I came across this today and wanted to share the uplifting, incredible beauty captured here. Enjoy!
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The soul would have no rainbow No more tears. Do you remember that great slogan for Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo? What a stroke of marketing genius! After all, what mother would not wish her baby no more tears? Thinking about tears recalls a childhood event in which my 7-year-old self, an intrepid explorer even then, found and cut myself on a rusty something or other, requiring a trip to the doctor for a tetanus shot. I wailed and sobbed in his office, the tears streaming down my cheeks. In an attempt to comfort, he told me not to cry in a gentle, kind voice. I hiccuped to a stop finally, saying, in all my childlike innocence, that I might run out of tears. He gave an immediate assurance, with an ironic chuckle, that he didn't think that would ever happen. Hmmm. I guess I must concede that point. Life does bring tears to our eyes -- of grief, of pain, of joy, of sympathy, and the whole gamut of emotions in our human repertoire. It is part of our uniqueness as sentient beings that we have deep feelings and that we can allow them to express. And according to John Vance Cheney's poetic pronouncement, out of the well of our tears, rainbows of the soul are born. That is a truly lovely thought! Rainbows have special significance for me, and living in south Florida, I'm fortunate that they occur frequently. I have come to think of the rainbow as my own personal message from God (but, don't worry, I'll share). Rainbows have shown up in my life at just the moment I needed reassurance that all would be well, when I was fearful, despairing or feeling abandoned. They are a sign - a covenant and a promise that God's love is always present. And a rainbow is also a reminder: if there are tears in your eyes or rain in your skies, just look around when the sun peeks out for the rainbow! It's bound to be there. You have to let the light shine in order to make a rainbow. "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." ~Goethe I am thinking about commitment. Whether it's realizing dreams, planting seeds with expectation of sunflowers, nurturing hopes and creating art with words or photographs or paint or musical notes -- all these things require us to commit to spending the time, attention, work, sweat, emotional investment and being willing to sacrifice a part of ourselves for the dream, or the art, or the music. I will admit I love the magic that happens when the dream is first perceived as possible, as tangible. That first flush of heady promise inherent in the moment of epiphany. It seems so easy to be bold when that fire is sparking the imagination. It's the follow through that's hard. The daily toil and sweat. Picking up the paint brush when you are dead tired. Or the camera when you feel totally uninspired. Or the "butt in the chair" and "fingers on the keyboard" even when the computer screen remains stubbornly blank. And then there's the fear of failure that comes creeping in... Here are some wonderful words of inspiration written by W.H. Murray, excerpted from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition: "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back -- always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way." In other words, serendipity strikes to bring good things to support the creative effort, to bring the commitment to fruition. Grace gathers you under its wing and pats you on the head with an encouraging smile. I made a commitment today to complete a book that has been simmering in my subconscious for a year, bursting forth in fits and starts. I announced its near publication. That means I have to get it done, and fast. So, here I am waiting for serendipity to strike and grace to gather, to speed me to the finish line. I expect good things to come of this project, and of another to which I've committed, (which I will tell you about in a future post). OK, Providence! Bring it on! Let's dream and create and be bold! Are you in? My announcement can be found here if you'd like to see: Sanity Savers for Caregivers "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." I came across this Cherokee Wisdom teaching story about two wolves: Good and Evil. It had the same impact today that it did years ago upon my first reading, so I thought it worth sharing. I think Gandhi was so insightful in the above quotation. If we can find the way to implement it in our daily lives, what an incredible difference it makes! In fully appreciating all the good things, blessings, and love in our lives we increase those -- feeding the good wolf, as the wise Cherokee elder put it. Being open to new ideas, actively engaged in learning, creating, heart-centered connecting with others, and purpose-driven action, we can let our passion nourish our lives with energy and wisdom. How will you live today? What will you learn? Which wolf will you feed? Life is a song. I know the melody, but seem to be stumbling over the old lyrics. Perhaps it's time to write new ones for the next few verses. But, it takes such courage to compose and create -- to reinvent myself in the middle of the song. It takes vision to reach out seeking new purpose and to let it kindle a spark of creativity and joy--to try on new ideas like clothing and take an honest look in the mirror of self-respect. It requires openness and vulnerability. What will people think? Do I care too much what they think? Or not enough? Actually, I vacillate between moments of incredible clarity and focus, where the vision is compelling and motivating, alternating with times of fear and confusion when my spirit draws back into its protective shell like a sea creature