We never know how deeply our life is felt by others, until we pass and then people write about how we touched their lives. This makes me want to tell people more often day to day how much I appreciate and how sweet life is because they are around. This thought has been more present since reading so many beautiful comments about Wayne Dyer after his sudden passing. I am encouraging myself and any of you to remember how lovely it feels to speak to the people in our lives about all the gifts they give us by just being there. Don't let the fast pace of this world get in the way of you taking a few moments to say what is in your heart to those you love.
Nothing can be sweeter if someone passes from our lives than to know we told them often how very important they are. I know letter writing is not a practice this modern world uses much anymore. However it truly is amazing when a card or letter comes with heartfelt words of thanks, appreciation or just noticing something and commenting on how it touched them. You can also find cards through email, there are some fabulous creative companies in cyberspace. Whatever we choose to use to express how someone makes a difference, it is wonderful to spread goodness and beauty to others!
Ours minds can get so stuck on the daily schedules we keep. The routines in our life are full of sameness and repetition, so we can easily forget to notice the beauty of sharing our days with real live people who we love and cherish. Sharing our gratitude with others in simple words, is a practice I am working on reminding  myself about often. Thank you Wayne for living a big life, full of gratitude and sharing, even in your passing you remind me to live right now and see the Love from the Source you talked so much about, in the people around me and to give generously of that Love wherever I am!!
Blessings and Love,
Bobbe

Sometimes we say things without thinking about what the words mean to ourselves and those who are receiving them. In moments of stress, when we are tired, confused, not clear about ourselves, thoughts and words can slip easily out of our mouths and send us into a place of regret, suffering and pain, so quickly. It is impossible to truly know another's reason for action or reaction. The only one we can truly know is our self. Each of us sees the world through our own lens.

Understanding myself is the beginning of making peace in my world. Seeing how I act and react to others and what consequences I create for myself is my work always. When the heart and mind work together in expression I move through my life with balance and compassion, even when chaos is swirling around me and wanting me to revert to my old patterns.  Carefully choosing my words and really seeing the person as I speak and share ideas.

 The impeccability of the words we use is so important when the goal is understanding and growth in any relationship. Often it is helpful to take a break or pause in an exchange when things get out of hand or heated. We sometimes need space and solitude to find our balance and remember the connection with our beloved partner, parent, child  or friend.  Taking space and stepping back for a moment can help open the heart and allow the mind to slow its resistance, stubbornness, frustration, or anger.  The heart feels compassion, understanding, empathy, and much more so it softens our reactions and helps us to remember who we are and what our real desire is. We become a different person when we stand in this heart place and see the situation from a different perspective.

Very often I hear clients say, "Why do I always have to do the work and change? Why don't they do it sometimes?"  I remember feeling that way so often, until I realized the truth. I was the one who wanted my life to move from a place of peace and joy. Therefore it is always my job to make this happen, no one else can even begin to do my work for me, just as I can't do theirs. When that became clear to me, I began to create a more peaceful, joyful life even in the midst of chaos. In gratefulness I do live MY life, choosing my words carefully and taking the time to give myself and others more space to be who they truly are.
Blessings,
Bobbe

Just returning from visiting with my family and Mom in Chicago, my feet are firmly planted once again on the ground back in Washington. This beautiful land is being challenged on the northeastern portion of our state with the biggest forest fires ever recorded. My thoughts are with all the people who are evacuating their homes, fighting to stop the movement of the fires and for those who are feeling so much at this time.
 Times like these bring out the best in humanity. When we have a common cause to focus on together, we really find the compassion and heart to see our connection to each other. My prayer is that in rebuilding after the devastation that we might remember more easily the deep connection to each other. May we be open to creating a new and connected community and heal ourselves as we work to help heal the land and the animals who are also searching for new homes and recovering.
Blessings and Healing Thoughts,
Bobbe

The awareness I see from the animals in my life and the animals in the wild I have encountered on my journeys, hiking, kayaking and sitting in the forest have helped me to see my senses have been dulled by separating from my connection to animals and the natural world. As I experience interacting and reconnecting I am surprised by the level of communication existing all around me for years that I was oblivious to! When I was a young child the presence and connection was there. I could sense it, feel it, and touch the magic as I played and wondered. Over the years my mind and brain learned many things, facts and grew knowledgeable in the ways of a worldly life. As this occurred I thought I was becoming wise, now I see, I was learning, yes, and also missing a major part on the path to the wisdom I was seeking.
The opening began when I realized how to quiet my being and notice the world around me from a different lens. Not the what is my next scheduled thing on the list lens, but rather the what am I seeing, noticing and feeling right now around me on my way to wherever I am going lens. The gifts I have received from pausing and noticing are so many. I walk into rooms differently, noticing people and truly sensing them and what they are engaged in as I enter. Even when out in a store I am so much more aware of the people and activities around me as I move. Being in nature feels so comfortable, sensing the colors, the textures, feelings and sounds around me without crashing through and disturbing the space. I recognize I am part of  everything around me, in every moment! This realization has been the most notable step on my journey to wisdom, and understanding this world I inhabit with humans and other species. I love that my eyes have been opened by connecting on a level I am beginning to realize has always been part of my birthright on this planet.

