When we make decisions that are love-based and not fear-based we move on to a higher life path. - Laura Lynne Jackson

Thank you for her further explaination that when we’re torn and can’t tell the difference between the two, “that’s when the Other Side tries to send us signs.” (I’d like to be more open for them.)

There’s so much more to be gained from her second book. Like the life tips. “The way we elevate our lives is by elevating our energy.” She explains that the energy we give off can have a profound impact on others’ lives as well as our own. Elevation often happens through tiny kindnesses in smiles, words, waves…

To read about positive energy after a cheerful bike ride was especially impactful. It was such a perfect day that I literally couldn’t stop smiling, and happy faces on the path reflected that joy. (This is an especially important lesson for when I feel less than happy.)

Another positive from the book was the discussion of art—movies, plays, music, etc—shifting energy. What I appreciated is that these things needn’t be an escape from life. They can help us instead to approach better versions of ourselves.

Thank you for reminders to myself that, despite how it may feel, I’m in charge of my life and day. Well, no, that’s not totally right. I mean, we don’t have control over tons of aspects of life. Yet we do. We have choices. The choice to surrender is one sort of funny example of exercising control, I guess. IDK…

Thank you for smiles that make people happy.

Thank you for the chewy addictiveness of dried goji berries. 

Thank you for returns to what gave us joy as children. I was obsessed with reading, but it wasn’t really a craving for knowledge. It was an enjoyment of discovering and entering different spaces. Later, appreciation grew for conversations across time, messages from the past, indirect-direct contact with noteworthy figures. For instance, I can sit on the couch with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and journey back around two thousand years, listening to intimate thoughts he graciously noted in a journal that fortuitously withstood time. Then I can respond, even if it’s just by discussing his writings with you. When you join the discussion, our two-thousand-year conversation expands, and that feels magical. 

Thank you for things that gave you joy as a child. I hope you still take pleasure in them.

Thank you for porch swings.

Thank you for svadhyaya.

Thank you for the study of treasures found in dreams and their unexpected nuance. For instance, recently I asked about a weighty decision—Is X or Y the right thing to do? Examining the dream’s reply taught me that both choices involve painful sacrifice. Neither will feel totally right. It further cautioned me to watch out for potential shortcomings encouraged by the choice I feel pulled toward.  

Basically, it gently warned that even the higher of two possible paths won’t be totally smooth—that higher path, too, holds peril. It’s like how “success” on some measure opens our egos and tempts arrogance. And achieving power may leave our morals vulnerable. Such gentle warnings raise awareness so we stay true to our better selves.

Thank you for dreams, on first glance absurd and random, holding real significance. It’s eye-opening to write them out, re-read the accounts, and strive for alternative understandings. 

Oh, studying dreams also showed me how initial interpretations have been outcroppings of guilt or shame. You know how, when you feel guilty about something, you may interpret others’ response to you in light of that guilt? What I mean is that they may seem angry at you when they’re not. The faulty interpretation of anger is sort of like projecting the guilt inside of you outward. You feel that you deserve anger, so that’s what you see coming at you from others (regardless of whether it’s actually there). 

Well, I had been projecting similarly onto my dreams. I thought they were giving harsh admonishments—I thought they were castigating me. But new interpretations came out after deeper thought. I saw my guilt and shame were interpreting the dreams as angry, at first. So I told myself that dreams are loving messages. I’m loved. My dreams are there to guide with love. Then entirely new interpretations became clear.

Thank you for when the wind and clouds and air converge in a unique New Mexico way to convey that a storm is coming. Thank you for feelings unique to places. Thank you for expanded views when we’re privileged to venture from familiar bubbles. Thank you for wonder in newness.

Thank you for anticipation of travel and unknown adventures. To kick off summer is a trip to Paradise followed by visits to loved ones up north. Then it’s down to see friends and future neighbors around LA, and finally on to Escondido for camping and meditation. To wrap up summer is an east coast trip—leaf peeping, time with the beautiful JL and her precious fellas… (There’s so much to do lately. I’ll try to keep posting. Wish me luck with it.) Wishing you wellness and adventure this summer, too!

Thank you for trains. Thank you for efforts to travel somewhat responsibly. Thank you for slow options.

Thank you again for a promising career pursuit this fall and the enthusiastic feedback on it from friends and family. 

Thank you for RP’s guidance toward new opportunities. Thank you for her mentorship. 

Thank you for gradual acceptance that maybe it’s okay to have what we “want.” Some wants aren’t the unhealthy attachment kind, they’re the pulls we feel to go where our hearts lead, where the universe seems to point. I think as our wellness improves, our individual wants and those healthy tugs from the universe fall more in line with each other. (I hope so.)

Thank you for new kitchen adventures.

Thank you for frozen granola bars, and thawed ones.

Thank you for a sunny bike ride, no jacket required, low wind, plenty of energy and multiple flybys—a white winged duck and dove and butterflies—to remind me of sweet Peach.

Thank you for love lessons from her (and other doggos). She taught that how we greet our loved ones makes a huge difference in their lives. Think about the joy of a dog’s greeting. It’s no small thing. The love our dogs give makes the world happier. 

Thank you for everything you’re grateful for.

Thank you for the transformation gratitude practice brings.

May your list keep growing <3