responding to a dangerous predator. I never know which of these extremes will predominate. Anyone else on this same roller coaster? I came across a quotation that gave me a physical, visceral jolt from its charge of truth: "If one wanted to crush and destroy a man entirely, to mete out to him the most terrible punishment," wrote Dostoevsky, "all one would have to do would be to make him do work that was completely and utterly devoid of usefulness and meaning." Is it an intrinsic part of our humanity that we need to be needed? If we are not useful, finding and expressing connection and meaning, we suffer for the lack. I sang this song of work "utterly devoid of usefulness and meaning" for two long years and it was indeed terrible punishment after a life song of love and service, filled with purpose and meaning. I somehow had fallen into inertia and amnesia about the fact that I can rewrite my own lyrics! I imagine all of us have experienced times during a dark night of the soul when our life purpose is ripped away through loss, grief, fear, disconnection or adversity. Life's song can be challenging because we often find ourselves improvising it as we go along. Sometimes we lose our voice. Sometimes we forget the words. Sometimes stage fright makes our knees knock and we hyperventilate our way through the song. If we are unwilling (or unable) to leave the safety of our shell, to risk failure in the eyes of our peers, or worse, our own highest selves, our soul is indeed meted out the "terrible punishment" Dostoevsky describes and we are sentenced to life without meaning. But it doesn't have to be that way. In the words of the poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran, about work in his beloved classic, The Prophet: "When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. A life song is certainly to be charged with a breath of our own spirit! And our work is vastly richer if we suffuse it with love and joy. As I sing my life song, I want it to be vibrant, heart-full, breath-taking, with tenderness and love, meaning and beauty. I want to sing a song that lifts others who hear it, gives hope and healing. As I hesitantly start to sing my new lyrics to life's song, I am watching those listening, letting go of my fears and just singing. And I try to silence the biggest critic of all -- the inner one who is loud and sometimes downright destructive!
I sing on, semi-bravely, trying to let my life purpose shine in the lyrics. Sometimes, the song is effortless and it soars, while others join in beautiful harmony. Other days, it's solo and scary. But if I stay in this present moment, feeling all there is to feel, living fully and vibrantly and appreciating all the simplicity and complexity of life -- well, then the song writes itself. I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers; I had the wonderful good fortune to experience several weeks of the loveliest Spring at our farm -- filled with nesting birds & bursting blossoms, full moon magic, chattering chipmunks, zipping hummingbirds, bounding bunnies, yipping coyote, dancing deer...it truly was an awesome display of the beauty of Mother Nature at her finest! These are just a few of the photos, since, of course, most of the time I was without camera when the antics were happening. Nevertheless, I soaked them up with my soul and they are continuing to nourish me every day.
This special time "apart" was a sort of working retreat, and work I DID! So much was accomplished by the toil and sweat of my brow (and other places) and it felt so completely in harmony with everything. There is something deeply gratifying about hard, physical labor and the immediate results it brings! I think I seriously annoyed the critters who've been inhabiting the barn by cleaning out their various nests, webs, and hiding places, and by moving the tractor and all its attachments out (they went to a very good home with a collector who will restore them to former glory!) It was a very emotional moment when the 1935 Massey-Fergusen tractor "led" the 1949 Ford out of its hibernation of a decade or so into the light of day. I'm very pleased that it will be lovingly restored and have a whole new life! I learned many things from this retreat time. One very dramatic impact was being "unplugged" from my usual electronic, internet and media sources, since there is no TV, only one decent radio station, and no internet readily available. I was depending solely on my smartphone, and found I quickly tired of squinting to see things on a 3-inch screen. Consequently, I was able to be disconnected from most things and it changed my whole sense of the passage of time. Everything slowed to a gentle, soothing pace. I worked, slept, ate when I felt like it, rather than according to a preconceived or habitual pattern. My time was truly my own to spend pretty much as I wished--well, almost. The quiet was palpable and awakening to birdsong, heavenly! I am now back in my "usual" routine, but striving mightily to hold onto that profound sense of peace and connection to nature that was born of my time with her. It is indeed humbling to realize that the world does go on without our constant attention and input, and that we are empowered by our choices, wherever we are, as to how to spend our precious life moments. The incredible difference in the quality of my experience of life while unplugged will stay with me, deeply nurturing my spirit, and I will attempt to share it here through words and images, so that it might encourage those who are needing "more" from life to see that there is a tremendous, often untapped and unnoticed array of beauty and blessing available simply by stopping to smell the roses. Or howl at the moon. Or watch a bird build its nest. Peace, be still...
