Enough

My understanding is that a large number of Americans feel disenfranchised by rights granted to groups they consider “the other.” Their fear is rooted in the belief that there’s only so much in “the pie.” If “the other” takes a share, they won’t get theirs.

The truth is that quality of life is not a pie; there is enough for everyone. Our collective presence and productivity enriches and sustains all. “A rising tide catches all boats.”

I pray that these fellow Americans are able to transform their fear into faith so that they may fully enjoy the abundant American experience.

What is your prayer for these times?

Simplicity

In high school I fell in love with these words of Henry David Thoreau: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Yesterday, as I sat in my healing chair, I could fully see the butterfly bush just beyond the terrace. Covered in purple blooms, the bush was also filled with large yellow butterflies and small birds.

An internet search tells me that butterflies symbolize transformation, freedom, and rebirth.

May it be so.

Rest

Over the last several months, my neighbor and friend was gradually leaving, ultimately succumbing to liver cancer.

During this process, I mostly kept my distance, out of respect. Sometimes I would call or text his partner to ask what they needed. Often, she would respond, “We are resting.”

What a concept! “Resting” is an actual activity one may choose!

How deeply ingrained is my belief that I have to be DOING something! Now, as I recover from a broken hip, I’m doing a lot of resting—for the first time in my life, guilt-free!

You write it: How do you feel about resting?

Good Willl

My time in the hospital and rehab, recovering from a broken hip, happily coincided with the Paris Olympics. What an inspiring distraction!

The inspiration, of course, was the phenomenal ability of these athletes, but even more importantly, their genuine good will and celebration of each other’s success.

Yesterday afternoon three remarkable women sat in my living room, chatting about important things that make a difference in people’s lives. In reflection, I celebrate the success each of them brings to every day. I’ve had enough of hatred and derision. Give me affirmation and good will, please. Will you join me?

Choose Love and Grace

I’ve had a lot of time lately to rest, observe, and reflect, encased in kindness and encouragement. A friend bringing her encouragement and a book—beautiful flowers from family and neighbors—a nurse saying, “You look good today”—a child with her mother presenting to me a preciously small bouquet of tiny red and white flowers.

I’ve also been watching the Olympics and being inspired by the generous outpouring of love and support I’ve seen among these amazing ahletes from all over the world. Atlhough they compete, they generously celebrate each other’s success.

I do not believe anyone thrives on hatred and derision. Please join me in choosing love and grace.

Outpouring

I broke my hip last Thursday. Since then, I have experienced an amazing outpouring of love and goodwill, increasing every day. I give thanks for good care, for good friends, and for people who listen and respond when Love moves them.

Have you had a similar experience? What happened?

Possibility

“What do you do when you don’t have anything to do?” is a question I recently asked a friend. What is your answer to that question?

Reflection

Last Thursday a neighbor and dear friend died. I knew his death was coming and hoped it wouldn’t. In my heart I was holding both hope for his survival and wish for his release from what he called “the mess” he was in.

I’m tired.

It took me years to learn to allow myself to grieve. As a young woman, when a grandfather died, I picked up a broom and swept the long driveway. I would do anything to avoid feeling.

Finally I found a guide who taught me to accept and express my feelings. It was a long process.

Last week my friend died. My world changed. I’m swimming in the difference.

A Day

A hurricane blows towards the Gulf.

Hot wind blows through the desert.

The white dog eats his owner’s lunch, lettuce and all.

A neighbor finds and returns a cell phone and a lost dog—in the same week.

This morning’s sunrise is especially red.

Heart Light

On UTUBE I’ve been watching people tell their stories of near-death experience. What these stories have in common is the dying person’s sense of all-encompassing love—around, through, and within them. Many say that, because of this love, they didn’t want to come back into life.

I wonder if it’s possible to increase love while we’re still here. Or, in the words of the song from the movie ET, “Turn on your heart light.”

That’s my goal for today.

An Intention

My daughter, Anne Marie McClaran, composed this intention: “We ride the bumps and enjoy the view.”

Books, Audios, and Retreats: Become the Change

THREE BOOKS

Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically is the story, complete with tools and processes, of how I made the change I wanted to experience. Several years after, I wrote Simple Serenity, short reflections about the result of these changes. Recently, I wrote A Love Story: The Transformative Power of the Twelve Steps, which is a story of how my personal work sustained a happy marriage. All are available from Amazon. Just search for Nancy Oelklaus.

AUDIOS AND RETREATS

A friend recently confided, “I’m feeling a lot of fear.” I was little help because I rarely experience fear. She went to my website, www.NancyOelklaus.com and found, in audio tools, the heart meditation. This simple, 5-minute meditation helped to allay her fears. All the audio tools are free.

One of the things I do with clients and close friends is retreats in Sedona, where I live. The last person who had this experience wrote this after she returned home: “I had three days with Nancy, and still have the peace and serenity I found in Sedona.” (Artist Ash Almonte)

YOU WRITE IT:

What changes would you like to see in your life?

Purity of Intent

“Purity of Intent.” One of my teachers, Liliane Desjardins, introduced me to this phrase many years ago. I use it every day.

Before I speak or act, I ask, “What is my intent?” If it’s to change someone’s behavior, then I refrain from taking action. If it is to control an outcome, I do not speak. But if it is to express my soul’s truest desire or purest truth, then I move ahead.

Think about it: How do you engage with this topic?

Options

We enjoy a life of meaning.

We derive meaning in different ways.

We celebrate the differences.

The Freedom of Forgiveness

I recently watched a family with grudges make themselves miserable at a joyous event simply because they were in the presence of their target. If there’s someone you need to forgive, do it now. Set yourself free.

Pieces

As a family wedding approaches, I am aware that some people are angry about the past and aloof from those they associate with it. I have decided that their feelings have no power over me. This morning my daughter and I wrote this intention: “We stay in the present and simply enjoy the wedding experience.” That’s it.

Nancy’s book Simple Serenity contains parables and exercises to guide the reader to experience the spiritual gifts of patience, kindness, and forgiveness that love requires. Buy it on Amazon by searching for Nancy Oelklaus.

Grace

I was present when a dying friend gave $40,000 to a Navajo widow to repair and expand her house on the reservation. Tears flowed from each as grace gave the gift, and grace received it. When have you experienced pure grace?

Perspective

“Thank you for safety and service” was my prayer on the day after I had a flat tire.

The flat happened AT THE END OF a day of sightseeing with my friend Ash. It went flat while the car was parked in my garage.

When I discovered the flat tire, I called AAA and waited a couple of hours before someone came to remove the flat and put on the spare. I waited with my friend, on my terrace with its amazing view. Ash and I ate supper together.

The next morning I drove to the place where I bought the tire. While I had a “dirty chai” at a new coffee shop I’ve been wanting to try, the workers repaired my tire. An hour later, they put my refreshed tire back on the car, and I drove away.

Now I can tell this story two ways. Do you see? Either way, vibrations go out, and we tend to attract to us what we send out. That’s good to remember.