To Acclimate and To Harmonize

             The older we get, the more we see, and (hopefully), the more we learn.  The older we get, the more we are able to experience, and (hopefully), the more we grow.

             Our days end, evenings begin.  A row of work shifts come to a close, our weekends arrive.  Seasons slide, one into another.  And years fly by, each December bringing that calendar to an end.

             If we are fortunate enough to rack up many decades, we are given the gift of perspective.  And a past to reflect upon.

             Not all memories, nor actions, will be good ones.  Just as not all lived moments are joyful.  But that’s what creates the rich and complex fabric of our time here.  It’s a Variety Pack, it’s not a crate of all the same flavors.

             Because while we have favorites, staying the same is simply impossible.  What the Universe wants us to focus on right now is our

Adaptability

             One of the ways we survive these adventures is to change, to revise, to modify.  Being unmoving equates to stagnation.  It’s harmful, not good for us.

             Personally, I struggle with the entire topic.  I’ve not been great at this readjustment shit.  I see the reasoning, I see the truth of it.  I’m just not entirely terrific at the doing of it.  Yet.

             I know I’m getting better, though.  I know I’m making progress.  Which, in truth, is all we can really do.  It’s our job to improve, gather tools, carry them along on our journey, trying to keep up .  All while the ground under our feet is shifting, the sky over our heads is storming, and the body we are wearing rots.

             The best we can do is live fully with each and every breath, be kind with each and every accomplishment, gain wisdom with each and every lesson.  Going forward in this life is about moving through the tasks, even if we don’t always understand them.

             Like evolution on a secluded island, we adapt to what is around us.  As we gain understanding, we make better what we can, we help those who need us, and we care for our loved ones.

 

 

 

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Soft Center

            Many of us (most of us!) make judgments or decisions about people and situations based entirely on a first glace.  I’m wondering if it’s another cultural failure?  Are we raised and reared to cast those spur-of-the-moment, based-on-nothing, declarations of others?

             Because when we meet someone, when we see a stranger on social media or in the news, the truth of it is, we know nearly nothing about them.  We don’t know their story.  We don’t know their health, they’re lives.

             And yet, we immediately jump right in, filling the blanks with our own baggage, or own bias, our narrative voice.

             Today the Universe is reminding us that it’s really all about the

insides.

             Our outer shell, our house, our car, our clothes, our jobs, our exterior frivolities, all of that is superficial.  All of that is temporary and of very little importance when seen on a soul level.  When looking with spiritual eyes, none of it matters.

             Who a person is, inside, is where our value lies.  Our doings, our actions, our list of kindnesses is where we can see how far we’ve come, and how far we have still to travel.

             As we encounter others, as we cross paths with or come into contact with folks out in the world and on the ‘net, can we do better?  Can we allow the judging to fall away? Can we all please practice looking deeper and seeing the humanity* in every person?

             There was a phrase in the public not so long ago which spoke of her as being “someone’s daughter/mother/sister” but has since been corrected.  Now, we realize, she is someone.

             As we all are.  Our own individual being is worthy of care, worthy of freedom, the freedom to live our lives, walk our road, in whatever manner we see fit.

             It’s not our job to judge.  It is our job to help.

Photo Credit:

TideCharmers.com

*all of humanity except for those who prove themselves less than human – those fucking guys? They’re on their own.

 

Seeking, Finding, Being

             There is the thought, in zen belief systems, of all emotions and feelings being equal.  That all is balanced, in accordance.  That all is harmonized, united with all else.

             In my on-going quest to learn the Release Lesson (so I don’t have to fucking repeat it!), I very much strive to get there.  I practice calming, breathing, re-centering.  I look with kind eyes, and I hear with an open heart.

             At least, that’s the idea.  That’s where I want to be.  In reality, I stumble.  I falter.  I fall down.

             But see, that basic tenet, of all being in balance, says that my rough patches are exactly part of what keeps me engaged with the teachings.  In my failures, there are successes.  In my pain, there is growth.

             And truly, I love that aspect.  I so enjoy the knowledge that with each shard of stabbing grief, there is an equally intense draping of joy.  That when we are immersed in sorrow, we can then pass through it into happiness.

             Even as I question why this part of the journey took nearly 60 years, I also realize with full understanding that it HAD to take this amount of time.  Partly because time is meaningless.  But also, because this is where I’m supposed to be right now.

             During the course of this (and mostly any) life there have been painful years, ignorant years, rage-filled years, starvation years.  Were there opportunities missed, mistakes made?  Was I supposed to move through that piece of the road in that way, in order to fully appreciate what came after?

             There is no way for us to answer any questions like this here, wearing these bodies.  On days when the low is stronger than the high, in moments of pain and sorrow, it seems to not take quite as much effort as it previously did to find my path, to get back on course.

             As I sit with the feelings, both sides of them, I attempt to witness my balance.  To be present in the journey.  I come here, I go to work, I share what I have learned, what I am learning.

