Windridge Reflections

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"Ordinary happiness depends on happenstance. Joy is that extraordinary happiness that is independent of what happens to us. Good luck can make us happy, but it cannot give us lasting joy. The root of joy is gratefulness. We tend to misunderstand the link between joy and gratefulness. We notice that joyful people are grateful and suppose that they are grateful for their joy. But the reverse is true: their joy springs from gratefulness. If one has all the good luck in the world, but takes it for granted, it will not give one joy. Yet even bad luck will give joy to those who manage to be grateful for it. We hold the key to lasting happiness in our own hands. For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." From Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer by Brother David Steindl-Rast. Thanks to Brené Brown, Ph.D. for originally posting this on her Ordinary Courage blog.   Image: istockphoto

“She could never go back and make some of the details pretty. All she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful.” — Terri St. Cloud Sometimes we can’t go back; the die is cast, the deed is done…but that does not mean that we can’t move forward with grace and confidence. We all make mistakes, we all say things we shouldn’t, do things we are embarrassed by, and have days when “some of the details are not pretty.” Thank goodness we are not frozen here in time, there is hope! Resilience is the ability to problem solve, connect with others for support and sometimes simply cope, knowing that tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities. “It is the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” — Amanda McBroom Image: istockphoto

"Let us make up our minds that yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet arrived. But today can be filled with wonder if we know that we stand on the threshold of that which is wonderful and new." Ernest Holmes Image: istockphoto

“Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping–into the future." Steve Miller / Steve McCarty Have you ever thought to yourself, “I only have an hour, oh well, not enough time to begin …..” I have, so has my closest friend... and apparently we are not alone! “Sometimes people think that because their time is broken up and they have no long, uninterrupted swatches of time for working, they may as well not begin. My advice? Pretend that you will never have such time again. Tell yourself that all of your days will be as crowded and as pell-mell as those you have had lately, and then figure out how to work in them.   You have heard the bromide “if you want something done, ask someone busy to do it.” That holds water.... Limited time can increase our focus, making us make the most of the time that we have got.” Julia Cameron Live What projects are you putting off because you think you don't have enough time to start? Image: istockphoto

I don’t particularly like networking events because I’m an introvert by nature. I typically feel self-conscious and awkward. So when I read Peter Bregman’s Harvard Business Review post this week, and found out he feels the same way (who would have known?), I could so relate. Here is a wonderful take away for this last Friday in March: “People will trust you if you trust yourself. And to trust yourself you have to step out from behind the curtain. You have to expose yourself, free of titles and status. When you allow people to see you — as impressive and vulnerable as you are — then they will trust you. Because they will know you.” — Peter Bregman Thank you Peter for putting it so well! Image: istockphoto

“The year rotates through the seasons like a wheel of fortune. Being present to each one, possessing its bounty and taking its inconveniences in stride, means living to the fullest every day of the life you get.” Victoria Moran Enjoy! Image: istockphoto

"Never solve a problem from its original perspective" .- Charles Thompson   This week I met a friend for lunch and our conversation quickly turned to an area of commitment that for me of late has felt extremely unbalanced…. And worst of all was the feeling that I was somewhere out in left field with my feelings, out of the loop, and the uncomfortable possibility that I was the only one having these thoughts of disconnect and frustration. As the conversation wove its way through the hour, I began to understand that I am not alone in my frustrations, and my observations were not off target (in other words, I’m not crazy!). The more we talked, the more I started to gain clarity and a renewed sense of balance and perspective as to how I want this commitment to fit into my life… and for those insights, I am thankful. Friends and communication go hand in hand – use them to help you rebalance when needed – it feels good. "Happiness is not a matter of intensity b...

I woke up this morning and the first thought that came to my mind was—friends. This is possibly because I was at a Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara gathering last night and as I visited with fellow Hudson coaches, I realized the importance of connection and friendships in all areas of life. For me this looks like: Old friends —Those tried and true souls who have stood the test of time through many years of life’s transitions and changes. These are the friends I may not see or talk to for years, but because of “history,” when I’m with them, it is as if a day has not passed since we were last together. Close friends —Some of these are “old” friends, some of these are newer friends, some of these are family, but all of these are the people who I feel “safe” with when I share my inner most secrets, hopes, dreams, fears and insecurities. And they love me anyway. Business friends —This category is filled with clients and colleagues. These wonderful people value the relationshi...

"Saying yes is a way to be open to ourselves and others. It is a way to be open to the beauty of nature. It is a way to be open to life’s small gifts – the fuchsia flower blooming in the window, the Jack Russell puppy who tears down the beach after his owner, the fancily hand-decorated cupcakes in the bakery display case.... There are gifts for us at every turn – gifts of beauty, of humor, of love – if we are willing to accept them." Julia Cameron What are you saying “yes” to today?   Taken from Julia's book The Prosperous Heart - Creating a Life of "Enough"   Photo credit: istockphoto

“ If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life.” Thich Nhat Hanh (1926 – ) Take pen in hand and list ten things, large or small, you are grateful for today. My list: Good health A warm house My husband - who just brought me a vanilla latte! My two daughters, their wonderful husbands and beautiful children Close friends Etc.... “Each day unfolds as a gift. We build daily on a solid foundation of appreciation. Comparing ourselves to ourselves alone, we track a gentle and steady improvement.” Julia Cameron Photo credit: http://www.istockphoto.com/

Aging is at times emotionally and physically challenging..... On the other hand, I would not trade all that I have now, the people, experiences and maturity, to go back.

I love waking up in the morning, checking my iPhone, and seeing new photos of my grandsons walking to school on a snowy London morning (via Instagram ): …and a blog post about Alpha, who lives in NYC: The Ones 2 Watch To have instant access to all my “people” who live half a world away is simply amazing! I’m so grateful for the technology of our age, and how close those far away can feel. I don’t know what I would have done had I been born 100-plus years ago! And then, a little later, sitting at Starbucks I receive a Face-Time call on my iPhone, and I’m able to enjoy my latte while chatting with “London”— in real time. How cool is that? What are you grateful for at the end of your week?