“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”

— DALAI LAMA

Funny, like a previous blog quote about a mosquito pleased that everyone was clapping for him when he took his first flight out into the world. And you know this scenario is true, too, if you’ve ever tried sleeping with a mosquito in your room. But do you buy into the take-away the Dalai Lama intended for us? 

If you and I think in terms of numbers, we as individuals are very small parts of the 7 billion people on the planet. But that doesn’t mean we don’t play a significant part.  

“I am only one, but I am one,” said 19th-century author and Unitarian minister, Edward Everett Hale. “I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."            

 Have you heard the story about the child walking along a shoreline that is covered with beached starfish? If you’re not familiar with it, here’s how it goes: 

A young girl bends down, picks up a starfish and flings it out to sea. She tosses another, another and another. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of starfish lying helpless on the sand, above the tide line. A man walking along that same beach tells the young girl, “You’ll never be able to save them all, so why make the effort? What difference does it make?

Tossing yet another starfish out to sea, she answers, "It makes a difference for that one." 

In 2021, let's not think we are too small, too old, too young, or too insignificant in any way - or not enough in any way. Let’s just make a difference.

With courage,
Charlene

“A young mosquito went out flying
for the first time.
The father asked:
’How did you feel?’
The mosquito replied:
’It was GREAT!
Everyone was clapping for me.’”

— UNKNOWN

Ha ha.

The story goes on with the father warning the little guy to be careful because not everyone who appears to be celebrating with us is a well-wisher. True for the mosquito and for us. But let's enjoy the pure innocence and optimism of the young mosquito and reclaim a sense of that for ourselves. 

The poet Rumi said, "Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor."

Can you imagine living life with that attitude?  What if we put aside the times we felt slapped down in flight and make room for the possibility that something is always on our side? 

Let's enter the new year with a fresh perspective: trusting that Life Itself is clapping for us!

(from Opening The Twelve Gifts: A Touchstone Sampler)

With love, hope, joy and best wishes for 2021,
Charlene

“What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.”

— Haruki Murakami

Let's open our hearts and get better,
better as in healed,
better as in recovered,
better as in balanced,
better as in whole,
better as in more understanding,
better as in more accepting,
better as in more authentic,
better as in more courageous, kind, and empathetic,
better as in at peace,
better as in more excellent,
better in all ways,
as love and compassion flow through us.

So much is possible when we open our hearts and let love and compassion flow through us. We do get better - better and better, in fact - at everything that matters.

Let’s decide to open our hearts today and commit to having an open heart as we enter the new year. Let’s promise to keep our hearts open when we see and hear things that trigger fear, hurt, frustration, anger-every form of upset. It’s in those heart-opened moments when transformations and miracles happen as we respond with loving care and wisdom instead of reacting thoughtlessly, often harshly, making matteres worse.

We face challenges on so many fronts. With opened hearts - and minds - we can address every one of them wisely and triumph with improvements and advancements., perhaps brilliant discoveries and inventions. We have so much to gain now, with opened hearts.

Truly,
Charlene

"There's too much darkness in the world," said songwriter-singer Alicia Keys in an interview. Millions of us - billions, I imagine - agree. Multitudes of us want to drive the darkness out.

"Only light can do that," said Martin Luther King, Jr. Deep inside we know this. But sometimes we forget and react with anger, fear, disgust, righteousness, etc., just more darkness.

But truly, like Alicia Keys went on to say about her intention, we want to bring light into the world. "A certain light," she said. We all have our own certain ways to bring our certain light into the world.

Song lyrics come to mind. Not from Alicia Keys songs. Songs I first heard in early childhood. You may have too.

"So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin. Open up your heart and let the sun shine in."

"This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine."

Light. Let it shine in. Let it shine out.

With love,
Charlene

THE ELEVENTH GIFT IS LOVE. It will grow each time you give it away. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth.

“Stretching your body and mind is essential to avoid rigidity.” - Haresh Sippy

This reminds me of what a fourth-grade girl said when I visited school children in Soldatna, Alaska. 

