Making Connections

"For most women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport:  a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships.

Deborah Tannen


The most important conversation we will ever need to have is with our selves.  If it is honest communication, we will make the important connections in our lives avoiding limitations, barriers, and diversions.  This conversation can be made through contemplation, meditation, and most importantly through the writing of our own hand.

There is something to be said for putting pencil to paper, ignoring grammar, and just allowing words to flow.  We can be amazed at the information we receive that would be otherwise hidden or buried beneath years of experiences. 

In Julia Cameron's book, THE RIGHT TO WRITE she discusses working with a man for four years.  She found him to be distant and unapproachable.  She felt it must have been his up bringing and left it at that.  Then one day in particular, she was tired  of the lack of connection between them as it stunted her creative expression.  She went home and immediately started dumping out all of her feelings onto paper.  As she expressed her feelings, she was surprised when she wrote down this man reminded her of her snow white Arabian horse.  As she drew comparisons between the attitude of the horse and the attitude of her co-worker, she realized they both played a game of control.  "The inevitable dynamic here," Julia wrote, "is about power ~~~
power manifested and maintained through withholding."  She realized that she would never be creative in an atmosphere of hide and seek with power, so she quit her job.

The important thing here is through writing, Julia Cameron was able to make a connection she might not have made otherwise.  It is through our written word we become intimately connected with our hurt feelings, wounds, and pain.  We find the triggers that set us off and make the connection of why it happens.  We find our selves connecting our present with buried incidents in our past.  Understanding our selves does not always mean taking action such as resigning from a position.  It does allow a direct connection to what is happening between our body, mind, and spirit.  Writing allows us to keep our experiences private, to recall unhappy occasions without having to experience personal shame in front of others, and to be able to control just how long we want to spend on the subject.  When we feel we have reached an understanding, we can tear the paper up or burn it, never to be shared if so chosen.

There are some of us who do not have confidants or people we feel safe exploring our personal lives.  Sometimes we just need to hear our selves think without causing consequences.  Writing is a perfect tool to connect self with self.  We can sincerely listen to what we say and then read what is written.  There are times when what we have written does not match what we were thinking.  In exploring our inner thoughts through the safe practice of writing, we can feel our selves shifting.  Either we are moving closer to a decision or we are understanding the underlying problem. 

Here is a challenge for making connections.  Just for this week, keep a journal randomly writing down whatever comes to mind.  Be consistent and honest.  At the end of the week, find a quiet space and read each page of the  journal from beginning to end.  Notice what we have left out or what we included not knowing it had been bothering us.  As we read through the pages, we can discover a theme displayed in different scenarios.  There is so much to learn from our very selves if we just by making connections!

  

Before It Is Too Late

“She had blue skin,
And so did he.
He kept it hid
And so did she.
They searched for blue
Their whole life through,
Then passed right by-
And never knew.”

Shel Silverstein

September 25, 1930 – May 8/9, 1999

EVERYTHING ON IT 

Shel Silverstein was a very talented man (poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children's books).  He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but spent his later years in Key West, Florida, where he died from a massive heart attack at the age of 68. 

When I first began purchasing children's books, I discovered Shel Silverstein.  Some of his most popular books were :  THE GIVING TREE, WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, THE MISSING PIECE, A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC, and FALLING UP.  I collected most of them during my parenting years, but then ended up passing them along with each child.  Then I started gifting them to grandchildren. 

Each of his stories are timeless observations for children, and the stories are  also endearing to the adult  reader.  He engaged his readers by creating respect for all things.  Shel Silverstein's books have been translated into 30 different languages and over 20 million have been sold. 

Shel Silverstein also played guitar, piano, saxophone, and trombone.  He actually wrote the song, "A Boy Named Sue," that Johnny Cash made quite popular.  He wrote for numerous artists such as:  Loretta Lynn, Irish Rovers, Wayland Jennings, Gordon Lightfoot, The New Christy Minstrels, Marianne Faithful, and Judy Collins.  So his musical talent was deeply explored as well.

