monday meanderings

The sun shone this morning bringing once again the illusion of warmth. It is warmer though. I think we hit 20 today, a heat wave compared to the single digits and below zero chill we've been experiencing. I can handle 20. The sunshine was enough to melt most of the remaining several inches of ice that has covered our small road for the past week and a half or more. I can see pavement!!

I'm sitting here listening to Cat Stevens on the stereo, one of my all time favorites, although out of respect I should refer to him as Yusaf Islam. I just caught a yahoo news article here about him. Seems he's recorded a George Harrison song on behalf of the children of Gaza. All proceeds will benefit refugees. I always knew he was a good guy despite the rumors that circulated about him from time to time because of his conversion to Islam. Only one with a good and true heart could have written the poetic music he has gifted us with.

Hearts are a good thing to follow. Life is just too short to live according to another's thinking. I think the world would be a much finer place if we stopped wasting our time and effort entrapped by others dogma and opinions. You are the only one who truly knows what matters to you.
And besides, like Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." Ain't it the truth? :)

I've just been thinking about the subject of following your heart lately. Maybe because I see my share of unhappy people in my little world who are caught up in others lives so much that they don't have much of one. They wear fear instead of love, and anger and blame in place of response-ability. It seems they are miserable and determined to not only stay that way but make others feel the same. What a shame. Maybe, just maybe if they would learn to go within and find their heart and follow it rather than feed off chaos and drama... maybe if they would find what they love and what feels right instead of focusing their energy on what is wrong (thereby creating more of the same)...maybe, just maybe they would create something positive and feel the effects of something akin to happiness. Odds are they would. Just my thoughts on what I see at times. But, to each their own. Just don't hate me for living my life or be jealous because my life is what you wish yours were. Everything is a choice and a result of the action you take. Even inaction is a choice. If my life is an example to others of what they strive for, yay! But don't react be becoming jealous, respond by becoming real. Authenticity is a blessing and following your heart is good medicine.

Ok, I''ll get down off my soapbox now. I will go about the remainder of my day now, hang some laundry, love on my fur babies, cook up something warm and hearty for dinner, take a warm shower and throughout the minutes and hours be ever so thankful for all the goodness in my day and in my life.

in this moment

In this moment I will not worry about the state of the world or what tomorrow, next week, next month or next year might bring. I am here now, in this moment and all is well.

Those I love are well and safe.

I am well clothed and well fed.

I am blessed with shelter, food, hot running water and all that is necessary to not only sustain life but do so more than adequately.

And in this moment I know I am loved.

There is nothing necessary in this moment, nothing that demands my attention and nothing but this moment. I am not being complacent, but simply being.

Sometimes we need to stop and realize where we are in the now moment. If we do this we may realize that we lack little to nothing.

Sometimes we just need to relax and breathe and be here now in order to be sustain oneself.

That’s all.

Be here now.

Everything changes in that moment.

seasonal thoughts

It’s about this time of year when I start longing for the less busy days of fall and winter. Not that I actually look forward at this time to the cold months ahead, (brrrrr) but just the slowing down part. In fact, despite being (what feels like) confined to my kitchen daily with canning in progress, I am acutely aware of how quickly summer is coming to an end. It seems to sadden me a little, unlike in the past when I used to be anxious for fall to arrive in all her splendor and crispness and to see summer come to a close. Now I think it just makes me more aware of just how quickly time passes and how soon these blue sky days of songbirds and sunshine, of open windows and sultry breezes will be gone. But soon the panorama of color, of burgundy and amber leaves ushering in the season of slowing down will lighten the loss of summer. Change is inevitable. We appreciate what is, release the old as the seasons pass, welcome the new, adapt and trust all is as it should be. Each cycle of nature, each season of life brings its gifts. How can we not help but appreciate the perfection of it all?

