Ain't It Grand

What a world we live in, in our own heads and as inhabitants of planet earth. The craziness, the incredible and unbelievable in people's behavior, the wrongdoing fueled by hate and fear seems more intense. The mainstream news focuses on up to the minute bad news, the dead and dying, war, abuse, corruption, desperation and despair. The breaking news alerts the viewer of something different and new happening, probably not a good thing about the harsh reality of our world. It's the news, "it's what's for dinner". We consume it consciously and subconsciously as fear mongers in the media, corporate America and other places continue to shove the ugliness down our throats. Health and happiness do not sell as well as fear, doubt, inadequacies, comparing yourself to others, confusion, judgement, hate, cynicism, complacency,  

Stress follows the discontentment as worry and uneasiness settle-in. Meanwhile, mental and physical health are compromised. More effort is required to keep a good perspective, peaceful and positive. The attitude of gratitude is effective in curtailing the fretting but sometimes takes longer to get to that place. 

Faith and Hope are great detractors of the darkness of the world. Grace surfaces from a soulful, spirit, out of sadness, grief, trauma, after, during the moment we are most in need of the divinity and blessing. Out of nowhere like a mighty warrior to light the darkness from places beyond most human understanding, above and beyond earth's boundaries from an unlimited, unconstrained place that is of peace, power and perfection, humble compassion-driven places of privilege. Our vulnerability is front and center when we seek shelter from life's storms. We look for and wish to connect to creators' creations since time untold, here and now from on high to the lowest places, the lost, richest, poorest we all long to connect to such graciousness.

Attaching myself to the idea of something to turn to when I am not sure of which direction to go, beyond what the eye can see but what the heart and soul can feel continues to prove over and over that keeping the faith is a rock-solid life-saving strategy, prayer and defense against a chaotic and unfair world.

To counterattack, appease, remedy, soothe, replace wrongdoing in the world means to cease the opportunity to lift the shroud of darkness whenever possible, in many situations at any time and any place. It is an ongoing summit of sorts; a cooperative based on our own willingness to offer a kind word or simple gesture of kindness and make life more livable. It is a no cost approach to contributing to the betterment of the world. To have the capacity to share our own gifts of faith and hope, joy and peace even as the darkness lurks around attempting to put out our light. Ain't it grand to realize we can share our light, our own preciousness our own peace and love. 

SEPTEMBER

It was a good month, challenges, triumphs, tragic things occurring all around and make you wonder why. You wonder about people and how good and bad behavior is reasoned-out. We ponder life and our place in relation to it all. To seek, find and maintain peace within and outside of our own comfort zone is to evolve into better people, kinder, softer, smarter, more bright, bold, brazen and beautiful than ever. A worthy goal indeed, to bless and be blessed.

A special month, September, it means birthdays, smiles and tears about the bitter sweetness of what was, what is, birthday's together, the great day's we said hello and the sad day's we had to say goodbye. An absent brother in heaven probably does not lose track of time, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, the years, no accounting for nor squandering of time. It must be all new time management, timeless, no time at all no special dates to remember, no anniversaries, imagine that. 

Sounds interesting, new, exciting no um deadlines, no time constraints no chaos, it is peaceful, simple, nice, heavenly.

 

Music

What can you say about music that hasn't been said? From my point of view and from what I hear, music means so much to so many. It is taken personally as friend and a foe, a joy bringer and prompter of pain and energizer. With music an atmosphere is created, the mood is set, motivation on the ready. The emotional aspect of music brings one to tears as easily as the cheers, the quiet, calm memory to emotions of elation, excitation and exhilaration when it feels like your heart wants to jump out of your chest. Just as certain sad songs evoke sorrowful memories, longing, loneliness, the music, melody or lyrics recall the very moments of life we were living when the song came out. The stories told in song are powerful, poignant, corny and compelling as life itself. Lyrics dress-up the music to create such a compatible composition while the instruments add dimension and layers of texture to a song, throw in a great voice and magic takes place. Musical recordings are awesome gifts and a great companion through the years, an exciting place to go for quick sound bites or to take along on long road trips, to keep you company and facilitate inspiration.

