Lean into it.

This morning I stumbled across a quote that not only woke me from my usual Saturday morning cozy little fog but awoke a stubborn little corner of my being that's been reluctant to wake, move or flourish for the past few weeks. This is the corner of me that deals with the joys of family...tilts- as Ryan calls them - times when the ground seems to shift and relationships experience a sort of tilting, tipping, or upside down "joy ride" if you will.

In reading this blurb (below), and in conjunction with a conversation I had with my amazingly wise little sister yesterday afternoon, certain corners of me are newly awake and I'm consciously choosing to lean into a few of lifes little tilts.

"In life, we think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem. The real truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together for a time, then they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that.

Personal discovery and growth come from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

Suffering comes from wishing things were different. Misery is self inflicted, when we are expecting the "ideal" to overcome the "actual", or needing things (or people, or places) to be different for us so we can then be happy.

Let the hard things in life break you. Let them effect you. Let them change you. Let these hard moments inform you. Let this pain be your teacher. The experiences of your life are trying to tell you something about yourself. Don't cop out on that. Don't run away and hide under your covers. Lean into it.

What is the lesson in this wind? What is this storm trying to tell you? What will you learn if you face it with courage? With full honesty and - lean into it?"

- Pema Chodron

This morning I am thankful for my family, for those who provoke me, despite what their intentions may be. I am finding value in the winds that you send in my direction, learning about my weaknesses and leaning into them in hopes of strengthening myself.

Happy truth filled Saturday friends - from Canada all the way to Russia, Germany, the UK, Australia, Poland, South Korea, the Netherlands, Philippines, and more. I'm truly amazed that this blog and my words have somehow spanned over 15 countries this past year. I'm entirely humbled by your visits - however brief they may be. This morning my hope for you all is that you find the courage to lean into the winds that you are faced with -whether they come from the North, South, East, or West.

Leaning, with love,

J.

P.S. I love you bear. This one's for you. 
I miss you always.
7 weeks!

xo.