"No matter who we are, where we live, what we look like, the circumstances of our birth, or the situations we face, each of us has gifts within us...They are not like material presents we unwrap and hold in our hands. We
can't see these gifts with our eyes. But they are real and powerful. When we open ourselves to them, they can enrich every area of our lives. They can help us transform challenges into opportunities and tragedies into triumphs. They can help us make a difference in the world." - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing
In good times and bad, when life is wondrous and when life hurts, let's reach in and bring these powerful gifts into every aspect of our lives. Let's do this every
day.
With
love,
Charlene
A long P.S. - The Twelve Gifts metal plaque in the photo was made by a dear friend, Glenice. For years I kept that plaque in the lush garden area that surrounded the lanai of our condo at Sanibel Moorings on Sanibel Island.
Despite my love for Sanibel, and for the condo that became a dream come true after 30+ years of dreaming, despite the fact that I had just published a book about lessons learned in the
garden around Sanibel Moorings, despite all that and more, we sold the condo last year because I was feeling extremely strong sensations about the wisdom to sell.
Every day since Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sanibel on September 28, my thoughts and prayers have been with everyone with ties to the island, especially the full-time residents and the business people who have
everything at stake there. I'm feeling for all the part time visitors too. And all the animals. The helpers. The services. The land. Everything. Everyone.
I have loved Sanibel since the first time my husband and I and our two young daughters visited there more than 40 years ago.
I pray that, in addition to securing the enormous financial strength needed to rebuild, all involved will reach deeper than ever into their inner strength, courage, wisdom, imagination, hope, faith, love...to address the devastation bravely and creatively, perhaps in ways not yet imaginable.
Strife can break through the walls that limit our
thinking, stir our imaginations, and lead us to brand new solutions.
I'm praying that that happens. And I'm holding a vision of Sanibel Island becoming a model of environmental wisdom.
In closing this long P.S. I just want to add that the future is
unknown. With that in mind, let's do our best to be our best selves. Let's embrace life and live it with gratitude, joy, love, and all our gifts.
Always,
Charlene
"Use your gifts," wisdom whispered, "especially love."
- from The Twelve Gifts for Healing
