A View From the Last Day of 2010

January 1, 2011 8 Comments Relationships

Almost every day for the past 10 years, (except when I’m traveling), I have woken to this beautiful view; sometimes bathed in apricot and peach colors of sunrise and sometimes, like on this brisk winter morning, dusted with snow. Almost always the piñon and juniper-covered hills are outlined by the blue backdrop for which New Mexico’s skies are famous. Every morning, as my mind shifts from the realm of dreams to self consciousness, I am reminded of the “Big World Out There,” beyond my own thoughts and feelings, immediacies, concerns, duties and habits; beyond, even, my own mortality.

I know I am very lucky to sleep in the safety, warmth and comfort of a well-built home, to open my eyes to “my mountain” and to be reminded daily of the beauty and majesty of nature. I am also fortunate to have the eyes to see this, the mind to make meaning of it, the body to rise and stretch and consider what I want to do with the day ahead.

Being self-employed for the past 26 years, I know there are days when I’ll “get a lot done” and others when I’ll wonder where the day went. But, inevitably the day passes and, no matter what joys, sorrows, discomforts or challenges I encounter, perceive or dwell upon, I sleep and wake to a new day.

Since we mark these passings with a calendar, the end of a year and beginning of another have created traditions and rituals. Probably like you, I like to take some time to reflect on what I have learned and how I’ve changed in the year past, and envision what I’d like to create in the year ahead. For me, 2010 has been marked by a deeper understanding and practice of Appreciation… for my self, and for every aspect of my life.

This year, I have let go much of my former ambition and sense of accomplishment in terms of money, and have found that the more I appreciate the moments of awareness and connection, the easier money flows to me. I have let go much anxiety and fear around it, substituting every financial transaction with love and appreciation. It is a practice to reprogram decades of delusional control, but very satisfying. Consider that in the financial realm, appreciation means to grow in value.

I have weathered some loses and disappointments – in myself and others. I have accepted the reality of What Is and been bold in moving on and appreciating my ability to end relationships with people whose perspectives or actions are not supportive; or to love them all the more for standing in their truth and challenging me, with love, to better know my own heart and mind.

I mark my years by my travels (never as much as I wish!). In 2010, I went to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel to escape last January’s cold; to my niece Maggie’s wedding in New Hampshire in September — a gloriously fun reunion with family I cherish, and while there drove to Vermont to spent a delightful day with Roberta Shafer, my beloved ninth-grade teacher who I hadn’t seen since 1972; I flew to Denver in October to spend a long weekend with my dear friend Anne at her new home; and spent 10 days in New York City with high school friends I’d reconnected with thanks to Facebook; visited with my housemate from 27 years ago, Joel, and his family (his wife, Neonilla, and I are planing a trip to Turkey in Sept. 2011); attended travel writer events with Swiss-based writer friend Anita Breland, and “social enterprise” day at New York Entrepreneur Week; enjoyed time with the talented Tree Elven; and, at the “Other Israel Film Festival,” I made a business connection that holds some promise.

In a summary of the year’s accomplishments, I closed three real estate deals and published a few articles, spent a lot of time online learning about social media, created the complex website for GreenRoads Realty, updated the related eZine, revamped my personal website, edited some articles for Your Life Is A Trip and cultivated a precious friendship with Judie Fein, and created this new blog close to my heart. I also began practicing yoga again, after many years, and have been encouraged by the success of my friend Maia Duerr’s Liberated Life Project. Throughout, I grappled with chronic discontent and the sense I should be doing something more, something different. Finally, in November, I broke through to Appreciation… a place of joy I wish for everyone.

What’s next? I’ve made a commitment to doing what I most love in 2011 – writing and traveling, coaching businesses and individuals, and facilitating workshops. I am letting go of the activities that have sucked my time. I am focusing on what I most love, albeit through a number of related prisms.

It has not been a “easy year” for me or anyone I know. The systems we thought would work for our lifetime have self-destructed or are unraveling. It is a time of uncertainty and change, full of new potential. I am grateful for this year, for the clarity that has come from it, and for the support of generous-spirited friends and my partner of 26 years who, knowing me better than anyone, stated, “You are a writer and you love to travel. Why don’t you just do that?” So that is what I intend to do in 2011.

When I awake on the first day of 2011 and see my mountain, it will be with the surety that whatever this year brings, I will welcome it. To experience this life and recognize my power to create and in-form reality is awesome. That it took years to recognize this means nothing to a mountain.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to inhabiting our dreams! “Happy New Year!”
I would love to hear what you learned in 2010, and what you intend for 2011. (Please leave your comments below).

