Presence in the Clouds

 

 

 

 

"It is wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky.

Behind me and before me is God

and I have no fears."

 

Helen Keller

A moment of absolute connection with Divine Spirit can  be fleeting.  The veils are pulled to the side and we enter the kingdom of heavenly peace.  Questions fall away as we embrace the truth of all things spiritual.  In one breath, we are all one.

Like a triangle, I reach up to feel the union with all that is unknown.  I taste the sweetness of the clouds delicately floating in the sky.  My skin is warmed by the beams of the sun and I hear love whispered in the wind.  The moon fills  my heart and lights my way to the star, to sit and absorb all of the unknown. 

Sitting on the ledge, there is no place to go, no where to be, and nothing to do.  I am pure light sparkling from the sky, twinkling down for others to see.  This star portal for me, nurtures all emotions that cannot be put into words.  It calms my fears and encourages me to return to the experience of the physical.

Gently I re-enter where I am needed, developing insights before they are discarded.  Time remaining is to be used  inspiring and stimulating others.  To let my light shine here on earth, will help those trying to find their path.  To shed light into the darkness wherever it is found strengthens the passage of every traveler, seen or unseen.

When we climb the mountains of the sky and have no fear,  the Universe embraces us offering a true sense of home.  Divine Spirit is present in the clouds floating through us, supporting and uplifting our spirits.  We become nothing, and yet everything.

 

 

 



True Nature of Our Lovely Self

 

"A fish cannot drown in water.

A bird does not fall in air.

Each creature God made

must live in its own true nature."

 

Mechthild of Magdeburg

IN OUR OWN ELEMENT

 

 

 

With personal assessment, we begin to sense if we are striving to live or if we are thriving based on how we live.   The basic clue would be whether or not we are forcing our selves to move through our day or if we are joyfully responding to our day.   Do our activities squelch our spirit or do our motions encourage our experience? 

 

No matter how controlled our day or our life becomes, a person can still make room for a pause to enhance, and support desires.  We may be overwhelmed, but if we see a reasonable light at the end of the tunnel, we carry on.  If we are heavily trodden with no way out, it is time to reassess.

 

Our current options may not be ideal, but nevertheless, we do have choices.  It takes time to cultivate a plan that will support our true sense of self.  If we hate what we do, then we are not in the right place; thus, the universe is not supporting us.  When we determine to take a direction into what  enhances our existence, we feel a s sense of freedom or liberation.  Random opportunities appear supporting our decisions for change.  We must be willing to take a risk to create an environment best suited for our inner self.  What is perfect for one, is not necessarily accommodating to another and this is by design.

 

It is impossible to chart a course without a concept of the destination.  We must have a sense of where we want to go, how we want to travel, and at what speed.  In other words, we must know our desires, capabilities, and strengths.  We need to be acquainted with our hidden yearnings and accountable for our moment to moment movements.

 

If we find our lovely selves saying, "I have come too far, there is no turning back," we are not being honest.  Where there is a will there is a way.  We cannot expect to move a mountain on a whim.  We must carefully, but passionately, place one foot in front of the other, moving step by step.  In time, we will feel the universe or God moving with us and supporting us in random ways.  When we daily fill our hearts with gratitude, we leave less room for fear and self-sabotage. 

 



 

 

 



Wishes and Desires

"Wishes and desires must be perceived and recognized.  They are fundamental driving forces in our lives.  It is only possible to use and master them if you are wide awake and alert.  Instead of suppressing them, you can use them in the process of becoming more aware.  When seen this way, they are a vehicle that helps us journey into the world within.

Gerd Ziegler
MIRROR OF THE SOUL




At first glance, we might perceive a fallen leaf to be quite transparent.  To the touch it may feel brittle and we could think it was useless.  If we take the time, however, to hold the discarded leaf up to the light, we can easily see remaining structure of the leaf.

The same is true for ourselves.  We may feel disconnected from our source or discarded from life, but if we hold our selves to the light, we will find details remaining within.  It is up to each of us individually to use what we discover within us, to the best of our ability. 

In order to utilize our strengths, we must be aware of them.  We must listen to our inner guidance as to how we can create our wishes and desires through our efforts of being authentic.  It is important to be aware of our limitations while at the same time, be willing to run the risk of extending our boundaries.  In a sense, we must have flexibility to expand or contract depending upon the given situation.

When we have developed a true sense of self, we can put our selves 'out there' to attract or discover components we need to further our discovery along.  It is imperative to not sit home, waiting to be fulfilled.  When we place our selves in the midst of the world, Divine Spirit can move us around, to assist us in being where we most need to be. 

If we need guidance, we need to listen.  Stop analyzing every moment, and take some time to be still.  Observe objectively willing to recognize the patterns of  nature.  Monitor dream time as messages are prevalent.  Allow all of the busy thoughts in our head to shift down our neck and into our body where we can feel instead of think.

Life is a process requiring awareness and change.  We travel through many situations redefining the self and transforming our intentions.  When we move forward with clarity, carrying our wishes and desires, we are more apt to experience a transition created to bring forth the authentic self.

