Finding New Peace

Every day, when I read the news, I find myself getting very upset.

In addition to alerting my congresspersons, and taking action that way, I actively seek out a deeper sense of peace for myself.

I make sure that I am finding something that I am genuinely happy about, or that I respect.

I replace the feelings of betrayal and despair with a conscious uplifting practice.

I am grateful to have so much corruption exposed and to discover many ways of correcting it.

Each time I encounter a problem in my own life, I know there is a solution.

There are so many of us working to create a healthy political environment in order to create healthy practices in our own country.

We do have an active part to play and so many of us are more engaged than we have ever been.

This is a source of peace even as we struggle to turn what appears to be a very strong tide.

My source of peace is my daily practice of turning within to discover my next step of progress for my own life.

I am acquiring new skills, I am interacting with many different communities of wonderful people.

We are all practicing ways of living which uplift and inspire and which create beauty.

These are the long-term actions which create peace in our communities.

These are what our country is built on, honesty and the expression of beauty, and respect for all our people.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.inspiredpractices.blogspot.com 

Worried vs. Relieved

 I realize that I have a habit of worry which was instilled very, very young.

I am now creating its antidote.

When I sense myself worrying, I find something I am relieved about.

For instance, I am relieved that I am living in a country where I can speak the language.

I am relieved that the area where I live is surrounded by small farms which raise organic food.

I am relieved that there is an excellent library system.

I am relieved there are so many sustainable skills to learn and people to teach them.

I am relieved I can find information I need on the internet.

I am relieved I can experiment with my garden and tiny food forest.

I am relieved that there are many small supportive communities connected with activities I enjoy.

I am relieved that my wardrobe is sufficient.

I am relieved that I have easy access to water for my garden.

I am relieved I can maintain a comfortable temperature around me.

I am relieved that I am respected for the things I can invent designs and patterns for.

I am relieved that I have found a place to live where I am comfortable and respected.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com 

Creative Inspiration

I wanted to create something fun and meaningful for a birthday celebration.

This is what I made.

I painted the watercolor squares and rectangles on the cover of the note.

Then I wrote and drew the inspirational message.

I went through my fabric stash and found this perfect match to my painted rectangles.

Serendipity...unplanned gift from the Universe.

I sewed the fabric to pressboard/chipboard using the size 14 Universal needle recommended by the sewing machine repairman (!) 

and then sewed the pieces together with a zigzag stitch.

I was so happy to present this and it was well-received.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

Establishing Peace in a Garden

It always feels so good to work in the garden.

I love the feel of dirt in my hands.  

The texture and smell are so enriching.

Spending time in nature is calming and energizing.

It is our ancestral first environment.

The more time we can be in touch with natural growing areas the better we feel on a deep level.

Part of the balance of life is the peace we feel participating in activities which are part of the earth.

We patiently observe the first tiny leaves and how individual they are.

And of course, there is the miracle of seeds themselves, becoming active and growing into plants.

The many different shapes and sizes of seeds and plants, the infinite variety, color, smell and patterns offer a restful and peaceful view as they harmonize in the landscape.

I am grateful for the opportunity to observe them close at hand and as I pass them down country roads.

I am glad I am learning to make my garden part of a new practice of peace.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.inspiredpractices.blogspot.com 

A Gardening Solution

I was disappointed to find out that a couple of glass panes had been broken out of my cold frame at the back of the garden.  I had been “cooking” a new compost pile during winter and would not be able to continue adding to it as planned.

I knew there was a solution for my situation and I began preparing to access it by not getting mad.  I always include the whole neighborhood when I do my spiritual work.  It includes the high school students who walk back and forth to school and home, people who drive by, anyone passing by who comes to thought.

After a visit to a nearby antique mall, I saw an old window similar to the one I used for my cold frame.  That started a train of thought where I realized I could remove the cold frame and let the composting process take its course.  In a year or two when the bacteria have fully digested the compost, I can screen it and filter out the glass.  That way, I do not have to worry about getting glass shards in my hands, nor getting glass in the compost mix.

I was grateful for the solution and for not wasting much time on frustration or anger.  I cannot control other people’s feelings or actions, but I can learn to make my own time more and more productive.  This was an opportunity to do so.

I also realized I can take care of many of the items in my garden as they exist and add the next steps to what I have.  Making a list helps me appreciate the abundance of my new starts and aware of the attention I can pay to last season’s plantings.

I can enter a new era of gardening by building on my beginner’s knowledge and adding to it.  

So many old and new friends have gardens and share their experience and plants generously.  I am grateful to be able to expand my garden again this year.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com

Staying in My Own Mind

Sorting out the confusion over the trauma of early childhood has taken some time.

Interpreting which thoughts are the ones I choose rather than the ones I was taught has taken additional effort.

I am learning that the mind I choose to cultivate as mine is happy and creative.

I am creative whether I am happy or sad, ecstatic or depressed, so I choose the positive version.

I have my own feeling of calmness, so I can notice the contrast when disruption approaches.

I have my own self-respect, so I notice the difference.

I have my own goals, which I love completing.

I love my friends who enjoy the same kinds of activities I do.

There is a consistency to me.

It is okay to be visible.

It is fun to get together and learn and share things in my many craft and homesteading skills groups.

As a matter of fact, I enjoy my life and living in my own mind.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com 

Angel Messages Come To You - Valued Feelings