The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary. Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe. Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers, if we are willing to be where we are.”
-Mark Nepo
Tag Archives: Simple Life
Beguiled and Enchanted
“It is quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person – beguiled, enchanted.”
-Mary Ellen Chase
Everything Changes
“Everything changes. Nothing is lost.”
-Ovid
My Your Heart Soar
“The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass,
speaks to me.The summit of the mountain,
the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea,
speaks to me.The faintness of the stars,
the freshness of the morning,
the dew drop on the flower,
speaks to me.The strength of fire,
the taste of salmon,
the trail of the sun,
And the life that never goes away,
They speak to me.
And my heart soars”-Chief Dan George
All of these moments that Chief George eloquently lists make my heart soar too! And my unbounded soaring heart is activated by all that surrounds me here – at home. Simple and sweet gifts of nature and love, and the “beauty of the trees and the softness of the air” touch me to my molecules.
May you feel your heart soar as precious moments compel your complete attention and are indelibly etched on mind and memory…
Deepening
The last day of February – already. Our winter in northwest Montana came late… beautifully, powerfully and incessantly. Deep cold and deep snow. Satisfying. Waking to heavy snow showers this morning, knowing we’re transitioning soon, I’m absorbing it all.
I need this deep winter.
“I love the deep silence of the midwinter woods. It is a stillness you can rest your whole weight against… This stillness is so profound you are sure it will hold and last.”
-Florence Page Jaques
“So burrow in. Snuggle deep. A winter idyll of simple splendor awaits.”
-Sarah Ban Brea
Just Me and My Breath
“It’s just me and my breath and nature, in peace and it’s beautiful.”
-Katherine Matias
Miracles at Sunrise
“Every day a million miracles begin at sunrise!”
-Eric Jerome Dickey
The Promise of Spring
Called Saint Brigid’s Day, this 24 hour period, sundown to sundown, Feb. 1 – Feb. 2, is a traditional Gaelic celebration, marking the beginning of Spring! It is the exact mid-point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Also Groundhog Day, Imbolc, and Candlemas, this day in the middle of winter is celebrated in many cultures and traditions.
It is said that this day holds the promise of Spring!
That promise is held dear, while not rushing the inherent gifts of this winter still unfolding. A big storm is on the horizon, that will rush into northwestern Montana tonight, finding us by the hearth with quiet, books, and the warmth of the fire, inviting in the inner sanctuary that this outer sanctuary of peaceful snow allows.
Selena Fox in “Celebrating the Seasons” recommends that we fill our day with:
“cleaning your altar, doing a self purification with elemental tools – cleansing your body with salt (Earth), your thoughts with incense (Air), your will with a candle flame (Fire) your emotions with water (Water), and your spiritual body with a healing crystal (Spirit)… Take a nature walk. ..Reflect upon/reaffirm spiritual vows and commitments you have made.”
I will do all of these things.
Earth will be reawakening soon. This is the time of preparation for birthing all that is new in You!
A Great Pilgrimage
“I felt in need of a great pilgrimage,
so I sat still for three days.”
-Hafiz
Go Outside
“Go outside
and let your breath
be stolen away.
Find the forests,
seek the seas,
meditate
on the mountains,
mist covered
from morning.
We are nurtured
by nature, born
for the wild places;
we’ve no business
in cities, in buildings
taller than trees
can grow.
Go outside,
and begin living
again.”-Tyler Knott Gregson
