Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Lucky One

Why in the HELL I continue to torture myself with reading and watching Nicholas Sparks stories is beyond me. I have successfully avoided any such overly romantic bullsh*t for at least a couple months until last night when I watched 'The Lucky One'. (Stupid Redbox and your cheap rentals). I have already read the book (of course) but apparently that wasn't enough.

As I subjected myself to the wonders of predictable love I fell for a few tunes on the soundtrack along with (shamelessly) the blue eyed, overly-hunky, mysterious, manly, and compassionate, male character. Dammit.

You Got What I Need ~ Joshua Radin



What I Wouldn't Do - A Fine Frenzy




Sunday, November 11, 2012

The opposite of love's indifference . . .

"If they only ever talk about themselves the only reason they are talking to you at all is to get in your pants. If they ask questions and invest time in learning about your life, then they actually want to get to know you."

Boom. End of story.

Gotta love it when a conversation about one topic actually clears up a whole lot of bullsh*t about another. Oh yeah, and honest friends. They are the bomb dot com.

Ending this weekend with a hot toddy, cookie, and some chill music. #winning

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Mellow Out

Sometimes you just need to chill the eff out. Right now is the time for music that lowers blood pressure and soothes over the fact that there a million and one things looming on the should-have-already-been-done list. 

Sigur Ros and Dustin O'Halloran radio stations have been a bit of a lifesaver this week. For a variety of reasons.

So hear (pun intended) is a taste of my soundtrack when . . . 

...feelings flip flop. 
...stress pulls in every direction. 
...stacks of homework need to be graded. 
...my inbox has more than 3 emails in it. 

Skin - Sade
In Another Time - Sade
The Safest Hiding Place - Sade
On the Nature of Daylight - Max Richter
Opus 20 - Dustin O'Halloran
El Chupacabra - Alex Grant
We Insist - Zoe Keating
Time and a Half - Mogwai
Breathe Me - Sia
Fjoger Piano - Sigur Ros
Iscariot - Walk the Moon
The Casanova (Remember Love) - Andy Clockwise
Paris Sunrise #7 - Ben Harper
Walk Away - Ben Harper
Too Late - Andrew Duhon
Lifeline - Citizen Cope
Keep Askin' - Citizen Cope
Fixative - David Gray
Forgetting - David Gray
Half Life - Imogen Heap



Skin by Sade

When I found out this love's undone
I was like a gun
Sure as it was over
Felt like nothing good could come
Sure as it's gonna play and play
Like Michael back in the day
I'm gonna peel you away
Now as I begin
To wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
Cos you're not right within

I love you so
Sometimes love has to let go
So this time don't thing it's a lie
I say goodbye
Now as I begin
To wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
Cos you're not right within
Now it's time
To wash you off my skin
Now as I begin
It couldn't be right cos you're not right within
I say goodbye









Monday, November 5, 2012

Re: Inspired

Famine, Influence, and Morality should be a wildly outdated piece of writing. It was published in 1971, after all. Surely, in this day and age we have gotten past such horrifying situations. However, I find it to be fascinatingly relevant to my future plans. I found it while poking around on some blogs about the PC.

My usual lack of visual verbalization strikes as I dig further and further into the whys of life. The more I read the more I realize that while I love what I do, I might need to change directions in order to be truly happy.

As I sat across from a new face I had to answer the question "Why do you do it?" in regards to my recent volunteering endeavors. My first reaction was "Why would you even have to ask that?" but instead I fumbled through putting into words a gut feeling that is as inexplicable as much as it is constant.

Basically, if I have worked hard to get to where I am in life then why should I not give back?

As Singer so much more eloquently put it:

"...if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it."

From where my deep-rooted derision stems I do not know. I just know that I missed out on the fun of philosophy by being home schooled, and that I feel it to be true with all of my being. My sheer anger when walking through a mall has dissipated to a muted sense of sadness, but it still lingers in the back of my mind.

"People do not ordinarily judge in the way I have suggested they should. Most people reserve their moral condemnation for those who violate some moral norm, such as the norm against taking another person's property. They do not condemn those who indulge in luxury instead of giving to famine relief. But given that I did not set out to present a morally neutral description of the way people make moral judgments, the way people do in fact judge has nothing to do with the validity of my conclusion."

