Yesterday morning I was delighted to see the first waxwings of the year alighting in the trees in our yard and in the neighbors’ yards– birches, may tree, crabapple. Their fluttering wings, twittering, and restless energy were invigorating to my soul.

As I reflected on what quality of being I wished to imbibe for the day,  however, I found it in the presence of the trees just being themselves. By being there, by being themselves, they were inviting a visit from the waxwings.

Human beings are more malleable than trees. We have a choice about how we open ourselves to experiences. What do I want to invite into my life in each moment, each hour, each day? In order to create an intention about what I will invite, I must enter the inner stillness, the place of silence. For that, I must pause, breathe with awareness, surrender the chattering mind.