I have talked with students in classrooms around the country about The Twelve Gifts. Our discussions always include my asking the girls and boys about the mix of abilities, interests, and strengths that make up their unique gift of talent. 

One hand shot up faster and higher than the rest. "I'm flexible," the girl said. Perhaps because she looked lithe and limber, instead of wisely asking her to tell me more, I asked her if she did yoga.

"I do," she said, "But what I meant is that I'm good at accepting change and adapting to it. I'm willing to change my thinking and how I react to things."

Wow! And yes! A fourth-grader said that!

I was surprised, humbled, and awed at the degree of maturity and wisdom that young lady demonstrated.

She's become a touchstone for me, reminding me to be open-minded and flexible. Open-hearted and willing to stretch, too. In every way. In fact I wrote about her in "A Bamboo Concert," one of the stories in The Twelve Gifts from the Garden.

Like that child, let's stretch our muscles and our minds.

And like giraffes reaching for tasty nutrition, let's reach for sweet sustenance for our souls and stretch toward all that is good, beautiful, and just.   

Consider these words from human potential thought leader, Bryant McGill:

"Thank you adversity. Oh, how we stretch and grow in the shadows of darkness just to reach the light.” 

Let's recognize the wisdom of being flexible and stretching toward light and love - toward greater understanding and respect among us, too.

Consider using an image of a giraffe or the story of the child as a reminder. And hold hope.

Always,
Charlene

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh 

Imagine yourself on a path. It’s your life path, the portion on which you walk today.

Thoughts may pull your mind this way and that. Emotions may churn.  

At the same time, a powerful calm is calling you. Like a tranquil sea beneath rough waves, it's the inner peace in your core.

With a deep breath and wisdom, you decide to walk in peace, as best you can this day.

With that intention, compassion fills your heart. You see that, despite twists and turns, uphill climbs and downhill slides, your path is an extraordinary one, the only one of its kind. And it is beautiful. As are you.

May your path bloom beautifully today.

With love for life and peace,
Charlene

THE SECOND GIFT IS BEAUTY. May your deeds reflect its depth. – from The Twelve Gifts of Birth #innerpeace #inspirationalquotes #spirituality #spiritualawakening #guidedmeditation

"The root of joy is gratefulness." ~ David Steindl-Rast

Gratefulness is rooted in us. Let's pay attention whenever we feel even slightly uplifted. Notice the sight, the sound, the scent, the taste, the thought...whatever stirred appreciation in you. Watch how the uplift grows further and blooms into joy as you express gratitude.

Truly,
Charlene

THE SIXTH GIFT IS JOY: May it keep your heart open and filled with light. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

"It cannot...Invade the soul...Conquer the spirit...Kill friendship...Destroy peace...Cripple love...Corrode faith...Silence courage..." ~ Anonymous

The "It" is cancer.

I saw this wall plaque in my oncologist's office yesterday when I was there for a routine follow-up visit after treatment for breast cancer four years ago. (All is well.)

Reading the sign, I felt gratitude for the strengths that emerged both times I faced cancer. I also felt awe and appreciation that we can access these inner resources when we experience any dis-ease. And I felt eager to write to you about this.

Let's be assured that even if we feel weakened by worry, within us there is enormous strength of spirit. We are connected to bottomless love and to the source of courage and compassion. Let's hold hope and act kindly to ourselves and to one another. Using any one of our gifts draws all of them to us.

So nurture any one of your gifts. Notice beauty and goodness. Appreciate little things that uplift you. Let gratitude stir your joy and bring peace.

With faith, hope, love and prayers,
Charlene 

THE FIFTH GIFT IS HOPE. Through each passage and season may you trust the goodness of life. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

"Being part of the natural world reminds me that innocence isn't ever lost completely; we just need to maintain our goodness to regain it." ~ Jewel

Even in our elder years, when we are far beyond babyhood cuteness, our innocence is not completely lost. Some essential purity is tucked away inside us, next to the wonderment we knew as children, along with our natural readiness to love and be loved. 

