Just a gosh darn moment

“A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people don’t allow the happy moment, because they’re so busy trying to get a happy life.”  —Abraham Hicks, March 15, 2003

Staring down a to-do list on my day off, that is questionably conquerable even if I had risen earlier, the urge to write the thoughts in my head is currently winning out over the to-dos.

While the tea is steeping, I’ll indulge in a brief moment of one of the thoughts in my head.

In preparation for writing my 2016 personal plan I recently spent a day with Dana Frost. Dana shared a treasure trove of informative insights to help guide my plan – one sparkling gem floating to the top –

“Ground yourself in the moment.”

The following day I set an intention to do just that – ground myself in the moment.

Giddy with excitement and hardly having slept a wink the night before, I was about to be the proverbial mouse in the corner/fly on the wall for what I was anticipating to be a series of extraordinary moments.

Debbie Phillips, founder of Women on Fire, and a woman I feel privileged to call a friend, was interviewing the venerable Gloria Steinem. Debbie had gifted me the opportunity to be patched-in to hear their conversation in the moment it was happening.

Near the end of their inspired conversation Debbie asked Gloria the question she asks herself each morning:

“What is the love you still have to give to the world before you die?”

Gloria’s answer to Debbie’s provocative question was simply, “Love itself.”

As she went deeper into her response she used the expression of radical empathy – wanting what’s best for others, honoring what someone else may be experiencing.

Gloria ended with this:

“We all need to do the best we can in the moment as the moment may matter.”

A  moment with Gary, Paul and Milwaukee Ballet’s Michael Pink, 12-20-14

Over the past several days Gary Hollander has been sharing very personal moments that matter. Gary has been writing about the days and moments leading up to his husband Paul Mandracchia leaving this world last year on Christmas Eve. For me Gary’s reflections underscore Gloria’s encouragement of fully needing to absorb and understand that moments may indeed very much matter.

May each of us, as our perfectly, perfect selves full of imperfections and overly ambitious to-do lists, take a moment to make a moment matter.

In your own words

Today I had the opportunity to view the HBO Documentary, Gloria: In Her Own Words. It was fascinating to learn about Ms. Steinem’s journey, becoming one of the most recognized and important voices in the women’s movement.

The archival footage of her life and clips from press interviews over the years were both alarming (lots of haters) and inspiring.

One particular piece of advice Ms. Steinem offered during the interview segment of the documentary, regarding advocating for women and humankind really resonated:

 “Don’t listen to me. Listen to yourself.”

Yes. Absolutely. Please do listen to your perfectly, perfect self.

Your voice is especially important in this world, even when you don’t fully trust it. A voice resonating with wisdom, passion and knowledge. A voice fueling a bright light to shine into the darkness to bring about change.

Your own words – words that can voice the change the world needs at this very moment.

Let your words light the way!

 

Photo Credit:  Mimi Matthews.  More of Mimi’s EmPOWordment Cards can be found on her Etsy site.  You can also follow Mimi’s inspired and important voice on her blog, Particular Passions.