To Birth in Darkness

 

 

B.    Be your brilliant authentic self, right where you are
I.     Intend and invite miracles and magic
R.   Rest often, read something that inspires you,
       Revel in your radiance and roll your RRRR's
T.   Tell yourself and someone else, "I love you.  I appreciate you.  Thank you."
H.  Hold space with the love and light you are and hug often!

Teri Freesmeyer
BIRTH


A few weeks ago, I took a wrong turn and ended up lost.  Not totally lost, but lost still the same.  Things looked vaguely familiar and I sensed a heaviness falling over me that had been present before at some other time.  Oh how I wished it were Harry Potter's invisible cloak, but of course those only exist in fiction, right? 

It has always been my personal belief that if we stay too long in the memory of the past, we will be overwhelmed and unable to move forward.  If we project too much into our future, we live in anticipation, never enjoying what is before us.  So knowing to live in the moment, I tried to just be present in the darkness.  And of course that was not the effort I needed to make.

When we are in the moment, we can choose to birth our selves, re-create our selves or stand still.  Living in the moment is not about tolerating the presence, but learning to decorate with what is before us.   So when we feel as though we are being held under a heavy blanket of darkness, we can choose to focus on the light we have inside.  It may only be a small twinkle of flame, but we can indulge our spirit to be that small spark of fire. 

When I woke up this morning, the heavy blanket of darkness was gone as simply as though I had merely kicked it from the bed.  I hesitated, waiting to see if it were really gone.  With appreciation and gratitude, I began to breathe into the light that had returned.  Born again to this life, to create again, and follow my path.

Discarding Armor and Being a Warrior

 

"Shopping and moving don't help, but I've discovered a few things that do:  writing, reading, water, walks, forgiving myself, every other minute, practicing easy yoga, taking deep breaths, and petting my dogs."

Glennon Doyle Melton
CARRY ON, WARRIOR

Every once in a while, a book will cross our path speaking directly to our soul.  As the reader, we kind of look around to see if anyone is watching us, as this book really might be a joke.  We wonder who has been picking through our thoughts and recording them with a positive spin, offering deliverance and acceptance in spite of lack of forgiveness for our very soul.

Glennon Doyle Melton has written such a book, entitled:  CARRY ON, WARRIOR.   She has been referenced by Brene` Brown, an excellent source on perfectionism and Vanessa Diffenbaugh, author of THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.  Respecting both Brown and Diffenbaugh, this book by Melton seemed to snag my attention.  Then a young woman I know and deeply love mentioned this writing as well.  Knowing these are not coincidences I ordered the book.

This non-fiction piece instantly engages the reader.  The author allows us to gently face our emptiness and to stop trying to fill it with behaviors that only harm us.  She allows her words to comfort and encourage in spite of what has been or not been or never will be.  Her lesson is about being just as you are ... scars and all. 

It seems that by lowering our guard, stopping our pretending, and being genuinely broken, we are much more likely to relate with one and other.  "...it is not my job to fill myself," says Melton.  "It's just my job to notice my emptiness and find graceful ways to live as a broken, unfilled human - and maybe to help myself and others feel a teeny bit better."  She goes on to say,   "My experience has been that even with God, life is hard.  It's hard just because it's hard being holey." (As in having a lot of empty spaces or holes.)

Glennon Doyle Melton shares her imperfect story and as a result, she gives the reader hope.  Her insights are refreshing and encouraging.  This book comes to me at a time in my life when I feel so messy.  Accepting that life is messy,  triggers some element of normalcy.  I am reminded that I am a warrior and I have always been a warrior.  It is time however to disrobe, to discard the armor and to allow myself vulnerability.  I am a spiritual warrior, comfortable in my own skin. 

Building Our Own Fire

 

 

 

"Understand and be confident

that each of us can make a difference

by caring and acting in small

as well as big ways."

 

Marian Wright Edelman

 

 

 

When we turn inward, harvesting our gifts and talents, we frequently are making unnoticed gestures out into the world.   The spiritual path has twists and turns, and we can never be certain what may arise around the next bend.  Even after we leave a place, we never know for sure exactly how our presence unfolded out into the world.

 

When our body, mind and spirit are aligned, we emit a powerful energy that attracts others.  The vibration of our energy ignites the dimly lit flame within the unsuspecting hearts of those who are around us.  When twigs and sticks are gathered, a fire may begin.  When additional wood is slowly added, a strong fire builds.  The fire can be seen from afar without us ever knowing who has witnessed the carefully orchestrated pile of wood.

 

When we pull in our energy from searching outside of our selves, we raise our vibration, connecting our sparks of desire, wishes or hopes.  When we focus on our God given abilities, Divine Spirit can use us at will.  Divine purpose can be slowly building our fire.

 

We must listen for the whisperings, nudging us to buy those paints or take that class in spite of feeling silly or unprepared.  We will not be totally ready and if we were prepared, we would never need the class.  Allow our self to be the student, to learn and expand.  A whim can catch on to greater things or it may be an individual experience so articulate that it will speak to us forever.

