Perception Reality

 Isn't it funny how perspective can change things?

A lesson in "Never Give Up" - from #nature 

 "Never Give Up" can become "Never Give Up Quitting" under different circumstances. Shortly after posting the above on Instagram, I saw a different picture which completely changed the story.

I am reminded that nothing is absolute except for perfect Love. May that be our aim.

When dipping into the "positivity" algorithm, it's important to remember that everything might not be for you. Take what speaks to you and toss the rest. YOU are  the master of your own destiny. YOU are in control of your own thoughts. YOU guide your own path by the choices you make - even the little choices, or what may SEEM little. Your perception is everything. It becomes your reality. Choose how to see things, intentionally.

Namaste,

T

Harvest Time

I took him out to the farm to pick apples. He loved it so much he wanted to go back the next day.

It didn't hurt that there were tractors, a playground and a petting zoo involved.

Then I found this great song:

"Harvest Song"

and it occurred to me that we can't always see what's straight ahead of us,

but a slight change of perception could make all the difference.

#Believe #SayYeah - Amen!

Enjoy your Blessings! They're coming.

And Shana Tovah!

Love,
T

Perception is Everything

At a memorial service on Thursday, the dearly departed had given instructions to have this song played. It was beautiful.

How wonderful of her to have known ahead of time exactly what she wanted us all to hear after her passing. She managed to reach out from wherever she is now to tell us all that she is fine. It's amazing that she had such strong faith that she would be fine. How beautifully touching that she, while facing her own mortality, was so concerned with the well-being and comfort of those she had to leave behind here on this earth. She spoke directly to us and inspired us from beyond her own physical existence. Endless thanks to her for showing us all another perspective - hers, from where she is now.

Here's to remembering that there is always another perspective besides our own. There is another viewpoint beyond what we can imagine on almost everything. Here's hoping that we all remember that, and try to open our minds a little and show some understanding to other perspectives. #LetsLearn

Keeping the idea of different perspectives in mind, I noticed something. I have often gazed at the shower tile and seen an image of an Angel in the design (above). In some of the other tiles, I've noticed what seems like the image of a sheep (below).

The really neat thing I noticed THIS week is that - the two images are in fact the same.

Looking around the room at the tiles, I noticed both images on almost every tile although some are turned in different directions. After that, I started paying close attention to varying perspectives on news articles. Obama was talking about the different sides of the National Anthem controversy and encouraged everyone to be understanding of other points of view. There was also a story about a forger, Adolfo Kaminsky, who while breaking the law during World War II, managed to save thousands of lives by answering to his own, higher law.

"I saved lives because I can't deal with unnecessary deaths - I just can't... 

all humans are equal, whatever their origins, their beliefs, their skin color... 

There are no superiors, no inferiors. That is not acceptable for me."

- Adolfo Kaminsky

#Amazing how we can view so many things from different perspectives.

Namaste,
T

Click here for: "On Colin Kaepernick national anthem protest, President Obama calls for understanding from both sides"

Click here for: "If I Sleep for an Hour, 30 People Will Die" (story on Adolfo Kaminsky)

About the Apple Tree...

A few years ago, we fenced in our backyard so that the dogs could run freely. We soon became aware that Bentley has an obsession with apples. He will eat them until he becomes sick, if left to his own devices.

There happened to be a bumper crop one year and it was impossible to rake them all up. Despite having the fence, we had to keep Bentley on leash or else he would fill up on apples. We were given a most amazing invention called an apple rake, which rolls over the top of them and scoops them up easily, but the apples remained well into winter and I wondered why we had bothered getting the fence.

The next year, hardly any apples fell from the tree and Bentley enjoyed the run of the yard. I didn't know what to make of the apple situation.

So here we are this year. Already, I can see hundreds of apples on the tree. They are falling down and Bentley is eating some, even though they aren't really ripe and probably taste bitter.

What is the point?

When I saw all the apples this week, all the fruitful abundance on the tree, I was tempted to think to myself, "Oh darn it! Look at all those freakin' apples! It's going to be one of THOSE years!" I quickly realized the ridiculousness of that train of thought. Apples are a blessing! They are beautiful! They are a wonderful example of nature's bounty and a symbol and reminder of the gifts of life! What was I thinking, complaining about it??? It was time to change my mind and be grateful.

I think we encounter opportunities to change our thinking in this way more often than we realize. I'm reminded that sometimes we can't see the Blessing that lies ahead. Sometimes we think something unfortunate has occurred when in fact, it might be the best thing that ever happened to us. Where is our faith? Our trust? Why do we complain when we could be joyful?

I am going to make it a practice to be thankful and grateful, even when things don't appear to be going my way. If I trust that all is working out for the best, and the Universe is always working for my greatest good, I will say "thank you" and be grateful no matter what happens. I will trust that all will work out for the best eventually, even when I can't see it right away. I've heard countless stories of how people have lost their jobs, only to be forced into another that is better anyway. Sometimes we need a little push in the right direction. Sometimes, we don't make changes unless we are forced into them. Sometimes our disappointments lead to the most amazing opportunities.

I will remember that this week. I will smile and know that all is well. After all, it IS! I will focus my thoughts on the good, and therefore attract more positive things. I'll pay close attention to my thoughts and let go of any complaints, knowing that everything that happens is ultimately for the best. I know this to be true.

Blessings...
Namaste,
T

Girl Power, Miracles and Perception (sorry guys)

Angela and I returned to the house Wednesday evening to find the driveway completely covered with ice and totally impassable.  To make matters worse, the plow had gone by, leaving a three-foot tall pile of solid ice chunks across its entrance.  I could not pull in and we would not be able to pull her car out.  It wasn’t a surprise, but on Thursday morning, we had to get to work chipping it all away.  It was just the two of us.

After a while of “ice picking” and after we had fallen into a routine of slamming down a shovel and a hole digger to break up the rock-like surface; after scooping and lifting and after several rounds of me singing “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” – just when my shoulder blades were starting to feel the sting, our conversation went something like this…

               Tan: “Why don’t we have any men around?”

               Angela: “[‘Cause] we can do it ourselves.”

               Tan [smiling]: “Right.  Thanks Angela.  I got lost there for a minute.”

               Angela: “No problem.”

Then after a few more minutes of back-breaking efforts to loosen the solid mound…

               Angela: “It could be worse… We could have MEN around.”

               (cue laughter)

First of all… sorry to all the wonderful men out there who are reading this.  :)  Despite our sense of humor, I do believe we would have very much appreciated someone with some muscle to have helped us out there.

Secondly, the way our conversation swung from wishful thinking and a sense of lack to a sense of empowerment, appreciation and gratitude made me remember that…

Sometimes a miracle doesn’t necessarily mean a change of circumstance, 

but instead a change in perception.

Here’s wishing you all a week filled with miracles (miracles and safe driving).

Namaste

P.S.

With the driveway sufficiently cleared, we were free to go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art where we remembered the women of Ancient Sparta who “were famous for their independence” and “reared much like boys, including physical fitness training.”(1) We also remembered Ancient Egypt where, contrary to other societies of the time,  “men and women of equivalent social status were treated as equals in the eyes of the law”(2) and the queens of Ancient Egypt who, while the King was around, played a supportive role but in his absence might be called upon to rule.  A few queens even “managed to overcome centuries of tradition and prejudice to rule their land as female kings.”(2)

Here are a couple of the books I got in the gift shop there:

                                   

 

Should be good reads.

Much love to all the beautiful strong women and to the beautiful strong men… love you too.

Ref:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_ancient_Sparta

2. Tyldesly, Joyce: “Chronicle of the Queens of Egypt,” Thames & Hudson, 2006