Today, let's aim to be in touch with the life-trusting hope and innocence in us, to renew our awesome wonderment, and to restore our childlike readiness to love and be love. 

With joy,
Charlene

THE SIXTH GIFT IS JOY. May it keep your heart open and filled with light. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

Consider this activity that honors the past, savors the present, and affects the future.

To honor the past, hold a rock. Feel its strength and weight. Place it in a pocket or a handbag. Carry it for awhile. When you feel ready to leave the rock - and the past - behind, make a sincere intention to leave behind regrets and resentments along with the rock and its two billion year perspective. Come into the present keeping an insight, guidance, and wisdom you gained. 

Now, to cherish the present moment, touch something living. It could be a flower, a plant, a tree outside your door or down the street, or your cat or dog, Or hug a household member with whom closeness is safe. Hug yourself. Maybe touch many living things. Weed a garden. Savor present sights, scents, and sounds with gratitude 

To affect tomorrow, be kind to every person you encounter today. Or just one. Even if your expression of kindness is simply a softening in your eyes and a smile that may not even be seen behind a mask, trust that sincere smiles, even unseen ones, are conveyed from heart to heart and that caring ripples on.

With love,
Charlene

"But even when the moon looks like its waning...it's actually never changing shape." ~Ai Yazawa 

Likewise, when it may appear that strength or hope or joy are waning or eclipsed in you, know that they are always full, like the moon. 

Truly,
Charlene

THE FIFTH GIFT IS HOPE. Through each passage and season may you trust the goodness of life. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

As one of my dreams takes flight today, I want to help lift yours. 

Like my first book, The Twelve Gifts of Birth, my newest, The Twelve Gifts from the Garden, was years, not only in the making, but in dreaming stages. 

Besides thanking you for supporting my new book's launch today, I want to support yours. Whatever it is, I believe you can do it. 

Please continue to dream. And take action too. The day will come when you and your dream will flutter your wings and take flight.

The Twelve Gifts from The Garden takes flight today. I am excited to announce that on Amazon it is the #1 new release in a garden category. Thank you for making this possible!

If you waited until today to help The Twelve Gifts from the Garden take off, now is the time. See the links below to order.

I hope you'll enjoy your virtual flight to Sanibel Island and into the botanical garden at Sanibel Moorings.

Best wishes for the flight of your dreams too! 

May you recognize your gifts and help others to see theirs!

Always,
Charlene

https://www.charlenecostanzo.com/the-twelve-gifts-from-the-garden

Indie Bookstores
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

#garden #newbooks #giftsforher #spirituality #reading #bookclubs #innerpeace #motivationalwords

"My destination is no longer a place, rather a new way of seeing." ~ Marcel Proust

I must admit that I still would like to see places in the world that would be new to me and to return to some that hold special meaning.

But by far, I wish to establish a new way of seeing. In fact, I wish it for all of us. But actually it's re-establishing an old way of seeing.

It's the way we saw as children, with wonder, reverence, and awe. 

Can you recall the freedom and fullness of spirit you felt then? Would you like to renew that? Time spent in nature can help us do that. 

Through beauty,
Charlene

THE NINTH GIFT IS REVERENCE. May you appreciate the wonder that you are and the miracle of all creation. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.” ~ Isak Dinesen

Tears, sweat, and the sea sure work for me.

And as for tears, along with letting the sad ones flow, let's keep ourselves open for laughter tears, the ones that come when we laugh so hard we cry and for a time we can't stop laughing and crying and our insides ache but we're freed of stress and feel great. 

Wishing you peace, love and laughter,
Charlene

THE ELEVENTH GIFT IS LOVE. It will grow each time you give it away. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

"Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." ~ Ovid

Let's aim for a balance of work, rest, and play. Dream and pray too, I say.

Among my petitions with thanksgiving - along with positive envisioning and good wishes - are prayers for safe, meaningful, well-compensated work for all who seek it.

May we all have opportunities to apply our special abilities, interests, passions, and talents in ways that we find pleasure as we make a difference in the world.