"If this is an explanation of our common distinction between duty and supererogation, however, it is not a justification of it. The moral point of view requires us to look beyond the interests of our own society. Previously, as I have already mentioned, this may hardly have been feasible, but it is quite feasible now. From the moral point of view, the prevention of the starvation of millions of people outside our society must be considered at least as pressing as the upholding of property norms within our society."

I will let you read through the rest of the article if you so choose. Essentially, I just wanted to bookmark one of my forays into philosophy of my own choosing. Reading this made so many of my musings make sense and also to not feel so isolated in my thoughts. 

Also, I am in a nearly constant state of chilled out reflection. Pandora stations of choice: Dustin O'Halloran and Sigur Ros. Found this gem awhile back. Suits life right now. 

On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter





Video: Yoga in the Airport

One of the silliest and most inspiring views of yoga I have seen in awhile. Hot damn.

One day.

One day.

Click here to enjoy. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Yamas 101

Love me some yoga blog links. Needed to bookmark this one and get it off of my browser tab list. Too much other stuff going on :)
Perfect reminder and refresher for my year of LOVE.

1. Ahimsa: nonharming.

2. Satya: truthfulness.

3. Asteya: nonstealing.

4. Brahmacharya: control of desires.

5. Aparigraha: greedlessness.

Volumes have been written about the yamas—this is just a brief introduction to get you started.

So why is all this important? Because kindness and ethical behavior are necessary if you want truehappiness and peace of mind. If you treat yourself badly, you can’t be happy. If you treat others badly, your relationships suffer, but you are also bound to suffer bound to some combination of guilt and anxiety about future consequences.

The yamas help take us away from our usual self-centered mindset and start acting out of love, with consideration for the impact we have on others, and on the world. When we feel good about ourselves and what we do, we can have true peace of mind.

Read the entire post here:

http://www.yoganonymous.com/yoga-philospophy-you-can-use-yamas-101/





Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Checkpoint #4

Application - June
Background - July
Interview - September
Nomination - 10/3/12 @ 7:53 am

Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.
Margaret Mead

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Brene Brown: Storyteller Researcher

"Connection is why we're here."

I know this is an older TED talk, but I climbed out from under the rock known as being a teacher this weekend, and watched a slew of educational videos. The two from Brene Brown spoke to me on some very personal levels that I have been digging into recently. Thank, universe, for sending a much more articulate and educated voice to clarify yet another concept that has been put in my path. Courage. "Which means to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart."

"Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage."

"Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect."

"The willingness to do something where there are no guarantees."

I could go on and on about what I think, adding quote after quote. But, honestly, the video will say what I will fumble around about for a few sentences and then probably end up erasing anyway. Both videos are worth more than the measly 40 minutes of your life they will take.

"The Power of Vulnerability"



"That's what life is about. It's about daring greatly. It's about being in the arena."

"Shame is an epidemic in our culture."

"Empathy is the anecdote to shame. If you put shame in a petri dish it needs three things to grow: secrecy, silence, and judgement. If you put the same amount of shame in a petri dish and douse it with empathy it can't survive. The two most powerful words when we are in struggle: me too."

"Listening to Shame"

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tina Fey’s Rules For Improv…And the Workplace

I am reading and digging on Tina Fey's book, Bossypants, right now. The rest of it is even funnier. Much, much, funnier. 

As Marcel would say... "Read on!" 

Rule #1 — Agree

The first rule of improvisation is AGREE. Always agree and SAY YES.

When you’re improvising, this means you are required to agree with whatever your partner has created. So if we’re improvising and I say, “Freeze, I have a gun,” and you say, “That’s not a gun. It’s your finger. You’re pointing your finger at me,” our improvised scene has ground to a halt.

But if I say, “Freeze, I have a gun!” and you say, “The gun I gave you for Christmas! You bastard!” then we have started a scene because we have AGREED that my finger is in fact a Christmas gun.

Now, obviously in real life you're not always going to gree with everything everyone says. But the Rule of Agreement reminds you to "respect what your partner has created" and to at least start from an open-minded place. Start with a YES and see where that takes you.

