As a peace offering for the red cardinal who was constantly hammering on our windows at our new home (original story HERE if you missed it), we bought a birdfeeder and hung it out front. We sprinkled birdseed all around the base of it and in the general area. Two weeks have gone by and not one bird has visited or indulged. A small bird comes to our front porch pretty regularly, so I put birdseed on a corner ledge to introduce them to it, but they just hop over it, not recognizing it’s a gift for them.

I know I talk about this a lot, but it bears repeating. How often have we been invited to the feast, but we don't come to the table, because we don't recognize what’s been put before us as anything we might want? The items on the "buffet" appear to be foreign and unrelated to us.

Another example. Out on my walk yesterday, something landed on my arm. My other hand immediately went into motion to swat it off, but mid-swat, I recognized it was a beautiful exotic giant fly of some sort. Its eyes were so big and green and its body was yellow. (Later research confirms it was a yellow fly, something I’ve never seen before, and perhaps in the same family as a horse fly.) 

I was already in the process of swatting before I could stop myself to further admire this unique beauty. I just assumed that if something landed on my arm, I wouldn't want it there. I judged the situation too quick and missed a gift. (Maybe I missed getting bit, but that’s beside the point.)

We have likely all heard the saying that it is better to give than to receive. Like most of us, I've had my share of negative experiences which has historically made the skill of receiving a challenge. I developed life-saving survival techniques that don't always serve me well now, when most of the time I am safe and everything is fine. As a result of survival mentality, I still tend to keep my world small and safe, filled with known things.

Expansion is about making room for the new. Expansion doesn’t have to be a "throw the door wide open" response to an invitation. Often it's a "crack the door open" exploration instead, a little here and a little there, to see what new thing we might behold or experience. Treasure resides in expansion, so it’s worth temporary discomfort due to unfamiliarity.

Maybe one of the birds at our new home will decide to become curious and put some birdseed in its mouth to see if they like it. We can also intentionally decide to let our worlds expand a little today. 

Today, let's keep our eyes open with our judgment suspended a little longer than the normal window of time to rule something in or out. Let's stir our curiosity up and notice the “menu items” that usually wouldn't entice us. And why don't we accept the challenge to notice the things that we would usually turn our backs on, without giving them a second thought? Let's commit to study things a bit longer today, and taste life's offerings. If we look for an opportunity to do that, we will be served a special treat. The more we look, the more we'll find.  Enjoy the feast!
 

Does today's meditation resonate with you? Please share your voice in our FTG Readers Group on Facebook. Your hopes, thoughts and dreams matter to me.

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Cheers to a great week, noticing the gifts that matter most. Feel free to share with a friend.

Announcements and painting of the week are below!

Until next time...

To your gifts!

Angela

Retreats

Both weeks of my 2024 women's retreat, Paint, Paddle & Play are SOLD OUT! If you need adventure, creativity and renewal, plus real connections with like-minded women, be sure to sign up for priority retreat updates here. These are small groups that sell out quickly. Past attendees plus all ladies on the retreat mailing list will receive advance notice before new trip dates are made public. Click here for attendees' reviews and the full scoop.

 
FYI: I'm considering a late February, early March 2025 beach getaway to beat winter blues. Any day at the beach is a fine day! And down the road, I'm going to be offering private, one-on-one renewal retreats at my new home in the woods on 42 acres. Stay tuned!

Individual and Group Coaching

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Abstract Painting of the Week
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Guiding Light   24x24  acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. AVAILABLE!

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