The Sea of Endless Possibility April 28, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Life Lessons, Meditation, Mindfulness.Tags: Change, Life Balance, Meditation, Time, Topsy-Turvy
26 comments
Rushing downhill, time rolls on, with change as a steadfast companion. No matter how hard we tug, they refuse to stop and allow us to catch our breath.
Life becomes a precarious balancing act with no net to catch us when we fall.
But we hold the remote.
When life becomes too topsy and we become too turvy, we can press “pause.”
In the silence of not-doing, we step out of the field of time and into the sea of endless possibility.
And our fear of falling and failing fades away.
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Peculiar Party ~ Part Seven March 28, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Fiction, Synchronicity & Mystery, Word Play.Tags: Fiction, Hidden Messages in Water, Magic, Mystery, Time
26 comments
“You said you believe that someone or something compelled you to return to read the plaque.”
“I’m sure of it.”
“Let’s assume you’re correct. Why you? Why Betty?”
“I’ve given that some thought and have a theory. First, frogs are amphibious with a high moisture content. If the magic is conducted via moisture, as it seems to be, we would be more susceptible to the spell-weaver’s magic than the average tourist.”
“That makes sense.”
I snapped my fingers, “Have you ever read Hidden Messages in Water?”
Freddie raised his eyebrows at me. ”Yes. Just this past week.”
“Combining Emoto’s research with your theory, our anonymous sorcerer would have been able to steer you and Betty down the proverbial garden path using the power of suggestion.”
“I’d say so. I suspect that when the spell-weaver communicated with us, it seemed much like our own intuitive impulses firing.”
“Making you believe that curiosity alone impelled you back to the plaque.”
“Yes.”
“Of course, curiosity sometimes kills the cat.”
Freddie nodded assent.
“Let’s assume we’re on the right track. Why did the spell-weaver need you for the spell?”
“I believe the totem needed the sand.”
“The sand in Betty’s necklace.”
“Yes. We were only a few blocks from the beach when the alleyway appeared.”
“The spell-weaver would have sensed you coming, communicating water molecule to water molecule.”
“Yes. He, she, or it read our minds, knew we were coming down Fifth Avenue, knew where we’d been, and knew that Betty had a vial of sand around her neck.”
“And sand in her shoes that had started to chafe.”
“The spell-weaver lured Betty in with the promise of a seat to ease her aching feet.”
“Okay. So it lures Betty in, encourages you to explore until you find the totem, urges you both to back-track to read the plaque.”
Something niggled at the back of my mind. “Wait! You said you had just started reading the plaque when you heard Betty.”
“Yes. So?”
“If you didn’t have your glasses, how were you able to read anything?”
“Wow! Now I really do feel like I’m being cross-examined.”
I shrugged. ”Sorry, Freddie. Old habits die hard. Once a recovering litigator, always a recovering litigator.”
“Fair enough. To answer your question, I hadn’t actually read anything when I heard Betty.”
“So you didn’t notice that you didn’t have your reading glasses.”
“No. Not then.”
“Why did the totem need you to read the plaque?”
“I don’t think it did.”
“You don’t?”
“No. I think it just needed the sand.”
“And the best way for it to get its hands on the sand was for Betty to hand her glasses over to you, pulling both chains off at the same time.”
“Bingo!”
“And once it got hold of the vial, the spell was complete.”
“That’s my best guess.”
“It’s a decent working hypothesis. Except for one thing.”
Freddie stiffened and leaned forward. ”What’s that?”
“If the spell-weaver could conjure up an entire alleyway complete with totem pole, why couldn’t it go to the beach and get its own sand?”
Freddie relaxed. ”I’ve wondered the same thing. Why involve a couple of middle-aged frogs . . . and run the risk of them croaking?”
To be continued . . .
If you missed any installments, the entire story can be found at the Short Stories tab . . . or just click HERE!
Life Piles Up January 3, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Mindfulness, Simplify Your Life.Tags: Distractions, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Simplify, Time
39 comments
Life piles up.
We must sort through the pile from time to time to identify priorities, dreams, hopes, and aspirations.
If we don’t clear out the clutter, the path becomes littered and overgrown with weeds.
Instead of seeing our way clear, distractions fill our field of vision.
