What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do To Watch For A Sign?

"God, give me a sign!" Yeah. That's been uttered a lot, prayed for a bunch, even breathed in a not-so-formed deep wish by most of us when things get hard. Usually, it's when we are at a decision-making place--or just feeling lost and wondering how to find a sense of direction again.

Because somehow, we equate standing still with a lack of progress. We might need to examine that, too, but that's another post.

But we all seem to need signs that we're doing the right thing. When things go well, we think, "Whew. Sure glad I made that choice!"

When things don't go well, we think, "Man, I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

Again, our perception is what turns something into a good thing or a bad thing, and often, it's neither one. And THAT'S another post.

But for today, let's just think about signs. Portents and wonders. Because the truth is, the world is one big ink blot test full of 'em. The Universe obligingly dishes up what we ask of It; and in the seemingly mundane, we might find our guidance.

Dreams. Coincidences. Chance meetings or snippets of song. All of these things have been the fuel of epiphany, the road marker in the dark for someone.

I find if I just get my radar up and relax, I find the signs I need to set my GPS in motion.

What about you? What's the smallest thing you will do today to recognize a sign that can guide your next small step?

"God, give me a sign!" Yeah. That's been uttered a lot, prayed for a bunch, even breathed in a not-so-formed deep wish by most of us when things get hard. Usually, it's when we are at a decision-making place--or just feeling lost and wondering how to find a sense of direction again.

Because somehow, we equate standing still with a lack of progress. We might need to examine that, too, but that's another post.

But we all seem to need signs that we're doing the right thing. When things go well, we think, "Whew. Sure glad I made that choice!"

When things don't go well, we think, "Man, I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

Again, our perception is what turns something into a good thing or a bad thing, and often, it's neither one. And THAT'S another post.

But for today, let's just think about signs. Portents and wonders. Because the truth is, the world is one big ink blot test full of 'em. The Universe obligingly dishes up what we ask of It; and in the seemingly mundane, we might find our guidance.

Dreams. Coincidences. Chance meetings or snippets of song. All of these things have been the fuel of epiphany, the road marker in the dark for someone.

I find if I just get my radar up and relax, I find the signs I need to set my GPS in motion.

What about you? What's the smallest thing you will do today to recognize a sign that can guide your next small step?

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do Today To Be?

Being-ness is something that some people just seem to do naturally. You can always tell when you are in the company of someone who is fully present. It's more than just being a good listener. There is a quality that we all possess--to be willing to let go of what happened before and not worry about what will happen tomorrow...

To just be here. Now.

I know it sounds a little trite and old--it's been bandied around and sounds like the same old advice no one seems to be able to take for very long.

But try to take it, right now, in this moment. What do you hear? What do you see? What can you taste, touch, who is with you in the room?

Be Present. Be You. You are a tremendous gift. So is everything around you.

Turn off autopilot, and try staying present. Bring yourself back to it gently as the day goes on.

Tomorrow will be here when it will. Yesterday is gone.

This is what you get! And it's great to Be here with you.

What's the smallest thing you will do today to just...be?

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do Today To Set An "Inchstone"?

I saw this term on a page for special needs kids, and I love it.

Inchstones, instead of milestones. A step at a time, an inch at a time, in a culture that takes big strides and likes grander gestures of success...

But there is definitely something to be said about inchstones. Yes, it's slower. Yes, it's more deliberate.

Maybe some deliberate and small is not such a bad thing.

Thoughts? Keeping this short. After all, it's an inchstone.

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do Today To Ease Some Pain?

I woke up with a backache. It happens, especially as these bones and muscles get a little older. But it reminded me that many folks are in constant pain, like my neighbor across the street. He's had five surgeries on his back, and is facing another one--without much hope of success. He lives with agonizing pain, as do many.

Having had one bout with chronic pain a few years back, I am grateful that it's not a consistent thread now. But when I do have a nagging reminder that I can find a way to ease, I have to pause and remember that not everyone is so lucky.