One might wonder exactly why I am writing about Shel Silverstein.  To be honest, I have asked my self this  same question.   I have no real knowledge of what his personal life looked like, but I do know that he had a way of writing about  life that was easily impressed upon one's mind, both young and old,  and then remembered for years to come.

Shel Silverstein had many gifts and talents and I admire him for using them to the fullest degree.   He wrote from his personal perceptions hoping people would see life as simply as he did.  He would grasp honesty and truth for basic guidelines.  I admire his versatility and the discipline required of his career.  I marvel at how many lives he touched.  

I wonder how many of us have contacted previous teachers or mentors or role models thanking them for their wisdom.   Maybe there is someone in our past who could really benefit from knowing they are especially remembered.  There may even people currently in our lives we need to recognize just for being who they are.   Sure would be a nice gesture, and believe me, we will be glad we did, before it is too late.

Ascending ...

  

Give up defining yourself ~

to yourself or to others.

You won't die.

You will come to life.

"Oneness With All Life"

Ekhart Tolle

Society tends to feel better if it labels us, so we feel pressured into having a well packaged identity.  In order to do such a thing, we gather experiences that will support the label society will accept.  This is somewhat like placing the carriage before the horse.   

Life would be more positive, perhaps, if we first looked at our own personal strengths.  If we could identify our authentic gifts and how we uniquely apply them, we could then match this criteria to a creative  label of our own.   Rather than feeling stifled and unfulfilled, we could enjoy the freedom to manifest our visions.  We discover our personal definitions through being still, contemplation, prayer, or nature.

We all have experienced the family gathering where a young child will express what they want to be when they grow up.  The adults laugh openly ... "You'll never make any money doing that!  That is a stupid idea!"  ... and the child feels squashed and shamed.  In reality, many of our exceptional inventors, writers, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs defied the 'nay sayers' by remaining a visionary in their own private space. 

Often times, the worst 'nay sayers' are the ones we hear in our head.  The voices  critique us, judge our ideas, minimize our abilities  and cripple our strengths.  Experiences such as these need to be followed by an ascension. 

The word ascension has been bantered around with various definitions.  In this context, we are looking at an emotional or spiritual cleansing allowing us to rise out of our personal den of negativity, leading us to a higher level of comprehension, action, and well being.

To pull our selves out of the complexity of life time negativity and restraint, takes diligence and awareness.  We must learn to be aware of our inner and outer sensors, to rephrase our inner most thoughts, and to maintain our personal and spiritual power.  It is a process, but a worthy one at that.  A process that requires being present with our selves.

If there are images we hold of our selves we have yet to address, get busy.  There is no time like the present to begin our hearts desires.  If we happen to be  an accountant with hidden musical desires, make a plan.  Use time management to find time for lessons even if once per month.  If we cannot arrange this, then we can commit to listening to our favorite composers live or otherwise.  We can attend community musicals, operas, or orchestras to keep feeding our musical desires until we reach a place in time where we can make our dream a reality.  If we are dedicated mothers with out personal space, take children to the YMCA/YWCA or youth programs offering an art or drawing class or yoga for adults with children.  When we manifest just a portion of our vision, we begin our true path to what awaits within.

When we exit the darkness of not fulfilling our spirits, our lights grow stronger and we ascend into a space that supports our desires.  This may take time, but it is an exciting journey!  When we are finally creating our hearts are filled with joy.  Our self-worth increases and we transcend the den of negativity ... by being still, by developing our skill, and by taking flight!

Forever Friends

A good essay must have this permanent quality about it;

it must draw its curtain round us,

but it must be a curtain that shuts us in

not out.

Virginia Woolf

The gathering of words written upon paper takes courage, encouragement and creativity.  Thoughts are expressed through words which free fall into a gangly string until the writer hears the correct cadence.  Writing doesn't just happen.  Words are not randomly spit out once and then that is it.  Words are carefully chosen so that the reader will feel welcome to settle in and to stay for awhile.

As the writer, I decide what it is I am going to tell you and then in what order it will unfold.  I anticipate what you most want to hear and what will best advance understanding of the words. At times the passage of thoughts I choose branches off or comes to a dead end.  The exciting times are when I am "in the flow" and spirit is rushing words through me. 

