Adventure

The Choice of Our Freedom.

I remember once being caught in a fast moving snowstorm. I was just 8 years old and hadn’t yielded the warnings of my now frost encrusted gloves.

My face burned with every wind-whipped howl, as the snow advanced to nearly knee deep. Even the trees groaned in protest. “Enough,” warned the eldest Maple.”

Still, I did not return home. Instead, I stood there daring it’s persistence. In those days, I wanted nothing more than a few extra hours with my sled.

As the clouds dampened the last of the remaining light, I remember thinking how wonderful it was to experience such a magnificent storm.

In his book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are, Jack Kornfield writes:

[blockquote]”Freedom of spirit is mysterious, magnificent, and simple. We are free and able to love in this life—no matter what. Deep down we know this is true. We know it whenever we feel a part of something greater—listening to music, making love, walking in the mountains or swimming in the sea…At times like these, a joyful openness swells through our body and our heart is surrounded by peace.”[/blockquote]

As children, it is that sense of wonderment and belonging that captures the spirit and moves us through. And destiny merely an afterthought; a byproduct of joy absent any need. And, as adults we must remember this choice of our freedom.

A little something to consider, my friends…

In peace…

Namaste ❣️

The Call of the Open Road.

My darlings, the open road is calling me today — a destiny, a purpose, a grand new adventure – all waiting for the opportunity to be manifested and seen.

Within which, I find the blessings of stillness and calm; of night relinquishing these mysteries of day.

Near a centuries old barn, I watch as the mists fall from the wings of heaven, resting beneath the daylillies’ song.

These are the days I wish most, and long for – those with beginnings nested in open paths, and those with the capacity to resolve…

The restless pulse of a heart destined for more.

In peace, my loves… and I do hope you’ll allow my day of rest. Until then, I wish you all the love within every moment; and a boundless joy, everlasting.

Namaste <3

The Heart of Hiraeth.

I happened upon a most beautiful word the other day. As a writer, you can imagine my excitement upon this magnificent discovery.

The word is “hiraeth” – a Welsh word, whose meaning is elusive in many different languages. Though, for many of us here – we instinctively know.

Often translated as an intense longing, though, in reality – its meaning is far more complex. As, it incorporates a much deeper spiritual aspect.

To feel hiraeth is to experience a sense of incompleteness…a profound yearning born from the very recesses of our soul.

Something, we’ve all experienced – I know.

Close your eyes and feel it with me – think of those far off places that have yet to be explored. The dreamer in you is calling – at first a whisper, a gentle urge…until that ‘call’ is all that can be heard.

My darlings, we are all born with this yearning within – driving us forward, and into those places we most fear.

It wakes us from our darkest sleep, pulls back those sheers and lets our heart awaken.

It’s hiraeth which beckons our soul to come ‘home’ ~ and, today my darlings, hiraeth is the word I love most of all ~

“Hiraeth beckons with wordless call,
Hear, my soul, with heart enthrall’d.
Hiraeth whispers while earth I roam;
Here I wait the call “come home.”

Like seagull cry, like sea borne wind,
That speak with words beyond my ken,
A longing deep with words unsaid,
Calls a wanderer home instead.

I heed your call, Hiraeth, I come
On westward path to hearth and home.
My path leads on to western shore,
My heart tells me there is yet more.

Within my ears the sea air sighs;
The sunset glow, it fills my eyes.
I stand at edge of sea and earth,
My bare feet washed in gentle surf.

Hiraeth’s longing to call me on,
Here, on shore, in setting sun.
Hiraeth calls past sunset fire,
“Look beyond, come far higher!” –author, Tim Davis (c) 2007, used by permission

This Endless Trail.

My darlings, I hope you’ll not mind ~

But the trails are calling for me today; asking if I might bask in the bits of morning light breaking through the ‘fingertips’ of branches and leaves.

And, beckoning that further mile.

The trails are truly endless, my loves. With each new day presenting yet another ‘way’ forward.

We find our spirit here along this open road; at the furthered edges where Lotus blooms and the voices of those we love find space between the robin’s notes.

Today, my loves…

Go outside, and leave your phone behind. Take a moment to relish the subtlety of Spring — the newness of beginning. Break feee from those tired old routines that haven’t for a second served the capacity of your wandering spirit. Take a risk, my loves — follow the longing of that innermost desire.

In peace, namaste ❤️

A Simple Wish for Today.

Never compromise a dream, my loves.

Do what you must to set aside those fears, those doubts, those wonderings why. Let go of those tired old, repetitive stories and relinquish all that tethers you ‘here’.

You are an infinite being, my darlings – no less. You’ve a heart filled with the wonderment, and freedom at your feet.

Stand resolute in your purpose, your dreams, your beliefs. Climb mountains, contemplate sunsets — take that road less travelled.

And, then?

Wipe the sleep from your eyes, and drink of this day.

My darlings, just for today – let go of your anger, your worry, your angst, and be grateful for those who’ll join you on this path.

Cultivate the energy of compassion, love and understanding – first for yourself, and then for all other beings.

I promise you, you’ll not ever regret – the moment you let go, and let this beautiful world back in.

❤️

To Be Continuously Amazed.

Someone asked me the other day, “What is the secret to a long and happy life?”

“That’s easy,” I replied, without missing a beat. “Be continuously amazed.”

