When Tupelo’s father was transferred into the hospice, we were told it wouldn’t be long before he’d pass on.

We turned toward Texas at 1:00 in the morning after a performance in Arizona to get to his bedside as quickly as we could.

The following few days were unlike anything I had ever experienced and felt privileged to be a part of it. The family gathered close, forming a loving and supportive circle for his transition. The hospice provided a peaceful place for this to happen. The hospice staff was loving and attentive. A steady stream of friends came, bringing food, flowers, and saying prayers.

This was a new situation for me and many times I found myself not knowing what I could do to help. I’ve been a part of this family for over 30 years, and love my father-in-law deeply. I knew that just my presence was all that was required. Still, I wanted to do more.

So I made soup. It wasn’t much, but at least it made me feel like I was doing something. Tupelo’s family came to our RV to get a respite from the hospice room and a bit of warm nourishment on the side.

I met new people and hugged old friends, but one shimmered a bit brighter than most. Jan is a close friend of Karla, Tupelo’s sister, and unlike me, she knew exactly what to do. When Poppy was brought to the hospice, Jan was close behind bringing a basket full of snacks and fruit. It sat on the table ready for anyone who needed it at any time of day. She replenished it daily.

She had been a nurse, so her expert hands and medical knowledge was a solace to the family. She spoke softly but wasn’t afraid to laugh. When she arrived, joy followed her into the room like an eager puppy. In the long hours that followed, I got to know her better, and was comforted by her presence.

When Poppy died, Jan was the first to show up at the house bringing an entire meal, still hot from the oven.

She did this, and much more — aided by a wheel chair.

I marveled at her ability – her ability to know what to say, and exactly what to do at the right time. She knew how to calm, how to love, how to laugh during these amazing circumstances.

I wanted to be like Jan. I wanted to flow like cooling water into a difficult situation, filling what needed to be filled, making things easier for everyone.

So at the funeral, I asked her. Straight out — Jan, how do you know what to do.

She was surprised at the question. She didn’t think she was doing anything extraordinary. But my eyes told her I was sincere in asking and wanted an insight. She smiled.

I just let Spirit tell me what to do, and I do it.

Simple.

I know this. This is how I try to live my life too, but it took watching Jan in action to be reminded. When Spirit guides us it knows what is needed and when. We just have to relax and let it act through us. That was my problem. I worried too much that I’d do or say the wrong thing because I had never experienced anything like this before. I had self-doubts. Worry stifles and silences our inner voice. I’m working on not letting that happen again.

I saw first hand what happens when a light shines bright from the heart. It heals. It loves. It laughs. Its timing is timeless. It always does the right thing. Now that I know Jan’s secret, perhaps the next time, when I find myself in new circumstances, I will remember her amazing example, and let Spirit guide me in doing the right thing.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

I didn’t grow up in an overly demonstrative family. I don’t remember my parents ever saying to me, “I love you.” But the thing is, I never doubted their love for me. They didn’t have to say it. Instead, they showed me on a daily basis how much I meant to them.

I was shown in numerous ways – in the way they spoke to me, in the way I heard them talk about me, in the way they took care of me, and in the way they touched me.

The phrase “I love you” gets said with such casualness at times, that it is rendered meaningless and impotent. Such as, an automatic response in saying goodbye on the phone. The salutation at the end of an email or letter. The quickly said and-I-love-you-too, as if in a race to get to the obligatory response so that we can get on with our lives.

Words are sometimes inadequate when it comes to expressing love. More people than not find it difficult, and in some cases, impossible to say how they truly feel. So what else will work? It doesn’t take much. Give me a loving touch on the shoulder, a simple kindness or a heartfelt smile any day over the impersonal gesture of an expensive gift or flowers.

Don’t get me wrong. I love flowers. And not in a sensible, oh-aren’t-they-pretty kind of way, but in a rather fanatical kind of way. They jazz me to my very core just to look at them.

Tupelo knows this, but in over three decades of being together, I can count on one hand the number of times he has given me flowers.

