Suspending Etiquette

Oh sweet life gift me a straw as big as the sun rise sky. Let me drink this day with such gusto my cheeks hurt. And tonight, when the last drop has been drawn into my soul, may the night sky vibrate with the most amazing slurp of joy the earth has known. Even the rules of etiquette surrender to joy. 

Are

Life, events, people, time, and experiences are not the enemy. Change is not the enemy. I am not the enemy. The enemy is not the enemy. A friend becomes a fiend only when we remove the "r".

Opening Celebration

We know those days, our special days. Days we celebrate our birth and other events. Days that shine the light on us. To open my eyes this morning and try to comprehend, that the Divine, the Source of all created this day for me and me for this day. The earth and my body Divine design. My breath the Divine breathed into me and breathes. All is well. All IS celebration. To awaken and sing joy, joy, joy to the world!

Transmuting Moments

The sun has journeyed over the mountain hill, it is in a different place this morning. The wind is dancing with the trees. If this were the only moment of sight and then sight would be gone, the colors and shapes of trees would be so different from that gifted with the same moment in just a few hours. Who would be right?  And even if the moment of seeing the trees and sky were done at exactly the same time every day throughout the years, still the vision would be different as the earth moves around the sun. Like the proverb of blind men defining an elephant, one only feeling the trunk, another a leg and another only the tail. Whose sight is right? Whose wisdom and perception the truth? A reminder of how little we see. Only this moment is what we have. To be mindful of how we define ourselves, our day and others based only upon this one moment. But an even better and magnificent reminder of the expansive wonder and awe that is before us.... waiting, waiting, for us to see.

True Evolution

They only know it is time. No frequent flyer points or vacation packages. Passing through on their way to where I do not know. Their journey inherently dangerous. But with grace and ease the take off, fly, encourage each other, and take turns buffeting the wind. They listen to their heart's call and go. Their freedom and trust giving flight to the wings of my heart. Their boisterous calls  beckoning what science would call a more evolved brain.

Touch the Water and Dance

Some people have rhythm. Some have grace and style. Others have passion and are simply free spirits. Others, only alone with their heart as their muse. Dancing seems innate in nature and even little children. We know the exhilaration of movement and release. We know the breathless passion of literally being swept off and onto our feet. Rumi used the dervish, a wild dance of the spirit to enter the door of Oneness and Love. So, when did we stop dancing every day, every moment? Today, in all my to do's, from here to there, may I hear the music and not walk or go to and fro.  I shall dance with Love. I shall dance with abandon. I shall dance with life. Yes Life, today I shall touch the water and soar.

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free” ~ Rumi

Domeless

I walked up the steep mountain hill I could not pedal. I would embody within, the strength that could meet the climb. Looking up the sky seemed so close. The gentle whisper, “It is NOT a dome. It is not a dome.” We are not goldfish swimming in a bowl. The cosmos and universe extend far beyond what we can even dream or conceive. Columbus shook the world proving the earth was not flat. He never mentioned neither was it a dome. My own body, like the sky, contains a cosmos of Light extending beyond the dome called form. Come Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria… time to set sail………………….

Mirror Eyes

Our eyes seem magnetically drawn to mirrors and windows to see ourselves as the world would see. In their absence we even ask others, "Does this look ok?" The morning walk to awaken and see my eyes the mirrors and windows of Life and others. And to ponder, the reflection my eyes gifted to nature and the reflection gifted back to others. "Look sweet earth! Look stranger and friend! This is the beauty you behold!" Sweet mercy, yes, my eyes the mirror of nature's and another's precious soul.

Welcoming Harvest

A most blessed day standing and sitting in the rhythm of nature, this first day of fall. To sit with metta, gratitude, and peace witnessing the transitions of nature and life. A reminder each moment and breath a harvest for seeds planted.  A day of abunDANCE. Namaste.

Absolution's Dervish

The sun neither sets nor rises. It is simply the earth turning. Forgiveness is turning from the belief that that all things, events and people should be exactly as I want and wanted them to be. To defy gravity and stand in the open cosmic Space of Life, to turn and know absolution’s release. Free from gravity I can see both sun and moon. Free from gravity I can twirl and dance the heart’s dervish and watch a million sunsets and moon rises. All is as it should be. 

Global on a Micro Scale

Sometimes I wonder how it is possible in human nature to commit all the wars, abuse, and violence. This morning went into the local cell phone store to get a new case and to ask why my phone was not working. Watched as the young man was berated, yelled at, and threatened by people angry that the towers were down. He kindly put my phone in its new case as he continued to politely deal with those so angry. I thanked him and wished him a better day. His eyes looked so doubting but grateful. I returned with a cup of coffee and two cookies. As others continued in their anger, I sat the offering down and smiled. No one but him noticed.

Soft Chair

She sat with her heart wondering what had happened to all who touched her life. Touches of both ill and grace. And then the laughed to look up and see. There were no holes in her heart. Only the gentle cupping where Love had sat.

