Sunday Soul Searching

Residency is busy. 80 hour work weeks lead to feelings of disconnect from “the real world” and “reality.” I find a lot of balance in following blogs that inspire and challenge parts of my life that are more or less neglected in this moment. I bookmark many articles and thought provoking pieces. This is my new attempt to share on a more regular basis the pieces that make me say hmm…

On tap this week:

Love in 30 Languages

We can only give what we are capable of giving. We all have limits. Doing the best I can. A good read.

On finding forgiveness within yourself.

vulnerability

faith

 

game changers

What is life?

via alicia bock on etsy

An excerpt from What is Life? on Elephant Journal:

By nature, I believe humans beings as a whole are, to put it simply, forgetful. Every moment is an opportunity to remember who you really are and what you’r e here to do. It’s about remember-ing.When we are given these glimpses of greater vision, a widening clarity of a deeper seeing, we have either two choices—maybe three. You can hang on to the assumed presentation of what life has been for you for your life up til that moment—meaning cling on to what you know or you can let go of the grasp and allow space for what you don’t know—which is life from that moment on.

You’ve got to be done with the illusion of control. And I mean really done. Question everything you thought you knew and get ready to walk the life you were meant to live. The kind of scenarios that you truly imagine and envision. Not only that, but to live the life that you DESERVE. You deserve to live a magnificent life. One that is truly YOURS.

And then life just happens- you meet it as much as it meets you. You begin to cocreate with the Divine Master. Just like that moment when George Harrison was sitting atop of the grassy hill top in Eric Clapton’s backyard, playing his guitar to the rise of the sun. Now known as the song, Here Comes the Sun. Creativity beacons, life force grants you the access to create songs, images, moments, art, LIFE.That life force grants you the access to create life. How utterly beautiful is that?

But the answer will never come forth if you don’t ask the question. Clarity will only arise when there is space made for it. Ask yourself the question, that will lead to the next question, that will then lead to the answer. Let go of the shackles of assumption, release the grip of expectation, let yourself be free from the cage that’s been heaving your load. That tightness around your neck and right shoulder really is something, isn’t it? I know, I’m working on that too. YOU ARE A FREE BEING. YOU ARE A DIVINE BEING. YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.

MLK Day Goodness

My favorite MLK Jr quotes

I am obsessed with this idea of embracing the spirit of Martin Luther King’s work on this day of remembrance

A great post on taking the essence of MLK Jr’s message forward

May you find some way to celebrate the courage & dreams of this great man today, and everyday

Oh, The Place You’ll Go!

From Burning Man 2011

WHY

Inner peace. Joy. Gratitude.

West Hartford Yoga

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

Let Go

The phrase “let go” automatically makes me think of the above Frou Frou song. I can’t help it, it is like an instant cue!

Patti Digh posted the other day on “letting go.” The below is an excerpt from her post that really spoke to me. I try to remind myself, every minute of every day is a fresh start. I don’t need the calendar year to change to make new commitments of self improvement!

I decided to listen to my own voice instead.

And here’s what my voice said:

Here, now, this is enough.

Loving what and whom I love is enough.

Living life on a human scale is enough.

Writing what I love and question and care about is enough.

Here, now, this is enough.

I let go of expectations, mine and yours. Of any need to be clever, rich, thin, quieter, hot, even happy.

I let go of people who made me feel less than. I let go of people who are addicted to misery. I let go of any need to be clever or sophisticated or hip.

I picked up my ordinary.

I decided to just be.