Give the Universe room to work its magic.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Everlasting Happiness December 5, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Spirituality & Faith.Tags: Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Time
36 comments
Thoughts on happiness:
(1) Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
(2) People who have a positive attitude about their past, enjoy the present, and focus on goals for the future are the happiest. A sense of well-being depends on having a balance between these elements. ~ Science Daily
(3) Happiness for external reasons (especially hedonistic pleasures) can always be taken away. It is happiness for “no reason” that we want to cultivate.
(4) Without understanding how your inner nature evolves, how can you possibly discover eternal happiness?
Where is eternal happiness?
It’s not in the sky or in the jungle; you won’t find it in the air or under the ground.
Everlasting happiness is within you, within your psyche, your consciousness, your mind.
That’s why it’s important that you investigate the nature of your own mind.
(5) Happiness is NOT having MORE . . . it’s being content with LESS and knowing when Enough is Enough.
(6) There is a Tibetan saying: “at the door of the miserable rich man sleeps the contented beggar.” The point of this saying is not that poverty is a virtue, but that happiness does not come from wealth ~ it comes from setting limits to one’s desires, and living within those limits with satisfaction. ~ His Holiness The Dalai Lama
(7) Many writers, poets, and artists are tortured souls. Looking for truths to share, they see vast gaping holes between the illuminated windows. In time, that darkness becomes “too much” to bear.
When we hold on to things that cause us pain, stress and unnecessary suffering, we follow their lead. Just for today, let them go. Allow yourself to be stress-free and happy.
(8) When we’re in the flow of life: Chaos recedes. Harmony prevails. Peace surfaces. Happiness reigns.
(9) Every new moment gives us the chance to choose not to dwell on the negatives by embracing the positives.
After all, if kids with cancer can laugh and smile and sing and dance and be silly . . . can’t we?
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: The Space of Contentment (Love is the Answer) * Occupy Blogosphere ~ 19 (Wightrabbit’s Blog) * Being Wealthier by Living with Less (Love is the Answer) * People with “Balanced Time Perspective” More Likely to Call Themselves Content (Science Daily) * Curriculum Vitae (Kate Shrewsday) * 15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy (Finer Minds)
When We Are Gone October 30, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Poetry, Spirit & Ego, Synchronicity & Mystery.Tags: Death, Ghosts, Mystery, Poetry, Spirit, Time, Twilight
48 comments
When we are gone
do we care
about all we left behind?
Do we worry
or wonder
about our claimed legacy?
Do our daydreams
dissipate
into twilight memories?
Or do they linger behind?
When we are gone
are our cares
fast forgotten and erased?
Or do we take
one last look
over pale ghostly shoulders?
When we are gone
does time stop
for us, dead in its tracks?
Or do we linger longer?
Related posts: Spring Grove Cemetery (Christine M. Grote) * The Undertaker Always Calls On Halloween (Andra) * Dust to Dust (Colonialist) * Do Dogs See Ghosts? (Kate Shrewsday)
Today September 27, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Lessons, Mindfulness.Tags: Future, Past, Piglet, Pooh, Present, Time, Today
48 comments
It’s true, you know . . . Today IS the FIRST day of the REST of your life.
The past is gone. It’s water over the dam.
No matter how fast you swim, you cannot reclaim those droplets.
The future holds promise. But like vapor and steam, it’s impossible to grasp until it condenses.
Today. Today is where it’s at. Drink it in. Soak it up. Be Here Now.
Pooh: What day is it?
Piglet: Today.
Pooh: Oh, good. Today is always my favorite day.
Here’s to making Today the best day of the week.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Worn Out Excuses September 21, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.Tags: Choice, Excuses, Humor, Mindfulness, Money, Priorities, Time
40 comments
People often claim that they don’t have the time . . . to exercise, eat right, or meditate.
Often, it’s not a lack of time holding them back ~ the activity in question is just not a priority for them.
So they hide behind a socially acceptable, worn around the edges, excuse ~ the claimed lack of time.
In like vein, businesses making unpopular decisions often claim they ”had no choice” . . . as they bulldoze forests . . . pollute the Gulf of Mexico . . . outsource jobs to China . . . or club baby seals to death for their fur.
In reality, these greedy bastards had other choices available that they chose not to explore.
These S.O.B.’s are so concerned with the immediate bottom line that THEY would rather rape the planet and give the rest of us the finger than wrestle with the morality and long-term sustainability of the choices they make.
Sorry. You’ll have to excuse this post.
I hate pointing fingers at unnamed generic C.E.O.’s (Chief Exploitation Officers) like this, but I had no choice ~ I just don’t have the time to explore this issue in greater depth and detail right now.