In Gratitude for being alive,
Bobbe

Listening! When I finally learned to really start listening in my life, conversations opened up and became easier. Deeply listening to another, without thinking of what I was going to say when they stop talking, brought another level to understanding and intimacy. I want to know the essence of what others are conveying to me. Learning to listen started when I began to find stillness and the quiet mind becoming a part of my daily routine. Listening to the sounds of the natural world, pausing and noticing what is around me as I walk outside in the morning, even if it is just to get the paper or water the flowers.
 Hearing the sound of the voices of the people in my life as they express their ideas, wants, beliefs and inspirations. My Dad has been gone for about four years and I can still hear his voice talking to me. What a treasure it would be to hear him again. I remember how in his last years, he would repeat things he had already told me. I would listen to them over and over, allowing him the space to talk even though I had heard it before. I learned to enjoy being with him, although my mind would tell me I had already heard whatever he was saying.  The words began to not matter, only the feeling of being with him and enjoying his company was present.
Beginning to listen to myself and what I was feeling and wanting in each moment was huge! I not only wasn't listening completely to others, but also missing the essence of what I was truly saying to myself. Communication needs words to create a forum and discovering that the level of connection increases one-hundred fold when deeply listening is the gift at the center of the art of conversation, creating intimacy from the mind and the heart.

Listen and Enjoy more,
Bobbe

Being present in my life was something I had to grow into understanding and recognizing. The ways to respond were ingrained into my brain patterning and responses. I wanted to enjoy my life! Whenever things were going well I remember thinking underneath it all was an unease, like a waiting for something "not good" to happen. My Mom would say, "Waiting for the other shoe to drop!" And sure enough, that shoe would drop in some way. It was my conditioning that was looking for the happening. I don't believe I created the happening! I reacted to whatever was occurring in my life with a story of life being unable to hold on to joy and harmony when things happen.

 When I am present to each moment and not looking back regretting the past or forward worrying about the future, life unfolds in the moment. Yes there are feelings of sadness, joy, anger, grief to process and allow to move through my body and spirit. Working and looking at them and releasing them rather than stuffing or ignoring them, helps tremendously. Dropping into stories, reacting to drama, and believing our fears(false, evidence, appearing, real) keeps me from asking the questions and finding the truth within myself. 

There is no shoe to drop anymore, as I don't believe that old story. I live my life knowing that joy and harmony are mine, when I am present and open to doing my work and asking myself. How do I want to move through what is in front of me right now?   I find the truth and set myself  FREE, one more time. Allowing me to embrace others with the compassion and understanding I give to myself. It is my favorite way to live life!

With Gratitude and Questioning,

Bobbe

Is there someone in your life who is not responding the way you would like? It could be in your work place, home life or just a person you have a chance interaction with in your day. When this occurs our first thought or impulse might be to want the other person to get it and realize how they are impacting us. Right? They should be treating us differently, be responsive, be kind, have understanding. You might be shaking your head, Yes!!

 After many years of often reacting in this manner, I finally realized something so clearly. I asked myself what did I really want? What was I looking for? I wanted responsiveness, kindness and understanding. So I started first to give myself these things I wanted from others. It took some time and patience to take care of me first! Being Still with myself helped so much. In the stillness I found thoughts are not as fast, furious and critical. From Byron Katie, my favorite teacher, I have learned that thoughts come into our minds, they appear and we have a choice. They come and I can pick and choose the ones I want to connect with and the ones I can let go. When I am in my center, present and listening, suddenly other people have the space to follow or I realize maybe they will never follow and that is OK!  

Blessings and Stillness,

Bobbe

I am so pleased to have a place for expressing heart centered thoughts and tools for living and thriving on life’s journey. For many years I struggled to find ways to move through challenges, surprises, and changes. I have been blessed to meet many great teachers along the way. The gifts I have gleaned from their teachings have served me greatly over the years. 

Here you will find tools that absolutely work for me and for so many of my clients and the inspiration to move through life with grace, laughter and compassion.

My hope is to create a place of love, understanding and joyful expression. Please type your ideas and responses.
I welcome your comments below.

Blessings,
Bobbe