In this corner of the world, nature is waking up with a stifled, slightly embarrassed yawn. Winter has overslept its welcome and the ground is buzzing with the stretch of new greenery while tiny fists have pushed out of the barest of branches overnight. A tip of the hat to the tip of the clock for yesterday was the Spring Equinox.
And with it energy is spiraling up through my brain like vines climbing beyond the roof. My thoughts are spinning, swinging from one puffed up cloud to the next on a verbal trapeze, uncatchable. While at times that makes me smile at the folly, I also feel strongly the need to focus towards something centered at the root.
Do you have a meditation practice? I have always danced around one, just as I have with my pick and choose spiritual beliefs. But at this time in my life, it seems like the biggest gift that I can give myself, along with healthy doses of self-care and kindness. So I am taking a cross-legged seat, closing my eyes and focusing on my breath, that greatest of gifts, never to be taken for granted.
My mind will only calm for mere moments and so I listen to Jack Kornfield‘s instruction to treat those rollicking ideas as I would teach a puppy to stay, gently. Over and over, I come back to just being. At times that feels like it is all that I do. Start over, start over…reconnect. But it is wonderful to be able to peak around a new corner with a taste of hope untarnished in my mouth…
…so ripe for this time of year, here…and now. A beginning.
As today is World Poetry Day (thank you, Edgar!),
I thought that I might share a poem that I keep coming back to from Mary Oliver’s new collection called Felicity:
The World I Live In
I have refused to live
locked in the orderly house of
reasons and proofs.
The world I live in and believe in
is wider than that. And anyway,
what’s wrong with Maybe?
You wouldn’t believe what once or
twice I have seen. I’ll just
tell you this:
only if there are angels in your head will you
ever, possibly, see one.
Whether you are winding up or down, please know that I am sending my best thoughts to you as we enter another season, one ripe with opportunities.
Thank you for being here,
Heather
Keith! It is so wonderful to hear from you! Hope all is well in your world.
Silke, of course you mention the terror. I would be surprised if you did not. But please do keep focusing all the more on that Clematis and the promise that it holds. And the birds are coaxing your heart too…Giving you a warm hug, my friend.
Thank you for that beautiful quote, Jeanne. It is just perfect. And I am so enjoying Jack Kornfield's gentle encouragement and wisdom. I admit that I have had this cd for years but it is only now that I am listening to it…
Happy Eternal Spring to you in Saigon! 🙂
What I think is interesting is that there are such different means – whatever works!
My heart goes out to you, you must be feeling this horrible terrorist attack very strongly.
Edgar, I just wanted to let you know that I wrote down the central section of your beautiful response on a post-it note. It is on my computer and I have already read it so many times.
Once a healer, always a healer…
Thank you.
I think that you do something extraordinary every day!
much love to you
So needed, Joan. And I love that you have respect for your past all while embracing the new. I tend to drag my heels at change, a lesson to be learned…
Many of us are grateful that you are here to just "be" with us, Bill! Sending my Best Wishes as you recover…
Namaste.
Ali, I loved this response of yours. I seldom feel so centered or at peace with both myself and in the world as when I am walking with a camera in hand, actively trying to seek beauty in the world.
Bisous.
You are such an interesting place in your life right now, Judith. You know that not only beyond your birthday wishes I am sending hope for a beautiful new adventure ahead!
And how wonderful to swim…I wish that I was a swimmer!