Music is like a comforting blanket you wrap yourself in, you fill your head and your heart with the warmth of the sounds, the instruments and voice may be an irresistible chance encounter you hoped to get to know and remember forever. Music is like an old and new friend or member of the family, an entity, spirit, a thing that has always been there in good times and bad, the soundtrack of our own story plays on with a playlist that includes oldies, sentimental, festive, fancy, edgy, mellow and maniacal melodies. It's all there, the soulful, heart stopping, tear-jerking, dance-inducing, thought provoking, melodic, always laden with rhythm to get my attention.

I can not imagine a world without music even though there are times when my brain is on overload and does not know what to do with another note. The essence of music flows, softly or sternly bringing about overwhelming feelings, it can be too much as the sound saturates the air with a liquid type matter that makes me feel like I am drowning in it. The slightest sound of music can keep me awake or wake me up while a lullaby puts me to sleep, depending on the volume, the tune and if I am tired or not. Music is as reliable a relationship in my life as the moon, the sun and Holy Spirit. A matter of fact, emotional connection and partnership that I am happy to say; will always have a prominent place in my life.

Search and Rescue

To seek and find, search and rescue as first responders of the planet, of the universe, of your corner of the world, rise! Rise, and shine like the beautiful life savers, you are. The one's on two legs, one or four! Know you are life's knights, mighty and gallant! Your gestures are perfectly timed for the one most in need of your presence like a masterful symphony with wisdom, courage, compassion, light, love, strength, laughter as the principal players of the grandest orchestra. The overcomers of darkness who whether they realize it or not, have put out the littlest campfire to raging out of control full-on fires, helped someone breathe better, somehow put into the position to lift-up another physically, emotionally, spiritually, you freed a captor of something maybe even him or herself. The awesome privilege of making life more livable, lovable and bearable, the greatest gifts known to earthbound inhabitants. OMG! The privilege to be a part of heavens grand scheme of things because of your presence making a minuscule or massive difference when you could. To search for and rescue who, what, when and where you could, you stood-up to the assignment and met and will meet the challenge of risking your own safety or peace, health or happiness. 

The moment angelic forces move is the moment life defines itself as a living breathing presence, entity, thing, place creature, the whole enchilada, entire pie a place in time and space as mysterious as the miracles that sustain it's sacred, scared, scorched, sad, magnificent, full, aching,round beautiful body. 

From the beginning we are led by traces of sunlight and evenings sweetly-lit by the moon. We come from each other, we are every age we've ever been with the capacity to recall the most fleeting moment, terrifying or fantastic that left us speechless and humble that we lived though something so overwhelming.

The memory bank inherently grateful for certain experiences that can only be described as breath taking miracles. The very fact of our existence and wondrous nature of every blessed thing taking place simultaneously, individually, in sync or out of but still by happenstance or at the precise moment, no one saw coming. Turns out each one of us is part of the Search and Rescue squad. *How cool is that!       Here's to you! XO     

Wanderlust

As far back as she can remember the feeling that she did not belong accompanied her. It was a lingering shadow of a thought that always seemed to be there but what else could she do but make the best of things since the knowledge and means of transporting, transcending and going to another place or time seemed out of reach, yet considered as consistently as the as the sun rises and fades resting in a restless state of being. What can one do when one feels out of place. An unsettled chord follows her still, strumming along sustaining a subtle yet significant note of longing, to wander in this direction or that, not exactly knowing where, how or when.

Curiosity combined with the vast mysteries of life, prevail in a world that has become almost desensitized with a nonchalant  attitude toward everything, the good, bad, sad and amazing. The unknown and unfinished make for a resilient resolve ready to take it all on, the darkness as well as the wonderful, the bright, soft and sacred light, every blessed bit of it.

