Day 3,433

Growth:

There’s a story of a lion cub raised by sheep that Anthony de Mello shares in his book Awareness. The lion is raised by the sheep, with the sheep, and knows himself to be a sheep. One day another lion attacks the herd of sheep and sees this lion who thinks he’s a sheep cowering and hiding with the rest of the lambs. The attacking lion asks him what he is doing with the sheep and the lion raised by sheep is confused and doesn’t understand. The hunting lion says he is a sheep but the lion counters back that he is a sheep. With that the lion walks the sheep lion to a pool of water to see his reflection. In that moment the sheep lion becomes aware he is a lion and his life is forever changed. In an instant the lion is aware.

Moments of awareness are so seldom instantaneous like this. We often have to work for them, slowly learn through years of reflection and introspection. Occasionally they hit us like a lightning bolt as in this story.

I’m amazed at the power of these moments of awareness. The moment we truly understand something everything relaxes, life becomes more simple. We see the world as it truly is rather than squinting and trying to see it the way that we want. When we become aware of certain things it is a moment of inner peace, of understanding, and we are forever changed.

As I live through one of those moments I’m grateful for the moment itself as it has already relaxed my shoulders and eased my stress. I’m grateful for the hard work, the pain, the frustration, and the challenge of getting to this moment of awareness, without it I would not have become aware. While I can always wish for something to be different this newfound awareness in this situation helps me see that all is well, I see the world for what it is, and it is not the world which must change, but me.

And I have.

Appreciation:

Isn’t it wonderful when our paths re-merge after seasons of splitting? I cannot even being to share how overjoyed I am to have had the opportunity to work with Renee again! As Becky put it this weekend, “You’ve been sleeping much better since Renee came back!”

In Renee my team and I gain a nonstop fireball of positivity, love, and joy combined with strong skills and a wonderful ability to help create a process and system when needed. Everyone in my family was ecstatic to have her back, today I lived a day in which I was reminded multiple times just how blessed I am to have her back in my work life.

Renee, thank you for living into our purpose so quickly, naturally, and effortlessly!!! You’ve already brightened many lives and have made an awesomely positive impact. Thank you for sharing your zest for life with us!!!

Presence:

When all seems dark it is important to remember the moments of exquisite brilliance and beauty. Closing the mind to all around, reflecting on the moment this photo was taken. The time with family, the time in nature, the experience of unmatched beauty. My soul feels lighter.

Thanks!!!