2019

"The rose of the old year withers away as the new bud begins to bloom."

~ Terri Guillemets ~

I let go of 2018- 

the pains, the victories, 

the courage and the hurt. 

I let go of any and all habits

that no longer serve me

and step into the new year gracefully,

and gratefully,

committed to present moment awareness,

authentic living,

and the ever opening path

that leads me forth.

I welcome the New Year!

NEW YEAR'S EVE

"Old debts shall be forgiven; old feuds forgotten, old friendships revived... the good vows shall be kept... There shall be patience, courage, faith; the dream shall become life... "

~ George William Curtis ~

I'm one who likes to get on with it and not linger in past hurts. And yet, approaching the New Year requires a certain acknowledgement of what has been. If we don't know what we're letting go of, we can't very well let go.
     And so, I let go of living out West, of the Santa Fe experience such as it was, complete with its spacious and beautiful sky, and spacious and beautiful, generous people. I let go of missing Virginia, and the process of learning through missing it that Virginia is home. I let go of my father- his life, his death, his judgments, his decisions, and his disregard of me. I let go of the hurt and the feelings associated with that. I let go of all the painful conversations and accusations that this year erupted in the people I love. I let go of searching for the farm of our longing. I let go of who I was, and who I have been, and in letting go of these things, I prepare for whatever may come, and welcome it with an empty and spacious heart.

I clear the past to make room for what's coming.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

"There will be many loving thoughts hovering around you like angels today."

~ J.R. Macduff ~

It's Happy Birthday time again for Sienna and Nick: beautiful daughter, beautiful son: 24 years old. We had a lovely Christmas together and I am learning to relax about them and let them be who they are, where they are, without my fretting and interference. My instinct is still to warn and protect, but I can keep quiet now where before I couldn't.
     And the truth is that they are both glorious! Intelligent, fit, self-reflective, confident. They are eager and passionate, and fiercely driven, while still being able to laugh with ease. I am proud to be their Mom, and grateful to be back on the East Coast where I can see them and be part of their exciting, evolving lives!

I celebrate my children!

THE FULL VIEW

"If you do not raise your eyes you will think that you are the highest point."

~ Antonio Porchia ~

When we are focused on the small task in front of us, it's easy to forget about the big scope of time and life, and become frustrated and irritable if things aren't going smoothly. At such times, visualizing a camera drawing back and back and back to reveal the full setting is helpful. It puts things in perspective, and returns us to our right size.

Every so often, I remember to take a step back.

ONWARD

"This is the day the Lord has made. let us rejoice, and be glad in it."

~ Psalm 118:24 ~

Another Christmas come and gone and the sun rises on a new day. 

Onward we go, 

with memories to carry, 

and our beautiful lives to live.

I open my eyes and welcome the day. 

MERRY MERRY

"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance- 

each beautiful, unique and gone too soon."

~ Deborah Whipp ~

Because of the nature of Christmas, we have lots of expectations, and yet, Christmas never goes the way we think it will or want it to. It's unpredictable. Consequently, we will be happiest approaching the day clear and open, flexible, fluid, and with a good sense of humor. That's our best guarantee for a good time- not controlling all the happenings, but surrendering to them, and letting them unfold however they may.

I allow for the unpredictability of Christmas. 

CHRISTMAS EVE

"At Christmas, all roads lead home."

~ Marjorie Holmes ~

Christmas Eve deserves our reverence and attention. It's not just another day. It's a hearthstone and a welcome-mat; a doorway into the soft glow of coming Christmas and all that it promises and cannot deliver, and all that it delivers that we cannot possibly anticipate.
     It's a preparation day for the heart and mind- to receive with grace, to relax and be flexible, and to let go of the reins and surrender to the ride.

I honor the anticipatory energy of this magical day.