 

 

 

Not Second Hand

 

 

 

 

 

---

steady

“she held her ground. believing in who she was.

never offering an explanation.

and no one ever asked.”

 

Terri St Cloud

Bone Sigh Arts

www.bonesigharts.com

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 



 

 

To live with personal fear is to deprive the self of an enhanced life experience.  By allowing fear to govern our life, we are self-containing our exuberance, gifts to the world, and creative spirit.  We too easily give in to someone else with the false sense that they are better or smarter.  Often we give up, knowing that we will lose the battle as usual.  We may appear to be silent, but inside we are screaming words of anger.  

 

It is a surprise then, when we actually speak out and the world does not collapse around us. All of the time we have been repressing our voice has been more painful than stepping through the fear and speaking out.

We feel a sense of empowerment when we share ourselves with the world, as we are honoring our inner self.  Instead of having our energy repressed, it begins to flow, moving stagnant thoughts right along with it.  We begin to feel creative and alive once again.

All along, it has been our very self standing in our way.  We have made the story up that others are more worldly or educated; and therefore we 'should' remain still.  This gives us permission to stay small.  When we use discretion, choosing our time to share and stepping through fear, we become a contributor to our relationships and community.  We initiate an exchange and feel a part of the whole, rather than a second hand by stander. 

Creating with the Divine

 

 

 

 

"Talent it seems, is energy waiting to be released

through an honest involvement in life.

But so many of us check whether we have power

with the main switch off ---

the switch being risk, curiosity, passion, and love."

 

Mark Nepo

THE BOOK OF AWAKENING

 

 

 

Scattered, wandering around in my own life, I thought of Mark Nepo and how wonderfully he wrote.  With coffee cup in hand, I located one of his works, THE BOOK OF AWAKENING and settled in to read his writing for the day.   In addition to the above, he wrote: "When I am convinced I have no gifts at all, I implore myself to search for the switch, to try something out of view, to gamble on what is remotely calling." 

As I read the reading for the day, I began thinking of how often I use the words gifts or talents.  These words sound so concrete, well defined, and fully loaded, as though each of us contained inside of our lovely selves, a highly polished offering.  No wonder people 'choke' when asked about their gift or talent. 

In reality, many of our gifts or talents are small sparks just waiting to catch on fire.  It is perhaps with curiosity we first discover an interest.  If we feed this interest, passion grows.  When we unconditionally love who we are, we are willing to run the risk of unleashing our energy.

The end result hardly matters.  Passion is not about the outcome.  The importance is allowing creativity to flow through us, receiving pleasure from the release.  The true joy comes from the experience of allowing Divine Spirit to work with us and through us.  We may not end up appearing on the Food Network  show or Oprah Winfrey, but we will have had the experience of  brilliance of creating with the Divine.

Showing Up

 

 

"You may get your butt kicked,

 but if you don't find the courage to show up in your own life,

 there's more at stake."

 

Brene` Brown

 

 

Brene` Brown is a recognized author, speaker, and life coach to the masses, stripping us of our self-imposed expectations for perfection.   Her books reveal our own personal feelings of shame and guilt in a very user friendly way.  She has been a god send to the masses who take the time to invest in her perspectives.

 

When a person measures the energy it requires to wear a mask, to hold the mask in place, and to retain the history of the mask , he or she discovers it requires more time and effort than just braving the audience as 'self'.  When we allow our selves to be real, we acquire more energy to be placed into arenas that truly matter. 

 

We pay for the fear, shame, and guilt we drag along with us.  When we drop our costumes and stand clearly in our own shoes, scuffs and all, a sense of freedom embraces us.  If those surrounding us do not approve of who we are, then we are not in the midst of healthy supporters.  It takes courage to change venues, but it is the same courage we have been displaying through our artificial performances. 

 

All of us have strengths and weaknesses and it is truly important to be familiar with both, but not to focus on the lesser traits.  Acknowledge having a weak side, but don't play into it.  Know it is there, but accept it rather than repressing it. 

 

When we stand in our authentic place, we become ignited with a personal power to truly shine which attracts like minded people to us.  When we use our courage to be clearly present just as we are, opportunities never imagined present themselves.  Opportunities, mind you, are not always winning the lottery.  Opportunities can be seemingly small, but very well may be the first step onto our life time path.

 

So we are called to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses, to be constant in our presentation of self, and to be aware of ample opportunity.  When alignment appears for our personal path we will feel it resonate through us.  Sit with the vibrations and be certain to respond with appropriate action, not knee jerk reaction. 

 

Celebrate ourselves!  Forgive whatever we need to be forgiven, and then let it go.  Step over the bumps of our past and move forward with creative vision.  Be proud of individual strengths and seek out avenues enhancing our skills.  If we don't show up, the show cannot go on.

