Gratitude....

Reaching out today from a space of deep gratitude. The connections that are being made and the shared vision of a better tomorrow for this world are wondrous and delightful, reminding me that we are all more supported and loved than we could ever even know.

The website is up and completely functional, ready for t-shirt orders. New friendships are blossoming, and I find myself surrendering to each moment. Trusting the flow, the intuitions, and the not so subtle messages that remind me..... the most beautiful creations happen not because of us, but through us. Jai Gurudev...

Thanks for stopping by, for holding the vision and sharing this journey.

Nothing but Love,

m

Like a wind against my back......

I read an article about a young girl of 14 in Haiti a few weeks ago. When the earthquake hit, she rushed to the downtown area where her mother worked. She actually found her mother's body amidst the rubble. In the days that followed she found herself living with other refugees, and everyone told her to simply not think of her mom. She replied "I can't stop thinking of her, I still feel her... like a wind against my back."

My mother died in October of last year. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer the year before, and because of complications from surgeries her quality of life was painful and difficult. I quit my job of 13 years to be with her. I spent endless hours at her hospital bedside, and cared for her in our home with the support of loving friends and family. Each day having her with me to watch my children grow, to share the details of my life was a blessing. And in hindsight, I am grateful to be able to say we did all we could to support her in healing.

My mom was an artist. Her painting above came through her after my stepson suffered a massive brain injury and became a total care patient. It hung above his bed, watching over him until he was released from a body that could no longer serve him. Her talents with a canvas and brush were not passed to me. I got her heart and love of life.

Like a wind against my back she pushes me on, to live the life I dream of. She whispers in my ear, don't look back.... How I pray for my little sister in Haiti, that she find her place in this world. That she continues to feel her mother's presence, and feels the blessings bestowed from somewhere beyond. I hope she is comfortable, safe and resting well.... and that she can feel my love.

Let It Shine

Every Monday evening 35 - 40 beings descend on my home. We gather in hope, in truth, and in love to explore our humanness and our divinity. Our beloved facilitator is an 82 year old man, going through the process of cancer. A life long therapist, Bill lives out his dream of awakening others as he inches closer to his death.

Last night someone handed me a book called Anam Cara by John O’Donohue. Anam is translated as soul, and cara means friend. “The anam cara was a person to whom you could reveal the hidden intimacies of your life....When you had an anam cara, your friendship cut across convention and category.” And so it was that a 30 year old woman, mother, and seeker became the best of friends with a sweet, gentle, delightful old man. Unexpected is our connection, but as we explore our inner and outer worlds together we deepen in our understanding and embodiment of living Love in this world. My anam cara will leave his body soon and return to the Mystery that calls us all home. And while I know that there will be new relationships to experience, beauties to witness none will ever be just like this One.

Bill loves music. From old tunes that I have never heard, to music of devotion we have joined our voices hundreds of times. We always begin group with music that takes us inward, and throughout the night he interweaves music to bring closure to our work. Last night he played a song by Jana Stanfield, Let the Change Begin. We dance and move, and I witness his Joy. Bill lives his truth in form, through words, movement, and Presence.

So I have been blessed to see a Being alive with Love. Bill is a Truth Teller, he sees beyond our distortions and behavior, to the Truth of our Being, and he reminds us. To honor him and what he has brought to my life, I have only one choice. To rise up and give voice to that which longs for expression through me. We all have gifts to give. And as Bill says, this is the place, now is the time....let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Courage to Connect Contribute & Create

It’s all about love today, and as I watch my husband create a garden in our courtyard, I feel amazingly blessed by our relationship and the family we have created.

Friday night I attended Kirtan with Wah! here in Phoenix. Two cars full of my best friends, and my two baby girls descended on Urban Yoga in downtown. Great turnout, and sweet chants filled the night. Best of all I got to practice two of my favorite things - chanting and being a momma.

I didn’t get my fill though, so Saturday afternoon I decided to drive to Tucson and catch Wah! at Yoga Oasis. Well, I made the decision and then experienced that same old nagging fear. Travelling solo, to some place I have never been, with people I have never met, my mind went wild. It amazes me how quickly my outside world can mirror my interior, and as R encouraged me to go Z (my 4 yr. old) wrapped her little arms around my legs and refused to let go. Outbursts like this are rare, but I get my chance time and time again to follow my inner knowing in spite of the fear and the expressions of it in the world of form.

The 2 hour trip proved very worthwhile. Yoga Oasis felt like such a welcoming space, and without the girls I could truly sink in to the experience. I was among friends and at some point our voices became one. We Connect with one another in truth, we Contribute and lend our voices to the whole and we create, hmm...we Create a little heaven on earth.

The Journey Begins

Confucius says a journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step. I visited the t-shirt store today. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well let me just tell you that for a girl with a hundred inspirations and no courage to act it was quite a feat. But we never go it alone, and my dear husband walked me through.

There has been but one wish in my heart for many years now. It is a wish to be useful in this world. I long to take a stand for all that is good and take action in supporting the beautiful. I long for eyes that see it ALL and a heart that never turns from the sadness and suffering that exists in this world. To witness this Life and remain certain that Truth and Beauty are everyone’s birthright.

Inspiration

A few years ago my heart led me to the Omega Institute for the Labor Day Ecstatic Chant weekend. What I discovered there has impacted my life in more ways than I could ever know. The most amazing experience for me was on the last day of the trip, as I looked around the room. I witnessed the most incredible joy, and I knew in my heart that as long as joy like this existed anywhere in the world, every little thing would surely be o.k.

If you have been blessed with a similar experience you know that it is difficult to explain to others. It simply is....If you have never explored the world of devotional chanting I cannot encourage you enough to seek out some of the artists who have brought this gift to us. Don’t stop at purchasing a c.d., find a venue and sink deeply into the core of your being.

It was from this place that a desire arose in me to reach out to the community I have found and support our global family. Along with my dear friends Suzane and Brian I have embarked on an adventure. Our goal is to sell 1000 t-shirts the profits of which will be donated to the Haiti relief effort.