inner alignment
The time in between
when I tend to skip forward
and forget what's here.

Moving to what's next
keeps me out of the present.
Brings separation.

Take the time to pause
Tune in to self and others
Don't withdraw just yet.

Cherish the time here
Let go of the busyness
Find your Middle Ground.

These words filtered through this morning with the dawn. Advice for myself!

I am leaving for Scotland on Monday night to join my mother and family for her pre-90th birthday celebrations. It will be a special time for us all to be together and for Mum and I to spend some “girl” time.

I have been so busy looking forward, planning and organizing for the time away, that I have not been fully present in my days here. In some way, I have already left, and I feel off balance. Its important for me to acknowledge this and make the most of my time at home without skipping ahead and out of the present.

Sitting with this, I realize that I have spent so much of my life in this way. Looking forward to the next thing, a vacation, a goal to be achieved or a project to be completed. Not being really here, to pause, consider and allow myself to feel what I may be avoiding.

Ah yes, that’s it. It’s so simple, yet profound.

Pause, acknowledge and feel. Take care of this younger self who wasn’t at ease in the present. She needs this wisdom now… and a gentle hug to bring her back to her center.

Aahhh … that’s better.

(Thanks Nancy for letting me use your line ๐Ÿฅฐ )

37 responses to “The Time in Between”

    1. Thank you dear Beth ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

  1. have a wonderful trip – and happy birthday to your mum.

    I am the same way, always looking ahead to what’s next. thanks for the reminder to enjoy the present…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jim. Step outside and feel the sun on your face and listen to the x birds this afternoon!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. the weather was perfect today!

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  2. Linda Rappaport Avatar
    Linda Rappaport

    A wonderful reminder of being present. Have a great trip and celebration!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Linda ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ•Š๐Ÿ’›

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  3. Very important reminder, Val. I know that I always need to remind myself to stay in the present. Enjoy your time with your Mom and family. It’s a precious time for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you dear Michele. I will takes these words with me ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’•

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  4. Have a good time dear lady, nothing like looking forward to something too ๐Ÿ˜€ โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ ๐Ÿฆ‹

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    1. Thank you dear Mark ๐Ÿ’

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  5. Yes!! I lived so much of life in this ignorance, in the planning and anticipating of the future – I remember a certain kind of deadness in me when I did it way too much. I am so grateful on this other side, so much more alive – yet still can use more Pause, more reminders like these I appreciate.

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    1. I understand PD. We come to a place of non-feeling and it becomes our โ€œnormโ€โ€ฆ and then we begin to awaken to a more expanse way of being. When we find this aliveness, we can embrace the present instead of subtely trying to escape.

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  6. Itโ€™s always better when we pause and align with this moment ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿค—๐Ÿงก

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So true Karen โœจ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผโœจ

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  7. We all often get swept away, don’t we? Good to remind ourselves now and again to breathe and slow down. ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a lovely trip ‘home’ and best birthday wishes to your mother upon her 90th!

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    1. Thanks so much Eliza ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’•

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  8. enjoy your time awa’ and all the moments in between

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you my chuchter friend. ๐Ÿ˜Š

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    1. Thank you Shyamini ๐Ÿ™

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  9. Val, our moms are the same age. (And the same age my father-in-law was.) I hope you have a wonderful trip. I will try–with you–to remember this knowing. To stay right here in this precious moment without hurrying on ahead. Our minds so tend to do this.

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

  10. A wonderful message. Travel safe

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Ali ๐Ÿ™

      Like

  11. Sarah Gawthorpe Avatar
    Sarah Gawthorpe

    I so so loved reading this Val. Such a wonderful reminder. Iโ€™m trying to litter my day with little pauses, and it helps me so much. Have a lovely time in Scotland. Sarah x

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Sarah.Iโ€™m glad you are taking care of yourself with pauses.๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’›

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  12. Thanks for that reminder, Val, I tend to go ahead of myself at times, instead of living in the present. Enjoy the celebrations. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Ally ๐Ÿ’–

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      1. Always a pleasure, Val. xxx

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  13. Such beautiful wisdom. Thank you. Wishing you a safe, healthy and joy-full trip to Scotland – may the festivities be wonder-full!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Vicki ๐Ÿฅฐ

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  14. Thank you for sharing! I so connected with that constant looking forward to, planning and organising things. Although the whole Covid saga helped a lot in releasing this control, I guess the pause is still the best practice๐Ÿ™๐Ÿงš๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ be happy

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    1. Thank you Alex ๐Ÿ’›

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  15. By now you will have travelled and be that little bit closer to my time zone lol… I hope you are enjoying your family gathering, what a wonderful celebration mile-stone to reach.. Enjoy your time in between dear Val… I feel more and more of us are feeling that need to withdraw within and just BE with those whom we Love.. as we anchor in the Light ..
    Lots of love dear friend… โค โค โค

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  16. A wonderful reminder to seize the day and enjoy the present. I love this.

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I’d love to hear from you …

โ— About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.