Author: listeningtomylife7

I spent much of my career in education, serving in several capacities in the public schools.  I was a teacher, counselor, sex-equity coordinator, introducing and implementing Title IX, and principal. I left a tenured position and started my own business as an educational consultant in organizational change.  At 55 I stopped everything and followed Spirit’s whispers which lead me into a deep spiritual healing. I share my healing journey in my new memoir, "Listening to My Life." It is available on Amazon in both print and e-book format.  I am  a spiritual director living in Tacoma, WA, and continue to enjoy hiking, gardening, traveling , and reading. 

Daily Joy Moments

by listeningtomylife7, posted in Uncategorized

JOY

I walk past joy
on the way to wherever.
My eyes do not see,
too busy doing.

I rest my mind,
breathe deeply,
and there she is
in all her glory:

New buds on the tree,
my cat’s antics,
Friends’ voices saying hello,
A symphony of birds singing
their delight.

Joy seeps in softly,
whispering.
I slow down
and pick up her scent.
Engulfed in her wonder.

Joy tiptoes on silent feet,
elusive,
only to the wandering mind.
So many possibilities
at my fingertips.

Wake-up, wake-up
she whispers.

I wrote this poem a few years ago when I realized I was so busy planning the next “to do” that I was missing out on life.  I now make it a practice to look for daily joy moments. These bring me back to the present, fully engaged in the moment.

Patience

by listeningtomylife7, posted in Uncategorized

Patience is not a high skill set for me. It offers me life lesson everyday, as I am daily sent teachers to home in on practicing patience. Being a high energy, task-oriented person I move quickly from one task to another. In the process of always thinking ahead to the next task, I miss the present moment. As I notice impatience taking over, I am learning to breathe deeply and pause. Just that moment of awareness and presence makes a difference.

Below is a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke that I return to periodically as a reminder not to rush through life and/or questions.

Be patience with all
that is unresolved in your heart
and try to love
the questions themselves
do not seek
for the answers that
cannot be given
for you would not
be able to live them
and the point is to
live everything
live the questions
now
and perhaps
without knowing it
you will live along
someday
into the answers

May we all live a slower paced life so we may live into the questions.

 

 

Dalai Lama’s Questions for the Millennium

by listeningtomylife7, posted in Uncategorized

 

IMG_1087
cherishing my garden

The Dalia Lama answered five questions at the turn of the century. As I reread this today I find it to be even more relevant than in 2000.  We are at the end of the second decade of the 21st century and these words soothe me and inform my behavior.

The Dalai Lama was asked five questions.
1. How do we address the widening gap between rich and poor?
2. How do we protect the earth?
3. How do we educate our children?
4. How do we help Tibet and other oppressed countries and peoples of the world?
5. How do we bring spirituality (deep caring for one another) through all disciplines of life.

The Dalai Lama said all five questions fall under the last one.  If we have true compassion in our hearts, our children will be educated wisely, we will care for the earth, those who “have not” will be cared for.  He was asked, “Do you think loving on the planet is increasing or staying the same?” His response, “My experience leads me to believe that love is increasing.”

He shared a simple practice that will increase loving and compassion in the world.  He asked everyone to share it with as many people as they can.

The Practice:

  1. Spend five minutes at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and be loved) and we are all connected to one another.
  2. Spend five minutes–breathing in–cherishing yourself, and breathing out–cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing, extend your cherishing to them anyway.
  3. During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet.  Practice cherishing each person you meet as well as your family. A simple smile can bring light to another.
  4. Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you.  These thoughts are very simple, inspiring and helpful.  The practice of cherishing can be taken very deep if done wordlessly, allowing yourself to feel the love and appreciation that already exists in your heart.

May we all take time each day to cherish all the beauty that surrounds us and all the people that bring love and joy to our lives, including ourselves.

Soul-Stretching

by listeningtomylife7, posted in Uncategorized

Soul stretching, what a wonderful metaphor for living our lives fully. If you haven’t visited Rita Kowats blog “Spirituality without Borders” I highly recommend it.

ritakowats's avatarSpirituality Without Borders: Reflections on Spiritual Practice

hourglass-1356070_1920

Our attempts at self-protection
cause us to live
in a cramped corner of our lives.

Frank Ostaseski “A Friend until the End”
Lion’s Roar July 2018

Senescence has overtaken my back, but I am releasing pain and regaining flexibility by doing PNF stretches and swimming. Compared to five months ago, I am literally a walking miracle. I often meditate in the water, where this analogy came to me.

Stretching
A miracle for the back
Why not for the soul?

Pull push
Pull push
Breathing out ego
Breathing in light

Synced simultaneous soul-stretches
Creating space for the divine.

© Rita H Kowats 6-25-18

Hour Glass Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/en/hourglass-sands-of-time-woman-man-1356070/

View original post

Courage

by listeningtomylife7, posted in Uncategorized

In these stress-filled divisive times may we find the courage to follow the wisdom of the following poem.

COURAGE

True courage is composure
in all situations

True courage is being thoughtful
in all situations

True courage is loving compassion
in all situations

True courage is being nonviolent
in all situations

True courage is maintaining peace
in all situations

Kazuaki Tanahashi
published in “Lion’s Roar,” July 2018