Creating a Sense of Gratitude in your Life. Every Day.

To start the year off right, try these simple practices to cultivate gratitude.  When you're feeling blue or frustrated, use them as tools to get you back to a positive head space.

Stop Complaining.  About people, situations and events that make you unhappy, sad or depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy.  No situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to.

Commit To Your Goals.  When we look for positivity in the little things that make our lives worthwhile, we leave no room for negativity and our goals come to the forefront. Instead of recounting all events of the day, filter out only the positive ones and make a note of them. It could be anything trivial, from your bus arriving on time, your mom cooking a delicious breakfast, to remembering to pay the bills on time. You would not believe how this helps you achieve your goals — by clearing the mind.

Be Kind.  To yourself and others.  It's scientifically proven to make you feel good.  Helping someone selflessly releases serotonin in your brain and hence makes you feel good about yourself almost instantly. Try doing one act of kindness every day to flush out the toxins of depression from your system.

Practice Forgiveness.  Hatred is a negative feeling and harboring it will have nothing but negative effects on your well-being. Stop thinking about the hateful emotion/person and let it go. Remember to forgive yourself too.  

Release The Past.  When you find yourself thinking that the past looked so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening - Stop.  Remember that the present is all you have.  Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

Be Optimistic.  Treat failure as an opportunity to learn a new and better lesson from life.  Never give up trying. Once you start harboring an optimistic attitude towards life, success will automatically follow.

Don't be Afraid to Dream.  Dreams motivate, inspire and expand our sense of self. They also make us happy because they give our lives a sense of purpose. Happy people usually love what they do, and if they don’t, they love who they are. Dreams remind us who we are.

Care For Your Body. Your physical condition has a direct connection with your well-being. A fit body and healthy mind is reflective of happiness. Start working towards the
health of your physical, mental and emotional energy by caring for your body.  Exercise and meditation help calm your nerves, soothe your mind and elevate your mood.

Give.  Cultivate a habit of sharing with others — your money, knowledge, service, wisdom, care, love.  Giving has many unexpected benefits from attracting more happiness into your life, to inspiring others, and changing the lives of those you touch. In the end the whole world is made into a better place. Ask, “how can I serve?” Pay it forward. Give freely.

By practicing these steps daily and being conscious of them, you will learn gratitude at a level you could never appreciate before. You’re made out of love, and there’s an opportunity at every corner to show it.  Excerpted from wake Up World

 

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.”  - Denis Waitley

Lessons from the Wild #8

By now, you've probably gained a sense of the importance Nature has in my life.  As it should.  In all of ours.  We were born from nature, and we rely on it for the very essence of life.  Every time I have the privilege to be immersed in it, I never fail to gain some new insight.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  - Albert Einstein

My most recent immersion was a 9-day section of the High Sierra Route - a much more adventurous alternative to the popular John Muir Trail across the Eastern Sierras of California.  My aim was to do something more challenging... to get off the beaten path... challenge myself.  And I did.  I traveled almost exclusively cross-country - without a trail - crossing six 12,000' passes, and summiting two 14,000' peaks.  There were many lessons I learned along the way, but chief among them was the importance of finding your own path.   

Humans seek. It's what we do. We seek enlightenment, self-improvement, physical perfection, a shorter commute...  Nature is such a strong force in the world that no matter where we live or what our lifestyle, there is always a bit of the natural world creeping in. Even the concrete jungles of major cities are still home to a number of "greenspaces" where the inspiration of nature can be felt. 

“I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures.”   - Gary Snyder  

If you haven't already realized what life changing effects nature can have, you probably haven't spent much time in natural surroundings.  Or if you have, you haven't really taken the time to gain the awareness of what nature does. Nature is a connection to your soul. It's how you spend time getting to know yourself - your true self.

In modern life, while nature is still present, there is a tangible disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for every ailment, GPS units to navigate, and we get our "food" from the supermarket.  Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things, but we need to keep things in perspective and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered.  There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Research has shown that a connection to nature decreases stress and stimulates healing, and it makes people nicer!

As society continues to become more isolating, a growing number of people are uncertain about what to do with their lives - how to add value to it, provide meaning for it, or to simply find some measure of happiness in it.  Spending time in nature can bring clarity.

“Not all those who wander are lost.”                 - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 

Everyone has heard that life is a journey and not a destination. As we journey through life, we can do so with a path in mind. The path doesn't have to be specific at first, or necessarily ever. It could be one we deliberately set, or one with no deliberate intent. A path is as much an expression of our individuality or uniqueness as it is a direction, purpose, or intent.  Finding the right path means getting to know ourselves first. We can have more than one path going at any given time, so long as they aren't in conflict.

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."   - Henry David Thoreau

The key is to become an intuitive navigator.  Be aware.  Look closely and see the signs, as subtle as they may be.  Respect your own individuality.  Not everyone will see things the same, and you may not have chosen the best path, but there are lessons to be learned on the journey all the same. 