Secret No More

Have you ever seen a child trying to keep the secret of a gift? How their body trembles, their eyes are huge, and it seems they would explode if they do not tell? Oh may I be a child today. The earth, clerks, drivers passing by, those in my heart known and unknown, the receivers of the secret gift I hold. My body and eyes exploding, unable to keep it secret any longer - all are loved! all are loved!!!

Unbarred Fierceness

So many have felt the power of nature. Her wind, water, earth, and fire. Today may my heart unleash an even greater force. To give honor to the devastation with the inviolable unbarred fierceness of hope. 

Taking the Loaf

Trying to leave bread crumbs for this path I travel. This morning no loaf to shed a crumb. Gazing out the window, the sky was canvassed with blue sky, white wispy clouds, black and gray and the sun bursting through them all. I laughed. Today no single bread crumb. Why choose? The day offers all. Thank you Life, I shall take the entire loaf before me! A hummingbird joined my giggle.

Breath and Flame

Sitting with the candle last night my heart sighed to think of all the wonder. The flame, once stilled, began to dance. It made me giggle. To watch how sensitive the flame was to movement and yet the wick stood still. The wick like the trees this morning, dancing with clipper winds, bending and swaying and yet they remain steadied and strong. To use the flame of Life as a guide when that about us would cause us to sway.  Noticing the source the movement, and knowing you, your essence, your truth remains untouched. To dance with the flame and yet in fierce grace to protect the flame. The way the winds may blow we cannot control but we can choose how and when the precious flame will dance, stretch or stand in stillness. Our light moving outward to touch all around and unveil the darkness, but at its essence, its truth, it is our flame.

Layered Choice

How is it the clouds are racing across the sky? They linger a moment, a quiet hush upon the mountains, and then create windbows as they glide like a leaf on a flowing river? The trees are still. No wind to make them dance.

Today, when others, or myself, would define my atMUSTsphere, may I remember this moment of awe. Stillness of trees. Gliding armies of clouds. Playful windbows. Or the softness of the grass looking up and beholding all. To choose where I will dance.

Re-Calendar'd Christmas

Surely must be a Christmas morning, I opened the gift of my eyes and beheld the Tree of Life. 

First Stone

On this day to reflect how quickly my own thoughts, actions and words strike out at others and even myself. To no longer just pray for peace, harmony and love for the world but to intend to be myself the world I would see. In truth, I cast the first stone. May its ripples of hope and peace wash within and without.

Hands of Curiosity

If only there had not been exams and grades. The dreaded red pencil upon the papers turned in. For some reason I have wondered just what the world looks like through a microscope. To imagine the galaxies and worlds that exists right now that I cannot see. The opportunity was lost in school as the dreaded red pen of judgment transformed curiosity, openness and seeing into an object lesson of trying to please. 

I have no microscope so the worlds remain unseen. But before me now a cricket hops and suddenly looks like a moth as it flies from here to there. Three evergreen sentinels stand firm and still while an elm tree is dancing softly like a lace curtain behind an open window. A few yellow leaves are the scouts of fall. A roofer’s hammer mimics a woodpecker. I wonder if he hums while he works. A single leaf looks like two. And beneath all I see are the galaxies and universes streaming that I cannot see but this morning to feel. No dreaded red pen today! There is no right or wrong way to look and see! The only question on today’s test and journal is “Look little one! Look! Tell me, do you see the wonder, the awe the absolute abundance about you!” Curiosity is the hands that opens the gifts.

Lost Found

I tried to ponder loss. Does the absence of one drop really change the ocean? Does loss mean something no longer exists? I pondered those loved now lost. I pondered the words from hospice, “Do not say she is dying. She is no different than you standing there instead of lying in the bed.” I pondered these failing eyes that struggle to read the words typed. This and that, no longer here. Lost? Gone? Are there no longer hearts that love and are loved by another? Are there no longer eyes that can read? Is there no longer this and that? Is loss like the new moon, so black but it is only her position that makes her light lost? Is loss the absence of mine and the shape, form and time I desire, perhaps demand? 

It is not acceptance. It is not release. I can still grieve; I can still feel the absence. But, as I laugh my heart begins to sing as it feels the love of 7 billion hearts and the changeless Heart of the One. I laugh to see through 14 billion eyes and the changeless eyes of the One. I experience the this and that through all and All. Maybe your heart? Maybe your eyes? Who knows the abundance is so grand. And should you need strong legs to walk the mountains, know there are two good ones here, laughing, and offering you their joy. And should you giggle for some unknown reason, giggle again to think another has laughed through you.

Heart Hug

Some hugs you will never forget.

My passion, joy, and delight are feeding the birds, squirrels, and marmots that grace my yard. My state, in such a drought, the bears have left the mountains in search of food. No danger except for humans who will not let them pass through. A mother and cub have found the bird seed. Humans will not let them be. My heart wept. To call Wildlife would mean their killing. To not stop feeding the birds meant I was inviting their harm. I sat in meditation seeking my heart. I made the call.