As the reader, I want to be caught up in the words by the completion of the first chapter.  I don't want to have to "try" to get into a book.  It either grabs my attention or not.  I want to highlight words that truly resonate so I can return to them often.  Frequently, I will read with a journal by my side to write down enhanced versions of what I have just read.

Words are my forever friends.  Some have faded or have been forgotten, but many have inspired me or challenged what I hold dear.  Words have enhanced my life through escape, imagination, wonderment, and possibility.  Over the years, definitions have been altered, and the cause may have been from the interpretation of the writer or the reader.  Either way, I have loved having the curtain wrap around me, drawing me in!

You Do Have To Begin!

"It's impossible" said pride.

"It's risky" said experience.

"It's pointless" said reason.

"Give it a try" whispered the heart!

Anonymous

We invest time and money into education, careers, homes, cars,

children and families, but how much do we invest in our own personal enhancement?  We race to meet the needs of others and yet stumble on our own road towards self-worth.

It's impossible:  I don't have time; the family have to come first; my schedule doesn't allow space; I don't know where to go; I don't know how to do it.

It's Risky:  I might fail; I am embarrassed in front of others; someone might find out; it might change me.

It's Pointless:  I have been this way for so long;  It is too late to begin; I have tried before and cannot do it;  No one will understand;  My family will just make fun of me!

Give it a try:  If this were for a loved one, you would make the time;  Pinpoint your heart's desire and let 'google' do the rest; Allow your self to be a beginner again; If it doesn't work out, you can explore another option; Don't let what others think be more important than what you think;  Change can be enormously positive;  It is never too late to change;  Keep your choice a private adventure until you feel comfortable with disclosure.

Anytime is a perfect time to begin.  How much money do you have to have before you invest in your self?  You are worthy of enhancing even the smallest part of your life.  You don't have to be a professional musician to take lessons.  You don't have to be a ballerina to take ballet or even tap dance.  You don't have to be an established artist to take a class.  You don't have to be a florist to arrange flowers.  You don't have to be published in order to write.  You don't have to be an Olympian to swim.  You don't have to be a yogi to learn yoga. 





But you do have to begin!





Gather Random Flowers

I say, if your knees aren't green

by the end of the day,

you ought to seriously

re-examine your life!

Bill Waterson

Calvin & Hobbes

We usually plant our flowers on the first of May, but this year spring has arrived quite early.  We spent a few days purchasing a variety of flowers to be planted in our rather large decorative containers.  I gather favorites for the front porch, but leave all other choices to my 'significant other' as he has numerous green thumbs that I seem to lack.

Planting flowers together seems to be our annual passage into spring, summer, and fall.  The array of colors surrounding our back deck and walk-way lifts my spirit with every glance.  He will labor over these beauties for three months, but it is a labor of love.  His dedication and tenderness to these plants is like personal therapy, calming and inspiring. 

For three months, I will slip out back and snip little flowers to tuck into miniature vases to give to friends.  I love to clash vibrant colors together or to pick delicate pastels depending upon my mood.  Either way, I lovingly gather random blossoms, thanking them for being a gift in my life. 

Collecting little vases is easy.  I use small salt and pepper shakers with lost lids, jelly jars from Christmas baskets, pickle jars or old apothecary jars.  Any thrift store usually has tiny decorative vases for under a dollar.  I find my self collecting these throughout the year as I give them away and need to replenish my stock.  There is always twine, raffia or old ribbon to add to the surprise little gift.  I miss this outlet of creativity when I run out of jars and we finally put our flowers to rest.

Pick up some flowers the next time you are at the grocery store.  When you get home, divide the bouquet and clip the stems.  Make little groupings without worrying about matching colors.  Then arrange each grouping into a little glass or bottle, placing them around your home or apartment.  Try one by your bed or in your bathroom or by your favorite chair.  Sometimes the kitchen window has a perfect little ledge!  It is surprising how this little gesture of gathering random flowers can brighten our spirits for days.

