A Healing Mantra September 19, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Life Balance, Meditation.12 comments
Until the Age of Aquarius dawns (with peace to guide the planets and love to steer the stars) . . .
Until we come together (to smile on our brother and love one another) . . .
We can use ALL the healing energy we can get.
Here’s a healing mantra to calm your spirit and soothe your soul:
Aah . . . that’s better!
Happy Labor Day! September 6, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Less IS More, Life Balance, Mindfulness.14 comments
For those of you in the States . . .
Enjoy a Happy & Safe Labor Day!
One that’s filled with relaxation, refreshment, respite, and rejuvenation.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Wash your cares away.
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Seven Up! Strobe Effect August 15, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Life Balance, People.18 comments
Are you familiar with the Seven Up! documentary series that’s been under production for the past 50+ years?
The Up series of documentary films follows the lives of ten males and four females in England beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years—thus spanning 56 years.
Film maker and Director, Michael Apted, followed the 14 children he selected for the series from the adorable age of 7 for the next 56 years, filming the trajectory of their lives through education, career, marriage, children, divorce, illness, vacations, moves, etc.
The documentary presents their lives with strobe-light like intensity ~> grade school * blink * secondary school * blink * university * blink * first job * blink * marriage * blink * children * blink * divorce * blink * retirement * blink * death
* blink *
The apt metaphor “life flies by in the blink of an eye” came to mind as we watched the existential ups and downs in 49 Up!
As each subject aged with spectacular rapidity, we considered how various life choices might be influenced just by knowing that there would be a “filmed reckoning” every 7 years ~ at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63.
Would we be kinder? More charitable? More cooperative? More forgiving? More generous?
Or just the opposite?
Judging from some of the random behavior caught on smart phones these days, it appears that many people don’t care who’s watching as they misbehave, throw tantrums, and have meltdowns in public places.
They refuse to change their stripes just because “the public” is watching.
In any event, the series may have ended with the recent demise of its director (who also directed Nell, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist, Class Action, Amazing Grace, et al).
After 63 Up! aired in 2019, Michael Apted up and died. The two events are likely unrelated since Apted didn’t pass away until January 2021. At that time, a few journalists speculated that Apted committed suicide. I found no confirmation to support their unbridled sensationalism.
Perhaps Apted’s death is just one of the existential truths of his life ~ a forced retirement, if you will.
Life . . . we live it, or we miss it.
B~I~N~G~O August 3, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Nature.20 comments
If you keep your eyes open, you never know what you may see . . .
Headlights heading for you . . .
Or a turtle far from sea . . .
Yo, dudes & dudettes! Wherefore art thou, NEMO?
Keep your eyes open as you pass passers by . . .
Can you find a fish, see a bird, or spot a butterfly?
Will you look up and see the moon shining from on high?
Or perhaps spy rain (or snow) falling from the sky?
LOOK!
Check out that branch over there . . .
I think that squirrel thinks you’re nuts
But don’t mind him.
What does he know?
He can’t even remember where he’s buried his treasure!
Look! I see a Daisy!
To play Nature’s BINGO, keep your eyes open as you look around
But be careful!
Don’t trip over your own two feet and land S~P~L~A~T on the ground!
Aah . . . B~I~N~G~O!
Ghosts June 10, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.27 comments
A casual acquaintance tried to interject herself into my life by telling me what to do. When I tried to explain why I wasn’t going to follow her unsolicited (and unappreciated) advice, she continued to push the point. I tried again to explain why her advice would not be heeded. Nope. She wasn’t having it.
She told me I was being “hard headed.”
I suggested that we turn the topic to something else. Nope. She continued to push her agenda on me. Why? I don’t know, but I suspect she thought that being pushy would somehow benefit her down the road.
If so, her plan backfired because I am no longer responding to her phone calls or her e-mails.
I am ghosting her!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Focus On Now May 23, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Poetry.11 comments
Spirituality is a process to enjoy . . . not a goal to achieve
Just be present, awake and aware
Focus on NOW as Ego falls away
Revealing your true self
Aah . . . that’s better!
Looking for a Summer Beach Read? Check out Pam’s fresh-off-the-press Flashes of Light: True Tales of the Extraordinary Ordinary!
Yay For Today! May 21, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.18 comments
Own your power. Do your thing.
Today is a Fresh Start.
Aah . . . that’s better!
“A good traveler has no set plans and is not intent on arriving.” ~ Lao Tzu
Oops! May 19, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.22 comments
Mistakes do not define you.
Falling down is an accident. Staying down is a choice.
Forget the mistakes. Remember the lessons.
Better an “oops” than a “what if?”
Aah . . . that’s better!
Like A Mandala April 27, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness.16 comments
Like a Mandala
We must let go of the past
As it emerges
How caught up are you in your story? How much time do you spend defending your reputation with others? Are you ready to let it all go?
Come into the present and Just Be. Notice the underlying feeling of pleasure that saturates the palette of your mind.
It has nothing to do with your story. It is unaffected by your reputation.
It doesn’t come from somewhere and it can’t go anywhere. It exists outside time and space.
It is always there and will never leave you. It is eternal.
When you let go of all thoughts and mindfully observe . . . you’ll catch a glimpse of this very subtle sensation of joy.
Aah . . . that’s bliss!
Create A Little Magic April 23, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Magick & Mystery.14 comments
Dream.
Believe
Do.
Repeat.
Create a little magic every day.
