Life and Living

Aging…Admission and Sharing.

June 10, 2024 / / Authenticity, Faith and Trust, Life and Living, Living in the NOW, Peace and Understanding, Truth to Self

This aging business only allows for living in the NOW, so if you haven’t started practicing living in the NOW, I highly recommend that you begin.  The words ‘every day is a new day’ have never been more true.

Since I turned 87, I’ve felt a definite shift in how I view myself and my abilities.  I’ve come to realize I have to rely on my past words. i.e.,  I trust myself, I rely on my history, I have great Faith, keep on keeping on,  there’s more than one way to look at something, there’s more than one way to do something…the list goes on.

It’s all too easy to become discouraged and even dumbfounded when it comes to almost every single thing I do these days! I don’t think I’ve ever come to grip with my age, until now.  I still look in the mirror and said, “Gosh you look good for your age, girl!”, and I’ve never felt I was a candidate for a senior center! BUT, there’s no rushing anymore, showering takes twice as long, taking good care I don’t slip and fall.  Making my bed is more work, and when it comes to pep and energy, I don’t have near enough! I have to ration out my ‘duties’.  For instance, if I have to water outside (which takes a good 1/2 hour, and I do a good deal of walking),  I’m not going to vacuum, and if I dust I do a room or two. There’s no such thing as having a cleaning day anymore.  Everything is done piecemeal, all regulated by how much energy I have and how long I’m on my feet. Going to the grocery store is an accomplishment and I take the rest of the day off.

Make it clear, I’m not complaing, but it is what it is, and  living this way just hasn’t been my style until now.  It’s a huge adjustment for me. I’ve always been a hipshooter, took what came when I made my choices, and never looked back nor qustioned myself.  Now, however, it seems I’m a whole new person (except in the brain) that’s learning everything all over again.

I’ve always been a morning person, and this meant I got up early and got everything done before lunchtime.  I’m still a morning person, but I don’t get everything done before lunchtime anymore.  I have to rethink and CHANGE…lots of CHANGE. There’s no blueprint for what I’m trying to describe.  I’ve had to widen my perspective and my patience with myself as I route myself throughout the day. I don’t need a walker or cane, I tire very easily.  I’m totally grateful I have good health.   Living life these days is a conscious  creative effort.  I’ve never been so aware how new everything is.

All this being said,  I am so very grateful for what I have and what I can do and what I enjoy.  Aging allows me to inspect so many aspects of me and what I appreciate and it reinforces my resilience and desire to keep on finding solutions. I pleasantly surprise myself everyday and that’s a good thing. 

The cup is still half-full, there is a silver lining and gold at the end of the rainbow. I’m blessed to live this long and have these experiences. Once the newness of what comes with aging settles down, I’m  guessing I’ll have found my ‘new normal’ and keep on keeping on.

“Whenever you deeply accept this moment

as it is – no matter what form it takes – you

                                                  are still,  you are at peace.”   ~ Eckhart Tolle

Blessed Be. To All Be Blessed.

 

 

Read The Room

January 29, 2024 / / GAYA, Life and Living, Living in the NOW, Responsibility

Things become so twisted when someone assumes what you’re thinking and then they act on their ‘clairvoyance’, not the truth!

I was in a phone conversation the other day, and nearing the end the other party said something like “you seem annoyed with me so I’ll just go”, and I said “okay”, and we hung up. The fact is, I wasn’t annoyed at all, I was somewhat confused with how the conversation was going and I had just asked for some clarification to what was said, and then came the above response.

Someone had assumed, or ‘read my tone’, or whatever, and put the disconnect on me.  This wasn’t about me! A simple question as to whether or not I was annoyed would have settled the whole thing.

I remember learning many years ago that the easiest way to know I am shifting blame is when my words have a “YOU” in them, i.e., “I think that You…”, or “You should….”, “I’m upset because You….”.,,or case in point “You seem annoyed…”.

If I come from the place of “I feel”, i.e., “I don’t feel heard”, “I feel I’m being placated”, “I feel I’m being treated rudely”, I am owning how I feel, but not blaming another for feeling that way.  The long and the short of it is that if I feel the way I do it is because of whatever reaction I’m having to what someone else is doing or saying.  It’s my trigger! I’m the one who has to settle my feelings within myself and figure it out. Only I can give me my peace.