As an improvisor, I always find it jarring when I meet someone in real life whos first answer is no. "No, we can't do that." "No, that's not in the budget." "No, I will not hold your hand for a dollar." What kind of way is that to live?

Rule #2 — Not Only Say Yes… Say Yes And

The second rule of improvisation is not only to say yes, but YES, AND. You are supposed to agree and then add something of your own.

If I start a scene with “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you just say, “Yeah…” we’re kind of at a standstill.

But if I say, “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you say, “What did you expect? We’re in hell.” Or if I say, “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you say, “Yes, this can’t be good for the wax figures.” Or if I say, “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you say, “I told you we shouldn’t have crawled into this dog’s mouth,” now we’re getting somewhere.

To me YES, AND means don't be afraid to contribute. It's your responsibility to contribute. Always make sure you're adding something to the discussion. Your initiations are worthwhile.

Rule #3 — Make Statements

This is a positive way of saying “Don’t ask questions all the time.” If we’re in a scene and I say, “Who are you? Where are we? What are we doing here? What’s in that box?” I’m putting pressure on you to come up with all the answers.

In other words: Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don't just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles. We’ve all worked with that person. That person is a drag. It’s usually the same person around the office who says things like “There’s no calories in it if you eat it standing up!” and “I felt menaced when Terry raised her voice.

MAKE STATEMENTS also applie to us women: Speak in statements instead of apologetic questions. No one wants to go to a doctor who says, "I'm going to be your surgeon? I'm here to talk to you about your procedure? I was first in my class at Johns Hopkins, so?" Make statements, with your actions and your voice.

Instead of saying, "Where are we?" make a statement like "Here we are in Spain, Dracula." Okay, "Here we are in Spain, Dracula" may seem like a terrible start to a scene, but this leads us to the best rule:

Rule #4 — There Are No Mistakes… Only Opportunities

If I start a scene as what I think is very clearly a cop riding a bicycle, but you think I am a hamster in a hamster wheel, guess what?

Now I’m a hamster in a hamster wheel. I’m not going to stop everything to explain that it was really supposed to be a bike. Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up being a police hamster who’s been put on “hamster wheel” duty because I’m “too much of a loose cannon” in the field.

In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents. And many of the world’s greatest discoveries have been by accident. I mean, look at the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, or Botox.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Coincidence?


co·in·ci·dence

  [koh-in-si-duhns]  Show IPA
noun
1.
a striking occurrence of two or more events at one timeapparently by mere chance: Our meeting in Venice was purecoincidence.
2.
the condition or fact of coinciding.
3.
an instance of this.


Last night I wrote a journal entry on courage in reflection of a recent article. 

This morning my Yogi Tea quote was: "It's not life that matters, it's the courage you bring to it." 

During the middle of the day I was asked to step in and sub for a 6th grade teacher who didn't have sub coverage due to a mixup. I walked in at 3pm, settled the class down, read the sub plan and realized the EQ on the board was: "What is courage?"

I think I found my 2013 resolution. Thanks, universe :)

Monday, September 3, 2012

NPR: Memories

Can We Learn To Forget Our Memories? is just the tip of the iceberg on a topic I have pondered for many years. Honestly, without any real hard numbers to back it up I would totally agree with the research. I used to practice forgetting and now have a difficult time recalling small things that happen. I have to make a conscious effort to store information. Having a somewhat photographic memory makes it easier to retrace my steps, but I might have to sit and focus on the memory for awhile.
The most interesting part of the research is that it says that you might not totally forget a memory, but you don't have the same feelings attached to it as when it happened. So, that embarrassing situation is still locked in there somewhere, but you don't blush when you retell the story. Hmmm...

My problem lies in the fact I don't store situations very well. I used to get so much flack in my relationships for not remembering a movie we saw, birthdays, or other 'significant' moments in time. I rely on patterns, feelings, music, and images, to remember a situation, conversation, or choreography. So, be careful. I have actively tried to learn how to forget, and now I have to work at remembering. Just found it interesting to find research on such an deeply personal and odd topic. 



