| |
"
S
L O W D O W N A N D
E N J O Y L I F E. "
Eddie
Cantor
"
O U T O F C L U T T E R,
F I N D S I M P L I C I T Y."
Albert Einstein
" T H E P O O R E S T P E R S O
N
I S N O T T H E O N E
W I T H O U T A C E N T,
B U T T H E O N E W I T H O U T
A D R E A M.
"
Unknown
" I T I S T I M E T O
S T A R T L I V I N G T H E
L I F E Y O U ' V E
I M A G I N E D."
Henry
James
"
D W E L L A S N E A R A S
P O S S I B L E T O T H E
C H A N N E L I N W H I C H
Y O U R L I F E F L O W S . "
Henry
David Thoreau
"
W H E N M A K I N G Y O U R
C H O I C E I N L I F E,
D O N O T N E G L E C T T O
L I V E. "
Samuel
Johnson
" T
H E C A P A C I T Y F O R
D E L I G H T I S T H E G I F T O F
P A Y I N G A T T E N T I O N. "
Julia
Cameron
"
H A P P I N E S S I S L I K E
A B U T T E R F L Y , W H I C H ,
W H E N Y O U P U R S U E I T
I S A L W A Y S B E Y O N D
Y O U R G R A S P , B U T ,
W H I C H , W H E N Y O U
S I T D O W N M A Y L I G H T
U P O N Y O U. "
Nathaniel
Hawthorne
"
T H E G O O D A N D T H E
W I S E L E A D Q U I E T
L I V E S. "
Euripides
|
|
I
met a friend for coffee last week. It was a busy Saturday afternoon.
The parking lot was full and people were bustling about. It was at once
pleasant and stifling. The shoppers were cheerful. It is after all just
the beginning of the Holiday Season. Yet it seemed that Halloween had
hardly passed and the madness of Christmas buying was well underway.
As we sipped our lattes we chatted about our desire for a quiet restful
Christmas. We talked about the gifts we have in our lives and how little
we want. We seemed like aliens among the enthusiastic shoppers.
Back at home as I was sorting my music I ran across a compact disc entitled,
Count Your Blessings. It contains the song "Count
Your Blessings" sung by Victoria Williams. It is interesting
that she would sing that particular song because her promising musical
career was sidelined by multiple sclerosis. Though her once strong voice
is now wispy she continues to record. I am always touched by the sound
of her voice and the strength of her courage.
I decided to count my blessings. I thought it would be useful to take
stock of the gifts I have in my life, as a way to focus on what is most
important in this Holiday Season.
Here is my list:.
- Gary, my husband of 31 years is my best friend. Every day I am grateful for our partnership. Each
of us grows in the light of the other.
- My sons, David and Michael, have grown into wonderful men. They are excellent husbands and fathers.
They have each married strong, competent women. I respect and admire them.
- My grandchildren, Josie, age 7; Sullivan, age 4; and Matthew, age
14 months, add a special joy to my life. I love being able to watch
them grow.
- I have amazing women friends who share laughter and tears and much more.
- My work is meaningful. When I was a child I knew I was supposed to grow up to be a teacher.
It took a long time to find the form. Coaching and teaching workshops is a perfect way for me to teach.
- Creativity and learning are important in all aspects of my life. Whether I am working in my studio or
teaching or playing with my grandchildren I am always using my creativity and I am always learning.
- I have energy and passion for the people and experiences in my life.
- Having been seriously ill I am aware of the importance of my health. My aches and pains do not diminish
my sense of vitality.
- I am fortunate to live in a comfortable home, to have food and clothing and to feel safe in my environment.
- I have enough.
Here
is what I want: More of all the above.
As you prepare for the Holidays perhaps you will take stock of the blessing
in your life. If you do, I hope you will find that you have enough too.
|
|