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”   - Ernest Hemingway

Lessons from the Wild #7

flex·i·ble (adjective)

1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: a flexible ruler.
2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule.
3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable: a flexible personality.

 

 

Resistance to change is found at the heart of all conflicts, both internal and external.  Yet in nature things seem to evolve without any attachment to what was.  Nature has many lessons to teach us, and one of them is about flexibility in the midst of change.  The basic principle of the universe we live in is evolution – change with growth.  So if change and growth are in harmony with nature, it explains why resistance is painful.  When it come to growth, flexibility is a much better strategy than resistance.

 

"Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it."  - Lao Tzu 

We are often faced with situations where things don’t turn out quite the way we want. The best way to survive these unwanted variations is to be flexible. Adapt to the change. Be creative. A flexible person will be conscious enough to know when they need to be rigid, but a rigid person will probably not be conscious enough to know when they need to be flexible. 

 

Learn to know when a situation requires flexibility. Once again, nature is a great teacher.

 

At work - Be like a hummingbird.  Hummingbirds build nests with specific material to allow them to be both flexible and stable, which allows the nest to expand as the babies grow.  They  also need to be strong enough to weather storms.  Likewise, a leader has to pay attention to building and leading an organization that is flexible enough to “go with the flow” when needed and stable enough to withstand the storms that come their way.

 

At home - Be like a tree.  Trees combines both strength and flexibility.  Because trees bend with the wind, instead of trying to resist it, they can weather a storm without breaking. So too, we don’t need to get bent out of shape about conflict or change. Use the situation as an opportunity to learn, and grow.

 

Remember to be one with the nature of change. Be flexible. Don’t stick to something that doesn’t work.   

 

“Planning is helpful. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll seldom get it. But, no matter how well you plan, you will fare better if you expect the unexpected. The unexpected, by nature, comes unseen, unthought, unenvisioned. All you can do is plan to go unplanned, prepare to be unprepared, make going with the flow part of your agenda, for the most successful among us envision, plan, and prepare, but cast all aside as needed, while those who are unable to go with the flow often suffer, if they survive.”   - David W. Jones, Moses and Mickey Mouse: How to Find Holy Ground in the Magic Kingdom and Other Unusual Places  

Lessons from the Wild #6

pa·tience (noun)

1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

 

My most recent backpacking trip was in the company of a friend who's fairly new to this type of adventure.  Though it has it's challenges, it's wonderful to turn someone on to the magic of nature.  To witness that "Aha!" moment when they get it.  The friend in question is fairly fit and game for most anything.  Still, our group planned something a bit less challenging, just to be safe.  

The hike in was an easy-moderate 4.6 miles.  From here, we'd camp for two nights and venture out on more strenuous day hikes.  We reached camp in the early afternoon, set up tents, filled our water bottles, and debated where to head for the remainder of the day.  The friend, hearing of our destination, opted to hang out by the lake and read. The rest of us set off to climb the mountain looming over our lake.  At the summit, we relaxed for awhile on top, enjoying the magic hour of light, before returning to camp.  When we arrived, my friend greeted us excitedly, talking about the quiet, the birds, the smells, the light...  she was beaming.  

Later, she confessed that after our group had left, she sat staring at the lake.  Lonely.  Bored.  She sat, and she stared, and she listened - for a very long while.  And then she began to see - the way the light danced and shimmered across the surface of the lake, the way the fish caused ripples on its surface.  And she heard - the song of birds, and the rustle of the wind through the trees.  And she got it.  She went from boredom - from seeing nothing - to the joy of awareness - seeing everything.    

Gaining this awareness takes time.  Time that we don't typically allow ourselves in the mad rush of everyday life.  We live in a world where we can pretty much get anything we want right when we want it.  If we need to talk to someone, we can call, text, or email them and get an instant response.  If we need an answer, we can pull out our iPhone and Google it, and have the answer in minutes. So, when we do have moments where our patience is tested at work or at home, it’s easy to get frustrated.

Impatience will not change anything for the better, it only makes us feel worse. Impatience moves us to rush into the next moment without fully experiencing the present one.  Pay attention when you find yourself blindly rushing forward.  Take a few deep breaths.  Focus.  Wait.  Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing, it means reflecting, relaxing, and seeing what develops.  Cultivate patience and you'll not only reduce stress, but make wiser decisions.    

Learn from the lesson of nature, of which we are all an integral part, and let everything unfold in its own time.

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lessons from the Wild #5

There are many lessons to be learned from the natural world. Take trees, for example. Forests cover almost one third of the land area of our planet. They help protect, sustain and improve supplies of fresh water. They purify the air and convert carbon dioxide, water, minerals and sunlight into nutrients and oxygen. And they support a wide variety of life, including many plants, insects, fungi, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

What life lessons can we learn from trees? 

