Women at Rest

Beannacht ("Blessing") by John O'Donohue

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

~John O'Donohue

(Photo by amma_maw.)

New Year Blessings

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not big on resolutions, and in many ways this is just another wonderfully normal day that I woke up, said my prayers and did my best. And yet, and yet . . . it's so different as well. The air quietly shimmies with fresh new beginnings, hopes and dreams. A special breakfast. My annual ritual of taking down old calendars and putting up new. Closing out zena moon's books.

If one year ago today you had told me what I'd go through in 2007, I would have shot back You wanna bet? No way would I have knowingly faced much less lived through Elliott passing, getting divorced (very amicable, no lawyers, but still hard emotionally) and moving to Spokane. But I showed up for every single minute of it and survived with my sanity and sobriety intact through Grace, beaucoup AA, family & friends, living in the present moment sometimes one second at a time, doing only the next right indicated thing, choosing love more often than fear, and trusting Spirit.

Today I'm 100% grateful for my life in Spokane. I cherish being single again (truly my natural state of being!). I wouldn't move back to beautiful, soggy, crowded, hectic Seattle for anything. My heart both aches and smiles as I miss Elliott every day. I don't know what this year holds. To be honest I'm a little gun-shy. After 2007's great emotional earthquakes, my foundation is still shaky, and I'm afraid of any more losses. I've forbidden my dogs and parents from dying or getting sick for a really long time.

In my bones I know 2008 is about resting, healing and settling into my new life. Asking what I need to better care for myself -- spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially. The two words that keep swimming to the surface are ease and enjoyment. Keeping it very, very simple!

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?
The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God
And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move
That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying "I Surrender!"
Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.

~Hafiz

Saint means holy person, and I believe we are ALL holy. Here's to fewer serious moves and more love, Spirit, compassion, togetherness, acceptance, simplicity and PEACE in 2008!

(The beautiful angel in the photo sits on my living room altar and was made by Sister Kathryn and gifted to me by Sister Cathy.)