Tag: courage

Between These Two Realities.

What creates our reality, my loves?

Is it the boundaries maintained within this physical space, or an aspect much deeper still? Is it the memory of those whose love is now ‘past’, or – is it the yearning of what might possibly be.

In our hearts, we know the answer. We feel it through to our very core, and it is this essence which makes us human.

The scales shift at times absent a ‘reason’; the inner voice begs a measure of promise.

And, here we stand between the two — knowing the only true reality is the one within us.

“They take the images outside of them for reality,” offers poet, Hermann Hesse. “and never allow the world within to assert itself.”

My darlings, on this day I wish you the blessing of knowing your one true reality, and the courage to engage this boundlessness within.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

This Potential of Sun.

My darlings,did you know?
 
You are loved for being just as you are; the genesis of imperfection, yielding to the grace of cosmic dust.
 
You are a shimmering light amongst the fractured shards; within which burns a wilder magic, and the delicate dance of a million stars.
 
And, if I may be so bold as to inquire…
 
Do you think the trees mark the burden of their fallen leaves? Or, do they stand majestic before marveled guest?
 
Rather, they join the chorus of hushed wind-whispers: “You are as you are, and that is enough.”
 
The ‘universe in ecstatic motion’ — through which all that ever was aspires.
 
So, have your fears, darling – though, make room for knowing; nothing deters the potential of ‘sun’.
 
In peace, my loves…
 
Namaste <3

Allowing Fear to Serve.

I was thinking this morning about the aspects of fear.

In any given moment, we may feel its presence; unyielding to the aspirations of will, indifferent to the greater heart within.

Fear knows no boundaries. With calculated precision it moves swiftly past the barriers we’ve erected. In its wake, sorrow paces regret – until we are as in that first moment we were:

Completely exposed.

As children, our fears surface unimpeded. We neither nor crafts stories; our fear just simply ‘is’.

Though, later in life we begin to view fear as a weakness or vulnerability. We challenge its presence through desperate measure, we deny the essence of what it is and means.

Fear shouldn’t be feared, my loves. Rather, it should serve a catalyst to discover that which draws compassion nearer. Sadly though, in denying our fear we create a space for pain to grow.

So, which is it today, my loves? A seed for discovery or a source for our pain?

Let it flow, darlings – let the heart of child decide.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

Where the Wild Horse Roams.

Author, Deepak Chopra once wrote, that there are no accidents – rather, only some purpose that we haven’t yet understood.

To that end, I suppose we’ve all wondered our purpose here – at times with great clarity, though often obscured. Our vision impacted only by our capacity to ‘see’.

What do you see, my loves? Do you see a soul graced with the tasking of higher power, or do you see fear instead in its place?

So, often hesitation impedes our journey; we envision failure before we allow the course of possibility.

Though, can you imagine if we altered hesitations order?

My darlings, on this day I encourage you to take great risks – to engage an aspect of self yet undetermined.

In doing so, we enable the legacy of purpose. We allow ourselves to be just as we were intended to be.

Like the wild horse, we must roam.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

 

Through Fields of Grey.

I remember once sitting outside to enjoy the warm, summer air.

It was early evening, and the moonflowers were just beginning to bloom; their gentle unfolding sweetening the twilight’s return.

I heard an urgent rustling just to the left, beyond the trees. As my eyes turned to sharpened focus, I saw a burnished glint challenging the fields of grey. It was a woodland fox peeking bravely through, careful to honor the space between.

He stood there briefly before venturing forward; his mittened paws bearing the brunt of all fears. I watched as his ears pricked to the evening’s sounds, convinced I might soon lose the ambered grace before me.

After what seemed an eternity, he finally relented – bowing his head to join me there in the stillness. When I felt the time right, I offered my hand.

With each precarious sniff, I felt his fear eventually waning. Before long, he sidled up right next to me. We sat there for a moment admiring this blessing of night, and the good fortune of finding our way through.

It reminded me of a passage contained within the Isa Upanhishad; “He who sees all beings in the Self and the Self in all beings, never turns away.”

Perhaps, he recognized within me that which all wish to believe — that we are each an integral part of this one human family.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

What Does Love Truly Mean?

I once met a man many years ago; his smile exuded that of a tempered patience and a willingness to ‘always look past.’

No matter the circumstances, nor dire the condition – he’s simply nod and say, “this too shall pass.”

To him, all of life was an exercise in impermanence. “Why should I worry,” he’d ask “when it’s already changing.”

One day he joined me as I was sitting alone on a garden bench. The smoke from his pipe trailed circles in the air, reminding me of my father’s favorite tobacco. “You know, my father smoked a pipe,” I smiled and leaned forward, drawing a breath big enough to fill my lungs.

“Ms. Tara,” he winked, chewing his pipe. “That feeling right there, should be with you every moment.”

It was my first exposure to the ease of being fully present – a simple memory predicated upon a tobacco’s sweetened leaf. From that moment on, whenever feeling overwhelmed – I let memory fall back to that single moment in time.

When my father passed away, I was asked which items I most wanted – only one, a tinder box filled with each of his old pipes. Now I have the memory to hold in hand, though – the one carried in heart is far better still.

Following his passing, I came across an old letter penned just after this meeting with my friend. I had cried on the phone explaining how much I missed him, to which he said – you can’t miss what’s always there.

Love – love is the gift my father always shared with me; unconditionally and without expectation.

The signature from that letter is now penned to my wrist, viewable each and every time I write.

True story, my loves – and one I wish to share with you today. A little something to consider throughout your day.

Love transcends all barriers, my darlings. And love is what ultimately heals all.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

A Little Something on Courage.

