Aligning with Grace

I go on my morning walk, and I receive this message: " Go where the Love is." It is a simple message. A powerful one. And one that is not easy to digest or heed. That is not to say, we abandon all the issues and concerns that need our attention. For we must put love and care into each one of them. It does not mean that we let go of trying to make our corner of the world a better place. For that is all we can do - one person and one action at a time. It does not mean that we ignore the state of the world and what is happening all around us. We need to stay awake and aware of what is going on without drowning in all the controversy and information. On the contrary. This simple dictate, as I interpreted, meant a lot to me on so many levels. Often times we spend our time and energy on people and situations that do not nourish us. Or uplift us. Or support us. We might give and give - to the point of depletion while receiving very little in return. Or, there may be...

All of our lives, we are subtly weaving tapestries and webs of connection, and sometimes, the patterns they create sustain us and provide strength and comfort in such times when we feel unmoored and have lost our way... Yesterday, I had the honor and pleasure of celebrating the graduation of a very gifted and talented young woman who has achieved remarkable success - sweetly and deservedly earned - but not without much blood, sweat, and tears. I was profoundly moved at her accomplishments, knowing what it took for her to arrive at this place and time, with such beauty, gratitude, and grace... I never had a daughter of my own, but I experienced the privilege and blessing of teaching and mentoring young women for nearly two and half decades. The oldest of these, are seeing children off to college and beyond - and the youngest are bearing their first children. It gives my heart great joy to witness what incredible women they have become and to delight in their children as well! This...

A few days ago I wrote about An Invisible Thread , a book written by Laura Schroff, sharing her chance encounter with a boy named Maurice that changed her life as well as his - and I've done nothing but think of all the threads of connections in my own life. All of them would weave such a magnificent tapestry! I shared the story of this woman and her encounter with an 11 year old panhandler that  changed the course of their lives with my yoga class this morning. I spoke of the many ways in which our lives are changed as well - through encounters we have with friends as well as those we have with perfect strangers. It is fascinating to consider how often we are destined to meet the right people who often come into our lives at precisely the right times. We might never know the full impact that our kind words and actions may have on others, but we always remember and are deeply moved by the depth of how others touch us... Today, is the second anniversary of a friend who left this...

"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break." ~ Old Chinese Proverb On this cold day, that is also the first day of February, the newness of the year begins to wear off and gives way to the dead of winter. A short snowfall leaves behind a slight covering of snow, that gradually melts. In this kind of weather, I find it very hard to become motivated to do anything. I am restless, and just can't conjure up any energy. And yet, when I least expect it, my heart is broken open... A casual glancing at the recent Costco catalog, which I unconsciously flip through, profiles a book titled An Invisible Thread. .. Wanting to know more about the book and its protagonists, I look up the website and watch a video clip from the Today show, telling the wonderful story of a hungry 11 year old panhandler, befriended by a young executive. I will not r...