Some angels are delicate, wispy white wings and soft ivory faces. Others are big burly men, bald and waddle when they walk. I will clean up all seed and put no more down. I will leave a corn meal blessing for the birds, squirrels, and marmots and a promise to feed again soon. A burly angel sits watch in his truck having talked so gently to the mother bear. He will do nothing now. He saw the silent tears streaming down my face and wrapped me against his body in a true bear hug..

Some hugs you will never forget.  The union of two hearts, two strangers, and one prayer…may all beings and creatures be safe.  To seek the heart and then to listen to what it says. Namaste sweet life. I do honor you.

The Perfect Friend

Still working with Lunacy, I sat with a stick of sage gently burning. Being curious, I moved my hand and watched the dance of sage fragrance bend, twist and weave against itself. Every action creates a reaction, whether seen or unseen. If the delicate stream of smoke had not been there, the invisible air would have still moved with my hand. And then to laugh, to think of how another’s hurtful actions were like a bellow blowing against me. No, not lunacy this time, it was indeed perfection. Their actions made visible what I had not seen within me. I waved my hand again to watch the dance then giggled – “You’re perfect my friend! Those who love me had not gifted the smoke so I could see! What greater friend than one who gifts the fragrant smoke of sage so I can see!” 

Look! Look! Look!

Look! Look! Look!

The other day I was walking around the city lake down the hill. A young mother was there with her small son. As I walked watched them walking hand in hand. He barely came to her knees. I watched as she let go of his hand and POOF! off he went, full speed ahead. His wobbly legs making his body dance like a weeble. He ran as fast as he could towards the water. 

The mother, realizing she had miscalculated went running after him. But instead of yelling at him, she was giggling with him. She did not chase after. She ran with. Oh yes, she got to him before his momentum would probably have carried him into the water, but such a grand sight it was. Children always run to the water. Always run to wonder, awe, laughter and delight. 

May today, the call of Life be so strong within you, you too run "to the water" run giggling with only one thought - Look! Look! Look! To listen to the heart's permission. And Life shall run with you, giggling with you, and will, with gentle hands, make sure you stay in the moment, safe, abundant in joy, and laugh with you. 

Practicing

"Take your time. I'm in no hurry. Death comes soon enough."

His voice was melodic. The clerk's eyes, looking at a line that would make any box office promoter drool, softened and smiled. "Thank you," she whispered. My impatient sigh transformed and whispered, "Thank you." Perhaps that's why it's called a spiritual practice. I have not arrived. "Take my time. I'm in no hurry. Death comes soon enough. Everything is practice."

Lunacy

"Appreciate your lunacy!"
In a moment of ecstatic wonder, I climbed on top of the boulder, stretched my arms and bellowed to the valley and sky "I'm alive!" It wasn't until I was sitting down and observing the clouds at eye level and the steepness of the mountain top, that the thought of "lunacy" danced in my head. Norman Fischer translates the Zen saying of appreciating and acknowledging your weaknesses as "appreciate your lunacy." To do so, allows your heart to be tender when others are equally weak. Now, when the actions of others buffet my heart, I remember this boulder. My heart whispers, "I appreciate your lunacy! And I'm still Alive!"

Unveiled Gifts

I sit to savor my coffee, the glorious ahhhh morning and the incredible pre-fall breeze. But I am hot. The breeze is not blowing in the right direction to enter the windows. I chuckle at myself. Because the breeze does not suit me, nature is mis-queued. I notice the piece of paper next to me looks to be breathing with its gentle rise and fall. My chuckle becomes a bellowed laugh. Nature is trying to gift her delicious touch. The curtain has drooped and caught the breeze flowing towards me.

Today, sweet Life, may I with gentle hands, move all curtains within and without that would block the breeze.  

Labor Day Blessing

May the pause of your labors, give reflection of pride for all you do -do not forget to praise yourself.

May the pause of your labors allow your feet to move towards your dream, upon the soles of ‘what if.’

May the pause of your labors issue forth a blessing within your heart for the millions who have no work, food, shelter, water and exist upon the sustenance of dust.

May the pause of your labors celebrate the changing seasons and give cause to notice nature’s symphony and painted canvas beckoning you to come and play.

May the pause of your labors be not the pause of your laughter.

May the pause of your labors remind you to breathe, and enjoy the breath.

May the pause of your labors so delight your eyes, come tomorrow, you eagerly seek to see yet again.

And may today, you know only the effortless labor of love.

Blessings.

Presence Stilled

I, who awaken before the dawn, woke up this morning with the sun sitting on the mountain. My mind could not figure out what kind of clouds were in the sky or the feel of the morning. I had awakened with the day already in conversation. Then to ponder how others and the earth feel when they meet my presence. Do they walk into a conversation in progress and feel out of sync? Oh that my presence today would greet others with a quiet bench that they might sit, know peace, and the conversation of their heart.