 



And I am With Her

 

 

                                   (Trina Schart Hyman, illustration from Snow White, 1974)




Upon first sight, I fell in love with this picture.  I wanted to climb into this picture of a small room and live there.  More specifically, I felt as though I had lived there and could live there again.  Never as Snow White of course, but look deeply into the content of this picture.  It has all that I need.  There is a sewing basket so I could quilt or do hand stitches.  There is a bird nestled by, and if you know me, you know birds offer me great entertainment and connection.  The clothes are wonderful and I would wear them in a minute ... scarves and long dresses.  Oh to have my lush dark hair once again.  I would have deep discussions with my friend slaving over the pouring of the coffee or more than likely, tea in delicate china cups.  Stained glass windows have always been alluring and a book on the window seat ... perfect.  There is snow just outside the window and I choose to believe those are stars twinkling in perfection with almost unrecognizable streams of light streaming down from the sky. Her hand is held in a familiar Reiki pose, sending light out into the world as she is lost, deep in thought.  And I am with her ...

Come Dance

 

 

 

 

Every

 

Child

 

Has known God,

 

Not the God of Names,

 

Not the God of don'ts,

 

Not the God who ever does

Anything weird,

 

But the God who only knows four words

 

And keeps repeating them, saying:

 

'"Come dance with Me."

 

Come

 

Dance.

 

 

Hafiz

Great Sufi Master

THE GOD WHO ONLY KNOWS FOUR WORDS

 

 

 

More than one teacher has exclaimed in frustration, "Keep it simple! You are making it too difficult."   As we are all  children of Divine Spirit, we need to recapture the simplicity of dancing with our faith.  This does not mean our earlier belief system doesn't need to grow, mature, and expand, as it really is important to do so; however, we need to recapture the childhood innocence with God calling us to follow spiritual steps. 

 

Religious rhetoric can bog us done and separate us rather than gathering us in through acceptance, encouragement, and freedom.   The word "God" is  often bantered around with multiple definitions to conquer and divide.  Our energy can be caught up in these competitions and interpretations, missing entirely the intention of Divine.  In our struggle to establish God or Goddess, we defy spiritual intent by furthering the divide.

 

Keep it simple.  Find the inner childhood glow connected to the personal Spirit dwelling within.  We all have a spark of God inside just waiting to ignite us with passion and desire.  Place energy on this personal relationship with respect to others, allowing Divine to grow us as intended.  By following God's simple steps, we are led to the freedom of dance!

 

 

 



 



Not to be Shared

 

 

"I feel as though this was a holy and personal event I will never share with anyone.  That it cannot be shared and should not be.  Occasionally, one learns quiet, and then how to keep it.  Even me, who has always felt that everything must be shared, in order for it to be."

 

Elizabeth Berg

THE PULL OF THE MOON

 

 

In 1996, Elizabeth Berg wrote a book entitled, THE PULL OF THE MOON.  I just 'happened' to come across it while browsing in a book store.  The Chicago Tribune stated, "This is not a novel about a woman leaving home, but rather about a human being finding her way back." I was definitely 'nudged' to purchase it.

 

It is now twenty-one years later, and this novel remains to be one of my favorites.  The main character buys a journal on a whim, and as her daughter leaves for college, the woman leaves her home in search for herself.  She is in a good relationship, has a lovely home, and is not necessarily unhappy.  It is a yearning for self-discovery that lures her away.

 

If you have not read this book, I encourage you to do so.  It is not just a story, but an unfolding journey into parts of the self.  You will witness a woman transitioning, and you as the reader will move right along with her.  Elizabeth Berg has a wonderful sense of humor; totally believable and honest; and weaves through heartbreak. 

 

This book helped me to understand the desire to run away to a safe little cottage in the woods, no matter how much abundance life has squandered on you.  In no uncertain terms, I came to realize the yearning was not for escaping, but for finding lost parts of my self.

 

 

 

 



Changes with Fall

 

 

 

"Have a variety of interests ... These interests

relax the mind and lessen tension on the

nervous system.  People with many

interests live, not only longest,

but happiest.

 

George Matthew Allen

 

 

 

The seasons are changing, draining all of the color from the flowering plants.  Thank goodness the turning of the leaves will entertain us until the earth winter's blanket of snow.  My tastes have changed to all things pumpkin:  bars, cookies, lattes, pancakes, and ice cream.   At the store I found myself collecting goods for thick  soups and the makings for a thick bread.  So many of my likes and dislikes are sliding into a new pattern.

 

I have brought out my knitting needles and left over skeins of yarn.   At the stores, I have been exploring new patterns.  Anything to keep my fingers busy, yet adaptable to my short attention span.

 

I am ready to pack away my capri pants and sleeveless tops, and uncover my jeans, boots, and shawls.  I am much happier in cooler weather with more ambition to be outside.  Walking and exploring take over last season's hot house flower restrictions.  Fall, for me, is the last hurrah before the hibernation of winter.  And of course, winter brings forth all of its seasonal things.

 

I have a variety of interests and some change from season to season, but some are deeply implanted and thankfully never go away.    I entertain myself easily, and usually through my sole involvement.  Perhaps that too is preparing me for the isolation of the season yet to come.  I do a fairly good job with matching activities with my impetuous attention span. 

