Posts by Pat:
Got a moment?
Ever been told to “just wait a moment…”
What is a moment? It’s really an extraordinary thing, more so than we usually realize.
We usually use the word “moment” to mean a very short amount of time, maybe one or two seconds, and therefore rather negligible.
But we’ll never find a moment on a clock because it is not a unit of time.
There’s no meter that measures a moment, because a moment is immeasurable. The word “moment” actually comes from a Latin word meaning “a particle sufficient to turn the scales.”
This suggests that a moment, though seemingly very small, has enormous power.
When we think about all the creative and scientific discoveries that happened suddenly and spontaneously – those “Eureka” moments- we can see how significant a moment can be.
If you reflect on those moments in your own life in which something dramatic happened unexpectedly, you will realize that just one moment can turn everything around.
- an unexpected “Aha” moment,
- a tragic accident,
- an heartfelt connection with someone,
- an awe-inspiring moment in nature.
But if a moment is not a unit of time, then what is it? I like to think that it is an experience of timelessness. When I am in the moment, it’s like I stepped outside of time.
I seem to let go of the story I’m telling about myself all the time. My story is built on time: the past as I remember it, the future as I imagine it.
But when I’m fully in the moment, there is no thought of past or future; only this moment-no story. 
I’m right here, accepting this moment for what it is, the timeless present-what is happening now. This timeless present appears again and again, one moment after another, and each time, it feels brand new.
Remembering this truth, I get to practice over and over again. And that’s okay because it keeps me awake, alert, aware!
I know that’s what meditation or yoga is supposed to do for me. And yet the moment seems to most often come upon my awareness suddenly, unexpectedly, and delightfully more than through effort.
And because I know that this moment is the only time there is, I continue to want this experience renewed, again and again. My awareness must be refreshed continually!
There are breath-taking vistas,
heart-stopping experiences,
joy-filled moments
whenever I choose to awaken to them.
How about you?
What has made you
breathless?
awe-filled?
joyous?
Restore Yourself to Your Factory Default Settings!
Ever had your connection to the internet suddenly stop working? I have, and when it does that I’m completed frustrated. Putting my “deep technological know-how” to work (haha), I mumble, stumble, and fumble with the various buttons and keys. Closing all the applications and rebooting still doesn’t work. Turning the computer on and off several […]
Two days to be worry-free
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry; two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the […]
The “Lower-Half Club”
Our culture is in love with numbers and data. We are told that having the right information is the key to getting ahead. After all, this is the Information Age, isn’t it? Conventional wisdom says success in our educational system is the key to future success-that students with the best grades are “the most likely […]
Quote Roundup
Quotes are powerful. They can stir emotion, invoke confidence, make us reminisce, put us in our place, infuriate us, make us laugh, make us cry… you get the idea. When I need some inspiration or I’m feeling a bit down, I check out my favorites and feel instantly energized and grateful. Here are some […]
Never say “Whoa!” in a mud hole
Ever been in one of those mud holes? Whether real or figuratively, the mud holes of life present us with a challenge. And, hopefully, we’re not hollering “Whoa!” What does it mean? Well, if I am in a horse-drawn wagon and have to go through a mud hole, I’d be a fool to stop and […]
Learning from a Bald Ibis?!
Poking around the internet the other day, I came across a fascinating story about the Bald Ibis. (a species I’d never heard of) Background: Once upon a time this bird had a powerful status in ancient Egypt as the god Thoth. He/it was thought to carry the soul into the afterlife. Now one of […]
We’re all “storytellers”
Like me, I’ll bet you have a “story” for just about everything! Why you can’t lose weight, why you can’t keep a budget, why you can’t learn a new language, why you can’t learn to dance… “I’m just big-boned.” “I’ve never been good with math.” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have time.” “I’ve always had […]
Thoughts to ponder…
Time to give thought to our thoughts! It is always fun for me to narrow my monthly quotes about life down to just eight! I’ve lots of favorites and don’t think I’ll ever run out of inspiring or fun thoughts to share! […]
In your Easter Bonnet…and other musings
Here’s a safe bet: If you see any Easter bonnets today, they’ll adorn the head of someone under 8 or over 80. Almost nobody wears them anymore even if they are made with Easter candy! I think they went the way of white gloves and black patent leather shoes. But candy? chocolate candy? Remember […]