I was listening recently to a song my husband wrote over 30 years ago, and it goes like this: Light and sound Higher and higher Lift up your hearts in song Be the living love, take a little bit and pass it on Higher, higher, and higher Lift and be lifted come on raise your voices high Sing in praise of your loving spirit Always live as light You can live this life together You don’t even have to try Just lift and be lifted tonight

It’s a reminder for me to look up to what’s possible when people put their hearts and minds together, and remember who they are for each other and the world.

It’s a reminder to be spiritually excellent!

Where am I not spiritually excellent? Wherever I’m judging, or defensive, or impatient, or just plain grouchy. Wherever it’s the other person’s fault.

I have to suspend judgment so there’s room for me to lift up my thinking, and take the high road. read more

I noticed when I took a hike this morning, and deepened my breath, my mind emptied and then filled with gratitude.

There wasn’t any particular focus to my gratitude even though I have many reasons to be grateful, with love at the center.

Love of family

Love of health

Love of body, mind, and spirit

Love of working and being productive

Love of friends

Love of hiking

Love of running

Love of being outdoors

Love of saying yes to requests I can fulfill

Love …

When I do not love it’s very hard for me to be grateful. They seem to go together along with laughter, smiling, optimism, curiosity, and snuggling. read more

I had some quiet time one morning as the sun was rising over Santa Barbara, and a line from my dreams the night before popped into my head loud and clear:

You’re not really tired!

I was startled by the recollection as I didn’t remember the dream, just the voice, but somehow knew it was important. As I sat with my cup of coffee, I thought about being tired and its different meanings.

Two came to mind.

1. Delicious tiredness that comes from planned physical exertion or the end of a successful workday when you get into bed, and you’re peacefully asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. Rest is restorative, and you wake up the next day feeling better than ever.
2. Exhausted tiredness that comes from depleting resources whether it’s mental, physical, or emotional where rest doesn’t come easily even though you may know the antidote is to “get some rest.

I know rest works! If you’re coming off a physical injury it’s like magic. You just need a little patience, and with time comes recovery. read more