Celebrating Seventy

                

                                      Celebrating Seventy

"There is nothing more beautiful than someone

who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others."

Mandy Hale

The Single Woman: Live, Love, and a Dash of Sass

Today is my seventieth birthday, but I don't believe a word of it!  My life has been eclectic and enhanced by  teachers, mentors and children (otherwise known as Wisdom Keepers, Storytellers and Magicians).  My Bohemian gypsy blood  has prompted many wanderings to experience the ranges of diversity in families, friends, and career.

Today when I look behind me, the landscape is covered with tiny white lights.  Each sparkle reminds me of a 'sister of my heart ' who encouraged or supported or loved me enough to carry me part of the way.  I would have never prospered had I not caught a glimpse of  hope in the beauty of their face.  Their examples of courage, integrity, and compassion have nurtured my heart.

I remain  grateful for our pathway to the stars and thankful for our journey together.   I respect my ancestors who carried a sword to empower others, while my spiritual sword is composed of words. My daughter blazes her own trail with radiant light. So on this my seventieth birthday, I celebrate all of you who have gone out of the way to make my life so beautiful!

The Roots of Kindness

"Travel changes you.  As you move through this life and this world

you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small.

And in return, life ~ and travel ~ leaves marks on you."

Anthony Bourdain

When our hearts open with an awareness of all living things, we cannot help but engage with respect and honor for diversity.  If our actions come from compassion, we will be elevating the consciousness of the world.  Each of us are called to be a living example of loving kindness to ourselves and to others.

We are made of energy and there is power in our thoughts.  Be aware of the human being standing beside us as our vibration enters their field of energy.  Are we extending warmth, judgment, or total disregard?  We are called to be a reflection of how we want see our world.

If we figuratively join hands in assisting others, the compassion shared will impact those surrounding us as well as across the world.  We must not leave the task of peace to education, religion or government.  We are all responsible for our little corner of the world.  Each of us need to tend to our own gardens so the roots of kindness will grow.

Collective Turmoil

"Do you want to continue to walk your path toward trying to fix what's breaking down or

do you want to follow the path of trying to assist what's breaking through?"

David Hulse

Soma Energetics

Turbulence, (emotional, physical, and spiritual), seems to be churning current thoughts like the sea crashing brutal waves into the shore.  The harsh visions blasting through the mind are collective  energies of anger and pain.  We are being called to release the turmoil and create positive response.

Barbara Marx Hubbard documented old systems breaking down due to what is breaking through.  "This breakthrough is new energy coming in."  Change brings eruptions on all levels and we are all witnessing this turbulence.  As David Hulse asks, do you want to use your energy to fix what is breaking down or do you want to place efforts by escorting in the new?

We must discern how we want to channel our energies ...  repeating patterns which fail us, or join efforts towards creative resolution.  We cannot afford to sit back and ignore the growing turmoil across the world.  Extend responsible effort: volunteer, pray, meditate, create, donate, support, encourage, or something better!

Eclectic Dreamscape

"The lesson will always repeat itself,

unless you see yourself as the problem ...

not others."

Shannon L. Alder

Wandering through my old journals, it is clear how lessons repeat themselves.  At times they appear to be completely different, but other wise challenges are duplicates of the past.  The villains (who I have learned to call teachers) change from scene to circumstance, but I am the constant actor in the play.  My wardrobe changes, lines are altered, and the show always goes on.  

There is expansion and growth written across my pages.  Explorations track me seeking the wise words of others to diving within my owner dark crevices.  My writings are a record of a very eager student, subject to circumstances where my fear was in control, and enough diversity to mask emotions of any situation.

Now I enjoy water color in chorus with my words.  A splash of color drying on the page eases my mind and blending hues perpetuate an inner calm.   Inspired, I am willing to be responsible for my eclectic dreamscapes and my words continue to set me free.

Resolution Greater Than Fear

"You move totally away from reality 

when you believe that there is 

a legitimate reason to suffer."

