Let Go

I have been mulling over Saturday's centering thought before blogging. This is a stopper for me. So much so that I've repeated this meditation instead of moving on. "As I let go of the need to arrange my life, the Universe brings abundant good to me". I have a profound need to arrange my life. Some might say I need to have control. I have done enough study and reflection to know where this need comes from and I truly believe that this has been an area of personal growth. Perhaps it is the way this thought is phrased that has me continuing to turn it over and over, exploring the nuances and applications. There is a difference between relinquishing control on certain areas or situations and truly letting go of the need. For me this sense of order, control, arrangement; whatever you want to call it, is a self-preservation tool. Apparently it's time to move past this strategy.

The point of reference for me becomes looking beyond myself. The application of allowing everyone to become who and what they are. And honoring all that they are, not what I want them to become. As a parent this rings true. So often our hopes and dreams for our children do not manifest in the way that we imagine. That does mean that we are less, or that they have failed. I think I need to go back and read again Kahlil Gibran's essay on children. The concept of the parents as the bow that sends forth the arrow child implies that we have control over where they land. But really it's in the hands of the archer that guides and directs the arrow. This realization began this week as I encouraged my family to join me in the meditation challenge and felt rejection by their disinterest. But when I talked about what meditation was doing for me, both my husband and son expressed that playing the piano did the same thing for them. There I went, trying to control even their meditative practice! Today, I will continue working on honoring those I love for all of the wonderful things that they are instead of what I think they can become. And just maybe, through the process, I will learn to apply the principles to myself.

Creating Abundance

One of my favorite ways to spend down time is watching Oprah's new Super Soul Sunday on the OWN Network. Thought provoking conversations with spiritual leaders and people determined to make the world a different place have brought a spiritual focus back to my Sunday morning. I was intrigued when an interview with Deepak Chopra focused on meditation and an invitation to join a 21-day guided meditation on creating abundance. The Universe was speaking! In my years of spiritual practice that began rooted in a traditional Christian path to the present day more open spiritual search, I have never developed a good meditative practice. Yoga has certainly expanded my ability to quiet my mind, but meditating on my own has not been successful. And the focus of the meditation being creating abundance? Great reminder that I actually started a blog based upon my quest for a more simple abundant life. Back to journaling the process!

The one positive experience that I had with meditation came during an amazing get-away to Colorado with my high school friends. We invited a massage therapist to come in and do a group meditation with us before giving individual massages. It was an experience where judgement was non-existent and I learned to acknowledge the wandering thoughts that interfere with a meditative practice instead of fighting their existence. But I didn't bring the practice home with me. It was a moment in time, a preparation for when I would be ready. Now my friends are joing in me in this challenge, once again creating shared experiences of growth across geographical barriers.

It seems a little crazy that starting a 15 minute a day practice requires scheduling, but that's the reality of my life. So much for a simple! A late e-mail on the first day had me postponing my start until the next day. Fortuitously, the next day happened to be Election Day. Instead of turmoil and anxiety I began my day with the centering thought that "Today, I behold all the abundance that surrounds me". Wow. What a great reminder. I am blessed. Blessed that I live in a country of abundance. Hateful rhetoric and prognostications of doom and gloom from both sides of the political divide cannot overshadow the fact that the United States has survived over 200 years of peaceful transition of government. Change transpires, for the most part, without bloodshed and violence. I don't risk my life by casting a vote. Surrounded by abundance. I most certainly am. From that beginning I connected to this experience as coming at the perfect time balanced between need and openness. Join me, in the meditation challenge and the discussion. Comment below.

UofM and M&Ms

 The Secret

In a departure from the usual tone of my blog, I find that a crisis point has been reached that requires immediate attention. Yes, its is crunch time for my beloved University of Michigan Football team. There is no explanation necessary for fans. For those of you are are not fans, return to my blog another day.

You see, I have the secret to a UofM win. That's right folks, a tried and true method that is guaranteed to have the Maize and Blue victorious. It is a long-held sacred tradition in my family. It began when...oh, who am I kidding. I made it up. Thank you to my friend, Mindy, for reminding me that I was not attending to my rituals. I apologize to the team for slacking off during the early part of the season. In my defense, I found that even sacred rituals couldn't help during the Rich Rod era. But as we are now in the glorious age of the return of the Michigan Man, I will slack no more.

Here is the secret, step-by-step, to ensuring a victory.

•  Buy a bag of M&M's. It can be an individual bag or a two pound bag or anything in between. Your choice. Varieties acceptable are plain, peanut and almond. Mostly because I like my chocolate with nuts, but don't want to exclude the purists (this would be for my sister Kim, who is the UofM alum in the family). It is NOT acceptable to buy mint (too "green"), peanut butter or any other nontraditional combination.
•  Pour the bag into a bowl. This is very important. Clear is better. You need to see every M&M.
• Commence eating in the following order:

1. During the 1st quarter ALL red M&M's must be consumed. I am confident that this needs no explanation.  Do not eat any other M&M's except the red ones.
2. During the 2nd quarter ALL green M&M's must be consumed. See above for lack of additional explanation.
3. During the 3rd quarter consume all remaining M&M's EXCEPT the blue and gold.
4. 4th quarter you bring home the win by savoring the blue and gold. 

Well there you have it. I've posted this with enough time for you to run to the store and get your M&M's before the start of the game. GO BLUE!!!