A piece of wisdom hidden within an action movie?

I was at a movie the other day, when I was reminded of a quote I heard somewhere once:  "Life is what happens when we are busy making plans." Strange, isn't it, where and when these insights show up?   There I was, engrossed in the latest "Sherlock Holmes" movie, when it hit me.  I was told by some who had seen the movie that it wasn't worth seeing, but I went anyway, and I still liked it.  I was drawn in by the fast-paced adventures, a bit of the comedic entertainments, but mostly by the incredible special effects.  At first I had trouble following the effects, as they were fast, and choppy, and there was an incredible amount of movement, the kind that those with a tendency toward motion sickness (like me) usually try to avoid.  But I steeled myself, stuck with it and was fascinated and mesmerized by what I saw and heard.  Often they reminded me of the cogs in a machine, going through their patterns to effect some action.

The most fascinating special effects were those where Holmes was thinking about what he should do in this scenario to extricate himself from the imminent danger.  It was meant to be a split-second of pre-planning racing through his mind, thus the speed and motion of the scene.

What I found most intriguing, though, was the fact that nine times out of ten his "pre-plans" did not work out as he planned, thus leading to surprise, chaos, and of course, near-deadly consequences.  Yet Holmes still managed, somehow, to get out of his mess.

So I found myself pondering this idea... sometimes I think I know what I should do in a given circumstance, but something gets in the way, making me think things are thoroughly messed up - "That wasn't what I meant to happen."   But when I step back a bit, and take in the whole picture, and let go of how I thought things should  have gone, I am able to recognize something wonderful, perhaps even better in what actually happens. Amazing, isn't it?   How has that happened in your life? 

Funny, when I passed my refrigerator this morning, a magnet my daughter had given me happened to catch my eye, and it said essentially the same thing:  "Sometimes, on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one."  Maybe you have experienced a bit of this?


When has "Life happened" while you were busy making plans, and surprised you with something wonderful or fascinating?    Where have you discovered a better dream while you were on your way toward what you thought your dream was?      How open are you to recognizing and just embracing whatever shows up for you in any given moment?

The Trail Less Traveled Calls to Me

So today I decided I would not 'plan' my day, I would just see where it would take me and what I might discover. I just went with the flow.  So I didn't do any "have-to's."  I got up when the sun brightened the day, not with any alarm clock. I ate my breakfast while reading my novel, then switched to my recliner chair to continue my date with my good book. Sometimes I just let myself drift off into a comfortable doze.  When I felt like it I went to the computer and did some household administration... because I wanted to.  Then, all of a sudden I had an urge to go to a movie - something I had not done for quite some while, and so I did - complete with popcorn. Afterwards, I thought I was on my way to the club to work out, but instead I stopped off at a park nearby, for an unplanned hike. The weather was so nice - uncharacteristic for December - that it invited me to enjoy the outdoors, even though I wasn't even really dressed for it. But since I almost always have my hiking shoes in the car, I was off down the trails in no time.

It was here at the park hiking that I had my biggest insight of the day. While taking in all the natural beauty, going along trails I was well-familiar with, I noticed a trail I had not seen before. It was cut in anticipation of snowmobiles, though now, without any snow, it was fair game for me! I was called to explore - one of my happiest states of being! The uneven footing was kind of fun, an it took me through a part I had never been through before. Soon the trail ended at the lake, and I wasn't inclined to walk on the lake just yet, so I was faced with a decision:  to take the regular, well-groomed hiking trail - so much easier traveling;  or to follow the trail that was calling to me - the more natural, deer trail, through the thick of the woods. I love the truth that we are always at choice!  I chose the path less-traveled (by humans.)  It was exhilarating!  To think that I was kicking through the leaves in December!  But it wasn't necessarily the EASY trail. Just as this trail required me to work harder to negotiate my way, it also offered more excitement. I love being able to enjoy a completely different view of the woods that is afforded by wintertime - when we can enter parts of the woods usually off-limits.  Just as this trail was filled with obstacles - thorny vines; thick, dark branches that seemed to be a solid barrier to my progress, only to be easily pushed aside to open a clear path ahead for a bit... just as I found surprises around every corner and over every hill;  just as there were lots of ups and downs, struggles and delights ... I realized that I was also faced with the choice between such options in my real life trail. It is always tempting to take the road that appears easier, but when I am called toward a path that offers new perspective, new insights, moving toward my dreams, I have to challenge myself to answer the call, to accept the challenge, to grow in the skills needed to negotiate a new path, even through obstacles and barriers. I am blessed in my new real life adventure with a little bit of the 'old,' 'comfortable,' 'well-loved,' as well as the challenge to work hard, figure out how to overcome whatever might seem like a block, and  build my dream work.