Sunday, September 2, 2012

Three fourths

When you start out on a journey there tends to be an end in mind. Sometimes you go on the journey just for the sake of getting out of the house, and sometimes you have another place or time you would like to experience. At the beginning of this year, I set out on a journey of sorts, a resolution that was intended to help sort out the mess of my thus far lived life.

However, there are always bumps along the way--challenges that make the journey worthwhile and force you to figure out if you *really* want to get to the end. Last month I faced heartache like I haven't felt in a very, very long time. Broken trust lead to realization that one must Love with abandon, yet Trust with caution. I found myself asking why was I even doing this in the first place? It is an idealistic endeavor to say the least, riddled with opportunities to be vulnerable to even the slightest interaction.

Two thoughts on that. One, a very good friend said that it is important that I feel the highs and lows of love, because they are what make it real. So true. I will expound in the next paragraph. Two, I am still working out the details about giving and receiving love, which I will discuss when I talk about the book I just finished. I think it is important to not just be a one-way love spout.

So I was waning in my decision to have this be the Year of Love. How silly? Who does this? There is no way of measuring my success. It's not like I can see numbers that show me I have gained love, or lost love, or have given a higher percentage each day. Pounds and blood pressure are easy to measure--matters of the tangible unseen are not. And then I picked up a book that was given to me two years ago, Blue Like Jazz. Apparently the universe wanted me to have a jumpstart, because this book of 'nonreligious thoughts on christian spirituality' was just what I needed. Read on...(thanks, Marcel)

So, when I was younger I always desired to have a middle ground emotional experience. Not crazy highs and lows like I tended towards. This has been found, slowly, through the process of learning acceptance and forming a habitual attitude of love. My yoga practice has reshaped me in so many more ways that just physically. New people or situations are not approached with fear or trepidation but eyes forward and a smile. If things don't work out quite the way I plan I simply accept the new time frame/path/direction and try to help those around me do the same. Needless to say I am much less stressed out. But, there is a downside to this as well. Too much lukewarm acceptance can turn oneself almost emotionally bland. Nothing is really upsetting or really marvelous anymore. So, at this point, the 3/4 mark, I am going to embrace the new-found contentment and add back the spice. After all, no one likes a pushover--and I am unfortunately finding myself being that more often than not. I think it's about time to rekindle some of the passion. Contentment and passion. Yin and yang.

"If you believe something, passionately, people wil follow you. People hardly care what you believe, as long as you believe something. If you are passionate about something, people will follow you because they think you know something they don't, some clue to the meaning of the universe. Passion is tricky, though, because it can point to nothing as easily as it points to something. If a rapper is passionately rapping about how great his rap is, his passion is pointing to nothing. He isn't helping anything. His beliefs are self-serving and shallow. If a rapper, however, is rapping about his community, about oppression and injustice, then he is passionate about a message, something outside himself. What people believe is important. What people believe is more important than how they look, what their skills are, or their degree of passion. Passion about nothing is like pouring gasoline in a car without wheels. It isn't going to lead anybody anywhere." (Miller, p. 109-110)

So, onto the second topic: giving and receiving love. This is, undoubtably, one of the most difficult aspects of this whole journey. It is so difficult to allow love in because of the unknowns it brings. "I can do it myself." has been a lifelong motto that I have been slowly breaking down. But, crazy as it sounds, if you let love in even just a little, and let it out without expectation, life becomes even fuller. Recently, with the experience of intense heartache I realized I still had some patterns of unhealthy love. Withholding and judging, along with trusting before foundations had been built. So, I walked away. I am not holding back,  I am simply not able to be so open and giving without depth of relationship. Taking control instead of reacting has given me so much peace and allowed me to continue to love and have a semblance of a friendship.

"And so I have come to understand that strength, inner strength, comes from receiving love as much as it comes from giving it."

Now, there is a lot of God in this book. It is all based around the author's walk in his christianity and faith. Do I agree with everything? Am I seeking how or why to be a christian again? No. Absolutely not. However, I enjoy reading books that challenge and support me. Uplift and raise questions. To stop learning about life is to basically accept existing.

