WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
DAY 12: Light and Shadows
Weaverville, N. Carollina
Today has emerged as a journey in finding joy in light and shadows within and without. It begin with watching the sun emerge over the Blue Ridge Mountain tops, slowly becoming exposed after being concealed.
And as the light increased, chasing away the shadows, greeted by the “Caribbean Dancer” Christmas Cactus sitting right next to the window out of which I was gazing.
A dear friend sent me a simple photo of a banana and two tangerines illuminated in a shaft of morning light – the merging of art and breakfast, shadow and light. A morning greeting.
Walking in the cold crisp air where I met Marvin, a French bulldog puppy, who came up to me with paws gently placed on my legs snuffling almost like a purr and gazing into my eyes in greeting. His beautiful soft gray fur a mixture of light and dark. He made me smile.
All around stirs the process of coming into being – emergence – all clothed in shadow and light, shifting in each moment.
Finally, sitting out on the screened in porch, as the afternoon light and shadows merge with each other. From my vantage point, sitting on the rocking swing seat bathed in sunlight and shadows, I am taken into the peacefulness of this day wrapped in subtleties.
The shadows dance with the lessening of light each day coming nearer to the Solstice. Acceptance of this darker partner who holds stories of birth and death, aging and wisdom, beginnings and endings. love and loss – always shifting and changing.
Will we notice these moments bathing in their depths, becoming a willing partner in a dance with both light and shadow…..
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/12/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeEld
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 11: Simple Human Kindness
Candlelight Stroll, Downtown Weaverville, N. Carolina
It is the day after the annual Candlelight Stroll in the small town of Weaverville, N. Carolina and I am still filled with the joy of a community coming together to celebrate life in so many and varied ways. The rain is coming down now and I sit warm and cozy in my home sanctuary after a short walk to the local library to pick up a book.
What I thought was to be a simple errand a couple of hours ago turned into a connective experience in simple human kindness and positive engagement. Something we not only yearn for but wish to extend to others in these challenging times.
Only a few blocks, the walk was brisk to beat the anticipated rain. At the same time being aware of opportunities for spontaneous connection that proved to be numerous much to my delight.
- A police officer waiting to move into traffic from a driveway, seeing me a bit away on the sidewalk, purposefully moving back out of the way to let me walk by. Going up to his window, which he rolled down, I thanked him for his kindness and wished him happy holidays. He responded back in kind.
- People on the sidewalk exchanging smiles and good mornings. A simple kindness that is available to us all the time.
- A young boy of about 6 years old getting out of his family car near the library and running to the door. My thought was that he was excited to look at books to borrow that day and it made me happy to see. That is until I saw the real reason why he was hurrying to get there before me. He wanted to open the door for me! “Thank you kind sir. I sincerely appreciate your opening the door for me.” His response was “you are welcome” with a huge smile on his face.
- Sharing laughter with the librarian (quietly :-)) around not being able to pick my library card off of the counter as it was stuck there until she slid it off. That apparently was the third time in a row she had done that and this time she decided it was humorous!
- And then what I now call the “Climb in. Turn around. Sit Down.” song and dance. As I walked back home I was passing a car where a young mother was securing her child in the back seat of the car. I never did see the child, but I did hear the mother’s litany of “climb in, turn around, sit down” and I swear she felt my smiling even though I was a little past them. It reminded me of a possible children’s game of some sort. As I turned around she actually started singing the words and was smiling to herself. I said to her – “isn’t that a children’s game of some sort?”, thinking but not saying, like the Hokey Pokey (yikes that dates me!) We laughed with each other and I must say I was tempted to dance and sing right there with her. What you want to bet that this will become a song sung to her child when she wants them to get secured in the car?!
These are all simple events that happened in moments in time during a very short walk. Reminding me that there is always opportunity for simple human kindness and connection – giving or receiving – no matter where we are or what we are engaged in…….or even how we are feeling in any given moment.
A matter of where we choose to place our attention?
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/11/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElde
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 10: Presence of Being
“I am grateful for everything in my life. There is nothing that I am not grateful for.”
Kent – Suurbraak, South Africa
Each day of this 31-Day practice of placing attention on Joy & Laughter I am never quite certain what will emerge to share with you, or when it will show itself. But one thing I am certain is that I will be gifted with an experience worth sharing….and perhaps one that will shift the lens I am seeing through and you as well.
Listening to Kent in this short 11-minute film, produced in Suurbraak, South Africa, brought me to tears. Not of sadness, but of celebration that I can share his story and wisdom with each of you who read this post. What a beautiful soul he is!