Knowing myself is a big deal!  I’m responsible for how I perceive others’ words, events, anything. If I question something, I know I can ask to get an affirmation of my own understanding, or I can get a correction.  The final assessment is still up to me and it is I who lives with that and trusting myself.

Being comfortable with myself is a big deal!  I have no intention to be unkind or rude to anyone.  If someone has an axe to grind they’ll have to grind it on their own grinding stone.

In life I have to sift the wheat from the chaff. In so doing,  It’s a part of loving myself and taking good care of myself. It’s a part of keeping my own standards of peace and happiness. It’s about trusting myself and my own intuition. It’s about believing myself. It’s about upholding my integrity.

“To Thine Own Self Be True.” Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

Actions speak louder than words.   ~Gaya

 

 

I CHOOSE To Be In Stillness Sometimes

September 19, 2023 / / Awareness, Energy Connection, GAYA, Life and Living, Our Essence, Peace and Understanding, Presence, Self-Consciousness, Silence

These days I’m choosing to sit in stillness more…and I’m trying to accomplish something for doing it:  I want to  place myself  in a state of consciousness.  In doing this, I’m silently communicating with who I am in this silence.

This is an unguided experience so I can’t be concerned if I’m doing it ‘right!’  It’s an action by me with me.

I don’t think Living is just all about doing an overt action or speaking out loud. I’m learning that it has a great deal to do with the silence involved because in silence there is perfect calm along with wakefulness and deliberate intention too.

Meditation is similar to this, but it isn’t the same somehow. With meditation I begin with trying to sit in the silence and quiet my mind.  When I go to this place of finding consciousness, I am hearing sound (I ring a chime), and then deliberately follow the sound until I do not hear it anymore.  I guess I can liken it to ‘white noise’ when I have TV on in the background.  Eventually, I am working around the house and don’t even hear it anymore unless I deliberately go stand in front of the TV and put my attention to it.

This is another concept about deliberate effort while living. I am realizing that I have been ‘living by the basics’…the rules and definitions that have been taught to me…the Human side of me. I’m finding out that there is so much more  about my existence and it doesn’t have a thing to do with neighbors or friends, or what I’m eating or wearing or where I’m planning to go or what I’m planning to do when I get there!

My little dog, Porter, shows me how this is done too.  He’s very active and wants my attention especially early morning when we get up.  He sort of pesters.  Then, after a while, he simply lays down by my feet and goes into his own silence.  He’s undisturbed while I’m working at the computer.  He remains in his own silence and consciousness and he isn’t concerned about me or himself at all until I get up from my chair.

So, what do I conclude in sharing this with you?  The stillness in my life brings me in touch with ME, my real beingness…and this concept is totally removed from ME, Kaye A. Peters. I don’t have an identity when I do this…I am part of all life which isn’t speaking to itself, it just exists..it just IS.

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

You find your Peace and Understanding in your own good time.   ~Gaya

   

‘Wanting To’ Makes All The Difference In The World.

July 19, 2023 / / Conscious Awareness, GAYA, Honoring Intention, Life and Living, Living in the NOW, Peace and Understanding

This is a continuation of my personal experience with COMMITMENT!

I don’t think I’ve ever learned so much in such a short period of time than during the past month since my friend arrived to stay with me for these weeks.

To offer some background, we met on the internet, had spoken a few times on Zoom, and were members of a group. Our initial introduction was, perhaps, 1 1/2 to 2 years ago and our contact certainly wasn’t daily….more like monthly.

Fast forward to the present when events happened and she called me to inquire whether she could come stay with me for a time while she found  her own place in my town. She was familiar with the state of New Mexico. We were ‘adult’ about it before any decision could be made, and ultimately we ‘committed’ to doing it and we were absolutely going to do our parts to make it work!  At this time I had no clue that I was doing myself the biggest favor of my life!

Any relationship has its issues as we all know, but honestly, this whole process has been so enlightening to us both because we know that commitment means “no other alternative”, and so we both have put on our ‘big-girl britches’ and we are totally pledged to not only making it work, but we are enjoying this privilege in our lives.

