A Miracle

Last week I experienced a miracle. I went to a shop in tourist-saturated Uptown because I love the owners, even though I could have purchased the item I was after in a store with more accessible parking.

As I walked from the far end of the parking lot, towards the street, an older couple, looking lost, caught my eye. He asked, “Where is the tourist office where we can get maps?”

I said, “Walk with me. I’ll show you.”

They were from the San Francisco area, and it was their only day in Sedona, so I became a walking tour guide, advising them on the must-sees. Then the tourist office was in sight, so I said good-bye and wished them well.

I completed my shopping and headed back to my car to drive home. As I approached the tourist office, there they were—she, sitting on a bench; he, taking photographs. I pulled up to the curb. “I’ll take you back to your car.” It was a long walk, and she moved with a cane.

This morning, from A Course in Miracles, I read, “Miracles are teaching devices for demonstrating that it is as blessed to give as to receive. They simultaneously increase the reserve of strength in the giver and supply the lack of strength in the receiver.” What I know without a doubt is that when I act from love, good things happen.

Have you experienced a similar miracle?

Gemstones

Royal blue was the color of her youth—
Sapphire strong, vibrant, fearless.
Successes came and went, like
Waves lapping the vast shoreline.

But for her maturity, aquamarine and pearls
Chose her, cascading their serenity,
Peace, and calm
Among the sands and rocks of the cove.

You write it: What gemstones represent your life then and now?

Nature Speaks

Morning sun shining

Through pink feathery grass

Tells my soul that all is well.

You write it: How does nature speak to you?

Getting to Flow

Have you ever had the sense that, like a magnet, good things were coming to you, effortlessly? That’s what I mean by “flow.” I am experiencing it today.

What happened is that I had a lengthy, heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted friend yesterday. I shared something that has been a burden on my heart for years, and I finally was able to get to such a deep, feelings level that a door opened, and a pathway emerged. After the conversation, I was exhausted. But I slept well.

The next morning I experienced “flow.” Symptoms of tension I had been experiencing disappeared. When I went to the drug store, there was no line. I was 30 minutes early to a hair appointment, but as I walked up to the shop, there were three friends enjoying coffee in the beautiful morning. So I sat down to enjoy the conversation with them.

Flow.

You write it: Have you ever experienced the freedom and exultation and happy coincidences that come from speaking your deep truth?

Practice These Principles

Recently I spent an afternoon with someone who lives in chaos, with a litany of resentments swirling within and out.

Being in her presence reminded me of where I was eighteen years ago, before I learned to practice gratitude, to mind my own business, to keep the focus on myself, and to practice rigorous honesty.

Practice is the key word. I don’t ever expect to master any of these principles. I am amazed by the peace and joy that come from simply practicing them.

You write it: Is there something in your life that might be improved by practicing these principles?

Piddling

Piddling is getting things done without a to-do list. It's floating from task to task, effortlessly. Piddling is living without have-to's. It's trusting myself to do what is right in the moment.

You write it:  Do you ever piddle? How does it seem to you?

The Listener

When I was a little girl, after supper (that's what we called it), I would go to the swing on Mrs. McCall's front porch. She was always there, our next door neighbor, silently swinging back and forth on her porch. I would sit beside her and then download everything that happened to me that day--at school, with friends. I could say anything to her without fear of reprimand or belittling. I must have chattered away, filling all the time and space, because I do not remember one word Mrs. McCall ever said to me. Yet, I will never forget her for letting me do all the talking. When I was a child, I needed that. Sometimes, I still do.

You write it: Who was a listener for you? For whom are you a listener?

Thread the Needle

A phrase in a prayer goes, "Relieve me of the bondage of self," being neither more than nor less than who we truly are. Ego is tricky. Sometimes it inflates us into believing we are entitled to be treated in a certain way; other times it makes us think we are not worthy of receiving good. Joy in life comes from "threading the needle," and the eye of the needle is the heart.

Your thoughts?

All Is One

A war hero, respected leader, lies in state while a nation mourns.

The sun subtly rises over desert mountains.

A church staff has a day off.

My car goes in for repair.

Healing from another shooting begins.

Beloved niece, fresh college graduate, starts her career.

Our daughter returns home from a family visit.

A neighbor's house gets a new roof.

All is one.

You write it:  As an observer, what is going on in your life?

Ask for Help

Recently I found myself in a state of fear. Instead of trying to figure my way out of it, I decided to ask for help. In a meeting of friends, I described what I was feeling and asked what they do when they have fear. Every person's comment was relevant for me. The next day, I went to lunch with a friend I trust. I didn't mention my fear, but she sensed it and shared with me some wisdom that put my doubts to rest.

I used to think I had to figure everything out on my own--that asking for help was weakness. Today I know better.

You write it:  What do you do when you feel fear?

Go to Neutral

When other people do or say what you don't want or like, set your emotional state on neutral. Don't try to change them. Accept that you can't explain sight to a blind man.

After you have relaxed into your neutral state, move to compassion, a manifestation of love. Quiet, loving presence is a powerful force.

You write it:  When was the last time you were with someone you wanted to change? What did you do? How well did it work?

