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Gratefulness
The longing of my soul enriches my life. It is a deep longing to see through the illusion of separateness, to experience the truth of interconnectedness. With water, wind, rock, raven, tree, trillium… ad astra infinitum. It is why I pray before meals, “the whole creation is my family, the entire Universe is my home.” It is why I meditate, move through asanas, seek to serve. It is why I am here on this site.
Amen! And again I say, Amen! Thank you for this beautiful tribute and especially the link to Dr. King’s vision of The Beloved Community, which I will reread in depth. May I offer another of his quotes: “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” Amen!
Hello Ricardo, it is always nice to see your smiling face. I am also grateful for snow, just a blustery dusting here, but it brightens up the winter gray-brown. Enjoy your companionable day.
Such a lovely poem, T Henry, thank you for sharing it. Oh, the beauty of standing elders! Great grandparent trees magnificent, even the ghostly ones that are bare and broken from disease, such as the Eastern Hemlocks here. When I come upon one in the woods, I always catch my breath, usually leave the trail to walk the circumference with a hand on the trunk. Often hug. And yes, rejoice in the seedlings, saplings… the hemlock greenness so deeply different than other conifers… h...
Such a lovely poem, T Henry, thank you for sharing it. Oh, the beauty of standing elders! Great grandparent trees magnificent, even the ghostly ones that are bare and broken from disease, such as the Eastern Hemlocks here. When I come upon one in the woods, I always catch my breath, usually leave the trail to walk the circumference with a hand on the trunk. Often hug. And yes, rejoice in the seedlings, saplings… the hemlock greenness so deeply different than other conifers… hope for the future.
Very nice, Nancy! Like a koan. And it goes perfectly with your profile photo.
Good morning, Diane. It is good to read how you were able to reframe your day. I have been struggling with a few of my own “schmoos” this morning. Trying to remember we must give loving-kindness to the unwanted and difficult feelings as well. So that all are welcome in the guest house, as Rumi wrote. Thank you for the lovely meditation. Together we rise. Swiftness of wind is a gratitude for today, so much energy in it.
Hello Eric, cool and crisp sounds lovely. It is so nice when the weather cooperates for visiting family. On a different topic, I want to thank you for the compassionate and considered reply you made to Debbie on the question of “longing”. I was moved by what you wrote but didn’t think it made sense to say so there. I agree with your thoughts on the Lincoln quote. Mostly, I want to say that I appreciate you being here.
Dear Debbie D, your honesty is helpful to me and I am grateful for you. It is also heartbreaking to read of your extreme difficulties. I will light a candle for you here, wishing in my heart the very best for you.
Happy Tuesday, Lauren! I join Diane in thanking you for the graphic and quote. I love the colorful curlicue paper design. I have never tried, but am drawn to the craft. Both the way it looks and the inkling of how playful it must be to do. Like my favorite part of wrapping a gift, which is making a crazy curlicue bow for on top. And the quote, so true. It dovetails with an intention I set for today to recognize the privileges in my life. Cheers!
True, Anna! Perhaps when I finally have the book in my hands and I open it… a symphony will begin.
Such a vibrant rose, Rhonda! It seems to be beaming out love. Thank you.
It is true for me too, Travis — longing invokes the feeling of hope.
Thank you, Ose. You have expressed what I was reaching for in my answer to the question. The longing of my soul is the indwelling universal spirit, the love of Love.
Plink, plink of the pellet stove. Makes me smile and think it is a bright song. I am also grateful for wood heat and was enjoying just this morning of the song of cedar as it sizzled and popped like a sparkler in the stove. And though I was sad when great grandmother sugar maple fell this summer, I know she lives on in the ground in which she was rooted, as well as in the woodpile where a winter wren lurks, and in the stove, singing!
I think of the whole tree family you lost to th...
I think of the whole tree family you lost to the green ash borer (you wrote of it a while back and I understood it as such a heartbreak I couldn’t think how to respond). Where I am going with this that since that time I have wanted to tell you about a book, maybe you already know it (?) The Songs of Trees by ecologist David George Haskell. One chapter is devoted to a massive green ash tree and and he writes beautifully of its dying, falling, and its ongoing life.
He has also made sound recordings of all twelve trees he highlighted, some of which you can hear on his website. I thought to write a post about it, but I haven’t read the book yet as it is new and I am waiting for it to appear at a library near me.
Oh, the wind-song, the rain-song, the early spring sap-song, the winter creak-song, the hollow log-song, the burn-song… all different, beautiful and part of the whole. Gosh, I didn’t mean for this to get so long, sorry, but I do get excited about nature’s songs. Thank you for the inspiration.
Most of all, dear Aine, it is good to read that you are feeling progress toward goals of bringing the blessings of home, health, and happiness more fully into your life.
Thanks, you too.
So very beautiful, Francine, thank you for sharing it.
Dear Ose, thank you for this. I have watched the trailer and am enchanted by everything about it. Guided by light, as you say, is a beautiful way to build. And all natural materials gathered locally! A home that rises out of respect for the land upon which is rests. An elder who continues her work for the sheer love of it. It would be a dream to visit that region of the world.
Good morning, Diane. I am glad you are feeling more peaceful today. Yes, maybe even an adventure awaits! But I must take the first step. Into the wardrobe. Or down the rabbit hole. Or…..? Next time I am at the library, I will look for The Chronicles of Narnia. It has been a long time since I read it. I didn’t grow up with the Narnia stories, but enjoyed when I discovered and tried to read everything CS Lewis in my early 20’s. Warm wishes to you, my friend.
Yes, an elephant. I will look for your message there.
Oh, Manda, your magical posts are always… well… so magical. A muddy romp and a wild rumpus you and Jack make, I can imagine. Loving wishes back to you.
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