On this Labor Day, I wish bountiful crops for all.

With joy, 

Charlene
 

THE SIXTH GIFT IS JOY. May it keep your heart open and filled with light. 

THE SEVENTH GIFT IS TALENT. May you discover your own special abilities and contribute them toward a better world. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth

"Embrace your ordinary life, whatever its wrapping, for in the embrace you will hear the whisper of Gratitude." ~ Patricia Lynn Reilly

When we embrace ordinary days, when we cherish ordinary moments, and when we value our ordinary activities, they are no longer "ordinary." Actually, they never were ordinary, really. They just seem so when we take them for granted. 

But life is awesome. Each day is precious. Moments contain miracles. Let's open our eyes to wonder, our hearts to gratitude, and our lives to grace.  

And reverence,
Charlene

May your heart open. May joy emerge. May love flow through you. And may you heal and help others. - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing

"Do not be afraid of your difficulties, do not wish you could be in other circumstances than you are, for when you have made the best of an adversity it becomes the stepping stone to a splendid opportunity."  ~ H. P. Blavatsky   

May we face dificulties with strength, courage, and hope - wisdom too - being present with what is while feeling for a stepping stone, then another, and another.

Moving forward, let's look for pathways and stairways that lead us upward into light and love and onto higher ground.

Always,
Charlene 
 

May hope rise within you. - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing

“Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.” ~Oscar Wilde 

A few days ago I wrote about the power of music on our hearts and souls. I learned that the ukulele is one of the sounds of happiness. Since then I've learned that the scent of honeysuckle is known for stirring happiness. It's known for treating nostalgia too. Funny thing, for me it causes nostalgia.
 

Curious about these claims, I got a bottle of honeysuckle water. The scent brought me back to my childhood, when I smelled the real thing, and to my teen years when I splashed honeysuckle water behind my knees. It triggered happiness then and it does now too.

What scents stir your joy now? What sights? Notice what soothes your soul today. Notice how joy follows gratitude. 

While letting our senses nurture our souls, let's let our souls guide our way.
 

Toward peace,
Charlene

May you see the world with wonder. And may peace wash over you. - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing

"There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it. —Charlotte Eriksson 

The past few days, this stunning hawk has been right outside our window. It's almost impossible to not see him, sitting on that arch that stands over our garden, which is right outside our back door.

It's one thing - a beautiful thing -  to see the many song birds, cranes, and squirrels that feed and play in our back yard. But a bird of prey so near reminds me that the natural, the wild side of nature is all around. I am in nature; and I am a part of it. We all are.

Let's notice nature today, really notice her with appeciation, even if it is a blade of grass growing through a sidewalk crack.

Instead of taking life, nature, and creation for granted, as we so often do, let's find ways to honor Mother Nature and take some action and attitude to protect her.

With love and wonder,
Charlene

May you see the world with wonder. - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing

"The heart is like a musical instrument of many strings." ~ Saadi 

Today's touchstone calls for imagination and trust. Appreciation for music too. 

I was listening to music yesterday. When I heard the violin playing "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, I felt as if a bow was cutting across my heart strings, producing an ache in me.

After letting the sadness soften - curious about "heart strings" relating to musical instrument strings - I selected songs produced by the strings of a harp, a guitar, a sitar, and a ukulele. Oh my. With each song, my heart strings vibrated very differently. 
 

What's the meaning of this? For the most part, we need to listen to our heart's response to life's happenings, feel its music, and let each song finish naturally.  

But we can influence our heartstrings and how we feel, which can be healthy and wise to do at times, such as when we get stuck.  

If you wish to experiment with music and end up feeling happy, the ukulele is recommended. 

According to Jeff Lynne: "There's not much you can do with a ukulele that doesn't sound happy."

Bette Midler said, "If you pick up a ukulele, it will make you unbelievably happy." 

Happy or not, we can be joyful. Wishing you some inner songs of joy today. 

Peace too,
Charlene

May peace wash over you. - from The Twelve Gifts for Healing