His style is more subtle. Instead of an occasional tsunami wave of garishness, I get small reassurances of his love on a daily basis, as if coming from a constant babbling brook. And after all these years, that is much more to my liking.

To make this life sweeter, all we need is just a little love around the edges to soften, protect, and make us feel good. It can come from friends, co-workers, children, family, life companions, Aunt Minnie or the mailman. It can be a tiny kiss, a tender hug, a good deed, or a “random act of kindness” from a stranger. I see them on the edge of my life as little bursts of light, firing like an endless string of firecrackers on a Chinese New Year. The spark they ignite in me makes me feel good.

If we love the world and the people in it, the world will love us back. If we embrace our place in the world, get ready to be embraced back. The trick is to tune into and notice the myriad ways we are shown. Feel good about it and then reciprocate in kind.

If we enjoy having love expressed around the edges of our life on a daily basis, chances are, the person next to us does too. Get crackin’ and see what happens.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

A car passed us one day while Tupelo and I were driving across the southeastern desert of the U.S. in our motorhome, Bailey.

As it zoomed by I caught a glimpse of the bumper sticker on its tail end. “Celebrate Diversity,” it read.

“Ooh, I like that,” I said, and proceeded to have many miles of pleasure thinking it over.

I don’t know the driver’s reason for plastering this statement onto his bumper for the entire world to see, but I came up with a long list of my own. As a traveler, I agree wholeheartedly about celebrating the world’s diversity – its peoples, its languages, its customs, its different ways of looking at things, and the big one — its spirituality and many religions.

It seemed to be such a simple statement at first: Celebrate diversity.

Oh yes, let’s do that, shall we?

The deeper I thought about it, the more complicated it got. In this tumultuous time when the world is splitting apart because of the different ways we look at God and the opposing interpretations of religious teachings, the simple sentence isn’t as innocent as it first appears. Now we have to question our beliefs and see if we truly can celebrate how different some of the world’s peoples act in the name of God. One is waging war on infidels, the other on terrorists. It’s hard to draw a solid line between what is right and what is wrong and then decide which side we are on. Diversity is dividing us.

If we choose to not take a side, then yes, we can celebrate with a clear heart the diversity of the world in all of its guises and contradictions. But it’s not easy. It’s hard to stay objective and loving in the face of so much hate. But who said personal and spiritual growth would be easy? Not me.

And perhaps the tougher question: How do we celebrate the diversity in ourselves? How can we celebrate who we truly are and not become so judgmental it’s to our detriment, not to our enlightenment?

We are complicated creatures. Our emotional stew is made up of so many ingredients it has kept therapists’ couches warm for centuries. And our mental state? Oh man, I don’t even want to think about that. And there are so many conflicting philosophies and beliefs when it comes to our own personal spirituality we’re afraid we might die and go to hell before we find which is the right path to be walking on.

If we want to celebrate diversity in the world, we must first celebrate the diversity in ourselves. If we can, change what can’t be celebrated, embrace that which can’t be changed — for instance, what Dr. Carl Jung’s called our shadow. We are not all good and not all bad and when it comes to choosing sides, we need to be on our side, no matter what.

Bumper stickers are one thing, putting the sentiment into action is another.

Celebrate diversity. Oh yes, let’s do that, shall we?

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

]]> http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2010/04/04/celebrating-our-diversity/feed/ 0 http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2010/02/06/the-art-of-traveling/ http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2010/02/06/the-art-of-traveling/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:32:42 +0000 Janey Kenyon http://www.tupelokenyon.com/?p=171 notes from Janey . . .

It’s been over 35 years since I flew to Europe by myself in 1973. My travel legs are steadier now. My armor is thicker, my patience packed deeper. I’ve endured much since then.

Rank smells, huge bugs in my bed, outdoor meat markets and hordes of flies. I’ve been smashed together with people and pigs on a Guatemalan bus for 12 hours, only to do it again the next day. I’ve been sick. I’ve been stranded. I’ve been robbed. I’ve been lost. But none of this stops me from starting to pack a month before I’m due to go to a place even more remote and unknown. I must love it.

And not for just the stories I glean from it, but what it does for me. I like the person I am when I travel.