May Day 2012

May flowers always line your path and sunshine line your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And May happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

Irish Blessing



When I was in elementary school, we learned how to make May baskets out of paper.  They were quite small, but a few wild flowers could be tucked inside.  I imagine they were especially sweet for a child to give away, but maybe only a granny or mother would appreciate the childish handiwork upon the first day of May.

The idea of May Day baskets stayed with me.  Not every year, but some years I was able to throw a few flowers together in a small basket and leave it on a special friend's front porch, ringing the doorbell and then running away.

Then I had more time so I could actually arrange some flowers into duplicated baskets and adventure out to all of my friend's homes to leave a May Day surprise.  They were not always artistic, but I believe my friends felt the love behind my gesture.

One day a sister of my heart gave me one Pansy in a tiny little bottle with a leaf for greenery.   In the moment, it meant more to me than a vase filled with roses.  It made such an impression upon me, I began collecting little vases or bottles ... chipped, ugly, china or colored glass ... and planted cutting flowers in the yard.

I am now able to snip a few flowers and choose a random vase to bring with me when invited to a friend's home or get my hair cut or want to leave a surprise.  I no longer wait for May Day nor do I feel limited to just one day.  I do this all year.   It is so much fun! 

Happy May Day

Everyone!

Unwrapped From Swaddling Clothes

I had become, with the approach of night,

once more aware of loneliness and time ~

those two companions without whom

no journey can yield us anything.

Lawrence Durrell

Leaving 60 degree weather in Nashville, Tennessee was not as difficult to do as I anticipated my visit to Illinois.  I drove through

terribly strong winds as tornadoes whipped across the sky.  My hands remained white knuckled on the steering wheel and I was stressed out by the concentration it took to remain solid on the road.  Now two days later, safely in Illinois, it is 17 degrees outside with snow on the ground.

Although the sun is out and the snow does look pristine, I notice a sense of loneliness seeping into my soul.  It is such a contrast to the elevated awareness I maintained in the warm south.  It is amazing to me how much the weather impacts my disposition.

The time here seems to have a pace of its own, more demanding than when I am alone.  More considerations and distractions call for organization and structure, neither in place when at my home.

When my daughter was younger, I used to tell her it was easy to be a Christian when attending church on a Sunday.  The true test came in how you lived the following days of the week.  Perhaps this is part of what I am experiencing.  It is easy for me to have this elevated awareness or a strong sense of spirituality while I am spending my days in quietude uninterrupted by the presence of others or distracting noises such as the television.  Now in the absence of all that is familiar, with others present and an abbreviation to my personal time, I have greater difficulty maintaining my spiritual connection.

It occurs to me the reason for my sense of loneliness stems from the loss of feeling oneness with everything around me.  I have been extracted from the warmth of my comfort zone, like a babe unwrapped from swaddling clothes. 

My resources are not within my reach nor are old journals near by.  My favorite old chair no longer holds me and the window for bird watching simply isn't here.  Which is it ... have I grown inflexible and too set in my ways or has my appreciation for my created space grown deeply into my core. 

There is much to be said for sacred space, the personal arena where we feel safe to grow or an environment where we can feel vulnerable and take the chance of being wrong.  But perhaps in growing too comfortable we run the risk of not interacting at all.

Tomorrow the temperatures will rise, the snow will melt, and I will walk again breathing in the sky, birds, and trees.  This loneliness will leave surely as the dark night will pass, and with the rising of the sun my spirits will once again soar.

Self-Sabotage

As the long night slowly yields to day,

I, too, surrender to my next step

Which carries me toward

My natural state of limitlessness.



Danaan Parry





Every day of this week, I have been hoping to have a solid time for writing. I have this idea in my head that needs to get down on paper before it floats away as quickly as it arrived. It is a great thought and I keep adding color, feeling, and substance to it. Each day, however, something gets into the way.

So this morning I awaken, knowing that the day is absolutely free! I can get up, put the coffee on and begin my journey through the written word. I can finally write to my heart's content.

This doesn't happen. I sort laundry, brush lovely Hannah our Golden Retriever, wash out the bowls for Trudy the Tuxedo cat, dust mop floors, run the vacuum, and think about tackling the linen closet that seems to be in disarray. 

