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 of the fear comes...

An interesting switching of gears these past few days.  I don't know what the triggers have been to choose this path of darker reflections.  Perhaps I  have been spending too much time on social media and reading the wrong headlines in the news!

Out of fear and anxiety comes loving, caring gestures.  That's how I like to see it.  When you put vulnerable self out there and people respond with caring words and acts, it is a reminder of the goodness that can be found in humanity.

It is a demonstration of love to be direct about it.  Every act - whether small or over the top - is an act of love when the intention comes from a loving heart.

I wrestled with buried anxiety this past week - stuff that I thought was long gone.  And when it came back up, the voice of loving reason was LOUDER than the voice of fear.  This, my friend, is a really good thing.

I am dedicated to the belief and practice that love will conquer all.  I will stand by that value and continue to walk that talk as often as I can.

Love wins. Always.

Love & Loneliness

There's a loneliness that can creep up on me when I least expect it.  I live alone in a city that is new to me, so there's no wonder it sneaks up on me.  It feels bigger than life sometimes when I am ill or when I feel afraid.

I admit, it is difficult to see the love in those kinds of moments.  But love - like the moon and the sun - is always present even if you can't see it.  My daughter is several hundred miles away but I can feel her love because it is ever-present and part of me.

I suppose self-love is also about welcoming the 'scaries' in some capacity because that kind of stuff lingers as much as joy can fill the air.  It is all about the ebb and flow of grieving and of celebration. It is the human experience.

It is comforting to constantly reminding myself that this, too, shall pass...whatever 'this' is in the moment....and also know that love is my rock-solid foundation and will help keep my face in the sun.

Connecting with strangers

We often hear that we should teach our children about 'stranger danger' and that makes sense, to a certain degree, and I wonder how we unlearn that messaging when we become adults?

I find one of the most charming experiences in life is talking with someone I don't know, a stranger.  Whether it is a moment shared while waiting for the light signal to change or walking to your car with another volunteer talking about the theater you support. 

Just last night, I met another volunteer usher with Trinity Rep. I started volunteering there soon after arriving in Providence.  We walked together to our cars last night after assisting at the theater and she shared that she is a case worker for the state of Rhode Island.  That caught my attention because of my work as a fundraiser for Kinship House, an outpatient mental healthcare agency for foster and adoptive children in Portland, OR.  We had a commonality.  Her genuine spirit was light and loving although she carries the weight of dealing with heart wrenching circumstances in her work in the world. 

In our brief exchange, we shared a little bit of who we are with one another. And although we agreed to catch up the next time we crossed paths, with a likelihood it will not happen, it is a loving human experience that I will carry with me.

Last night, two strangers became acquaintances. Who knows, maybe someday we will become friends.  It could happen.  This is Rhode Island, you know. Our experience offered us the chance to share a piece of our heart and soul with one another in a brief connection.  Just because.

 

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