 

When my nervous energy is finally spent, I find myself content with just being, doing no thing. The silence without chatter, the calm without action, and the peace within my soul are welcomed guests to the lonely soul. 

 

 

 



The Constant Moon

 

 

 

 

The night walked down the sky with the moon in her hand. 

 

~Frederick L. Knowles

 

 



 

 

Some people mark their days by hours and minutes or use months and years to record the passing of time.  I think I am much more apt to use my awareness of each season as well as the moon and the stars to navigate the passing day.  As I think back over my life, I am much more inclined to remember being held by a moon beam rather than the exact time of day.

 

Being born in June, I am categorized as a Moon Child.  I didn't have this information as a child, so my attachment to the moon is curious to me.  I can remember as a young child lying flat on my back in the middle of the yard looking up at the clouds in the sky.  The grass tickled the backs of my legs and my arm shielded my eyes from the hot summer sun.  Then there would be a pause between the floating puffs of cotton in the sky, and  a vague image of the moon would appear.  What a delightful surprise!  This unexpected glimpse spread happiness throughout my young body.  I felt strangely connected and safe in my skin.

 

As I grew older, there were many cold winter nights spent searching for answers from the moon shining so brightly in the sky.  Serious questions only a dramatic teen could ask.  Even then, I was somehow appeased by the time spent with the moon.  The moon remained my constant through college and the years to follow.

 

"I see the moon and the moon sees me," I read to my children of four.  I would teach them of this connection for them to respect and honor during their lonely days upon this rich earth.  The moon could be present for them long after I am gone.

 

When there is a huge harvest moon or an unusual blue moon, I find myself wondering if my children are being embraced by this mesmerizing glow.  I wonder if they too remain connected with the mystical performance of the moon dancing across the sky. 

 

Who are you moon and what do you really mean to me?  Perhaps such questions are unimportant, as long as I continue to feel this pull.  For me, this warm embrace is unlike all of the others.  It is one that never falters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



Sense of Silence

 

 

 

 

Questions to discuss with the Inner Critic:

Who are you?

What do you want from me?

Why do you act the way you do?

What do you like?

What do you dislike?

Where am I most vulnerable to you?

How can I befriend you?

 

Janet O. Hagberg

WRESTLING WITH YOUR ANGELS

 

 

 

In my opinion, there is an excessive amount of change occurring at this time.  We can look at the shifts in the weather, politics, relationships and health.  Vibrations or frequencies are altered by the disruption of the push of power and the resistance to change.  This creation of heaviness can be felt in the 'collective' atmosphere.

 

Some of us have a ferocious inner critic that has yet to be tamed.  Others of us have compromised with our beastly critics, but agreed upon boundaries are often disregarded.  In other words, we can be vulnerable to our individual negative critic as well as feeling pressure from the collective negative critic.  This extra weight is a burden we all carry whether aware of it or not.  We are bombarded by various media triggers and the unsettled climate of the world population.

 

So this never ending tape of my inner critic plays over and over.  I have learned to turn down the volume so I can navigate in spite of the drone, but it is almost too challenging for me to balance.  Thankfully, I do understand the oppression I feel from shifting vibrations is not personal in nature.  These frequencies are a part of the whole experience of being on this earth and all  behaviors are demonstrated as though we are all mirrors, one to the other.

 

It is imperative for us to sift through our inner turmoils and focus on our acceptance and correction of the self.  If we can truly unplug the negativity in our own mind, we are much more able to forgive and accept the actions of others.  If we understand how we act and react as an individual, we will be more likely to understand the intention of others. 

 

 

We will collapse if we continue to push for improvement and yet resist the change.  We cannot expect everyone else to transition, but allow our selves to be the exception.  We must be in alignment with ourselves in order to support and encourage the alignment of all peoples.  It can no longer be, "Do as I say, not as I do."  We must hold our selves accountable.  We must strive to be a better person and one by one, we will overcome the critics creating a glorious sense of silence.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



Headaches ... Allergies, Tension, Prevention

 
Donna Eden
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-JRU2qf7A


Challenged by migraines all year long, I am especially impacted during allergy seasons.  There is a place for medicine, but medicine cannot always be administered while at work or driving a car.  Scented heat bags can be applied to the face, head, neck and shoulders, but again, if we are at work or expected to drive, these steps are not feasible.  There are measures, however, you can take at any time or place.  Please view the YouTube presentation.  If it works for you, great.  If it does not, keep searching.  For example, some people respond well to essential oils such as peppermint. 

Donna Eden is the author of ENERGY MEDICINE, providing insights and instructions on how to "Balance Your Body's Energies for Optimum Health, Joy, and Vitality" As a world-renowned healer, Donna Eden shares practical ways to tap into the body's instinctive ability to heal itself.

Poetry and Yoga

 

"Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”

 

Mary Oliver

Swan:  Poems and Prose Poems

Poetry is not my field of expertise, nor is yoga.  I have always had a handful of favorite poets, but my appreciation for poems has grown considerably thanks to my friend Nancy, yoga teacher extraordinaire.  (nanyoga-alongthepath.blogspot.com)  Through her classes, she has introduced me to the works of  Mary Oliver, John O'Donohue, and David Whyte, to mention just a few. 

