Today as I drove through the Columbia River Gorge, I pondered life.
Wanting to get in touch with the masculine side of life, I decided to go watch men fish. I stopped along the way where people parked with their boat trailers, and were in the bay and near shore, fishing.
I sat and watched as various fishermen attempted to set hook. I imagined them there, friend with friend, in a sort of zen state.
I imagined that there might be a woman somewhere, baking fresh bread to go with the fresh fish her mate would bring home later in the day. I imagined fresh salad, supplies taken from the home garden. (Too early yet, I know. It’s a fantasy).
Anyhow …
After admiring these men, and family units, I drove on down the highway with a smile upon my face. How beautiful they were!
……………………………………………………
One of my favorite flowers is the California Poppy. Such a hearty plant that grows in seemingly impossible places. They open with the morning sun, and close up in the evening.
So Gorge-ous!
Nearing the Hood River Bridge I delved into my coin purse for the bridge toll. After crossing the bridge I saw a sign which read, “toll booth closed due to covid19”. I thought, great! Just saved myself $2. Folded it up and put in back in the pouch.
Driving along in the sun,
Feeling its warmth,
Grateful to be alive.
I think I must be having an issue with being stubborn.
“It” doesn’t feel good. The potential for damage is great, and yet, I still do.
Is it simply because it is suggested I don’t?
Am I settling and adapting to my social environment?
Am I creating excuses?
Not being truthful? With self? With others?
Am I really that stubborn that I would risk personal damage due to … to what?
A force of WILLS?
I am not accustomed to surrender.
Why would I purposefully agitate my own mind?
Do I honestly think I am stretching my capabilities, my tolerances?
Or have I become addicted to chaos, internal, chaotic energies?
Do I like the rush?
Am I addicted to drama?
Am I creating this?
(LOL … of course you are!)
She shakes her head and says to herself, “What am I gonna do with myself?” And sadly, softly, she chuckles.
It is no wonder I feel uncomfortable … right now … geesh …
We must learn to be responsible for our energy.
After 57 years of nights beneath the moon and the clouds
to find myself old is hard
crows come looking for food at the altar
monks return with empty begging bowls
others work the waves for shrimp and clams
I swing a hoe in the mountains
when Solomon’s seal is gone there is still pine pollen
and one square inch free of care
~ Stonehouse
http://bookslibland.net/the-mountain-poems-of-stonehouse-english-and-chinese-edition-pdf/
Notice your triggers when they are acting up.
Stop being trigger happy.
And just love people for who they are, where they are right now.
Is that so hard?
During these times of Covid-19 and the fear it represents in the hearts and minds of people, we are separated, even more than we were before.
How do we put our good energy into the world?
Some of us have been home for awhile now due to layoffs. What do we do with our time?
I started sewing … masks. I rearranged my bedroom. I cleaned house, or at least ‘picked it up’. I changed my living room window treatment. I started going for joy rides and hikes in various parks that were/are open. I started praying again, in the forest.
All that is good.
I entered deep spaces in my mind that I thought I had already visited, but these spaces held additional blockages that needed attention, healing and clearing. Inner work is very good to do in these times.
How do we share the love we are working on increasing in our own hearts and minds?
We can:
1) Send note cards via USPS. It is amazing how rare it is that one receives a card these days. It is a nice surprise when you’re stuck at home with no visitors.
2) Smile and wave at those you encounter, whether you be passing another vehicle on the road, or in the grocery store … smile, show kindness.
3) Paint rocks with inspirational messages or pictures and leave them in various areas for people to find. The atm, the park, any stairs you may climb, and entrances or exits to buildings or flower pots. Anywhere people might find themselves stopping for a moment.
4) Have flowers delivered to a friend or family member … just because.
5) Share a meal with someone in need. Getting take-out? Purchase an extra meal and give it to the next person you see, who is hungry.
These are only five suggestions, but there could be many more. I welcome your thoughts and ideas to increase methods of growing happiness and care in this world, please add them in the comments section.
