Three Treasures for You
an invitation, a permission slip, and a reminder
I come to you dear reader in a whisper.
There is so much noise in the world.
I unfold my hand slowly, offering you a few small treasures to place on your altar.
Choose the one you need the most today:
golden blanket flowers in a meadow
An invitation to be present
Who doesn’t love to receive an invitation, to feel included in the party?
I invite you into this present movement in your life. The one right in front of you now. Gently release old stories of past interactions or unfairnesses. For now, lay down your worries of what the future will bring.
The only gift you need to bring to this party is your attention. How much of life do we miss when our attention is caught up in regret or in worry? Turn your attention to the information your senses are bringing you in this very moment, the only moment you have:
What is the light like around you now? Is it sunny or cloudy, or are the stars shining brightly in the night sky as the new moon becomes invisible to us. Look up from your device and notice. What do you see?
Are the clothes you put on this morning soft or scratchy, tight or stretchy? Is the air temperature warm or are you feeling a crisp early autumn breeze? September is tricky like that - warm at noon, cool at sundown. What do you feel?
Does that breeze carry the smell of fallen leaves, or maybe pumpkin spice in your coffee? The forest path in the fall has a smell of decaying leaves that honestly, I love. Add to that the sound of crunching brittle leaves and you have a timely reminder that the wheel of the year is turning. What do you smell?
Do you hear the geese honking overhead as they fly south, another sign that summer is over? As a wedge of geese flew over my head yesterday, in addition to the honking, I heard an amazing whirring, almost mechanical sound. It was the vibration of their outer feathers as the air rushed through them. Pause and notice the sounds around you. What do you hear?
As the weather turns cooler, do you cook and eat differently? In my kitchen, chili and vegetable soup come back into the rotation. Last night, even though the temperature was in the low 60’s, we went out for ice cream. At our little corner shop, I got the last scoop of Bittersweet Sinphony, a delicious combination of coffee and fudge. It is gone for the season! :( What do you taste?
Paying attention to your senses is always available to you when you need grounding. Right now, if you are able to access the world wide web to read my writing, you are safe. What else do you notice that is good and right and beautiful and right in front of you?
Just take a moment to notice.
Your permission slip to do what brings you joy
I say this with all the love: stop waiting for the permission slip from them (whoever they are) -- it will never arrive. They will never free you from making their lives comfortable because it is not in their best interest.
But maybe it is time for you to do what is in your best interest. To put your needs higher up on your to-do list. To choose you. You are the only one who will do it.
It is time to give yourself the permission slip you need to live into your greatest flourishing. Give yourself permission to turn toward, and trust that which is deepest within you, rather than waiting for somebody else’s permission and approval.
Create your own permission slip! Before you begin, consider setting an intention around what you need in order to live life out loud, to allow your inner wisdom the time and space to surface and be heard.
What will your permission slip look like? Will it be playful and boldly colored? Will it be official-looking with hard-to-read script writing? Make a list of all the things you need to give yourself permission to do. Here’s a few nudges:
To create art
To make mistakes
To make a mess
To color outside the lines
To be a beginner
To start over
Having the mind of a beginner conveys a sense of hope and acceptance. It helps quiet the demon of perfectionism and allows you to begin just where you are.
Need more reasons to embrace a beginner’s mind? Here are a few:
A beginner’s mind is a portal to infinite possibilities.
A beginner’s mind is empty of expectations, so less disappointments.
A beginner’s mind is open to receive inspiration from inner wisdom or intuition.
A beginner’s mind is ok with making mistakes or making a mess. It goes with the territory.
A beginner’s mind is ready to find a new way through old obstacles. It is not bound by the way things have always been done.
A beginner’s mind delights in awe and wonder.
Give yourself permission to see the awe and wonder in the here and now.
A reminder that you are worthy now
Perhaps you already know this. Sometimes we could use a gentle reminder. You were created in the image and likeness of the Divine. You have a spark of the Divine within you so you can’t help but be worthy of dignity.
We don’t hear this message too often because our society is always trying to sell you something to “fix” your life.
You are not broken.
There is nothing you need to fix before you “earn” your dignity.
God sees your inherent dignity without more. Without fixing anything. Before you even brush your teeth or comb your hair.
No matter what you have done or failed to do, your Divine spark can never be extinguished. This is the very essence of who you are and it will endure long beyond the time you will spend in this body on this earth. The concepts of original sin and total depravity fail to align with how a loving God sees you.
This is what I invite you to repeat to yourself until you believe it:
May you learn to see your self
with the same delight,
pride, and expectation
with which God sees you in every moment.”
-- John O’Donohue
Which of the three treasures resonated with you today? Let me know me know in the comments.