After fighting cancer and various other conditions for years, Reva’s doctors advised that she enter hospice care. She made this decision only after speaking with those closest to her, and then Focusing on what choice felt most right to her.

I was honored to be one of those with whom she shared this process. After living fully for nearly 81 years, and having contributed so much to so many, she chose to enter hospice care. Just a few days later, Reva was blessed to leave this life in just the way that she’d wanted- peacefully, at home, with a smile on her face.Reva was my Focusing mentor for many years. For the past 4 years, since a month long visit to Israel (her first and only time to visit here) I was blessed to also enjoy a special friendship with her.

Some of you knew Reva; many others have heard me speak of her. My life and work have been and continue to be profoundly influenced by Reva.

I will miss her dearly. At the same time, I would like to think that in some way a part of her vitality, joyful spirit, warmth and kindness continue to live on in me and through me will bless you as well.

These words of Isaiah seem to epitomize Reva: For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
Reva had a deep connection with her Jewish roots. So it somehow seems fitting that her soul chose the holiday of Purim as the day in which she made the transition from her earthly body.

Purim is the holiday that falls on the full moon of the month of Adar. In Jewish tradition it is said that when we enter the month of Adar, joy is increased. This year, the month of Adar began with sunset on Thursday, February 23, and lasts until sunset on March 23.

Helen Keller remarked, “Happiness can’t come from without. It must come from within.” She also wisely noted, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”

Reva modeled both of these sentiments well. In spite of numerous medical complications that caused repeated disappointments when they led to her having to cancel plans she’d eagerly looked forward to, there was rarely a time when she was not able to find something to smile at.

Cultivating more happiness in your life

How might we experience more happiness? As much has been written on this subject, for now, I’d simply like to invite you to consider what makes you happy.

For some it’s certain people their lives, or being out in nature, or simply feeling at peace wherever they might be.

What is it that makes you happy, that brings you joy?

Personally, I seem to feel the most joy when I am able to slow down, to pay closer attention, even to small things in life: To what a friend is saying. To the intricacies of a flower. To the feeling of fresh air on my skin after having been indoors for a while.

I invite you to take a moment now to pause, perhaps to take a deep breath, and then to exhale completely. And then to gently ask yourself, what might add more joy to my life today? Perhaps even in this moment?

Sometimes something as simple as taking a moment to notice and appreciate some of the smaller blessings in your life can have a significant affect on your state of mind and how you feel.

My wish for you is that you will experience more joy in your life, every day, whatever blessings and challenges might come your way!

It can often be a challenge to know what might be the right way for each of us to express our creativity. We might have an abundance of ideas, and wonder how best to choose amongst them. Or, at other times, we might have the sense that some action is called for, but are not aware of what that might be.

Notice how you feel as you read the following quote by Brenda Ueland: “Creative power flourishes only when I am living in the present.”

When I read this it brings a sense of release, and relief. To me, living in the present feels more grounded, clearer, and even more peaceful. So often we look to the past or future, forgetting that there exists a present reality which holds both wisdom and clarity.

Imagine how it would be to actually live with the greater part of your attention on what is happening in your life right now, in the present moment. On all levels- physical, emotional, spiritual, and more.

Through its emphasis on attending to the body and the present moment, Focusing is process that facilitates our ability to center our experience in the present moment. With Focusing we learn how to live more and more of our lives in the present.

We learn how to become aware of what is true for us, without the distractions usually posed by our thoughts and engagement with the world outside us. And to pay attention to what is there with compassion and spaciousness.

We can then move forward in ways that feel
- and indeed are- just right for us.

I invite you to consider what comes for you when you ask yourself,”What is my part in completing the world?” “What am I here for?”

When you ask yourself these questions, be sure to ask them with an open, spacious attitude. An attitude of really wanting to know. An attitude of whatever comes will be OK.

We ask these questions not to limit ourselves, but to give our inner beings a chance to express themselves. We don’t need necessarily to do what a part of us wishes. And yet it is very helpful to be able to acknowledge what has come.

How might living in the present help you to better express your creativity? What is it that you’ve been wanting to put forth into the world? I’d love to hear what comes for you around all of this!

How is creativity connected to the energy of the month?

It’s now the middle of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In the northern hemisphere, there are days that still feel very much like winter- while others bring welcomed hints of Spring.

Almond trees laced with delicate pink blossoms are a harbinger of Spring in Jerusalem.The photo of the blossoms to the left were taken just last week.

As the trees and plants begin to wake up from their winter rest, it is time for us to begin to emerge from a more inwardly-oriented mode to being more creative, and perhaps more outwardly-oriented as well.

This is a good time to re-visit goals we may have set for ourselves back at Rosh Hashana time, or more recently at the turn of the secular year in January.

It can also be helpful to ask yourself how these goals relate to your responses to the questions about your part in completing the world.

Again, it is most helpful to ask yourself these questions with an attitude of curiosity. No need to judge where you are. Rather, to ask with a sense of checking in. With really wanting to know where you are with respect to goals or intentions you might have framed for yourself a while back.