“Freedom is the kite’s response to the wind.” ― Marty Rubin 

There’s just enough sun left up in the sky, and I’ve a most delicious idea.

You see, tucked upwards and onto the farthest reaching point of my closet shelf is a most beautiful kite – one that I have kept there hidden all of these years.

Truth be told, and I am little ashamed to admit – I had almost forgotten that she was there.

But today, the winds reminded me – and so, I’ve dusted of my “keds” with the intent to finally set sail.

You know, I’ve always believed kites require only the most perfect shade of crimson blue—in order to fly up and faraway past the heavens.

And kites, much like us humans, you see…must always fulfill that inner need to soar.

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

I love my garden.

I could spend hours there carefully scanning over the depths and details of each of the brilliant hues of natures stunning palette. And, I’m always astonished that with each passing day, I always seem to find something new…something, as of yet, undiscovered.

The way the dew collects, then drips a familiar path from petal edge to middle bloom.

Or, the way the light catches the space between each of the branches, then casts its fanciful shadow to the green ‘screen’ below.

The magnificently unexpected always seems to find me right here in my garden—reminding me that with each day there is a constant renewal, a new page to start this story anew.

And, just like that…yesterday’s fears fall gently away with tomorrow’s worries. There is no space for them here within this garden.

Nothing ever stays—not even these moments of our greatest fear and unsettledness.

Because, with each morning we are given of gift of the summer garden’s newest ‘bloom.’

Namaste, my most beautiful friends, and much love on this day

“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.” — A.A. Milne

Too beautiful not to share…and something perhaps to inspire a momentary pause of heart.

Two long lost gorilla ‘brothers’ who had been separated in different zoos for almost 3 full years. When the time came to reunite, the greatest fear was that they would not ‘know’ one another…that they wouldn’t remember their bond.

How little we understand of this world…to think that love and compassion is exclusively human.

Perhaps, we all might benefit from a little ‘talking less’ and a whole lot of ‘listening more’?

Namaste, my most beautiful friends…

“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.” ― C. JoyBell C.

My dearest friends…

I was feeling just a bit under the weather today—a side effect of the many medications I must take. These things happen, yes?

Generally speaking, I do my best to muddle my way through this new path that life has created for me. And some days, I get just a little mud on the seat of my pants.

But, today, as I sat quietly trying to gather my thoughts—this overwhelming fear began to wash over me. It literally brought me to my knees.

I am not one to be easily overwhelmed—but today, was certainly cause for it. It’s hard sometimes, when I feel my own body failing—and, I don’t yet understand how far that failing will go.

But, still I breathe…and when the breathing doesn’t help…I remind myself there is still a little learning to be done.

Thankfully, today I had the added reminder (and blessing) from a dear friend, who offered, “Tara, remember our thoughts are like the moonlight—it shines on everything equally, yet in the end, clings to nothing.”

Our fears aren’t here to cast us to darkness, rather they are here to lead us to our own light. And today, because of you—my hope is restored.

So today, my dears, and with your very blessing—I hope it’s alright that I just rest a bit tonight?

But, I promise you with all of my heart and spirit…that I shall have much love and much inspiration to share in the morning.

Much love to all of you – and thank you for this most wonderful gift of your beautiful light.

Namaste. 

As I have had a bit of a health issue, and will not be posting today. I hope that you will all be here tomorrow though – as I am sure that I will have MUCH LOVE to share.

Tara

“You can talk with someone for years, everyday, and still, it won’t mean as much as what you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever…. connections are made with the heart, not the tongue.” ― C. JoyBell C.

I happened upon this video today, and at a moment when I believe I needed it the most.
You see, we all must believe in a little something wonderful in our lives—those simple things which captivate our hearts, create a space for hope to grow.

For me, I have always believed that love comes for everyone—that true love finds us all. And when it does, there’s not a force in this world that would ever dare to break love’s bonds.

Not even on our sickest days, laying still within our hospital beds and wondering if this the end of our time.

Because, love always finds a way to show and share its light.

In this video, Linda Whitaker captures a most beautiful moment between her parents who have been married (and very much in love) for 66 years. Even with a broken hip and blood infection ravaging his heart, he still shows his love to his wife.

Watch as these two lovebirds break into the most heartwarming rendition of “You are My Sunshine” that I believe I have ever heard.

“The other night dear, as I lay sleepin’
I dreamed, I held you by my side
When I awoke dear, I was mistaken
And I hung my head and I cried.” — Jimmie Davis

Come closer, as this video is a very special one, indeed.

“You can talk with someone for years, everyday, and still, it won’t mean as much as what you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever…. connections are made with the heart, not the tongue.” — C. JoyBell C.

Replay, “The Most Beautiful Explanation of Love I Have Ever Heard.”

“She was so Southern that she cried tears that came straight from the Mississippi, and she always smelled faintly of cottonwood and peaches.” ― Sarah Addison Allen, Garden Spells

  
Just look what was waiting for me this morning—the very first super-uber hot pepper of the season. You see, last year’s crop didn’t do quite so well…so, I have been experimenting with hydro-gardening. 

This year, my beautiful plants have been dangling their roots in a nutrient rich water—which they seem to much rather prefer than being stuck in the cold dirt all day. 

I tried to explain once that this dirt was spectacular, but they would have nothing to do with this, at all.

I guess, this is just my luck for growing “Southern-Belle” Peppers….you know, there’s really no pleasing them, after all.

Namaste, my most beautiful friends ~ may the blessings of this earth find you smiling this day!
 

“Your worst enemy cannot harm you
  As much as your own thoughts, unguarded.
  But once mastered,
  No one can help you as much.”

                                     — The Dharmmpada

I overheard a conversation this morning, between a young man and his wife (careful, we thought-filled writers are always on the lookout for our next, most amazing inspiration). They had been squabbling over something, I’m not quite sure—but to the both of them, seemed awfully, very important.

You see, there’s a dairy farm by my home, just down the road a ways and nearest to my favorite organic market. In the mornings, you’ll often find me there, reflecting…as you see, I’ve found that baby calf make the very best listeners (and particularly when it is that you’ve an apple or two tucked not-so-very discretely within your pocket).

I love coming here on my Saturday mornings, if only for the reason of ‘just sitting quietly for a short while.’ You know, meditation is not always ‘sitting in om’—rather, meditation takes on quite a few many different forms…including, simply staring out onto a field of mama cows and their babies.
I didn’t realize they were fighting at first—had it not been for the calf startled chortle and snort, I don’t know that I would have even noticed it.

“I give you everything, anything you want. And all you do is complain.”

I watched as the young woman, gripping tight the hand of her toddler, slunk forward into a crumpled pile of nothingness. In some ways, she ‘disappeared’ right before my eyes.

“You have a good life,” he shouted, as he slammed that car door. And off they sped down that well worn path of unsettledness.

Life isn’t what others make for us, rather…the life we have is the precise one we’ve chosen.

Every challenge, every minute crying alone in the dark…

And, every moment where our heart has nearly exploded with happiness…with joy…and with love…
This, too, we also have chosen.

Because, this life is based on our interpretation of what we are seeing. It’s not the world’s fault that you’re feeling a little grumpy.

Oh, I suppose I could have just as easily stayed in bed—but just look, at all that I would have been missing.

And, so, to this young man who caused another spirit to shrink…stop and think.

As, sometimes it’s not the world but you that you’re seeing.