What if......

This collage ( which I created several years ago) often acts as a guide and reminder for me to be open and accept what is, as well as to look for the guidance available right in front of me.

Last week I read this poem, written by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, .... as a reminder to accept wherever we are at in the moment in our lives..whether it be the drawings we do and our internal critical voice about them,
or anything else that is up for us in the moment.
One of my students requested I copy it and bring it into class this week...so I decided to post it here. This is something we all have to re remind ourselves of daily.

How would this shape your choices about how to spend to day?
Perhaps letting it inspire you to do some art around it....

WHAT IF …by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

WHAT IF it doesn’t matter what you do but how you do whatever you do?
HOW WOULD this change what you choose to do with you life?

WHAT IF you could be more fully present and open-hearted working as a cashier in the corner store - able to really see and be with the people who come into the store – than you are when you are striving to do what you hope or think will make a more important contributions to the world and the lives of those you love?

HOW WOULD this change how you want to spend your precious time on this earth.?

WHAT IF your contribution to the world and the fulfillment of your own happiness is not dependent upon discovering a better method of prayer of technique of meditation, not dependent upon reading the right book or attending the right seminar, but upon relly seeing and deeply appreciating yourself and the world as they are right now?

HOW WOULD this effect your search for spiritual development?

WHAT IF there is no need to change, no need to try and transform yourself into someone who is more compassionate, more present, more loving or wise?

HOW WOULD this effect all the places in your life where you are endlessly trying to be better?

WHAT IF who you essentially are right now is all that you are even going to be?

HOW WOULD this effect how you feel about your future?

WHAT IF the essence of who you are and always have been is enough?

HOW WOULD this effect how you see and feel about your past?

WHAT IF the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be , but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?

HOW WOULD this change what you have to learn?

WHAT IF becoming who and what we really are happens not through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth of encouragement we need to unfold?

HOW WOULD this shape your choices about how to spend today?