🙏🏻❤️
There once was a time in your very own planet’s history, long, long ago, when the earth was truly a paradise.
The diversity of life was as mind-boggling as it was spectacular.
Flowers sprang up in impossible places. Birds and their songs filled the air over every continent. Snow, fog, showers, or sunshine added sometimes shocking and unexpected beauty to every setting.
Animals were loved as family members. And complete strangers smiled and waved to one another, as it was everyone’s natural instinct to be kind, to give, and to love.
Yeah, very little has changed.
See the good,
~ The Universe
Every ailment is a gift, an opportunity, an invitation…
Thoughts become things… choose the good ones! ® © www.tut.com ®
I’ve been thinking lately about life and relationship.
When I was young, one of my favorite things was to watch people …. or “people watch”. I stopped doing that in my mid-twenties, when I began a certain relationship.
Now, thirty years later, I am beginning to think I’ve turned into a jaded old lady! Who, in current scenarios, has not really given men a fair shake.
I vow to take on some activities, where I can observe men, being men. I want to fall in love with them all over again.
As I shed my pain from past failed relationship, I open myself to loving once more, those who I have unfairly dropped blame.
This is only a beginning. It is not a request for attention or relationship. It is an acknowledgement, that I have been harboring resentment that may have poisoned further opportunities for love.
The journey begins … of further release.
Pain, anger, resentment ….. these have no value, for that which holds value.
May the release be swift.
May my appreciation for the masculine be rebirthed with vigor, in a sacred way.
May admiration, for all of them in their various forms and activity, grow in my heart.
May all things emanating from my person, be pure, healthy and loving.
And so it is. 🙏🏻
Left the house to experience the wind once more, blowing everything in the car around, windows down.
I stopped at a little shack selling clam chowder and fish and chips. Purchased and ate a piece of fish and a few chips.
A fellow came by as I sat there. He walked to the man at the window, and then walked away, empty handed. He looked real down. I asked him if he was hungry. He said yes, so I gave him the remaining three pieces of fish with the chips. He looked very emotional and I watched as he walked to his room at the hotel nearby. I felt for him in that moment and hope he finds what he needs.
If we have extra, let us remember to share. Share with whoever happens to be there at the time, for this is our opportunity to do so. Regardless of appearance … share.
I drove along, for miles and miles, I came upon a pretty remote area, not a soul around.
I rested there awhile, munching on sunflower seeds. Here is a video of the place.
As I sat there, I thought about tools needed to tend garden, and supplies needed to preserve foods. I thought about a modest cabin with basic necessities. The simpler the better.
I wandered around taking pictures and then set up my chair in the sun.
Heading back toward town, I stopped to take more pictures.
That is the end of the joy ride, but much happened I did not capture.
I stopped along a rural road and stand. Bought fresh eggs, apples, red potatoes, cauliflower and honey.
I drove into a the nearest rural town and then out again, stopping at a roadside building selling more fruits and vegis. Bought watermelon, asparagus, a mango, and avocados.
It felt good to support the farmers, who are having difficulty getting their supplies to the city. I’m going to look for them every time I go for a nice drive and purchase from them if I am able.
My appreciation is growing during these days of separation from each other. For nature, for the work that men and women do, in all of the various ways work is done, for the benefit of the whole.
I’ve been dwelling on the inner stuff a lot. I understand better now, that I have been projecting and blaming for my inner pains. (And to think I thought I was done with all that inner work!) And so I have begun asking for help to relieve the pain so I do not project it into the world … praying, if you will. Whatever that looks like. Pretty sure it isn’t a wrong way, in private, with nature.
Nature helps me in many ways.
Connecting to benevolence seems to be easier here.
Where the trees cleanse and recycle my breath. Where the waters churn and provide oxygen to the things within, and those outside of itself. This delicate balance, consistently shared, constantly offered to life.
Home now, having eaten my corn and red potatoes, I relax and think on the day. I consider topping off the experience with a nice magnesium bath in some scented water … and so I’m off, until next time.
Below picture is not me …