Where does your mind take you on your 'unplanned' day? What surprise trail have you gone down recently? What is something that calls to you, a big dream of yours, yet seems so difficult to follow? How do you negotiate the tougher trails? 

Counting My Blessings

It seems a good time to take a moment to just acknowledge, recognize and be grateful for all our many blessings.  This season has so many rich images to remind us of those things...

baking Christmas cookies with my daughter,...   the "Santa Coming down to the Chimney" toy that always reminds me that my Dad is present, saying "Ho,Ho, Ho," and "Oh, what's that sound,.. is that Santa's reindeer on the roof."....   the candle scent that always reminds me to relax a little and take in the peace of the moment, ...  cinnamon-scented pine cones in a basket filling the air with sweet comfort, mixed with colorful glass ornaments that tickle memories of past Christmases, and a Gratitude Journal complete with pen, just waiting to be written in again, ... my favorite Jingle Bell earrings, lovingly repaired by my daughter with brand new tiny red bows, so I can frivolously jingle for all to hear, ...   the 'Buddha Board' to write and draw on with water and enjoy only until the image disappears as the water dries - a reminder not to get too attached to 'things,' .....

Then there's the Christmas tree itself, ... sometimes I let it take all of Advent to decorate the tree, little by little, savoring each memory and a few peaceful moments.  Other times we spend one blissful and festive night to put up the tree, add the lights and garlands, then each ornament, one a t a time, with Christmas music and wine or tea.  Occasionally we add something new to the tree - this year it was a few new strings of lights (don't you just hate it when one string of lights just doesn't work?) to brighten up the scene, one white and so brilliant, the other those new LED colored lights that are so much brighter and just 'pop!' And then there is the feeling that bubbles up inside when we see all those carefully (or not so carefully) wrapped packages under the tree, each concealing some wonderful surprise and convey the certainty that we are each loved for the unique individual we are. There is a sense of wonder and anticipation that just can't be beat.



And the hearth is alive with the Christmas spirit, too. Fun depictions of Santa in the unusual poses of a relaxing fisherman (so much like my husband), .... stockings dangling, waiting to be filled with expressions of love, and representing all the important people in our little family, ... a hand-painted plate commemorating the little ones nestled snug in their beds, with visions of sweet things dancing in their heads,...   the Elf Hat just waiting to adorn the head of whoever is this year's 'elf' who passes out presents to everyone, ... and the Nativity scene, with hand-made stable, straw, Mary, Joseph, and soon to be Jesus, as well as shepherds, animals, and on their way, the visiting Wise Kings - reminding us of the real reason for this season - Love being born anew into the world and our lives, to be made room for, and cherished, and worshiped, and shared.

All of these things are representative of the important people and relationships in our lives, the heart of this season of Love.

What are the Blessings in your life?  

I Love My Family & its wacky Adventures!

Wow! What could be better on a Saturday night in our 'brown' Christmas season, than having a Gingerbread House-Making Contest!  What an awesome idea! Of course the fun happens when you get to see everybody's own unique personality come out - and I'm not talking just in the finished product. From the very get-go the personalities are flaring! "Competition" is a word that's almost a drug for my husband. And the contest is on... Originality is rampant... And, by the way, nowhere in our rules does it say that the decorations have to be edible. Of course the first one to make that discovery was Ken. And then I promptly stole the idea!

And eldest daughter of mine is very precise, regimented and logically methodical in her approach - and so was frustratedly yelping and flailing her arms as her very correct 'house' kept dissolving into a pile of rubble. Bri won out, though, as first she managed to construct her house upside down, until it fell again, and this time pieces broke and she was forced to go the 'free-style' approach. Being the smallest person in the group, it was fitting that her finished product also was the smallest, but with lots of pizzazz and color and uniqueness, just like its creator. 

