Today as I journey some questioning about my path, I sit in the “monkey mind”, the one that uses fear of failure and scarcity as its controlling force. I breathe deep into the inner sensation of “False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR)”, I look at it as though it plays across a movie screen. I acknowledge it there and look at the reality with no emotional attachment. I am willing to do what it takes. I have no pride involved. I just want to do what I was put here to share, to serve and be the difference. I am a loving, happy, content soul, who enjoys and finds great magnificence and grandeur in the simple things of life.

I ponder, for if I took money out of the picture, I absolutely know I am doing what I am meant to do and all is perfect as it is right now. So, I consciously work on that muscle, for it is the weak one in my life – financial abundance. Definitely a muscle that needs daily focus, intention, action, and acceptance of its purpose. I do feel it growing, I am getting stronger in this arena. Maybe today the muscle I get to focus upon is humble trusting patience that ALL is aligning perfectly. It is that muscle which works in divine symmetry with surrender, the kind of surrender that let’s go of extreme control, while not giving up on the daily grind to succeed, there is a big difference.

Everyone today is so bombarded, things zoom in from all angles and at all times. How do I get people to breathe deeply just for a few moments? Stopping long enough to notice the pure grace of NOW? Perhaps I am a very simple being, for the things that bring me the most pleasure, love and joy, do not require the swipe of a credit card, or the crinkle of paper money. They require presence and time. The still moment taking in a miraculous sunrise. The musical sound of a fire crackling in the wood stove. The glorious chorus of friends laughing together. The pure sharing of bread over a meal made with love. The unbelievable gift of feeling the earth beneath my feet, the breeze on my skin, the warm touch of a caring hand. Oh, how I could go on and on with the pure dew drops of grace that swell my heart, soul and mind.

The other day I was listening to one of my motivational teaching mentors, he presented a question that made me stop and think, “What are the five things you would want written on your gravestone or shared about you in your eulogy?” Gulp, that snaps you to attention, like pulling a scab off a wound. “How do I want to be remembered? How do I want to impact people along my path? What do I wish to leave behind? What legacy do I wish to leave my children?

I think about the people I have loved who have passed on. What do I remember about them? What stirs me as I think of them? All memories wrap around an emotional experience. Shared times, “good and bad”. I remember times of laughter. I recall sweet walks and deep conversations. I smile at the memory of my great grandma teaching me to bake, my grandpa skiing with me, my grandma and I sharing a tiny burger at the little diner, helping my great grandpa put on his socks… All of my memories pull up emotions, experiences of shared loving time together.

So, how do I want to be remembered? When people think of me I want a smile to cross their face and a joyful warmth to fill their heart. I want a dance to gurgle up from within their soul. A believe to sprout that the world is good and love is safe. I want to be remembered for always having faith, for never giving up on the truth of love, joy, peace, compassion, and being present with each other. I want to be the small moments in their hearts, the laughter in their ears, the skip in their step, the reminder that life is preciously magnificent.

The ending of one year to welcome in a New Year has that little sensation of something dying never to be again, while juxtaposing a new birth. As I look at 2017 coming quickly to a close I glance back over the year with awe and humble gratitude. In looking ahead I take a deep breath and chuckle, for I have learned that life is FULL of surprises, small and large!! So as I plan and map out my dreams, taking daily action steps, I also giddily wiggle, for I just know there will be unexpected adventure along the way.

Today is a good day for me to face my fears, to look them in the loving eye and say, “Thank you, I appreciate your sharing, but I CHOOSE to continue to step with faith, courage, determination, love, and joy. I am on my path of purpose, putting one foot in front of the other on the crisp frosty path of today with gratitude.”

What five things do you want to be on your gravestone, spoken in your eulogy? How do you want to be remembered? What we focus upon and live each day becomes our life. What shall you focus upon and live in 2018?

A.C.T. (always choose truth) with humble awareness today, acknowledging that how you interact and live today effects more than yourself.