Friday, September 23, 2011

Gifts from the Sea


The sea does not reward those who are too anxious,
too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open,
choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh


There is something about being near the sea that changes me. The juxtaposition of fury and serenity settles beneath my skin to my cells and soul, helping me to renew my acceptance of the ebb and flow of life. I am always changed and better for the experience.

Recently I had the great pleasure of spending three weeks by the sea, up the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine, and around the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was an awesome, incredible, breathtaking and jaw-dropping journey. But, in spite of the excitement and joy that comes with great adventures, I also carried with me a deep sadness and great concern as some people I love were experiencing great loss and difficult challenges in their lives at the time of my departure.

Then one evening, on the shore of Peggy’s Cove, on the Southern coast of Nova Scotia, the waves wild in the wake of hurricane Lee, I saw that even after being tossed and tumbled by the fierceness and rage of an angry sea, the beach and shells and rocks and bits of washed up glass had come to rest at last; glistening in the sun, rough edges smoothed, beautiful in a new and triumphant way. And I knew that my loved ones though tossed and tumbled by the harsh, tumultuous occurrences currently in their life, would one day also be glistening in the sun, softened and peaceful again. I was filled with joy and gratitude.

Beyond the heart and head filling memories and images gathered along the way of my travels, I have returned with something else: a gift from the sea – the gift of hope and peace, and a renewal of faith that life, like the sea, will be full of highs and lows, of rage and stillness but if we lay ourselves open to its cycles, trusting that calm will come after the storm, we will arrive on shores worth reaching.

In the vastness of our surroundings there is always something that can show us the way to a deeper knowing.  Whether a small shell or a great ocean, there are truths and wisdom to be learned from nature.  Take the time to see and listen – you’ll be grateful for the gifts.

Happy Trails,
D

 Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

Dorothy  There were other gifts along the way as well:  The comfort and joy of spending time with dear and special friends, the rekindling of long ago friendships with people who still have the power to make me a better person, and the companionship of the quintessential traveling buddy; an extraordinary women with whom I look forward to always taking the scenic route, on the road and in life.

Susan  I'm in one of the "calm water" segments of life.  But, that doesn't mean I don't have concerns, or trials every day.  Despite some random uneasiness, I'm enjoying the respite this calm brings, because I've been here before and know that the one constant in life is change. Change comes in many forms but, I believe it shines light on something that needs to be reviewed, therefore, it's productive and helps me better myself.







Saturday, September 17, 2011

Dream Lofty Dreams

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. 
Your vision is the promise of what you shall at last unveil.
- John Ruskin 




This has been a week of remembrance for those of us in the US as well as many around the world.  Remembering where we were ten years ago and comparing it with our lives today brings feelings of relief, expectation, concern, as well as questions about whether we are living in a way that will build a better future.  Conversations about our direction and whether it is positive and will help us take the next step toward growth are occurring everywhere.  I believe these conversations are very positive and will help us identify what we need to do to make our lives and our world more peaceful.  
I’m writing this blog on September 11, and identifying with the feelings of people I’ve talked with today.  Some seem stressed and fearful, others resigned, but many are grateful and determined to find joy and peace.  The most endearing was a woman named Nell, who served me my breakfast.  She exuded positivity with her body language as well as her words, I was so impressed with her compassion and the honesty of her expressions of joy.  I told her that her pleasant nature and joy was an inspiration and that I appreciated meeting her.  Her reply was simple and profound ... “I know it’s a sad day for so many, but I just try to make it a good day”.   She is genuine in her determination to make every day the best it can be. 
 I finished my breakfast while reading an article in the LA Times, and was drawn to comments made by NY City cabbie Vincent Bury, as he talked with a journalist about the anniversary of September 11.  The events of ten years ago inspired most of us to assess our lives and many found gaps between what we want our lives to be and what they are.  Bury described the events of September 11, as “a wake up call to mankind” we all have the responsibility to “contribute some light” to our families, neighbors, communities and countries.  Profound words and a call to action for all of us.  
Change comes slowly and with effort, but it’s well worth taking the journey to pursue our goals.  Gentle acts of compassion and the determination to improve our life inspire and give hope to others as well as help us see the beauty that is all around us.   The conscious choice to contribute light to our own life will have a profoundly positive effect.
Susan
Dorothy is traveling this weekend and I wish her happy travels!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

In Memory....

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 2,977 people from 115 nations
left home expecting to take their seat at the dinner table that night.

May the memory of that horrifying day be a reminder
that we do not know what lies ahead.
Make today matter.






We must continue to honor those who died September 11, 2001, by living the best life we can, by being good neighbors, citizens, stewards of the earth, by remembering that every minute is a gift, by practicing kindness and compassion, by accepting our differences, and by working together to make the world a better place for children and other living things.

Love One Another,

Dorothy and Susan

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Optimism vs. Pessimism



The optimist claims we live in the best of all possible worlds, 
and the pessimist fears this is true.

Recently Dorothy and I had the opportunity to have lunch with Charley and Preston from The Pay It Forward Experience and we all talked with a stranger about the current state of the real estate market and financial industry.  This encounter firmly reminded Dorothy and I that what we’re promoting with The 51% Project can be quite challenging.
We’re asking that you consider making a change in your thought patterns; possibly a dramatic change, in fact.  We believe this change will improve all of our lives.
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?   Pessimism is probably not a description anyone wants to have attached to their persona, so we delude ourselves by saying that we are “realists”, or that we’re simply being honest about life.  But, if we dwell on the negative stories in the morning news or regularly rush from the TV to the radio in our car, or computer for more input, we’re probably pretty pessimistic.   If we begin thinking the worst and allow ourselves to incorporate all of the terrible things that might happen into our streaming thoughts, we’re setting ourselves up for great sadness and our life glass is half empty ... maybe even more than half empty.
Being aware of current events provides us with information that helps us make good choices, but fueling our minds with negativity by repeatedly listening to the same news stories as they are reworked throughout the day sets us up for defeat and pessimism.   It doesn’t change the foreclosure rate, or help those who are threatened with it, nor does it stop the wars or calm Wall Street investors.   But, there is something that will make change happen, and all of us can participate.   It’s offering our time, expertise, and possibly some financial resources to help others make positive changes in their lives.  And helping others has a tremendous side benefit ... it makes our own lives better.  
If you have expertise in financial management with your business, or you efficiently manage your household budget, your time and energy can be donated to churches, synagogues, and community education classes to teach those skills to others who want and need to make changes in their lives.  If you love to cook and you pride yourself on making healthy, budget conscious meals for your family, you can educate others about budgets and nutrition.  If you’re skilled with commonly used computer programs, you can teach the basic skills and give the gift of computer literacy to others.  You don’t need to be a certified educator, you just need to be willing to help.   By doing so you’re paying it forward  and making a difference in your community, and in your life.
Remember, neurons that fire together, wire together.  Thinking positively just 1% more each day may not be easy at first.  Like anything else, doing it well takes some practice, but if practiced regularly, it becomes automatic.
There are many people in this world who have made it their life’s mission to help us make positive change, I applaud and support them.  Thanks to all of you!
Looking for the positive ... Susan
SUSAN:  This week has been a lesson in moving through negativity without letting it affect me.  I’ve spent more time around people who, in the past, I have allowed to drag me down their negative path.  This week it was different, I was different, and I believe my change in attitude made them react to me differently. 
Dorothy is having a well deserved New England adventure.  Safe travels, I can’t wait to see the beautiful pictures!