Do you believe in synchronicity? Events that occur by seeming coincidence, that appear to be connected, but have no demonstrable causal relationship? I most fervently do! The reading and reviewing of Eldon Taylor's book, I Believe: When What You Believe Matters!, is just such an event for me-- an almost magical manifestation of what I needed to read and ponder at exactly the moment it would have the most impact on my life. Let me explain.
I have been experiencing a bit of a rough patch in my life, as have so many others in these somewhat trying and chaotic times. Dealing with caregiver burnout, grieving the loss of my mother, and various health and job challenges became overwhelming. Some of my core beliefs were shaken to their foundations and cracks began to appear. I started to question my whole way of relating to the world, my path of service, my very faith in the goodness of the Universe. Quite predictably, my self-confidence was suffering under the onslaught, despite my efforts to practice all the balancing, healing tools I could marshal. So I was more than ready to devour this wonderful, stimulating, thought-provoking, cathartic book. Oddly enough, had I not given my word that I would do this review, I would likely have skipped it, with all the major upheaval transpiring in my life. And that would have been a personal loss and a very sad thing for my spiritual growth, as well, since reading the book was like watching the sun emerging from behind a bank of dark clouds and shine fully on my soul. The illumination it brought to mind and spirit have been very profound. Through a series of anecdotes, stories, research studies, inspirational quotes and using the wisdom of his lifetime weaving them all together, Eldon Taylor has created a gem of a book to help sort out what you, personally, believe -- about yourself, your world, your integrity, love, enlightenment and so much more! Many of these concepts were not new to me, since I have been privileged to hear many inspiring speakers and read their works over the past years. But my psyche, through the persistent battering of adversity, put up a protective shield and I lost touch with my own authentic self. I could no longer hear the still, small voice that had been my guide. I felt abandoned. Anyone else in this boat with me? Through reading and reflecting on the ideas presented in this book, I've begun to find my way back to my authentic self, to the strength that emanates from being in alignment with my deepest core beliefs. The book both inspired and also challenged me to do some deep inner work, but it ultimately affirmed and stretched my belief system, reminding me of truths that I'd forgotten. One quotation particularly caught my attention: "Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." ~ Norman Cousins The impact of this was like a sledgehammer to my soul, especially when I realized that I'd been contemplating letting some cherished dreams die, feeling that circumstances were out of my control. The process of reading I Believe helped me to reclaim the power of my integrity through deeply examining my beliefs and their motivation. I think anyone who is seeking answers to life's most challenging questions, willing to take an introspective, searching look at why they believe as they do, will benefit greatly from the insights and reflections presented by Eldon Taylor. This book seems to me to be a distillation of Taylor's wisdom derived by authoring 300 books, audio and video presentations, hosting radio talk shows, and developing his patented InnerTalk technology. I found truth resonating through the many topics covered, and it was accessible because of the way in which it was shared. Taylor is candid and open in describing his own path -- the triumphs and the failures -- and makes exploring your own beliefs a much more productive process through his insights. *I was provided a copy of this manuscript for purposes of review. "You know you're spoiling your cat when...you won't turn over during the night no matter how uncomfortable you are because you might disturb the cats." Misty in her cozy nap chair I confess. I am a serial cat spoiler. I resonated with the quote above, having spent many an uncomfortable hour in bed with multiple cats cuddling up so that I could not move. I know there are others out there. Come on, you know who you are. I imagine this can even apply to "dog" people. At this point in time, our cat population has decreased to one, very old (18 years this month which is ancient in human years), very sweet cat, named Misty. She is a very wise kitty and I am sharing some of her deeper thoughts herein. 