BECAUSE OF LOVE from Willy Eagle

This true inspirational message was sent to a small group of people.

My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals
from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the
peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has
spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.

Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy. And again the peace of love filled their hearts.

Copyright 2009. T Love. All Rights Reserved.

Finding Your Soul in the Stillness of Nature's Beauty

I woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning and although less than a week ago we had a storm that left us with 15" to shovel, my heart simply soars at the sight of freshly falling snow.

I love the quiet that comes along with it. It is so easy, for me, when the snow is falling, to be in the present moment of the stillness. It is as though you are at your core essence and can feel the power of your own soul.

As I looked out the window, while preparing for the day ahead: yoga, clients, class at 6:00pm, I watched as 5 deer sauntered across the snow covered lake in the back yard. A sight to behold for me. They are such gorgeous creatures. They ARE the stillness and beauty I am feeling.

How very fortunate I feel to be able to experience this at the start of my day and what a most beautfiul way for my day to start.

I intend that each of you find the stillness within and go there - enjoy the beauty in your life and in your self.

Copyright 2010. T Love. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Or is it? Sometimes holidays can cause a whole lot of stress. When you’re stressed, you’re really not happy at all.

What to do? Well, if you’re in a relationship, instead of expecting something from the love in your life, why not just enjoy your time together? Go for a walk. Got snow? Build a snowman or go snow shoeing or ice skating. Take time to be with the person you want to BE with and really BE with them.

Gifts are nice but, when the retailer’s raise the prices of roses just because it’s a day when a lot of people purchase roses, you don’t have to participate in that. After all, it will only cause stress later when the credit card bill comes in and let’s face it, the day after the day of love, the prices drop drastically. Why not choose another time of year and surprise your honey with flowers then?

Okay, so you’re not in a relationship. Now what? Who says you can’t nurture yourself. Buy that favorite box of candy you haven’t had in 20 years, rent a great movie, pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate, set out the candy and then go take a nice long hot bath – add some powdered milk to get really soft skin. Wrap yourself in your favorite comfy clothes and park yourself on the sofa and enjoy your film. No movie for you, read a book. Pick up a project you put aside over the winter holidays and ALLOW yourself to enjoy it. Really give to yourself – if you don’t take care of YOU, you can’t take care of anyone else. Remind yourself that you, too, are important and deserving of love and nurturing. Make it your day – love yourself for a change.

No work on this day. It’s all about love. For yourself, for another, just do what feels good to you. It’s the day of loving and nurturing so be good to yourself.

Make this a great day to just relax and BE with who you are. Know that you are loved and have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Copyright 2009. T Love. All Rights Reserved.

What is it about Snowstorms?

The weather forecast is calling for a snowstorm. The energy shifts and all of a sudden, it’s as though we live on the prairie and the food wagons won’t make it to our town because of the impending snow!

What is up with that?

We are now living in the 21st century. We may be digging out for a while but seriously, no one is going to starve. Intellectually we know this; however, there is definitely something about a forecasted snowstorm that turns the human mind to thoughts of survival. Everyone needs to get food: bread, eggs, milk. That’s what you see at the grocery store right before a storm. I call it the French Toast Syndrome.

How do I know this? Well, that’s obvious. I’m at the store too.

There’s an excitement about a storm. It fills me with a desire to have a day off that is seemingly guilt free. Everyone will be off, it seems the world changes because the Universe has presented us (yes, given us a present, a gift) where we all are ALLOWED to slow down for a short duration of time. I think it’s a wonderful event and so I prepare too. I find myself at the store along with everyone else, purchasing ingredients for a satisfying meal of comfort food.

It’s funny how the human mind works and takes us back to an era when people really did need to prepare for long winters and potential snowstorms. Even though those days are long over, instinct takes over and we find ourselves doing exactly what our ancestors did to survive the harsh winters. Except that now, we only really need to survive for a day or two in most instances – up to a week on rare occasions: The Blizzard of ’78, and this year, the Blizzard of ’10.

This prediction is not necessarily a Blizzard, one foot of snow is expected and it’s being referred to as a snow event. But the timing is such that most everyone I know is planning an over the hump day, OFF.

