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The timing of life sometimes feels as though it has a sense of humor. Sometimes it would have been a wonderful gesture if we had been let in on the joke and could have had at least a head's up. Contrarily, a good surprise will happily be welcomed with or without the advance warning.
Either way, life wants to remind us to we cannot plan or know everything that awaits us to be experienced, navigated through, reveled in or be over-the-moon about, but it does ask us to be present. And it also asks us to let go . . .
It would perhaps seem easier to be present when all is going well or even exceeding our expectations, but sometimes, if we are not practiced in being present, in such good moments, we may wish to linger dreading the end, hanging on and asking for more than the moment is able to give. To behave in such a way is not to be present.
On the flipside when a moment is not to our preference, or in fact, absolutely shocking and painful, I find these words by Eckhart Tolle to be helpful. "Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge". When I look at the event, the unwanted moment through this lense, it
becomes easier (not easy, mind you) to mine the moment for hidden treasures offering insights into myself, insights into other people's behavior or anything that might be helpful down the road. It does not mean that I linger, but it does help me to be present until the moment passes.
Life surprises us most likely more often positively than negatively, but because we may expect it, we downplay the positive's occurrence. Why not celebrate all of the good moments, which includes the everyday moments when all is well? With such a large accumulation of positive moments, there would most likely be quite a bit to celebrate on a regular basis, and
wouldn't that elevate our lives? :)
It is my hope for you today that life surprises you with something that makes you smile. As we step into March, may February wrap up well with its extra day and may March greet us with anticipation of wonderful moments to savor.
In this week's newsletter the regular monthly post of Things That Made Me Smile - so many simple moments, but such grand and memorable smiles; an outfit that mixes black and browns and subtle differing metals for an effortlessly timeless look; a reminder of what true freedom must entail and so much more. I do hope you enjoy.
Thank you for choosing to subscribe to TSLL's weekly newsletter, and until next week, I will see you on the blog!