I’m busy.
I have a lot of balls in the air right now ~ I’m contemplating my navel, watching paint dry, and twiddling my thumbs. All at the same time!
What’s your excuse? 
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote (via The Blue Lotus Cafe): “It’s our nature to want happiness and not want suffering. Thus, Buddhists do not ask that one give up the pursuit of happiness, but merely suggest that one become more intelligent about how happiness is pursued.” – Jeffrey Hopkins, “Equality”
Related posts: The Illusion of Time (Think Simple Now) * Time ~ What Makes You Tick? (Real Simple)
Wandering Rutted Roads September 15, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Life Lessons, Mindfulness.Tags: Future, Memories, Past, Philosophy, Present, Time
41 comments
Memories are straight-jackets . . . binding the past to our present.
Instead of floating freely, adrift on the endless sea of possibility, memories anchor us to one another, keeping us moored in ”safe” harbors.
Memories remind us of who we once were . . . tugging on heartstrings with insistence when we venture too far afield.
Instead of seeing the world anew, with open eyes and mind, memories filter our experiences through a clouded lens.
Memories weigh us down . . . thwarting efforts to travel light through life.
Instead of letting go of people, places, and things, memories cause us to tighten our grasp on sentimental objects, slowing forward momentum.
Memories hold us back . . . preventing us from reaching our full and unfettered potential.
Instead of exploring new roads and vistas, with alert curiosity, memories encourage us to circle back, again and again, wandering rutted roads.
Memories distract us . . . cluttering our field of vision.
Instead of living in the now, memories shine the spotlight backwards, obscuring the path as it unfolds before us.
Like a water-wheel, filling and emptying its buckets over and over as it turns, we empty out who we were, to become more fully who we are meant to be.
Rather than allowing our thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to dictate our re-actions to new events, we can view life with alert curiosity.
When we let go of our automatic responses and begin to live spontaneously in the here and now, we uncover the joy and happiness within.
You must empty yourself of the past to receive the present. ~ Zen Parable
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote to Ponder: When one door closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. ~ Helen Keller
She’s Gone September 2, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Life Lessons, Mindfulness, People.Tags: Change, Colorado, Memories, Physical therapy, Time
68 comments
Mom is gone. She flew out to Colorado yesterday to live with my younger brother and his family.
Her time here was time well spent.
* She completed physical therapy and had time to recuperate from her spine surgery.
* Her mobility improved from when she first arrived, grimacing in pain.
* She got to spend time with US! 
Now, she will benefit from increased interaction with my brother’s family of six. And they will have a chance to share their house and home with her.
This transition, like many in life, has been sad.
I know mom won’t remember being here with us for much longer . . . she’s already forgotten our ride together on the auto train just 6 weeks ago.
She has no recollection of helping me celebrate my birthday in July.
In many ways, mom is lucky. Since she is increasingly incapable of hanging onto the past, she has fewer memories tugging on her heart strings.
The past fades away, swallowed up by the shadowy recesses of her mind.
It’s the pull of the past making me cry now. Wanting desperately to go back for one last lingering look at how and who she used to be.
Seeing her here every day provided the occasional glimpse.
Not often. But enough.
None of us can stem the tides, nor catch the waves on the beach. We have to keep letting go of the “what was” to make room for the “what is.”
All things must pass.
Dawn? . . . {{yawn}} August 13, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Synchronicity & Mystery.Tags: Dawn, Morning, Roller coaster, Time, Yawn
30 comments
Time demonstrated its peculiar prowess this summer.
Dragging sloth-like from moment to moment while traversing corresponding weeks and months at super sonic speeds.
Rather like a roller-coaster ride that’s slow on the uptake but over before you know it.
The two months since we convened for our family reunion have passed by in a blur of celebration, illness, death, planning, organizing, sorting, surgery, pain, recuperation, packing, loading, moving, and getting resettled into a life with an entirely new rhythm.
Despite the fleet feet of recent weeks, the daylight hours often seem interminable.
* Minutes prodding seconds to stop dilly-dallying.
* Hours admonishing minutes to move along.
* Hands at a complete standstill. A dead crawl. Determined strikers picketing the passage of time.
Nights, in contrast, seem far too short.
Heads no sooner comfortable on pillows when cocks and cock-eyed optimists start crowing that dawn is breaking.
Morn has arrived. Again.
Dawn? . . . {{yawn}}
Coffee? . . . please!
Aah . . . that’s better!
