Good to Go

 

 

 

 

Old friends pass away, new friends appear.  It is just like the days.  An old day passes, a new day arrives.  The important thing is to make it meaningful:  a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.

Dalai Lama

The vacation days here in Key West have passed way too swiftly. The days remaining are too few, but precious.  We will try to absorb as much beauty and warmth as we can (up to 5 inches of snow await us at home). 

 

 

We will be meeting our friends today at the Key West Art Show.  We have attended this before and find it to be very good.  We will wander through the exhibits talking to various artists and hopefully make a few purchases.  Then we will have lunch with our friends.

 

 

Last night we ate at a neighborhood authentic Cuban restaurant .  The place was packed, the food delicious, and the prices very reasonable. Typical of our evening, we slowly walked back through Old Towne to the rental house accompanied by our friends.  We sat on the back porch enjoying these lovely souls, knowing the days were on count down.  This couple is a blessing in that we all like each other ... not just the wives or a business connection.  We all bring something different to our relationship so conversations are random, but heartfelt.

 

 

Little by little, I feel my self beginning to withdraw from this place I love.   I do believe the gifts I have received here would not have been so quickly apparent at home.  When we step out of our comfort zone, leave normal surroundings, and have fewer distractions or responsibilities, it is easier to maintain awareness of what we need to mend.  I have had time to notice different parts of my self needing repair and with the help of this gorgeous weather and diversity of people, I am in a good place.

 

 

In truth, I had hoped to be able to return home ready to leap tall buildings and spiritually fly.  So foolish these traps we set for our selves.  I am simply me.  If I am not me, who will be?  I must continue to be the best me possible.  This challenge may have been a life time project, but I am no longer "under construction".  There is enough time left, I hope, for me to put on the final touches and then I'll be good to go.

Level of Kindness

Some people go to priests;

Others to poetry,

I to my friends.

Virginia Woolf

Every week I attend a gathering of spiritual women.  We have been meeting for numerous years stretching, growing, learning, and sharing.  As one woman makes a discovery, through her sharing we are all moved forward.  If one woman stumbles in darkness we are there as sisters to support her best we can.  

Although we are certainly different from each other in age, career, and family, we all share the common bond of caring for the spiritual path of others.  During our time together, we ask for energy, light, and love to be sent to those we know as well as those we do not know.  We extend our intentions to our community, city, state, and across the world to all those who hunger or are lost in pain. 

Many of my friendships are equally supportive.  These "sisters of my heart"genuinely care about me and uplift me with their awareness and insight.  They seem to intuit when I need words and when I simply need the comfort of their presence. 

Frequently, it is difficult for me to reach out to others as my natural tendency is to withdraw.  It is important to remember when friends are lifting me up, they are lifting the level of kindness in the world as well.  We must be gracious receivers as well as givers.

 

Life is a Process

Now I become myself. It's taken
Time, many years and places,
I have been dissolved and shaken,
Worn other people's faces,
Run madly, as if Time were there,
Terribly old, crying a warning,
"hurry, you will be dead before -----"
(What? Before you reach the morning?
or the end of the poem, is clear?
Or love safe in the walled city?)
Now to stand still, to be here,
Feel my own weight and density!.....
Now there is time and Time is young.
O, in this single hour I live
All of myself and do not move
I, the pursued, who madly ran,
Stand still, stand still, and stop the Sun!

~ May Sarton ~

(Collected Poems 1930-1993)

 

 

 



It is in gathering years that we can create enough distance to be able to turn around and look back at our life.  Otherwise, we stand so close to life itself, we do not have accurate vision.  When life is right in front of us, it is difficult to see the big picture.

It is with the passing of time deeper meaning can be recognized and applied.  Patterns begin to take form and we slowly catch on to the errors of our ways, and accept responsibility for what we have done or left undone.

Life is a process offering opportunities, transitions, and shifts.  From the beginning, our core is nothing but goodness, but during the process of living, we acquire many masks and falsehoods before we finally become determined to return to our true self.  Layer upon layer of old emotions, experiences, and memories are finally discarded as individual awareness strengthens and Spirit nudges us along.

It is a glorious experience to finally stand in stillness, no longer running from who you thought you were.  Our heart is finally filled with love and compassion and we are discouraged no more.  When forgiveness and healing cleanse the soul, we feel safely embraced by the beauty of the world and a oneness with all that lives within it. 

Do not be in a rush.  It takes time to truly recognize our most beautiful inner self.  Enjoy the journey as life unfolds.



Psychology and Soul

A friend is someone who sees through you

and still enjoys the view.

Wilma Askinas

The word psyche literally means soul and the word psychology was derived from this word.  So it could be said that psychology is founded upon our connection with our soul.

Psychology has been an important tool for me to use in exploring my experiences, behaviors and reactions.  It has helped me a great deal in understanding my ego and human frailties.  After years of study and application, I finally found my self led within to connect with my soul.  It is how my spirituality came to be.

Combining psychology with spirituality, my life path expanded and I came to understand my life purpose.  This enabled me to have an open and compassionate heart accompanied by forgiveness and acceptance.  I believe through spiritual practices I have integrated into wholeness.

And yet, I stumble in the darkness.  New shadows creep out and startle me.  And even though I know from whence they come, they are foreign to me.  Once again I am called to embrace that which was in order to understand that which is.

It matters not how spiritual we are as we are here for the human physical experience which is accompanied by challenges and lessons.  Through my personal struggles I will continue to grow and to remain happy with who I am.