“Nothing endures but change.”

Heraclitus, from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
Greek philosopher (540 BC – 480 BC)

You’ve probably heard this sentiment voiced in numerous different ways, by many authors, and applied to a variety of situations.  It seems that today there is an opportunity for me to add my musings to this subject.

In preparing to travel for almost two weeks, I find it useful to list the activities necessary to a successful trip.  There are arrangements for pets, plants, and postal deliveries.  Resetting of scheduled meetings, events, and activities occurs.  Places to stay while traveling are located, and transportation is put together.  These activities may not occur in the same sequence for each trip I make, yet some semblance of each is common to the theme of traveling.

One activity to schedule around the trip is the regular posting of these articles. A perusal of the blog software shows where a message can be posted in advance of publication.  The feature allows me to write a post in advance and leave it to be published while I travel.  Excellent!  So I determine to experiment with this feature.

In enthusiasm, earlier in the week, I write a piece to post in the category of ‘Natural Beauty.’  There is such enthusiasm, that I get ahead of myself, and write the article with the intent to add at least one photographic image to it.  It seems like a next step to add pictures to the words.

Yet, as Heraclitus says, change endures.  In attempting to add the photographic image to the post, I discover aspects of the blogging software that I have yet to master.  After winding my way deep into the FAQ questions and answers about the software, I look up to discover that the period for writing is drawing to an end, and I’m no closer to uploading an image as I was at the start.  It is apparent something gets to change.

I find myself looking at the intention of the exercise, which is to communicate regularly in this forum.  Here is where the ability to accept change, allow a different outcome, and focus on the ultimate intent is valuable.  Flowing with change becomes a matter of shifting my attention away from one article, and placing it on an article for Now.  I feel fortunate to have tools for shifting attention, energy, and focus, so it is now possible to create an article for the next post.

As I finish writing the previous paragraph, the telephone rings.  There is a brief moment of choice ~ continue to write? Answer the phone?  And because there is flow and possibility of change, I can get up and speak on the telephone.  In the course of the conversation, an idea for another article presents itself.  I enjoy my phone conversation, jot a brief note, and return to complete this post.

The key to playing in a world where change is the constant is a three-fold ability to keep an eye on intention, to keep attention on being flexible in allowing the intention to unfold, and to make conscious choices among the possible actions that support the unfolding.   Being comfortable with change helps me to align with this process with fluidity, grace, and ease. 

There is joy for me in writing these blog entries on a regular basis.  Sometimes as I prepare to write, I notice a time of just sitting that allows me to get in touch with the topic for the day.  Other times, the topic has presented itself and the article unfolds to a great degree, and my job is to sit in front of the keyboard and move the information into written form.  And on occasion, there is a blank for a day or so where there is no topic.

Having past experiences of ‘struggle’ in the area of writing, and preferring the current experiences of joy and flow, I appreciate this new way of being with the blank topic that seems to work.  It not only works well for writing, it also seems to work well for Life.  This way of being is to be present with whatever is right in front of me.

Today what is in front of me is my keyboard. More specifically, it is my keyboard with a key-cap for the period – mark which is loose and wobbling under my right ring finger (blessings on the gift of touch-typing from high school days!) 

Lacking a period – mark in writing makes a brand-new game of completing sentences.  I can express enthusiasm with every sentence!  It’s possible to ask questions, as in ‘what comes next?’  Without a period – mark easily available, I find myself pausing between each sentence.

There is an interesting space in the pause my keyboard is gifting me.  It provides a moment to be fully present with the keyboard and the wobbly key-cap.  It supplies a place to reflect on the next breath, the next keystroke, the next word, the next action.  It allows me to decide what to share about what I notice in the pause.

The first thing to share is the concept that when we experience the luxury of a pause, there is space for conscious choice and awareness.   For example, right now I’m noticing that the path I walk with this article is transforming as I pause at the end of each sentence.  The initial title of the article shifts from “right in front of me” to “the luxury of a pause” as I see how the space of ‘being still’  provides multiple choices and opportunities, both for words and for life-experiences.

I reflect on some of the thoughts of earlier in the morning, where there’s a feeling of uncertainty about the ability to write with a floppy key-cap.  I recall examining possibilities to remedy what I judge to be an inconvenience.  I appreciate the current perspective I gain from being present with key as it is.  I am grateful for the pause that presents itself every 12 – 20 words.   Life is good!

In our every-day, walking-around space, we have the luxury of a pause whenever we choose. In a moment, we can breathe deeply, feel grounded, and be as still as possible within.  With only awareness, we are able to notice and reflect upon the possibilities within the pause.  It’s an opportunity to select our words and actions consciously with clarity, ease, and grace.  And it is a great gift of Life to experience the gratitude that also lives within the pause.  May your day be filled with delightful pauses!

This is a short entry today. 

I’m practicing presence and focus while breathing and feeling the energy of the heart. 

And all of a sudden it gets very quiet and there is no line of mental chatter to transfer to the paper.

Instead I feel the breath in my nostrils and my lungs expanding and there is a flow of words that seems to bypass the rational mind.  There is warmth around the heart.

For those of us who have squabbled with the analyzer-brain for years it’s an interesting and intriguing sensation.

In my walking-around space, I experience it on occasion ~ it’s usually more accessible in meditation.  And what a wonderful possibility to be able to live every moment in this place.

The question is, would it be of value to post this brief observation?

Still breathing, no words.

It is in the sitting quietly that the beauty of the creation is born, and it is in the allowing that the Love of Creator flows. 

I Am grateful to receive these words and to share them with you today.

With love, joy, and gratitude for you as you live this Life!