This book is a gift to you. A journey of the heart. As we embark on our journeys, events, milestones, and adventures shape us and transform us daily. Every now and then fear holds us back and we need a little nudge to move on, to discover what is waiting just a little further down the path. It often starts as something subtle, a small change you decide to make or something that occurs to you in your day to day moments. This book is about those everyday moments, about savoring the here and now. It is in those moments where we can find the courage to make changes. This book will make you smile, it will make you laugh, and hopefully it will make you think about a change you've been meaning to make and help you go for it. Space has been provided for self reflection as you enjoy your own distinct journey. "The book is one where the reader takes a full inventory of his/her existence. The authors want the reader to live in the present and savor the many blessings in life" - Ray Quillin, English professor Saint Leo University

The Present

Reflection JournalBy Shannon Pearson Susan Pease

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Shannon Pearson and Susan Pease
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7861-8

Chapter One

Life's Simple Pleasures

Your Journey

Look inside yourself. What do you see?

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Reflect Inward

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us."

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your Journey

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to be genuine and silly? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Be Genuíne

Some of us are born with a gift of unapologetic silliness, this amazing ability to simply be ourselves when the whole world wants us to fit into a mold. These unique creatures don't care if others see them as slightly off or just plain weird. They enjoy life to the fullest, notice the little details, and lighten the mood as soon as they walk into a room. What a rare and wonderful experience to be in the presence of one of these people. It is a reminder that each of us is perfect in our own imperfect way. Perhaps if we each had the courage today to fully be ourselves and to be just a bit sillier, the world would feel less scary and a lot more genuine.

Your Journey

What can you share today? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Share Yourself

Sharing. What a sweet and simple gesture. At any given moment on any given day we can share ... with our friends, our family, our pets, the lady in the grocery store, the man on the city bus, anyone, anytime. We forget sometimes because we are so wrapped up in our thought processes and our busy schedules to notice others around us. The beauty of sharing is that it is something we don't have to do, it is not on the schedule, we don't have to pencil it in, and it doesn't require a huge amount of creativity or thought. Sharing is something we can do simply by seeing with our hearts instead of our minds and it only requires a small piece of us. Sharing is a tiny package with a huge present tucked inside. You never know how far your act of kindness will go.

Your Journey

What makes you really happy? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Choose Happiness

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

-Abraham Lincoln

Your Journey

What is your favorite kind of cheap fun? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Have Fun

It doesn't get any easier than this. Talk about cheap fun! Whether you are 5, 50 or 101, you have to admit blowing bubbles is just plain fun. What else can you do for a dollar that is so enjoyable? Can you even think about blowing bubbles and not instantly smile? Here are your bubble challenges for today. Can you stack multiple bubbles on your wand? Can you blow a huge bubble slowly or lots of tiny ones quickly? Can you use the wind to blow bubbles as you spin around? Can you catch a bubble without popping it? Can you see the amazing colors refracted in each perfect sphere? Can you take a moment for bubbles today?

Your Journey

What do you hear? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Open Yourself

Just STOP talking ... and listen.

Your Journey

Who would you like to walk with today? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Enjoy the Day

Perhaps on another day we'll leave the safety of the shore and sail away to visit distant lands.

Perhaps on another day we'll each look for our own shore to explore.

For today, however, we'll just walk together and enjoy.

Your Journey

What adds depth to your life? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Celebrate Life

On this particular day we were celebrating my father's Christmas birthday a little early. Since it was December my six-year-old was reminded that Christmas is also the season for celebrating another special birthday. As Pappy finished blowing out his candles she piped up without a single hesitation, "Wow, Pappy, if Jesus hadn't died he'd be almost as old as you are." After we recovered from laughing until we cried all we could think was ... ... out of the mouths of babes.

"It is not the length of life, but the depth of life."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your Journey

Who comes to mind when you look at this picture? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Develop Character

What makes life so interesting are the characters we meet along the way!

