Embrace Everything

Yesterday morning we had unexpected rain. It changed my plans for the day and at first I was a little unhappy about it. But then I reminded myself to

Embrace Everything,

even the parts of life that may be painful or challenging in some way.

Despite the rain I made a visit to the Hopkins Farmer’s Market and bought lots of fresh veggies. And I found time during a lull in the rain to drive out to Noerenberg Gardens. I love days when the overcast sky creates lovely soft-box like light. And yesterday was one of those days.

The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.
― Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

Late yesterday when I first heard about the shooting at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, I am ashamed to say that a small part of me initially wished that the shooter had succeeded in killing Trump. (Wow, that was really hard to admit to myself, let alone write.) It’s difficult when I run up against my own judgments and smallness of heart. And I feel guilty to hold such a thought, even for a moment. All I can do is notice those thoughts and examine where they came from (fear of what his election might bring to our country, I think). Then I need to do the work to accept myself as I am.

Whenever you mentally oppose what is, you’re going to experience sadness and apparent separation. There’s no sadness without a story. What is is. You are it.”
― Byron Katie, A Thousand Names For Joy: How To Live In Harmony With The Way Things Are

Even this smallness of heart and fear I attempt to embrace and accept. I do not know what the future will bring. So I focus on staying in the moment, hopefully learning and becoming a little less judgmental and intolerant, becoming more loving and learning to embrace everything.

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Today’s photos from Noerenberg Gardens Saturday morning.