I am aware that I ‘want’ to bend for the sake of our success toward our commitment. In this process, a sensation comes over me, i.e., I feel compassion sometimes, I feel selflessness sometimes, I feel excitement sometimes when I observe such positive results which come from no inconvenience on my part, but rather, from a sincere endeavor by me.  It’s easy to reflect on those times in my life when it was apparent my focus was so far away from this kind of attitude.

Please understand this is difficult to describe, but it is happening, and I am a far better person for it.  I am expanding my capacity for understanding and altruistic thinking.  Plainly, I am caring outside of myself and it feels wonderful and not only that, I feel like I am completing myself in some important way as a human being.

Incidentally, my friend and I have conversations about this, and her experience is similar.

So, my friends, this is my story and I’m sticking to it!  Ha! 🙂

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

Amen…And So It Is.    ~Gaya

 

It’s Important To Show Up!

May 26, 2023 / / GAYA, Grace, Gratitude, Honoring Intention, Humility, Life and Living, Mindfulness, Source Energy

It’s kind of like keeping my word…it involves being true to self…it’s about living each day on purpose.  THIS IS WHAT SHOWING UP MEANS TO ME.

As I continue to grow older (which is an amazement to me, believe me), I’ve become not only grateful for the opportunity to keep on living and enjoying life,  I want to show up every day with enthusiasm and eagerness as I greet every morning.  I want Porter, my little enjoyable companion, to feel safe and secure just as I try to keep myself the same way.

I want my attitude and actions to reflect just how sincere I am about giving as much of myself to this life as I can.  There is nothing about life which is lackadaisical as far as I see it. It involves acceptance and interest and creativity and sincerity and love of myself and other living beings and continuous reminders to myself that I am inextricably connected to, and unconditionally loved and supported by God, Universe, Creator, Higher Intelligence…whatever you choose to call it. And along with this, I couple with my Faith that I am continuously creating my own joy and happiness while I live  every moment, as I live in the NOW.

It’s not about making my mark while I spend my time on this earth, but it is about holding myself accountable to make my life count in respect and gratitude for the gift I have been given to live it. I want to feel that I have become better every day, as well as useful. I want to spend my time in a worthwhile way.  This includes resting in the silence of it all.  I always want to provide myself the space to acknowledge the expanse of the universe and what a small particle of it I am within it.  Appreciation for all the blessings and grace I’ve enjoyed is big too.  And, above all, Gratitude for this grace as I recover from my missteps along my Forever Path.

I am confident that my conscious efforts are supported.  I consider myself in a silent partnership with my Creator.  I exalt this.

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

Connection…          ~Gaya

 

ACCOMPLISHMENT Means Everything!

December 8, 2022 / / Conscious Awareness, Conscious Living, Energy Connection, GAYA, Grace, Gratitude, Humility, Intention, Intuition, Life and Living, Living in the NOW, Manifesting our goals and dreams, Mindfulness, Presence, Self-fulfillment

No question, I’m getting pretty comfy in my new place!  Porter knows our routine down to the minute, and I have found that my GRATITUDE keeps me grounded in astounding ways.

THOUGHT is great when it is constructive and innovative and creative and happy and motivating and intentional.  It is MY election to improve my surroundings…emotionally, physically and spiritually.

I recently completed painting the ceiling and walls in my living room and dining area!  This was a feat, but doable.  The outcome is amazing and such an improvement around here.  Next comes the kitchen, and other rooms too, as long as my energy and stamina and physical ability hold out!

What occurs to me this morning is that “accomplishment”  is also evident internally in my thoughts and emotions, as well as obviously in the visual, and it all has to do with my wellbeing. When I’m thinking  I’m already in the creative process as ideas begin to swirl, and these ideas are all about making ME happier!  It’s not about what I’m lacking or any dissatisfaction, it’s about how can I get a greater shine to my life and my surroundings…a continuous polishing to my whole existence while I’m alive!

Now I’m referring to ATTITUDE. It’s about helping myself!  It’s about my own proactivity  which spurs me on providing the constant link to the Ease and Grace in my life. I think I maintain an overview of my surroundings and my physical wellbeing  which ‘lubricates my life machine’, if you will. For a fact, if I don’t do it, who/what will?

