A Hint of Salt: Slowing Down + Paying Attention

As I sit to write my July newsletter, I take a moment to pause and reflect on the past six months.

It's so dang tempting to write, “How are we already halfway through the year?! Is it just me or is time flying by??”.

But to be honest, I'm kind of over hearing about how “time is just flying by,” I'm sick of saying it, too. Because really, all that means is that life is flying by, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to rush that sh*t. I mean, don’t we all know what's waiting for us at the finish line?

Life is meant for living is something I have to remind myself of quite often. I'm a dreamer, a recovering over-achiever, and a human being working on recognizing my worth regardless of achievements, level of productivity, or lack thereof. 

Like most things, it's a practice of balance – learning, unlearning, and adapting to the inevitable ebbs and flows. 

Sure, goals and growth help to stoke the life-force energy, keeping the fire and passion for living alive. But if we're constantly rushing towards something or always focusing on that next “thing” up ahead, then we're also missing out on life as it's occurring right before our very eyes. 

The same could be said for staying stuck in the past (and believe me, I'm real familiar with this one). Over-analyzing what unfolded or that which never actually occurred, repeating and chewing on every past decision, interaction, word spoken or left unsaid… While intentional (& compassionate) reflection is both helpful and necessary in order for us to learn and grow, staying stuck in the stuff that already happened (or didn't happen) once again takes us away from the magic of the now: Life as it's happening in front of us.

Thank goodness for this practice that gives us the tools and the space to strengthen our ability to drop into rhythm with the eternal now, like a dance of gratitude for life…

As cliché as it sounds, the now is all we have and all we know. But life is also never stagnant. As I write this I have a lot to look forward to, sometimes wishing that time would hurry up.

But then again, I'm reminded that I'm rushing life. 

My goodness isn't it SO easy to want to focus solely on the big moments, but when in reality, life is made up of very few big moments and lots & lots of small-yet-magical ones? I mean, just the fact that we are sitting here breathing is pretty freaking phenomenal! 

Each morning we wake up is truly a gift, and if our eyes are open wide enough, we can see the magic in the mundane, allowing ourselves to receive the gifts of life as we dance in a rhythm with the eternal now.

You have everything you need. Right here, right now.

Keep showing up.