1. Be engaged with life, and amazed daily by its wonders. Allow life to surprise you with good! Misty and I were cat napping together yesterday when a dove flew up and perched on a hanging basket just outside the window, only about two feet from Misty. Birdwatching is one of the few select activities which actually outrank naps in Misty's world. She was immediately on full alert and in stalking position on her side of the window. The dove then grew even bolder, after shifting position in the plant several times, to Misty's intense interest, it then flew directly in front of her and perched inches from her face on the windowsill. It was quite an amazing interaction to watch: Misty, frozen in stalk-mode, except for tiny twitches in her tail, whiskers forward in pleasure and fascination, eye to eye with the dove. This went on for some time as the dove turned its head this way and that, trying to get a better view into the room, Misty completely focused on its every minute movement. I was enthralled and thrilled to be witness to her catly acumen and the enthusiasm she displayed. When the encounter finally ended, she remained vigilant, keeping an eye to the window for the rest of the afternoon. So, the lesson here is you should never be afraid to stalk what you desire, whiskers forward in anticipation of receiving, and you're never too old to dream! 2. Sleep around (in the literal sense) No, not that kind of sleeping around! Get your mind out of the gutter, folks! Misty has made an art form of selecting the very best sleeping spots, which meet her precise and exacting requirements for sheer comfort and security. She has an incredible knack for finding the coziest spots in the sun, and spends quite a bit of time on her sleeping schedule and strategy. Certain sleeping spots are reserved for special occasions or during certain seasons of the year, or cycles of the moon, or some other mysterious formula known only to Misty. Sometimes, there is total panic in our house when we can't find her, but these are not warranted. She always turns up safe and sleepily stretching from a newly discovered nap spot. So her wisdom to share with humans is that sleep is a very good, worthy activity, requiring some planning and superb execution. Since the latest research bears out just how important sleep is to humans as well as felines, I think we should learn from her napping technique. Start immediately to identify prime napping spots in your house (or yard -- hammocks and swings make wonderful napping locations in warm climates). Make them cozy, soft, secure and distraction-free -- Happy zzzzzzzzz's to you! 3. When someone you love is feeling sad or ill, offer a cuddle and a purr. This one is self-explanatory. There is no substitute for being present for those you love in warm and comforting ways. It's good for the soul! 4. Meet life with curiosity. Misty has a new habit. I call it the interrogatory trill. When I walk into a room where she is (usually) sleeping, she elicits a sound that is a cross between a purr and a glissando slide up the scale, as if to say "I'm here, don't step on me -- Yes, can I help you? -- Want to play? -- Want to pet and adore me? -- Want to feed me?" Sometimes the trill morphs into a meowy sound or a yawn, but it always welcomes and expresses willingness to connect. I love this about her. And it is a very valuable lesson. Always be open to life, to learning, to seeking the new and interesting. Curiosity is a powerful tool for engagement with life's mysteries. 5. Make do with what you've got. Misty is not shy about asking for what she wants. Loudly. Repeatedly. In the wee hours of the morning, or whenever the mood strikes her. She still has no respect for weekends or my sleeping schedule, which often does not coincide with hers. However, if her repeated demands for attention are not met (i.e. no one is immediately springing into action to replenish the food or water bowl, or scoop out the litter box, find her catnip toy, or other urgent need), she is satisfied to have called attention to the issue. Then, she lets it go and looks for an alternative for the meantime. (not to the litter box, thankfully). She will usually find the bowl of dry food left for her snacking pleasure and have a few bites to satisfy her hunger until mealtime. Or she will grudgingly drink hours-old water from her bowl. This lesson also has a great wisdom to bear: Ask for what you want. If it is not immediately forthcoming, make it clear, put it out there, and then look around for a temporary satisfaction of the problem. This is not compromising your high ideals, but rather using your creativity to temporize until what you desire manifests. It is a good skill for any human or feline. Many times, we find that all we have is all we need. "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Is your soul feeling a little bit dusty today? Mine was too, until I started listening to this magical CD of plainsong (chant) done in exquisite perfection by the Trinity College Choir Cambridge - it's titled simply "Voce" for voice. It is soaring and creates in me an inner awakening or dawn. If you have not ever listened to this kind of music, I encourage you to be open to it and see if your soul needs dusting. I certainly feel brighter and richer for having rediscovered it today.
