Tag Archives: nature

Reinventing Yourself

How many times in your life have you reinvented yourself? It is likely much more often than you realize. Every time you adapt to different external circumstances, the changes may be subtle, but you have become a slightly different person. Other times, the change may be dramatic.

Big or small, that’s the whole idea behind living. We are meant to change and grow. Our souls were not born into this life to just take up space.

Sometimes we make a conscious decision to “remodel” ourselves, whether that be through a physical weight change, learning a new skill, buying a new wardrobe to project a different image… You get the idea. Changing something on the outside of ourselves can help us change internally. It’s the “behave as if” concept.

However, often life brings us an external circumstance we were not expecting, which causes us to examine our internal characteristics and values. We can ignore it and stay the same. That’s what our ego wants; it wants stability and what it knows. It doesn’t like unexpected surprises.

But when we are brave enough to go with the change, to grow, then we are fulfilling not the ego’s desire, but rather the soul’s desire.

Have the courage to reinvent yourself, over and over again. When you listen to your heart’s desire, you may be astonished at what is waiting to be discovered inside you, if only you give it a chance.

I’d say life is a mix of both. What do you think?

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Reinventing Yourself © Susan L Hart | Friendly comments welcome | Photo courtesy Skitterphoto, Pixabay

Caves are Sacred

Today I tip my hat to the wisdom of men, and one in particular who taught me (with much head bashing on my part) that “caves are sacred”.

Do you have a designated place where you can go to claim a quiet interlude, far away from the fray and anger of the world? Our modern world is always a noisy place, but the volume got turned up full blast in 2020. The mental discouragement and emotional processing of negativity just feel like too much to bear some days.

People often equate the word sacred with church, but have you considered that the term should encompass protecting your own internal landscape? If you do not honor and protect your own peace of mind, if you do not recognize that it comes first and foremost, sooner or later the current craziness of life will take its toll.

If you have not already done so, establish a sacred place where you can find some quiet and cultivate peace within yourself, where you can hear your own voice.

I have noticed that men (at least the ones I have known) are particularly good at this. They call it “going to my cave”. When the big problems feel overwhelming, going to a quiet place and working in solitude on a smaller solvable project allows them a) time to process their thoughts, and b) restores their sense of mastery over their environment. They emerge feeling more in balance.

On a humorous note, a girl friend’s husband emerged from his cave on one of my visits, sporting a T-shirt that read, “What happens in the shop stays in the shop”.

Hmm… It did make me wonder what exorcisms those walls have seen.  😉


“Your sacred place is where you can find yourself, over and over again. ~ Joseph Campbell


Caves are Sacred © Susan L Hart ©2021 | Friendly comments welcome | Photo courtesy Marius Venter, PIxabay

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Bring on the Light

Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet whose words and wisdom have transcended time and borders. This quote from his writings certainly is applicable to the times in which we live.

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” ~ Rumi

I do believe that our souls grow from life’s challenges. And are we not all feeling at least a little bit wounded these days? In terms of soul growth, we are undergoing an intense awakening and steep learning curve lately.

Just think of the massive amount of light we are creating during these challenging times. I feel it pulsing in and out like a giant wave circling the world. It is astounding.

The challenges of the past year and a half are growing us, not just as individuals, but as a collective humanity.

Bring on the Light. Be the Light.


Some other great quotes by Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi (aka Rumi)

“Forget safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation.
Be notorious.”
~ Rumi

“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
~ Rumi

“What you seek is seeking you.”
~ Rumi

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
― Rumi

“Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.”
― Rumi


Bring on the Light © Susan L Hart 2021 | Friendly comments welcome | Photo courtes dozemode, Pixabay

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Life Is More Than

How do you define life? Many of us tend to be so wound up in the doing of it, we forget to make time to contemplate why we are here, what is the meaning of life, what gives it quality and fulfillment.

Life is not simply about survival, and yet in our media right now the narrative would lead one to believe that is the case. Fear can take over our minds, if we are not careful.

All of the good things that we’ve known keep us well still apply. Fresh air, nature, nourishing food, physical exercise, adequate rest, playfulness, companionship, friendship, doing what we love. Oh yes, and the big one, simply LOVE in all of its forms and connections.

Embrace what feels good to you and resonates with your very soul. Tap into your inner being, and listen to your body, mind, and spirit. Above and beyond wellness, seek joyfulness in your experience here on Earth. We are all born with the intrinsic right to JOY.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death.” ~ Rumi 

“The aim is to balance the terror of being alive with the wonder of being alive.” ~ Carlos Casteneda 

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. …But success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind.” ~ Deepak Chopra


Life Is More Than © Susan L Hart 2021 | Friendly comments welcome | Photo courtesy RoonZ-nl, Pixabay

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The Travel Bug

The world is a mirror and travel has this way of peeling back our hidden layers. It makes a lie out of some of the stories we’ve been telling ourselves, and it shines a light on good parts as yet undiscovered.

It challenges, grows, expands and inspires us in ways that we never expected. We lose ourselves; we find ourselves.

I’m missing travel terribly at the moment. For someone who is a traveler, their world and experience of life has shrunk immensely in the past year and a half.

Do you like to travel? If so, how are you feeling in this new reality? And are you still dreaming of your next travel adventure, or have you given up (at least for now)? The sad thing is, after a year and a half of this life shut down, I see people giving up on many things that matter to them.

I’m still holding a torch for seeing Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms in Japan some day. We can’t give up. We MUST keep dreaming, planning, envisioning, intending. What is (are) your future travel dream(s)?

The world and the life you want are of your making and it all begins in your mind.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~ St. Augustine

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” ~ Anita Desai

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” ~ Mark Twain

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Mark Twain

“We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, and we travel to be lost.” ~ Ray Bradbury

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.” ~ Paulo Coelho

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” ~ Ruminator

“The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.”


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The Travel Bug © Susan L Hart | Photos 1, 2  | Friendly comments welcome