practical steps to find a way forward

In the Shingler household, 

we are grateful 

for the techniques we have learned from Byron Katie, 

and it is BLISS to hear and see 

our 3 children use these techniques 

in various forms to help themselves, 

each other, US, and others, 

to find all there is to be grateful for, 

happy about, 

all there is to delight in 

and find comfort in, 

even in what seem like 

the WORST circumstances imaginable. 

There are many in our lives 

who do not see 

the beauty and richness of their own, 

we hope someday they will. 

There are many in our lives who do not see 

all the possibilities 

in their despair, barrenness, darkness, 

they do not see their value 

in what they believe is a "small" life, 

a life less than they want, 

a life less than they deserve. 

All we see is their magnificence, 

AH! if only all we had to do was tell them- 

for them to believe and see their blessings!

I love this letter to Byron Katie 

and I love her response, 

it does not minimize the facts of the situations 

in which people are truly grieving, 

but it gives practical steps to find a way forward 

and eventually beyond that grief. 

Our joy is up to us, 

what and who we trust in, 

what and who we believe in, 

has REAL power to transform us 

within and through circumstances 

we wish we did not find ourselves.

http://www.byronkatie.com/2011/04/letter_losing_a_child_1.htm

Letter: Losing a Child (ByronKatie.com)

www.byronkatie.com

I know you are very busy and lots of people are asking something of you. I am writing to you, because 'something terrible has happened' - the 6 year old girl of a friend of mine had what is called a freak 

Oatmeal Choclate Chip Banana bread

We buy a crazy amount of bananas for our household.  The checkers at the grocery store usually have some cute comment to say like, "Are you guys monkeys?"  Well, this week I had a few extras that went uneaten and I decided it was time to try a new banana bread recipe.  I tried this one because it had a minor amount of oil and sugar.  Plus, it was made with oatmeal instead of the typical whole wheat flour I usually use.  It came out delicious and I thought I would pass it on.  The first time I made this I was skeptical that the recipe only called for 1 Tbsp of oil per loaf so I added 2 Tbsp per loaf.  It was delicious.  So, today I wanted to see if 1 Tbsp per loaf would work and yes sirree it sure did!  After I made it, my kiddos swarmed and devoured the loaf.  I must say, right out of the oven it is super yum! 

Here it is:

The Ingredients:
3 Cups Oatmeal
1 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1/4 Teaspoon salt
3 Bananas, very ripe
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 Cup coconut sugar or date sugar or brown sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 Cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 Cup applesauce or 1 extra ripe banana
3 Tablespoons oatmeal & 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (optional for topping)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9 x 5 loaf pan with cooking spray.
Make oat flour in a food processor or blender by processing oats for 1-2 minutes or until it resembles flour.
Add oat flour, whisk in baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat mashed bananas, brown sugar, vanilla, and coconut oil until smooth and creamy.
Slowly add in oat flour mixture and mix until well combined.  If it is too thick I add 1-2 Tbsp of almond milk.
Fold in dark chocolate chips and pour batter into pan.
Sprinkle top with 3 tablespoons of oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.  (optional)
Bake for 35-40 minutes or toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool for 15 minutes and then remove from pan and place on wire cooling rack.

Sara Bareilles - Brave "let the words fall out..."

This is one of my favorite videos I watch at the gym in the morning.  It is sort of a theme song for me lately.  I believe we all need to practice and therefore live by truth telling with an emphasis on love and vulnerability.  Sometimes that takes bravery, well it does take bravery .  I love the lyric that says, "say what you want to say... let the words fall out."  I hope this inspires you and brings a smile to your face.