 

My attraction to these modern day poets has grown in spite of my love for the ancient poems.  The difference is in yoga class, I can listen to the poems shared out loud, while I rest on my mat in heavenly bliss.  My yoga teacher, Nancy, has this incredible hushed voice with a cadence delivering a poet's words as though they were being spoken privately to me.  The words are not strung into rhyming sentences, and through her tender deliverance, the words float from the poet's heart to mine.

 

 

Nancy stresses to all who are present that established yoga poses can be achieved, but the heart of yoga can be found in the created still point.  It is encouraging to be reminded that my body may never twist into a pretzel, but my mind can find the bliss when balanced with my stretched body releasing stress. 

 

The poem above by Mary Oliver is one of my favorite.  I first heard it after participating in a beginner's yoga class presented by Nancy.  The completion of initial instructions with Nancy's constant monitoring ... "Virginia, you don't look comfortable.  Here, try this.  Ah, that is better!" ... was rewarded by the last portion of the class, resting on the mat in personal meditation or relaxation supported by bolsters, pillows, and blankets. 

 

Yoga is not just about the physical.  It holds a spiritual and mindful component as well.  Nancy's gift of relaxing poetic words into the yoga stretched body is exceptional.  The poet's feelings are articulated into words, softly delivered, flowing through the body, mind, and spirit.

Nancy's years of teaching yoga has put poetry in motion.

 

 





 

 

Feeling Messy

 

 

"Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart.
...live in the question.”

 

Rainer Maria Rilke

LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET

There are cycles to our emotions.  We first discover it as young women going into, during, and coming out of our menses.  Like  the release of air from a leaking balloon, our self-esteem starts to seep away.  This is then followed by discouraging thoughts or minor depression.  After a few days, our spirits begin to soar.  We feel unbeatable and ready to accomplish great creative achievement ...  'I am woman, hear me roar!'

It doesn't seem to matter to our bodies whether we are pre-menstrual, menstruating, or post-menstrual.  Our bodies seem to follow a graduating cycle regardless of our age, building to a peak and then crashing down to begin once again. 

I have learned to be patient in these peaks and valleys.  I have seen first hand the beauty that follows chaos.  I have felt the range of motions cycling in and out, while I try to hold my self in the light remembering that all things come to pass.  To live in the question seems to be the best way.

My emotions are bleeding all over, not contained within a cycle, but permeating every nook  and crannie.  I am feeling a disturbance from all places of the beating heart, as our world, community, and families face their plight.  It is not a matter of feeling hopeless as I do believe we are all just 'recalabrating' our energies.  Surely these changes in frequencies are being felt by all.

The point is, I am feeling messy.  I am not neatly contained, but cluttered with overwhelming thoughts.  I am out of sync, while the music beats on.  Nothing is scheduled as my routine has been aborted, leaving me to feel unstructured and uncertain in most every way. 

Perhaps this struggle is simply labor.  I can only hope to be birthing something wonderful, returning joy to my heavy heart.  Maybe in time, even passion shall return with pen to page writing uplifting insights rather than worries from an old sage! 



The Harvest of Stories

 

 

 

 

“Humor can make a serious difference. In the workplace, at home, in all areas of life – looking for a reason to laugh is necessary. A sense of humor helps us to get through the dull times, cope with the difficult times, enjoy the good times and manage the scary times.” 
Steve Goodier


Every week, I meet with a circle of women and we have been doing so for over six years.  Together, we have witnessed joy, depression, and the will to carry on.  We consider ourselves to be a spiritual group, holding light for ourselves, community, and the world.  Weekly we ask for love, energy, and light to be sent to all peoples in need ... to children to feed their hunger and to all others yearning for the soul to be fed.  This is a special space for me to be in, week after week.

This week I attended dragging my heavy baggage of discouraged vision and lack of passion.   I truly needed to be present in this circle of light.  As usual, we went around the group for 'check in' before we proceeded.  One of the women shared her story about her magical weekend.  She was so excited and deeply in tune with her personal joy, she captivated us all.  Within moments, my friend had us all reliving her magical moments.  Laughter filled our hearts, our minds, and spirits.  We were able to slip into a creative moment where we could shed all of our cares and fill a few glorious moments with hilarity. Laughter is medicine for the soul.

Through our stories, we grow closer together in spirit.  In these shared moments, we become one  sensing each others emotions.    The joy of one off sets the sadness of one other.  And so it is with us, as we harvest our stories.  We are a presence in each other's lives, learning from each other, encouraging when needed, and holding light so we can each see each other, assured we are not alone. 

A Mother's Dream of Comfort

 

 

 

 

"The teacher who is indeed wise

does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom,

but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind."

