Author: Kimberly Kingsley

At the level of spirit we are all connected. That is the only thing that gives me peace when I think about the devastation from Hurricane Katrina.

Along with sending a few bucks, I am praying for love, a deep sense of inner peace, and hope to fill the people who now have nothing.

I know in my heart that the whole world will send them financial and spiritual support like we did for the tsunami victims not that long ago.

I’m hoping that this outpouring of love will provide healing to the South and to the world even beyond what is required to get through the crisis – sort of the way a scar develops additional tissue to protect the area of a healed wound.

Last night my cousin Heather and I went to see a movie. After the movie, we went to Starbucks for a late night coffee. We started talking about life and the various worries we’ve had over the years. It seems like everyone has something – one certain trouble that causes them to go round and round.

This year has been relatively worry free for me – I actually made a conscious decision to just do my best each day and to give the rest up to the universe or God to “meet me half way.”

The results have been miraculous. I have peace of mind every day and it has possibly been the best year of my life so far!

I believe that worry can be an addiction in itself – the way that we distract ourselves from what’s real. At the mental level it completely blocks the flow of life. So my commitment is to steer clear of worry and instead listen to my core self and do what it says. That way there will be no need for distraction.

School started this week. My daughter Anna started 2nd grade and I am back teaching at Scottsdale Community College. I saw kids going away to college on the news – yes the news – and it made me realize how quickly time passes. Soon Anna will be in college. Part of me wanted to tell her “STOP GROWING NOW!” Once I realized that my yelling would not help, I realized my job is to appreciate her everyday.

That was the advice that my dad gave me as a child when our dog Rum died. In the midst of my sadness I said, “Dad, what do you do to prevent feeling like this – just not get a dog?” He said, “No, you simply enjoy it as much as possible while you have it.”

Not that long ago someone gave me a hard time for not watching the news. I wasn’t aware of a local hero who came up in conversation.

The thing about personal energy management is that when you commit to making decisions based on what nourishes versus depletes you, you risk not meeting the expectations of others.

I have had to develop a social resilience that I didn’t used to have. At first it was uncomfortable and now I find it liberating.

Here is a line from my favorite poem, The Art of Disappearing by Naomi Shihab Nye:

“Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second. Then decide what to do with your time.”

I am overwhelmed by the response to my new site and all the love that I feel pouring in from so many people that I have connected with over the years. It always amazes me how true connections never go away. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen someone, or even how long you knew them – the feeling remains the same.

I am excited to have this opportunity to express myself and my thoughts. This whole blogging thing is new to me, however and I must say, a bit overwhelming. It is much different from the writing I usually do, where I know that I will have an opportunity to edit a few times. Here’s to banishing perfectionism and just going with the flow!