Life is the Mirror of You and it is a Gift

(I suggest reading aloud, alone or with a friend.)

If we are lucky; if we are intentional; if we are growing; if we are searching; if we are relentless; we may, in our lives be offered a gift. That gift will not necessarily be wrapped with shiny paper, ribbons and a big satin bow. That gift may look like anything but a gift. But indeed it is a gift. The gift I am talking about is the gift of self-reflection.

It may come in the form of a loved one who reacts to you, or who attacks you. It may come in the form of a friend who embraces you, or rejects you. The gift may arrive as a business deal that you close, or that you lose. It may come with the loss of a loved one that is close to you, or with the success of a stranger on American Idol. But if you are fortunate, or intentional; if you are relentlessly searching, and heaven-bent on growing, it will come to you. And this gift will be the realization that your response is all about you.

For the uninitiated, the prayerless, those victimized by life and those who are simply not ready, the gift will be offered. It has been offered to each of us a hundred times a day.

How is this possible? That we would be offered a gift but say “no”? This is part of the gift. A gift can be offered, but until I am ready to receive it, the gift will be sent back: no such number. Moved, left no forwarding address.

The beginnings of receiving are those moments where we notice: boy, I really got hooked there. Or, I wonder why that upset me so much? These are the beginnings of the gift that keeps on giving: the gift of noticing, of awareness. Of taking responsibility for our own experience of life and seeking to expand our ability to receive more and more, so that we can become more and more. Being responsible for more and more is the game. One cannot receive without being simultaneously able to hold more, and less.

The alternatives to receiving the gift? A blameless life full of blame for others. Judging others and remaining separate from them. Pitying yourself or others and becoming pitiful. Criticizing others and becoming unacceptable to yourself. Playing alone in the sandbox for fear of exposing your weakness to yourself.

Here we are, on our journey. If you find yourself in tears, in the flow, in the arms of another man, know that you have found yourself, with your million and one reactions, predictions, declarations and early dismissals. Know that these are not the gifts.

Your receiving of these happenings with your awareness is the gift. To be able to receive the ripple effects of every action and reaction is the gift and it is offered to you in every moment. This is a treasure. You are the mine.

Your journey will allow you to receive this and so many more blessings along the way. It happens for those persistent enough to look into the next dimension, where life is the mirror of you.

May you continue to expand your tenderness, your ability to feel, your asking for and receiving, and all the ins and outs of a life lived fully. This is my prayer for us all. Amen. Awomen. Aho.

Life is But A Dream

Our dear son has been in school now for a 2 months. I have taken this opportunity to amuse myself. What would you do if you could do anything you want, all day long? I am asking myself that question, then acting on it.

The list, it turns out, runs on. I read, I walk. I sit in a hot tub and loosen my muscles. I take yoga classes and loosen them somemore. I write a book. I muse on my one woman show. I talk with friends, clients, prospects, family. I took up therapy, and Latin dancing. I write meditations and share them with friends. I invite friends to grow with me. I practice conscious language. I partner with friends for fun and profit. i consider art lessons. I buy new music and lavish in it. I paint the walls of my apartment and get a friend to help me. She also shops for me at IKEA and I pay her back. I get bodywork. I get invitations. I invite others to go trick or treating and have playdates. I write sweet emails. I sing and buy my son a guitar. I don't get upset, much. I ask people to help me, and some do. I ask people for money, and some give it to me. I'm taking a seminar at Landmark Education and inviting friends to come learn about their programs. I am reading Leela Francis. I'm reclaiming my body with dance, yoga, network spinal analysis, walking, bellydancing, soaking, napping.
i receive invitations to Spa Party with my young and handsome dance instructors. I plan my birthday party, 2 months down the road. I admire the autumn leaves, still flaming on the trees and in piles curbside. I conjure my son a new bed. I organize winter clothes and closets. I plan for Thanksgiving. I tell the truth. I get my way. I tell those I love that I love them. I plan trips. I accept it all as wonderful.