This is clearly self-sabotage! I need to give myself permission to create the time and space for my artistic or creative expression. Self-worth is certainly laced into this scenario. All of the roadblocks I have been placing in my way are just distractions. This hesitancy I feel is nothing but fear.

The ego laughs at its ability to mess with my mind. It whispers, "who do you think you are?" It creates images in my head of others invalidating my work. I know this old trick and I must quickly step through this self-imposed fear before my ideas evaporate into thin air.

I open the back door, slip off my shoes and stand on Mother Earth. I let her energy run up my legs and restore my energy. I look at the birds flying freely, flowers pushing themselves up through the ground, and the beautiful blue sky. I breathe in the crisp calm air and release my stagnant thoughts. 

I am ready now. Once again, I am excited to share my words even if they never get read. It is what I do. It is what brings me fulfillment and joy. I am happy to be me!

 

Alignment ...

maps

"there is no map.

you gotta write your own.

you gotta carve your own.

you gotta sweat, cry, grieve, laugh

and love your own.

and when you are all done,

that's all that will have mattered."

Bone Sigh Arts

                                                                         

Life could have been so much easier if we had been born with a personal navigation system. It could be advanced, of course, indicating not only what roads to take, but which relationships to cultivate, what schools to attend or employment to choose, and preventive health measures. Maybe in addition to a voice directing us, there could be bells and whistles to indicate when we were veering off course. Yes, maybe there could be some programmed affirmations rather than just hearing a woman say, "recalculating" after we've missed the turn.

Navigational systems are simply a reflection of how our culture relies upon outside sources. Information must be gathered for furthering mankind. Input from others is valuable to test and redefine theories. I have deep respect for the power of research providing understanding, application and advancement. However, all must be tempered by the guidance and insight we can receive from within ... harm no one.

We do have an internal navigation system. It is the voice inside of us, guiding us if we would but listen. The little voice of big wisdom has been called various things for endless generations: intuition, gut feelings, angels, or Divine Intervention.

Navigating through life, I have of course used available resources, but how many times have I said, "I should have followed my gut!" There are many memories of following some one else's advice only to later learn how it ultimately advanced their purpose and not my own. Instances can be recalled when I was so strong willed that I ignored my own inside voice in addition to the educated voices of others. (Note to self: trip didn't go so well!)

Tears and laughter as well as loss and gain are all an integral part of living this physical life. One unfortunately needs to know the one in order to appreciate the other. If we trust our inner guidance, however, we still experience difficult situations, but without the deeper drama and tearing of the soul.

During this time of my life, I find it vital for my body, mind and spirit to be aligned. In order for me to navigate around curves in the road, climb steep hills, and travel through seemingly unlit passage ways, I must feel inside all things resonating in relation to my purpose and kindness to others. Alignment makes for a much smoother ride!

Fitting The Pieces Together

Conditions for creativity

are to be puzzled;

to accept conflict and tension;

to be born everyday;

to feel a sense of self.

ERICH FROMM

German born American

Philosopher/Psychoanalyst

1900-1980 

  

It is liberating to be free to create with our own gifts and talents.  Yet often times we are faced with conflict and become discouraged. Each day we start anew, and our creative gifts need to be expressed in a manner most comfortable to our inner being. In many instances, it takes years to discover the way to articulate or display our gifts in harmony and purpose.

Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes. It is not limited to music or painting or writing.  Inside of our being, there is a yearning to express our own sense of creativity.  Whether it is in mathematics or science, language arts or history, creativity plays a definite role.  We use creative expression in all that we do and it gives us a deeper sense of self.

From generation to generation, arts and crafts are frequently passed down.  There are third generation weavers or sculptors or carpenters. The art form may change from generation, but the basic skill threads its way through families.

My mother was very skilled in sketching which she used to design clothes and wedding gowns.  Her creativity was never used to its fullest and I believe this stunted her spirit.  

I received the gift of creativity as well, but unlike my mother, I cannot sew much more than a button.  I learned to express my creativity through different ways, such as: knitting, crocheting, candle~wicking, quilting, basket weaving, and various forms of painting.  

