Hello and Happy Thanksgiving week to those who celebrate. I appreciate you being here. This month I changed my mind on the topic more than once, hence the delayed delivery. Given the holiday of giving thanks, gratitude seemed to be an appropriate subject; however, I found myself rehashing overused terms and, as fond as I am of being grateful, I found the topic to be, well, tired. Needless to say – I shifted gears.
Finding My Muse
Last month, my husband John ordered a book that was suggested by a coworker. He purchased a used copy that arrived carefully and thoughtfully wrapped in brown paper; it was adorned with stickers of dragonflies and butterflies which, to me, are symbolic of my mother and my grandmother who have passed away. The sender also wrote on the back of the packaging “enjoy the book”. I was intrigued! John usually doesn’t order books like this. Knowing I enjoy a good inspirational story, John told me to read it first. I did just that and in doing so, I found my inspiration to write this month’s newsletter.
“The Last Lecture”
I try to read as often as I can but mostly while I exercise. Each day, I take some time on a recumbent bike and, while riding, I read – ok, or I play Wordle – or both! While engaged in this book, I would end up on the bike for over an hour unable to put it down (sweaty and crying by the time I was done). The book is called “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. The author was a professor at Carnegie Mellon who gave, what was literally, his last lecture. His perspective on life was unique as he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and did not have much time left when he gave the lecture. The book was a beautiful reminder of the “ripple effect” I am so fond of as well as some basic morals that can be easily forgotten as we speed through life. Here are a few morals the author touched on written in my own interpretation.
Graciously Give (and Receive)
There were several stories in the book that highlighted the importance of giving and being open to receiving as well. When thinking of giving, the mind can immediately take us to material things; however, love, affection, compassion, attention and time are only a few examples of things given that don’t cost a dime but compound in value over time. Anytime we give, even if it is just a smile, it raises our vibration as well as the vibration of the one receiving. Receiving only completes the beautiful cycle, and that energy continues to ripple outward.
Intend for the Future but Live in the Present
Having ambitious goals is great; nevertheless, being attached to a specific outcome can be limiting. More importantly, we do not actually know what the future holds – the only thing that is certain is the “here and now”. While working to fulfill any objective, it is easy to get lost in the details and fixated on a particular result. What if the focus was shifted to simply intend for a general outcome and accept the present moment as it is? To quote Lao-Tzu, “By letting go, it all gets done”. I will likely write more about this concept of letting go in the future, but for now, the point I am trying to make is to remain open to all possibilities while also maintaining present-moment awareness. Surrendering to the magic of the unknown creates space and opens the heart.
Be Grateful
I know I said I wasn’t going to talk about this, but I couldn’t help it! Being grateful is not just about starting a daily journaling practice. Gratitude is bigger than that! Being grateful is a simple and powerful practice that can help to keep us grounded in the present. It can be about truly recognizing people who make a difference in your life or who have made a difference in your life at some point in time (for better or for worse). Sometimes, people are our teachers, and the lessons can feel like master classes. Regardless, feeling grateful for those lessons (good and bad) can help to heal the heart.
Paying it Forward
Gratitude is also about doing for others what someone may have done for you (aka, paying it forward). Often, the impact someone has is not fully realized until it is in hindsight. Growing up, I had a friend who lived a few houses down and, despite the dysfunction under my roof, their family never judged me and were always so welcoming and kind; they would take me with them to dinner, the movies, plays – they treated me like I was family. Witnessing their normalcy, and that they never made me feel like an outsider, helped keep my “moral compass” pointing true north as I grew up with the odds stacked against me. It took years to see that but now I am grateful, and I always want people to feel welcome in my own home. So as cliché as it may be, gratitude is an essential part of maintaining inner peace and leaving a legacy that goes beyond the material.
To Wrap it All Up
My inspiration for this month’s edition was a beautifully written book that I highly recommend. It reminded me that, given our limited time on this earth, our legacy is more than something tangible. Being generous is more than giving money. Being ambitious is more powerful when there is true presence and surrender. And, being grateful can free our spirit, open our hearts and ultimately help us find compassion, love and peace. May you find all those things and more this holiday!
Very warmly,
Adriana