The journey

This weekend I traveled to meet a friend at a retreat center for a weekend of yoga. The retreat was set off a dirt road surrounded by tall pine trees. My friend, Tara, is a beautiful woman who encourages me to seek life to the fullest. She makes me a better person. Tara and I developed our friendship over many sessions of yoga. We would travel to the nearest yoga center and discuss life, work, relationships. Our friendship clicked immediately and I knew I had found a soul friend. I could be my true self who Tara accepted and would then, in turn, give her authentic self to me. This delicate exchange of vulnerability and love created our beautiful friendship. Tara has taught me many things over the years. The most impactful lessons she has shared with me are: life is a constant transition, you have the power to change your perspective of time, and be brave. Tara and I no longer live in the same town so we have made it a tradition to book a retreat together once a year, this year was a yo...

No one prepares you for the experience of watching your parents age. The pain and sadness you feel when you see your parent's limitations. The very people who gave you life, who fill your memories with an abundance of energy, now sit in front of you as different people, starkly contrasting your childhood memories. My dad was always active. As a coach, he had a talent for all sports and would amaze us kids with his skills in baseball and basketball. Dad was ready for any adventure and seemed to create excitement within every moment. He seemed invincible, as many childhood dads do, and he always gave a sense of protection and all-knowing wisdom. Now as I enter into my thirties I see my dad as an aging man. His hands are lined and worn from his years of living, his body is slower to respond, and he is no longer active even though he pretends to be. When I witness this my heart aches from the clash of my childhood beliefs and actual reality. In my fantasy, my parents are always the...

Scared Thread A sacred thread, a small sliver of the Divine woven into the world, symbolizing the Holy in our lives. With eyes and heart full of awareness and contemplation, sacred threads are interlaced into our daily activities and mundane commitments if one chooses only to see. Sacred threads can be traced throughout all aspects of life, even the simple activity of watching a movie. The Peanut Butter Falcon, a movie released in 2019, offers a tapestry of sacred threads woven into the plot, character dynamics, and setting of the film. This movie centers around the journey of a young man with Down Syndrome who desires to be a pro wrestler. The whispers of the Divine heard in this movie revolve around the themes of freedom, friendship, and love.              Zak, a 22-year-old with Down Syndrome, desires to be a pro wrestler and escapes the confines of his residency at a nursing home to pursue this dream. Zak’s escape...

Patagonia For years my husband and I have wanted to travel to Patagonia. The landscape looked breathtaking and every time Patagonia was mentioned people would buzz with excitement and desire to visit. So 2019 was the year we committed to go, no matter what. The cost was extremely more expensive than our other trips and we had to book our trip in the spring to secure our place in the busy season of Patagonia's summer. As the trip approached in December, the anticipation was put to the side as family commitments, holiday craziness, and our jobs took precedent. A week before our journey I developed shingles. At 30 years old, this was surprising and worrisome for our backpacking trip but nothing was going to stop this trip. So I immediately started thinking about my attitude and perspective for this adventure. I wanted to enjoy this trip and stay strong throughout the journey. I knew my body could handle more than I realized and I committed myself to a positive attitude! ...

Obedience, Stability, Conversion The control and resistance falls away  bravery enters Dark night stars and earth sounds Alone but for a flickering flame flowing deep inside the cave of my heart Blinding beauty of all the unique colors and textures of different faces from all over the world Dark night stars and earth sounds Home, water gently trickling through time Blinding beauty of all the unique colors and textures of different faces from all over the world The spark of the Divine pulses deep underground in the roots Home, water gently trickling through time Alone but for a flickering flame flowing deep inside the cave of my heart The spark of the Divine pulses deep underground in the roots The control and resistance falls away  bravery enters

The Bird at the Window Hello, Hello, you giants, What are you, sitting in this over-sized cage?  Do you feel the freedom of the sky in this enclosure? Does the spring wind touch your wings in this house? Do you feel the bright sun warming your heart? Hello, Hello, odd creatures, What is this unknown glass that separates us? What are you trying to keep in? Or better yet, what are you trying to keep out?  Why do you stay in this shelter separated from Mother Earth? Are you able to feel the changes of the seasons? What are you always looking at? Hello,  Hello, living entity, Are you mindful of the outer world? Do you hear the blades of grass move? Or the hummingbird's wings vibrate? Do you smell the trees in that brick box of yours? Are you happy in this home? Do you long to soar? Do you desire the freedom of the air? Hello, Hello, mere humans, I'm here, watching at your window. Come out. Come out and fly with me...