Your Journey

If you could get lost in this moment, what would you do? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Live Fully

Love this moment, and it will spread out infinitely.

Your Journey

When was the last time you shared a smile? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Smile More

Smiles. What more of a gift could you ask for? No matter who they come from - children, teens, or adults - they all warm the heart. Be the gift giver and pass along a smile today.

Your Journey

Go for a walk today. What did you notice? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Be Aware

I saw a blue jay today. At first that may not seem like anything significant; it didn't to me either. However, as I walked I thought, wow, I saw a blue jay today. The wow part was that I noticed the blue jay before it flew away, that I saw its brilliant blue feathers against the backdrop of a dull winter woods. I had noticed this stunning creature though I was lost in the snowdrifts of my own mind. Seeing the blue jay was a bright spot on my normal walk-the-dog route. It made me catch my breath for a moment, followed by a smile. On any given day, that is a valuable experience.

Your Journey

What did your hot shower reveal to you? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Just Relax

It's the sound of pure joy. Close your eyes. Can you hear it? The rhythmic sounds of the water droplets as they fall against the shower walls. You step in and the hot, rising steam envelopes you in a protective blanket, sheilding you from all that comes with life –if only for a few fleeting minutes. The hot water sloughs off the burdens of your long day or the tugging of your dreamy subconscious. Sometimes your most profound and clearest thoughts take place inside this momentary cocoon.

It's a place of renewal and release; a chance to shut out the world for just this time.

Your Journey

What do you love to do on a sunny day? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Explore the Possibilities

There is the promise of possibility on a sunny day. The moment you step into the warmth, hear the birds singing, or catch a soft breeze, you feel it. You seem instantly happier and ready to take on the day. You could go for a walk, eat your lunch outdoors, plant some flowers, or sit under a tree and read a book. You might even drive through the country with the windows down, dip your feet in the ocean, get lost in a nap on the porch swing, visit a sick friend, or say hello to your sweet grandma. On a sunny day you can simply breathe deeply and smile.

The possibilities are endless!

Your Journey

How do you feel when you listen to the rain? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Take a Break

Rainy days on the weekend are the best. They help us slow down and take a break. You can have a lazy morning in your pajamas, read a good book, watch old movies, goof off in the kitchen, or do whatever you like. Rainy days give you the opportunity to drown out the roar of everyday life with the steady hum of the raindrops. Give yourself permission to get lost in a rainy day and you may discover a quiet friend who visits just when you need to slow down and rejuvenate. Enjoy them when they come; rainy days don't stay long.

Your Journey

When was the last time you let loose and really felt it in your soul? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Let Go

You know you are really dancing when you can feel it in your soul.

Practice Gratitude

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."

~Henry Ward Beecher

Gratitude Every Day

Your Journey

Will you let someone in today? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Accept Gifts

Stretch out your hand and receive gifts of joy, comfort, and love.

Your Journey

What do you love _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

See the Good

Is it possible to look up at a flag waving boldly in the wind and not be thankful? Granted, the American nation is not perfect. We are not taking care of business as we should. We eat too much, we use too many resources, and we are often chasing the wrong dream, but we have so much to be thankful for even in difficult times. We have people and organizations ready to lend a hand at a moment's notice when tragedy strikes or to help out when life gets really tough. We have the ability to pick ourselves up and make something of our lives when things seem impossible. We go to sleep at peace each night and wake up at peace every morning, unlike many other nations around the world. We get to choose how each day of our lives will play itself out; choice is a gift. Yes, we have much to be thankful for.

Your Journey

What furry creature makes your heart smile? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Love Unconditionally

They make us laugh. They keep us active. They are soft and fuzzy. They love us unconditionally. What more could we ask for, really?