Speaking of such things, I went out last night to a scene that I rarely spend time. A new friend works in Buckhead and invited me out to a block party. So, free beverages and my cowgirl boots gave me some courage to spend time with a new person and a few hundred strangers--all of who were simply existing. As I looked around the spectacle it struck me how dead so many people really are. Numbed by looking for eye-candy, drinking alcohol, and sort of dancing to loud music, it was almost like watching zombies. I mean, these people have stupid amounts of money and yet are not living like they give a damn about anyone around them. I had some moments of judgement that melted into sadness for a generation that I share, full of people I have no desire to ever really talk to. Luckily my acquaintance does not fall in that category and we had a few laughs, I met some of his friends, and then made my way home at the decent hour of 2am.

In summary, I feel as though the heartache, book, and expansion of social circle, in recent months have done a solid number on my resolution. Ups and downs are good; they build character. At three quarters of the way through the year I am recommitted. My short-term goal is to make it through the year continually developing the habit of love. My long term goal is to not have to think about it, but to simply be.






Wednesday, August 29, 2012

9:30 Fridays

2/02

striped shirts, unbuttoned collars

faded wood with shiny knobs and taped up edges. 
tapping white reeboks and brown leather boots. 

long bow sliding
fingertips plucking

neatly trimmed brunette locks
alongside a faded black baseball hat

quick fingers pin down notes and
a melody flows from the coffee bean air

song rises above the murmuring of 
                                     loud book readers

guitar compliments mandolin and violin leads
the beat strides on, catching your mind, soothing your soul...

this is music therapy 

Brightly Blurred Self

2/02

thick smoldering
colors of confusion

blurring lines of magenta, ocean blue
and powder green.

splashes of sand and mango
hints of steamed milk.

my fingers smudge and create
brushstroke upon brushstroke.

the mind becomes reality
splayed across the canvas of my strained soul. colors
envelop each other as
exotic hues reflect mixed emotions.

gasping for air I gaze
onto the expression of inner self.

unnoticed tears mix with the shades of passion

clear drops of raw grief
  falling,
           falling,
                    into the colors of me

The Storm

11/01

flashes of brilliance
streak across the afternoon sky
cracking the heavens open
white lacy fingers

dark and moody

the distinctly fuzzy clouds
frame the display of energy

deep cracks of thunder
reach your very core
making lungs battle
for the evasive breath

trees succumb
to the persuasive touch of sharp
wind

you feel it coming
the arrival
of crystal
drops
of rain

falling from a sky of
blistering power.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Forks Over Knives

I try not to get on a high horse when it comes to food and nutrition. I was a vegetarian until I was 13 and then due to family changes added meat into my diet. Having a very noticeable dairy allergy from a young age, milk products have never been a large part of my life. Health through food has always been a forefront topic in my family and I feel almost over-educated in terms of 'alternative health'. My diet when I am home is very simple and since I am not into cooking elaborate dishes you can usually identify/see each ingredient (which makes me very hesitant to cook for or host people).

Recently I stopped eating as much meat just to save some money at the grocery store. I also am feeling the effects of getting older and want to make sure my diet is taking care of my changing hormones, bones, joints, and skin. My mom is a wealth of information on the topic so I have been adding more variety in terms of veggies to help out with my calcium in particular. I know how to shop sales and prepare meals that reach far past the typical salad. (Don't get me started on my new obsession with kale - gasp!) However, on my recent trip to New Orleans I found myself comfortably fitting into the vegan diet of my host and feeling quite marvelous. It wasn't difficult since I had already cut out everything except fish and eggs, and I don't eat dairy anyway.

Since being home I haven't stuck to it 100% and I can tell a difference in my energy levels and general health. I stumbled across this documentary on Hulu last night which I would encourage everyone to watch. It is a little over an hr long but it is so worth your time. Backed by scientific research and multiple M.D.'s it is shown that the average American diet is the CAUSE of major diseases. Now this is absolutely not new information to me at all. My mind is not blown by what they are saying -- the lies that are told to us in terms of the USDA, the food pyramid, dairy, meat, etc. -- it is simply wonderful to see them presented in such a clear, scientific manner.

There are a lot of sites reviewing and challenging the film - which is fine. Do your research and come to your own conclusions. I really just wanted to share and bookmark a film that has made a huge impact on a current and very personal life decision.

"Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food" ~Hippocrates (because I would rather spend a little more on my food now than thousands on health care later)






Tuesday, June 12, 2012

True Story

Re:
 If success has continued to elude you in the development of certain types of relationships in your life, whether in romance or friendship or professional contexts, it may be because you're treating this particular relationship-type as too utterly different from the other types you may find easier to develop. In other words, if you're so good at making friends, why are you approaching dating situations as if they require following a completely distinct set of rules? Or why aren't you treating that annoyingly inescapable co-worker with the same level of peaceful acceptance you learned to foster with your pesky sibling? People are people… and no matter the role (chosen or involuntarily acquired) they play in your life, the same basic habits of authentic exchange and sympathetic understanding will serve you well. You may find yourself better able to shine in whatever relational context(s) have previously tripped you up if you stop putting these certain types of people in special categories… a complicating device which only makes you act weirder than you otherwise would.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Rebecca Furguson


It has been awhile since I have felt the desire to share a new artist. There has been some great music flying around this spring/summer, but all are sophomore albums or just fun pop radio tunes. My summer mixed CD playlist is one that I don't care to share ;) 

However, I think I found Rebecca while poking around on NPR awhile back. Apparently she was on X Factor and blew everyone away. I don't watch TV, so I missed out on that. heh. Her first single is downright f'ing awesome and I am actually impressed with the rest of her album. A little bit soul, a little bit Adele, a little bit Alicia Keys, this chick has a throwback sound without being a copycat. Hop on Spotify and check out my favorites: Fairytale, Mr. Bright Eyes, and Fighting Suspicions. Here is the only song you can really find on YouTube right now.




Toxic

What comes to mind when you say the word toxic? Generally speaking it is something that you don't want in your vicinity, never mind physical body. Very few people, besides comic book villains (who have childhood issues) would like to claim that they spread toxicity.

On a tangible level, toxic things are unnatural substances that cause harm to whatever they come in contact with. Cancer, sickness, illness, or even a condition that turns hereditary. Basically,  your body rejects the toxic item, or cells go crazy trying to process it -- resulting in malignant tumors, or clusters of f'ed up cells. It's not a pretty picture. We all know what happens to towns located near nuclear plants, or get runoff from an industrial site. It's all quite hush, hush to preserve the greater good that is being created at the aforementioned monstrosities.

On a less visible level toxic emotions and words can cause the same things. What the hell are you talking about? Anger and hatred are probably the first ones that come to mind. I don't disagree, but I find they are the byproduct (or tumor, if you will) of root toxins: jealousy, selfishness, egotism, bragging, narcissism, and others along the same line.




Where is toxicity found in your life? I have been asking myself this question lately. This has been the year of Love, and while it is going very well, I still find that covering everything up with a blanket of Love has not really fixed my knee-jerk reactions to certain situations--or people. Recognizing toxic words or actions has been a really clarifying process (no pun intended). My response to this question has given me peace in more than one situation and has helped me figure out some decisions for, well, the direction of the rest of my life. I think that the motive behind words are what determines if something is toxic or not. If you are looking to stir the pot then maybe it isn't such a good idea to open your mouth.

This is a fairly vague blog, on purpose. There are some very clear elements in my life that I find are toxic. Some are self-inflicted, and some are found in the community of which I have been part of for many years. Toxicity sucks the joy, companionship, friendship, and respect out of a group of people faster than straight-up anger. Why? Because it is insidious. You don't even really know it is happening until you realize that your general emotional response to anything related to the group is downright revulsion. And I would rather be angry than repulsed.

In addition, I look for when and where I might be spreading toxic emotions or words. 'Cause that ish just isn't acceptable. Hold your tongue. Respect the other person. Listen. Appreciate. Build them up, don't prove yourself. Perfect? Hell no. Life is a process, and this is just one more step towards becoming the person that I am ok leaving behind when I die.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Trust

Trust means you're ready to risk what you currently have.
Mevlana Rumi (1207 - 1273)

Sunday, January 1, 2012

for a new beginning

for a new beginning


In out of the way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.


For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.


~ John O'Donohue ~



“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness."

~ J.S. Foer ~