Time after time surprise encounters pleasant and unpleasant experiences and circumstances render sadness, disappointment and shock while joy, delight, exhilaration and eager anticipation make way for the journey ahead with every little stride and giant enthusiastic step forward. The terrifying twists and tantalizing turns are approached with caution and strong open arms and a tender sensitive heart. Meanwhile all the dreams and drama are part and parcel of the aging body and evolving mind and soul. Adaptations and modifications withstanding she is able to move on to the next perplexed or placid place, appointed and anointed by creation.

The imagination struggles to restrain and stay within the realm of rationality and reality. All the while melancholy flutters like the butterfly caught-up in a sudden burst of commotion, from a gentle breeze to gale force winds that prompt yet again the desire to drift away from the confines and security of predictability. The longing comes and goes through the years and brings her back to a solid state and calm condition navigating through with unshakable faith and hope in the goodness of people and places that make life livable and lovable. It is a life carved out of countless challenges and bountiful blessings, a life equipped with necessary components including a unique blend of form and function. The proverbial bird of different colors with a deep sense of empathy and compassion, imaginative and creative. She is on the ready to share and welcomes love, joy, peace and respect extracted and emitted out of lessons learned from life. Every single ache and pain as well as the seemingly bland yet beautiful, breathtaking moments.

When all is said and done one does well to simply get on with the business of life moving forward with top shelf expressions of humanity, for her own good and peace of mind. She is deserving and worthy of the best that life affords. Whether drifting far away at any given moment, tripping the light fantastic or keeping it simple in the middle or on the edge of it all gazing out into the horizon looking through the lens of wanderlust, she keeps the faith through it all.

http://brunodelaroza.com/

Reprieve

From a place where sadness runs deep and you dangle suspended in midair like a circus aerial act gone wrong. 

I'm drowning, inhaling a merciless suffocating element that rushes to engulf me in pain.  It is just the blurry view from the mourning I am recalibrating my heart and soul with. Clawing scratching reaching fighting for air, I take a massive breath, it blasts out like a thunderous gust of wind and lighting fast a reprieve presented in a peaceful thought, a whisper from the heavens, I am rebirthed and swim for my life into calm seas floating moving upright smoothly on shore safely again.

Crying, laughing, yelling, talking, singing, walking, hiding, writing and riding along in silence I move forward gently as the soft sand slides though my toes and massages my feet. Then like something that cannot be ignored, a misstep onto the sharp edges of the coral reef with it's hateful jagged unforgiving edges. The pain will pass, the open wound wanting to heal as time and life, wonder, mystery awaits.

Peace of Mind

Peace is like a soft running stream, it flows smoothly and moves with perfection like a long steady strand of ribbon, unraveling into bigger waters, the effect ripples to create a particular warmth and comfort our spirits long for. Chaos in our environment, in the world, in our own minds and hearts cause turmoil on many levels. Unrest brews, storms percolate and erupt like a volcano spewing mangled debris, ash and fire into the air with the hot molten lava of bitternes and anxiety that takes over a calm, quiet place.

Our souls however, instinctively resist hysteria and are compelled to rise above the anguish of inner and outer turmoil, we want to settle into a place where we can take refuge from the battles of life. Judgment, perception and attitude struggle between full-on mental and physical warfare and harmony, peace of mind, balance and centerdness. It is necessary to find our way back to a peaceful place, a stillness which is imperative to our survival as a species, like a salve on an open wound, peace and quiet are remedies for life's harshness and it's deafening noises.

The hateful ways of humanity are like a deep, raw and bloody wound that cannot heal. Love, respect, honor, care and concern expressed and shared is much more than an ointment, it is open heart surgery for a disease that can be cured of humankind's hostile nature. The effect of kindness and compassion is residual,  resinating to the core of our existence, as we long for a soft, tender place to land in a roughly hewn world.