Celebrate Seeing the Door to Change
February 24, 2011
I am excited and honored to introduce today’s Guest Blogger ~ Mary Anne Radmacher. I have written about her on numerous occasions, most notably on a Five Things entry devoted entirely to her inspirational goodness. I sometimes have to pinch myself over the fact that I’ve developed connections with women who inspired me for years before we met. Meeting and getting to know Mary Anne has been one of the greatest joys I’ve experienced in this regard, as she is a woman who lives – day in and day out – according to her values, beliefs, and ideals.
Mary Anne’s latest book is Live With Intention: Rediscovering What We Deeply Know, and if you haven’t seen it yet, enter a comment for today’s post for a chance to win one of two copies available for a Give Away. All comments entered through this Friday, February 25th will be in the drawing, and two winners will be announced next Monday.
And now ~ drum roll please ~ the magnificent Mary Anne Radmacher…
Many of us march through life announcing we want control, don’t take well to change, and don’t like surprises. This is a formula for continual struggle. The soil of struggle is the playground for change. And if you’ve ever seen a single flower blooming in a crack it has pushed through cement—or a wildflower blossoming in the snow—then you know life is full of surprises. A promotion. Children losing their lives before their parents. A gift delivered unexpectedly. An unkind word. Surprises are like licorice: they come in many different colors.
I celebrate seeing the door to change. Seeing the opportunity helps me be less resistant to it. Viewing myself as a perennial student informs me that I have so much to learn. I used to listen to anyone saying almost anything, nodding my head and asserting, “I know. I know.” I was seeking the stamp of approval for already knowing what they were trying to tell me. I have come to recognize the value of not knowing. Of listening to words and wondering, even if they are familiar, if I can hear something new in their lyrics. I am breathless, too, at the door of change swinging open and hitting me on the nose. I keep my eyes on that door—so I can happily walk toward it and help it open.
love mary anne! beautiful words and wonderful message. happy day! ciao!
I must read her book!
I have to admit I am one of those that wants “control”…and it isn’t always good. I’m printing out this post and posting it near my desk. I especially like “Surprises are like licorice: they come in many different colors.” Isn’t that the truth.
hey ladies – so my metaphor was “surprises are like licorice.” What are some metaphors you can suggest?
Surprises are like ________________(fill in the blank).
What great reminders in her words!
Love Mary Anne and her powerful reminders.
Mary Anne’s book looks like a “must have” for my library!
This is a great reminder & a relief to be reminded so we can reframe our thoughts & behaviours.
I hadn’t heard of the book ’til now. Mary Anne’s words are so insightful. I wonder if I’ll ever get to be half that wise? Probably only if I live to be 300! Though reading her book would be a good start.
Regarding her post, I’ll admit that the longer I am alive the more I’m astounded by just how much I DON’T know. (And to think at the end of high school I thought I knew all I needed to know. Ahahahahahahah!! What a little idiot I was… [I write that with a fond, nostalgic shake of my head.] Although I’m fully aware I’ll probably be thinking the same thing 10 years from now about the self I am today! Like everything else, I guess, perspective is ever-evolving.)
I love the title of the book b/c it so states how my life has been. As a child I loved change, and looked forward to it b/c change meant all sorts of new possibilities, opportunities and stories. Somewhere along the way it shifted, probably around high school, and now as an adult I am trying again to see change the same way I did as a kid. Change can be full of magic, beautiful surprises and awesome adventures. An awesome subject for a book.
Beautiful words that I needed today. I especially like “The soil of struggle is the playground for change.”
Surprises are like glitter thrown in the air in an unexpected place ~ like the post office, or the grocery store, or the DMV!
Thanks for introducing me to a great new insipration!
One of my favourite sayings is ‘without change there would be no butterflies’. Sometimes we don’t want the change and it is only by opening up to it that we are able to learn about the joy it may bring.
Surprises are like feathers that you find at your feet. They may have fallen silently, and no one might notice them but you, but they are signs that the universe has not forgotten you, or your dreams.
Thanks, Christine, for sharing those who inspire you with the rest of us. Thanks, Mary Anne, for such beautiful words.
Thanks Christine and Mary Anne. What a wonderful reminder to breathe deeply and accept what comes our way with an open heart.
We all need to embrace change. Something to remember. I’m definitely going to look for her book.
What fun, candid, insightful and instructive words you share. Christine is a gatherer and sharer of great resource, wisdom and knowledge. Nobody could ever call her a “recipe keeper.”
Whew. Suzy I really know what you mean. As I recall,I was a ton smarter right after I graduated from high school. Counter to that, Picasso said it “takes a long time to become young.” There’s hope!
For all of us: we grow wiser every day.
I really enjoyed this post, and I appreciate being the recipient of such an important reminder. Life is about change, and it’s not always easy to embrace change, but being able to do so definitely seems to bring people more peace. Thank you for sharing.
Surprises are like jolts from a double espresso: both events keep us alert, awake, and in the moment.
Your book sounds like a must read. Thanks so much for writing it!
This blog post caught my eye because I have a quotation addiction and many of these magnets… but as I read, I connected with the ability to take on another perspective about surprising things in life. I too struggle with lack of control and change in life and would like to embrace change with more grace.
Surprises are the unroutine happenings in life that carry with them varying emotions…
Suprises are like …. fill in. Everything I think of it food-based which should tell you a lot. I’m going to have to think about this one. I think the glitter in unexpected places is good. Sometimes that is such a fun thing to see and other times when it is stuck to you, not so fun.
That’s absolutely lovely. A wonderful reminder for today
Wow, I loved every single word Mary Anne wrote. So beautiful.
Wow, that was exactly what I needed to hear today…both the print at the top and her post. Thank you.
Like you, I have been a fan of Mary Anne’s for-EVER!
Her words remind us of what we already know, while serving to encourage us to be our best self.