I read something this morning, my loves ~ from poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī.

“You are the honored guest. Do not weep like a beggar for pieces of this world.”

I sat for a moment to absorb the essence of his words; to understand the simplicity of this message.

That life is not for the feint of heart, my loves. And, we must find courage enough to truly live.

‘Carpe Diem’, they like to say; seize the day. Though, how often do you catch yourself holding back? Questioning the reasonability or practicality of moving forward? Or, worse yet – second guessing that innate inner wisdom?

Do not stand there and weep, my friends. Though, if you must – shed those tears for the moments missed.

And, then?

Cast aside those ‘wish I hads’ and in that space simply

Live…live…live…

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

The Capacity of One Human Heart.

I have an incredible story to share with you this morning, my loves – one which bears testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

The year was 1937, and Hitler’s Army was slowly rising to power. The German courts were powerless to interfere with the activities of the Gestapo in any way. Those who resisted were quickly imprisoned; some, accused of treason and executed.

The actions taken by the German government made it nearly impossible for the Jews to find employment; leaving at least half without the means to support their families. It was also the year that the Nazi’s began construction of Buchenwald – one of the first, and largest, of the concentration camps on German soil.

It was also the first to be liberated; and, the story behind it’s liberation is absolutely incredible. It is a testimony to the strength of human spirit.

Though nearly 250,000 beautiful human souls passed through the gates of Buchenwald, perhaps one of the most notable was a man by the name of Gwidon Damazyn, a Polish electrical engineer with a gift for radios. He was imprisoned at Buchenwald beginning in 1941, and though he faced certain death nearly every single day, still he never once lost hope.

Instead, he was reminded — that “he who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how’.”

And so, against impossible odds – he helped to organize the prisoners and cobble away what little resources he could. The children were taught skilled to trades to forestall their execution; and those who had become weakened were shunted to less demanding jobs.

Eventually, the prisoners had amassed enough weaponry to take control of the camp, however, they knew in their hearts that it wouldn’t be enough. Incredibly, Gwidon managed to build a radio transceiver and a small generator, which he then concealed beneath the barracks floor. Using this radio, the inmates were not only able to track Allied movements, they were able to plan for the precise moment of their liberation.

As the American troops began closing in, they knew they had just this one chance. And so, on April 8, 1945 – they acted.

They sent one Morse code transmission, keyed in several English, German and Russian. It read simply,

“To the Allies. To the army of General Patton. This is the Buchenwald concentration camp. SOS. We request help. They want to evacuate us. The SS wants to destroy us.”

Finally, after three minutes they received their first and only response:

“KZ Bu. Hold out. Rushing to your aid. Staff of Third Army.”

Hearing this news, the prisoners rejoiced; they then grabbed what weaponry they had amassed, rushed the watch towers and seized control of the camp.

A detachment of troops of arrived at Buchenwald on April 11, 1945 at 3:15 P.M., (now the permanent time of the clock at the entrance gate). Once there, they helped to liberate and provide aid to the remaining survivors

Because of this one man’s actions, over 21,000 beautiful human souls were saved.

Among those rescued was an 8 year old little boy by the name of Lulek Lau. He is the youngest known survivor of Buchenwald.

My darlings, so often we feel what we have to offer is not nearly enough. We struggle to understand how one human heart can make a difference.

Oh, but I assure you it can.

In fact ~ it is only through the actions of one human heart, that we may begin to right the course of all humanity.

A little something to consider on this day, my loves. If you believe, you can make a world of difference.

Namaste ~ ❤️

This Bridge to Courage.

I love this passage from author, Nicholas Sparks, which reads in its entirety:

“We sit silently and watch the world around us. This has taken a lifetime to learn. It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another and not say anything and still feel content. The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence. It is a waste, for silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking. This is the great paradox.”

A simpler measure is that silence is golden. It speaks loudly within those delicate spaces of heart, turning all that we have into ‘just enough.’

Silence is the bridge between doubt and courage. And within its spaciousness we find our knowing.

My darlings, on this day – a blessing of solitude and silence; that we might each realize the fullness of our own inner being.

Allowing the Sweetness of Life to Settle In.

There are some who’ll say it’s impossible to forget the pain.

Though, I’ve always believed that it’s much harder still to allow the sweetness of life to settle in.

Why are we so opposed to human kindness? And, what motivates our inclination to mistrust? Is it because we have such difficulties trusting ourselves?

I remember once, when my son was still very small. He had raced ahead to hold open a door, while an elderly man scowled with twisted grimace:

“Does it look like I need your help, young man?” he hissed.

Without missing a beat, my son grinned gloriously in return, “No, but that’s ok – I’m helping anyway.”

I had to laugh because, even though this man was quite obviously struggling to balance his many satchels of groceries – still, he insisted otherwise.

My goodness, are we so unwilling to accept the grace of another human soul?

To accept a love which rises so easily over hate, and a peace which soothes even the most injured of hearts? And, without which humankind could not survive?

Though, imagine if you would, that all of life was connected. In this regard, are we not then helping ourselves?

“The main thing,” shares Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy, “is that you’re showing up, that you’re here and that you’re finding ever more capacity to love this world because it will not be healed without that.”

Indeed, the world can not be healed without our love. And, my darlings, that love is formed first within.

Whether we’re talking about love for ‘the World’ or love for those immediately before us, we must first face the challenge of our own doubts and fears, quiet the impulse to run away, and then…

Open our hearts fully to all that is.

Because, that ‘is’ – is a most beautiful thing.

Namaste, my loves… and blessings for a love-filled day.