Since that’s the case here in Northern New Jersey, I better get going and stock up on that comfort food before the store is sold out. Maybe this time, I’ll make some oatmeal cookies and hot chocolate!

Copyright 2009. T Love. All Rights Reserved.

Intending you enjoy your snow day off!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes, life is hard. At one time or another, we all believe this to be true. It’s even harder when no matter how much effort we put forth, we just can’t seem to make the correct choices or decisions to make our lives’ easier and more joyful. We’re actually trying too hard. We get so caught up in all that we don’t have and can’t seem to accomplish that we actually bring in more lack.

Life can be easy. It’s your perspective. The more you give, the more you get back. All you need is a change in attitude. One easy way to bring abundance and good things into your life is to acquire an attitude of gratitude. Sounds hard, but it’s actually easier than you think.

Start your day by saying thank you, before your feet even hit the floor. Do this each day and watch how your life changes. This one phrase, spoken from your heart, can make tremendous changes in your life. Just say THANK YOU. If you’ve been given the most wonderful gift of living yet another day, you have one HUGE reason for giving thanks.

As your day progresses, note the different things that bring you happiness. What makes you laugh, lends an element of excitement or surprise and what is it that makes your heart smile? Each day we are given the opportunity to change our life, a do-over if you will. I’ve heard many people say, “I’d like a do-over” without ever realizing they get one, every single day.

So, how do you make your do-over work for you? How do you take this opportunity and really live your best possible life? Change your attitude and express your gratitude. When we give thanks the Universe smiles down upon us by giving us more abundance and of course we give thanks again which in turn elicits more abundance. It’s a wonderful never ending circle. All you need do is say Thank You!

Sometimes, it’s hard to get started. A book, or journal, where you can write down those things you are grateful for at the end of each day is the perfect way to keep track; it allows your mind to recognize those things for which you are truly grateful throughout the day and provides a record so you can actually watch the changes happening in your life.

I started more than 15 years ago with a very pretty, cloth bound book filled with blank pages. I wanted something I would look forward to writing in on a daily basis because I knew I was committed to this and I wanted to enjoy it thoroughly. I found I took a lot less for granted. I was more cognizant of all that was around me and therefore I acknowledged and fully experienced those things that I would write about in my book each night. My goal was to come up with 5 gratitudes. From the warmth of the sun on my face, clean air to breathe and water to drink to the successful completion of a most difficult project, small or large, it was not a very daunting task to come up with 5 things to be grateful for each day. One rule I did impose on myself was that each day had to have 5 different gratitudes.

This was really working. I saw, almost immediately, differences in my life. When I was grateful, I focused on abundance, not on lack. When I focused on abundance, I attracted more abundance. Yes, I was noticing changes in every aspect of my life, all for the better. This was working very well for me indeed.

However, after 10 months of writing in my gratitude journal I began to feel a lack. I didn’t really know what was lacking though. This was easy for me and life was good. I saw changes. I was living an abundant life. Why was I feeling a lack, more importantly, a lack of what? Why was this process not bringing me the results I desired? Now, I didn’t really know what results I wanted, I just knew these results weren’t it. For a long time I pondered what I could do to continue this journey of gratitude but add to it in some way that would fill this need, this sense of lack that I simply could not shake. Then as simply and easily as writing in my journal each day, the answer came to me.

From that day on, I would only write down those things that I was grateful for where I helped others. My daily gratitude journal became a ‘random acts of kindness’ gratitude journal. It provides me the outlet I need, to do for others each and every day, no matter what life throws my way.

Yes, I do still maintain my gratitude journal. I always will. My journal makes my heart smile every day.

I must admit, sometimes, it’s not easy to come up with 5 gratitudes. Sometimes, it’s downright difficult. As challenging as it is however, I have them. Oh, and that lack that I felt? That’s the motivator to finding those gratitudes, the food for my soul, a soul that requires fulfillment and refuses to accept lack.

Start slowly with your gratitude journal. Find just one thing, each day, for which you can be grateful. It‘s not how many things you can come up with that matters. What matters is that you start.

Copyright 2009. T Love. All Rights Reserved.