Byron Katie

Challenges appear in life and we are expected to react to them.  We have choices as to the amount of energy we invest.  The degree of attention we willing place depends upon the severity of the occasion.  Our attitude either hampers or enhances the outcome.

If we avoid reality, we are simply postponing the inevitable.  If we are stuck in denial, forward movement halts.  When we remember our strength, we can engage with the challenge, believe we will discover resolve, and move along.

If we take on responsibility for what is not ours to own, we suffer.  To have the perception of being punished or being a victim creates an unhealthy falsehood.  When we face reality allowing our resolution to be greater than fear or ego, our passage allows for both learning and experience without the need for extended suffering.

Enhance or Distract

"Discernment is a process of letting go

of what we are not."

Father Thomas Keating

Life offers us many opportunities to experience and we are led to decipher what resonates with our soul.  Not every instance is meant to be pursued.  If we pay close attention to our feelings, inspirations, and abilities, we can determine which situation will enhance rather than distract.  

If trying to accomplish a career is draining finances and diminishing self-respect, it is time to reevaluate.  Do we need to persevere or do we need to readjust our goals?  Important things do not necessarily come easily, but when road blocks are constantly appearing, we must open ourselves to the possibility of change.  

Thoroughly investing ourselves is worthwhile if we experience passion and feel ourselves unfolding. Work can be difficult, but worthy if we are moving towards supportive progression.  Inner searching will reflect if we are building on our gifts or trying to pursue someone else's dream. It is never too late to let go, and begin anew.

Prepare the Soil

"The outline of your future path already exists,

for you created its pattern by your past."

Sai Baba

To glory in the moment  and to make most of what is before us, impacts our future.  Our creative intentions and conscious behavior begins the makings of what will come next.  How we live our lives right now, orchestrates either obstacles or benefits yet to come.

A farmer once told me:  If you do not prepare the soil and simply throw seeds out into the field, many of the seeds will not survive.  If you do not cultivate and protect the early growth, by harvest there will be considerable loss.  If you ignore the field, your crops will not have high quality.

Life presents challenges. How we deal with them sets a pattern for future events.  If we accept responsibility, persevere and apply creative planning, our results will be impressive. If we do not fully embrace reality using avoidance and denial, we will not develop the tools needed further down our path.

Chasing Butterflies

"Happiness is like a butterfly which,

when pursued, is always beyond grasp,

but, if you will sit down quietly,

may alight upon you."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Chasing butterflies can turn into aggressive behavior if we are not successful in our determination to grasp what we think is ours.   As we snatch at the wings are we admiring the beauty and elegance of this delicate creature?  Once captured, how respectful are we while watching it slowly die?

We do the same in relationships.  We chase what is not meant to be, and extend ourselves beyond what is healthy.  Winning becomes the motivation which overrides the appreciation for the beauty that was first seen.  

Capture stifles the spirit and prevents future blessings.  If we stop chasing, be patient and wait, we can be surprised by what comes our way.  When we are sitting still, we can unknowingly attract a gentle butterfly.   We will know when we feel the delicate wings brush against our heart.

The Driver's Seat

"Simply going through the motions 

of life puts us directly in the passenger seat

when we should really be in the driver's seat."

Madisyn Taylor

Daily Om

Visualize a vehicle as a symbol of our body in life. Take notice if tires have been rotated, oil changed, condition of interior and exterior.  Where we are sitting or who is actually driving the car? The answers to these questions reflect how we are taking care of ourselves and if we hold ourselves in top priority.  

The interior and exterior of our symbol of a car,  can reflect radiance and shine or a dull and damaged finish.  Do we meet recommended inspections, fix repairs, and shield from harsh weather?  It is important to be steering towards our goals and not to be in the back seat shouting directions to someone who believes they are our chauffeur.  

