Spring Newsletter

Here I am, blank page in front of me. And I’m expecting to effortlessly and poetically fill it with great wisdom and clarity. It should be easy: a genius at the starting gate! Or not.

I became troubled when I realized, first of all, that I needed to find something to write about in a creative and attention-getting way. That thought sort of ruined my vision of a pithy treatise. Then the wise and kind voice of Anne Lamott came to me, reminding me, “bird by bird”, and maybe the best thing to do is just get started.

To me, the beginner’s mind means being open, scared, not knowing what to expect, curious. Maybe not even having a point of reference or a hoped for outcome. It is a place of humbleness, of being teachable. And it feels fresh, if I can stay in that space for long enough.

I knew I needed to start somewhere. Just start. So I allowed myself the grace of contemplation, and it seemed to work because out of the recesses of my mind I remembered a time when I was a fresh beginner.

Here’s my story: in my younger years I remember once being invited to go bowling. I wanted to go, but I didn’t know much about it or how it worked. What I did know was that there is a long lane and you threw a heavy ball down the lane to knock over some funny looking cone shaped objects sitting at the end. That’s about it. But my friends were very helpful with explaining what I needed to do, and when it was my turn I tried to do what they instructed. I held the heavy ball and aimed. I felt somewhat relaxed and gave myself over to whatever would happen next. And I did pretty good! I managed to take down a number of those bowling pins, which, as I learned, was the proper name for them. I was praised for a successful effort.

So I thought to myself, well, this is pretty darn easy and kind of fun. I think I now have the hang of it, and I’m sure I will send that ball straight down the lane and hit all the pins at once. And this is where I put aside my beginner’s mind. I set myself up for disappointment because, of course, that did not happen. The harder I tried to repeat my first innocent attempt, the worse it got: I threw mostly gutter balls after that. I became attached to the outcome and I was not open to slowing down and learning more. By the end of the evening and coming in last, I was discouraged and began to think the bowling game was not for me.

The best outcome though, was a life lesson: honor that beginner’s mind, try to stay there for just awhile until, with practice, I can graduate to first grade. No reason to hurry, and every reason to honor the process. Sometimes it works faster, and sometimes a bit slower. Practice could be a key to success!

I’m still not a good bowler, but the lesson lingers. I think about this when I decide to try something new, like becoming a Newsletter producer. Yikes. But I have decided to do it, and I’m willing to learn. With help. Now I will take my own advice (And Anne’s), tackle it with openness and curiosity, one step at a time.

Any decision to try something new and different is the best starting point toward a more fulfilling life, whether it is bowling, changing a habit that no longer serves, or a desire to examine what does and does not work. Help is available. I invite you to give it a go!

Loma Linda Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

From Dan Beuttner’s Blue Zones Kitchen

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 1 ¾ cups quick oats
• ¼ cup chocolate chips
• Honey (optional)
• Crushed nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.

Mash bananas in a bowl; add oats and mix well to combine. Fold in chocolate chips and applesauce.

Use a tablespoon to measure out portions of the dough, dropping onto the baking sheet. Shape these into balls or press and flatten each cookie with a spoon. It will not spread out much during baking.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned on top. Remove and let cool on a rack. Roll in honey and then crushed nuts when cool enough to handle. Enjoy!

The ABC’s of Words

Word of the Month: CURIOSITY

An accepted definition of Curiosity: a strong desire to know or learn something

Diving in:

Curious people don’t often ‘need’ the information they seek. Most desire to find answers to their questions just for the sake of gaining understanding and knowledge.

Based on research, those who are curious generally possess certain attributes:

• They ask questions
• Seek out new experiences
• Challenge assumptions
• Cultivate a growth mindset
• Embrace uncertainty
• Practice mindfulness

Curiosity is “one of the five strengths most reliably linked to satisfaction with life”.

-AccessCBT.co.uk

Diving into what you love is a great way to keep your curiosity flowing. Curiosity is the foundation of Creativity, innovation and meaningful engagement (I’m big on Creativity).

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

~ Socrates