Month: July 2019

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Light Bathing in my PJs

Sunday was a brilliant day as I found myself immersed within a day long practice of “Light Bathing.” 

This wasn’t my plan nor did that term pop into my mind until I was already deep within the process.  With my morning shake in hand, my plans rearranged themselves when I was called to engage my Soul in meditation.

Sitting in my pajamas on my back deck, journal nearby, I closed my eyes and dropped into the moment. 

The birds sang.  My neighbor swept his patio. Planes occasionally flew above me.  The breeze rustled my hair.   I wandered through a visually rich inner landscape.  My Soul Conversation was enlightening.   Amidst all of this movement, Stillness emerged.  

I felt lit from within as I basked in the warmth of the sun. I was light in every sense of the word.

 

Opening my eyes, I noticed my dog resting nearby. He looked regal as he soaked in the sun – totally at rest and seemingly content. I realized that he often sought the light patches in the house or spent time resting in the sun on the back deck. Totally at rest and seemingly content. 

Moving inside, my plans rearranged themselves again when I felt the desire to attend to my plants.  

This again was unexpected. After all, I had a Dead Plant Sale when I lived as a resident advisor in the undergraduate dorms during grad school.  I was clearly missing the ‘green thumb’ gene, yet here I was with a desire to tend to my plants.  I have only one type of plant in my home and office given my seeming inability to keep them alive. Whatever type of plant I have, it is very forgiving and truly resilient. 

I discovered that my plants were thirsty, the leaves wilted, and the vines long overdue for trim.  

So I watered them.  Trimmed them.  Talked to them.  Promised them more care.  Finally I moved them all into the light. 

When my husband came home, I informed him that our plants were “Light Bathing” until tomorrow.  

I was struck by that term.  I actually felt a warm pleasure throughout my body when it was said aloud.  I noticed that I had turned on the lights that day in all of the rooms around me – using light as an accent of the beauty and tranquility of my surroundings.  

Later in the day, while hiking in the woods, I noticed the presence of light everywhere.  
I walked through ribbons of light in the denser forest and in bright sunshine through the field.  When I prepared and ate my dinner, I blessed the food and those who brought it to me with Light.

I recognized that Light Bathing was not a new thing – it was a normal part of life.  My dog already knew this, as did my plants.

Creating a new art piece that evening, I felt the lightness of enthusiasm and enjoyment while translating an inner vision into physical form. I chanted while I worked and consciously poured light into every layer of the mixed media painting. 

My day ended with a practice to Steady the Light. 

I resourced my energy field – physical body with the vital life force arising from the Earth and descending from the Heavens. Grateful for the day, it was no surprise to discover that it ended much as it had begun …

I was light soaked.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

A recent Gallup poll reported about a third of workers in the US are unhappy and disconnected at their jobs. Research at Central Michigan University found that exposure to natural elements seemed to have a positive impact on workers. Sunlight exposure revealed an even stronger influence. Indirect sunlight was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms while direct sunlight was related to improved satisfaction and sense of loyalty at work. Employers, take note! 

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The Glow of Giving

I grew up with generous giving. 

Not that it was discussed. More like witnessing some folks modeling “how to” giveof their time, money, and talent.

(By folks, I mean mine.)

I didn’t think it was anything special.

More like a way of life.

Like treating my cheerleading squad to burgers at McDonalds (when you could do that without robbing your bank), mentoring young people, sponsoring worthy projects, and volunteering their time.

So, it was a no brainer to share my stuff and volunteer my time.  

It certainly wasn’t required nor a part of building a “college worthy” resume of community service. (Today’s pressure on kids to volunteer as a way to impress does feel a bit off, even though the side effect may be a good one.)  It was just something we did.

When I was young, it was fun, made sense, and I had company.

So, I shared clothes with friends, ran backyard fairs for muscular dystrophy, and volunteered as a candy stripper at the local hospital. 

(Full disclosure:  I did skip on the “feeding the patients” duty as I was more into drinking milkshakes while hiding in the library with my friends. And I wouldn’t have been caught dead in those pink and white striped pinafores outside of the hospital. My adolescent self shudders to think of it to this day).  

My husband and I shared this desire to raise our daughter within this model of “generous giving.”

From the time she entered school, she was involved in projects and discussions about giving.  She was used to volunteering, gathering school supplies, delivering Holiday gifts, and shopping for specific families in need.  We discussed as a family how we might support worthy projects around the world. And how to say no to the countless requests we received over the phone or at the cash register if they didn’t fit into our giving plan (even when they were someone else’s worthy project).

Kids don’t miss much.

She noticed when I quietly picked up the check for the older woman dining alone we had chatted with at dinner. I hadn’t known it at the time. When she pointed out an older man eating alone one evening, she asked if we could pick up his check. In time, I witnessed some of her own acts of generous giving and realized she must’ve witnessed other small anonymous actions.

Fast forward to this week and the surprise appearance of the “Awww” Factor or Awe Factor. 

I knew my Dad wanted to reach out to friends and colleagues to fund next year’s tuition costs for the Love Orphanage kids in Haiti. Great idea. Really worthy AND much needed. We had 19 kids on the road to education with the Be a Difference Maker program my daughter had created. The goal was to create sustainable funding so all Love O kids could receive the education they deserved.

He was proud of my daughter’s intent and signed on as a Difference Maker. I watched my daughter edit her Grandpa’s letter to seek funding for private school tuition. Reverse generational modeling. I enjoyed that immensely.  And then we all moved on. 

Out of the blue, the gifts rolled in. Just like that, lives were transformed.

The impact of strangers. Based on their trust in my Dad, inspiration generated by my daughter, a worthy need, and, most likely, a habit of generous giving. I felt that warmth of happiness spread through my body.

You know, it is a scientific finding, that warmth thing.

Research links prosocial giving and happiness as a universal phenomenon.

 

Even when controlling for individual’s income around the world (across 136 countries), people reported greater satisfaction in their lives when they were giving to others. This is especially true when three things were in play: giving is a personal choice, there is a sense of connection (to strangers or those known to you), and an impact is made. 

As the thank you letters and pictures of the children left our home yesterday, I felt we were batting 3 out of 3:  choice, connection, impact.  

Warm hearted, I realized that being a witness to giving also had its perks.

I was deeply moved. You could say I had a glow from giving – even from the witness seat.

At the end of this story, all 19 Love O kids are funded! Another year of the Change Their Lives type of influence for these future Difference Makers in Haiti.  Check out their sweet Thank You below (from last June’s Culture Camp).

Better than a milkshake any day.

Remember that choice, connection, and impact are important. Feel free to find your own place to make a difference with your time, talent, or moolah. This big wide world has needs are vast, so feel free to warm your heart your way.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Research has identified one way more money can make us happier. Having a lot? Sure. That’s one way as research shows happiness rises with income (but only until $75K). Another biggie: you tend to be happier when you spend it on others. Kids already know this. One study focused on the innate pleasure received by the act of giving. 2 year olds were found to be happier giving away their Goldfish crackers from their own pile than using someone else’s stash. Research apparently is for adults. Kids already have this super power. Share your fish.