The Dancing Blooms - April 3, 2020

This dance of the blossoms was captured May 2018 in Portland, Oregon. If I'm not mistaken I taped this during a walk near my former employer's location. Those rhody’s are something else, aren't they? 

We are now having more rainy days and warmer weather in Providence, Rhode Island and many things are blooming. I spotted the first signs of cherry blossoms around the corner. Many daffodils have poked through and I'm sure the tulips are close behind. 

The springtime energy is contagious. I don't know about you, but I've been experiencing all kinds of creative energy during the past couple of weeks. I suppose with my brain that loves to problem-solve, this situation has put it into high speed. I've come up with a number of ideas that I will reveal  later but I'm wondering who else is enjoying this creative growth spurt? 

I consider these days quite the adventure. One of my favorite thought leaders is Mark Nepo. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back and he has written one of my favorite books called The Book of Awakening. It is filled with short but very deep reflections and I'm always learning something each day that I read it even though I've been reading it for six years. My copy is falling apart because I've been reading it so much but I don't dare replace it with a new one since I have tabbed and highlighted sections that caught my heart. Today's reflection has this quote: The river is now in me. The reflection is about how we are all connected and how we're all in this together glad to be sharing this “adventure” with all of you.

Out with the old....

“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” ― Michelle Obama, Becoming

Today is a big day for me.  It is my final day of employment with an organization I have been with for the past three years.  I have enjoyed my role there and I am sad to leave. I accomplished a lot in my work as a fundraiser and enjoyed spending time with my colleagues supporting their work in providing care to foster and adopted children.

Last August, I started telecommuting for the agency since I moved to Rhode Island from Oregon.  My heart is heavy and I am scared but I am also excited about what could be next for me, professionally.  Yesterday was August 1, my one year anniversary of leaving Portland to drive cross country with my dear friend, Liam. I recall that day of excitement, free pie from Village Inn (we went there for breakfast and they had leftovers from pie day - score!), and the open road. It was one heck of an adventure and an experience I will treasure for rest of my days.

      

Now I am facing another journey, another change - a welcome one but not without some anxiety.  I have some plans that I am not quite ready to reveal at this point, but stay tuned!  Right now I want to be present for the process, for this transition, of letting go.  

We live in a world that changes in a heartbeat and it is a challenge to just slow down and enjoy it.  We are bombarded by loss, struggle, fear, anxiety - just to name a few.  We bear witness to the struggles and heartbreak of others. Sometimes, it is just plain hard to be happy among the realities of the world.  I find it way easier to 'check out' with a few hours of binge watching Netflix or Hulu, but I have to admit, I don't feel a whole lot better afterwards.  

I decided to mark this transition as a significant one that I will honor.  Have you ever intentionally done something to honor a celebration or a loss?  Years ago, I purchased a book called The Women's Retreat Book: A Guide to Restoring, Rediscovering, and Reawakening Your True Self - in a Moment, an Hour, a Day, or a Weekend.  I highly recommend it to those of you who like to pause and reflect.  The activities I have used from the book have helped me with some major life changes.

I am blessed with people, near and far, who believe in me, like my daughter and my closest of friends. My heart swells with gratitude when someone shares kind regards with me. Thank you. This knowledge will help me move forward.

When I finish this final day for this particular experience, I am going to take care of myself and inhale the beauty that is my life. I encourage you to welcome opportunities to pause and just be.  It can make a world of difference, believe me, and get you just a little bit closer to happy. Aw, heck.  Go out an hug someone you love, too. It wouldn't hurt.

Today, there is no room for worthlessness

Mark Nepo is one of my favorite philosophers, poets, writers, and he happens to be an all-around great guy.  I have been reading his book - The Book of Awakening - since I discovered it five years ago.  It fills my spirit each and every time that I read it.  And, I learn something each time I read it.

In his reflection on June 15, it feels like I am right there with him as he reflects on how he used to struggle with the challenges of life and then realizing with great joy, that life is perfect in the moment he is living as a man running on the streets of New York City and grabbing a hot dog for lunch.

I really got to thinking about that passage of thought as I navigate a bit of grief over the transition of leaving a job that I have been so proud to do for the past three years.  And it is grief, I'm not going to kid myself.  I know the last day on the job is going to be a tough one and I have made a note to do some really comforting things for myself that weekend.

The roller-coaster that is Life is one heck of a ride. One part excitement to check out a new adventure and one part freaking out because my job ends on August 2.  I don't want to be someone who lives a life within the margins.  I don't believe I ever did want that kind of life experience.  There are days when you are stuck in the muck of living and days you soar in current of freedom.  What a privilege!

There a days to wallow and there are days to fly.  I think I will strive to take flight.

An intention to inspire: Love and Kindness

A few months back, I treated myself to one of those monthly subscription services called Lunarly.  Each month, I received a package that contains a plant, a crystal or special rock, some self-care products, and an intention...all of which are based on the New Moon cycle.  I love it!

Each morning, I write a reflection on the month's intention.  It provides an opportunity to really go deep on a specific topic or issue.  I do this on top of my morning journal writing and evening gratitude reflection.  I am learning a lot about how I can best navigate life's challenges and celebrate the joys.

Moving forward, I hope to share some of those writings here on my Direct Living blog because it is very much in line with the intention of living a life as directly as you can by understanding your deepest essence. Perhaps you may recognize a similar journey or be prompted to pursue the same practice.  Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Love is...a friend (or two!) who give you a call when you least expect it.  Love is...thoughtfully assembling a few birthday surprises to ship to a friend across the country.  Love is...convening a social outing group for your new friends so other women can also pursue fun activities that they might not know about and make a few new pals. Love is...recognizing my own needs for self-care and joyful living.  It is reminding myself that the day will be filled with challenges and joy - no doubt about that!  Love is...taking note that I get to choose how to see and feel each of my experiences and determine how I will move forward - and through - those experiences. Love is...believing and knowing that all is well.  Love is...welcoming the lessons and learning from them.

 

“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.” – Vivian Komori