Life

The Color of Our World.

“The mind is a painter,” shares Thich Nhat Hanh. “The painter can paint anything, and the painter can erase everything…It depends on your mind, your consciousness.”

He was speaking to the power of our own will, and the energy manifested within each spiritual ‘brush stroke.’ It is, by far, one of the clearest representations of ‘right action.’

In it’s simplest form, ‘what we think, we become.’ Though, deeper still – it represents our role in the development of our life’s composition.

Upon stretched canvas, the artist creates his masterpiece. Individual strokes converge to one; offering view into a richness, undeterred. With simple patches of green and brown, their ‘landscape’ comes alive.

With sweeping glance, they begin anew.

Life is just this way, my loves – infused with the color of continuous transformation; reminding us, that we alone can change our world.

Just a little something to consider on this day, my loves ~

Namaste ❤️

A Lesson in Forgiving Ouselves.

My darlings, incredible change takes place when we learn to forgive ourselves.

Though often, that seems an impossible venture. We cling to regret, to guilt, to wishing things were another way. In doing so, we never move past the moment. We become tethered to a single moment in time.

But, the truth is that we all mistakes. Why, even the Buddha, Gandhi and Mother Teresa occasionally suffered a misstep. Can you imagine if they had given up as easily?

My goodness, what might have been missed.

That’s the thing of it, isn’t it? We don’t ever know. Our lives are finely spun webbing of twists and turns guided by the hand of destiny.

And, in between each seemingly ‘unforgivable’ transgression is the possibility for something greater to be born.

So long as we continue onward anyway…

Namaste, my loves ~ ❤️

My New Year’s Wish.

When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait for winter to come.

Though, always a worry for our neighbors and friends, for me — it was an opportunity to charge wait-deep into the snow.

To spend hours alone in those icy winds, wondering if the snow ever grew tired of hugging those trees. My darlings, this was my greatest dream. To watch the flurries dance along the eaves, as December’s wintry breath formed delicate patterns against the windows.

Meanwhile, inside—a fire blazed ‘just for me.’ My father could warm anything with just a few twigs and a match.

In those days, time was measured by the sting against my cheeks. And, the snow’s depth gauged by the weight upon the limbs.

Oh, how lovely to experience a snow just like this. Even to this day, I’m reminded—that, no matter what, everything becomes new, once again.

“It’s a living book, this life” shares author, Donald Miller. “it folds out in a million settings, cast with a billion beautiful characters.”

And so, on this day—my hope is just this:

“That your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn’t it?” – Donald Miller

My darlings, for you, this is my New Year’s wish.

 

Softening to the Way.

I was reading a poem this morning, entitled The Epic of Gilgamesh. Written nearly four thousand years ago, it’s teachings are still relevant today – timeless in their ability to remind us of just what it means to be human.

“Gilgamesh, whither are you wandering? Life, which you look for, you will never find.”

The story begins with an introduction to Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk – born two-thirds god, and one third man. As a ruler, Gilgamesh was an invincible tyrant – cruel beyond all measure. He lorded over his subjects, causing them insufferable hardship and pain.

When the gods learned of his subjects’ pleadings, they created the wild man, Enkidu – perhaps, in hopes of keeping the mighty Gilgamesh ‘in check.’

Outraged by these stories of savagery and excess, Enkidu travels to Uruk to challenge him – certain that no one, not even the mighty Gilgamesh, could defeat him.

The two men engage in a heated battle, until Gilgamesh finally emerges victorious. As the story is told, Enkidu concedes to Gilgamesh – and, the two become inseparable friends.

Until the day when Enkidu takes ill.  When he finally dies, Gilgamesh is heartbroken.

It is the first time he has faced the reality of being human.

In his arrogance, Gilgamesh demands to see The Immortal One – wishing only to bring his dear friend back to life. A seer provides Gilgamesh with his vision – that of a long journey, with secret stones laid carefully along his path to guide him. The stones were to be provided to the ferryman for his voyage, but – when Gilgamesh stumbles on the stones, he smashes them in anger. When he is asked for the stones, he has nothing to give – a metaphor for the very way in which he had lived his life. That is to say,

We often break that which we need most of all.

A brilliant summary of the tale occurs in Mark Nepo’s book, “The Book of Awakening” in which he offers,

“In his blindness of heart he broke everything he needed to discover his way. With the same confusion, we too break what we need, push away those we love, and isolate ourselves when we need to be held most.”

Indeed, in my own life – I can recall countless tales of my own confusion. And, as Mark so eloquently desribes, “in the frenzy of my own isolation, like Gilgamesh, I have smashed the very window I was trying to open.”

When Gilgamesh returns to the city, he is empty handed but full of heart.

You see, my darlings – in the end, it’s always the journey which softens us to fear.

