It Only Takes A Smile

As I prepare for my move overseas, I truly am inhaling and absorbing every moment outdoors in my flip flops. I have been stealing every opportunity to take a dip in my apartment pool, allow the sun to kiss my skin, or gaze at the clouds forming escaping portraits in the sky. As we progress throughout our years in school, summers were meant for rejuvenation, relaxation, and preparation for advancement in our progression towards the educational hierarchy and adulthood. Once we reach adulthood, are we still taking the time to absorb what summer is meant to offer? Step outside and allow your body and soul a chance to smile. Take a dip in the pool or ocean and allow the weight of any burdens release into the water molecules. When we allow our bodies to lighten with the assistance of the sun and water, we’re more free to offer contagious smiles and acts to others.

Today I mailed three massive boxes media mail at the Post Office. Although I had a cart to push the boxes, not one person offered to open the door. As I left, I noticed a middle aged man in the same situation. He had one massive box to mail, but he was carrying it. Nobody dropped what they were doing to open the door. Yet I knew what this was like, after having struggled 10 minutes prior. I opened the door and thought nothing of it. As i walked towards my car, the man found me and offered this card, stating “this is a gift from India.” On the backside of the card, it offered numerous positive spiritual statements. I didn’t feel obligated to give him my card, as this moment was allowing him to express gratitude for a small act of kindness from a stranger and for me to be receptive to accept it. What is one small thing you can do today to impact someone?

Yesterday I attended this talk by Bramachari Jeff speaking about how we tend to focus on attaining world peace, yet war and crime have been around since the beginning of time. The answer is not to focus on world peace, but finding peace within ourselves. This is how we impact change. How can you bring peace into your life today?

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do, there are 1000 ways to kneel and kiss the earth-Rumi. The other day, I learned one of my mentors has passed away: Dr. Richard Kopp, a teacher who introduced Adlerian therapy to me and was one of the most genuine, creative, grounded psychologists I ever knew. He created metaphor therapy, and my metaphor for him was Kermit the frog. True to his authentic self. I recall him singing songs to us on guitar during our last day of class. When someone can truly share the gifts with the world in the most authentic way, this is spirituality. Spirituality at it’s essence is serving others freely in a passionate manner, and hopefully in a way that is following your bliss. May he rest in loving peace.

a gentle reminder as you wait in line at a grocery store, for a cup of coffee, or in traffic others are waiting too.

As I parked my car yesterday, I had to notice the license plate of the car in front of me. Sometimes always we have to do is be present to witness and experience love.

I was reminded yesterday that the simplistic definition of guru is that which brings light to the dark. Allow that guru in whatever form to manifest into your life, be it a mentor, role model, family member, or friend. A guru represents the highest aspects we hold within ourselves. Release into that authentic nature that resides within…

I stumbled upon this when walking today to work. what a nice surprising way to impact others.