Wonder

To maintain the wonderful sense of wonder through the years, through the times when we do not feel much like wondering what, why, where and how unless those questions are a matter of life and death. Maybe we simply get complacent, bored, jaded or luke-warm about life the world at large and it's many wonderous people, places and things. To maintain that magical wonder of youth at any age seems to be the key to staying young at heart rather than developing a particular blindness, tone-deafness or disensitivy to the savory and sweetness,  surrounding us.

I wonder how people get along in life without faith in something more than what is seen on this earthly plane. I wonder why animals do not talk and maybe grateful they don't except with their eyes, hearts and souls. I wonder why things like how people everywhere, are not cared for with more equality and respect. I wonder how the earth and all of its inhabitants came into existence among the vastness of the universe. 
I wonder how gravity, astronomy, physics, science and art operates and does the amazing mind-expanding things each  does. 

Where, when, who started it all? My faith in the author and creator of life answers some questions with broad strokes and sometimes with detailed information. Still, I wonder about the intricate nature of things and the dynamics involved but I am satisfied and at peace with the understanding that some questions will remain unanswered and the mysteries and wonders of life will go on.

INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE

Here is a simple yet strong string of pearls. It radiates a resounding message of soul-deep, precious and important built-in capabilities we are born with.

SHINE LIKE THE SUN, GLOW LIKE THE MOON, THEY SAID. 

INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE

Another Month

Here's to another month that celebrates love, presidents, groundhogs, the color red and Chinese New Year. Every month marks something special, significant in some manner be it of a wonderful or regrettable matter. We hope for good days but roll with the punches accordingly on other days. The goal is to be better in any measure than the day 

before. 

A Funny Thing Pt.1

In my early 20s a funny thing happened on the way to the rest of my life. I got stuck in my head about everything. The agony of despair, doubt, not knowing the questions to ask, how or who to ask, much less the answer's to look for during what I came to refer to as the 'crossroads'. Pitch black and numbing, nothing seemed right or real, no joy only what feels like going through the motions. Peggy Lee sang about the thick suffocating human experience called; "the blues", aka, feeling shitty, depression. In the song that laments about life; "Is That All There Is?" the musical questions ask about fulfillment, illusions and disillusions. Maybe it is more a matter of perception but based on what? Learned behavior, past or present experiences, genetics, predisposition, fate? What determines how one views things, through the lens of heartache, success, good or bad health. What triggers us is particular to each one of us. 

In a nut shell, I was conflicted by being born a girl but feeling like a boy and feeling bad about the damn internal messy, mixed-up thing of it all. Having a 'normal' twin brother was part of the calibration or constant self comparison that perhaps made me think I was a mistake. After those dark days saturated in sad grievous thoughts and walking head-on into the preverbal raging fire, I marched out the victor feeling like a bloodied, wore-torn soldier but standing tall after fighting the battle of a lifetime, I am good, 'rustic', one of kind, better for the wear and tear and aging quite imperfectly. It has been, is now and will be I pray, the faith, hope, comfort I receive from The Holy Spirit(s) above, among, around, under, in and out of us and what can not be fathomed. The girl and boy, man and woman in me is soft, strong, tender, sheds tears of joy and can feel like a badass all at once.

In the song; "Alfie" again the question begs for answers; "What's It All About, Alfie?" The answers sometimes surface out of nothing and nowhere for some, for others the answers to the perplexities never go away and for others various therapeutic methods, means and ways of digging oneself out of virtual hell involves a resolve to surrender to something big or barely there, something within, greater than any real or imagined problems, worries, aches or pains. Some questions simply will never be answered that is the thing, as we absolutely have the capacity to decide in an instant, at warp speed or the gradual realization of your own preciousness, the sacredness of life in all it's painful unfair ways, presenting itself in such a blessed way, you have a choice, to switch mental gears, is one choice when your heart desperately wants to heal and move forward new and improved. It happens, it is a most humbling and magnificent illustration of God's amazing Grace. 

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     

Beautiful Companion

How grateful I am for you in my life. THANK YOU for being the perfect creature you are, for your faithful companionship, your trust in me and the unconditional love you bless me with. I appreciate you so much and would be very sad without you. The joy you have brought into my life and continue to bring is as bright and beautiful as the sunniest day known to the world.

Your quiet, simple presence fills me with comfort and peace just as your humble heart and soul settles my storms. Even while you yourself are afraid of thunder and lightening we stay close to protect each other as I repeat to you; "It's OK, it's OK".  We manage to see each other through the chaotic moments that seem bigger than both of us. I take refuge in you dear dog. Time and time again you come around like a ship looking for the lighthouse to light your way. Don't you know it's you who lights my path just as all furry angels on four legs will do. 

No judgement ever, only what feels like pure love and loyalty defined. You give meaning to the whole point of having and caring for a pet. "A pet" seems like a mere word with only the slightest description of what you truly mean; which is an awesome being who blesses me everyday with your sweet, unassuming ways. To look into your precious eyes is like looking into a little bit of heaven where all creatures big, little, furry or bald, wet, wild, tame, domesticated and feral go when their lives are done here on earth. Your unpretentiousness has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder to simply be true to myself taking one step at a time, one sip of water, one bite of food, one kiss, hug, bark, walk, run, nap, moment of fun at a time. My beautiful companion how very precious you are.