I realized this morning what is arising in me: I feel scattered. It is a natural feeling from time to time. My presence is not gathered here; I am all over the place in my thoughts and feelings. Perhaps that feeling sounds familiar to you? Perhaps being scattered wouldn't bother me too much except I … Continue reading Out of Focus
Author: James
I am a seeker, a contemplative, a husband, a father, a son, and a friend. I have found that everyone and everything is infinitely precious and unconditionally loved for the gift they already are.
Wrestling Adventures!
How are you feeling right now? How am I feeling? Adventurous. This weekend we are traveling to watch a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) Smackdown event. If you believe this is unusual for me, you are correct. Since our children became teenagers, we stopped giving them physical gifts for their birthdays, offering them their chosen … Continue reading Wrestling Adventures!
Joy of Being Thankful
I find it meaningful to begin my day in gratitude. So I have a gratitude practice. Gratitude Practice (summarized) Open my journal. Close my eyes and “breathe myself here.” Open my eyes and say, “I am thankful for…” Write name by name what arises from that statement. When I reach a “stopping point,” repeat out … Continue reading Joy of Being Thankful
Receive and Release
What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life? I begin each day with meditation. If I do not begin my day that way, the experience of the day is altered, seeming less “real” and more reactive. This daily practice of “letting go” helps me live more awake and attentive to the … Continue reading Receive and Release
Tech-Challenged Technophile
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it? I enjoy, invest in, and regularly play with/utilize technology in a variety of forms. I imagine I am “tech-savvy.” Searching for simple tech how-to’s on the web is embarrassing for me. Yesterday I as listening to the Acoustic Hits playlist … Continue reading Tech-Challenged Technophile
Life As It Is and Could Be
What TV shows did you watch as a kid? There were three notable shows that immediately come to mind from my childhood. The first was Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, a show about nature and the realities of animals. I remember looking forward to the show weekly even when it was a repeat. Marlin Perkins … Continue reading Life As It Is and Could Be
Deep Silence before Dawn
What's your favorite time of day? I have a weekly habit of arising at 5:00AM on Sundays, in the pre-dawn hours. There is something about how the Silence envelopes me at the time that brings an inner peace. I was not a morning person at all most of my life. I rose early only occasionally … Continue reading Deep Silence before Dawn
Another Beautiful Day
Sundays are the day I consistently rise before the sun. I am awake by 5:00 AM and in “my chair” by 5:10 with a cup of coffee and the Silence as companions. This morning was no different and completely different. My space is at the back of our house, a small room addition with windows … Continue reading Another Beautiful Day
A Dream Last Night
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about. Awakening this morning, I was excited to remember a dream. It is rare for me to recall one at all, let alone clearly. Here is how I might summarize it: I was back at university; the grounds were very familiar from the time I was … Continue reading A Dream Last Night
Practicing for life
My title really should read something more like, “I used to practice for life as if life and practice were separate instances.” I have an everyday practice: meditation, journaling, reading, listening. I come to my space and sit. This sitting sets an intention for the day, an intention to inhale and exhale, to receive and … Continue reading Practicing for life
Infinitely Precious 