A reminder to live life in the way he speaks of – “seizing the world with wonder every single day.”
His transparency of speaking to past trauma holds the potential to open and encourage us to set our wounds aside and remember who we have become….and who we are becoming. It is exactly those experiences in life which have the potential to set us free.
“We are here to bring a bit of peace, joy, love and happiness.” Kent
“The trees do not hold on to dead leaves but lose them in order to create room for new ones. We can learn from this, by letting go of the past and focusing on the now. We cannot change the past but we can make the present and future brighter and better, not bitter.” ~ Kemi Sogunle
“If you’re going through a painful time in your life, know that it is never worthless. These tough times teach you to see possibilities that you would never have fathomed in the comfortable moments.
Let us refuse to be held back by pain or sorrow. Let us overcome. Let us learn to breathe life into ourselves again. Let us step into a way of living that is magical, so we can wake up each morning feeling grateful, generous and free.”
Filmed in Suurbraak, South Africa by Green Renaissance.
Featuring Kent
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/10/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElde
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 9: Sweet Surrender
Who doesn’t like chocolate? Well, I know you are out there, but I am not one of you!
I am taking a bit of a writing break today and instead sharing with you the joy of dark chocolate….and not by itself mind you, but paired with pomegranate.
The perfect, and very simple to make, complete and absolute joy for chocolate lovers everywhere.
In fact I am nibbling on a piece now as I write this!
DARK CHOCOLATE POMEGRANATE BARK
Taken From “Life Changing Foods, by Anthony Williams
Heaps of juicy pomegranate arils and a smooth layer of creamy dark chocolate go together lusciously for this holiday or anytime treat.
Offer it as a gift, or make it for those moments when you’re craving some indulgence you can feel good about.
INGREDIENTS:
10 ounces bittersweet dark chocolate chips (at least 60% cacao)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup dark maple syrup
2 cups of pomegranate seeds (arils)
(NOTE: Commune with the whole pomegranate versus buying those shiny red “jewels” called arils out of the fruit)
DIRECTIONS:
- Remove the fruit (arils) from 2 pomegranates and set aside. If you have never done this before here are directions on how to without a mess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qfQ3_N7S6Y
- Stir the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat until the mixture is melted and combined.
- Add the maple syrup and stir constantly (which will thicken the mixture quickly – seconds – so take off the heat once it has reached spreadable consistency)
- Spread an even layer of the melted chocolate mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Press the pomegranate arils firmly into the chocolate layer.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow to set for at least 30 minutes. Break apart and enjoy!
- NOTE: Store in the refrigerator or freezer if by some miracle there is some bark left. 🙂
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/9/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElde
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 8: The Sound of Silence
Craggy Gardens Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, N. Carolina
Hiking on a mountain trail enveloped in clouds on a cold nearing Winter Day. The bare trees holding a beauty that somehow combined movement, grace, texture, and shades of varying color all at the same time. Majestic presence that tell stories of communion and dance with the elements and seasons. An energetic resilience that conveys without words.
One moment in time, stopping forward motion and breathing in the silence that seems to wrap you in an embrace of deep peace…..knowing that you belong here in this moment, with this friend, among these trees with cloud mist rolling down and among the trees leaving wet kisses on the top of your head.
How often do we experience absolute silence where the wildness of being in those exact moments strips any words away that may be hovering on our lips. A directive from deep within this time and place to simply be still.
To listen to the silence and be in joy….
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/8/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 7: Life Is Full of Treasure
Watching the video below this morning, after greeting the frosty 27 degree morning sunrise, I decided to see and be fully present in each moment of the unfolding day through the lens of “life is full of treasure.”
Throughout the errands and tasks, making of soup, and daily walk at the nearby nature park treasure was found, experienced and shared.
Sharing laughter with a cashier, where I purchased tiny white lights for a small living room live Lemon Cyprus Solstice tree, about how many passwords we need these days and the questions we have to answer once we are locked out – as she almost was from her register; smiling with a staff member at the natural food grocery store as we talked about the tiny Christmas tree (on a headband) perched on his head and how happy it made him and customers in the store feel; enjoying the vibrant colors and textures of vegetables as I placed them in the days soup pot; appreciating the artful shape, color and curve of trees without their leaves – naked for us to enjoy them without their clothes on :-); and once again squirrels at play in those same trees making me laugh as two raced noisily up, down and around the trunk, and then not wanting to be left out four more squirrels from neighboring trees leaped from one tree to the next to join the others in the high above the ground playground – what a high wire (or branch as it may be) performance, and I didn’t even have to purchase a ticket!