If you strip away everything you are accustomed to — language, clothing, customs, landscape, the appearance of the money, the food, everything — you get a real close look at who’s left standing. You either like who you see, or you don’t. When you travel, get ready to know yourself a little better.

Recently, Tupelo and I were rumbling through Cambodia on a bus heading to Thailand’s border. As the bus shook over the bone-rattling road, the hard seat beneath me made it impossible to get comfortable, but I didn’t complain as I looked out my window as if it were a TV screen. Plowed fields were churned dark behind overworked oxen and sweating men. Naked children played in the mud. Fat pigs wallowed in shadows cast from thatched huts on stilts.

I felt removed from the scenes blurring by my window. The ancient bus quarantined me from their lives. I could never fathom their joys and sorrows, their deepest secrets.

I was just skimming through their world like a dried leaf on moving water. And yet I felt my heart opening, exposing long held beliefs, questioning them, fleshing out new thoughts, surprising myself. Gratitude for my own life spiked with a tender barb.

When we booked the tickets the day before, the smiling travel agent pointed to the poster on the wall that showed a sparkling, luxury motorcoach. We laid our money down gladly, envisioning the comfort we’ll be floating in for the 150 dusty miles to the border. What showed up the following morning was nothing more than a repainted school bus. It was too late to make other arrangements so without a word we jumped on board. The promised air-conditioning was an opened window.

Luggage stacked high on the seat in front of us threatened to fall with every curve and pothole. But we are used to it. This is just the way things work in the third world.

When you travel, you’ve got to leave behind the tendency to have everything exactly the way you want it to be. Instead bring along an endless supply of patience and a hefty dose of humor. Otherwise it’s going to drive you crazy.

You can’t travel stiff. Because of the immense differences in cultures and peoples, one has to bend to fit in, to make do, and hopefully enjoy the process. Travel tests our limits in nearly every way. We have to be willing to find out what they are, and then go beyond.

Travel shakes out the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good for me is the incredible sense of awe and fascination I feel when immersed in a new culture, and finding out how well I fare in varied or difficult situations. The bad is the heart breaking scenes of human conditions and the mistreatment of animals. The ugly, hum – I guess I haven’t found that yet, but to tell you the truth, I’m not really looking.

The unexpected brings us deeper and more meaningful travel experiences. Giving up our tendency for control stretches us, sometimes digging up traits or fears we thought were long buried. It can be unnerving, but eventually this can be a good thing. Like I said before, if you travel be willing to get to know yourself a little bit better.

Getting to know yourself better should be at the top of the list for reasons why you travel. Go ahead. Let go. Surprise yourself. You can thank yourself later.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

It’s winter in Wyoming. The mercury in the thermometer has headed south, not to warmer climes but diving below zero into teeth-chattering cold.

The clear mountain creek and bare limbed trees out our dining room window have been changing every day. The recent cold plays with the water as if its Play Dough. Taking advantage of the thaw-freeze-thaw cycle it rearranges the mounds of white on the exposed boulders, twists the ice that flows through and around them, and draws a white sheet over the running water as if it’s dying.

This is where I sit each morning to write, but the beauty outside the window continually lures me away from the computer screen.

My artist eye tries to capture what my camera cannot. The scene stuns me with frigid, fragile beauty. The creek whispers a message, muffled by the ice and snow, so I sit for long periods of time just listening. Here’s what it tells me today.

The changing face of the creek shows what we do to ourselves when harsh outside conditions cause us to hide from others. When cruel words, unloving gestures, or tough experiences happen, we harden and close ourselves off to the world. We draw a sheet up over our emotions and cower underneath. We bury deep feelings, careful not to show too much. Our love becomes frozen, impossible to chisel from our hearts.

Then comes a warm touch, a sunny smile, an experience that makes us glow with pleasure. We thaw. Not much. But enough to let our true selves come up for air. Just like the appearance of the ice, we change with the circumstances, letting small patches of our always-flowing, inner being show when we feel safe.

But things can change quickly. Harsh conditions can ambush us when we least expect it so we keep our cover ready.

