Amy Collette

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. ~ Dalai Lama

(Another dispatch from vacation last week…)

“Go placidly amid the noise and hast and remember what peace there may be in silence.”
- From “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

Today I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to kayak in the ocean. Having only recently overcome my extreme fear of water, this alone was a big deal for me. But the real grace was leaving the noise of the bay to float around a mangrove thicket full of birds. I could hear the surf behind me, and only the noise of the animals in the mangroves and the slap of the water on my kayak. A silent, floating meditation.

The Staple Singers had some wise advice in their songs that’s still very relevant today. Back in 1973, their song “Be What You Are” cautions against living beyond your means – just be what you are.

I’m not trying to tell you how to do it ·
I’m only saying put some thought into it ·
Be what you are, my friend ·
And live the life

The Staple Singers

As long as I’m singin’
Then the world’s all right
And everything’s swingin!
Long as I’m singin’ my song.

Lyrics by Bobby Darin

May you see a way to sing your song every day.

So much of the synchronicity I see in my life comes to me through songs. Today’s surprise was a new song, at least one I hadn’t heard before.

“I’m lookin’ for life, love and laughter, and everything in between…”

That line hooked me. The whole song made me smile – a beautiful start to my day. Besides the great lyrics, the music is laid back and fun.

When I got to my computer, I had to look it up. The song is “Life, Love and Laughter” by Donavon Frankenreiter. I’d never heard of the artist, either, and now I’m learning about him and his music. He’s a former surfer turned musical artist, living his dream.

This song talks about living for today – not looking back or forward too much. Enjoying the abundance of things you have to appreciate that are right in front of you.

Now I’m thinking about what’s “everything in between”…

Any thoughts?

Take a listen here: