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A new session, is now posted in Minucha b'Lev, titled Shavuot Meditation. The holiday may have passed for this year, but Torah is continuously being revealed.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Opening to Blue Skies


To view spectacular SkyWatch posts around the world please click the button below

Skywatch Friday

Nope, I haven't left yet. And I have some time on my hands this morning as I am sitting at the infusion center receiving my monthly meds. In blogging around today (yes I'm packed) I found this wonderful post at my dear friend Jan's spot Awake is Good. Jan asks: "What are you celebrating about yourself today?
What's good, right, and true in your life?
What's great about YOU?"

(Be sure to stop by Jan's with your response in order to be entered into a drawing to receive a gift...she has all kinds of joyful plans for the month of July!)

I wrote my response to her post and thought, you know? I want others to read this too, because it is soooo important to look at our lives and TRULY recognize the goodness through all the complications, surprises, disappointments and hardships life throws at us. It is so easy to get wrapped up in fear, sadness and anger and sometimes we all need reminders to CELEBRATE!!! (ok, granted I'm still floating on a happy cloud from Rosie's bat mitzvah, but that's not the only thing to celebrate!) If you have been following my blog for a while, you know, I find blessings to be abundant in my life, sometimes even more so during difficult times. So in response to Jan's queries I said:

"Today I am celebrating being at the infusion center receiving medicine that has slowed down the process of MS in my body! Woohoo! Tomorrow we leave for the seashore...and although I will not be able to walk on the beach (one of my favorite things to do in the whole world-especially early in the morning) I WILL be able to view the the sea and sky from our balcony and sit on the boardwalk by our apartment and enjoy the sounds of the ocean, children laughing, the breeze on my face and body, the joyful energy of being surrounded by my loved ones on our family vacation. So it isn't perfect, it isn't the way it was...but it is the way it is and there is plenty to be grateful for, including my ability to open to the experience with joyful intention."

Gratitude is a kind of freedom, isn't it? It allows us to feel nurtured and satisfied in our lives no matter what. Gratitude reminds us to discover the blue skies sometimes hidden by clouds.

For my American friends I wish you a happy and safe Forth of July (Independence Day), for everyone else around the world, like Jan, I'd love to hear what you are celebrating in the month of July!

gentle steps,
Laura
at 11:52 AM
Labels: ,
Posted by Laura

32 comments:

  1. The clouds is beautiful as they give way to the blue sky, and so your post. Thanks for sharing! And happy weekend!
    SWF:Fiery sky

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  2. Such a good post, especially for Shabbat.
    Mazal tov on Rosie becoming a bat mitsvah.
    You have a fine time at the seashore. I hope it will be cooler than at the Dead Sea shore.
    Shalom Laura, and all the best.

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  3. This was a beautiful post and lovely photograph. I hope you have a great time at the beach.

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  4. I'm celebrating summer and fun times in July! Have a great holiday!

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  5. I wish you a lovely trip and a great time.:)

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  6. Laura, have an absolutely beautiful time and I know you'll be drinking in all the fine moments and holding them close.

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  7. I like your photo with the spot of blue sky. Have a great trip!

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  8. Laura, may your feet find a way to get sand between their toes :)

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  9. So important to remember everything worth celebrating, even in bad times. Or should I say, especially in bad times.

    Celebrating summer holidays, kids and seeing my folks back home in England soon.

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  10. Beauiutfl sky and post Laura.
    Enjoy your vacation.

    Happy SWF and 4th of July weekend.

    " Regina "

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  11. What a lovely photo!
    Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

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  12. Gratitude is a kind of freedom...I have never thought of it that way before. Gratitude opens up so many doors and allows us to see things we didn't notice before. Peace, Nicki

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  13. Laura,
    So glad that my post jumpstarted a process for you! I appreciate you sharing mine with others. I always love reading your comments because your transparent heart touches mine.

    I wish you such joy on your vacation. May your time away be love-filled, sacred time spent with family, nature, and your dear self. :-) Hugs!

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  14. Beautiful post, Laura. I hope your visit to the seashore is a joyous one!

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  16. Laura, you are a constant inspiration to me. I hope you know that. Have a great vacation, my dear friend!

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  18. I remember reading your response on Jan's blog and really liking it. Gratitude has truly magical powers.

    One of my favourite quotes: "The sun is always shining above the clouds." Unknown

    Hugs,
    Carolynn

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  19. You are an inspiration Laura and I loved reading this post. Have a wonderful vacation. Denise x
    An English Girl Rambles

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  20. GERAT SHOT, LAURA..I LIKE THE CLOUDS RUNNING...RUNNING..CONGRATS

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  21. This was such an inspiration. I hope that doesn't sound trite, I really mean it. You are so right, there is freedom in gratitude, I never thought of it that way. I loved reading about your daughter's Bat Mitzvah also...the sense of connection, community, divinity and love really shined through in that. I hope you are having a wonderful vacation. - Lisa

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  22. Hope all is well and BTW

    I said what about you?????

    come on over and find out

    http://paigeofabook.blogspot.com/2010/07/just-full-of-it.html

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  23. I think you may have chosen the best week ever to be at the beach. I thought of you sitting in the sun soaking up some rays. Let's hope we get some more summer here in the Northeast after the unsettled weather is through.

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  26. Dear Laura, sorry for my absence and thank you for your lovely comments (left a while ago now;). I have been away but I am back now, seeing that you seem to be away, I hope it is somewhere good.;)
    What a lovely post with so much poignancy, indeed it is easy to see the negative; we must embrace it and live positively.;)
    Much love,
    xo

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  28. Wow. You are celebrating yourself, opening wide to the physical limitations, the emotional challenges, and the abundant blessings of family, nature, and gratitude practice.

    You are a shining example of courage. May I open to my own difficulties and joys the way you have.

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  29. This is profoundly beautiful.
    Enjoy the beach.

    ( and I don't know why this didn't pop up until now, sorry for the delay in reading) .

    gratitude is my mantra. the perspective changes everything.

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  30. SO much do I love reading/hearing of Peeps who are GRATEFUL, even in less than the best of circumstances.
    And so I am very late in commenting here, but wanted to let you know, Laura...your blog this day is a gem among gems.

    Thank you SO much...you have NOT been forgotten here

    PEACE
    S

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  32. laura... i've just found you, through Talk at the Table, and i'm so glad i have... i learn from you, already. i'm seeking this gratitude... this peace of self. thank you.

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