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timeforwhatmatters

How We Leave Not What We Leave Matters

May 9th, 2012
by Cynthia Mitchell.
4 comments

It’s official.Our home has  been sold,and that sign we have envisioned with letters S-O-L-D out in front  is about to reflect those very letters.

This was our dream home.We built it more than eight  years ago, after leaving a smaller initial home  that we built 13 years ago.

That first home was the home of our new marriage.   My soul sister and I blended our lives  with my husband as a new “trio”.Then we welcomed my parents to live full time with us. It was also the place we said goodbye to my lahsa-poo of 14 years, Hector Flynn(Hecky) and both of my husband’s dogs, Dodger and Jiggles.It was a wonderful space that provided a new home for us in a new state.

When we left that home, we had this one to come to.This home was much larger, two floors, plenty of privacy,and a place where we chose to live life to the fullest.

Leaving any place has never been easy for me.I attach easily to all beings.I learned so much here in this home.Too much to put into a simple blog, but suffice it to say, I gained more insight about myself  than in 30 years of practicing therapy .

As I have been sorting what I packed away in my closets, I discovered the picture of this house, the day we received the CO, certificate of occupancy.We all were wearing those yellow “hard hats”.The house had no plantings in front of it yet.We all looked so excited at the prospect of our future here in this palace.

Now we complete this chapter, and we are conscious of our thoughts and feelings of letting go.Fifty percent of what we held onto will be sold or given away.We are downsizing and that requires of us to embrace  the “less is always better” philosophy,when it comes to possessions.We will move to a lovely new location in town.What I know is something I learned from  my dad’s parting 3 years ago, and the parting of my soul sister’s parents,  three months later;it’s not “what” we leave but “how ” we leave that matters.We leave celebrating the blessing of these times and looking forward to making time for what matters.

Here’s to the young couple, the new owners, whose dreams will unfurl here .May the love we shared bless all who enter.

 

 

 

New Year’s Resolutions: It’s that TIME again

Dec 14th, 2011
by Cynthia Mitchell.
1 comment

 

With the holidays fast approaching, I think of  so many people who like me aren’t “buying into” the hooplah of  buying because”more is better”.It’s not that I plan to boycott Macy’s, and Dillard’s and the like, quite the contrary.I also love shopping online and go first to my favorite online  wellness store for all my candle gifts.

I’m not a bah humbug person by any means, in fact, quite the opposite. I am resolved  however much like the words in Grinch mas by Dr Seuss which I recently saw at Universal, in Orlando, Florida  to remember FIRST that”Christmas is always there in your heart”.

I am observing others when I ask about “the holidays” and notice, that many boomers like me are also resolved to enjoy it quietly.

It’s as if the allure of commercialism has lost its lustre, compared to the brilliance of the Light coming from within.

My husband suggested that we see Christmas as the birth of Higher Consciousness with us.I liked that, although many who believe the nativity story is exactly as it is , nothing symbolic, would be challenged by that suggestion I am sure.

So this year, I set out my manger early , I will only decorate a real tree outside my home , and I still have not bought any gifts for my family,but the manger is calling me to nuture the Spirit of Christmas alive within me, and that begins with being mindful of my energy, and caring for myself as well as others.

And next week, I have put  aside time for one afternoon of  ”shopping”, and  that evening I’ll go to a Unity candle service  to bring even more meaning to that activity and make time for what also matters.

My resolutions begin there what about yours?…May your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa bless you and yours.

 

 

 

 

A Father and Son Reunion

Sep 21st, 2011
by Cynthia Mitchell.
4 comments

I feel privileged to witness so many life events that would otherwise have passed me by in former years, years when i was all caught up in being “busy”.It was as if being busy was the thing to do.I have learned better now.As Eric Butterworth says”being where I Am” is key.So I find myself practicing the art of “being where I am”, rather than in the future or the past.I find this practice has heightened my life experience.

Last week our stepson visited us and we were aware, before his visit, that we wanted this time to be time for what really matters.

My husband and I made time on the days prior to Mark’s visit to set an intention for this week.We really wanted Mark to have a wonderful time and Bob really wanted to make time for he and his son to be alone together and simply catch up.Once a year is far too seldom to be with those you love, but the physical distance  and lifestyles have been a factor and so it is.Texting and phone calls and emails do not replace or compare to the personal touch.

While this visit was fun yet not eventful, it was special;there was a sense of opening for father and son, and I was blessed to observe  some of that.At the end of our visit I wrote a letter expressing my gratitude to Mark for demonstrating such care towards us. His dad inscribed  one of his treasures, a book he wrote that he would like to pass along to his son.

At the end of the visit, I overheard them say” wish we lived closer”, my husband came back inside our home, tears in his eyes. I held my heart as my tears welled up inside.

These are the days and moments that create a legacy for living.What a priviledge to be a  living witness to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening to Divine Favor

Jul 19th, 2011
by Cynthia Mitchell.
4 comments

I’ve been traveling this summer  making time for what matters, visiting family and friends.What follows is an experience that led me to acknowledge Divine Favor .May it inspire you to do the same.

Recently, in  preparation for the next chapters of our lives, my family and I had put our home on the market . Our realtor created a lovely portfolio showcasing our home.I brought that portfolio with me and shared it with those who wanted to see it.Our home shows like a palace,complete with  our salt water pool and  backyard lakes and veranda views.

I’ve been watching my response as people ‘ooo and aah” at what we call home,for while compared to some of their homes it is modest, to most it is extraordinary.I continually find myself saying “I’ve been Blessed”.I never want to take my good fortune for granted.

I always want to thank God for what is in my life, and recognize the power of Divine Favor.

Life has had its challenges, and those challenges have been my guide.. But lately, with discipline and practice I find myself affirming Divine Favor more than ever before.

I once remember  reading about “setpoints”.Setpoints are those  ”bars” that we set for ourselves as perceived  possible “limits”.  I think of  how I have had to counter the setpoints regarding wealth, especially after having been raised in a church which likened money to “the root of all evil”.

Today I am blessed to respond more to affirmative action and positive thinking, and I am careful to eliminate negative thoughts and fill that seeming void with “being still and knowing Divine Favor”.

This morning I read Joel Osteen’s blog about Divine Favor,it spoke of judgements others may have towards those who demonstrate financial success.I find my greatest work is in meeting and eliminating the  judgements I may still have towards myself.

My hope is that I will continue to influence lives with this knowing, as they in turn influence mine,And that we continue to influence others to experience the same.

I include a blessing video of  a great preacher, Joel Osteen. May you live in the conscious presence of Divine Favor daily!Receive a Blessing of Divine Favor by Joel Osteen