WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR ABUNDANCE?
Three simple yet powerful priorities that will fill your cup to overflowing
Hey, Y’all:
I had a 10-hour travel day yesterday. Let me tell you, nothing feels as good as pulling your suitcase through your own front door and being welcomed home. I’m just back from a trip to my former hometown to check on an ailing family member and attend a weekend retreat for women. I was able to strategically squeeze in a few visits with friends and family while there, as well as a very special luncheon hosted by my mother’s earliest girlfriends. More on that incredible luncheon in my next installment of The Memoir Notes.
For me, this week was a beautiful example of where I go to fill my cup to overflowing. It’s not a comprehensive list of course, but it’s a strong start.
A couple of things rise to the surface as I sip my coffee and write this brief note to you this morning.
Where do I find abundance? Where do you find your abundance? What fills your cup, brings you encouragement, inspiration, and energy to continue creating a life that matches your deepest values?
Relationships. Michelle Obama often references her Kitchen Table. Not her actual table obviously, but the women she intentionally selects and tends to around her metaphoric kitchen table. Her ride or dies. Her trusted friendships with whom she can rely on and with whom she can truly be herself. Those people who can see you and love you, encourage and uphold you. This weekend I got to see a few of my ride or dies, and it was sweet nectar in my cup.
Time Away. While I haven’t always been able to say this, I can now - I love my life. I do not travel to get away from my life, but to go deeper into it, to season it with the salt of new perspectives and insight. Intentional time away is restorative. The weekend retreat gave me the spaciousness to listen to myself without the distractions of everyday life and to take what I learned back home with me. While leaving home can be helpful, taking time away even for a few hours in your hometown or even behind closed doors at home can do the same thing.
Presence. Being present with those you love and practicing being present to yourself. Only in this way can our values be made clear to us and lived out in our experience. If we truly long to love and be loved, we have to show up. We are not meant to do life alone. There is an epidemic of loneliness. Social media seems to help in some ways but it distances us in so many others. Over and over again the message came through, we all need to make more effort to invite a friend to coffee, pick up the phone to call someone, reach out beyond a quick like on FB. We need each other. Make the effort.
Clearly there is nothing new here, but this was what was top of mind and heart for me this morning. Maybe it’s a little helpful reminder for you as well.
Sending you encouragement today to examine where it is that you find abundance and to seek it out and find ways to make it more of a priority in your life.
xoxo Mary
3 THINGS WORTH SHARING:
The Light We Carry - need a boost of laughter and inspiration? Here you go.
I led a brief workshop on walking the Labyrinth this weekend at the retreat and facilitated an open walk. It marks my third facilitated evaluated walk and now I can submit all my materials for certification. I’m feeling really happy about how all of this has unfolded with such ease.
3. Here come the holidays. This made me grin from ear to ear. Hope it brings a bit of levity to your morning. Thanks for sharing, Megan.
A portion of our paid subscriptions this month goes to: Pathways Hospice
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Since 1978, Pathways has been providing care and support for Northern Colorado patients regardless of financial circumstances.
My beloved spiritual director has recently entered hospice. Please add your prayers to mine for an easeful transition for Judith. Thank you.
I hope you’ll keep in touch and share a comment below. If you are more comfortable responding privately, simply reply to this email. Either way, I’ll get back to you. Thank you for reading!
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So cool about the Labyrinth!