February 2021

Dear Blessed One,

Being here - now - we get to enjoy the beauty and the gifts of life. Imagine life as a beautiful hike. Being overly concerned about all the things that could go wrong while hiking (life-ing), like startling a bear, you could miss the magnificence and beauty of the hike.

Right here, right now, breathe in the splendor of you. Your precious presence is all that is needed to quiet the mind and open the heart.

Watch the tree as it sways in the breeze, follow the rain as it drips from the leaves. Explore the flowers or sing with the plants and bypass the mind's fearful chants.

Over and over throughout the day, give yourself the gift of one, deep conscious breath. If the mind is wandering to fear-producing thoughts, pause, breathe, and redirect attention to something here and now, even if (or especially if) it's tending to someone who is very ill. Worry is of the mind; come back to the heart and share the energy of Love with self and other. Love is calming and soothing. Fear is frenetic energy and stimulating. Both are contagious.

We have no idea when the dance of life in this dreamstream is complete. Life can be a beautiful hike when we are present for it, all of it -- the laughter and the tears, the pitfalls and the cheers.

Someone shared with me, in order to protect yourself from bears when out hiking, wear tiny bells. He said most bears will shy away from the sound. He also said to keep an eye out for bear droppings on the trail. You'll know it's bear scat by the tiny bells in it.

We cannot predict when our time here is complete. Take in every breath with gratitude for this precious moment, whatever it is. Life is not always easy or fun, however, it can always be appreciated. We are constantly being gifted by life. Some gifts are difficult to receive, receive them anyway.

Edward Abbey once said, "May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view."

And that is my prayer for you.

Much Love and Blessings to You!
shellee rae

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ~ Henry Van Dyke."