“Gilgamesh, fill your belly. Day and night make merry. Let days be full of joy, dance and make music day and night. Look at the child that is holding your hand, and let your wife delight in your embrace. These things alone are the concern of men.”

My goodness, what a most beautiful reminder…we live, we breathe, we bend, we break…but, we always seem to find our way back to center, once again.

 

 

How To Be Alone.

“If you are at first lonely, be patient. If you’ve not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren’t okay with it, then just wait. You’ll find it’s fine to be alone once you’re embracing it.” ~ Tanya Davis

Morning is my meditation; my time to gather…to reflect…to just simply be.

I love watching the world stretch wide its arms, in order to embrace this brand new day.

Oh, and the sounds…the birds chirping their call, and the squirrels playing chase across the fence.

I love the sounds of life, waking up. I love the feeling of daylight against my face.

And when the morning sun lifts her veil to me, I watch with heart as her light dances across the outlines of this earth.

But, most of all, I love this time just being alone.

People are so afraid of being alone, but for me—I rather much enjoy it.

In this video, poet Tanya Davis carries us gently through to a place we often fear—our very own ‘aloneness.’

If we can learn to embrace our own solitude, we might just find a much deeper happiness within it.

“The Journey” by Mary Oliver.

[blockquote source=”Mary Oliver”]“But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own.”[/blockquote]

Ah, what a beautiful poem ~ and, how very appropriate for this day.

We all have a journey, my friends…we feel it deep within our bones, that inner crying out to say,

“This is not my path.”

And, though that road may seem worn from our worries, trust that there is something immeasurable to be gained – the treasure in finally finding a voice, and one that you’ll soon recognize as your own.

Oh sure, it can seem quite scary, at first –

But, know – that this is the only path that’ll bring you ‘home.’

Much love, my dears ~ and thank you, for all that you are and do.  You are amongst the brightest of blessings in my day ~

The Journey
by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

13 Simple Rules for Living.

[blockquote source=”Nicholas Sparks”]“And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love.” [/blockquote]

During a recent conversation, and in a moment that I’m sure was marked by the exasperation of wanting very much to understand, but not quite knowing the way forward—my most dearest friend, took a long, deep breath and said to me,

“I just don’t know what to do.”

We were having one of those conversations, the deep and soulful—and sometimes painful sort that often takes place before we are able to learn and grow. It was one of those forever moments, that we mentally bookmark—never knowing at the time its true value, but knowing enough to tuck it away for a second look.

Life is just this way. It likes to sometimes hide its messages and lessons, in ways that force us to dig deep through the thickest of mud and muck to find the gem inside.

And sometimes in the digging through we find something most surprising: that the “gem” was there inside us, all along.

Sometimes, we don’t always know what to do.

Sometimes, there is nothing we can do.

And sometimes, the things we are supposed to be doing get lost in the complexity and emotion of those things we are trying so desperately to understand. It’s in these cases, where it becomes most important to fall back to basics—and remember life’s simple rules for living.

It’s not a very long list, after all. But if you dig through the muck and the mud long enough, you might just find that gem inside.

My dears, these are my simple rules for living…enjoy.

1. Upon waking up, and before your toes touch the floor…

…always remember to take a moment to do a mental count of all those things that make you smile, and all of those many reasons you are forever and so endlessly grateful. And then, when your toes do touch the floor… let it be a reminder to carry all these things in your heart as you move forward through your day. This is my process every morning. It works pretty well. Unless, I step on a Lego, in which case, I fall back to my bed and repeat that process all over again.

2. Coffee, first thing…

…and before you even brush your teeth. Maybe also have it set on a timer so that when you wake up that beautiful aroma surrounds you, kind of like a “welcome mat” for your day. I do this too—only these days, I fill my cup with decaf. But that aroma remains the same.

3. Hot towels, right after a shower…

…for me are a Godsend. I know it seems frivolous and probably way too much of an indulgence, but if you don’t have one, get a towel warmer. Just for you. There’s nothing like being swallowed up by an oversized, super fluffy, hot towel. Hot towels are good for your soul—I’m convinced of it.

4. Read, everything…

…because good stories, particularly the farthest-fetchiest ones, are the ones that build hope and dreams, and set our hearts to believe that everything is a possibility. And good stories seem always to find their way to the “happily ever after” —no matter how difficult or complicated or twisty the story line.

5. Go for walks in the woods, long ones.

And don’t take anyone with you. Be alone if even just for 15 minutes. There’s a beauty and a magnificence in this solitude, as you’re surrounded by an entire world of nature. This world is oblivious to all the interference in our days—the problems, the issues, the upsets. In nature, there is no sense of urgency, no marking of time. It’s the only place that I have ever felt so completely still.