Back to my husband... he created the cutest, most original, and colorful house, and of course he finished first. He only cheated a little bit, though, with one side completed missing a wall and being held up by saltine cracker 'bricks.'  It was amazing to look at! And he was so excited that he quickly took pictures of HIS house, smearing the lens of his camera phone in the process, and texted it to his sister for judging - BEFORE anyone else's was finished. It would have been fortuitous if his camera lens hadn't been so smeared that his sister couldn't even make out the picture - because, by the time we all finished our houses and were setting up for the REAL picture taking, his had  sadly, collapsed into a heap. (see picture below) It was a shame, because it was incredibly cute, just as he was as he quietly worked on his masterpiece, but it never made it to the judging. Ironic isn't it, for Mr. Competition? Just goes to show....

Now, for youngest daughter, our own resident artist, just as expected she worked happily away at creating her art, but also true to Michaela, unfortunate events and forces kept toppling her creations. She is a true artist, though, because each time it toppled she began again, with a new approach, creating new art out of old rubble. The best was her constant giggle lilting throughout the whole process. I must say that she used the added saltine crackers to the best advantage, making colorful 'steps' on the roof - no doubt for Santa and his reindeer, since her daddy had always pointed out the sound of and the tracks from Santa and his reindeer up on our roof, since she was the tiniest wee lassie. 

Our special guest and inventor of this competition, was of course, an architect. Can you pick out his Frank Lloyd Wright-ish design? True to his form he quietly created his structure, step by step, with no collapses, quietly humming and singing along with the Christmas songs streaming from Pandora in the background, totally in his element and happy as a clam. (Does anyone really know how happy a clam is? Must be pretty happy, to have a 'saying' created around him/her!) 

Now some of you might be able to pick out which one I made - a little bit of nature included, and natural elements (ideas completely stolen from others), a lot of color and strange angles,...  It only collapsed once - of course AFTER I became sufficiently smug in the knowledge that I had been working diligently all that time and MINE hadn't fallen.... a quick turn of the tray to get to the other side for the finishing touches, and boom! - both end pieces fall out! I tried to make a swift save, but managed only to 'sort of' push it back together. Ah all in good fun.

Great for creativity, and commeraderie, and laughs and the good cheer of the holidays!  I highly recommend it! Oh and you should have seen the fun mess that we made! Some of US even were decorated! Talk about letting the child within come out and shine ....! Whimsical, wonderful, warm and delightful! Even some subtle lessons of life to be learned, for those who pay close enough attention. May your holidays be as merry and as blessed with love!

What are the activities you do that bring the people in your life together in positive ways? What could you do to spice up your Christmas experience?  I'd love to hear what other people do - we can all learn new ways to enjoy this season and connect with those people most important to us!

What do Simple Rituals and a Kitty have in Common?

Simple Rituals.  There is value in waiting and anticipating an event only one time each year. I am embracing one such ritual, we do every year between November's blustery gratitude and December's sparkling, light-filled Love, connecting us more intentionally with all the people in our lives. Putting up and decorating the Christmas tree with my husband... simple, routine, hands-on, comfortable and comforting ...peaceful,... quiet joy,... dancing around a bit,...taking time out for each other and this special season, ... hope, ... memories, ... Christmas melodies streaming through the air, ... a glass of red wine, ... a fire in the fireplace, ...mellow, muted light wrapping us in warmth, ... colorful brightness in led form, twinkling cheerfully on the tree, ... that warm, fuzzy feeling that settles comfortably in the heart. 

Okay. Now I think I am ready for this season. I can choose to avoid the unnecessary chaos and commercial  glitz,.. infused with this inner glow of peace, - yes, I know I can resist the frantic frenzy. I choose to focus on the people who are important, and the hope and connectedness of heaven and earth. I choose to be more like the kitty in this photo and find my own special place within this season of possibility. Thank you, Obi-wan-kinobie, graceful kitty, messenger of peace.

What are the simple Rituals that are important to you at this time of year?  How are they important? What do they do for you?