To navigate through life, we need to be well rested, eat properly and exercise appropriately.  We  generously accept responsibilities of our family and career, but are we in the driver's seat?  Is someone else altering our route to fulfillment or success?  Life is hard, and if we are just going through the motions, we really need to shift gears!  

Picking Chocolates

"I believe in the magic and authority of words."

Rene Char

Words feed my body, mind, and soul.  They guide me to better ways of thinking, expand my wisdom, and help me be grounded.  When I glance back upon my physicality, I disregard the harsh ugly words, and choose a few accolades of encouragement.  As I wander through my mind, I choose the lovely words like picking chocolate from a dessert tray.  The words laced throughout my spirituality are the most diverse and purposeful.

Words teach us a language just as facial expression gives way to emotions.  The tone of words alters meaning from joy to crushing blows.  Words can be spearheaded with intention and once delivered, never totally retractable.  Use the lovely words, chose wisely.

My spiritual words float gently throughout my body.  Certain ones surface at exactly the right time while others float in circles, creating a veil that billows only when I am still.  It is during this gentle movement that I am most apt to journal my words delicately upon the page.

Changing Genes

"We are shaped by our thoughts;  we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows  like a shadow that never leaves." Buddha Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief, has offered to the world visionary research referencing the power of the environment to change our genes.  He has been a pioneer in teaching how to master your own biology. Reid Tracy, CEO of Hay House, sited Lipton's findings from a prostate cancer patient. Over 500 genes were changed through lifestyle adjustments alone, not by conventional pharmaceutical means.  When we control our ability to change how we live, we are no longer a victim of heredity.  (BREAK THROUGH THE BARRIER OF BELIEF by Hay House) The saying, "You are what you eat," runs parallel with "Your body believes everything you say."  Daily we program our bodies into thinking we are too tired, too fat, too weak, too ugly, too dumb, etc...  If we treated our selves with respect we would live a healthier lifestyle and conduct an encouraging and supportive conversation with our soul.

Wasted Energy

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,

it empties today of its strength."

Corrie ten Boom

Clippings from My Notebook

We worry about our selves, family, and friends, even though worry is an emotion capable of causing our body harm.  When we worry, our system becomes acidic which can lead to an upset stomach, indigestion or heartburn.  If we worry hard and long enough, we can develop ulcers or other medical problems.

To worry is to distract our selves from facing life.  It is kin to fear.  Both worry and fear lead us down a path of angst with an overwhelming sense of not having control.  Worry does not assist in making a situation better nor does it add to a person's well being.  It is wasted energy.

Worry is a missed opportunity to  encourage, support or turn to the Divine.  These are positive actions capable of moving us into a more stable frame of mind. Negative worry is waste and positive action is strength. Thinking good thoughts and taking action of any kind can help us remain in the present  moment with power.  

Writers, Books, and Those Who Read

"The laws of the spirit change 

just as little as those of nature and 

it is equally impossible to 'discard' them."  

Hermann Hesse, 

German born Swiss Writer and Painter 

(1877-1962) 

The gift of writing was originally believed to be a sacred practice for religious sectors to be kept private.  It was believed nature displayed what Spirit intended and it was reserved for the holy.  Writing was considered a sacred art containing secrets for the priesthood only.   

Writers continue to expand the dreams of readers.  Many artistic endeavors are not discovered until the passing of the author.  Writing may be considered commonplace, but it remains a sacred cord elongated through the Divine, Nature, and word master.  Lovely words form the shape of a book which then becomes a life long treasure to the reader.  The hardback reflects history, changes, and challenges that impact the lives of the beholder.  The keepsake increases in value while the hand turns the page and the bound cover rests nostalgically in the palm of the hand.

There are numerous conversations held today about the extinction of hardback books, to be replaced  by electronic readers, theater, and advanced home entertainment systems. Hermann Hesse addressed this stating: "Then the cinema will be no more able to damage literature than, for example, photography has hurt painting."  Hesse believed in the stability of the book drawing from nature, inspired by Spirit and not being discarded. 

