In the NOW

There exists a sweet moment when my mind and my being are completely in the NOW - in the moment, connected with all that is around me and aware of what flows through me.

It's a moment when my heart is open to Love and open to loving all that is around me.

My head isn't thinking about what will be, isn't making plans, isn't looking back on the past but is only observing and taking in what is here in the NOW.

My awareness extends beyond myself to touch all that is there - the tree, the grass, the bee dancing among the blueberry flowers, the people waking up in the apartments, the ones driving by in their cars, the child struggling on the grass as she learns to ride her two-wheel bike... and the overwhelming feeling/understanding that God is there touching/within/with/through all of these and more. It's a connectedness beyond words.

Sadly, I can only catch rare glimpses of these moments and my mind is distracted and pulls me away - to a thought, to a memory, to a worry, to respond to the greetings of a neighbor walking by. But at the same time, I know God is still there, even when I am unaware.

Such sweet moments,
More precious than pearls.
And they happen anywhere in the world.

- ESA

Listening

How often do we stop and listen - really listen - to what people are saying or trying to tell us? I'll admit, I'm as guilty as others of looking for some point or reference we can use to springboard our own thoughts, insights or comments.

Today, I had an eye-opening moment where I stopped dead and started to read and listen to what someone was telling me. This wasn't something they were saying from their head; it was coming from their heart - from a life of experience and a perspective that was different from any I've experienced in my life and one I really should take the time and effort to learn about and understand.

It takes a lot to keep putting the words out there over and over until someone actually stops and listens. I imagine that there were very many times that she did the same with others and people "listened" politely and never really heard what she said. It takes a special and strong character to keep trying to reach out to others after seeing that time and time again.

And I'm grateful that she took the time to keep up with me until that "ah-ha" moment when what she was saying started to sink in.

How often do I listen - really listen - to people and hear what comes from their heart? I thought I did all the time, but it takes these special "ah-ha" moments -- and more important special people like this woman who helped me open my eyes -- to really see that I don't as often as I thought I did.

Thank you, my friend.

Listen
Hear
Open my eyes and my heart

- ESA