Curiosity, play, willingness to show up as authentically yourself in the moment, living in love and gratitude, creative artistry simply for the pleasure of it, seeing the abundance of beauty and treasure in your everyday life….that is what Julie Khyl speaks to in the short Green Renaissance video below.
Try on the lens of seeing life as full of treasure for at least one day and let me know what you experience!
“In this video, Julie Khyl reminds us that our happiness is not out there somewhere in the distant future, but in the things you hold dear today. You don’t need to go on a treasure hunt, but simply need to open your eyes and behold all those things that make living a priceless treasure.”
Learn more about Green Renaissance through Grateful Changemaker feature.*
To support Michael and Justine in their film-making journey visit Green Renaissance.
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/7/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 6: Rest & Solitude
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”
Chief Crowfoot
Life moments are fragile and fleeting. Gone before we have even settled into them.
Placing attention on the present moment is a practice we seem to be more adept at as we age, yet still get frantically captured in mainstream madness and old life force depleting patterns of “doing” and “wanting to belong.”.
It is when we finally come to rest in the solitude of our own making that we are still enough to breathe fully.
This 6th day of the Joy & Laughter Project I have come into stillness after a long day of absolute restorative solitude yesterday. Listening to the wise body guidance to simply stop.
Taking moments to gaze out the window at the sunlight resting on bare branches, the wind dancing the River Birch tree to a tune that only that duo may partner in, the light, color and cloud formations changing in every single moment, fully tasting the vibrancy of food, delighting in the bird calls weaving their way into consciousness.
Holding the days to come as opportunity, even when out and active, to pay attention . To hold rest and solitude not as something to enjoy once obligations and responsibilities have been “taken care of”, but to integrate into each and every day.
Sometimes it is challenging to do this as the cultural mandate to “be productive”, “make a difference”, or “economic concerns” attempt to bully the rest and solitude aside. Who wins is your choice.
Listen with full attention and surrender……..with hands in the air.
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
You can also find all of the posts in the archives here: http://atomic-temporary-171801894.wpcomstaging.com/2021/12/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/5/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 5: The Joy of Connection
Holiday Parade,12/4/21, Weaverville, N. Carolina
Everyone had a smile on their face as the high school band started off the yearly Holiday Parade! Kids were entranced and happily scooping up the candy that was being thrown from the floats that passed by, doggies were dressed up in holiday garb walking their humans along the path of the parade, horses trotted by, fire engines streamed in an unending long line, town major and dignitaries waved from their cars, local businesses displayed their holiday cheer and even a pig brought smiles from the crowd.
The day was beautifully sunny and embraced all who were there with a kind of magic that happens when humans connect in celebration of simply being in community. What is it about parades such as this that brings tears to eyes?
Homespun, simple, probably only entertaining to locals that populate this small southern town in Western N. Carolina. But for most it brings back memories of our youth and how exciting it was to be a part of a parade or even an observer with our families. Beyond that it was also a celebration of coming together after such a challenging two years of pandemic restrictions.
As I sit here at the computer typing away I reflect on the joy, laughter and deepening connection that yesterday embraced. Earlier in the day I visited a holiday bazaar tailgate market at the University of N. Carolina, Asheville, connecting with vendors I have grown to value and love over the last 6 months; laughed with my hair stylist as we talked about relationships and explored her love of painting with water colors, especially birds; and then later in the day gathered with three women friends around a small warm fire outside on a deck overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains with margaritas in hand evolving and deepening conversation with each other.
Life moments are precious at this elder stage of life. Fill them with joy, laughter, curiosity, artistry….and connection….whenever possible!
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/5/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
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DAY 4: Playful Offering
Anyone who has watched squirrels in trees and on the ground are being given a reminder to play. Though most biologists and animal behaviorists say that adult squirrels do not play I beg to differ with them. I just watched some today at the nearby Nature Park.
I have observed the young and the “older but young at heart” as one put it, referring to it variously as “funny five minutes”, “mad half hour” or “mad session”, in vigorous play. This in turn not only made me smile but joyfully want to join them, or create my own playful game. Though I doubt they would welcome my human presence. 🙂
It is important to me to always hold a space for improvisational play – and I am not talking about card or board games here! Did you know that….
- Relieve stress. …
- Improve brain function. …
- Stimulate the mind and boost creativity. …
- Improve relationships and your connection to others. …
- Keep you feeling young and energetic. …
- Play helps develop and improve social skills. …
- Play teaches cooperation with others. …
- Play can heal emotional wounds.
