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On Saturday, I was over at InCourage reading a blog by Simple Mom about how some events in our lives can seem like climbing a huge, treacherous mountain.  As I was climbing my own mountain last week, I took comfort n knowing that many others were climbing right beside me.

I also have a bit of a different view concerning the mountains of our lives.  Whether it’s a job loss, recurring disease, death of a loved one, depression, a difficult work situation, or any of the other daily challenges present in our lives, we continue to visit certain mountains over and over again.

A job loss can feel like a mountain everyday that we are searching for a new job.  Birthdays, holidays and anniversaries can feel like a mountain when they are reminders of the loved one who has moved onto the next life.

Each visit to one of our mountains strengthens our muscles and builds our confidence.  Each visit, the mountain may still look as craggy and foreboding, yet is a tiny bit easier to climb.

Have you been mountain climbing recently? Was it a repeat visit or a new challenge? How does your inner strength feel?

If you build it… they will come…

After enjoying a sunny, brisk fall Sunday with blue skies and rainbows of color on the trees, my husband began building a bonfire in our fire pit, perhaps hoping to enjoy every last bit of this beautiful fall Sunday.

The warm fire mingled with the scent of crisp leaves, beckoning to our neighbors.  Coming in ones and twos, we eventually enjoyed the company of 5 neighbor children and 3 neighbor adults.  Sharing roasted marshmallows and fresh laughter soothes my soul.

I relish these impromptu gatherings with the “come as you are” feel to them. How ’bout you?   Does your family have some special ways to celebrate the fall?

On Saturday, I met some other authors from my publishing house.  What a special treat to chat with them as their books are already published!  I met Tom and Veronica Davids at As the Page Turns Bookstore in Northville (http://www.asthepageturns.biz/). 

Tom and Veronica wrote ”Wrestling the ABCs”  – a children’s picture book about wrestling as well as the importance of exercise and nutrition!  Check them out at www.wrestlingtheabcs.com .

I also met Maria Dismondy at Borders in Canton.  She  wrote “Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun” – a children’s book about “having the courage to be who you are!”  More info can be found at www.mariadismondy.com

All 3 of these authors are local to Metro Detroit.  Their books would be a great gift for the young ones (ages 4-9) in your life.  Support the local Michigan economy with books printed in the US and authored by Michiganians!

“Balance is about the moving and non-moving…” 

(excerpted from “Body,Mind,Spirit Guide) 

About putting down the juggling balls.  About stillness.

 Share with me…

      How do you achieve stillness?  What would you  like to do to achieve stillness?