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It is evening as I’m sitting here writing this post. I can look out my office window and see the richly colored twinge of dusk in the sky — I can see the shadows lengthening. In a few minutes the first star of the evening will appear. All of this beauty is letting me know that it’s time to rest — time to retire from the pressures of the day.

So often, those of us who are in business, and especially those who are in leadership roles in their daily lives, forget to wind down at the end of the day. I guess, in a way, I’m one of them, because I plan to get on a conference call tonight. I’m in the eastern time zone, so even though the call is originating at 6:00 PM in California, it will be 9:00 PM here. That is really late for me, because I arise at 5:30 AM every morning.

Most evenings, I do allow the time to relax. The evenings are usually a less hectic time as we prepare to get to sleep and rejuvenate ourselves to store up the energy needed for the next day. But evenings are about much more than a delicious dinner and the feel of a cool, soft pillow. Evenings are a wonderful time to catalog the events of the day without distraction, to revel in gentle solitude or silence, to end the day in serenity, and to commune with your inner self.

Not only can the evenings be a time to prepare for a night’s rest, they can also be a nurturing and soul enriching experience. Sometimes a stroll in the fading light of dusk can show two different worlds: one winding down and one just coming to life. The sounds of human activity are beginning to fade, while at the same time the sounds of the nocturnal creatures and nature become more apparent. This can be especially evident if you can be near a wooded area. Walk into the woods and then become very quiet and listen. As the night creatures become used to your presence, you will begin to hear more and more of the sounds of the night. Notice the smells — how the scent of the soil and grass becomes magnified.

Another great evening and night activity is looking at the stars. This can be an excellent meditation. Whenever I look at the stars, I am reminded of the fact that we are only one small part of an infinitely complex and vast universe. Each night, the different phases of the moon show us the passage of time and the waxing and waning of life, as its glowing presence – whether in the shape of a circle, crescent, or a smile — bathes the world in an ethereal, wistful glow.

As you listen to the crickets chirp and the night birds cry out, let your evening ritual help you to unwind from your day’s busyness. Get ready for some rejuvenating sleep. Say goodnight to this day. Let the soothing natural beauty of the evening be your backdrop, as you meditate, quiet your soul, and relax into the peace and stillness that can be found at day’s end.

~~~ DBL-R

If you’ve been reading any of the postings I have made here over the past few months, you probably can see that I have a tendency to delve into metaphysics. Of course, there are many aspects to metaphysics — for me I think of it as the study of who we are — or better yet — the study of who we could become.

Today I found that I was asking myself, “Why?” What is it about this need to dig into who we are or could become? I suppose it could be that I’m getting to an age where I’ve seen too much of the “regular” life. However, I really believe that there is something more than what we see around us every day, and I’m motivated to see if I can discover any of that “something”.

I’ll bet if you think about it for a moment or two, you’ll be able to come up with instances in your life where you felt that you were totally connected and your world was perfect. Instances where you knew you had risen above your “normalness” and you were aware of an inner greatness and brilliance. I sure hope you’re nodding your head in agreement, because those are wonderful moments that are available to all of us.

Anyone who has read my writings or who has personal knowledge of my philosophies, knows that I am not only a lover of peace, but also a worker for peace. My studies of metaphysics have to do with finding that elusive inner peace. During my own moments of awareness when I have risen above my normal self, I have felt an overwhelming sense of inner peace. There was a downside, though — and that was how brief that moment existed for me. It was over almost before it got started. So, I want to know why it didn’t last. What caused it to flee almost from the moment it began? I want to find out how to maintain these times where everything is good — where the world is great and I’m at peace with it. I want to find out how, in my human condition, I can maintain that state of being where everything and everyone around me is delightful.

Throughout all the studying I have done in this area, I have come to believe that maintaining this peaceful state of being is not only possible, but it is actually our natural state. If I’m right in my belief, then we shouldn’t have to search for this inner peace. Perhaps we should devote more of our efforts toward figuring out why we can’t stay in that peaceful state — what’s stopping us? What is it we have to get rid of so we can return to who we truly are — a peaceful being?

What do you think?

~~~ DBL-R

This wonderful story is one I believe to be true, but I don’t have any idea who wrote it or where I first heard about it. It happened into my life again over the past week, and I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope you find it as meaningful as it was (and is) for me.

Enjoy!

~~~ DBL-R

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An elderly woman knew that she was nearing the end of her life and asked the preacher from her church to meet with her to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. He came to her house, and over afternoon tea, they talked about the songs she wanted sung at her service, what scriptures she would like to have read, and other details.

At last, all was in order and the preacher was preparing to leave when the woman said suddenly, “Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

” What’s that?” the preacher asked.

“I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”

The preacher had heard unusual requests before, but never this one.

“Why a fork?” he gently inquired.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I recall that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘ Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part of every dinner occasion because I knew it meant that something even better was coming, something like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want the folks who attend my service to see me with a fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder What’s with the fork?

Then I want you to tell them, ‘ Keep your fork because the best is yet to come!’ ”

The preacher was moved to tears as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of their last visits. But he also knew this woman had a better grasp of heaven than even he had. She knew that something better was coming.

Many people attended the woman’s service. As they paid their respects, they couldn’t help but notice the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the preacher heard the question, What’s with the fork? And over and over, he smiled and told them their question would be answered soon.

During his message to the assembled mourners, the preacher told the story of the conversation he and the woman had had only a short time before. He told them about the fork, about what it symbolized to her, and that he could not stop thinking about the fork. Then he smiled knowingly and said, “And now you probably won’t be able to stop thinking about it either.”

~~~~~

He was right. I think of this woman and her powerful message every time I reach for a fork. My wish for you is that you also remember, each time you reach for your fork, that the best is yet to come.”

And then keep your fork.

~~ DBL-R