Like the ocean, we ebb and flow in both sides of life: love and fear. We hold the wisdom to stand steady and allow the flow of love and fear

Expectations take me out of the moment and places me smack dab in the middle of stress. Mindfulness means staying aware. I choose awareness.

It feels burdensome to have the responsibility of making me happy. It’s a crossroads I find myself at when I forget it’s up to me.

The breaking open reveals the doors to love and fear, the paradox of life. Both are always present because we are human and we are spirit.

No need to do anything but relax. Listen to your breath. Don’t change anything. You are perfect as you are.

The second valley in The Conference of the Birds is the Valley of Love where reason is abandoned. It's about fire, about sacrifice.

I want my mind to stop for a while and take a rest. Some days I can ignore and other days I am front row center listening to every thought.

Angels come in our lives in unexpected ways. Tragedies always have silver linings.

Without awareness, I have lived my life believing I’ve done something wrong. I am changing that. With awareness, I help those I love.

Your name holds energy. Your name transcends all other words. Our names hold power. Honoring others begins by honoring myself.

The first time I experienced a letting go of me I thought I was dying. I was surprised when I woke up.

As I breathe with an open heart, my ability to stay in this settled presence allows me to listen within and grow roots.

I was more of a black and white thinker years ago maneuvering through the world judging good/bad, safe/unsafe, fun/not fun. I see hues now.

I learned as a child if my clothes catch on fire to stop, drop and roll. Metaphorically, stop, drop and roll is not far off from Covid news.

Pain is a teacher that nags at me when I don’t pay attention. I never experienced unrelenting pain until I was brought to my knees by fibro

Gratitude is grounding and focusing. It is another anchor in my life. I am learning to set aside the old and welcome in the new normal.

The first valley is about casting aside dogma and belief. What beliefs must I cast aside? Attar says, “Bread is always a need of the hungry"

The birth of writing is a metaphor for living. We never know where a journey will end. It’s only important to do the journey's work.

We can choose to focus on fear and predict dire outcomes. Or we can focus on our breath and listen. Healing happens when you do the work.

The mind sticks to what it knows soaking up knowledge by example or taught by often wounded teachers. I am more.