Tag: Pause

Thankful for a Book of Grit, Pausing a Moment, & a Moment of Cosmic Perfection

Day 3,913

Growth:

The book Once a Runner by John L Parker remains one of my all time favorites. This is not due to the story itself, the writing style, or the topic. What it boils down to is that this book is all about grit, all about having to work insanely hard towards a dream we want, to put in the countless miles of trials to see that one dream have a chance of coming true. Over and over again it loads up so many save-able quotes on grit. One of my favs is this one that I added to a picture of Dominic edging out his competition by leaning over the finish line that really nailed the spirit of the quote.

Appreciation:

When we press the pause button on the whirlwind of life we’re able to see and create some incredible things. So often we get caught up in the inertia of everyday life and blow right past so many opportunities we could have taken had we slowed for a moment. Today I was reminded to pause, to breathe, and to intentionally put my focus into a specific action, directing the energy in one exact direction, making tremendous progress on a goal. Interestingly enough, it was a pause to focus on helping others pause!

Presence:

The magic moments when you feel the Universe giving you an enormous hug, blessing you in a moment of cosmic perfection. Nothing specifically perfect, an overwhelming sensation of being exactly where you are supposed to be in a specific moment, seeing the beauty of nature all around you, listening to the perfect song for that specific moment (Bow and Arrow by Reuben and The Dark), knowing all is well regardless of the sate of anything. The moment of knowing you are loved, you love others, and all humanity shares that common love. For one fleeting moment all is at peace, all is exactly as it should be. A single moment of perfection to heal the pains of the soul, to re-direct and focus on all that is good and love in the world.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Pausing, Reflecting, and a Single Maple Tree

Day 2,197

Growth:

The growth moment for today is one which has presented itself in a handful of ways over the past week or two. The lesson has shown up as a very clearly and directly as well as undervocer as a metaphor and as a lived example of why it is important. All around me are these clues and gestures which point to a better way of being.

The lesson? There’ve been a handful of subtle variations but at its core is this…

Count to three, take a deep breath, and then respond. Don’t react immediately, take a moment to pause and think, and then take action.

So wonderfully simple and easy, yet wildly difficult. So much more work to put into my practice of doing this correctly.

Appreciation:

My gratitude today comes as a result of a few different articles in APNews.com recently. I am so blessed, fortunate, and grateful for my life in this country. While I drive with my family to go for a leisurely hike in the bluffs there are so many people living through unspeakable challenges throughout the world. The situation I live in each day is very fortunate and I’m thankful for the life I’m able to live. My heart aches for those in difficult situations, I know I must do better to help others who need it.

Presence:

Hiking in the bluffs always brings about such calm. The smell of the woods mixed with the spectacular vistas could help me lose myself in the beauty of the present in an instant.

What really jumped out to me today was something truly exquisite. While atop the ridge of a bluff we looked over the expanse of the Mississippi River Valley. So many trees, plants, rock formations, backwaters, and so on along the river, beauty ot be found everywhere. Where I lost myself in the present during that time was when my eyes chanced upon a single maple in blazing red standing all alone amongst a sea of green leaves. It was simply stunning.

Thanks!!!