Sometimes, the pain is emotional as well as physical. Emotional pain is just as difficult, just as hard to get past, but tends to be invisible. It's even worse when someone feels isolated and alone. A phone call or email or just a hug might be a lifeline.

As I wait for my own pain to fade today, I am conscious of the many gifts it gives me. It keeps me conscious, reminds me of the dangers of not taking care of myself, reminds me that even when some people do everything they can, they still walk with pain.

I wish everyone ease today. What's the smallest thing you will do today to ease some pain...either yours or someone else's?

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do To Complete An Item "On Your List"?

I catch myself saying it frequently. "It's on my list," I say, when I am asked whether I've seen a certain show, read a certain book, or completed a certain task.

My list is getting pretty durned long.

Granted, life has been hectic of late. But looking back, I can't see too many times when I wasn't busy. In the process of setting new priorities now, I realize it's a great time to drag out the list.

I've found out some things:

1. Sometimes, I tell people that things are on my list that really aren't. I can reduce my list by stopping that behavior; since I probably have no intention of doing them anyway, I shouldn't use that method to get people to stop recommending things ad nauseum.

2. The things that truly are "on my list" do matter; and I must attend to them, in order of importance.

3. Doing the items is better than putting them back on the list and shoving it in a drawer.

Whether it's a "bucket list" of things I want to do before I die; an errand list of "gees, I need to take care of that"; or just a mental list of things I want to accomplish "I really DO want to read that book"; today I am starting by taking care of a bit of correspondence I need to do.

What's the smallest thing you will do today to complete an item on your list?

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do Today To Recognize Your Beautiful Inner Organization?

I couldn't find my grandmother's ring yesterday. 

There has been some happy chaos in my house, and we are settling in with a reshuffling of space in the wake. I wanted to show a friend a treasured family heirloom. It wasn't where I thought it was. For the second time in a week, I couldn't put my hand immediately on something that mattered to me.

The first time had been some paperwork that I thought went AWOL.

And now, this ring.

Long story short: both items wound up being RIGHT WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I looked for them, and overlooked both in my impatience and frustration. When I calmed down, and looked without the panic and bad self talk ("How could I be so stupid, and it would be just like me to have thrown it away, and why don't I do things better....BLAH BLAH BLAH...") I found them, right where they were supposed to be. I just hadn't looked carefully enough.

Despite my best efforts to convince myself otherwise during times of stress, I actually do have a good sense of organization. And I bet you do, as well.

Inherently, our bodies are organized into amazing structures that we don't consciously direct. There is a rhythm and rhyme to life. We respond to it on deep levels.

You have patterns and routines, developed over time, that organize your world. You can develop patterns that will organize your life in better ways, if you choose.

Here's the great news: you've already had practice in organizing, and you are good at it. You get to pick which way your patterns will take you. If you already have habits, you have all the proof you need that you can follow habits.

You are organized! Your life is the result of whatever organization patterns you've chosen. 

So what's the smallest thing you will do today to recognize your own beautiful patterns...or create new ones that will show your genius?

What's The Smallest Thing You Will Do Today To Change The Size Of A Challenge?

This one is fun.

Take any challenge facing you. Now shrink that puppy down in your mind to a little problem. 

Or blow it up HUGE and look at the details.

Enlarge the time it will take to solve it by a million years. What would you do differently now?

Compress it down to fifteen minutes. Whoa. What changes now?

Mess around with the "reality". Stretch it out, mash it down. See if by shifting the shape, you can come up with a new solution.

If it impacts just a few people, see what happens in your mind if it impacts hundreds? Thousands?

If it impacts hundreds or thousands, what would you do if it just impacted your closest friend?

We are wizards. Don't forget it. Alter things. It only takes imagination.
What's the smallest thing you will do today to change the shape, size or quality of a challenge?