Category: Connections

Live the Width of Your Life

How much of your thoughts and actions are concerned with the length of your life? But do you think about how to live the width of your life? What do you think is stopping you from adding to your life now, in this moment.

But i’m Afraid

New ideas can be scary. However, everyone can make a micro change. Here are a few ideas to start to live the width of your life:

  • Slowly take in a deep breath, closing your eyes, letting it slowly out. Repeat.
  • Return the friendly barista’s smile at the coffee shop.
  • Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, close your eyes, and lift the corners of your mouth ever so slightly.
  • Practice pulling your shoulders back, lifting your rib cage and looking straight ahead.

Do you journal? Is meditation a part of your day? Do you practice living in the moment? These are ways you can start living life to the fullest.

How do i start to journal?

It’s simple. Just follow these steps:

  1. Wake up 30 minutes early
  2. Gather a spiral notebook and pen or pencil
  3. Set a timer for 30 minutes
  4. Start writing anything, even “I don’t know what to write”
  5. Go with the flow, writing down anything that comes to your mind
  6. Stop when the alarm goes off, or continue if you’re on a roll and have time
  7. Repeat every morning

Journaling will get the mental juices flowing, breaking up log jams, opening up your ability to live the width of your life.

Be brave. You can do it!

How will you start to live the width of your life today? I really want to know.

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Thank you,
Dawn

Free to Be Yourself Anywhere

What does the image above invoke for you?  What is the first word that comes to mind? Do you think she is following the advice, feel free to be yourself? Do you think she is funny, quirky, silly, deranged, or entering into dementia?

My experience being myself in public

Of course, the woman in the floppy, purple hat is me. The picture missed the rest of my ensemble; pink skort, white athletic socks, and grey athletic shoes. I left home wearing everything except the floppy purple hat, which is a permanent fixture in my car.

There were less than fifty cars in the parking lot as I arrived at Bok Tower Gardens around 10:30 am last Sunday morning. I wandered along paths through the butterfly garden, children’s garden, and finally along the path to the tower.

I felt very free, almost blissful in my bright duds. The smiles and hello’s from the people I met verified my belief that the motto, “be yourself”, is uplifting both for the participant and onlookers.

One emotion missing was embarrassment. I felt comfortable, therefore the people who encountered me felt comfortable. I felt positive and they felt positive.

Take a walk on the free side

I challenge you to find the freedom to be yourself this week. Put fear aside, let your hair down, or put your hair up. If it’s freeing to dress in heels to go grocery shopping, do it! Find one way that you feel free to be yourself and go for it.

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Thank you,
Dawn

The People You Meet You Remember the Most

My two week land-sea cruise in Alaska was filled with beautiful, memorable museums, animal sightings, flowers, and panoramas. As I related some of the sights to my family, I realized it’s the people you meet, you remember the most.

A Memorable Character

Fatigue from a long day in Fairbanks prompted me to join my friend for dinner in the hotel restaurant. As we started in on our local specialties, we kept hearing music. As soon as we paid the bill, we walked into the lobby and there was a duo taking requests from a small gathering of hotel guests.

Soon we learned the guitarist was named Earl Hughes and he worked at an attraction called Dredge 8. After he and the pianist took a short break, the audience dwindled to four of us. We kept him busy another set with John Denver, Beatles, and a few country selection requests. It seemed he was ready to pack up, when he asks if we would like a demo tape on CD. Each of us nods an enthusiastic, “Yes!”

He signed and dated a CD for each of us. I’m not much for buying trinkets on trips, but I’ll always treasure this CD.

Seeing him again

The next day, our tour included Dredge 8. Sure enough, there was Earl on the train with his guitar. He even waved to us as the train continued onto the the big attraction, panning for gold. As we took our few flakes of gold to have them weighed, Earl was once again nearby. I smile remembering his joy in having the opportunity to play a few songs and visit with folks.

Lots of friendly people in Alaska

There were many more connections, nearly everyday. Summer experiences shared by vacationers, young and old traveling to Alaska for summer employment, and tour guides who were native or chose to make Alaska their home. However, Earl is one of those people you meet you remember the most.

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Dawn