Friday, April 28, 2017

Why Don't You Fly a Little Higher


This post is dedicated to and written for my beloved daughter. 

When the storms of life feel overwhelming and invincible, I am often reminded of these words of scripture and the ones at the end of this post:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God…the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.  30 Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,31 those who]wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will develop wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”  (Isaiah 40-28-31)

The eagle signifies power, freedom, and transcendence.  It freely soars high above valley lows, mountain highs, raging rivers, and peaceful lakes.  As it spreads its mighty wings and flies high, it has the ability to see the whole of the earth while also being able to focus on even the tiniest movement and shape of its necessary nourishment.  It prefers soaring with wings spread wide rather than exerting unnecessary energy flapping repeatedly.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Purpose Draws Us Upward and Onward


"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds:  Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."  -- Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Always having an inspiring and stimulating purpose in life draws us upward and onward and makes all the difference in how we view and embrace today.  As we pursue a greater purpose in the daily and in the long-term, not only do we grow and discover more of ourselves, we also discover more about the world and people around us.  The pursuit of something greater than “me” which pushes and challenges in multiple ways draws us out of our comfortably mundane and self-centered “me” mindset and into an awe-inspiring perspective.  

Human beings were not meant to be stagnant and unchallenged.  Stagnation breeds sorrow, discontent, and bitterness.  In order to be healthy, thriving people we must create, pursue, and achieve while standing firm on the foundations of love and goodness.

Why is it that so often when a dearly loved one dies we look for ways in which to honor their memory and fulfill something in our life that they stood for or that we think they would be proud of?  

I believe it is because at a moment of most intense grief not only are we jolted awake to the fact that life is a gift and can end unexpectedly, we also look for important reasons to go on with our lives in spite of that person’s absence.  We desperately long to continue to bring value to the life they lived and the one we still get to have.  

We all need something productive and stimulating to do!  We all crave something in which throw ourselves into in order to help us not only make it through the ups and downs of life but also in order to have personal, tangible proof that our presence on this earth matters greatly.  Without purpose, we wilt and wither and lose sight of the truth that life is a beautiful and amazing gift to be enjoyed and embraced wholeheartedly. 

Life is lived right now, not in what was and not in what may be in the future. 
Life is lived with this breath, in this very moment. 
Life is lived abundantly as we hold hands with passion and purpose.

The opportunities of today and tomorrow are endless and waiting for our pursuit and discovery.  

Upward and onward!


© MaryAnn Broussard