A Month Filled with Gratitude.......... 9/30/21

    Gratitude swells within for the ever increasing joy and sense of ease I had this ninth month of the year.  The key elements asked for letting go and humility. 

     To let go moves us in the opposite di-rection of being con-trolling.  Letting go does not mean to stop caring.  It means we can't do it for someone else.  

     We realize we can't and do not want to control another.     

     Humility involves recognizing the world does not revolve around us.  We belong to something bigger--humanity.  Humility right-sizes us. 

     It provides a more accurate perspective about our role with others. 

     Humility creates freedom.  We no longer become con-cerned with what others think of us.  We realize we have worth, simply because we breathe the breath of humanity.

     This attitude helps us be gentle towards ourselves.  It creates an emotional state that lets us settle in and rest.  This remains true even when it looks like the world wants to send us to hell in a handbasket. 

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     Having my car restored and getting it back this month is a source of deep gratitude for September.  I did not have a car since July 10th.  It helps me take care of practical errands and provides opportunities to be in nature.  

      I like the solitude of traveling on country roads.  When doing so, life slows down.  These journeys provide time to think. 

     The siren call of urban living fades with each mile I drive from the Bay Area.  It provides a sooth-ing outlet for my soul. 

      I faced and over-came many fears this month.  Not with aplomb.  But with quiet confidence created by having presence. 

     When experiencing presence, we transform into situational surfers.  We no longer fight the waves of reality that slap at us.  Instead, we ride the waves of circumstances thrown our way each day. 

     We travel from the mental chatter of worrying about what may hap-pen to the joy of an exciting but confident ride that strengthens our character and discipline. We move beyond the jittery nature of our exci-table limbic system to a life that knows greater balance, well-being and executive functioning. 

     Having a healthy, loving relationship with the God of our understanding, lets us lean on Him.  Doing so, we derive a strength greater than our own.  Having a close circle of emotionally mature friends, also helps.  

     Both of these sources provide a strength and grace we need but lack when in the midst of difficulty, worry, and fear and we live solo, uncon-nected. 

     This connection with these two healthy sources provide confidence and encouragement that energizes--inspires us.  

      We have courage not because of our capabilities, but because we lean on sources of strength greater than our-selves and our difficulties.