That Sneaky Inner Child

Have you ever played that party game where everyone brings a "White Elephant" gift, and then a pan with 2 dice inside is passed around for all the guests to try to roll "doubles?" It is timed, and each time a person rolls doubles they can choose a gift from the pile - as many times as they roll doubles. Then the presents are opened and displayed in front of the person who 'won' them - so far. In Part 2, let the fun begin! When a person rolls doubles this time, they get to STEAL any gift they want from other people - as many times as they roll doubles. Watching this game is hilarious! One person steals a particular gift, then another steals that same gift, then maybe the original person steals it back, and so on. Just watch the energy rise! Listen to all the fuss, and laughing and shouting, and "I dare you's"! When time is up, you are left with only the gifts you've managed to steal or keep. Remember, these are all "White Elephants" - gifts that nobody wanted in the first place or joke gifts. Inevitably, somebody brings something way too nice to be a White Elephant, or another persons 'Garbage' truly IS someone else's 'Treasure. Some gifts you are just inexplicably drawn to I guess. In the end some people are left with a lot of 'junk,' 'treasure,' or white elephants for next year. But everyone is laughing, joking and even sharing their winnings. Ah, the spirit of Christmas, alive and well. Where else can you find meaningful words and phrases like Gift, Gamble, Win, Steal, White, Elephant, Garbage, Treasure, Fight over, Don't You Dare, Over My Dead Body, I'd Like You to have this one, Here-I have 2 so You can have one of mine, Maybe I should go to the Casino tonight, Why didn't you try to guard MY gift?, and so on... all together in one event?  And the best part was seeing the "little kid" in all of us ruling the day!  What a wonderful chance to celebrate all of the best memories of childhood all at one time!

What part of this season brings out your inner child?  How easy is it to coax your inner child out? What happens to your spirit when this inner child sneaks out?   How can you celebrate this feeling?

Snowy Sensations

There once was a song, ..."there's a kind of hush all over the world tonight..."  That's what struck me with a  soft-powder punch this past weekend. What a peaceful flutter of snow drifting down, ... at least from the inside of my window.  When the snow started I was not at home, and a bit apprehensive about the drive home in the snow. But the moment I got to my car, of course blanketed under the first inch or two of snow, (and I, without my snow brush), I began to swipe away at the snow with the arm of my jacket. Magically, the little kid inside of me was released. Immediately I felt this bubble of anticipated 'fun' work its way up inside of me. The snow on my car was a wet snow - the kind perfect for making snowmen! Though I didn't have time to indulge that childhood fancy, that feeling of joy that comes with just thinking about it carried me all the way home with a huge smile on my face and a giddiness dancing in my heart. Then the next tiny miracle... as I approached where I live, I noticed that I had to turn off my windshield wipers, because the snow had become so much drier - just a soft, fine powder drifting down. I felt this transformation in my very being, as I, too began to feel like I was drifting lazily in a warm blanket of snow, in awe of the way it sprinkled the world with purity. Sitting inside my home, looking out at the winter wonderland, there was this peace and joy and warm cozy feeling filling my spirit. I think this is the Advent feeling ... the season of peace and joy that expands our hearts outward, inspired to sprinkle comfort, joy, and peace to the world around us, in the spirit of holiday generosity. These quiet moments of contemplating the snow bring a gift, allowing me to center myself in a sense of wonder and awe, and awaken the Christmas spirit for giving and receiving love. It is a time to anticipate the many miracles of this time of year, yet to come.


When you contemplate the beauty of the snow, what does it awaken in you?


What is one of your special triggers for the feeling of the season's cheer and meaning for you?

Mind Lift

on a dreary november day, I like to remember sunny visions from warmer days...

I just can't allow it! Gloomy skies will not get me down.. (but they sure are trying hard!) Nope.. not even that biting November wind... I will just focus my mind on senses remembered ...   the feel of the warm spring breeze caressing my face as the sun smiles down on tender green grasses ... the cheery white daisies dancing in the rhythm of the lazy, peaceful air, as my heart skips down this mind-expanding trail ... amazing! This burst of color and comforting warm winds, is the scene from the notorious South Dakota "Badlands" ~ but in Springtime. Not so 'bad,' I would say. Right about now, that warm memory is bubbling up through my core, spreading brightness and hope into my otherwise, seemingly dreary day. And my spirit soars above the bleakness, now seeing everything through this lens of springtime newness and adventure and possibility.

What is the "sunny vision of warmer days,".... the "senses remembered"  that work for you to turn your dreary days into brightness and hope? How can you access these visions when you feel dreary?