             The above is from Jack Kornfield, who first brought this concept to my attention.  If we can stop for one brief moment, each day, regaining our balance, we will have given ourselves the gift of intention.  What I’m finding is that, this present experience, this right now, has value.   Let’s treasure it.

Today’s Sharing:

is what I’m listening to.

 

 

 

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Rising Tide

             My relationship with food had been complicated for as far back as I can recall.  When I was fast approaching 50, I believed this was a unique situation.  Turns out, not so much.

             Our culture has raised generation after generation of fucked up eaters.  It’s as if we set out to do as much damage as possible, then sit back and collect all the money from ways to make it better.  (And by “we” I don’t me or you, at all.  I mean the MadMen, the misogynistic and selfish white shitheads who have been holding our power for far too long.  And by “better” I mean far worse.)

             Now that I am closing in on 60, my education on this topic has been deep and painful.  I have spent the last nearly nine years climbing out from under a lifetime of shame, guilt, and man-made (literally, made by men, and sure, a few women) falsehoods which, quite honestly, nearly killed me.  (And I can’t say whether they factored into the death of my sister or not, but I will stand strong in my belief that they didn’t help her health at all.)

             In a restaurant the other night, as our meal was nearly concluded, a young woman sat down behind me.  Well, she tried to, but my chair (and the empty one next to it, where I’d piled up a stack of personal belongings) was in her way.

             I began to rearrange furniture, as she laughed and said that this was something she herself often did.  I was glad to hear it.  She was a lovely (and funny) girl.

             It had been on my mind earlier that the fantastic tearing down of diet culture and enhanced inclusiveness movement is really gaining momentum.  We are all seeing the signs and messages of how, collectively, WE are no longer going to take the lies and the garbage any longer.

             As Dan and I were leaving, our table-neighbor and her dinner partner told us goodnight/have a nice evening, we did the same.  But then, I turned back to my new friend, and said:

take up space!

             A huge smile appeared on her face, and she replied enthusiastically, “you, too!”  We shared this small sisterhood, we knew what we were saying.  We were part of the change, not part of the problem.

             This message, this phrase, is about self-worth.  It’s a way of being in our own skin, and feeling good there.  It’s something we should all be sharing, at every opportunity.

             She and I connected because we knew that no matter our  size, no matter our age, no matter our gender/identification, no matter our ANYthing, we have the right to be treated with care.  Basic rights are our basic foundation.  I couldn’t have been more proud of her if she had been my own daughter.

             In that moment, we both knew each other.  We shared a connection which is the new direction our world is turning.  Hope, lovingkindness.  It’s our future.

(For more on “taking up space” all one needs to do is run a quick search and a huge number of hits will appear.  If this is something you’ve not heard of until now, I highly encourage following-up.)

Today’s Sharing:

             is below, it’s my most recent view.  My January page.  I spent the month looking at this tranquil scene.

             One of the hashtags I’m currently following (for my mental health, and self-care) on Instagram is Sea Glass.  I found THESE FOLKS from there.  And I can’t even say how very happy their calendar makes me.

 

 

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As Need Be, As Is

             Among us are teams, duos, couples who pair well and share generously of their gifts.  They’ve been together “forever” it seems.  Their relationship is idyllic.

            Maybe, maybe not.  What we’re really seeing is the concept of YinYang in the flesh.  That God/Goddess ideal, but up and walking around in current times.

            It isn’t always a male-female match though, or even a romantic combining. (That part’s not even really the point.  On a spiritual level we are all/both genders, so the divisiveness over body design and physical interest is absurd and beyond ridiculous to even discuss.)

            This type of Power Couple (on the metaphysical plane obviously, not in a monetary sense), have come together for the highest good of all.  They’ve chosen this path specifically.

            Their “assignment” here is about being . . . . .

side by side.

             Working together in such a way as to be inspirational is the purpose.  Wearing their Pairing in clear and honest fashion so as to reach the most, those  who can be aided best by this exact situation.

            At some point in our lives, our past-present-future lives, we have been this duo.  And will be again.  It’s a valuable lesson in mutual respect, lovingkindness, selflessness, and generosity.  While it is challenging to walk a path alone, it becomes twice that to do it as Two.

            Back within our regular rotation around the card altar today, the message of this concept is validated by what our daily draw shows.

“Molybdenite  ~

a message from the stars  

Your life is always held in perfect equilibrium by the divine natural order that exists within all creation.  Believing that you have somehow failed or made the wrong decision or choice is simply an illusion.

There is nothing you need to change or fix in your life, apart from your sometimes unbalanced perceptions – mainly your self criticism.  Know that you are always worthy of love and you are eternally blessed.

Start to accept all of who you are, as you are, and  you will see your life magically and lovingly transform.  All is in perfect divine order.

From a spiritual perspective there are no mistakes in life.  Every experience is a lesson in love and wisdom.”

Today’s Deck:

Crystal Oracle Cards by Toni Carmine Salerno

Today’s Sharing:

is the following re-share, from a friend.  Look HERE.  Sure, mine haven’t been this age for decades, but hey, parents of toddlers never forget that part of their life!