Although not skilled, I love to sketch in my journals which I have kept since childhood.  I have a passion for writing and it is my main outlet for creativity.  I have a gift for full color visualization in meditation which supplements both my spiritual life and daily activities.

Creativity has been passed down to my children as well.  My oldest son is very creative in building and story telling.  My next son finds mathematics to be a language  he speaks fluently.  My youngest son is gifted in carpentry and his gardens are filled with creative design.  My daughter, the youngest of the four, shows her creativity in her eclectic approaches while working as a therapist, and as a professor teaching to college grad students while dressing with original flair reflecting her creatively unique spirit.

Like mastering anything else, creativity takes time and patience.  Whether it is baking, cooking, gardening or furniture arranging, creativity must be cultivated with devotion and imagination.  We each have an obligation to explore gifts and talents as they are an important part of our personal and spiritual development and an excellent outlet for stress.

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle.  It is not until we fit several pieces together that we are able to see color and reason taking form.  As our lives begin to take shape, pieces do not necessarily fit together more easily, but the bigger picture becomes an incentive to carry on.  

the Essene Book of days ~ 1998

The Blessing

I call upon my own internal voice,

Which is ever linked with the universal voice

Of inner knowing.

I ask, as I slowly move

From winter's inner development

To the first stirrings of outer work,

That I be given the strength

To trust my own still small voice,

Whose guidance is never faulty.

For this blessing I give thanks.

the Essene Book of days ~ 1998

Danaan Parry

Slowly, I am exiting months of hibernation which just might be called another Dark Night of the Soul.  I am attempting to bring with me the integration of my body, mind, and spirit.  As new seeds seem to stir within me, I try to remain patient, and mindful in each new forming moment.  

I long for strength to use my small voice to share the awareness unfolding within me.  All will be revealed in time, but I am eager to put pen to page, spilling the wisdom that has gathered in my heart with great intention to share.

All is old,

nothing is new.

Stories are told

to awaken the heart again,

and yet again.

This for us to learn

the connection between souls.

From our ancestors

to the unknown born,

wisdom remains 

in the spirits of all.

~

Uplift The Heavy Soul

Creative ideas, in my opinion, show their value in that,
like keys, they help to "unlock" hitherto unintelligible connections of facts and thus enable man to penetrate deeper into the mystery of life.

M. L. von Franz

CONCLUSION:  MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS, by C. G. Jung

To watch a musician perform or to observe an artist in the depths of artistic expression, it is obvious he or she is caught in another world.  An athlete would call it 'being in the zone' or a spiritual writer might refer to it as 'being in the flow'.  Either way, a person who 'gets lost in work or play' seem to be distracted from the mundane and opened to the mystery of life.

We are not all highly evolved artists nor do we all have degrees in psychology, but we all have been using the art of creative distraction throughout our lives. 

As a young mother of four, if I wanted to know what was going on in my children's lives, I would have a snack prepared.  As soon as they entered the house, they would gather around the table.  As they gobbled up their treats, I would gently ask them questions and successfully receive answers normally not disclosed under interrogation.  If I were concerned about one child in particular, I would invite him or her to color with me or help to prepare dinner.

When we know a friend is troubled, we invite them to lunch or an outing in nature or perhaps the shopping mall.  Being physically distracted, our emotions release more easily.  

If we engage in a creative project, it distracts us from our worries and self-expression flows with a higher energy.  We escape the present concerns, and focus on the moment suspended from our pressing issues.

This holds true in therapy with children.  Play therapy is a wonderful tool for enabling the therapist to become a part of the child's world where more natural conversation can unfold without the child feeling pressured.   

Many years ago, I kept a cat at my counseling office for this very purpose ... distraction.  The cat would invariably sit on the client's lap and he or she would gently begin to stroke the purring feline.  This physical movement distracted the brain or ego, allowing the person to express more fully.  The gentle vibration of the purring seemed to relax and calm even those who had very little appreciation for animals.

So once again we come across another resource to support and nurture ourselves without financial investment or month ahead scheduling.  When we find

ourselves overwhelmed, saddened, or disconnected, we can easily use a means of self-expression giving the mysteries of life the opportunity to uplift the heavy soul.