Brave are the ones that disregard what others say or do and stay true to themselves no matter what. Their cover of ice is non-existent even with the toughest human interactions. They set themselves up to get ridiculed and teased. But their spirit is a strong running current, making it impossible for a hard cover of ice to form. They don’t cower or cover up. Their hearts stay open and accessible.

We should all live like this.

The trick is to not let outside conditions have such a profound effect on us. The stronger we get, the stronger our inner flow will become. The stronger our inner spirit becomes the less chance someone or something can change our personal reality. Ice will fail to encase our heart.

Tupelo and I watched a full grown mountain lion use the ice to cross the creek one winter. His tail trailed behind him, leaving a shallow trench in the 6” of freshly fallen snow. His muscles rippled, and then he jumped across a patch of open water to get to the opposite bank. Ice wasn’t a deterrent. He used the ice to his advantage and got to where he wanted to go. Good for him.

This morning, the creek peeks out at me from the encroaching ice in a game of hide and seek. It’s not whispering anymore. It’s laughing because it knows its true strength, its true beauty will never go away. It will always be there, flowing strong and steady. It will never let the white cover of ice smother it completely. It waits with patience for the eventual return of spring.

We can learn a lot from Mother Earth if we just listen to her. Like what she said to me today: keep your inner spirit flowing strong – no matter what.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)

Washington, DC – Metro Station.

On a cold January morning in 2007, the man with a violin played six
Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes . . . a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.

This natural curiosity and interest was demonstrated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world.

He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:

* In a common-place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

* Do we stop to appreciate it?

* Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

Possible conclusions reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . . it makes you wonder:

Are we capable of recognizing talent, one person at a time? Or, do we need the approval of the masses first, and then simply go along with the herd and agree? Is social proof more important to us than our own personal experience?

How many other things in Life are we missing?

What other amazing experiences are right in front of us that we miss because we are too busy focusing on our preconceived “appointments?”

How many special persons pass us by and we do not MAKE ANY EFFORT TO get to know them?

How many other masters do we turn a deaf ear to?

Everyone loves to laugh (well, almost everyone) . . . so this message is a reminder that it’s good for us.

I wrote a song a while back to help me remember the wisdom of this favorite quote . . .

“Life is too important to be taken seriously.” — Oscar Wilde

Here’s a link to the song . . .

http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor15

Here are a few great ideas about humor, and then an actual example of humor in action:

“Humor is by far the most significant activity of the human brain.” – Edward De Bono

“True humor is fun – it does not put down, kid, or mock. It makes people feel wonderful, not separate, different, and cut off. True humor has beneath it the understanding that we are all in this together.” – Hugh Prather

“A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” – Clive James

And now (drum roll please) an example of people wise enough to appreciate the humor in their everyday lives . . .

After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a ‘gripe sheet,’ which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS’ pilots and the solutions recorded by the aircraft mechanics.

(By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.)

PILOT: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
MECHANIC: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
*
PILOT: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
MECHANIC: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
*
PILOT: Something loose in cockpit
MECHANIC: Something tightened in cockpit
*
PILOT: Dead bugs on windshield.
MECHANIC: Live bugs on back-order.
*
PILOT: Auto pilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent…
MECHANIC: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
*
PILOT: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
MECHANIC: Evidence removed.
*
PILOT: DME volume unbelievably loud.
MECHANIC: DME volume set to more believable level.
*
PILOT: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
MECHANIC: That’s what friction locks are for.
*
PILOT: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
MECHANIC: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
*
PILOT: Suspected crack in windshield.
MECHANIC: Suspect you’re right.
*
PILOT: Number 3 engine missing.
MECHANIC: Engine found on right wing after brief search
*
PILOT: Aircraft handles funny.
MECHANIC: Aircraft warned to be serious, straighten up, and fly right.
*
PILOT: Target radar hums.
MECHANIC: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
*
PILOT: Mouse in cockpit.
MECHANIC: Cat installed.
*
PILOT: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
MECHANIC: Took hammer away from midget.

