A moment held and telling a story . It speaks not only of this moment of life’s history and evolution . It speaks of endurance intertwined with fragility and of quietness and courage . The story of a lone bison standing in stillness on the volcano known as Yellowstone and myself , the lone explorer , standing in the threshold of what was and what is . Welcoming the freedom of quietness in a pause and willingly entering the mystery .
I saw you . A soft and worn smile coming from your eyes inviting and calm . A moment much needed and such a surprise . Thinking of how we can give so much in a passing moment with a shared smile .
I saw you and humbly looked into your eyes . Is there a willingness to share in a moment of our humanity ? Respectful if not and a bit of glee if it is there .
I saw you and thought how two strangers heartbeats might sync for a moment as we pass by .
A new life arrives . She is given away . Is the first experience of this life one of trauma ? Aside from the one of leaving a safe womb does the separation from her beginnings of life impact her sense of comfort and trust ?
She is born with a trusting heart no matter the circumstances . She loves deeply , so deeply that it surprises even her .
Welcomed into a home , into a family , that wants to be what it is not . There is love . There is love that battles within itself and with it’s own brokenness . Her love , in innocence , rises to the surface in moments of celebration . Like when she awakens first thing every morning , before opening her eyes , then is a joyous smile across her face. Did her soul choose to know the indescribable ache while also choosing to carry a joy filled heart and an ever replenishing trust ? The brokenness of the family integrated more trauma into her original wound and in quietness she finds a healer , herself . Did her soul choose ?
And in her quietness she sometimes dreams of knowing wholeness . Enchanted by the sight of the moon and the stars she finds a sense of rootedness in them . And when she is near water and it’s powerful timelessness then she feels held by the breath of all life past , present and future .
Calls to the soul at waters edge ,
she welcomes what we are beyond our present knowing .
Calls to what we know as wildness is freedom in the space of grace .
Calm and reflective waters flow and all the while wild winds blow .
And in this moment of aloneness is the timeless connection to all life .
Calls from the heart, songs in the soul and hymns from the sea are in harmony .
And in every breath carried to the stars are dreams of love for evermore .
I watch the great , wonderful trees outside my window move with the winds with ease . And when I pause with intention then the rhythmic flow of my breath in concert with my heart is what I know to be a bit of grace .
Swept up in moments of resistance , simply said, creates more resistance . How delightfully good does it feel to breathe deeply out and smile ? Dreams in the day and dreams in the night of a joyous life for all .
Laying down the resistance to living in the truth of the heart .
In my mind , heart and soul my joy comes alive in the adventures of travel as well as amongst the quietness of trees . Adventure is adventure . And exploration is invigorating wether with satchels or suitcases or a walking stick or airplane .
How many times have I felt a deep and instant comfort in traveling ? More often than i can recall . It is the home within myself that rises to the surface during an adventure . An outer exploration becomes an inner connection .
And sometimes when it is time to say farewell to the spontaneity and the fun of the unknown my spirit may feel heavy …for a bit and also renewed .
Until I am again near the loving souls that I can’t imagine life without ,and are also home in my heart , my spirit dances with new sight . The limitless and deep connections to all life are always beckoning .
The word travel seems too small to convey the true unfolding of what occurs if you choose it . I choose to step into the adventure and to dance with it . And finding rest in the quietness of love and contemplation amongst the trees and in the sky and roaring ocean waves . i am alive .
Let me be here . If not in physical form then in form then in spirit and in heart .
Warm golden glow spreading it’s comfort . And perceptible sounds of flowing streams ,
like nature’s hymns , sharing life .
Walking alone on the usual trail near home my heart and mind come together . Steady steps upon the path and remembrances of shared love rise to surface .
And in this very moment a man alone , lying on the ground , near his cart of assorted odd and ends . His life in a cart . A child’s stuffed animal hanging from it almost whimsically , it was endearing . He called out hello . His smile was joyful and somehow carried with it some innocence . I said hello back and walked on . The connection to our shared humanity filled my heart . All of the past encounters with people on the street and all of the moments when a simple kindness was given in a moment of darkness went running through my mind like a movie . A few steps out of my way to give some provisions to a fellow in need and I thought “isn’t it why we are here ?”
The light is delicate tonight and the breezes cool. Someone not too far away is
listening to a soprano singing opera . The sounds drift faintly in the air as I watch the
evening light dance with with shadows before calling it a night .
It’s the sort of peaceful , summer night that soothes the soul and invites a restorative
rest .
New dreams are given space to arrive in the subtle , warm glow of the setting sun .
Long walks in summer dreams with flagrant blossoms wafting through the air . Rhythms ease into each day flowing into sunshine filled moments and just as easily into shade .
Cooling breezes and dancing stars in the sky , playful leaps and bright pinks , bring twinkling joy to the eyes .
Gently lay down your head , breathe slow , feeling life’s embrace .
blchapman 