Passing it along for your en-JOY-ment! Check out their wonderful YouTube channel to listen to others of their recordings. My personal favorite on the Voce CD is the choral version of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings (Angus Dei). "The fragrance of the rose lingers upon the hand that cast it." As another birthday approaches, I find that I am in a very introspective mood -- consciously counting my blessings, past and present. They have been both abundant and deeply moving and my heart is filled with gratitude! As I reflect on the spirit of birthdays past, what better time to give tribute to the woman who helped form the person I am today? Through nature and nurture, DNA and devotion, my mother is such an intrinsic part of me that I'm not even always aware of the depth of the blessings she bestowed. And I can still be caught off-guard when one of her timely cliches pops out of my mouth. (The tumultuous teenager in me rolls her eyes when this happens, but the adult me smiles and recognizes wisdom.) My mother was the embodiment of loving kindness and compassion. She simply lived her philosophy by daily application of it. She gave to others through her nursing skills healing veterans and, later in her career, providing tender care to children in the hospital; to her family she gave unstintingly of her time, attention and wisdom in both ordinary and amazing ways; helping friends, neighbors and even the occasional stranger with a cheerful, generous heart was her trademark. Mom used to say she never met a stranger, meaning that strangers became friends. One of her favorite pastimes was sharing roses from her garden. This became a bonding language of love between us, as each mother's day I would buy and plant new rosebush in her yard. This simple pleasure brought joy to both of us, and by extension to others. My Mom gave in tangible ways. She drove a sick friend to a doctor's appointment, took a pie or casserole, books & magazines to shut-ins, prepared meals for her family -- yes, this was back in the day when families actually ate most of their meals together, sitting down around a table with food, drink and conversation. It saddens me to think that so many of the younger generation have no concept of this experience. One of my fondest memories is coming home after school to be enfolded in that wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread, and treated to a still-warm-from-the-oven slice of motherly love! I was truly blessed this week to meet a lovely new friend and experience an immediate heart connection. We spent several hours pouring out our stories, many centered around our mothers, and felt a soul-deep sharing in perfect trust and understanding -- recognizing a kindred spirit in each other. A stranger became a friend through the alchemy of love and sharing. What a joy this is and how rare! Instead, we tend to rush through our lives in such a flurry of work, worry and demands, that we make a living, but often forget the importance of making a Life. Had I been completely focused on the everyday grind, I would have missed this extraordinary gift! So, on this birthday, I remember the special, unique blessings of life--the ones that cannot be found in any store, or even online :) I bask in the warmth of shared moments of extraordinary love, friendship and connection and cherish them for the treasure they are. I can see my mother, picking a perfect rose from her garden to take to someone who needed a bit of cheering up, and know that the fragrance of that rose lingered on her giving hand, as the joy of her love lingers in my soul. Today, I will pick a perfect rose from my garden and follow my mother's example. That will make the happiest of birthdays! |
AuthorI am a singer, a writer, a craftswoman, a student of life and of Spirit, a wife, a friend, an inquisitive adventurer on the learning path. Seeking, sensing, sifting and now connecting! Please join the fun by leaving a comment or passing on a favorite post via your social network. As you can tell from the category list, my interests are varied and somewhat eclectic. I am seeking all that brings joy & excitement to life, purpose & passion to our daily round. I am curious about pretty much everything. Archives
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