Individual Importance

"Spiritual literacy is the ability to read the signs written in the texts of our own 

experiences. Whether viewed as a gift from God or a skill to be cultivated, this

facility enables us to discern and decipher a world full of meaning."

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

As children, we discover magic in all aspects of life and make up stories to accompany the experience.  We thrive upon stories first read to us and then at our own discretion our minds expand   into various realms of imagination through the books we choose.

As adults, we come across mysteries in life, but unfortunately dismiss them as day dreams.  In our haste of living, we miss the significance of the magic around us.  As we read however, Spirit continues to offer a broad range of experiences of wisdom and light.  

While reading, we come across a magnificent story of bravery that continues to resurface into our thoughts.  We watch a random act of kindness in the store and the pleasant emotions remain in our body for days afterward.  We stumble upon a quote chalked on a wall, and as each hour passes, the quote opens windows of essential thoughts. The world, indeed, is filled with magic, day dreams, and inspiration.  It is up to us to discern and decipher the individual importance.

Kingdom of Healthy Living

"I can be by myself because I'm never lonely; I'm simply alone, living in my 

heavily populated solitude, a harum-scarum of infinity and eternity, and 

Infinity and Eternity seem to take a liking to the likes of me."

Bohumil Hrabal

Too Loud A Solitude

There is an extreme difference between solitude and isolation.  Solitude is good for the soul while isolation is harmful.  In isolation, we are void of all contact, frozen in fear or sorrow, and have lost sight of hope.  We fall into a numbness not wanting to be touched, seen or heard.  We block out all aspects of life with disregard for survival.

An individual is lost in isolation, whereas a person claims discovery in solitude.  Quietude offers time to explore and enhance.  We become deeper in our nature and heighten our understanding of the Divine.   Without the busy-ness of life, one hears beyond the sound of silence and  wanders the hallways of other realms.

When we are repressing emotions and avoiding difficult situations, we can better ourselves by spending an hour in solitude.  Whether we create, listen to music, or contemplate, the time spent with our selves is a nurturing experience.  Enjoying a time out prevents us from being isolated from the kingdom of healthy living.

Unplug for the Pause

"I need to be alone.  I need to ponder my shame and my despair 

in seclusion;  I need the sunshine and the paving stones of the streets 

without companions, without conversation, face to face with myself, 

with only the music of my heart for company."

Henry Miller

Tropic of Cancer

Technology has replaced numerous relationships based on the ability to be immediately present and subject matter directly controlled.  It entertains us with less investment than some friendships.  Numerous gadgets fill random spaces as we walk, eat and sleep.    

If we no longer practice the art of sitting in solitude, we will not be as connected to our authentic selves.  As we rock our infants, are we staring into their tiny faces or are we texting with one hand.  As toddlers seek smiling facial approval or frowns of disapproval, do they see a parent browsing Facebook.  As older children gather, are they interacting or individually tweeting others.  Meal time reflects a knife, fork, spoon, and a smart phone per place setting.

Solitude is a time to reflect upon our actions, and to notice our inner feelings.   It is a space to revitalize our energy and eliminate unnecessary distractions from our lives.  Alone time allows us to be present in the moment, to take stock in what we perceive or believe.  If we unplug, the beauty surrounding us will give us a beneficial pause to feel totally alive.

Behind Bars

"A person does not have to be behind bars to be a prisoner.

People can be prisoners of their own concepts and ideas.

They can be slaves to their own selves."

Maharaji

We establish a belief system which allows us to be comfortable in our own skin.  The security of perimeters protects us and we heighten protection when we feel threatened.  Contrasting views are either readily dismissed or else we feel challenged by conflicting ideas.  

Changing our belief system feels very uncomfortable in our body, mind, and spirit.  We are frightened  to give up long held dogma in exchange for a broader sense of perception.  Distorted illusions of being 'wrong' or 'punished' for embracing new concepts might draw us back into our prison of comfortable ideas.

