Gifts Not Gaps

Pain and loss are part of our lives, sometimes personally and other times experienced by our loved ones and thus affecting us.

What are we to do with pain?  How do we healthfully process it and accept it and continue living happily ever?

Pain creates a glaring gap that’s hard to ignore. It creates a hole in our lives and stops us and sometimes even changes the trajectory of our journey. It creates a gap between our dreams and our reality that is not in our control.

Sometimes we get stuck and can only see and feel the pain and fall into the gap. How do we get out?

I think the secret to moving on and processing the pain and moving forward is spending more time focusing on our gifts instead of what is lacking. It’s a practice of gratitude for all that is still good, despite the despair.  The pain doesn’t just dissipate because we’re thinking happy thoughts, but we get to choose where to focus our energy and to adapt to our circumstances.

If we choose to focus on the gap, then that is where we will stay and that is what we will experience the most. If we choose to focus on what is good and working in our lives, potentially, eventually, we will close the gap and be able to move forward despite what’s missing and causing grief. Perhaps the gap will slowly diminish to the point that it doesn’t draw us in and define us.

I think we want to define ourselves by the goodness in our lives and the potential that lies in front of us everyday, despite our sufferings. We understand that pain and suffering exist for whatever reasons, however we don’t want to live in this space for very long. We have to keep choosing to see the good, despite the gap, and moving forward.

I think this is where the mind is very powerful and can help to transform us and help us to live happily ever after, even after experiencing pain and loss, if we are able to choose to allow ourselves this gift of life and all that is good, that is available to us despite the pain, right now.

See the good in you and others and really focus on what is good in our life, and acknowledge the gaps, but don’t dwell there. Perhaps the gap will eventually diminish and become part of our past as it shapes our future, so that we can live fully in the present.

Wishing you peace and love, BeLoveRs, focused on gifts, not gaps.

nAMasteIMG_7211

 

Thousand Oaks

  
   
 I love it here and just being with family and friends.

Today I enjoyed family time getting coffees, and having our nails done, while the boys went to see Star Wars. We did a little shopping and ate shared nachos for a late lunch. 

My cousins came over to visit and my mama made dinner for us, sending food home with them. This is one of her many gifts that everyone appreciates.

Afterwards, we played Telestrations together at the table and laughed our heads off.  If you’re looking for a fun game for all ages, this is it!

   
    
 
This picture was of a milk man. My dad is such a funny artist. This one made us laugh so hard.

Life is good in T.O.!

nAMaste

Took Our Time

Today we took our time to begin another adventure. We slept in and drank coffee while looking at the newspaper. Afterwards, Jeff and I worked out and showered and got dressed for the day and began packing and cleaning.  I have to tell you that it felt so good not to rush and to not let stress in.  This is the best way to travel.

We all worked together packing bags and cleaning and loading the car. We stopped on the road when we felt like it, ate a snack in the middle of the day and truly enjoyed our car ride. The kids had their headphones on and it was quiet and peaceful in our living room on wheels.

  
Life is good.

  Happy Eve before New Year’s Eve!  

Playing and Exploring at Stanford

Here I am. There You are!! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the last few days of 2015.

Here I am, playing and exploring and relaxing with my family this afternoon on the Stanford campus, downtown Palo Alto and at home sweet home.  I want to share with you some of the beautiful and fun things we discovered while wandering and exploring and geocaching.

  
The oval.

   Gorgeous light on a naked tree in a green field.   

  Exploring the new arts building.

  
Gorgeous planters around campus.  
Exercise as play.   
  Charlie found the smallest geocache ever and was so proud and excited! 

    
  Playing with shapes. 
Hoover Tower as the sun went down.

  
Playing together at home.

Life is good.

Happy almost New Year. Wishing you lots of love and peace!

nAMaste

Sweetness

  
This is just one of the sweet things I enjoyed today that made me smile. It’s an Oreo Pizookie and it’s the sweetest thing that hits that ooey-gooey yummy spot!

I wish I didn’t love food as much as I do, but I do!

Julie made me a delicious sandwich today and I think it tasted so good because she made it for me. Have you ever noticed that something you can make for yourself tastes so much better when someone else makes it for you? I think there’s a love additive they add.

And one more food story, just to see if you’re hungry yet…I was the lucky one who got to finish off the last few bites of the Christmas Gruyere au gratin potatoes with arugula and bacon. Mmm…was all you could hear and I couldn’t see anything because my eyes were closed, as I savored and enjoyed the decadent moment.  They were that good!

The other sweet things had nothing to do with food. 

We took down all the Christmas clutter and my house feels spacious again. I love Christmas decorations and I love putting them all back in the attic again before New Years.

The final sweetness involved spending time with friends. We were so thankful that our Dutch friends chose to come see us again before flying back home tomorrow. We loved having them here and fondly remembering our time living abroad, so thankful that we made lasting friendships. Thank you J, S and B for coming by and for dinner. We love you guys! Tot ziens.

Sweet dreams.

xo

(Pop)Corn on the Cob

We stayed home for Christmas and are practicing the art of not having a schedule, which really tests my patience. My family loves it, but for me it’s really uncomfortable to not have a plan. I do find joy in that the day lasts so long doing “nothing.”  At 5 pm tonight, my day was full of nothingness and I was ready for bed.  Not really. But it felt like it. 

I did enjoy watching Christian pop his Christmas corn on the cob in the microwave and seeing some of the popped kernels still attached to the cob. Juliana wanted to eat it right from the ear.

 
I enjoyed the spontaneous moments and a morning hike with friends.  Jeff went to the store and planned and made dinner which made me very happy. He also did rounds of dishes today, so I didn’t feel like I was the only one cleaning up after everyone. The kids all helped with chores too, so this made the day at home much more enjoyable.

We had appetizers together and read and watched a family movie, among other things. I think it’s been good for our souls to not be over scheduled and committed and to just flow. We are actually relaxing! What a concept.

I hope you’re enjoying your holiday break too.

nAMaste

Determination

You know how they say to see the gifts in a person versus seeing what bugs you?  

I just have to share how much I love Charlie’s determination and clearly knowing what he wants and being able to advocate for himself consistently and repeatedly until he gets what he wants. He is an excellent planner and negotiator and I truly admire him.   
Congratulations on selling your Dutch bike and saving your Christmas and birthday money to finally buy your Fixy bike the day after Christmas. 

I’m excited for you and am glad your dream finally came true. I hope you love being outside and riding for hours.

I wonder what you’ll dream up next. Oh, the anticipation!

What are you determined to create or bring into your world?  

nAMaste