how my afternoon unfolded...this cranked in my ears as my brush danced across repurposed chocolate wrappers, adding to my collection for the 100faces challenge. it's grey, wet, rainy, and all around blah feeling outside, but it's ok. this morning there was the most beautiful rainbow and that's what i have tucked into my pocket today.
and it is not lost on me why i have this day off, so to all those who serve, have served, and the families who support them - my heartfelt gratitude.
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this afternoon, i flowed through a beautiful asana practice which filled me with gratitude. as i moved into pose after pose, i reminded myself to simply remain present so that i may fully take in the golden sunlight cascading through my window and feel her warmth upon my skin, inhale deeply the blend of clary sage, bergamot and sweet orange that perfumed my room, feel my feet ground fully into the floor and focus on the expansion of my lungs as i breathed through each movement. i set a deep intention, gave thanks, whispered blessings, and held dear all the possibility and positive energy flowing from this beautiful full moon.
may she shine brightly over you and speak softly to your heart tonight, friends...
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summer is gathering up her magic into her arms, the dance of fireflies, the sounds of a beach, the lingering evening light, and the glow of her last full moon. autumn is following close behind her. it is evident from the golden cast evening's light now radiates. there is a change in the softness, the hue. it is evident in the morning air. i notice the slightest difference in how it feels when i look out at the sun as she wakes. it is evident in the bitter-sweetness this change of season brings. routines are about to resume and schedules beginning to fill. tonight, as i find the full moon in all her beauty among the stars and wishes, i am ever thankful for the gifts of this summer.
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this morning i took a long walk along the shore. it is one of my most favorite things to do - especially during the off-season. while walking, i noticed much -- the beach preparations as they ready to open for summer, the lone surfer who came out to catch a few before the day took him elsewhere, the sprinkling of fishermen lined along the water's edge, and the tiny treasures weathered and worn, smoothed by salt, sand, and time.
i realize that the sea is a great connectress - she offers something we may not even know we need. or perhaps at some level we do know. i felt this connection to her when I was small. calmed in her presence, soothed by her waves, and comforted by her sounds. for me, time along the shore, clears away the clutter in my thoughts, fills holes i may not even realize are empty, nurtures someplace deep inside my heart in a way that words do not communicate. i wondered if those i passed along my walk today felt something of the same.
i climbed up rocks and watched the waves break along the rock wall - gazing out over her vastness, listening to her soundtrack of churning water and feeling grateful for what she connects within me.
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have you ever experienced a moment when you just feel completely plugged in to the world? like you are completely, albeit momentarily, in-sync or in rhythm with it all?
i have had a couple moments like this in my life. i remember them because they felt just that way...memorable, almost indescribable.
when i think back on them, they weren't grand moments, major life events, or even things of that sort. they were subtle, simple, fleeting glimpses where all life felt in-tune.
kinda had that tonight. just flowing though a quick yoga sequence, trying to fit something in today. there was chaos all around me as the pirates were playing in the other room (read--i am hearing things being thrown, squeals of laughter followed by crying...typical sibling chaos). but in this brief moment, during this particular sequence, this uneventful evening on an average day in february...i felt that fleeting sense of connection and it was beautiful.
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this time of the year is fraught with obligations, to-do's, shopping, mailing, and so forth.
as the busyness began to wash up to my toes, i read her thoughtful post, and was moved deeply by the dream foundation and her call to participate.
before i realized it, i had painted a stack of small paintings to send. each one infused with the simple heartfelt intention that the recipient know that someone whom they will never meet felt the need to connect and remind them of the simple truths we all hold in tender places inside but can so easily drown out during our journey.
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for the month of november, i have been trying to use my instagram with the intention to capture something simple from my daily life that gives me gratitude. it's been a powerful tool to provide a focus, foster a daily practice, give me a pause, and allow me to see so much more through the lens of gratitude. consider yourself invited along, should you feel the calling. #everydaygratitude
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this week, i celebrated a milestone birthday as i rang in 40. the day was perfect waking up to beautiful flowers from the pirates, spent swimming in salt water, clinking and toasting with something sparkling, and dinner as the sun painted her colors across the horizon over the sea below. whatever, omg this is 40??!! thoughts i had previously, melted away with the messages and memory sharing from family and friends and gratitude washed over. deep gratitude. with a nod to liz and her poetry prompt, perhaps these words can better capture it all.
here
here a woman reflects on all the memories the years birth and hold
here even though separated by many miles and ocean, the love of family and friends find her heart
here the colors, laughter, heartbreak, and joy of the years shape, lift, and carry her still
here stands a woman completely buoyed by gratitude (ssperl july 2013)
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sometimes celebrations aren't huge gatherings with fanfare but simpler ones that find their way to your heart. don't get me wrong, i love a grand celebration - like the light and water show we saw last night to celebrate the 4th as we mingled with friends, but i also loved climbing up onto our rooftop many years ago to watch all of the fireworks across the Valley just he and i - even more. either way it is a celebration to cherish together.
a couple of years ago, i took this wonderful class from my inspiring friend regina, and so began my gratitude practice. finally this summer, i was able to complete one of the projects i began in her class with the help of some little hands with big ideas. now our home waves a colorful reminder back at us of all that we hold most dear - now THAT is a celebration.
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school years have nearly come to a close around here. with only the littlest to finish this week and things will end this week with a couple of parties, a nice high note to welcome in summer.
we have been laying low around here this past week as the oldest pirate recovers from tonsil surgery. all is well and i am hopeful this will help alleviate the many rounds of strep we seem to endlessly battle around here.
somewhere within all of the busyness that comes with the close of another school year, the pirates and i were able to assemble tokens of appreciation to be given to their teachers for all they have given us this year. we are grateful for their tireless efforts!!
using recycled cans (washed and with holes punched in the bottom for drainage), we planted some pretty succulents that have taken abundant residence in our garden. the boys painted washes of color on watercolor paper and we glued around the can with a teeny tag.
a small but heartfelt gift of appreciation to share....and grow.
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