Moments - D20; Hot Hot Baths

Today I had a hot hot bath at the end of my day.  Being home sick, I feel fortunate to be able to have hot hot baths whenever I want/need one.

Hot hot baths.  A luxury really.  One that helps with achy muscles and stuffed up heads.

A moment to pause and reflect and appreciate.

Moments - D19; Random Roads

Today was laid back relaxing kind of day spent with one of my dearest friends.

She's  been going through some intense life changes, but as she finds the tools she needs to better process through those changes I've seen her confidence build.  It has been soul warming to see this process.  I am proud of her.  I believe she will find her path and walk it with pride.  I feel that time is coming soon!

Today we spent some time in the car.  We were going to check out a festival, but it seemed underwhelming and over populated due to Mother's Day.  So, on the fly, we decided to go for a drive.  We had a direction, but no real purpose or path.  We were not bound by time or desire.  It reminded me that sometimes in life we need to set aside expectations and just walk the path.  (Or in this case drive the path!)  She and I enjoyed our 1.5 hr drive from one city to another.  We experienced things we wouldn't have otherwise experienced had we not followed random roads on our journey.

It was a reminder - a moment to share and remember.

A moment to remind us to let go of plans and expectations.

A moment.

Moments - D18; Death & Baptisms

Today started early for me - 4:50am. I was on a train to Ottawa leaving at 6:40am. Coffee in hand, I fully intended on sleeping on the train. Two hours into the trip and the train comes to a halt.

There's been a tragic accident ahead of us. Someone trying to run across the tracks was struck and killed by the train heading to Toronto. How incredibly sad. Overall we were delayed by 2.5 hours by this incident. Long enough for the woman sitting behind me to miss the baptism that she was headed to. Life and death. Present. The cycle of the world us ever present today with me.

It was a big reminder to live everyday to its fullest. To be true. To be open.

Death and Life.

After a day of relaxing and catching up we were sitting on the balcony enjoying the spring air. The clouds were a stunning swirl of colour, layers and textures. The sun breaking through and its rays bathing the sky in warmth. It was a beautiful moment. And in that extended moment, I thanked the universe for all that I am fortunate to have in my life. For today, someone's family is mourning. I am fortunate. I am surrounded in love and light.

Moments to reflect.

Moments to remind.

Moments - D17; Lost in the Music

Today’s magical moment was born out of an evening of music.

Music is special to me. I’ve always related to music throughout my life. Every milestone in my life has sound associated with it. Some are songs that I love to listen to over and over, and others can be painful to sit through.

That’s the beauty of music. It can transport you to another time; for me it transcends time. I can listen to “More than Words” and I’m 18 again, on the dance floor with my first love. I can listen to “New Orleans is Sinking” and I’m at the best concert I’ve ever been to in a Best Western in Pennsylvania when I was 25. I listen to “Leavin’” and I’m fighting with myself to stay or leave my husband (now ex) 7 months ago.

Yes - music is an integral part of my life. And tonight it was sharing Big Wreck’s music with my best friend who just happens to be a HUGE HUGE fan. We danced. We sang. We completely zoned out to the music. It was an amazing evening and having had the opportunity to really zone out and dance….yes, that was a beautiful thing. It’s been too long since I felt such abandon to the music. I am thankful to have had this moment.

Another chapter in my musical memory.

A moment to remember. 

Moments - D16; Hidden Treasures

Today’s  magic moment:  Finding something you didn’t know you had!

Yes - this moment brought an insanely large grin to my face.  I found, in my new car, a compartment near my visor for sunglasses.  I didn’t know it was there.  I never looked that closely before.  BUT, since it was a sunny day and I had my sunglasses on I played with my visor….and accidentally opened this magical compartment!

Sweet!

A silly moment to remember!

Moments - D15; Lilacs and Rainbows

Today was a great day, but today’s magical moment isn’t the amazing concert that I went to….no, no no. That would be too easy. (And it was pretty incredible, I sang my heart out!)

Today’s magical moment isn’t the two beautiful souls that I shared such an amazing evening with. Nope. Too easy.

Today’s magical moment was walking home from the bike shop. The air was clean from the fresh spring rain and slightly perfumed with lilacs. Every step…every breath I enjoyed. I smiled. I paused to appreciate the beauty of it.

AND that magical moment was quickly followed by seeing a VERY subtle rainbow on the horizon. So subtle that I wondered just how many others in their rush hour drive paused to notice the sky and its beauty.

Moments.

Pause.

Breathe.

Repeat.

Today, tomorrow and always.

Moments - D14; Forgiveness & Breathing

Forgiving a deep grievance is never an easy task.  I honestly believe that people don't typically intend on hurting others.  I believe that most of the time grievances are born out of fear.  Fear of action.  Fear of inaction.  Frozen.

In my opinion (should anyone care to hear it!) is that there is too much fear in our world.  We fear failure.  We fear success.  We fear others and worst of all, we fear ourselves.  We fear looking at fear dead on.

I am a being that likes to recognize fear.  To analyze it and to question it.  This does not mean that I am without weakness to its painful grasp, for I surely am.  But I believe in love and light and sharing that love and light AND accepting that love and light from others when I am so fortunate to receive it.

In the past month, I have had several deep grievances thrust upon my being.  I don't fault the souls that fell victim to their fears, if anything I am saddened by the loss of love and light in their lives.  I forgive them for their actions.  I forgive them for their inactions.  I know these were born out of fear and not of malicious intent.  I forgive them....and I mirror back to them love and light.  May they find their way through the darkness that envelopes them.

As I have processed through some of these grievances I have learned the importance of breathing.  Of stepping away from the fear that can grip you.  Pause.  Breathe.  Repeat.

A couple of long exaggerated breaths can give a soul a wondrous change in perspective; the fear dissipates and you are filled with love and light.

Pause.  Inhale.........E X H A L E........

Repeat.

Yes - it is magical and so deliriously simple.