THE ENERGY OF THINGS

"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories."

~ George Eliot ~

Things have memories, same as people.

They carry the energy of those who have used them and loved them.

Like the Velveteen Rabbit.

Like heirlooms passed down through generations.

Like my Dad's silver hairbrushes and his letter opener.

Like my husband's cowboy hat.

Like my mother's photo albums,

And my childrens' books.

I cherish the memory captured in household things.

WHAT MAKES SENSE

"Owning less is far more beneficial than organizing more." 

~Joshua Becker ~

Our lives make perfect sense to us- the way we file papers and pay bills, where we keep things, the whole way we organize our "stuff"-  but were we to die suddenly, and someone else had to come in and make sense of it for themselves, how would that likely play out?

I keep my papers and my life in good order.

GRACE

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world."

~Terri Guillemets ~

Life goes on and the unknown unfolds like a Hibiscus in the sunlight. It carries me, and pushes me, and inspires me to move on my own. I roll. I stride. And I am supported by a power beyond my understanding every step of the way.

I am grateful to live by grace. 

RUDDERLESS AND ROOTLESS

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break." 

~ William Shakespeare ~

The sudden and unexpected death of my Dad has rocked me in a way very few things in life have. I hadn't realized how much I defined myself in relation to him, and without him here to wonder about and worry about- what did he think, what should my next move be, how could I evolve in the relationship, and how free and self-expressed could I allow myself to be?
     My Dad was always on my mind, and I wanted so much for him to know me, and love me, and approve of me... and then, suddenly, poof- gone. The whole thing dissolved into ether and pure love. It's left me hanging-feeling, in mid-air, with no ground below me, as if I've been pulled up by the roots.
     And I know I will grow new ones, and I know it will take time, yet nonetheless, this plucked up feeling is a new one, and getting my bearings is taking everything I have.

I am patient with myself as life transitions sharply and leaves me in the lurch.

THE NEXT RIGHT THING

"There is a reason you were born, and a bunch of things you've got to do today regardless."

~ Robert Brault ~

When everything familiar gets turned on its head, which happens every so often in life, the best we can do is to breathe, and to remain calm, and to do the next right thing one day at a time.
     And truthfully, even when life doesn't get turned on it's head, that's still a darn good plan.

I live life as it shows up.

TAKING A PAUSE...

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." 

~ Thomas Campbell ~

I found out yesterday that my father is no more. He laid down to take a nap, covered himself lightly with a blanket, newspaper and phone beside him on the bed, and never woke up. A pretty graceful way to go, and yet, the disruption left in his unexpected demise is profoundly unsettling. Life as I know it has been turned on its head.
     Our relationship has been challenging, and I have learned from it, and grown through it, and I sit now empty in this sudden emptiness of loss. I am grateful to my Dad for being exactly the way he was, for all he taught me, for all he gave me, for his values, his quirks, his mysteries, and his heart.

I honor my Dad by taking a long pause in the wake of his passing.

(Blog posts will resume on Monday, March 12th)

LOVING PEOPLE

"If I see one dilemma with Western man, it's that he can't accept how beautiful he is. He can't accept that he is pure light, that he's pure love, that he's pure consciousness, that he's divine."

~ Ram Dass ~

As human beings we are beautiful and fascinating creatures. We light up when we laugh, and when we look with care, our eyes show the sorrow of the lives we've lived. Not one of us escapes that. And for all of our differences, we are so much alike. We have endless common ground, just being human, feeling love and feeling fear and feeling courage in the face of daunting challenge, and experiencing the wisdom that comes after years of getting through things.
     Let's be kind to each other. Let's look with compassion and listen for understanding, and appreciate the blessing that unites us all as one.

I love people and experience the beauty of sharing this journey called life.