Monday Moment

This morning, as the sun rose over a nearby mountain and poked its rays through my window blinds, I found myself fighting the day. I fluffed my pillow, pulled the covers over my head, and let out a grunt for the benefit of no one but my dog, Jane, who lay faithfully patient on the floor next to my bed, not caring if we got up or slept in.

She's an enabler, that dog. Of all of the dogs at the pound, I picked the codependent one.

Mondays are always tough, it seems. If you're like me, you only begin to relax at about five o'clock Sunday night, so Monday feels like a cruel joke sometimes. At least it was this morning ... but only for a few minutes.
I recently had a conversation with Sue Neufeld-Ellis, who is the author of a fantastic CD we've published called Serenity Through Meditation. She mentioned -- and this is so true -- that so many of us are worried about the future or stuck in the past that we seldom live in the "right now." So I kicked the covers off and took a minute to feel what "right now" feels like.

The Arizona air was cool and invigorating. Outside my window, sparrows were chirping as they hopped across the yard I'd manicured all day Saturday. A Gambel's quail hurried from one bush to another, followed by another moments later. Someone was enjoying my gardening efforts, and I almost hadn't noticed! I hopped out of bed and opened the blinds in every room to let the sun shine in. I'd done a good bit of spring cleaning over the weekend, so there was not a single dust bunny to greet me. It was wonderful. Jane sighed her deep, old dog sigh and stretched her aging legs, happy to be, just as she is every day.

And so, today, on this Monday in April, I am happy to just be, and thankful for another day full of challenges and opportunities on this earth.
I hope each of you finds similar peace today, no matter what your challenges, pains, or troubles. Know that you are not alone, and that the world can truly be a beautiful place if you let it.

Warmly,
Amanda Larson
Publisher, Gentle Path Press
http://www.gentlepath.com/