I follow my GPS when I’m driving to an unfamiliar area, and I guess I use my GTA when I’m navigating my own life.

And, not to forget your ESP!  ~Gaya

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

 

Responsibility: burden or privilege?

August 8, 2022 / / Conscious Living, Faith and Trust, Freedom, GAYA, Gratitude, Life and Living, Manifesting our goals and dreams

For the past four days I’ve been working hard in the mornings.  Sagebrush and weeds!!!  Sagebrush is prickly, difficult to work with, and unsightly! And the weeds…they’re green, healthy, thrive from the monsoon rains, and they’re not grass!    All part of ‘ranching’!  I think to myself, “you’re not in the city…you’re in the country, you don’t want a pristine place, but WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

This is the privilege of living:  what DO I want?  This I ask myself countless times a day.  Sometimes the answer is reflected by the choices I make without the obvious question prodding me.  It’s the spontaneous living in the NOW.  I believe I’m being led on the latest path I have chosen.  I try not to get frustrated, and certainly not discouraged, but it is a ‘puzzlement’ when tackling something absolutely new. I find I’m relying upon many of the things I have written or said that have to do with my spiritual practice.  I rely upon trust, faith and a knowing that it all will unfold in good time.  I always see progress and I have considerable satisfaction from my accomplishments.

I have joy in my heart.  Out of the unknowingness of it all,  I have a confidence all is as it’s meant to be.  I have evoked within myself another level of consciousness because I am not coasting…I’m instigating. In my unknowingness, I’m more conscious than ever about my choices and decisions.  I am more alive in my living!  Life is pleasantly serious…more consciously decisive.

Responsibility is a good thing.  It provokes taking care of myself as a human being, a friend,  and a mother; my darling little dog, Porter; my house and land; my car…and it keeps me focused on my thoughts.  Responsibility can’t be a burden when I honor the choices I make. Something positive is growing inside me as I reckon with the astonishing results of my expanding experience. I have more gratitude for the privilege of attending to that which makes demands upon me.  This is the polishing of my life.

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.

All is well…as it is.  ~Gaya

 

 

Going Above and Beyond… Intentional Effort!

May 10, 2022 / / Conscious Living, Energy Connection, Faith and Trust, GAYA, Intention, Life and Living, Living in the NOW, Love, Manifesting our goals and dreams

I’ve set up a garden here at my new digs; I continue to have lots to do around my new home and the land around it; my little foster pup, Porter, definitely has my attention; and having turned 85 a little over a month ago, I seem to be more attentive to taking better care of myself in every way, i.e., physically, mentally, spiritually and socially.

This morning the phrase ‘going above and beyond’ came into my mind.  This is what I am doing these days and I’m realizing that this is what LIFE demands of me if I’m going to keep on keeping on with interest in what I’m doing and why I’m doing it!

Take the garden:  Chicago has nothing on Deming, New Mexico, when it comes to wind!  It’s usually westerly, and these winds come with gusty force.  Thankfully, in principle, I don’t mind wind, but for growing, I had to make sure my garden is shielded from the ferocity of this wind.  I put in some beet seeds and keeping them damp till they germinate is absolutely necessary.  Also scattered wildflowers in two raised beds and around a walkway…same thing, have to keep the ground damp. I bought two tomato plants but still have them in pots…they have to grow up a bit more before they can survive the garden, I think. I have lots of hope and faith here, but it’s the effort that I must put forth!

And Porter?  Today is a vet day!  The shelter pays for the visit, but the main thing is his overall health and wellbeing.  He is turning into a wonderful companion, very smart and wanting to please.  He’s a grateful, loyal little guy.

And ME?  I’ve taken on additional responsibilities, notwithstanding the fact I am advancing in age…and so I’m much more conscious of what I owe to myself to succeed! 

More than ever before I’m aware I take nothing for granted.  By the same token, I am ever conscious that I am inextricably connected to and unconditionally loved and supported by God. 

The least I can do for myself is Go Above and Beyond whenever I’m doing anything.  It’s part of the pleasure of living life to the fullest.  It’s part of the contentment I feel at the end of the day when I express my gratitude for everything I have. 

