for my children~strength

Strength is so interesting.
We often doubt we have it, but then when we are faced with difficulty, especially in situations we have never been in before, we find we have more strength than we realized.

Physical strength is one thing.  When we are young, and vibrant, we think of physical strength and ability as true strength.  Yes, there is something amazing about seeing our bodies grow and develop new abilities, and mastering new physical skills. Remember the feeling of breaking boards in Taekwondo?  Remember when you first realized you could swim?  I still remember the way it felt to master a new gymnastics skill, especially a scary one that required bravery.  I almost felt like I was magic.

Although physical strength is important, and helps us develop confidence and helps our bodies grow, I believe that mental strength is extremely important in life.  It is said that success in sports is 90% mental.

How do we develop mental strength???

This takes life experience, humility, time, patience, and hard work.  We have to calm the mind to get to the place of inner strength.  Because it's not something outside of us.  True strength is inside of us.

Strength comes from wisdom.  We waste so much energy concerning ourselves with useless thoughts, useless things, useless experiences.  True wisdom is knowing what to concern ourselves with, and knowing what to let go of.  This is day-to-day, sometimes moment-to-moment consciousness.  Think about that.

You are all very strong.  Believe me, I've seen each of your strengths.  Just believe in yourselves and you will be amazed at how you soar in your lives.

christmas in march?

Last Christmas came upon us quickly, right after Sky finished most of her college applications.   The day was spent with family opening gifts and enjoying one another's company.  The day after Christmas two of Sky's childhood friends came from California, and stayed with us for ten days.  We set her room up, dorm style, and adopted two more teen girls for that time.

northern cal visit

I brought my Sky to northern California last November.  We went to see Amma on retreat and we visited a college.  And it was sweet and fun.  And of course, as life always seems to be for us, the visit was full of surprises, that at the time didn't all make sense.  Now, four months later, they seem to.  

family

In family the little things mean so much.  Just hanging out around a table having a piece of toast and getting work done, telling jokes snd stories to the little ones, a good night's sleep, and teaching parents how to use cell phone and snap group photos. These are the things I got experience when I took a trip home by myself last fall.

There is nothing better than family.

for my children~facing fears

There are times in life when we have to look our fears in the eye.  When we do that, we see that there is nothing to fear.

People can tell us this until they are blue in the face but it doesn't really matter until we get it.

We have to get it.  Once we get it, once we make up our minds to do it, then we can do it.

Don't be afraid in life.  There is really, truly very little to fear.

mom and dad celebrate fifty years

How do you begin to honor those who gave you life, who raised you from a tiny babe, who stood by your side at every milestone as well as the day-to-day mundane?  Who were there to watch every gymnastics meet, who stayed at your bedside when you were in the hospital for bone surgery, who planned a surprise party for your sixteenth birthday, who came and helped you after each of your children were born?

I really love them and I really miss them.  Especially lately.

Last fall, my three siblings and I traveled to their home and we had a party.  After all, a fifty year anniversary doesn't happen but once in a lifetime.

Dearest Mom and Dad,
You have taught me so much about faith, honor, hope, and perseverance.  You have taught me about the importance of humor, and kindness, compassion for others who are less fortunate.  You helped me learn when to worry, and when to let things go. You have shown me by your example, what class truly is.

You gave us such a sweet and precious childhood, out there on 10 Fellows Road, in the beautiful countryside.  You worked so hard to put me through really good private schools, and to this day, I love school.  You stayed by my side during hard times, even when I was the cause of them. You always believe in me and help me when I need it.

You have instilled in me the importance and blessing of having a close, caring family. You gave me three incredible siblings, all so different, all so wonderful. I continue to learn and benefit so much from the relationships I have with all five of you.  We continue to help each other and we continue to laugh together.

Mom and Dad, most importantly, you have taught me about love.  And because of that, you are my angels, God's love in human form.  Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart.

a trip i took a while ago

Last fall I took a trip to three distinct places, two in California and one in New York. In California I stayed with two friends, first in the countryside and later in the city. This post is about the bookends of the trip, both visits took place in California.

In life, we try to sort things out, to figure things out.  We look for signs, we look for clarity. Sometimes the clarity comes in ruling out that which does not work for us.  It is often the simple things that lead us to make the big decisions.  A small store that sells fresh baked scones flavored with lavender, priced just right, that says to us I love these mom and pop places.  The smell of the trees and the fresh morning air from a cracked window, that welcomes us to a new day.  The color of the sky at dusk as we walk through the forest.  The glance of an old man over a plate of spaghetti, his friendliness, his smile that says, yes this is a place I will return to happily.  Was he an angel put there by God, to steer us in the right direction?

Whenever I travel I look for what inspires me.  Sometimes it's people, sometimes it's an image, sometimes it's a tree carved from redwood.  Are we walking in the right direction?  One thing I believe, we must always be on the lookout for our angels.