Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away

My husband Laurence was gifted a ‘previously owned’ ipod. We’ve had it for months but did not know how to add our own music to it. Besides, I really didn’t understand what the attraction was with having an ipod. I have to be in the right mood to listen to music. I like quiet time to be able to brainstorm ideas and work on my writing. So figuring out how to use it was not a priority.

I wanted to download a TV show Laurence had missed. After many attempts, I was able to download the TV show and some music. On Friday I tossed it in my purse thinking it was my palm pilot and left for some appointments. I ran some errands at the mall and sat down for a snack. I saw the ipod in my purse and thought what a perfect opportunity to try it out.

I put the headphones on and the noisy mall was transformed into my personal concert hall. I could see people moving their mouths but all I could hear was the beautiful music of Enya. I sat for the longest time not needing to read or write but to simply sit and enjoy this soothing music. I felt rested, peaceful and filled with joy.

Being a baby boomer I can be a little slow to catch on to things. But I found I am not alone. I was talking with a couple of members of my woman’s group last week and proudly announced that I have a new blog. One friend said, What is a blog anyway? and the other one said, I would just like to figure out how to back up my computer.

So I am proud of my ability to access technology, as slow as it may be. Actually, I am now shopping for the best deal on an ipod nano. Laurence may ask for his ipod back any day now.

Where ever I go, there I am

A friend told me she left her job because she didn’t like the people she worked with. I remember a time when left a job for the same reason. The funny thing was, when I went to the next job I ran into the same ‘type’ of people. Whatever mannerisms or behavior I didn’t like showed up in other people at the next job.

Through my spiritual practice, I discovered it wasn’t the people that I didn’t like. They pushed a button in me that registered a fear or belief that I didn’t want to look at. It seemed like it was just easier to leave. But it wasn’t. That same pattern in people showed up over and over again until I healed it within myself.

I think I have more compassion now. When I recognize that everyone is dealing with some kind of limiting belief or fear, there is more room for compassion and understanding. As the saying goes: Where ever I go, there I am.

Why am I not enough?

I was surprised at how I couldn’t let the issue go. I talked to a friend recently and she shared good news about some goals she had accomplished. I congratulated her and immediately went into comparison about where my life is compared to hers. Why wasn’t I at the same place that she was? Why haven’t I progressed farther than I have? Why was I having difficulty achieving my goals? Why am I not enough?

The truth is that I was fine before the conversation. I was happy with my life and content with the goals I have set for myself. There should be a warning label stapled on the forehead: Comparison can be hazardous to your health. We compare ourselves all the time. We are brainwashed by fashion magazines, TV, movies, advertising…to name a few.

When we compare we negate what we have done. We begin looking at what we don’t have or haven’t achieved. The more we look at what isn’t working the more we see what is. Universal Law #24, Whatever I put my attention on increases. The more I thought about it, the more I saw where I was lacking.

Gratitude can put a stop to the most aggressive judgments we have about ourselves. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve women. I am grateful for the opportunities to write, to speak, to teach, to share powerful tools to inspire women’s lives. I am grateful for the abilities and possibilities I have each day. I am grateful for being me. Actually, I think I am.