The Smallest of Pleasures

Over the years I have learned to recognize more acutely the significance in the small, seemingly inconsequential things. In taking note, I find that much of my love of our simple life is encapsulated in these small pleasures…

The sound of jar lids popping, letting me know my jars of jam and vegetables have sealed successfully.

A seed sprouting, showing signs of life and green, making one aware of the continuous cycle of nature.

The aroma (and anticipation) of whatever may be simmering on the stove top or baking in the oven.

Watching our garden grow.

Moments sitting in the sun with a cat occupying my lap or winding around my legs.

Allowing the jars of newly canned jams to sit on the table for longer than necessary just so I can admire them a little while longer before storing them away.

Watching the antics of birds and insects as if there is nothing better to do, because in that moment there is nothing better to do.

The sight of clean laundry willowing in the breeze on a sunny day and the smell of air and sunshine as I take it down and fold it, drawing the occasional piece to my face to breathe it in.

Our muscovy ducks appearing at my feet when I step out back in case I might have a treat for them and hand tossing them scraps to catch in their beaks like puppy dogs.

Adding to and organizing rows of home canned goods on my cellar shelves.

The myriad of colors in a patch of zinnias.

The evening sounds of life in the woods.

Choosing colors for my next yarn project, next bead project, next sewing project....

Putting the clean dishes in their proper places.

Gathering food fresh from the vine and making a homegrown meal.

Watching storms move in and never ceasing to be in awe of the power of nature.

The truth is, I find pleasure in most aspects of life, not only pleasure but also a great sense of appreciation for our lifestyle, our family and friends and for what we have. And when I say for what we have I mean that in the largest sense, from the love of others to the plants and trees that make oxygen , from the earth in which our food grows to the sun for it's warmth and life sustaining rays, from the food, dishes and utensils that inhabit the cupboards and drawers to the hot running water, from the view out the kitchen window, to the earth’s tokens that decorate our home There is so much that we can inadvertently take for granted, but when we practice slowing down and taking notice we find ourselves surrounded with blessings. I've found that practicing awareness brings appreciation and practicing appreciation brings awareness.

I’ve lived long enough to understand that…

On Wednesday I celebrated my 53rd birthday. So, I got to thinking about what I have gained from my years of life experience. Actually quite a few things, so I began writing them down and have decided to share a few of them with my readers. All are subject to my personal experience of course or reflect the philosophy I've developed as a result.

I have lived long enough to understand that…

Everyday holds certain responsibilities as well as moments of wonder and pleasure. Don’t take life so seriously you might miss them.

Contentment comes from within and understanding who the authentic you really is.

Happiness is a temporary feeling. Contentment is what we really seek.

The ability to be filled with utter joy and appreciation comes from knowing suffering somewhere along the line.

To withhold love is to harm oneself and other beings.

Life has grown simpler and my needs have lessened since becoming mature enough to feel a sense of my own mortality.

I am a universe unto myself.

Nothing is perfect yet everything is.

No matter what everything will be ok.

Life isn’t about what we have or what we do but who we really are.

Sorrow comes to all of us and we must learn to grieve, let go and move on.

Blaming others for how your life turned out is allowing others to define you, makes you a victim and prevents you from living fully. We have to heal and forgive (ourselves as well as others) let the past be the past and live in the present.

Hope is powerful medicine.

The best way to get through things is to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and do something.

I am who I am and that’s all that I am, take me or leave me.

Women really do rule.

Everything is energy.

Forcing a smile when I don’t feel like it really does lift the spirit and laughter is the best medicine.

A helping hand, a kind word, a hug or “I love you” are priceless gifts.

Truth is subjective.

Having grandchildren is redemptive.

Everything has a ripple effect.

We can make a choice whether to respond or react. There’s a big difference between the two.

Our lives are a consequence of the choices we make.

All anyone really wants is acknowledgment…to be seen and heard.

And despite how it may seem, I believe we all end up exactly where we’re meant to be even if it takes a lot of detours to get there.