• Be flexible, so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.
• Cycles are a part of life.
• Leaves, though they can be small, are vital to the life of a tree. So value the little things.
• Even a mighty oak grows from a small acorn. Do not be intimidated by small beginnings.
• Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
• In forests, individual trees support one another. How much support do you share with those around you? Teamwork can accomplish much more than the sum of individual efforts, often making the difference between success and failure. 
• Your success and wisdom of life depends on how extensive your root system is, and how solid your principals are. 
• Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

"Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation."  - Charles Cook

Lessons from the Wild #2

Another incredible reminder that being in nature serves - especially when backpacking with minimal provisions - is the value of simplicity.  

"I do believe in simplicity. It is astonishing as well as sad, how many trivial affairs even the wisest thinks he must attend to in a day; how singular an affair he thinks he must omit. When the mathematician would solve a difficult problem, he first frees the equation of all incumbrances, and reduces it to its simplest terms. So simplify the problem of life, distinguish the necessary and the real. Probe the earth to see where your main roots run."   - Henry David Thoreau

Simplicity happens on two levels: the external and internal. Obviously, as people slow down the pace of their lives, they have more time and energy to engage in earth-friendly practices and to be of service to others. But something else takes place on an internal level. When we remove the material and scheduling clutter from our lives, we seem to open up the space within ourselves for deep caring - caring for the earth, other people, future generations, and life on the planet. Simplicity brings out the best in humanity and allows the awakening in which we experience our connection to other people and nature. This leads us to behave in ways that make this world a better place. 

Here are 10 keys to living a fulfilling life of simplicity:

1. Limit material possessions to what is needed or cherished
2. Meaningful work (whether paid or volunteer)
3. Quality relationships with friends and family
4. Joyful and pleasurable hobbies
5. A conscious and thoughtful relationship with money
6. Connection to community
7. Sustainable consumption
8. Healthy living - including exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritious food
9. Practices that foster personal growth - yoga, meditation, journal writing, self-help 
10. Regular connection to nature

Naturally, specific lifestyles of simplicity will vary enormously because what each person needs or cherishes is a subjective determination.  But, if you incorporate these practices into your life, you'll be amazed at the difference you'll feel, both inside and out.

It's only been 8 years since I strapped on a backpack and embarked on my 3-year adventure in the developing world.  What I learned through these lessons of simplicity has made a profound impact on my life - one that has become even more noticeable in my current existence as a San Francisco urbanite.  Less really is more.  As more people learn the art of simplicity, and cultivate the caring that comes from it, the more we can hope for real, lasting change in our world.

"In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first."
- Jimi Hendrix

 

It's a Right, Not a Privilege

Privilege (n): An immunity or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantaged of most.

Right (n): That which is due to anyone by just claim, legal guarantees, or moral principles.

Responsibility (n): Being answerable or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management.

At first glance, it's easy to view these terms as mutually exclusive. From their definitions, we can see that what is a "privilege" cannot be a right since rights are enjoyed by everyone, while a privilege is reserved for a select group. Likewise, it's impossible for an individual to take on the burden of responsibility if they lack to the right to vote in the first place.

Despite this initial judgment, many people view the ability to vote as all three simultaneously and weigh "right" after "privilege" or "responsibility." For example, many believe the ability to vote is a privilege granted to today's eligible voters by those who fought for it in the past either through war, grassroots movements, or legislative battles. These struggles have kept the United States as an independent nation and granted us the right to vote with the passage of the 15^th, 19^th, 24^th, and 26^th amendment, in addition to the legislative victory of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. From this perspective, it is a privilege to live in the United States, standing on the shoulders of these past giants, and we have a responsibility to vote because it honors those who have put their lives on the line to protect it. Excerpted from www.fairvote.org

Respect for every vote and every voice means that while we honor voting and our nation's heroes, we oppose the government having the power to infringe upon our fundamental right to elect our representatives and exercise our voice through our vote. 

There are so many important issues at stake in this election.  Exercise your right to make a difference.  Get out and VOTE TODAY! 

And then check to see whether the candidates and media are upholding our civil liberties in this election at ACLU Liberty Watch.

 

Tea Time #1

I love taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea.  There's something inherently calming about imbibing a warm cup of herbal essence.  Even more enjoyable, is when the tea in question has a meaningful bit of wisdom or inspiration attached to it, as do the Good Earth varieties.  Today's quote is:

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was seen as a champion of individualism and a prescient critic of the countervailing pressures of society. He wrote on a number of subjects, never espousing fixed philosophical tenets, but developing certain ideas such as individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world.

 

Special Delivery

I recently went to an art showing that blew my mind.  

Expansive.  With more than 80 local artists contributing in a space measuring 36,000 square feet.

Thought-provoking.  Social commentary ranging from religion, to politics, to the environment, to what we eat, to who we are.

And about to be destroyed.  September 30th was the last, and one of the very few days when this collection was viewable to the public.  The entire space has since been sandblasted.