Balance

Many times life can seem out of control, almost unbearable. But when we take a step outside of the box, to look inward at the circumstances we are dealing with, it gives us a chance to see that the problems we find to be so burdensome are really just a figment of our mind. We allow ourselves to become so caught up in ourselves, delving deeper into our thoughts, that we just worsen the situation. When one problem leads to another, the next thing you know you've dug yourself into a deep dark hole.

Fortunately, our minds are more powerful than we think. It is within our reach, to change the reality we live in. Last night at a seminar I attended, Swami G. stated that, "If we can take care of our minds, everything else will be taken care of." We must teach our minds to visualize positivity, in order to work ourselves out of the ditch. Pain and suffering does not have to be as agonizing as we make it out to be.

A healthy balance of mind, body, soul, is the key to inner peace. It is essential to treat our bodies as best we can. And when our bodies are healthy, our mental clarity is richer. And when our physical and mental beings are aligned, our soul has room to grow.

So, people, allow yourselves to see the glass as half full! When you stumble, pick yourself back up, brush off the dirt, put a smile on that pretty face, and keep on walking. The path that has been paved for you is beautiful.

When the Sun Rises

I awoke at 4:38am to banging on my window, "Steph, wake up!" I scurried to my phone to see what time it was, only to find that Todd had called me twice in my sleep. I was ready in a heartbeat and to the coast we went. The first thing I did as I lept across the front yard to the van was scope out the sky up above, to admire the stars. What I saw was unlike anything I've ever witnessed. The usual hour and a half drive to Ponce Inlet along the back country roads was swift and serene. As we neared Dunlawton and A1A, we caught a glimpse of the sea, a glassy perfection, waves rolling in.  Fifteen more minutes to go and we would arrive at Ponce, a mystical place. There were already cars packed in the parking lot. The dawn patrol crowd  was on it. About 6:00am and Todd and I were jogging to the coastline. What I saw was a beautiful design. 


We beat the sunrise. When I looked up at the sky I saw what I had first laid my eyes upon earlier in my morning. Three beautiful stars, aligned to fit a triangle. One of the stars was the brightest I have ever seen in my entire life. It was captivating. And the moon was a skinny sliver of glowing light. The sun was climbing its way out of the sea, yet to reach a mountain range of deep gray clouds. As I paddled to the outside, I was surrounded by the quietness of the still morning, my skin caressed by cool Atlantic waters. I would occasional peek my head up above the waves in between paddling, to find a perfect picture painted in the sky. 


I was so thankful that I could be just where I was, in that special moment I was meant to be in. With the passing hour, the sun had risen above the clouds, leaving faint trails of pinkish red smeared into the sky. I found myself staring into the distant light, filling my soul with respect for a new day. With each curling wave, the sunlight created a green glow, shining through, one of my favorite sites to see during sunrise sessions.

My morning surf was nothing shy of fulfilling. Today was a great day, I couldn't have imagined starting my Monday any differently.When we awake, let us give thanks to another breath, another opportunity to make something of ourselves. Let the sunrise fill us with peace and ingenuity to take on a new day. We are free.

Tomorrow

Today is a new day. We are up and ready to go. Most likely we are in a rush, trying to be somewhere else. The mysteries unfold as we approach our destination. And strangely enough, we are worried about tomorrow.

There are so many thoughts on my mind and I am busy wondering about moments that have yet to occur. I am passing obstacles, attempting to beat the clock.  I am anything but still. I am anywhere but here, mentally at least.

We are so consumed by our everyday responsibilities and the things we must do tomorrow and the day after that. Everything around us is so distracting and more times, often than not, our thoughts are farther ahead of us than we are. What if I could be in Hawaii? What if I was driving across country with no deadlines? What if I were sitting atop the ocean with nothing else to do? Reality check folks, your not there, you are here!

Instead of filling our thoughts with many questions and images of places we'd rather be, why not focus on our current reality? We should be grateful for what is around us. Take a breather, and recognize that our surrounding environment can help us achieve our dreams and can help us to be content in the Now. For everything we do is really a means to an end. If I am here, there is no doubt, that it is for a reason. I'd like to think that this reason is to bring me closer to what I truly want in life.

Be positive, think of how you can make today the best it possibly can be, and smile in the moment, because really, that's all we have. Tomorrow will come, as will fresh opportunities. Let go of yesterday, forget about next week, and rejoice in the Now! Trust me, it will make life a lot easier.

"...God will keep you so happy that you won't have time to worry about each day."
Ecclesiastics 7:5

Unexpected Turns

Unexpected turns are necessary if we are to really find our way. For it takes getting lost to be found. But, where there is a shadow of darkness, there are rays of light.

We all have those days where we feel a bit down, when one thing goes wrong, everything else seems to crumble. Maybe we thought we were walking in the right direction, nothing could be better and then all of a sudden, we've led ourselves astray, lost on a dark and dreary road. The good news is, this shade of gray isn't permanent. It may not be my promise, but there is always a hope buried beneath the worry. I was recently burdened with difficulties that seemed to fall into a downward spiral, one after the other. But, beyond the unrest, I knew that I would be okay. I kept the faith and believed that all would work out for the better. Well, by the end of last week, I must say, I was smiling brighter than a thousand suns. I didn't give up because I knew that somewhere underneath this rubble was a beautiful light. Needless to say, we will all be okay. If we pursue our hearts truest intentions and follow our dreams, everything will unravel into a beautiful masterpiece.


Always remember, 
"We may think we are doing the right thing, but the Lord always knows what is in our hearts."
Proverbs 21:2