Reminders and encouragement to play are all around us. It is left to us to take advantage of the moments and not hold back. Those very moments of free form improvisation with others, or even alone, shifts attention from old stale patterns of being to living joyously from our hearts and creative souls. Watch children!
I try never to miss an opportunity to play, for invariably if I let go of hesitation and resistance I feel gloriously free and energized every single time. One day walking into the local natural food co-op store in the middle of the initial “lock-down” last year I immediately was impacted by the heavy energy.
Some innate urge to somehow shift that energy moved me to come as close as safety at that time would permit to one of the produce staff who I knew had a great sense of humor. I greeted her and then spontaneously both of us broke out in song, masked mind you, along with the music playing throughout the store and sang to the vegetables! Needless to say, the entire energy in the store lifted – and I am not even a very “good” singer.
As elders many of us get to that stage of not really caring what others think about us. So I say why not PLAY in whatever way shows up in the moment. Just yesterday I was seen breaking out in funky dance moves in the middle of the Whole Foods produce section because I couldn’t stay still to the music playing. Received a few funny looks but lots of smiles and some moving with me. (There must be something about produce sections for me. 🙂
Play date anyone??
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/4/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
Considering a move? Finding Home: Conscious Relocation Services by Gaye Abbott
DAY 3: A Breath of Good News
Every day we are bombarded with negative news whether it is on our smart phones, in mainstream media or on social media. I often wonder how much that impacts the escalation of fear and anxiety within us, and that pervades our world right now.
Today, like every morning, my hit of “good news” via The Good News Network, arrived in my inbox. To start the day learning about and being exposed to positive actions, innovations and inspiring stories sets the tone of the day for me.
The website, with its archive of 21,000 positive news stories from around the globe, confirms what people already know—that good news itself is not in short supply. Just this morning the headlines were: New Solution to Ridding Oceans of Microplastics Uses Acoustic Waves, Red Light Therapy Could Improve Eyesight After Declining Due to Age, Watch a Huge Spotted Eagle Stingray Glide Majestically Around Scuba Diver and Deaf Football Team Goes 12-0 On Its Way to California State Championship
Every time we share (or create) positive news it opens a pathway to embrace trust in the unfolding of life….and in each other!
I am also curious about how powerful it might be if we used our social media networks for collaborative good. A couple of days ago the post below surfaced on my FB feed:
“While all social networks are full of hatred and negativity, I want to dissolve it with pleasant news and facts. The world isn’t that bad, look back:
The Norwegians have decided not to drill oil wells in the Lofoten Islands (with $53,000,000,000,000 in oil reserves) to preserve the islands ecosystem.
For the first time in Malawi history, a woman has been elected as the speaker of the country’s parliament.
Esther Challenge cancelled 1500 marriages with underage girls and sent them back to school.
Swedish donors receive a thank you text every time their blood saves people.
Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, the almost endangered species population of sea turtles has increased by 980%.
Thai supermarkets gave up plastic bags and began wrapping up their purchases in banana leaves.
Holland became the first country without stray dogs.
South Korea organizes dance parties for people after 65 years to fight dementia and loneliness.
In Rome, you can pay for a ticket in the subway using plastic bottles. Thus, 350,000 bottles have already been collected.
California restricted the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in stores so people can take pets from shelters.
Rice farmers around the world are starting to use duck fields instead of pesticides. Ducks eat insects and pinch weeds without touching rice.
Holland sows roofs of hundreds of bus stops with flowers and plants – specifically for bees.
Iceland became the first country in the world to legalize equal salaries for men and women.
German circuses instead of animals use their holograms to stop the exploitation of animals in circuses.
LarvalBot underwater robot sows the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef with microscopic corals, grown specifically for ecosystem restoration.
To reduce the number of suicides, Sweden organized the world’s first psychiatric ambulance.
4855 people stood in line for hours in the rain to test stem cells to save the life of a five-year-old boy.
An Indian village celebrates the birth of every girl by planting 111 trees. 350,000 trees have already been planted so far.
Thanks to the ban on humpback whale hunting, their population has grown from several hundred to 25,000.
The Netherlands has built five artificial islands specifically for the conservation of birds and plants. Two years later, there are already 30,000 birds living there and 127 species of plants are growing.
NASA satellites recorded that the world has become greener than 20 years ago.
Since 1994, the number of suicides has decreased by 38%. It saved about four million lives.”
Posted By Sergey Gradil on FB, 2/26/2020
Are you ready to go out today and create your own good news?
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
If you don’t want to miss any of these posts simply sign up for the blog here:
https://wildlyfreeelder.wordpress.com/blog/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/3/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder
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