6. It doesn’t matter.

Don’t get me wrong, some things matter, but in general, most of this stuff that we experience is just the noise of this life that surrounds us. At the end of the day, and in a much bigger way—these things only serve to steal away the fullness of those more beautiful moments. In the end, it’s what we have experienced and the love that we have shared that matters most of all. The memories that we create will still stand firmly in our place when our bodies are long gone from this earth. Our legacy is everything.

7. Simplify everything.

The big stuff and the little stuff, too. Take the easiest route from point A to point B, and eliminate all those extra steps our chattering minds would love always to insert on our behalf. Simplicity allows us the space to breathe.

8. Stop worrying.

Sometimes things are not always as they seem. Sometimes there are bits and pieces of the greater whole that are not always entirely visible in that moment when our minds begin the process of filling in the blanks. And sometimes the blanks are there for a very special purpose: adding to the mystery and magic of our lives and this great universe. Our energy is better spent in appreciating those little things that we can see fully. Like a tree bending in the wind, or a puppy sleeping on the edge of a couch. Or, in a friend saying to you, I’m here, now and I love you so fully and completely. It’s the worry that keeps us from being fully and completely here.

9. Laugh until your belly hurts.

This comes only after the long walking and the simplifying and the non-worrying. Find that one thing in your day, or that one memory that will creep up on you as a small giggle, or ends up stopping you in your tracks as you struggle to catch your breath and wipe the tears from your eyes. Because laughing this hard tears down all of the made up bullshit that is around us. And laughing this hard can take away any pain (no matter what). Laughing this hard can bring together even the most farthest away of spirits. And, laughing this hard leaves a wake of silliness and joy in its place. So laugh until your belly hurts, or until you wet your pants—whichever it is that may come first. It doesn’t matter, just laugh.

10. Memories are like little time capsules.

We choose what it is that gets so neatly locked into place for “discovery” so many moments further into our future. This time capsule has no limit—no capacity, no fill line. It’s endless, and waiting for you to fully embrace that moment and fill it with everything you’ve got. That’s why, when we can hear a song, or smell a faint scent wafting through the air…it instantly carries us back to that special place. And it’s also why, when I hold a peanut in my hand I think of that most unfortunate squirrel, who in spite of his best attempts still ended up taking one straight to the noggin. Myself? I’m a memory pack rat. I stuff it all in. Because I want to remember all of it, every moment.

11. It’s okay to dig out all of the pecans from the inside of your favorite butter pecan ice cream.

If it’s what you want, and what will make your heart smile, then baby, grab your spoon (or fork, if you prefer to limit the trail of pecan destruction evidence). Whatever it is that rocks your world, go out and get it. And don’t ever apologize or try to justify. Just do it. Embrace it. Life is way too short to be stuck in that silly endless process of wondering whether we should, or should not. Whether we ought to, or ought not. If it’s in your heart, and what matters most, then do it. And do it with the greatest flourish, and flair that you can possibly pack into that experience of finally having what it is that you’ve wished for all your life.

12. Boundaries and limits: they’re not always set in stone.

Sometimes you’ll meet someone with a crazy sense of adventure and spirit (like me) who’ll not rest until those limits and boundaries are pushed, and nudged, and finally nudged again. Some people, like me, are born into this space and role of continuously testing those limits. It will piss you off and probably make you crazy, but rest assured, there’s a little reason in all of that unsettled upset. It’s because, at heart, the person who is most testing your limits is usually the one that can see beyond potential and far into possibility. She’s the one who can stare at worthless, unworked patch of land and see a lifetime of exploration and adventure. And though sometimes this message can be lost inside the awkwardness of the pushing and the nudging, rest assured, it is always there for you to see. “Be limitless, and be in your limitlessness. Everything is possible.”

13. Love is the only “takeaway.”

No matter where we are, and no matter where our paths may take us…no matter if we walk our paths together, or stumble along on our way alone, love is always the takeaway. And we should carry it in only the most special of ways, tucked closely and forever to our hearts, and look to it in these sometimes seemingly impossible situations, because…love is what carries us, and love is what gets carried on long after we are gone.

Sometimes we don’t always know what to do.

Sometimes there is nothing we can do.

But in every situation and circumstance it is always our choice how to live within each of our every days.

So, be forever mindful—and never forget, these little life lessons we’ve learned along the way.

whitedrawnhearts1.5

The Infinite Perfection That Is You.

[blockquote source=”Toni Morrison, Beloved”]”In this here place, we are flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs; flesh that dances on bare feet in grass. Love it. Love it hard.”[/blockquote]

There are moments in my life, when I am simply awestruck by this balance between complexity and simplicity. These microscopic patterns of movement, performed in a most perfect order – nearly imperceptible to our human view.

This push-pull, tip-teetering becomes its own life force, manifesting the brilliance of our physical being. And, I dare say – we hardly even notice it.

