Aligning with Grace

Recently, on a walk, I was almost oblivious to the beauty surrounding me, worrying about something that I can't even remember right now. And then, out of nowhere - I felt this message, very clearly, in the depths of my soul: What was, was. What is, is. What will be, will be. I sighed. What does this even mean, you might ask? I certainly did. I cannot change the past - or maybe even what is happening right now. Whatever happens will happen regardless of what I may or may not do. I could influence some outcomes and change my life and its direction - but I can't be assured of any of those things. What I can change is my attachment to whatever happened in the past - whatever cards I am dealt with now or in the future.  I can look at things with dispassion - and accept them as they are - without attachment. I can also consider things from a non-reactive place. I can change my perspective of what happened in the past or what is occurring right now. I know, it is easier said than done...

Accept what is. As it is. In this moment. Now! This is what comes to me on my drive back from my weekly meditation group. it is an "aha!" moment! It is an unexpected Eureka experience. And all of it seems so crystal clear to me - and easy! Except that it isn't. But in the moment I held that thought - which came to me uninvited, it did seem so easy.  I saw myself sitting contently - watching thoughts go by like clouds on a sunny day - thoughts coming and going. I simply observed them for a while, and then thought to myself:  "All pain, and sadness comes to us  because we do not accept what is.  And really, that is all we have to do,   is simply accept what is.  AS IT IS.  In this moment.  And that moment.  And EVERY moment.  Now!" Could it really be that simple? Well, there is only one way to find out! I will just have to try it!  I will have to commit to letting ...

I believe we receive exactly the messages and insights we need, exactly when we need them. But, you have to be open to receiving those messages! Several times, in the last few weeks, I have received variants of the same basic insights. Yesterday, I drew two cards from the Tosha Silver deck of "Change Me Prayers." I only meant to draw one. But something told me to take one more. And here they are - Love and Acceptance. May be I be changed into one who loves and accepts unconditionally all that I am given - in terms of challenges, opportunities, insights, gifts, blessings, relationships and burdens. I know, it is easier said than done... But the thing is, we are always wiser in hindsight. We can see things with a clarity we did not have when we were deep in a situation. Or, we might not ever see the experience for what it was - or what it gave birth to. More often than not, the choice is ours. I know I will never be perfect. I know I will fail at times. But I choo...