Quote of the day: “Human life is a crucible for the creation of love. When the body’s life goes, the love remains. It was always the real point.” — Martha Beck

A heart and shadows on the path I walk on

Here is a good thing to remember when ambition gets the better of you or when you’re feeling like you haven’t accomplished enough in this short life of yours.

Only the love remains…

When I realize this, it helps put my actions into perspective. Each thought and action I make affects what I create now, and what remains after I am gone.

If I spend my life grasping after things or safety or comfort, that is what will remain afterwards.

Abstract designs in a creek

If I spend my life loving  people, beauty, and life itself that is what will remain.

Today and every day…

I choose love!

In the moment, I don’t always remember that choice. I get caught up in wanting what I want, feeling righteous indignation and anger, having a desire for comfort, “me-me-me” thinking (as in the world revolves around me), fear, and every other sort of dysfunctional emotion or thought you can imagine (well, not everything you can imagine!).

Several practices help me to come back to love again and again.

Weeping willow beside the creek

The practices that help me:

• Noticing beauty always brings me back to love. I see it everywhere I go.
• Feeling gratitude and writing down what I am grateful for
• Seeking out and surrounding myself with positive people who inspire me.
• Poetry and great books inspire me.
• Music and rhythm bring me back to love.
• Meditation shows me where my mind is wandering (and lingering) and helps bring me back to love.
• Spending time in nature brings me joy.
• Church services help me feel connected to others and often challenge me to choose love.
• Helping others always makes me feel better. Even small words of kindness or kind thoughts make a difference.

Daisies and ferns

What brings you back to love?

Make some time in your life for practices that bring you back to love. If you are feeling despair because of everything that’s wrong in the world, you need something that reminds you of what is right and beautiful and lasting. Life is about creating love and learning to love.

May you walk in beauty.

(A note on today’s photos – all were taken around my house or on my walk through the neighborhood yesterday. Beauty chases me everywhere I go.)

Interesting insect

Ferns and a fence

Ruby throated hummingbird visiting flowers in front of my house

Another view of hummingbird

Rhythms in long grass captivate me

Playing with camera movement with long grass

Leaves and a fence

Hummingbird feeder still life