It’s an absolute privilege to Go Above and Beyond the best way I am able.  The Intention matters.

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed.  Stay Safe.  Be Well.

Today is your day … be gleeful and grateful.      ~ Gaya

NEVER say Never!

April 15, 2022 / / "Going for It", Don't be held back, Faith and Trust, GAYA, Life and Living, Presence

I’ve said to many lately, “I can’t believe I’m 85!  I simply can’t believe it!”  I’m still flabbergasted that I am living out my dream on my DreamCatcher Ranch!  AND, to top all off, I’m fostering a little dog, Porter, who has stolen my heart and I most probably will adopt him.  Before I moved to New Mexico, I had no animals and I said more than once, I’ll NEVER get another animal.

We form opinions with reasoning behind them…BUT, these reasons change, we come up with new ideas, we compromise, we recognize we have changed, become more open-minded and more compassionate for ourselves (in my case).  One of my main reasons for not wanting another animal was because I figured I’d pass away before the animal!  Also, I’ve had my fill of putting animals down!

But there’s a ‘meantime’ I haven’t considered until I made this move to a new state, new home, new friends.  I’m still living alone.  Porter rather appeared out of nowhere…it was synchronicity as I see it. I accepted his foster, and in a few short days, I also realized he was adding to my life!  He has forced me to alter my routine and consider his needs!

I am an ‘old dog learning new tricks’ from a young dog!  There’s lots to be said about making changes, moreover about choosing to make changes, take risks, look  around the next corner, drop the fear and dread and leap into the unknown with a vengeance.  It’s called continuing to live the life I have been given. It’s all too easy to stay in my comfort zone, but in so doing, I’m sacrificing new feelings and experiences and accomplishments.

I can never receive too much unconditional love and such love is in short supply. Porter is very special to my recent experience because I recognize what he is offering me and what I offer him as well.

I always want to keep my windows and doors wide open…how else do I welcome the NOW into my life with enthusiasm and acceptance.  The Now is always New.

Blessed Be.  To All Be Blessed. Stay Safe, Be Well.

Giving love and seeing joy in another provides Graceful Peace.   ~Gaya

And Now What Do I Do? KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

February 18, 2022 / / Faith and Trust, GAYA, Life and Living, Manifesting our goals and dreams

Here I am at DreamCatcher Ranch! I’m my own version of a 2022 Pioneer Woman! Life continues as long as we let it…until it stops us! And, this is just what I’m up to now!  I’m no different, really, except I’m polishing and planning every day in my new surroundings. On one hand, it’s ‘old hat’, and on the other, life continues to dish up new and exciting vistas.

I’ve come from my heart, my dreams.  I’ve trusted myself, my energy, my sheer guts and grit, and my God, Universe, Creator,  and in retrospect, in what seemed like a blink of an eye, I transported myself into another world of living!   I’m planted in totally new surroundings which feel familiar.  My experiences are self-fulfilling…like a prophecy.  I don’t have any feelings of having ‘arrived’.  It’s more like, “Oh, I see, this is what I’ve done now.”  And, “I wonder what I’ll be up to; I wonder where I’ll take myself.”

Life has so much promise and as I near 85 years old, it doesn’t feel like I’ve peaked!  This time of my life is not an Acme!  I’ve merely shown myself what a person can do when they pull out some of the ‘stops’!

I’ll say it again, I’ve never loved a time of my life more!  And, I’ve never loved myself more! 

I’m ever-grateful for every experience and person I’ve met along my Forever Path. The falling down, and the picking myself back up. I’ve never had more Faith than I have right now…in myself and in God, Universe, Creator.  We’re held in the hands of greatness that is personal only to ourselves.  Whatever swirls in our minds can be ours if we can conjure up our own, innate magic wand that is ever so powerful to perform our Will.

Napoleon Hill said it:  “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.”

Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find;

knock and the door shall be opened unto you.   

…Oh ye of little faith… ~  Jesus

Trust and rely on the Goodness of All Creation

and the connection to your Forever Path.   ~Gaya

Blessed Be. To All Be Blessed.  Stay Safe. Be Well.

 

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