As we learn to change with imagination and curiosity, our life takes on a greater sense of freedom.  We experience a broader connection with people, places and things.  By nurturing our deepest wonders, we expand our sense of self being governed by wisdom rather than fear.

 

 

Beyond The Veils

"We need our ancestors, guides, and fellow travelers

in this work of the spirit, a community of the imagination

gathered between the endpapers of a precious book."

Thomas Moore

(Foreward:  Spiritual Literacy by Brussat)

When words take on life, jump from the page, and ignite light into previous dark spaces, we  feel as though there is no beginning nor ending to the force of life.  Ancient words sink deeply into the soul, triggering moments of a nameless time or place.   

It doesn't matter if we are reading the Bible, fiction or family memoirs, there is an insightful message just waiting to be noticed.  When we read with open ears to hear within the silence, eyes searching every sentence, and our heart beating with anticipation, a connection is created between the words and the reader.

Timeless words weave us together through a bond of indescribable comprehension.   Wisdom of our elders sink into our souls for furthering incubation.  Spirit gathers ancient words and drops them into our dreams for contemplation.  Through the penned and spoken word, we are guided to witness existence beyond the veils of all eternity.

Peaceful Unity

"Wisdom tells me I am nothing.

Love tells me I am everything.

And between the two

my life flows."

Nisargadatta Maharaj

If any document projects we are nothing, it is not wisdom we are reading.  Wisdom is encouragement, support, and contemplative; not destructive criticism. Wise words assist in discernment  of weakness, while building on strengths.

If love speaks to us as though we were singularly everything, the scope of love is too narrow.  We cannot exclusively meet all needs, or desires of one other person. As a human being, we intend to develop our gifts and talents with our individual thumbprint, while others do the same.

It is the wise lover who embraces all parts of the self, while vigorously encouraging loved ones to do the same.  Each person can love the self fully in spite of weakness, and it is through wisdom we strive for peaceful unity. 

Let It Shine

"There are two ways of spreading light:

to be the candle or

mirror that reflects it."

Edith Wharton

Endless negative experiences continue to happen in our world, leaving us to feel powerless; but in truth, we are radiant sources of energy and light.  Our inner glow brightens the deeper we connect with the Divine. When we radiate our light, it is a positive force for change.  

Our vibration may not be felt across the world, but it certainly adds to the collective energy working towards compassion and peace within our families and communities.  Our bodies host a spark of light from the Divine which grows brighter as we focus on improving ourselves.  

  

The importance is not how we contribute, but how to offer our best out into the world.  There are energy workers holding vigils for peace or shifting energies one person at a time. When we use prayer, contemplation, energy work or visualization, our light of goodness can encourage and brighten the dark spaces of others.   

Rest On The Shore

"I wonder what it would be like to look at river of life

as a gushing torrent of mercy that smoothens out our rough edges."

Omid Safi

We remain balanced by equally embracing both joy and pain.  Our response of positive action avoids dramatic emotions distracting us or misusing our energy.  If we can treasure joy in small ways, we develop resilience with pain and easily flow through the torrents of life.

Water is the symbol for emotion offering clarity and support.  Currents may pull us faster than we want to go, but the water assists us in defining our integrity and character.  We may not be able to see around the bend, but hope springs eternal.

When joy presents itself in the sun's reflection on the water, simply float.   Use steady strokes to swim through areas of pain, determined to reach deeper understanding.  When we are fluid in movement, aligned with all there is, we can rest on the shore mesmerized by the delicate trickle of the stream.

Women of Power by Katarzyna Majak

"I show women who live examples of empowerment,
women who live their own lives and follow their own paths,
and are courageous enough to show their faces with the hope
that this will empower others. These are women who Know
who they are: they are their own queens."