Just breathe

This morning as I sat down to meditate, I immediately became aware of my shallow, rapid breathing. I had been running late. I parked the car and walked quickly up the stairs, the last one to take my place in the group. I wasn't able to begin the meditation with the group. My first task was to slow my breathing and clear my mind.

That's what we do, isn't it? We're running late, or someone says or does something we don't like. Our breathing becomes more shallow, and our stress rises.

A friend sometimes tells me about her distress with our current political environment. I always say to her, "Just breathe." When we are focused on breathing, we cannot be focused on that which is beyond our control.

You write it:  Pay attention to your breathing. 

The Energy of Things

Several years ago, I was advised to surround myself with what I loved and get rid of everything else. So I discarded everything I had bought because it was trendy or because an interior designer said I should have it. What was left was what I loved.

A few moments ago, I finished dusting. As I picked up items, I remembered. The elephants that were the mascot for our marriage. The "Hallelujah Lady" who is the theme for my life. The Ansel Adams photographs my daughter gave me. The art from very special artists whom we love. I could go on.

It's taken awhile for me to learn what I love. Through the years, I have discarded much. Today I am surrounded by what I love.

You write it:  What surrounds you? What energy does it give?

No Words

Some news yesterday left me speechless. Something within me says I should have something wise or clever to say, but I don't. Some experiences simply go beyond words. So, for now, I remain silent.

You write it:  When was the last time you had no words for what was going on?

The Energy of Words

In his book Power vs Force, David Hawkins relates that the emotion behind the words we read, hear, and say can weaken or strengthen us, and the effect is measurable. Some words inspire us, lift us, and make us better people. Other words discourage us, anger us, and make us less than who we truly are.

That words have power is the premise of the first agreement Miguel Ruiz writes about in The Four Agreements. He says, “Your word is the power that you have to create. . . .What you dream, what you feel, and what you really are, will all be manifested through the word.  .  . The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life. . . . Depending on how it is used, the word can set you free, or it can enslave you even more than you know.”       

You do it:  Pay attention to the feelings in your body when you speak. When your words are true, you are in harmony. If you are uneasy, what do you need to change?

Carefree

I woke up recently with the word "carefree" on my mind, so I looked it up. One definition is "not holding onto worries or resentments." In other words, letting go.

Letting go is something I've been learning for several years. These days, most of the time, my peace is not disturbed by events beyond my control or other people's behavior. 

In "Letting Go," Safire Rose wrote, "Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go." This sentence so resonates with me that I wrote it on the front page of my journal, to remind me every day. 

In that moment of letting go, the leaf does not remember the limitations of being connected to the tree or feel the fear of falling. It's carefree.

You write it: What have you learned about being carefree?

Humility

Science writer David Blatner affirms that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on earth. Then he writes that in just ten drops of water, the number of molecules exceeds the number of stars in the universe. Reading these facts makes me realize that so much is beyond my comprehension, and if I try to figure it out, I'm likely to be wrong. Thus I arrive at humility--learning to be content when I don't know and can't figure it out.

You write it:  What realization brings you to humility?

Speak the Truth in Love

Last week's post evoked responses. In principle, responders agreed that staying in love in all interactions is ideal--but what about really difficult situations like Hitler?

In communication, it is our tone that belies the feelings behind our words. It is the energy of the emotion that people react to, not the words.

So try this experiment:  For the next week, pay attention to your emotions. Keep a journal. How often are you outraged? insulted? angry? embarrassed? proud? fearful? guilty? shamed? In his book Power Versus Force, David Hawkins demonstrates that when these emotions are present, we are weak.

If your journaling reveals that you are experiencing these depleting emotions, then move to the energy of the heart, which is courage. Try the heart meditation on my website, www.NancyOelklaus.com/audio tools at least once a day for forty days. Notice how your ability to speak the truth in love improves.

Love Is a Decision

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love keeps no record of wrongs. I strive to live within the circle of Love.

But last week, on two consecutive days, I had challenges. People were not giving me what I thought I deserved. The first time it happened, I forced the issue and got what I wanted, with a few ruffled feathers from those I accosted. I didn't call anyone any names, but my forceful energy was clear, and I felt that I needed to make amends, which I did.

The second time it happened, on the very next day, I remembered how bad it had made me feel the day before to accost others. So I made a decision to accept what is and be gracious. Before I left that office, everyone was thanking me for my patience. No amends were needed.

Love is a decision.

You write it: When have you made a decision to stay in love instead of venting your frustration? 

Getting Out of a Funk

I was in a funk yesterday. I knew it had to do with food, but I could not articulate more specifically what my problem was.

This morning I decided to journal to discover the essence of the funk. Surprisingly, here's what I wrote:  "Cooking is Mother's job. I'm not Mother, and she's not here."

At first, as I read what I'd written, I thought, "Oh. This funk is connected to grief." No. Instead, it's not wanting to repeat my mother's food behavior and not knowing what to do. It's also anger that I must change.

Last week I started asking people like me what they do about food preparation. One of them said she has about 10 simple, healthy meal plans that she alternates. That sounds like something I can do.

So today I begin a new approach, and I think my funk will dissipate.

You write it:  Has anything been nagging at you? Have you tried journaling to discover the source?