I believe it was the philosopher Franz Kafka who once wrote that we are happiest in youth because we have the capacity to see without the hindrance of having grown old. As children, our senses are drawn to that which is always new. We pause to reflect; we take it all in – every last bit.

We don’t just see the acorn, we wonder how far it’s fallen and whether it will become ‘tree’ once again.

‘Familiarity is our anesthetic’, dimming the light of our inner being.

To wonder, to ask – my darlings, these are life’s greatest riches. To take the time to appreciate this miracle of our senses.

We don’t grow old for want of wonder, my loves. We grow old for lack of wondering why.

When Thinking Mind Wants More.

We tend to think of this present moment as a means to the end.

That is to say, “if only” we had just this one more thing, THEN (and, only then) could we truly be happy.

But, the present moment isn’t ever tied to a past or future condition.

In fact, let me save you the worry, my loves.

As, this present moment…

Is not those five final pounds, or that thing you should have said to your boss. Neither, is it the dishes still left piled and undone. It is not what you should or shouldn’t have done. Nor is it this arbitrary imposition of standard, or these lofty goals yet attained.

Rather, this present moment just is.

And, that thing you are experiencing ~ is simply ‘mind wanting more.’

In recognizing this distinction, we free our hearts for far more important things.

My darlings, this morning I invite you to enjoy this lovely passage from poet, Holly Hughes – a reminder that, no matter what, joy is all around.

“Mind Wanting More

Only a beige slat of sun
above the horizon, like a shade pulled
not quite down. Otherwise,
clouds. Sea rippled here and
there. Birds reluctant to fly.
The mind wants a shaft of sun to
stir the grey porridge of clouds,
an osprey to stitch sea to sky
with its barred wings, some dramatic
music: a symphony, perhaps
a Chinese gong.

But the mind always
wants more than it has —
one more bright day of sun,
one more clear night in bed
with the moon; one more hour
to get the words right; one
more chance for the heart in hiding
to emerge from its thicket
in dried grasses — as if this quiet day
with its tentative light weren’t enough,
as if joy weren’t strewn all around.” ~ Holly Hughes

The Gift That Continuously Settles In.

“Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.” ~ Edith Wharton

I was having difficulties yesterday – my body tightened from the rigors of this disease, sending my mind into a space of ‘overwhelmed’.

I thought about hiding away; tucked safely ‘neath the covers riding out the pain.

Oh, but how I would have missed the day.

Instead, I forced myself and took the trails. I met a cow named ‘Sal’ and a farmer called Bill.

I had sweet peaches from a paper bag, dipped my toes into an icy cold stream.

I watched a heron dip his wings, and scale fearlessly upward higher than even the clouds might wish to be.

Oh, and there were two baby deer – fawns, isn’t that what they’re called? I couldn’t help but wonder if they were as equally curious as me?

I saw lotus blooms peeking from quiet waters; and a farmhouse adorned with a field of wildflowers.

And, all this could have been so easily missed – if I had listened to inner voice instead of following my bliss.

Life is to be lived, my darlings – unconditionally and without regret; with opportunities to ‘dive right in’ presented inside of every precious moment.

And, it’s always a choice you see – to boldly venture with full heart forward, or to simply ‘stay in bed’.

I’d like to think given those choices, my loves – that we’d never ever once hesitate again.

Because, this precious human life is indeed a gift.

As We Get Older.

My darlings, you may learn as you get older that rules are made to be broken. That life is intended to be lived fearlessly with purpose, with hope tucked safely ‘neath our wings.

And, with every moment there is a gift, my loves – to do with, anything you choose.

So dance, live, love, laugh; take detours onto unexplored ‘paths’. Have crazy adventures, explore. Delight in the richness of the undiscovered. Let faith sit where doubt presently reigns.

And, in doing so – live the life you’ve always dreamed, but never dared.

Namaste, my loves – and on this day a prayer for courage and love in all that you do.

❤️

The Blessing Within the Gift.

“Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.” ― Shunryu Suzuki

I’ve been experiencing somewhat of a challenge, as of late.

My life, you see, has once again turned upside down ― a precursor to yet another greater life change.

“The world is its own magic,” Shunryu Suzuki once wrote.

I’ve always felt a sense of quiet comfort within these words. That is to say, if only we might let go of control – to surrender to the peaceful way of this Universe – things just might go a little more smoothly.

In doing so, we create the the conditions for the spirit to ultimately flourish. Watering the seeds, as they say – and, how wonderful that we are entrusted with the care of choosing just which seeds shall be sown.

Life isn’t always perfect, my dears. But, within this often maddening imperfection there is – a most perfect reality.

As many of you may know, this has been a particularly challenging year for me. Though, I’m not one to typically keep measure – I’d venture a guess, that this has perhaps been my most difficult yet. There’s been lots of uncertainty; loads of “I wonder ifs” – and, a good deal of ‘brushing it off and getting back up again’s.

But, where there is challenge – there is also room to appreciate, to learn, to grow. To step a little further into the ‘sea’ of our own unknown. We push our edges, we flex a bit – we stretch, we strengthen, we deepen.

This is the gift within the gift – those pieces which are revealed only when the spirit is tested.

And, my goodness – isn’t that the most perfect gift?

A little something to consider, don’t you think?