Learning to Stay

While reading a book (by Debra Lynne Katz) today, I realized how often I back away when something even hints at becoming uncomfortable.  I think one of the reasons I barely dated for most of high school and the first part of college was that I immediately saw imperfections in people and translated them as being an uncomfortable situation (I was afraid I would have to break it off, so I just never started it).  But often in life we must go through uncomfortable moments to achieve our ultimate goals.  We have to be the new one in the club or launch out and try something new or simply go through the discomfort of staying with something during the rough parts (relationships, hobbies, spirituality, etc.).  The beauty of a spiritual practice like meditation or visualization is that it teaches you to keep returning to it and to stay, even if it brings up unpleasant feelings.  We must work through these unpleasant times in order to become stronger, indeed, to become our best selves.  What if we faced life knowing that uncomfortable situations will arise, but resolved ourselves to take the bull by the horns and stay with it rather than fleeing?  Imagine what our lives might be like!  Of course, there is a difference between discomfort and knowing a situation should not be part of one's life (this could be a whole post in itself).  But staying instead of leaving when things make you uncomfortable and discovering why this discomfort arises and how it can be resolved, I can see this making us stronger, more self-aware people.

Here's something sweet (thanks, Amy):  

Saint Theresa's Prayer  

May today there be peace within.  

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.  

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  

May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. 

Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  

It is there for each and every one of us.

i like traveling,

and the scent of cinnamon,

bending over out of my way to smell a rose.

i like coffee sparingly

and staring out of windows

while sitting in window seats.

i love sitting on the front porch

watching the rain

smiles that truly mean someone’s happy.

i like a soft wind,

someone playing with my hair,

sweet, little kisses,

and long, passionate ones.

i like New York City’s lights and sounds

and Costa Rica’s lazy mango diesel smell,

hiking through the rainforest,

watching sea turtles lay their eggs at midnight

singing Spanish songs

and laying in hammocks

sipping berry milkshakes.

i love dreaming

i am a biologist in the rainforest

or a world class fashion designer.

i like helping people

and touching their hearts.

i love old photos

and editing pictures i’ve taken, just for art’s sake

i love the idea that i’m a painter

or a writer deep down.

i love looking up at the sky

late at night

or in the middle of the blue day.

i love books about the olden days

when courting was simpler

and people rode around in horse and buggies.

i love people

who call shopping carts buggies.

i’m fascinated with New Age

and alternative religions,

any form of mysticism.

some days i feel i want to be

a solitary hermit, content with the stillness of the mind,

satisfied to fully live the spiritual path.

somedays i just want someone special

who makes me

laugh and laugh and laugh,

i just want to laugh with him.

i love my puppy

and looking at wedding rings

and dresses,

i love sleeping in

and waking up to the rain.

i love the ocean,

walking on the beach,

dreaming of scuba diving,

seeing wonders up close.

i love books; reading and holding and buying them,

i love the smell of bookstores,

i love giving.

i love writing postcards

and heartfelt notes,

the color blue

and the thought that we are all pieces of God,

that this is why the earth doesn’t feel like our home.

i love the idea that we are born again and again,

each time we live we learn something new.

i love meditating for the good of all.

i love the One.

i love singing

and songs that mean something to me,

the lyrics are just right.

i love soft, quiet nights

and kind eyes,

costume parties

and the subtle disguise of budding love.

i love watching kids and dogs

playing in the snow,

remembering grandpa

and the sacred decorations of my grandma’s house.

i love my blonde hair,

and the way i want to dye it black,

love Ott’s Pasta,

Tea Bar & Bites,

and long, beaded necklaces.

i love simple decor,

pictures in houses,

old, funky tablecloths,

abstract art photos,

the color black.

i love color

and scaring people

and Halloween.

i love the feeling of Christmas,

like the world is the way it’s meant to be.

Presence 

for Grandma Pat and Daniel, in memory

Lingering, those that have passed,

like a whisper on the breeze

or a glimpse from the corner

of my eye;

a twinkle,

a sigh,

they must be passing by.

A smile,

tears,

a kiss:

there must be more than this.

Softest sounds,

a smell;

a bluebird floating

in the sky.

Is it their spirits

or sweet memories 

that never die?

Souls never die,

souls never die.

Revolutionary Road looks incredible:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809883886/trailer

An article about it:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20219322,00.html

I don't want the "American Dream" either.  White picket fence?  No, thanks.

"Moon River"

Somehow there's no song that quite captures the idea of soulmates like this one.

Another song that breathtakingly portrays soulmates:

"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie