L. A. McMurray

"Unfurled February"

Spread out from a rolled-up existence and be open to whatever is becoming. The word, theme, and way of thinking for February: OPEN.

Be open to new opportunities, ideas, people, places, recipes and restaurants, hairstyles, clothes, furniture, perspectives, points of view, literature, music, what is in front of you in the moment - be it a snowflake, heartache, or a friendly smile.

Psychology professionals consider open-mindedness to be an intellectual virtue alongside honesty and inquisitiveness. “Actively open-minded thinking” also known as AOT is linked to better learning, creativity, and critical thinking.

I encourage you to step out of or wildly break free from your comfort zone and do not fear the unknown. It’s ok, we have all tried and learned something new and lived to talk about it and even laugh about it.

In my first book, “God is in the Odd…” I talked about how changing the radio station, a seemingly insignificant decision, catapulted my spiritual adventure into another world. I was in my car in between sales calls during the work week, when suddenly I was open to a new realm of possibilities. And step by step, one open-minded moment at a time and over multiple experiences, I learned, the Holy Being is everywhere and within.

However, as liberating as my spiritual adventure outside of Catholicism was, I was afraid of being ex-communicated from the only church I knew. I feared that I may be embarking on a journey to hell instead of enlightenment. At that time, I had no clue the truth of either of those. After my mind and soul were opened, I became full of peace that surpasses all understanding, boundless joy, and divine connections that make my jaw drop.

In my next book, I explore being open to enjoying life and doing something new and perhaps meeting new people. Let life take us where the universe leads, and don’t let fear or let other’s opinions keep us stagnant.

I have met many wonderful people in my life and recently have had the opportunity to sit down and talk with them about how they spend their free time. My son’s mother-in- law, Cindy, began quilting only five years ago. She never quilted before, she preferred the great outdoors hiking, golfing, biking, and building a house surrounded by woods. Then a friend invited her to a quilting class, and Cindy said, “It was fun from the first moment. I’ve met a whole new group of women; I’ve won first prize and enjoy the challenge of creating. I go on quilting retreats, and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.” Who doesn’t want that for ourselves and others?! “

Having a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing seems to me to be one of the most basic principles that you can adopt to contribute to individual and world peace.” Wayne Dyer

Theme song for the month, keep the words ruminating in your head every day, from rising in the morning to settling in at night: “Into the Great Wide Open” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.