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Life Architecture
May You Become Like the Lotus…
May you become like the lotus. Rooted in, yet growing out of the clear and muddy waters of life to rise above and blossom.
- White Lotus Foundation
Five years ago, I started reading the declaration above that is printed at the start of the first yoga video I purchased. Until this year, I never really appreciated its meaning in my life. I share it with you intending for it to serve you in some way on your personal journey towards an exemplary life. In my opinion, we are living, growing, raising children and blossoming in a time of "muddy waters" – literally, as in New Orleans, and figuratively as a number of societal circumstances occur and as I must acknowledge, Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins.
Since my last message, I've been profoundly involved with individuals and families blossoming out of the clear and muddy waters of life. Part of the work I've taken on involves providing occupational therapy to acutely ill and deconditioned individuals. Each day I am in awe of the magnitude of the healing power of the love given to many of my patients by their friends, family and significant others. Moreover, the gratitude these patients and families often express for care they receive or the 2nd chance to live or to "complete unfinished business" serves as a reminder for me to appreciate the gift of being currently able bodied and minded. More than ever, I am reminded of the chance and choice we have to rise and blossom in clear times and in muddy times.
So, as your Life Architect, I offer you a starting list of ways for you to be like the lotus:!
1. Tell someone you love "I love you"
2. Practice meditation or quieting your mind to listen for good choices
3. Take the class, trip or day off you've been meaning to for months
4. Make a list of the times since childhood you've risen out of clear & muddy waters
5. Read Goldie Hawn's, A Lotus Grows in Mud or Lance Armstrong's, It’s Not About the Bike
6. Write 5 things you are grateful for each night before you sleep
7. Practice a random act of kindness each day
8. Find inspiration in music – listen to songs like Little Moments or I Hope You Dance
9. Get a mammogram or make an appointment for someone you love to do so
10. Purchase at t-shirt from www.helpthesouth.org.
If you find this list inspiring, please share it with others and add your own tips. And I welcome your suggestions of how I may continue to blossom … just email me via www.atlaslifedesign.com.
Be well until next time …
Dr. Elli, Life Architect
Elysa Roberts, PhD, OTR/L
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