Resolutions in the Sand

I know it is a bit after the New Year proper, but I want to share this delightful story. You can put the idea into action anytime you are ready think about your resolutions.

Some friends of ours have an annual tradition of going to the beach at low tide on New Year's Day. Yes, I know. Not all of have beaches with low tides that we can access, but be creative and see what you can devise for yourself. They then write on the sand what they want to let go of in their life right now, and what they want to bring in. It takes them most of a tide and the beach is filled with writing. The couple started this tradition before they had children, and now they have three. All of them attend to this yearly ritual. By the high tide the thoughts are erased and sent away to where they need to go - to manifest at a later time.

For me there is something deeply cosmic about using the earth's rhythm to connect with human wishes and desires. Somehow it all seems appropriate and organic to blend the two. For those who don't have beaches, perhaps find a place where you can write where the rain will wash away the notes. Be creative to think of what nature can provide you to whisk away your resolutions and return them to the Universe for processing.

Let me know how this works for you.

Going Away Party

Sara was moving away. At her going away party, her sister-in-law made up a clothes line with an airplane on one end and a mile marker on the other. She also made up little post card sized suitcases with a string attached, so everyone could write her a message and they were tied to the line - a simple way that friends and family could send best wishes to Sara as she started her new life. She could save the cards and read them when she got lonesome and know that she was loved and supported as she started a new adventure.

Simple, effective, inexpensive - a delightful way to send Sara off. I didn't hear, but I do hope each person was able to read their note out loud, because the witnessing of the wishes becomes even more meaningful when shared.

Today's Saints

My husband and I attend a small Methodist church in our town. We have a new minister who is bringing us delightful insights and perspectives. Read about what happened yesterday.

We were celebrating All Saint's Day (normally November 1st). In the front of the church as we walked in was a very large bare tree branch - no leaves at all. In the bulletin everyone found two paper cut out autumn leaves (yellow and orange). Our assignment was to write the names of the saints in our lives - not just the ones from history, but ones who we have known. We then were instructed to attach them to the tree. By the end of the service our bare canvas was a cheerful expression of important people who have passed on and influenced each of us in a

special way.

This was a lovely ritual/expression of remembrance - new to our congregation, but received with joy, increasing awareness, and appreciation of the saints who have resided close to us. For me it was an unexpected meaningful moment. I am so used to planning them that when one was sprung on me, I was thoroughly enchanted - and from an arena where I wasn't expecting it. We can create unique occasions when we become aware of the many opportunities that present themselves on a regular basis. Keep your eyes open, and you may be surprised where you find them and what they are.

New Book

Finally after ten years of planning, collecting stories, writing and rewriting, "Celebrating Beginnings and Endings" is a reality. I have 200 books at my house. The publish date for the public is January 2012. That's when you will find it in outlets and Amazon. At the moment I can sell them myself, so contact me if you can't wait for the public release. They are $19.95 + tax.

If you have been following this blog, you probably already have the gist of this book; inspirational vignettes of what people have done to mark significant milestones in life. It also includes a recipe and tools to help you create your own unique celebrations.

Be prepared to change the way you do the business of loving and connecting. You don't have to wish for a different approach because you now become the designer creating your reality.

You can contact me through info@mark-the-moment.com

"Cherished"

I have introduced you to my 104 your old friend, Victor, from previous stories. This is the latest adventure with him. He is in his closing days on this earth - with one foot in our world and one foot in the next - yet he still loves company and can communicate in his own way.

A couple of weeks ago my string quartet and I went over to play a Haydn quartet for him. It is a little tricky to think about what I can do for him at this time in his life. His eye sight is gone. His hearing is keen and he has a love of classical music. Bringing the music to him was an interesting possibility. The day was glorious. His room is a generous one, but a bit on the small side to hold an entire quartet with stands, plus the intensity of the focused sound in that live room might have been a bit much on his senses. We set up outside his open windows and played for him. He could hear it all from the cozy comfort of his bed and we were seated in the lovely yard in the sunshine.

As I went in to say good bye to him, he lay there for a minute, then said, "I feel cherished."

We were all touched by that little statement. It summed it all up!

Finding a way to share is worth the effort. You offer what you can and let go of the outcome. In this case our payment in the form of that little statment was more gratifying than I could have ever imagined. Let your heart lead your way.

Graduation Story

Our nephew, Chase, came to visit this weekend. He is finishing his fifth year of college and graduating. We hadn't seen him much during these academic years and were curious as to what they were like. Eight family members gathered.

I decided that I wanted to learn more about his college years. What would be an acceptable/non threatening way to introduce this topic? After thinking about it a while, I contacted the people who were coming and asked them to bring a question to ask Chase about his university life. When he arrived here, I asked him if he was willing to answer some questions. He said he would be glad to - so we proceeded.

We sat in a circle using a pom pom from his university as a talking piece and each guest asked a question - what was the high point of your college years and what was low? How much music did you play? What role did the fraternity have in your experience. When you hit your most challenging personal time, what sustained you to overcome the adversity? Who were your best friends? Each question added something unique to the mix and brought out highlights (and low lights) of his total years as an undergraduate. Chase was articulate and terrific about answering the questions. He could have given one or two sentences and let it go at that, but he gave insightful and interesting comments about each topic.

At the end, all of us listening to him felt we had a better understanding of his total experience, where he was heading, lessons he had learned, appreciating his ability to speak eloquently on short notice, and observing the wonderful young adult he has become ready to tackle the next stage of his life.

This circle was simple in format, fairly non threatening to the participants, and gave Chase a chance to share his story. It was a delicious closure of this part of his life - maybe it even helped him notice the bigger picture of his school life now that it was concluding.

Graduation