365 Inspirations—46: Connecting and Sharing Space with Other Bloggers and Writers

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”—Buddha

Several posts ago, I wrote a post about a book I really like that my husband picked up at the library. It's called The Art of Uncertainty by Dennis Merritt Jones. Well, the author himself ended up reading the post I wrote about his book and he sent my husband and me our very own signed copy of his book along with The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life (also signed).

Both of these books arrived yesterday (Valentine's Day!). I know how special it is to receive a signed copy of a book. I don't have many, but I cherish the ones I have.

Here's what the signed message reads in one of the books we received today from Dennis:

To Katherine and Yoon,

Thank you for "being" who you came here to be! You make a difference.

Peace,
Dennis Merritt Jones

Reading that message tonight was special because I really felt the energy behind those words. I'm excited to dive into this book tonight. Perhaps I'll give you my synopsis on the book after I finish it.  For now, it is such a gift to have these two books sitting on my dining room table.

Keeping this blog has put me in touch with so many authors and bloggers. Many have written guests posts here (See 31 Writers, 31 Lessons).

I think that has been the best part about blogging. I realize how connected we all are. It's all about sharing space with one another and offering the gifts we have. It's also about honoring the gifts others have. It's an exchange. This exchange is the reason I continue to write and read!

Has writing, blogging or reading blogs connected you to people you wouldn't have met otherwise? Have you ever shared your space with other writers/bloggers in the form of guest posts or in other ways? 

365 Inspirations—38: The Unknown (The Art of Uncertainty by Dennis Merritt Jones)

"Those stuck in the no-zone are held there in part by their habit energy and have not a clue of the unforetold opportunities that lie ahead in the mystery of that which is yet to be."—Dennis Merritt Jones

We are creatures of habit and tend to do the same things over and over again. Sometimes we don't even realize it. Why? Because it's safe and comfortable. Nothing wrong with that.

But if we never stretch out of the box of "what we already know," we don't grow.

Moving into the unknown is scary, but I believe even in our comfort zone, we cannot predict what will happen in the next moment, so why not make the unknown our new comfort zone.

I'm reading a book called The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It  by Dennis Merritt Jones. I've gotten so much from this book. It made me realize that from very early on in our childhood we start to believe certain things about ourselves based on how we grew up and on our surroundings. Often we accept certain things about ourselves based on our history and never challenge these ideas or opinions.

Things like I've always been overweight, I'm not so smart or I'm not good at math are just some examples of beliefs we have about ourselves. Many people accept these labels or ideas about themselves and instead of challenging them, just keep reinforcing that these are true.

The mystery of life says that we can be and do anything we want. Do you believe it?

It takes so much courage to believe this and to step out into the vast, unchartered unknown and to create something new for ourselves.

Merritt takes the "comfort zone" a bit further claiming that much of society lives in what is called "the no-zone".

He says, "Those stuck in the no-zone are held there in part by their habit energy and have not a clue of the unforetold opportunities that lie ahead in the mystery of that which is yet to be."

He continues, "To transcend the no-zone-layer requires being fully awake and connected to life in the moment, thriving each new day, knowing who you are, and knowing that what you do with who you are matters to you and the world."

He also says that to transcend the no-zone requires three things: clarifying your intentions, getting your bearings and taking action.

It's easy to take our lives for granted and just expect everything to be as we expect it to be day after day. Superficially, it appears that we know what is going on. The truth is, things are changing every single second.

Our lives are unknown. This is the truth. Rather than being afraid of this, I'd like to embrace it and make the unknown my new comfort zone. I want to live in the mystery of life and love it just as the book's title reads. Every single day is a blessing and I can't wait to see what is around the corner! I want to try new things and stretch out of my box. How about you?

Are you afraid of the unknown? Do you believe you can do and be anything you want to do and be?