Present in the silence

I find it hard to believe that Christmas has just come and gone, and we’re approaching a quarter of a century into the millennium!  I remember being a child and calculating how old I’d be when the millennium hit! Funny, I didn’t feel ancient when it did! And I still don’t. However, I am very happy to have time to unplug and rejuvenate after a year of working more intensely than ever before to help so many deal with the dense energies we’ve all been experiencing.

By the time you read this, I will be happily unplugged, taking time in silence to rejuvenate and reconnect with my own spirit. We learn how well we’ve mastered our own thoughts amidst the tugs and pulls of the world, but how easy and wonderful it is at times to simply withdraw into the silence and, without distraction, reconnect with the Self. True mastery is being in the world but not of it—maintaining a sense of connection to the eternal within, even as you navigate the demands of daily life. True bliss, for me, is found in the quieter times, with nothing and no one but God, the angels, and my own thoughts. I treasure my time with friends and family. I also crave the balance of the quiet times. In silence, I derive joy from the simplest things in life.

I dug up the sweet potato patch yesterday. The soft crunch of the shovel turning over the earth was like music, a gentle symphony of nature’s rhythm harmonizing with my movements. The smell of the fresh earth was perfume, and the appearance of the little orange gems amidst piles of dirt was better than any buried treasure. A mockingbird serenaded me with his sweet and lyrical “love of life” song. I was lost in the moment, and before I knew it, the moments had flown, and I had a pile of potatoes.

Rinsing them was fun, too. My muddy little treasures revealed their beauty in the cold water coming out of the hose. New sights and sounds presented themselves to my senses as the joy of the moments unfolded. The chill in the air and the chilly water were enlivening. The winter grass smelled as fresh as life itself, and the scent and rustle of the fallen leaves wrapped a blanket of autumn and winter around me all at once. I could feel my heart beating and had to shut my eyes in gratitude to take it all in.

There are plenty of challenges in life. This year, three souls near and dear to my heart came close to the edge of life. Thank God they’re all here, and we are able to treasure the love between us. I had a few injuries, and as a result of walking lopsided due to the broken toes, my vision has become fairly horrible. The problem is temporary.  It doesn’t concern me. LIfe is good, and I know how to fix myself. I just needed to “see” that I needed time for myself to slow down once again.  I started doing my little morning yoga routine again the other day, and in spite of my current lack of grace and balance, it felt amazing to be moving and stretching once again.

Challenges will always be part of life. In the quiet moments, when I slow down, look around, inhale, and listen, there is so much grace. “Slower is faster,” as the angels like to say.  Miraculously, when you listen to your heart and embrace what it desires in the moment, things get accomplished more easily.  I’ve been relaxing and moving slowly this vacation, but somehow, a lot has been accomplished. I picked, packed, and shipped 20 boxes of lemons in three days while getting ready for company. I was able to entertain my dear friends and enjoy their amazing presence in my life. I found time to keep evolving my Etsy shop. And I’m napping a lot which is a treat beyond words!

Plugging into the moment and connecting with your own heart allows you to tap into the endless stream of creation. In the stillness of the present moment, we can once again hear what we need to hear and see what we need to see to travel along the path of greatest joy. Temporarily removed from the world’s demands of our time, we can find our own rhythm onceagain.

As I often turn off everything except the Christmas music, sit on the couch, and watch the twinkle lights on the tree, I am overcome with gratitude for the beauty and richness of the moment.

Here are a few tips to help you embrace the moment and find the opportunities and joys that it offers:

1.  .Take “Pause for Presence” Breaks

Set a reminder on your phone to “pause for presence” a few times a day.  Stop whatever you are doing as soon as you can.  Inhale deeply.  Wherever you are, look at your surroundings and look for something to appreciate. Smell the air. Feel the temperature of your skin. Listen to the cacophony of sounds, even in an office with white noise. Immerse yourself in the sensory experience of the here and now. Notice how much more alive you feel.

2. Be Present with Yourself

Every now and then, if only for a few moments at a time, take time in silence. Some people I know run to the restroom at work for a moment of silence!  Some step outside. Some put on noise-cancelling headphones with no sound input. However you do it, find a few moments to withdraw from the noise of everyday life. Breathe deeply.  Ask yourself simple questions such as, “How am I doing? How do I feel right now?  What does my heart desire right here and now?”  Make a note of your answers and when you can, make small steps to create improvement.

3. Make Embracing the Present a Game

Challenge yourself. What can you find right here and now that makes you feel good? Is there something in your line of sight that pleases you? Do you hear something that soothes? Can you breathe and enjoy the movement of the air in your lungs? Can you find a thought that inspires? Push yourself, ever so slightly, out of what I call the “uncomfortable comfort zone” and challenge yourself to find something beautiful here and now.

So, as 2024 comes to a close and we journey into the new year, my wish for all of you is that you can embrace deeply all that life has to offer. Ignore all that it wants to take from your spirit and instead bask in the goodness, glory, and guidance of a love that never fails—a love that is present in each present moment. Happy New Year! Happy New Now…and again.