my Mom on Mothers Day.

Oh the elusive Mother's Day gift. I actually feel like a much better gift giver after Rev. Dr. Heather's talk last Sunday.

As preschoolers and elementary students we are guided through these Mother's Day projects. We are filled with excitement and the joy of giving. We know our Moms will love what we have to give them.

As we get older, at least in my experience, those gifts become harder to find. It feels more challenging to find something, especially before you have your own income, your own way to get to the store. You learn that grown ups generally have the means to buy what they really want.

We know the language of love includes gifts. But what do we have to give?

Last Sunday I was reminded of just how much there is to give.

There are always gifts to be given.
They don't need money and they don't require transportation to get you to the store. They won't clutter up your house with dust collecting chachkies.

It's not the gift. It's the thought behind it.
I know this is true. I have come to believe the best gifts come from LISTENING. What do we listen for? Rev. Dr. Heather articulated both the question and the answer for me last Sunday.

How do the people in your life want to be loved?

• gifts
• quality time
• touch
• service
• words of affection
• affirmation & praise

I do believe these gifts would be on the list of any Mom.

Mom, I just want to thank you.

A Dog's Life

A Dog's Life

I've always been blessed to have dogs in my life. I often say I'd like to come back in my next life as my dog.

After having spent the last 44 years of my life with dogs I've come to believe one of the many reasons dogs were meant to be human companions is because they embody and teach us God's Principles.

Here is what I believe they so effortlessly teach us.

• They are an expression of pure Unconditional Love
• Dogs always Forgive
• They are always Happy and look on the bright side of things
• Every single day you come home you are Joyously greeted like you've been gone for years
• Dogs show absolute Loyalty

If we pay close attention dogs teach us these lessons everyday.

I was excited to read something I've known all along. After years of research the famous Theoretical Physicist, Stephen Hawkings, declared animals have feelings the same as humans. Finally! Halleluja! They feel rejection, broken hearts, jealousy, embarrassment and anger. As well as love and joy.

I cherish my dogs and feel blessed to have them in my life. Now I'm really going to pay special attention to all the  principles my dogs are lovingly and patiently teaching me and my family.

Lets all try and live A Dog's Life!