Have You Heard This Story?

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Pat

What would it feel like to have what you say valued ― to feel what you said was truly heard and considered valid? But, take it further ― what you said touched a heart and made a connection opening up an opportunity for change. In today’s fast-paced, hi-tech world is that even possible?

I believe it is and one way is through our stories and experiences. Stories can create a place of comfort with having found something in common with someone else. It may be a small incident yet powerful in how you feel once you’ve been brought together through a story. The perspective you’ve gained can change your life.

Here’s one of those stories I came across in Facebook that reminded me of my grandmother and the stories she shared with me.

The following story and photo are used by permission by Brigitte at Lessons Learned in Life Facebook Page:

~~~~~

Grandmother says… Carrots, Eggs or Coffee; “Which are you?”

Used by permission by Brigitt on Facebook Page “Lessons Learned in Life”

Continue reading →

Acknowledgements: Grandmother photo and "Carrots Eggs o more...

Shifts and Changes ― Being Real

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Pat

Full Length Mirror Photo – MSN Clipart

I remember at the beginning of January, it became very clear in one of my
meditations that this would be a year of tremendous growth mentally and
spiritually for me. Continue reading →

12.12.12

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Pat

This is an exciting day – full of energy, possibilities and the Christmas season. It’s the magic of the sequence of month, day and year coming together on one day. In my lifetime, I will not see this anomaly again as it won’t occur until the next century (2100) when it starts all over again. That’s incredible!

It’s not only the sequence of today’s numeric date but the mysterious and powerful energies I believe they bring that is so needed in the times we now live. Can you feel it? If you would let go and imagine, consider this poem written over a hundred years ago by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an English poet and essayist:

What if – what if in your wildest dreams you could imagine anything to come true? What would that be – what would it look like? They say the planets are aligning, the Winter Solstice is at hand and the Mayan calendar speaks of a new world emerging. What counts for you is how you align with that, the possibilities and what you create now in your life.

I can feel the shift around me – especially this time of year when you hear people say they wish the Christmas magic was year-long with love and kindness. I believe we can shift our thoughts and beliefs anytime to make changes in our lives and the world around us. But, I feel now is especially important to take advantage of the energies presenting themselves this day, this month and the rest of 2012.

Some things to do:

Keep positive with the people, music and places you love and tune into new and exciting possibilities.
Imagine what you’d like to create and hold the feeling and picture of it.
Allow yourself to let go – be silly, happy, laugh. Go with the everyday flow and seek happiness.
Change up your routines. Go for a long drive – maybe take an overnight trip. What if what you imagined or wanted to create was around the next corner or with the next person you met?
Always give – not because you’re expecting something in return but because it keeps your heart aligned with love which is stronger on this day and at this time of the year. Doesn’t take much: maybe a special note in a Christmas card or helping someone with their packages.

I hope this day is an especially powerful day for you full of dreams and exciting promises for the future. I hope you will join me in imagining the many possibilities and tap into the energies stronger than ever surrounding us to make them happen.

What if…….?

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table

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Is It A Sign Of The Times?

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Pat

It seems like everyone I talk to have some challenging life issues they’re facing. I’ve seen some of it in my life, as well, and not just a minor incident here or there. I know change is inevitable but this is crazy and within the last month – super hurricane, surgeries, sick pets – not to mention a presidential election, political unrest, poor economy and an embassy bombing! In biblical times, it was famines and plagues – today extremists may call it the “end of the world”.

No gloom and doom picture intended here – just fast-pace changes in the times we live. Have you noticed? Life and change have intersected and happening fast and furious – one event after another I’m hardly catching my breath.

If I step back and tune into the rhythm of my heart, I can sense a shift in energies, noting how the events in the world today have intensified. I marveled at the lunar eclipse and meteor showers this summer but similar phenomena have occurred down through history and appear only to enhance the mysteries and attempt to illuminate the shifts within.

How often have you heard someone say, “I hate change – I don’t deal with it very well?” Most of us would probably agree we would prefer status quo and not multiple, frequent changes, if you note the types of misfortunes we’ve seen lately. But, if you stop and reconsider, change in and of itself is normal, frequent, constant, and it would be far more painful if there were no change. Change is not typically something bad – change is good meaning there is life and freshness.

For example, inhabiting this ‘big ball’ we call earth, change is occurring every day when the sun rises and moves across the sky and sets. Change occurs with every tick of the clock – when the moment is gone it can’t be reclaimed.

First Snowfall Photo in Bailey by Pat Ruppel

In the Rocky Mountains, I saw a change in the seasons last month with our first snow.

And, if everything remained status quo, it would be impossible to digest the burrito I just ate.

The next time, when encountering a challenging change in between ‘putting out fires’ and taking a breath, please join me in the following:

1) Calmly assess and do what needs to be done to handle the immediate situation at hand.