Katarzyna Majak

WOMEN OF POWER: a series of 29 portraits and interviews

of modern-day witches, healers, enchantresses, visionaries

and spiritual leaders.  Warsaw, Poland

(Bethany Webster; Huffington Post; New York Times)

Be strong and reflect your strength to others, as we are all facing challenge.  Be present to one needing to share either pain or fear as it is in the telling that healing begins.  Be the encouragement to those bordering on the cusp of discovery.

Be creative in all aspects of life. Rarely do a task in the same way twice.  Look beyond the near sighted view towards the natural boundaries of the earth.  Connect with Mother Earth with bare feet and cupped hands.  Breathe in life and honor the changing seasons of those surrounding you.  Release concerns and offer prayers.

Walk in the light of the moon and beg the stars for blessings.  Allow the gentle movement of the stream to bring a gentle place of rest.  The birds will sing lullabies and if you dare to nod off, dragon flies will deliver dreams to your heart.  Be at peace in the natural magic of this realm named life.

Power in the Moment

"The point of power is always

in the present moment."

Louise L. Hay

If we focus on the present moment, we can align and balance our energies.  If we dwell in the past, we waste energy on stagnant emotion. When we focus on our future dreams, magical moments of now, blow right past us.

We do not have power in our yesterdays nor do we have control of our tomorrows, so we must do our best to remain focused on each moment of the day.  When we remain present, we become aware of opportunities to be a witness, to be of service or to be loving kindness ... maybe even onto ourselves. 

Being awake in the present moment allows appreciation for the beauty surrounding us.  We are stimulated through appreciation to connect on deeper levels.  With gratitude, we no longer pick and choose selective moments.  In every breathing second. we embrace the panorama of life.

Invention Through Amended Methods

"Creating enlightened society is like doing the laundry," states

Flee Maull, visionary social change activist.  Tami Simon continues,

"Once we have folded all of the clean clothes, in that moment 

in which we feel a sense of completeness, we realize the clothes 

we are wearing are dirty, and that there is more laundry to be done."

Tami Simon (Founder and Publisher of Sounds True)

Our existence has been heightened by the brilliance of scientists, philosophers, doctors, artists and creative inventors.  With magnificent discovery, others are prompted to move more thoroughly into unknown realms.  So progress threads itself by trial and error throughout history. Improvement is never finalized.

Invention is experienced by everyone. Through amended methods of child rearing, housekeeping, beauty care, or simple daily living, our families, friends, or groups of support pass down original inventions.  The prompt is usually altering an action to make a task easier, faster or less expensive.

We can label these learned shortcuts as mini inventions. Whether incidental or monumental, our  insightful discoveries need to be shared with others.  Our positive energies spark the imagination of others, perpetuating authentic creativity throughout history.

Golden Waters of Possibilities

"Do not struggle.  Go with the flow of things,

and you will find yourself at one with the

mysterious unity of the Universe."

Chuang Tzu

Resistance is different from an alarm of danger.  We unfortunately resist even great things simply out of fear.  Fear is strongly bonded with ego, so any suggestion of change or risk is felt in the body as threatening.  Procrastination teams up with resistance as a distraction from any forward movement.

Postponing what is good for us is counter productive, and yet we repeat this behavior on a regular basis.  We are willing to expect failure rather than reward. Filters from our past distort what we see ... disaster instead of opportunity.

When our energy is channeled into what might go wrong, there is scant force remaining to propel us forward.  If we enter with narrow perspective, we are limiting our outcome and encouraging self-sabotage.  Come on, let us dip our toe into the golden waters of possibilities.

Wither on the Olive Branch

"A career can coexist with the development of the soul

when we approach each with balance and determination."

Madisyn Taylor

Building a career absorbs our energy with little remaining for personal needs.  If we persevere, however, and manage to nourish our body, mind, and soul with whatever bits of time we have, we will eventually reach balance.  The same is true for those dedicated to his or her family, investing  all time and energy into others.

If we do not nurture our lovely selves, we will not be able to address our work or family appropriately displaying our personal passion and uplifting spirit.  We will wither on the olive branch we extend for lack of personal soothing.