But there are these moments, when a sudden glimpse brings the wholeness of these marvels splendidly into perspective.

Yesterday, in my yoga practice – I felt my heart surging to keep pace, as my muscles twitched in fluid rhythm. I felt the blood rushing to my limbs, as I stretched and pulled and released, once again.

My body moved as my spirit willed. All without me ever really having to think of it.

And, oh my goodness – isn’t that a magnificent thing?

I mean, just imagine, if you will – these trillions upon trillions of micro-cellular interactions, carrying out the most intricate of orders. In one whizzing, flash-bang of an instant – 300 million cells are permanently destroyed, only to be born once again.

It’s quite the miracle, now isn’t it? This brilliant biophysical dance…

And yet, even the very best of us all… can, quite simply, take this for granted.

My dears, you are a miracle of life – a delicate flower blooming in an infinitely chaotic universe.

I challenge you to consider the magnitude of this – these trillions upon trillions of cellular interactions, all coming together in meticulous order….

And just for the purpose of you being you.

So, take it all in, my loves…each and every bump and bruise…

And realize, that they, too… are a testimony to the infinite perfection that is you.

Why We Need Each Other.

A blind child
guided by his mother,
admires the cherry blossoms…
– Kikakou

[blockquote source=”Mark Nepo”]Who knows what a blind child sees of blossoms or songbirds? Who knows what any of us sees from the privacy of our own blindness – and, make no mistake, each of us is blind in a particular way, just as each of us in sighted uniquely.

Consider how each of us is blinded by what we fear. If we fear heights, we are blind to the humility vast perspectives bring. If we fear spiders, we are blind to the splendor and danger of webs. If we fear small spaces, we are blind to the secrets of sudden solitude. If we fear passion, we are blind to the comfort of Oneness. If we fear change, we are blind to the abundance of life. If we fear death, we are blind to the mystery of the unknown. And since to fear something is thoroughly human, to be blind is unavoidable. It is what each of us must struggle to overcome.[/blockquote]

I was very much inspired by this passage – which serves as a gentle consideration for all that we see. As well as, to remind us – of a few of those things that often get missed along the way.

The wisps of clouds trailing off to a fully saturated blue…

The honeysuckle slipping through the air, in the wake of the whippoorwill’s whistle.

And morning glories tucking in, as the Moonflowers pop into view.

My dears, there are times when we may feel nearly paralyzed by our fears – locked between those flashes of hope, and the dread of not ever moving on.

Our feet become like lead weight, pulling us even deeper into those sands..

While, just beyond our reach stands a sturdy Elm with limbs extended.

And, hoping that we might take this chance…one more stretch to bring us home, once again.

[blockquote source=”Mark Nepo”]With this in  mind, Kikakou’s little poem serves as an internal parable. For, in the course of our lives, we all stumble and struggle repeatedly, in and out of relationship, and in and out of the grace of the hidden wholesomeness of life. It is, in part, why we need each other. For often our relationships help us experience the Oneness of things. We do this, in the course of our lives, by taking turns being the blind child, the loving guide, and the unsuspecting blossom – and, never knowing which we are called to be until we’ve learned what we are to learn.”[/blockquote]

My dears, it’s precisely within these moments of struggle that we realize just how very much we need one another.

Indeed, sometimes we are the blind child – and other times, the unsuspecting blossom. But never are we beyond the reach of another’s hand to help us up again.

Namaste, and much love, my dears.

When Our Life Turns Upside Down.

[blockquote source=”Rumi”]”Don’t worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”[/blockquote]

My dears, this morning I was reading over this most beautiful passage. It’s from one of my most favorite poets, Rumi…who, in just a few short words, begs us to question the truest view of our own personal circumstances.

How do we know, my dears – whether the ‘that which is now’ is ever any better than the ‘that which is to come’?

And yet, we cling so desperately to these, our present conditions – unyielding, in what we perceive to be ‘stable’ footing. In doing so, we become lock-stepped in our efforts to ever move forward.

We build up these safety nets, fearful of that imminent fall. But, what we don’t ever realize is that…in time, even this safety net can become a ‘noose’.

Perspective is a powerful tool – with just a simple shift of our gaze, the horizon breaks with new meaning and clarity. And, it’s just this very shifting of view that has the capacity to change just about anything.

That is, if we let it…this momentary shift into unsettledness.

I mean, how would we ever really know? Whether the hardships of today, are not intended for tomorrow’s greatest resilience?

And, if this sorrow than often sends us crashing to our knees…isn’t likewise presented to teach us how to rise up?

Indeed, if it weren’t for all this thrashing about – how might we ever learn to stand tall, at all?

My dears, it’s precisely when our lives turn upside down – that we are finally able to realize the purpose to our being.

And, this – the just who we are now.