 

Khalil Gibran

 

 

When I woke up this morning, my head was filled with a lengthy dream of being with my children.  Nothing in the dream was dramatic or prophetic.  It was a simple dream, but we were all together just exchanging conversations during a very average day.  Each child bringing to me an individual gift of his or her self.  I miss them so much.

 

They were grown adults as they are today, and each adult child was acting as they would in a normal day.  There were no amazing moments or hidden meanings to be untangled.  They all appeared in their regular apparel and their individual personalities shined through. 

 

Some might categorize this dream as being quite boring, but as the mother this dream was a blessing.  To spend casual time with all of my kids in one place just being normal was amazing.  To have unrushed time for conversations and lots of hugging has brought me comfort.  To watch them interact with each other, teasing and laughing, still brings tears to my eyes.

 

I have learned about dreams from many teachers, and each one has encouraged creating a personal dictionary of symbols and signs.  These wisdom keepers understand that we each put an individual spin on our dream time, customizing it for our own good. 

 

After learning the basics of dreams, one can then go on to interpret individual night time reveries. When recall becomes advanced, a dream can be like a full length feature film.  There are those who might say dream time is just another parallel life and still others who might ponder which life is actually the dream.  For me, however, dream time is a creative extension of my inner self reflecting my yearnings, passions, and fears.

Where Least Expected

 

 

"Don't say you don't have enough time.  You have exactly the same number of hours per  day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."   H. Jackson Brown Jr


These words are quite intimidating.  Sit with them for awhile, and the message is clear.  It takes more than time to impact the world in an outstanding way.  Let's not compare or become overwhelmed, but rather take inventory of our personal talents and the various way we can give.  Be grateful for the random acts of kindness that nameless others send our way. 

A minister once said his favorite flower was a dandelion, as it reminded him of God's love ... it can pop up unexpectedly in the crack of a sidewalk ... strong, determined, and thriving.  We are not all called to be a great splash.  Most of us are but a simple drop, capable of causing the slightest ripple, and blending into the whole.  We are called to do our individual part.

Sometimes we may ponder what difference if any we are making.  If we strive to be the best person we can be, we are holding light in the midst of darkness.  If we all hold light, we can become a magnificent force of goodness. 

We can hold our selves accountable.  We can give and receive which brings balance and alignment to our spirit and to those around us.  Stop worrying about huge contributions in the lime light, and enjoy being in the present moment equipped with compassion, integrity, and respect for all.  Believe in the power of spiritual strength, and like the dandelion, we can sprout up where least expected!

The Unfolding of Self

 

 

 

 

"Imagine waking up one morning

and finding a piece of yourself

you didn't even know existed."

 

Jodi Picoult

NINETEEN MINUTES

 

 



While visiting Nashville for a few days, I was thankful to have the opportunity to spend a short time with a young woman I love and admire.  She has graduated from college and is currently working on a masters degree, but there is a deeper development occurring that might not catch the eye.  Her delightful intelligence and her outstanding substance is being nurtured for a future day. 

This young woman carries imprints from Asian ancestors as well as Native American influence.  There is a deepness running through her that has yet to surface.  Her intriguing beauty  will gently unfold within her future days.  For now, her thick curly hair, chocolate brown eyes, and sculptured cheekbones get her by. 

As her elder, I can easily see how painful the uncertainty of her life must be.  In my heart, I know she simply has not yet discovered the richness of her gifts.  These years of struggle, breaking the invisible cords that once held her so tightly, creates an open pathway to who she is called to be.  The fullness of her intelligence and integrity have yet to flourish.

The present is being used to clear away debris providing experiences she will use to deeply relate to others.  Her gift of writing will provide her with an outlet to express her compassion, longing, and loneliness.  My words of "Not yet, be patient dear girl," sound hollow even to myself.    I know we all do not peak at the same time and realize what danger there is in forcing an unnatural opening or settling for what we already know as an uncomfortable fit.

For now she must endure the journey of a star evolving in the darkness of the  sky.  I am certain that one day she shall beam so brightly, her passion will attract and assist others, illuminating the sky.

The World is a Rose

 

 

 

 

 

"The world is a rose;

smell it and pass it

to your friends."

 

Persian Proverb

 

 

We learn from the world surrounding us, either through observation, participation, or deliberate search.  We may consciously or unconsciously be taking in the fragrance of the world, but why not share the experience with others?

During the gathering of some women, one lady asked, "And who saw the blue moon last night?"  Excitedly, everyone responded at once.  We had all seen it, but now we added the elements from other stories.  One saw it through her bathroom window; another was out on her back deck; there was one who saw it while driving home in her car; and lastly, a person who stood in her driveway with her pajama's on. 

We all laughed in the telling of where we individually were, but the conversation continued about what we each saw.  There were very differing accounts of what additional things these women saw in the sky.  A variety of things mentioned greatly pertained to the position, movement, and images of the stars.  

The world is filled with fragrances and when we slow down and pay attention we can be easily engaged in an underlying excitement.  When we share these fragrances with our family or friends, the conversation deepens the experience, not only ours, but theirs as well.