Eventually, with determination, we arrive at the point of integration which allows us to be whom we are wherever we are.  We no longer play one role in public and a different one in private.  Strive to be authentic, not perfect and become one with the body, mind and spirit.  

Bring Something Unique

"There is something very holy about a human being dedicated

to a purpose, something more precious than I can attempt to

put into words.  It is the miracle of creation."

Alan Cohen

The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alan Cohen, author of The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore, states: "The aspect of human beings that sets us off from all other creatures is that of imaginative wisdom."  Our ability to see things as they might be and our gift to create allows us to develop unique and amazing projects.

The Divine speaks to us, encouraging, suggesting, and supporting glimpses of invention that float through our minds.  On some level, we hear the words capable of propelling us into experience, but we don't listen or are unwilling to participate or choose to follow through!

When an insight presents itself, we are called to use the spark for creative expression.  Energy becomes a surplus and we can burrow through illusions of fear to bring something unique into  our world.  Transcending a vision into reality is nothing but sacred. 

  

Masterpiece of our World

"There is no one flower that cancels

the need for another.  Each bloom

has its unique and irreplaceable beauty."

Julia Cameron

The Artist's Way

I am not very good at math so I am grateful for accountants, bankers, and financial planners.  Coordination has never been a plus for me, so I admire athletes, dancers, and fire fighters.  My voice can easily be projected and my words are crisp, but they will not embrace the rhythm of song. I am thankful for musicians who can provide ballads and lullabies.

Inspirations from poets like Hafiz or Rumi never seemingly slide out of my pen.  No matter how much paint I apply to the canvas, it is clearly not competition for Georgia O'Keefe.  The flowers in my garden bring me pleasure, but I am not like others who have ten green thumbs.

I admire and respect those I have mentioned above, but I desire to flourish in my own special way. I want to be fully me, whatever that is, with authentic thoughts and flair.  I endeavor to use my collective gifts as though they were a box of crayons, blending hues here and there.  I have a need for all of us to support each other, producing a masterpiece of our world. 

Choice Surfaces

"Let your practice unfold from inside.

Think of it as silk thread, smooth and strong.

Let it connect you to the stillness found within."

Nancy Hodge Long

Restorative Yoga

Analytical thinking crowds my head and reality becomes distorted.  Clarity is lost as well as fluid reasonable thought.  Old filters shift back into place, coloring my perspective in darkness.  It is when the idea of choice surfaces, I can begin to slow myself down and begin to untangle the web of emotion.

To explore options, my mind begins to relax with a sense of control.  Composure is regained through yoga stretches or silent meditation.  The answers are found when I turn inward and reconnect with source.  Gripping pain in my neck slides away and my shoulders return to the natural position dropping down from my ear level. 

Finally grounded in my spiritual tradition, my body and mind can be stabilized.  Through regulated breath, I have the comfort of being connected to the earth, the sky, and my heart.  All is well in my world ... until it gets jumbled again.

When Chaos Strikes

"Since suffering as well as joy comes with being human,

I urge you to remember this:  Violence in what happens

when we don't know what else to do with our suffering."

Parker Palmer

As an unfortunate incident washes over us, it seems to remove our confidence, value, and courage.  Our self-reliance becomes scattered allowing holes for anxiety and stress to move in.  How can one negative comment or an unexpected crisis cause our carefully built foundation to crumble?

Parker Palmer encourages us to embrace joy and pain every day to strengthen our hearts.  This exercise creates the ability to open and close our heart without becoming totally shattered.  We learn to gracefully embrace the pain and then re-open our hearts to the expectation of joy.

When chaos strikes, we readily recall all previous disasters when we have suffered greatly, instead of remembering the many times we bounced back with grace and courage.  Our emotions will fuel our thoughts, so stockpile memories of resilience and endurance.  Let our chosen response not be repressed anger and violence, but determination to safely reach the other side of crisis ... our hearts may break, but not shatter.