Your Journey

Think about a time when you could see what was there, instead of what was missing. _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Recognize the Gift

I love this picture. At first look, you see the smiles, the boots and mittens, and the excitement of a snowy winter day. Upon closer inspection you notice what is missing ... the snow, the heavy coats, and the frozen faces. All winter long our children had been waiting for it to snow on Grammy's farm so they could go sledding. Finally by mid February everyone realized we had better pick a date and find some snow. A few weeks later, we drove seven hours north to Grammy and Pappy's farm. When we arrived the only snow was in the well shaded woods. However, the local ski resorts were still reporting snow so we traveled another hour and a half to find the snow. Unfortunately, the temperature continued to climb and the rain drizzled down. When we pulled into the ski resort parking lot the temperature was approaching 60 degrees, the sun was out, and we were worried. My sister and I checked in at the resort office only to find out they had just closed the snow tubing park and sent the employees home. The only people on the adjacent ski slopes were expert skiers getting in the season's last run. More than eight hours of driving with little ones and still the snow eluded us. After much discussion we finally asked the owner how he could help us, considering our long drive. He came through with tubes and free time on the tubing slope. There would be no lift up the thousand foot run and we would be on our own, but there was enough snow in the center run to send those tubes flying. The kids were so excited; they got to snow tube, and they didn't have to freeze. Now maybe it wasn't ideal -that run was quite an uphill hike with the tubes and the kids overheated in their winter gear. Despite the challenges, we had a blast and everyone ended the day happy. It wasn't about what was missing; it was about what was there.

Your Journey

Who do you need to remember to love today? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Remember the Love

In an agonizing instant on the morning of September 11, 2001, the face of America was changed forever. The safety we all took for granted was suddenly compromised, and towering icons in our great city collapsed into rubble. Thousands of people were needlessly taken and those left behind could only wonder why. Conversely, on that same day, we were reminded how great Americans are in times of need. On the wall of the building that houses Engine Company 10, directly across the street from Ground Zero, is this wonderful mural remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day. May we never forget ...

... to say I love you as we leave one another, I'm sorry when the opportunity presents itself, and thank you for being you to those around us.

Your Journey

If you could simplify one aspect of your life, what would it be? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Simplify Life

Life is a gift. We overlook that fact every day. Time seems to fly by as we think of all the things we have yet to acquire. Unfortunately not enough time is given to what we already have. Look at children, they know how to enjoy the simple things in life -at least in the beginning they do. It's later when they get off track. Remember when your children enjoyed the boxes as much as the presents? When does that change? Where do they learn the "give me" phrase that changes it all? From us, the adults who give them whatever they want, because we are always looking for more. We start this when they are babies. First it's the little things that remind us of how cute and cuddly they are. The baby doesn't care about the gift, a snuggle will do just fine. Then as our children get older, we use treats and electronics to keep them quiet or busy when we have so many other things to do. They end up wanting everything they see and we end up with a house full of things that collect dust. We can break the cycle if we just look deeper and see that time is the most important gift one could ever give. We can bestow a true gift upon our children, the renewed capacity to enjoy the simple stuff. Find some time for your loved ones this week, engaged in conversation, without things. Spend time simply playing together. Uncover the value in each day.

Your Journey

What are you looking for? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Know What You Seek

"Susan, I can't find the brown parachute!" These words raced up the stairs one hectic morning just before work and school. The kids and I were running around trying to get ready, time was ticking away quickly, frustrations were running high, and I had sent my preschool stepson downstairs to find my brown pair of shoes. He did not come back for quite some time. I finally called for him, exasperated because I had told him exactly where to look. That's when his unexpected response, "I can't find the brown parachute!" lightened up a rather intense morning as we all had a good laugh at the silly misunderstanding. He ended up finding the "brown pair of shoes" for me, and we hurried out the door. While this was simply a child's innocent and funny mix-up, it contains a message for us all. If you don't know what you are looking for, it is pretty hard to find.

Your Journey

What do you want more of? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Presentby Shannon Pearson Susan Pease Copyright © 2010 by Shannon Pearson and Susan Pease. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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