Deep Longings

The secret longings of a learned man

Are more mysterious than the fabled Phoenix;

Within the oyster grows a hidden pearl

From the deep longings of the boundless sea.

Omar Khayyam

Translated by Ali Dashti

In childhood, our world dances with magic.  All things take on a persona and our imaginings create an adventurous world.  We bound out of bed in the morning ready to face the day and collapse into bed at night having spent every ounce of energy.  There is a lust for life in every moment and an eagerness for the flight into fantasy during our sleeping hours.

Where does this excitement go?  At what point is it drained out of us or get buried so deeply that we forget it is even there?  

As childhood passes, we may find a composition book to jot down our wisps of wonderment, but it ends up tucked away to be discovered in our later years.  Our focus shifts away from nature and the connections with rocks discovered in mud, water dripping from a hose, and racing in the blowing winds.  Gone are the games of cops and robbers, hop scotch, jacks, jump rope and trading cards or marbles.  

No longer children, our minds turn to more serious things like girls, sports, and boys.  We find fascination with more worldly things and struggle to remain who we really are.  We define ourselves by the unspoken rules of fitting in, and let important segments drop away.  

I vividly remember a friend who was so gifted in painting, and desired a life long career in artistic expression, but his parents forbid him to study art in college as 'it was a waste of time and he would never make enough money".  It was as though a light was snuffed out inside of him.  His disposition shifted and so much of how he identified himself simply fell away.

Years later, I ran into him at an artists fair smiling from ear to ear. His retirement offered him time to brush up on  his skills and he found himself back into an artist's studio.  His small following encouraged him to continue forward and he never looked better.

Do we bury our intuition, artistic expression, and magical moments in order to live what others term a 'normal' life?  Then do we unpack all that is buried within once we are older and no longer care about other's expectations?  Do we finally unearth what we knew all along as a child?

Senior Citizens are no longer categorized as tottering old fools.  From the age of 55 and up, this population is using retirement to express deep longings, recapture passions, and make significant contributions to world communities and local neighborhoods.  It is not unusual to learn that a sixty year old friend is 'finally' taking piano or dance lessons, or writing their memoirs, or volunteering to enhance the lives of others.  


Perhaps we can all rekindle artistic expression in our personal lives.  Whether it is cooking, gardening, or saving the world, let our light shine! Shine so brightly that the young can maintain their light throughout their lives, uninterrupted.

   

To Have Never Tried ...

Many of us are afraid to follow our passion,

to pursue what we want most because 

it means taking risks

and even facing failure.

But to pursue your passion

with all your heart and soul

is success in itself.

The greatest failure is to have

never tried.

Robyn Allen

Many years ago, I was the director of a preschool program.  Through time and brief exchanges, I became friendly with the mother of one of my little students.  She was an accomplished artist who reflected a passion for her work.  

I happened to mention this artist to a friend of mine who was an art teacher at the local high school.  Much to my surprise, my friend knew this artist.  So we put our three heads together and organized a play day for our children while we could work with some form of art.

This alliance stayed strong for quite some time offering us stronger bonds of friendship, laughter, and artistic expression.  Out of the three of us, I was the plagiarizer!

They knew what they were doing having had years of education and experience while I was a novice.  I was very thankful for the opportunity to experiment.

We all have a passion that needs to be expressed and by choosing to do so brings us closer to our spiritual connection.   This passion begins to be processed through our unique abilities and blends with Divinity.  

I refer to this experience as "being in the flow".  One becomes so absorbed in processing the passion everything becomes limitless.  

Whether it is through the written word, painting, articulating, or physical movement, our passion blends with our body, mind, and spirit. The end result is about feeling fulfilled not about equivalence to success.  The lingering sensation is experienced as oneness with all things.

DUST by Dorianne Laux

DUST

Dorianne Laux

Someone spoke to me last night,

told me the truth.  Just a few words,

but I recognized it.

I knew I should make myself get up,

write it down, but it was late,

and I was exhausted from working

all day in the garden, moving rocks.