2) Step back and look at the bigger picture – tune into feelings, emotions and align with positive possibilities and opportunities.

3) Focus on something for which to be thankful no matter how minor it may seem.

4) Don’t stop loving.

5) Don’t quit.

Do you have happy changes you’re experiencing? Or are you noticing challenging life changes in your life? What are you facing and how are you handling it? Will you share some positive tips on what you’re doing to work through them?

Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table – Please leave a comment or question. I’ll be grateful!

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~~~~~~~~~~

New Beginnings – Changes ~~ to Live or Die

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Pat

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“When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ~~ Alexander Graham Bell

One thing I’ve begun to observe in these new beginnings – changes are that they come in many package forms.Like many of you who may be experiencing life changes swirling around, in and out as if out of control hardly able to catch our breath, the changes presented to us can be good and some not so good.

But I’m beginning to notice how they are different not whether they’re good or bad but what opportunities they can bring in growth and reflection even if the package appears not too appealing.

Nobody likes changes because we find ourselves out of our comfort zone and forced to face things we’d rather put off for another day. But if we choose to step back and take another view, changes can bring not only something new but they can bring freedom – a break away from the old – if you dare to embrace them.

Let me explain some of my personal new beginnings – changes I’ve been experiencing in the past year. Near the end of last year 2011, I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. That will stop anybody in their tracks with all the emotions and thoughts flooding in at once. I realized with the ebb and flow of life that there are things people can do for me and with me and there are other things ultimately only I can do for myself when it comes to my body.

I was blessed to have loved ones supporting me along with a fantastic doctor team and medical technology but they can’t physically take over the task at hand and make the decisions I was pressed to make whether I wanted to or not. No procrastinating here.

I say that because of what my acupuncturist presented me with. He told me that the universe gives us choices and presents each of us with crossroads throughout our lives and he felt this was a gift and that I was, indeed, at a crossroads – I could choose life or I could choose death and either choice would be okay.

At the time, all I could think and feel was “I’m tired – tired of beating the wind”. But somewhere I must have made the choice to live because I started the radiation and chemo treatments and finished early November 2011 resulting with the tumor gone. Before this went down I should have gotten a clue earlier last summer when we lost our 30-year old horse to colic not long after our son-in-law had an emergency health issue in which he almost lost his life. Some big new beginnings and life catcher change packages not asked for but presented nonetheless and the universe finally got my attention.

A new year began and in March 2012 my youngest daughter had her second child. What a thrill to have another baby in the family and I observed the adjustments this new life was bringing into her family – another new beginning – change package.

I’ve been working full time in the corporate world, like most of you. But recently, at the end of April, that job took a turn and went out of state – another new beginning – change package. What do I do now in my ‘golden years’? When I took this job almost 4 years ago, I didn’t think I would enter the corporate world again. Before then, I thought I would explore my passions and personal interests and see what I had to offer the world but because of money flow situations it played a big part in the decision of getting back in the corporate world and taking another full time position.

Another new beginning – change package came also in April in losing my husband’s 93-year old mother and very much a mother to me as well. It’s a new beginning for her as well as for us realizing the emptiness left without her. This was a hard one and always is when you lose someone you love no matter what age. It brings up emotions you don’t want to feel and old-time questions we never seem to have answers for when someone dies. At the same time it takes us out of this world for a moment to reflect on the preciousness of life and take a review of our priorities.

Finally, last month in May, I was sitting with family in Richey Stadium at Denver University watching my oldest grandson’s high school graduation ceremony – I remember that new beginning – life package when I graduated from high school so many years ago. So many possibilities this graduation holds for him. It’s a day you look forward to when you get a bigger taste of independence shifting the focus from school, friends and having fun to first glimpses of the future – scary.

If we live long enough, life seems to bring us around full circle back to where I’m at now still lingering at this new beginning – change package of what I’m going to be doing now. I feel like I’ve been given my life back and I want to find ways to make it fulfilling, valuable and helpful to others. This will be my life beginning – change gift to you sharing my life stories whatever the package looks like with the hope you will be encouraged as we all make these journeys together on this big ball we call Earth. You’re not out there alone loving, laughing, crying and praying.

Don’t ever allow yourself to think this is all there is and life is boring. When new beginnings – changes come, whether they appear difficult or exciting, pay close attention and welcome them with openness no matter how uncomfortable. You may be at a crossroads about to discover the new found freedom you can have with the opportunities they present – something new and exciting never before dreamed. Let me know what new beginnings – changes you have in your life. I’m interested in how it’s going for you.

“When you are inspired . . .
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.” – Pantajali

Pat from the ol’ kitchen table