It is through the sharing of our experiences that a connection grows.  The bonds of family or friends are strengthened.  We gain the experience of the lovely garden of life through our own senses, and through the eyes of others as well.

"My lifetime listens to yours."

Muriel Rukeyser

Embracing What Is ...

 

 

"We turn to God for help when

our foundation is shaking,

only to recognize that

it is God who is shaking it."

 

Charles Weston

 

 

We feel quite secure with everything going as planned.  We find a loose thread, and when we pull it, we find that it is still attached.  Reacting to our pull, the thread dislodges rows of what had been perfect form.  We might feel the slightest foreboding that something is amiss, but usually we are caught completely off guard. 

 

When our well planned intention begins to go awry, we feel disoriented or perhaps even frozen into place.  It is difficult to understand how things can shift so quickly, especially when we thought we were on stable ground.  It is only with the passing of time we can adjust, and begin to rebuild a new sense of security.

 

There are other times we pine for a certain promotion or new home or addition to the family.  We are filled with anticipation, anxiously awaiting the new prospect to take physical form.  Then when all is said and done, we find our selves struggling.  With the new job, we are now experiencing the full extent of the more advanced responsibilities.  The new house is losing its charm as we discover the hidden faulty wiring or plumbing.  The addition to the family has settled in with a whole new set of demands. 

 

Challenges and change are very difficult to embrace, especially when unexpected.  They cause us to examine things in a new way or build an entirely new routine.  Change forces us to take a new direction causing us to change for the better. 

 

When life shakes us up, wake up.  Challenge is offering us the opportunity to create life in a new space.  Look for the good and remain focused on what blessings may come.  When we get stuck looking at our old life, we are not using all of our energy to move forward.  Through resistance, our transition grows more difficult.  Embrace change in the best way possible, expecting nothing but the best in return.

Bearing Creative Expression

 

 

"The deepest experience of the creator is feminine,

for it is experience of receiving and bearing.

 

Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Remember each individual has both a feminine and a masculine side.  We are not referencing woman ~vs~ man.  We are exploring the feminine in both women and men.  I listened to an older interview with Jack Kornfield  this morning.  As a young boy, his father sternly instructed him not to cry; therefore, he was taught to withhold or repress natural emotion.   Displaying emotion had been regarded as feminine, definitely not masculine.

 

Some little boys were directed to sports rather than play a violin or paint or dance.  The feminine side in men can really be misdirected.  Little girls were encouraged not to be rough or tumble.  The athletic abilities were minimized as they were praised for being little ladies.

 

Today, this is not so much the case.  Parents seem to be allowing their children to flower or unfold in the manner they wish.  Every child needs affirmations and encouragement, as well as adults.  Hopefully, we never stop exploring.  At any age, we may need a boost.

 

Both genders can create and experience an incubation period. As we bear this creative expression, we allow our imagination to flourish and not be subdued by the negative input of our own ego or others.  We feed the prospect with healthy thoughts, words, and deeds. 

 

The birthing our our project can have a long labor, so male or female needs to balance, pace, and be gentle with  the experience processing inside.  If we have used positive energy throughout, our creative expression will thrive.  And if not, approach the idea again after learning why the intention did not survive.

 

There is a great need for all of us to embrace both our masculine and feminine sides to bring balance not only to our selves, but into our culture as well.  For all of us, there is a time to exert our masculine side of giving out into the world, and also a time for our feminine side to creatively nurture all that we are meant to be.



Deed of the Decade

 

 

 

 

"Forget what anybody else is doing or thinking

and discover your special offering for the world."

 

Kristen White

VOICE

 

 

 

 

A message announcing International Book Week circulated around my writers group.  Teri gave us the fun challenge to grab the book closest to us, turn to page 52, and read the fifth sentence.  I joined the fun and did as she instructed.  The quote above is the sentence I found.

 

We easily observe the gifts and talents of others, but when it comes to self-evaluation, we can get pretty intimated.  If we think in terms of our strengths, answers come a little more readily.  So we can make notes of our strengths, and create outlets to contribute what we do best.

 

Earlier in my career, I found my self attending many committees and boards.  When distributing tasks, I always ended up with assignments that did not hone my strengths.  The chair was not capitalizing on the talents before her/him.  The following month, I was pleasantly surprised.  The chair of the meeting announced what needed to be done and passed around a sheet to sign up for what we felt most comfortable doing.  It was amazing!  People attending displayed much more enthusiasm and responded in a more supportive way.  Creative ideas easily surfaced.

 

So what is it we do well?  What brings us pleasure, challenge, and creativity?  There is a saying, "If you have passion for what you do, you never work a day of your life."  We are not all rocket scientists nor artists, but we each have an individual energy that can be funneled out into the world.  It may not be the deed of the decade, but when we each contribute our donation it transitions into the whole.  Many small deposits of positive diversity creates an interesting flow.

 

Unfortunately, we tend to take our gifts for granted.  We think of what we do as something common to all peoples ... if I can do it, anyone can.  Simply not true!  One does not have to be an expert to share what they know or what they do.  It is better to do make many small gestures, than not to gesture at all!