Monday’s Random Thought: Natural Response

Roughly five hours into my Monday morning, I see I have scheduled too much for one day. I take a breath.

In the madness of the school routine, unexpected things just happen. I stand firmly in place, I don’t over react. I remember to breathe. Usually I would panic. This time I ease into a long, slow breath.

I receive news that makes me sad. One breath. I feel disappointment. Two more deep breaths. Stuff comes at me, things occur, not in my plan and instead of freaking out, my usual reaction, I remember my intention for the day, “I walk with clarity, patience and light” and I let my breath calm me, still me. Anchor me to what matters.

This takes practice. And more practice. Old routines take a bit of time to break. So I breathe again. I get out of my head and into my heart and feel, listen, and be with my breath.

Breathing comes naturally but so does holding our breath.

So what would shift in your world if you paused and observed your breath, your beautiful, life giving breath, in the midst of things not going the way you wanted or thought they should go? What if you let go of your old way of responding and tried a new way?

Will you see the light? Will you respond with greater awareness? Will you be just totally fine with all you need in front of you?

One more breath. Go ahead, it’s natural.

 

 

Monday’s Random Thought: Out with It

Last night at The Golden Globe Awards Jodie Foster gave an acceptance speech for receiving the Cecil B. DeMille award. I stood up from the couch and stood close to the TV, when she set us all up that she was going to spill the beans. All teary eyed, I blurted out to the kids, Go get your dad. Okay, Jodie (like she could hear me), you go girl, tell us, you can do this.

Jodie Foster is an actress who has done an incredible job of keeping her private life private and last night her words were telling us she was ready to make it public that she was a lesbian.

Then she spoke. Her words were more powerful then saying to the world, “I’m gay”, because she spoke from a place of love, a place of honor, a place of truth.

Why do we care so much if an actor comes out or not?

I was moved to tears before she spoke because I thought, BRAVO, you are ready to no longer keep this a secret. But that wasn’t Jodie’s truth. She stated that she came out years ago and focused on the right to privacy, giving us something to think about.

She’s right. It doesn’t matter to me if she is “out” or not. What matters to me is that she, all of us for that matter, are living from a place of love, not fear, truth not shame, joy not sadness.

I love that she does not live her life conforming to what we all want to hear but instead to the truth that comes from her heart.

by J.G. McGlothern

Monday’s Random Thought: Epiphany

Growing up in a household who celebrated Jesus’ birthday on Christmas, my mom always left the manger scene up until after January 6. That is the day, as legend has it, the Magi came to celebrate the birth of Jesus. She would set the three Wise Men out, away from the rest of the manger scene and let us kids move the three figurines a little bit each day, but they couldn’t be at the “scene” until the 6^th of January. Epiphany.

I had a hard time with the waiting part. I wanted the Wise Men to be part of the manger scene from the day we put it up in our living room. I thought they seemed lonely over on the piano, away from the others.

As an adult, I take down all Christmas decorations, manger, tree, everything on New Year’s Day. No waiting for me. Still. I am ready to begin fresh.

There is a part of me who is anxious to celebrate and take action, now. The waiting can be a challenge.

I don’t know if I really believe the details of the Wise Men story. But I do believe in the relevant truths, in the message. Believing in something, like the Magi believed in following  that bright star in the North, is part of each of our journey. It is what gets us through the dark spots and guides us to rejoice in the bright spots.

What is your LIGHT, your Epiphany for 2013? What do you believe in so much you are willing to follow without seeing? Where does your faith lie? Not easy questions perhaps for a Monday. But they are the questions that get me out of bed each morning, keep me looking forward and help me to continue to on my path. Whatever that will be.

I am learning about the gift in waiting. I am believing in the magic of this life without having to see it first. I am following a star, I don’t always see, but that I feel, in my heart.

by J.G. McGlothern