"Spread joy, have a purpose, and stay open." The perfect contemplation to go with reading and morning tea.
Spread Joy: Recently, I've made it a practice to share kindness wherever I am. I compliment, hold open a door, smile, start a conversation -- anything uplifting and encouraging. I do this in part because I am so stressed by the news of the day. Offering kindness, i.e. spreading joy soothes my heart.
Have a purpose:I have a vision statement for writing: Daily reading and writing practice. Uplift, encourage and share resources freely with other writers.
Stay Open: These days, I begin with opening to nature. Nature is One. Not just many things. Nature exists as ecosystems. We exist as ecosystems. Our roots and branches (metaphorically speaking) connect us to each other. We are One, not just many people. Stay open to others. We are nature. This is a practice too.
It's really all practice, because I've found no mastery, just new days, new dawns in which to choose -- how do I want to live my life today?
The first thing I saw this morning was a bunny hopping through my yard. I watched it jump over the clumps of lawn I need to mow today, climb under the chain link fences and eventually run down the cement alley. I can live on the edge of the city line and enjoy nature from my back yard.
As an avid dog lover, I make a point to engage other dogs and their owners by complimenting the dog which brings joy to its hoomans.
I enjoyed reading this and learning more about you. April is a month of renewal, and yet, spring is not my favorite season - weather is still a bit dismal, mud everywhere, lots of staring at yardwork that didn't get done last fall. But then, the little crocus flowers started blooming and something about seeing those first garden friends emerge immediately lifted my spirits. The magic of nature is real and restorative indeed.
I read the NYT piece about America's youth not giving up on hope. Appreciated this but it also made me more than a little sad: “I don’t have much faith left in the adults to fix this mess, but I do have hope for us.”
Mostly, it made me hopeful they can figure things out better than we have. I often feel badly that we're leaving the world in such a mess for our youth. I suppose my parents and grandparents had similar thoughts. But gosh, things are a mess.
That's why we need to hear things like: "Spread joy, have a purpose, and stay open." I'd add, and persevere. Thank you for the lovely reflections.
I worked out in my yard today. It is a big part of my self care. I am glad you read the NYT article. It gave me hope about how these kids were parented. They were taught to roll up thier sleeves and get things done. I think they are wise to not count on today's adults to fix the mess. That does not mean we are not involved in the fix. We do persevere, show up and act as positive role models. Another thing I learned in my MBA program is the 90/10 theory. 90% of people are "good" and 10% are "rotten". Unfortnatley the 10% get 90% of the attention. These are the adults none of us have faith in.
Because of chronological order, I can't say your JUL 28, 2025 post echos what I have written, but I can say than mine echos. I feel like we are West and East coast mirrors. Your poetry puts us on the same path.
"We ask for discernment,
to read the signs, heed the calls, learn the ways,
Thank you for reading. It's always nice to know.
"Spread joy, have a purpose, and stay open." The perfect contemplation to go with reading and morning tea.
Spread Joy: Recently, I've made it a practice to share kindness wherever I am. I compliment, hold open a door, smile, start a conversation -- anything uplifting and encouraging. I do this in part because I am so stressed by the news of the day. Offering kindness, i.e. spreading joy soothes my heart.
Have a purpose:I have a vision statement for writing: Daily reading and writing practice. Uplift, encourage and share resources freely with other writers.
Stay Open: These days, I begin with opening to nature. Nature is One. Not just many things. Nature exists as ecosystems. We exist as ecosystems. Our roots and branches (metaphorically speaking) connect us to each other. We are One, not just many people. Stay open to others. We are nature. This is a practice too.
It's really all practice, because I've found no mastery, just new days, new dawns in which to choose -- how do I want to live my life today?
Lovely post. Reflections for the day. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments, Stephanie.
The first thing I saw this morning was a bunny hopping through my yard. I watched it jump over the clumps of lawn I need to mow today, climb under the chain link fences and eventually run down the cement alley. I can live on the edge of the city line and enjoy nature from my back yard.
As an avid dog lover, I make a point to engage other dogs and their owners by complimenting the dog which brings joy to its hoomans.
I am happy to have you as a Substack friend.
I'm also delighted to have you as a Substack friend. Big hugs.
Hi Judith,
I enjoyed reading this and learning more about you. April is a month of renewal, and yet, spring is not my favorite season - weather is still a bit dismal, mud everywhere, lots of staring at yardwork that didn't get done last fall. But then, the little crocus flowers started blooming and something about seeing those first garden friends emerge immediately lifted my spirits. The magic of nature is real and restorative indeed.
I read the NYT piece about America's youth not giving up on hope. Appreciated this but it also made me more than a little sad: “I don’t have much faith left in the adults to fix this mess, but I do have hope for us.”
Mostly, it made me hopeful they can figure things out better than we have. I often feel badly that we're leaving the world in such a mess for our youth. I suppose my parents and grandparents had similar thoughts. But gosh, things are a mess.
That's why we need to hear things like: "Spread joy, have a purpose, and stay open." I'd add, and persevere. Thank you for the lovely reflections.
Hi Nancy,
I worked out in my yard today. It is a big part of my self care. I am glad you read the NYT article. It gave me hope about how these kids were parented. They were taught to roll up thier sleeves and get things done. I think they are wise to not count on today's adults to fix the mess. That does not mean we are not involved in the fix. We do persevere, show up and act as positive role models. Another thing I learned in my MBA program is the 90/10 theory. 90% of people are "good" and 10% are "rotten". Unfortnatley the 10% get 90% of the attention. These are the adults none of us have faith in.
There are no 10%-ers on Substack!
Thanks, Judith.
Discern together,
shared responsibility.
Light each other’s steps.
...
To try truth trials,
to discern what’s real, true, not.
Shed light to shed lies.
...
May we learn, discern
to determine what is true,
decide what to do.
...
Related rabbit holes for bunny Judith?:
https://marisolmunozkiehne.substack.com/p/discover-decipher-discern
https://marisolmunozkiehne.substack.com/p/delve-deliberate-decide
Coincidence or connectedness?
Your substack shares touched my heart.
I picked up a new pair of glasses today.
May we continue to:
"Discern together,
shared responsibility.
Light each other’s steps."
Because of chronological order, I can't say your JUL 28, 2025 post echos what I have written, but I can say than mine echos. I feel like we are West and East coast mirrors. Your poetry puts us on the same path.
"We ask for discernment,
to read the signs, heed the calls, learn the ways,
to manifest clarity, calm, courage,
from our center, with all our relations,
extended in connection,
trusting wise direction".
Like prisms, mirrors,
we reflect each other’s light,
carrying it further <<<
...
Each other’s mirrors,
subjects all and objects none.
Simple or not, so?
No objection from me. I like the coast to cast reflection!