Now, I remember only the flavor ~

not like food, sweet or sharp.

More like a fine powder, like dust.

And I wasn't elated or frightened,

but simply rapt, aware.

That's how it is sometimes ~

God comes to your window,

all bright light and black wings,

and you're just too tired to open it.

Edited by Roger Housden

Throughout history, men and women have been receiving nocturnal artistic expressions and insights.  It can be a voice, an image, or a sound that prompts the growth of seedlings, if we but remember to water the soil.

Upon awakening, the memory floats closely by, but by the time we brush our teeth, only fragments remain.  Try as hard as we will, the connecting dots elude us.

We all experience times when we are busily about our day when someone mentions the smallest thing and it triggers the vague memory of something we had just dreamed that very morning.  Slowly, bits and pieces return to our memory.

Today we are offered texting, tweeting, face booking, emailing, and long distance calling.  For me, the night time communication laced within our dreams is my favorite form of all.   

A Positive Message

Every word, facial expression, gesture, or action on the part of a parent gives the child some message about self-worth. It is sad that so many parents don't realize what messages they are sending.   ~Virginia Satir

Everyone is entitled to think what they want, but unfortunately, we sometimes base our thinking on the behaviors of people we love.  If mom says I am not living up to her expectations or dad simply shakes his head disapprovingly, their assessment must be true ... I trust her, I love him, they know me better than I know my self.  We internalize the judgment and criticism.

We need to realize others project things upon us, but the projection is really more about them ... their own fears ... their own agendas.  We are all concerned about being loved and accepted.  If something harsh is said to us, let it be a signal that the person is really needing to feel more secure or loved.  Let there be a pause, and then find some way ... maybe just an unexpected hug, a special note or flowers ... to reassure the person.  In reality, the person is probably already hating himself or herself for speaking to you in such an inappropriate way. 

We must learn to build our lives in ways that support our growth.  Our own behaviors towards our inner growth must be nurturing and affirming.  If we were not chosen to sing in a choir or chorus, it does not mean that we cannot sing.  SING!  It is good for us  to hear our own voice making joyful noises or settling us into calm.  DANCE! Moving our feet is not only good exercise, but a liberation of spirit as well.  PAINT!  We don't have to be an artist to make strokes with a brush.  Fall in love with mixing colors.  WRITE!  Be creative using a private journal.  Jot down notes or quotes.  Cut out pictures and make mini collages or simply sketch.  Find a way for creative expression and it will lead us into our true nature.
We must try to be nice to our inner self as it will help to reprogram earlier negative messages from those we loved.   We willingly do things for others, but not so much ourselves.  We tend to censor kind gestures towards ourselves ... thinking it is too selfish and our ego talks us out of it.  We must be vigilant in giving our self permission to respect, honor, and nurture our very life.

Please do not hide your beautiful self.  The world needs your bright and shining light!  Be a positive message to our world.  We need you just as you are!



Through the Eyes of the Innocent Child

 

 
 
Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

- Oren Arnold

With child like innocense, we can easily observe the magic of the season.  Some of us are more comfortable using the term synchronicity for the impecable timing of people, places, and things coming together with an unexpected and unexplainable connection.

With our heart open, we are available to more experiences with friends, neighbors and strangers.  It is during this holiday season that we are more apt to greet others with a warm smile or a gesture of kindness.

When we have been emotionally or physically wounded, we have the tendency to protect ourselves from further harm.  We may hide behind imaginary armor not realizing we are robbing ourselves of the experience of sincere and honest relationship.  The armor keeps others 'out', but also keeps our pain in.  We can be stubborn like a child.

When we view experiences through the eyes of the innocent child, the holidays can be more playful.  Forgiving and tolerating friends and family tends to be easier and leads to healing.  To serve others by giving of our personal time or financial support creates a stronger sense of dignity and integrity within us.  When we assist others, we also help our selves.

The holidays can be a very challenging time which opens the door to opportunity for deep cleansing and release.  We can begin to prepare our welcoming for genuine love and acceptance in the new year.  Activate artistic expression and visualization through the eyes of the innocent child.