With enormous gratitude for your presence,
Aysha

Slow Down!

December 19, 2010 2 Comments Health & Fitness

Like a dish or glass that slips from your hand, you know in that instant, it’s going to break. So it is in an instant that we slip, trip, stumble or otherwise fall and “have an accident”. And the most common reason “accidents” happen is because we get in a hurry.

Recently, my friend’s vibrant 84 year old mother dashed out of the house with a squirt gun to scare off a local cat and slipped, hitting her head and causing a concussion and the need for a few stitches. My sister, 50, raced in her heeled clogs across the alley in the dark to add something to the garbage can, twisted her ankle on uneven pavement and fell down, fracturing her elbow. A friend, 60, late for an appointment but needing to stop for gas, jumped out of her car, raced around the car to place the gas nozzel in the tank and slipped on a small puddle of oil, severely bruising her hip and thigh.

Each of these events happened in an instant. The pain, inconvenience, time and money (in addition to the embarrassment and self-recrimination!) could have been spared had they just slowed down.

This may sound obvious, but when we’re in a hurry, focused on a goal, we’re not paying attention to the moment. It is only in the moment that anything happens. One moment leads to the next. Being present in each moment can get us – safely – to our goal.

What I take away from these undesirable events is:

• always keep your gas tank at least half full
• know on what side of your car the gas tank resides
• move deliberately and watch where you’re going
• if it’s dark: turn on the lights
• wear sensible shoes
• don’t mess with neighborhood cats

Spontaneity and impulsiveness can be enlivening, but not at the cost of your well-being. Please be careful with your self.

Any other advice? do you have a personal story to share? Please add your comments.

Why Dreams Don’t Soar

November 28, 2010 1 Comment Passion & Joy, Relationships

by C. Hope Clark (by kind permission of the author)

What we often attribute to fate and the hand of others is more the fault of grounded dreams – dreams we weighed down ourselves, not allowing the wings to spread and take flight. The change isn’t a sudden slam of a door or quick reversal of speed, but more of a slow easy slide into nothing. And we assume it isn’t our fault. We have to assume some of the responsibility. Whether we admit it or not, we abetted the demise by:

–Letting others dissuade us. It’s amazing how people who haven’t succeeded tend to be the loudest naysayers. While writers are known for having some mighty big hearts, those who don’t understand the craft still tend to believe anyone can pull off a bestseller. We hear far too many negatives, and we start to believe the words.

–Letting past disappointment control us. We’ve failed in other arenas. We’ve had close calls with contracts. We’ve submitted to 72 agents, been rejected 42 times and ignored 32. We’ve divorced, endured physical restrictions, and weathered disease.

–Letting that inner editor tell us that we’ve done fine considering the odds. We’d be better off NOT knowing the odds. That way we don’t settle for less than our best.

–Letting the hard work stop us from tackling another hurdle. We get tired, and our confidence weakens.

–Locking up our imagination. Like dancing in front of people, we fear cutting loose and letting our inner child free. We grip what’s comfortable instead of jumping on the dance floor under the spotlight, where people can easily judge.

Sometimes the odds stack up against us but, face it, our attitude about how we deal with our dreams is completely in our hands. Maintain control. After all, it’s your dream, and no one else’s.

(Editor’s Note: Hope Clark is a writer/editor and true champion of other writers. Her website, http://www.fundsforwriters.com/, is a marvelous resource for both aspiring and seasoned writers).

60 Seconds to Accomplishing A Goal

November 26, 2010 0 Comments Business & Work, Money & Finances

broken-clock — 60 seconds of concentration will change your life.

Hold That Thought.

Spend 60 seconds with your eyes closed focusing on your ultimate goal (or any goal, for that matter).

Watch how your mind wanders, contradicts, raises objections.

Holding a clear unobstructed idea/image for even 15 seconds is a challenge to most people.

When you can do it for 15, go for 30, then 45 seconds.

If you practice and can truly stay focused for a minute, seeing and feeling your goal with your whole body and mind, it will manifest with great ease.

This concept is based on quantum theory. It is about re-programming your “field” of knowing and re-establishing new patterns that allow you, as creator of your reality, to real-ize whatever it is you imagine. Keep playing with this. I find it really shifts everything, especially our deep knowing that we are creating our reality.

Worth a try, eh?

I’d love to hear what you discover!