Life is Too Important to Be Taken Seriously This is just plain fun . . . an unlikely love song and reminder of the importance of making it a point to deliberately live life in joy, reverance, and with a light-hearted spirit. A good sence of humor always seems to come in handy too! http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescX.html#Anchor15 Celebrate Life Create your own personal celebration of life by your choices, rather than allowing life to be something that merely happens to you, or around you. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor2 Preacher and the Bear I always appreciated the refreshing attitude of faith coupled with a healthy attitude of self-reliance demonstrated by this adventurous preacher’s style of prayer. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor11 Stuff, Stuff, Stuff, Stuff, Stuff About all the stuff you’ve been keeping that’s not good enough to actually use, but it’s way too good to throw away. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor4 You Gotta Have Fun Our moments are fleeting . . . and finite. Too few to squander on “bad news”. We must steer our attention deliberately in order to attract the kind of life we were born to live. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescAnth.html#Anchor20 Songs by Tupelo
The Six Mistakes of Man We share the journey, even though each journey is unique. It’s encouraging to know others are also interested in the mysteries of life. It’s inspiring to see others dedicated to living life to the fullest, in spite of the fact that humanity has been making some of the same mistakes for centuries. Your Passion as Your Compass Allow your passions to stretch their wings and the direction of your life could surprise you – in a good way. Celebrate life with passion! Being Present through Sensuality The idea is to occasionally turn off the senses in order to better tune into the aliveness that lies beyond them. The realization that there is something beyond the world of the five senses can provide an “aha” experience, especially at first. With the senses turned off (or even turned down), there remains a vibrant sense of aliveness – the world of feeling and the realm of being. Articles by Tupelo
Why wait for inspiration to strike? Be proactive, and go get it. Better yet, this newsletter brings it to you. “Inspired on Purpose” newsletter by Tupelo Kenyon contains articles, reviews and resources to supercharge your personal development, inspiration, productivity, abundance and joy. FREE e-book Instant download – when you subscribe. Personal Development Supercharger 101 Tips and Techniques by Tupelo Kenyon It’s FREE. Subscribe now. Enter name and email address below: Name: Email:
Privacy policy: Your email address is secure. I will not sell, rent or trade your information to anyone for any reason. Period. – Tupelo Kenyon

57 Asians

21 Europeans

14 Americans (northern and southern)

8 Africans

70 Colored-skins

30 Caucasians

89 heterosexuals

11 homosexuals

6 people would own 59% of the wealth of the entire planet and . . .

All of them will be from the United States of America

80 would have bad living conditions

70 will be uneducated

50 will be underfed

1 would die

2 would be born

1 will have a computer

1 (only one) will have higher education

From this vantage point, there’s an apparent need for solidarity, understanding, patience and education.

Also think about the following . . .

If you woke up healthy this morning, you are happier then one million people that will not survive next week.

If you never suffered a war, the loneliness of the jail cell, the agony of torture, or hunger, you are happier than 500 million people in the world.

If you can enter into a church (mosque) without fear of jail or death, you are happier than 3 million people in the world.

If there is a food in your fridge, if you have shoes and clothes, if you have bed and a roof, you are richer then 75% of the people in the world.

If you have a bank account, money in your wallet and some coins in your pocket, you belong to the 8% of the people on the world, who are well-to-do.

Since you were able to read this . . .

You are likely in the 8% well-to-do group.

You are likely in the 1% group of computer owners.

You are likely in the 1% group with some higher education.

Now, depending on your belief system, this means either . . .

You are very, very lucky.

Or, there is a reason you are among the fortunate few, and you likely had a hand in orchestrating the situation that allows you to live a life of such abundance.

The question is WHY?

By global standards, you are very powerful.

What did you come here to do?

Are you doing it now?

Can you do it better?

You are likely in the well-fed group, comparatively speaking.

Now you have more food-for-thought.

Bon apetit.

While traveling recently, our experiences drove this point home –

We pictured an idyllic spot on the beach — a simple bungalow with plenty of privacy and an inspiring view. That was our goal. We had just finished a busy three-month tour of concert dates, and our plan was to go to a relaxing place to recharge our batteries. We chose Thailand. That was our general destination. The next step was to get specific.

