Adventure Begins!

 

"... there are no wrong turns, only unexpected paths."

Mark Nepo

Spring is opening before us, heralding pathways with flowers. Which way shall we turn? Will we return to what is mildly familiar or risk adventure? Simply open the heart and proceed. There will be other travelers needing guidance and together there will be needed support. Through sharing, encouragement for proceeding will be abundant.

Be comfortable with not having all of the answers. There will be boulders on the path waiting to be skirted, mounted or simply rested upon. Do not perceive misdirections as errors as they may be lessons in disguise. Do not be in a hurry as the journey is the prize not the ending.

Lessons from the past may empower us, but it is in the present moment that adventure awaits. Do not hesitate to stroll when beckoned by the sounds of spring. Notice the leisure flight of the creatures with wings. Breathe in the gentle blue of the sky and sway with the wind. My fellow traveler, it is time for adventure to begin!

Wild Side

"We don't need something to go wrong in order to change."

Mark Nepo

Numerous colors decorate life and yet, we tend to see things as black or white.  Attempting to create a sense of control, we corral our energies only to stunt our intended force.  There is a longing to be seen and heard, but we choose to lower our voice and hide our spirit.

What is it about our ego that prevents change until we can no longer tolerate the chaos? There seems to be a self-sabotaging behavior that we do not allow the true self to make creative decisions rather than spontaneous combustion.

Let today be the day we step out of our safety zone and into creative imagination.  Switch schedules, deviate from automatic behavior, and set the self free. Even in this very moment, live on the wild side and whistle a happy tune!

 

Inner Balance Assists Choices

 

"Spiritual intent:  how to stay open to what 

others feel and not to what they think."

Mark Nepo

Supposedly, we know our selves better than anyone, and yet what others think of us can leave us needing repair.  Isolation is not the answer as it is important to understand what others are feeling.  It is through relationship we grow.  

To be human, we want to be liked, desired, and to be heard, but these influences aught not overplay our inner voice.  We can be led astray by allowing it to happen.  We can fade from our principles if we make poor choices.  When we understand the part we play, to be accountable, the outlook becomes brighter.

We can hear truth being stated, but is it our truth?  We can watch a scenario play out, but do we want to take an active role?  If we are balanced in the moment, we can hear the inner voice to temper what we hear and what we choose.

Making Amends

 

"This is known as making amends, a simply yet enormous

act of integrity that restores trust."

Mark Nepo

If we remain awake, we can catch the first nudge of change.  We can see things shifting and choose to begin to move as well.  Interruption ensues when either we do not acknowledge a bulge in the easement nor do we make allowances for differences.

I'd like to think of my self as having integrity, to be flexible to bend even just a little whether the need is my own or someone else's.  As we listen, adhering to inconsistencies, we can question whether we are out of sync or is it one other.  

If we have integrity, we can bow to another, no matter who was right or wrong, and make amends.  This doesn't mean we are in agreement or we will continue to stand in place; however, it does mean that we offer the other person space to be who he or she chooses to be.  When we authentically reflect integrity, it is easier for others to trust us and for us to trust in the self.

Grievously Missed

" Honest friends are doorways to our souls,

and loving friends are the grasses that soften the world."

Mark Nepo

Friendship has been held in high regard throughout life.  Even though books were excellent resources for me, I found observing people to be just as valuable.  As I became familiar with the patterns of behavior, it was easier to determine friend from foe, but not entirely.

Over the last few years, I have lost to death:  a gentleman who read my words and encouraged me; my college roommate who frequently fanned of my embers; a wise woman who stood by my side whether she agreed or not; and a soul sister who also traveled the spiritual path. They are gone, but I try to keep a connection alive in my heart.

The door to my soul is difficult to push open and there is less grass under my feet to soften my steps.  My dreams have become highly potent and illustrated to the greatest height and depth; whereas, the real world has lost punctuation and detail.  The comfort of friendship, living or deceased, is grievously missed.  

 

Embers in the Heart

"Despite gravity, against gravity, in counter point to the 

weight of the world, a glowing heat that can be blocked

but not contained emanates through all beings as love, 

thought, longing, and peace."

Mark Nepo

It doesn't matter which way we turn our head, as there is something negative appearing every where.  The climate, violence, racial tensions, political dramas, and various other dark issues are repetitively splayed before us.  It would seem to be apparent then, that we turn inward to find our strength and passion to carry us forward.

It doesn't matter what we view or read, as it is not representative of everyone's stance.  We have no way of knowing if something is true or false, except when we gaze inside to find balance in the midst of turmoil. The peaceful action of prayer or reaching out in kindness helps to move us all forward in a positive way.

Singularly, we can stop the devastation in the world, but we can contribute our small acts to be joined by the small acts of others to build a positive force.  Those in high places may be able to learn or participate in major decisions, but the smaller decisions tend to be left to our compassionate hearts.  Do not simply withdraw or isolate.  Gather the embers of the passion in our heart and stoke a fire that will support our hopes and dreams and the preservation of others.

 

Master Spinner or Merry-Go-Round Ace

 

       

                                

"... turning the side of me to others that they could understand, spinning the aspects of my true self like a lazy Susan, offering only what others wanted or needed or felt most comfortable with." Mark Nepo

We become masters of spinning as we learn to anticipate what every situation calls for when we strive to meet the expectations of others. It feels unbelievably gratifying to be the giver to all who need. 

Unfortunately, as we spin, the deepest aspects of our lovely selves gravitate inwards becoming hidden from others and eventually from our selves.  The cost of exposing only what others will accept begins to snuff out our inner spirit. Although displaying honest parts of the self, they were not the heart of personal beliefs nor values.

If we navigate through life exposing only what we feel others want to see, we deflower our essence, reduce our unique power, and create crevices of fear.  It is a harsh reality to recognize and accept our entire GPS led us away from growth that would have nurtured us and taught us to fly.

The Comfort of a Crazy Quilt

"In truth, there is no point to holding on to the deepest things 

that matter, for they have already shaped us."

Mark Nepo

In the quiet of the night, I stitch segments of my life together as though I were making a quilt.  I lay it upon my lap and recall which each piece represents.  It is curious to me how the blocks are hand stitched, and most of them are quite irregular.  My life resembles a Crazy Quilt.

Even though each quilt piece was intended to be an original, I now notice how closely some resemble each other.  Undoubtedly repeated lessons.  I savor the unique sections which were Divinely blessed, and find myself restitching where the binding has worn thin.

Glancing at a few tear stained pieces, I remember feelings of failure, humiliation and darkness; but, now from a distance, I can see where these, too, helped to shape me into who I am today. Yes, my life may reflect a tattered old quilt, but it continues to comfort, embrace and hold me in the darkest of night.