Tag Archives: awake

Tsunami Evacuation Route

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Tsunami

Photo taken in Alaska by Tawnya McDonald

We often wonder how people live peacefully in an area with a high likelihood of natural disasters. Yet we all face the possibility of disasters every day. Some of us admit the potential of catastrophic life occurrences, some ignore them, and others fixate on them. We may choose to live in what we believe is a safe environment, one usually devoid of floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, or hurricanes, but the potential always exists for something to go wrong, for things to not be the way we wish they were. We are not in charge of the elements of our lives be they geological or personal. What we can choose is how we live each moment until things explode, implode, or not. Will we hunker in anticipatory fright? Will we stockpile self-selected or fanatically-recommended provisions? Rail against the unfairness of life? Fear what has not yet transpired? Mourn what we still possess? Or, will we choose to savor and celebrate our current steps in the dance of life?

 

Reduce Speed Ahead

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Sometimes we move too fast. We’re in a hurry. Maybe we don’t know if we can get where we’re trying to go. We’re unsure so we go extra fast ignoring everything around us. Full speed ahead, eyes on the prize. Isn’t that what they tell us to do? Isn’t that what we value most, making up our mind and going for it? What about the people we’re plowing through or ignoring in our hurry to get where we want to be? Or think we have to be. Or think others expect us to be. Or are afraid not to be. What about the scenery? Not the smell the roses kind, but the maybe we should have taken a turn back there kind. And what about our breath? Has it grown stale gripped tightly in our throats during our mad dash? What about our soul? How could we have rushed off without it? What will we say to it when it catches up to us? How can we be ourselves without it? Pause people. This time look. See. Notice. Choose wisely. Slowly. With care.

Dangerous Curve Ahead

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We can plan for what we think might come next or panic about what we fear will be visited upon our lives. We can even choose to do both. But if our focus and our energies rush ahead, how can we steer through our current terrain?

What will we miss when we refuse to acknowledge the joys and sorrows currently surrounding us?

The future cries out for our plans. Small wisdoms hidden in our fears yearn for consideration. Our lives beg to be lived.