Saturday and Sunday, March 30 and 31, 2019
Learning to live wholeheartedly teaches me something almost
every day. It’s a vigilance to remain true to my heart and soul in daily living
and to not get caught up in all the drama and hype. Sometimes the little
lessons are things I already knew but either forgot or just let it go. Other
times it’s putting things in a different context (or words) to help me
understand better. They’re all golden nuggets in my quest for wholehearted living.
The Creativity Muse had me in her strong grip Friday
morning. I finished editing the poem I’d written the night before and blogged,
but she still had a hold on me. I so wanted to keep going and let that creative
fire just burn, but Fridays and Saturdays are my busy newspaper work days. I
had to dampen the flames and buckle down so I could meet deadline.
Yesterday’s morning writing had me coming up with another
Dear Divine Presence Letter (DPL). These are little revelations/lessons I learn
and like to share. Sometimes the message has to rattle my brain numerous times
before the light bulb flashes on and I get it. For instance, I know how
important it is to take breaks, but then I’ll still sit for hours to try to
push to get the job done. Again a message came about the need to get up and
move.
571. Dear Divine Presence, Thank-you for reminding me the
importance of taking breaks. When I try to get all my work done in one sitting,
I get overstressed, ornery, and make mistakes. I need to get away from the
table, move around, and do something constructive or creative – even if it’s
just to play with the kitties or water the plants. Just five or ten minutes can
be refreshing, clear my head, and help me feel better. Light and Love, Sasha.
I often talk about treasure hunts and how I strive to find
beauty every day no matter where I am. I’ll post photos and share ideas and
tips. Someone took my idea of a treasure hunt as a daily quest and to make a
game out of it. I decided to make this to DPL. (As you can see, I’ve been
writing these for over a year.)
572. Dear Divine Presence, Thank-you for showing me to look
at each day as a treasure hunt. The treasure doesn’t have to be a big chunk of
gold, but something simple. It can be a tiny nugget like being intrigued by a
leaf on the ground or noticing a pretty flower. It can be realizing something
good or learning something about life. It can be something inspiring someone
says, or we read. What if we saw the good and beautiful around us as treasures?
How many treasures can I find today? I’m on the hunt! Light and Love, Sasha.
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| No, I'm not going to chase you up the tree! |
I found time in the afternoon to sneak in a little fresh
air. Neighbor-kitty, Leo joined me. He loves it when I’m outside with him. He
posed for photos, then took off down the walkway looking behind to see if I was
giving chase. Around the corner of the house he went and up a tree. I managed
to get a couple photos. He makes me laugh. And I found gold in the antics of a
cat!
The chickens from across the street came over and Leo went
into stalk mode. They weren’t intimidated by him at all, and when the big
rooster flapped his wings at the orange boy, Leo hid behind a tree and
continued his watch. He came with me when I went back in the house.
This morning, I’m amazed at how much snow melts overnight.
Most of the ice bridges across the brook are gone and the ones left are looking
unstable. The water gushes under them and splashes against anything in its
path. In between my music, I can hear the roaring as the water slams against
rocks, eats at the ice, and catches in swirls in side pools along the banks and
tree roots.
Out front, the snow has receded farther. More of the shrubs
are revealed and ground cover near the walkway are clear of snow but filled
with old leaves, sand, and pine needles. The azaleas in front of the house are
still flattened with show. The bugleweed and hens and chickens are showing
color, and a couple of wild viola, which hadn’t totally died back, are waking
up. My mind is already making a list of things to do to create even more beauty
out here.
Part of me is eager to get out and start raking, but it’s not
quite time, yet. It’s just the end of March and there’s always the possibility
for April snowstorms. Plus, gardening takes me away from my art which can be a
huge dilemma. I have to find time to write and paint or I get ornery and depressed.
But I love being out in the flower garden, too, so I have to find a balance
between inside work and outside work.
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| What's under is almost as interesting as what's on top |
I couldn’t wait for afternoon. After standing on the front
porch in my bare feet, I put on sneakers and go out for a few photos. I stop to
pull a few invasive horsetail weeds along the walkway. I take photos of a few
leaves stuck in a section of plowed up dirty snow from the driveway. They’re
like little pieces of art hanging on a wall.
I look for signs of life on the lilacs. They were originally
right in front of the house and I moved them. They’re not in a good spot,
although I know it can take lilacs three years or so to recover from serious
pruning or moving.
I pull a couple more horsetails while heading out back. The
breeze coming off the brook makes it a little chillier. There’s still too much
ice between the bottom of the steps and the brook. I can’t safely get down there,
yet … maybe this afternoon or tomorrow.
I climb the steps to the deck and wander its length taking
photos. I can’t help it. It’s mesmerizing and the roar is hypnotizing. If it was
warmer, I’d get out a chair and do my writing out there.
Ah, my little piece of paradise filled with treasures. I
have a gold mine!