We went to the bookstore and bought a “Lonely Planet” travel book on Thailand, and Janey began to study and compare the many choices. To begin our trip, we chose an island in the Gulf of Thailand called Ko Tao.

We didn’t go immediately from point “A” (in this case, the Gulf of Mexico) to point “B” (the Gulf of Thailand). Instead we took many steps along the way, each one bringing us closer to our chosen destination (our goal). We experienced many serendipities that added to our enjoyment of the journey on a moment-to-moment basis.

Some moments were very enjoyable — others were merely “interesting.” A few were challenging . . . (Just like life.) The moments that were less than enjoyable were endured easily enough, because we held a clear picture of where we were going and knew that this was just one step along the way. If any particular step was uncomfortable or unpleasant, we knew it would pass. We kept our focus on the destination while remaining open to whatever new, different and exciting experience could be relished in the moment.

It would have been silly to let any fleeting inconvenience discourage us. We could have just given up when the going got tough, but that never crossed our minds because we recognized it as just a step along the way. This same attitude can be applied to life’s biggest goals and soul’s grandest aspirations.

By keeping the “eye on the prize,” we can recognize any minor setback, delay or inconvenience as just a step along the way. Also, with an open and eager attitude, serendipities are hiding just beyond many apparent stumbling blocks.

Instead of going directly from point “A” to point “B” (from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Thailand), here was the step-by-step route required to reach our destination:

1. On the way to the place where we put our motor home in storage, we had to drop by the airport and rent a car so that . . .

2. We could drive ourselves to the airport at 4:00 A.M.

3. Our first flight was from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL.

4. Next flight: Chicago to Tokyo.

5. Next flight: Tokyo to Bangkok, Thailand . . . arriving 27 hours after leaving Austin.

6. Taxi to hotel.

7. Taxi from hotel to bus station.

8. Overnight bus from Bangkok to Chumphon.

9. Pick-up truck shuttled us to ferry boat office.

10. Bus from ferry office to pier.

11. Catamaran to the island of Ko Tao.

12. Taxi (back of pick-up) to first hotel.

13. Long walk on the beach (Carrying packs and instruments) to 2nd hotel.

14. Ocean kayak rented to explore 3rd hotel around the point. And back again.

15. Another long walk on the beach, with luggage, to water taxi office.

16. Long skiff ride across the waves to Ao Jun Jeua beach.

17. Yet another long walk on the beach schlepping our stuff uphill to our bungalow.

Was it all worth it? Oh yes! From here, we have a fantastic view of the open ocean. Below us, there are huge boulders with excellent snorkeling just beyond. The seaside restaurant visible to our left serves a dizzying array of scrumptious entrees. To the right, more boulders, more beaches, more wide-open spaces. From this incredible spot, we can realize our original objective: rest, relax, recharge, and reignite our creative endeavors.

We finally reached our goal — the one we first envisioned several days ago — because we didn’t give up. We knew that many steps would be involved between point “A” and point “Z” so we did our best to enjoy each moment and each step along the way. With that kind of wide-open attitude and a keen eye for serendipity potentials, here are a few of the life experiences we would have missed if somehow we could have used a Star Trek transporter to go directly from A to Z (gulf to gulf).

1. We had a wonderful (but too brief) visit with our old friends, JoAnn and Monte in Austin. We shared songs, laughs and a great meal. The visit was too short, but excellent.

2. We sat at a sushi bar in Tokyo and marveled at the quick hands and even quicker smiles of the sushi chefs. And the sushi? Shall I say it’s the best we ever had? Yes, the best!

3. The midnight taxi ride in Bangkok was fascinating. They drive on the left side of the road, and it was a wild ride in the middle of the night. It may have been a bit too “adventurous” for us during rush hour!

4. We experienced our first Thai massage. In a word, amazing! Ten minutes into our one-hour massage, we asked if it was okay to go two hours. This was, by far, the best massage either of us have experienced. (And it cost only $10 . . . for two hours!)

