What I wish for you in 2018

I've seen many comments on social media, wishing loved ones a Happy New Year or wishing that perhaps the New Year will bring them something better than what has passed.  Perhaps the hardships are ones that have almost broken you, moments that have made you question your own personal abilities or even your faith.  (whichever that may be in).  

I can't say I wasn't with you on a similar journey.  Learning, becoming and testing.  Along with those, doubt had played a big role for my path.  Although it was there, at times I listened and at times, I didn't.  I can't tell you, which were good or bad outcomes however, I do know now, which I should have listen to and why.  

Trying to decipher between fear and your gut is a hard emotion to formulate however over time while learning to trust your gut and toss away fear, this will become easier.  

That all being said, experiences are one of the most valuable moments in our lives.  We cannot put a price on them, they cannot be purchased nor can they be taken away.

Turn this around..

We see on social media, another wishing a Happy New Year or reflecting on how the past year has brought us on some amazing journeys.  365 days of experiences and moments in which we were taught how to trust, have faith and live in the moment, as far from fear as possible but being aware with our gut.  

That's how I'll move forward.  I will keep on learning, becoming and accepting my choices.  

I wish you all the best for the upcoming year.  To live in the moment, be at peace with each and to learn.  

You are worth it

Deep breath..

You've acknowledged what is going on.

What keeps you back is the fear in which was placed both in your head and your heart.  Although you wanted more than anything to complete your life, what you thought was necessary to do so wasn't outside of yourself.  Not one person, not even your children truly do this.  

Congratulations..

You've decided to make the change.

With that deep breath, hold your own hands and take the step into something you are unfamiliar with.  Trust what you've doubted for so long, your gut.  You are completely capable of doing this, on your own.

Now, for a brief moment.. 

Look back.  See how far you came and hold your head high.  

Compassion

Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be. In simple terms, compassion and love can be defined as positive thoughts and feelings that give rise to such essential things in life as hope, courage, determination, and inner strength. In the Buddhist tradition, compassion and love are seen as two aspects of the same thing: Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness.

Above all, love

For many years, I forgot who I was.

On the path of discovering myself recently, I did while in the service of others.

Not intending to gain, but the intent was to lose myself.  I was unhappy with the direction of the path and feared I could completely lose every part of the woman I loved with the experiences which made me happiest.  Moments with my grandparents, my parents, family and friends.  Those who now, I look back fondly that gave me memories which fill my heart with joy and peace.

Experiences we gain in life are here to help define us.  Which experience we choose will define greatness or let us fall.  

One may see a tree in a yard as a hindrance as they would have to clean up the leaves which have fallen in the latter part of a year, where another would see the tree and fallen leaves as a source of many opportunities.

While my younger son and I were volunteering at a local homeless shelter, he experienced a lesson that I’ve been trying to communicate with him over the years of his young life.  Be kind, love unconditionally and withhold judgement to everyone including yourself.  Without my words, he learnt this in a single moment with his eyes.

Let me back up just a wee bit.

Our lives, in the past, had been one which was influenced by others that they were openly against other cultures, circumstances and faiths.  

Returning to that day I saw his face light up and explain to me.. 

“MUM DID YOU SEE THAT?"

As I stated earlier, we return to a local homeless shelter with food on a specific day of the week.  Friends join us, tables set up outside and it is supported by just those who attend.  Nothing is donated by large corporations nor is it something from the shelter itself.  It’s a choice and everyone is welcome and you just bring what you can, even if it’s just your heart and arms.  

We often would make pasta in large quantities.  The groups that needed food would range up to 100, at times, it seemed more.  This shelter provides a warm place to sleep for everyone of all race and religion, regardless of circumstance.  

This specific night, we were there for Thanksgiving dinner.  We prepared mashed potatoes and brought a few new friends.  After it was done, my son was helping one to her car as I went to grab mine to pick him up after.  As I pulled up, the moment happened.  I was hoping my son saw what I saw. 

This young man, my best guess would be in his early 20’s.  He was of a different ethnicity from us, one that would have been harshly judged by our previous peers that I spoke of earlier.  

This young man, who’s hat was on backwards, jeans slightly down exposing his back end was doing what his heart told him to.  He was wrapping an older man who was incapacitated with a blanked and putting a warm hat on his head.  This young man withheld judgement to be in the service of another.  

This young man did more that he will ever know.  He proved to my younger son that the world isn’t as black and white as others had previously stated.

As I see it, I tried to speak to my son about kindness, love and compassion all the while it took a moment where he saw what I always knew.  I cannot undo this action nor do I want to.  We are blessed with the opportunity in life to see things how we choose.  We are given a life to live.

I have chosen to make life what it is.  Open my eyes, breathe in, breathe out.  Although I feel failure I feel success when I live life.  For each moment, each breath, each sight I know how blessed I am.  I know that I cannot change the choices of another but I can change mine.  I can live my life how I want to and I know, this makes my heart happy.

Make your choice in life, being fully aware.  Try to see things from all perspectives and alway, above all, love.