Garage Sale

We had a garage sale the other weekend - releasing the old to make room for the new.  It is amazing what attachments we form in our lifetimes to 'stuff' and why.  For me, it is books - which I have found represent my attachment to my assimilation of knowledge and experiences.  I realized that I was holding onto these books, many of which I skimmed over while reading several simultaneously, so that I could potentially 'refer' back to them at a later date.

It's been 30+ years for those Tolkien books there in the picture and I promise you that I have never cracked the cover on those since I finished reading them in 6th grade.  The power of the experience of reading those books as a young boy had stayed with me my entire life - I do remember reading them and literally expanding my consciousness with each page.  Such creativity, imagination and magic - truly life changing for me personally.  And so, I held onto them.  And what is the harm in that?

Nothing really... other than the expansion of today, the new joy of assimilation, the experience of NOW, the book I'm reading today.  There will never be another first time reading The Hobbit, but there will be a first time experience of my next life changing book, story, moment or experience.  I want all of my focus and attention to be available for that experience so that I am as present as I possibly can be.

That is why I gave up my books even though I held onto them for many years... to make room for today.  Give it a try, you may never know what will happen next.... :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

Pumpkins and Dogs

October 2011 Coastviews Magazine Cover
Photo by Whitney Merrill

Look Up

Redwood Sky - La Honda, CA

You're heads down, working hard, no stopping to 'smell the roses'.  Busy, busy all the time focused on getting ahead at work, trying to save for the college fund and for retirement.  Go, go, go -  run, run, run.  If you stop, you're a 'goner' and you'll sleep when you're dead right?

Seriously people, this is not sustainable - for you, for you family or for the environment around you.  And I know that you know it so we really don't need to go there now do we?  But, I would like to ask the simple question: what can you do about it for just yourself? (at the very least)

I've been looking at Google Earth pictures of our World recently - it is amazing what it available for us to See now.  You can see images pictures of people walking on a beach in Australia from a satellite shot on your iPad.  However, I realized that it had me looking down a lot - so I decided to Look Up.

I have found that there is a lot to be learned from looking at the sky.  The tops of trees swaying in the breeze, clouds traveling by, birds on the wing, the moon and planets in rotation and the conscious Universe expanding constantly beyond our view (and minds).  But more importantly, it makes you slow down.  There is just no way to Look Up without pausing for at least a few moments (unless you want to fall down)!

I suggest the following exercise for those of you having difficulty with your rate of speed of life - just look up once per day.  Whether it be when you're getting a cup of coffee, taking your lunch break or getting home from one of those busy, busy days at work - just Look Up, breathe and pause for a moment.  It is a nice view where you are right now, isn't it?  :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

"I have seen slower people than I am--and more deliberate...and even quieter, and more listless, and lazier people than I am. But they were dead." - Mark Twain