5. The hotel restaurant was exceptional, five star dining on a K-mart budget. Every meal was presented beautifully and tasted scrumptious. The difficult part was choosing what to try next since all the menus in Thailand seem to be about 20 pages. This is a great place to practice the feeling of abundance, since you can get anything on the menu for two or three dollars.

6. The overnight bus was a new experience. We tried to book an overnight train but it was full. Oh well, the bus was cheaper, so now we have more money left over to spend on scuba diving.

7. It was fun to meet the driver who took us to the pier, and catch a glimpse of his independent business. He took us for free and sold us our ferry ticket. He earned a commission on the ticket, even though it didn’t cost us any more. Cool.

8. The catamaran was an exhilarating ride — it’s the “fast” boat, although an hour and a half is plenty of time for many to get seasick. I had the opportunity to offer some valuable tips learned many years ago as an Alaskan fisherman. (Keep your eye on the horizon, and breathe deep.) Unfortunately, for many, it was too late to offer the advice of eating canned peaches. (Because it tastes as good coming up as going down.)

9. I enjoyed meeting the Rasta Thai taxi driver and his laid back approach. Many of his competitors were louder and more persistent. This guy just said what he could do for us and stood back and let us make up our minds. He got our business, and the ride in the back of his truck was a fun introduction to the bustling scuba village of Ao Chalok Ban Kao on the island of Ko Tao.

10. The long walk on the beach was fun because we got to appreciate the design of our new packs. They are well-designed and comfortable, small enough to be carry-on luggage, and large enough for our two-month trip. They have solid wheels with sealed bearings for rolling and a sophisticated suspension system for carrying. Were we impressed enough to give ‘em a plug? Sure. Osprey Meridian.

11. We had our second Thai massage. This time, we booked two hours from the beginning. Again, it was phenomenal . . . and thorough. We were on a mat literally ten feet from the gently breaking surf. The ocean breeze kept us cool as the exotic tropical birds sang to us. It was perfect in every way. This massage was more expensive though – $13 . . . for two hours.

12. To rent the ocean kayak, we got to meet Mae, a friendly Thai woman with a charming smile.

13. The ride around the bend on the kayak was great fun. We explored four different clusters of remote bungalows, each time meeting more of the enterprising locals who have carved out a good life for themselves, catering to eco-travelers like us.

14. The paddle back around the point was exciting because we got caught in a tropical rainstorm. With no danger of hypothermia (like in Alaska), we just settled in and enjoyed the ride. As far as we could see in all directions, raindrops splashed into the sea. Each raindrop made a two inch splash. We were drenched and delighted.

15. Yoga on the beach at dawn was magical.

16. The early morning dip in the warm ocean melted away any lingering weariness from the journey.

17. Sitting on our very private balcony with the cool sea breeze and breathtaking view makes all the steps oh-so-worth-it.

The point: There were many steps required to manifest our desire. But every step brought its unforeseen serendipity. (In fact, there were at least as many serendipities as steps required to reach our goal.

Just like life itself, we found the joy, exhilaration and adventure of our journey in the details . . . and they always happen right here and now. Not in the future, or someday when we finally reach our goal, but in this moment.

One other important serendipity: Our final destination was even better than our original goal. We envisioned what we desired to manifest, but allowed the mental picture to morph and evolve as a result of all our experiences.

The trick is to remain present and grateful for whatever the moment brings. Once we realize that, and relax into the moment, it becomes easier to find the unforeseen surprises hidden along every step of the way.

Have a nice trip!     . . . and enjoy the serendipities . . . they’re in the details . . . here and now.

