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Cover Up

Have you girded your loins? Are you ready to do battle? Are you one of those who have armed your self for the long fight ahead?

Isn’t it funny how so much of our language depends on duality, on the contest between us (the good guys) and them (the bad guys?)

Our most popular sports are even grounded on the concept of conquering the other guys.

This concept denies the fact that we are all one. Outward appearances, societal and cultural differences aside, at the very essence of our being, there is no difference between us and them, them and us, me and you.

Take off your armor.

Renounce the battle.

Engage in conversation out of curiosity, not to prove your point.

Focus your actions hyper-local in your neighborhood or community:

  • start a Little Free Library like my friend Beth Ann,
  • plant a garden and share the abundance with neighbors,
  • reach out to the Women’s Shelter or food pantry,
  • find a local organization that speaks to your heart and actively participate.

True, there are national and international issues that may concern you. Know that your local action plays a small and essential part of healing the whole of humanity.

And, if you feel so inspired, step onto the larger world stage.

And all the way, do not cover up. Do not hide your passion. Do not don your armor for battle.

For heaven’s sake (for humanity’s sake and for Gaia’s sake) take off the chain mail.

Put down the swords, the guns, the bombs, the vicious words, the Us versus Them mentality.

Be real. Be clear. Be mindful.

Bring love and compassion to the negotiating table.

Bring curiosity to the table and see how your difference in perspective changes everything.

River Water Tumbles Over Rocks

The calming blue of the river water tumbles over rocks, into a chasm of turmoil, and then returns to calm  as it makes its way to the sea.

Over time the water carves river beds and smooths rocks.

September is the month of change: brisk breezes, green leaves begin to turn, school commences. The summer sun diminishes and, every so often, we see (brief) snow flurries here in Michigan.

Take a poll of your co-workers and friends, and many will say their favorite season is autumn – a time of change. Yet how many are resistant to change?

Advice tells us to “go with the flow,” but what does that really mean? What does it look like in real life?

To discover the secret, watch a river flowing gently over rocks, or over a great waterfall.

Can you imagine the water in a river complaining about the weather, news, family member, friend, or restaurant?

Never.

Yet our lives are comprised of significant amounts of chatter.

The water, on the other hand, pays no mind to the past nor worries about the future, and tumbles gleefully over the brink of change.

I’m not advocating that you do not prepare for the future. In fact, when I’m getting ready for travel, I routinely look at maps, read reviews, and do anything and everything to learn about the destination.

But when I embark on the journey,  I bring the little I need, and let the rest go as it may.

I am as prepared as I’ll ever be, and that is enough.

This month, know that you are enough of everything you need for anything that may come your way.

Like the river water, tumble over the rocks of change with glee and be transformed.

Vision Boards for Envisioning Your Future

There have been one or two key points in life when I’ve been working on something so deep that words cannot express or even begin to access the greater implications or meaning.

I am going through another one of those phases these days, and have been for perhaps a year.

It’s not a disease. If anything, it’s closer to the inner transformation I’ve read about from women who ‘hibernate’ at the start of perimenopause only to re-emerge several years later at the dawn of true menopause with their ‘true selves’ fully engaged.

Whatever that means, or whatever that may be. Because while I take all of those words seriously, I also find them pretentiously hilarious.

That’s my viewpoint of the juxtaposition within life: always the fool, never the fool, never fooled, often fooled. I know what I know when I know it, and until then I know nothing. And often when I do know, I mostly know I know nothing.

I don’t know, for example, what those sentences mean.

But I do know, that when I work deep, diving into art helps shed light. Guided by intuition, I wield a mean pair of scissors and create vision boards.

Collage (aka the #visionboard #actionboard #dreamboard of the #lawofattraction approach to life) at it’s very basic is rummaging through magazines, cutting or tearing out cool things, and slapping them onto a poster board.

Some people set clear goals for their boards: I want to own a big house and have a fancy car.

Not me.

I rarely have a specific goal in mind when creating a vision board, and am more looking to give voice to or express a deep feeling or desire.

Of course, I had to buy all of the supplies because who subscribes to magazines anymore? It’s like writing a check or reading the newspaper – I rarely, if ever do these things that used to be normal.

In the end, I have five total vision boards to share. Perhaps you’ll find clues to where I’m heading, perhaps not. I’m still not sure, so any insight you have should prove interesting at least.

That’s the thing about my vision boards; they touch something deep, and words and actions come later, if at all. Often times, it’s enough to have expressed the desire.

First up is “There’s More Day.”

Number two in line is “Perfectly Imperfect.”

Third in the series is “Leaping Into”

Next is “Come Alive.”

These four were created about two weeks ago over the span of two hours. And then this Sunday, the final collage is “Boundless Potential.”

So, what do you think?

Do you see any themes?

Do Nothing This Summer

Here in the Midwest, it’s finally summer and the urge to get busy is overwhelming.

Finally, no need to worry about snow covering the roads and making travel hazardous.

Finally days that seem to last two days.

Finally the garden is growing, flowers blooming.

It’s hot and humid during the day while cool breezes blow come at night.

There are festivals every weekend that you just need to attend. So many events, so little time.

I know that I feel like I have to cram everything into the summer and fall before winter howls down from the north and covers the land in darkness.

That’s why I’m inviting you to just stop already.

One fine summer morning, or evening, or anytime you want, take the time to do nothing.

Just sit still and feel the summer wrapping you in warmth.

Appreciate the summer sun bringing nutrients to the garden.

Sit at the end of a dock and listen to the waves, marvel at the beauty before you.

Take your coffee out onto the deck or into the backyard. Just sit and be grateful.

Yes, these summer days are filled with all sorts of busyness.

But deliberately make time for nothing.

Make time for the chance to do absolutely nothing at all.

“Nothing” time is my favorite time.

Nothing planned. Nowhere to go.

I always have things that need to get done.

But nothing?

I can find that anywhere.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Doing nothing is enough.

Then begin your day.

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Truly powerful people have great humility. They do not try to impress, they do not try to be influential. They simply are. People are magnetically drawn to them. They are most often very silent and focused, aware of their core selves…They never persuade, nor do they use manipulation or aggressiveness to get their way. They listen. If there is anything they can offer to assist you, they offer it; if not, they are silent.

— Sanaya Roman

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