Just One Step Just begin. If you will just get underway, the project itself gains momentum and carries you along to its completion. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHB.html#Anchor12 Time of Our Lives Time is so fleeting, so elusive, it’s good to remember the importance and power of living right now. http://www.somemusicmatters.com/DescHere.html#Anchor7 Songs by Tupelo
Goal Setting or Let Go and Let God There are two approaches people use to manifest their desires. Some set goals. Others surrender and presume the universe is conspiring to deliver to them their every desire without strain, in its own way and in its own time. Which way is better? Can these two methods be used together? Articles by Tupelo
Why wait for inspiration to strike? Be proactive, and go get it. Better yet, this newsletter brings it to you. "Inspired on Purpose" newsletter by Tupelo Kenyon contains articles, reviews and resources to supercharge your personal development, inspiration, productivity, abundance and joy. FREE e-book Instant download – when you subscribe. Personal Development Supercharger 101 Tips and Techniques by Tupelo Kenyon It’s FREE. Subscribe now. Enter name and email address below: Name: Email:
Privacy policy: Your email address is secure. I will not sell, rent or trade your information to anyone for any reason. Period. – Tupelo Kenyon

This past summer we tackled the daunting task of cleaning out the garage. (I can hear your groan of sympathy from here – thank you.)

An unidentifiable mass was stacked to the ceiling and to the back wall. Boxes towered and teetered precariously on each side.

To make matters worse, it wasn’t only our stuff. Generations, starting with my grandparents, have lived here before us and each one left their stuff behind. And it wasn’t the good stuff either. Somehow they managed to take that with them. What’s left is mostly crap piled high and wide, leaving barely enough room to step inside.

Tupelo and I stood together at the opened garage door, nearly defeated before we  started as we looked at the mangled mess before us. Luckily, my friend, Lidia, had given me a mantra to mutter as I began to wade through the task at hand. She suggested I ask myself each time I picked something up:

“Do I love it? Do I use it?”

If I answered either of these questions with a positive, then it stayed. If not, out it went. This helped me tremendously. I asked myself this question over and over again throughout the next few weeks, and eventually, we got through it. For the first time ever I saw that Grandpa had built the back wall with logs – I never knew this, and we have lived there since the 90’s.

This mantra, “Do I love it? Do I use it?” can work on many things besides material possessions. We just have to tweak the last one to, “Do I use it for my greater good?”

For instance, a habit or a routine, “Do I love it? Do I use it for my greater good?” Tupelo gets up every morning and does an exercise called the “Five Tibetans.”

Here’s a link to his article about it:
http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2007/03/16/5-tibetan-rites-easy-yoga-for-busy-people/

No matter where we wake up in our motorhome, even if it’s a rest stop by the interstate or a Wal-Mart parking lot, there he is spinning and doing the downward dog. Cars slow down and people point, but this doesn’t stop him. He loves it and he does it for his greatest good. This is a case where a habit or routine is beneficial.

But we all have habits and routines that are not. If we ask ourselves these important questions we see which ones we need to discard from our life. If we’re honest with ourselves, we wouldn’t love it if it weren’t for our greater good, would we?

How about our job? The first question is a biggie. “Do we love it?”

If not, why would we want to spend our precious time on earth doing it?

And the place we call home? Same thing. Do we love where we’re living, and do we use this place to nurture our greater good? Simple questions. Big answers.

Relationships? This is a tough one, but the questions need to be asked. One of the greatest gifts this life has to offer is close friends and loving relationships.

We hold these close and treasure them. But toxic relationships that are poisoning our well-being should be thrown out. This may take some time and guts, but it can be done.

Another tough subject that can come under scrutiny is our belief system. As we grow in our spirituality and open our minds to new ideas, some of our old beliefs fall by the wayside. Sometimes they are an ingrained habit. We have to wake up to this fact and ask ourselves consciously. “Do we love it? Do we use it to our greater good?” If not, you know the drill.

And what about our thoughts? So much garbage floats through and then hangs around, caught in a negative eddy in our mind. When it’s time to release them, we’ll know it. But it takes a conscious effort to do so.

Old habits, crippling thoughts, past beliefs, stale relationships, stifling jobs, and all the stuff in our lives that we don’t love and that we don’t use for our greater good can be cleaned out if we just buckle down and do it. It’s a daunting task, but once we see the results, it is oh so worth it.

Just ask the resident squirrel that now has a nice, cleaned-out garage that he can start filling with a winter’s supply of pine cones. He loves them and he uses them. He has learned this lesson well.

(Article and photos by Janey Wing Kenyon)