Tag Archives: Sweet Breathing

Sweet Breathing

Live! (And Run Away From Sensible Advice)

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“You start dying slowly

if you do not travel,

if you do not read,

if you do not listen to the sounds of life,

if you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly when you kill your self-esteem,

when you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly if you become a slave to your habits,

walking everyday on the same paths… if you do not change your routine.

If you do not wear different colors or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly if you avoid to feel passion & its turbulent emotions, those that make your eyes glisten & your heart beat fast.

 

You start dying slowly if you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love, or with your surroundings.  If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain, if you do not go after a dream,

 

if you do not allow yourself,

at least once in your lifetime

to run away from sensible advice.”

-Pablo Neruda

The photos below speak to me of these themes of LIVING:

 

Sweet Breathing

One Vast Awakened Thing

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“I have lots of things to teach you now, in case we ever meet, concerning the message that was transmitted to me under a pine tree in North Carolina on a cold winter moonlit night.

It said that Nothing Ever Happened, so don’t worry. It’s all like a dream. Everything is ecstasy, inside. We just don’t know it because of our thinking-minds. But in our true blissful essence of mind is known that everything is alright forever and forever and forever. Close your eyes, let your hands and nerve-ends drop, stop breathing for 3 seconds, listen to the silence inside the illusion of the world, and you will remember the lesson you forgot, which was taught in immense milky way soft cloud innumerable worlds long ago and not even at all. It is all one vast awakened thing. I call it the golden eternity. It is perfect.”

-Jack Kerouac

Sweet Breathing

Goodbye 2017 (and thank you); Welcome 2018!

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As 2017 comes to a close at midnight, my heart is full with memories.  I know more with each passing day that the sweetness is in awareness. Awareness of all of the magic, majesty and wonder all around, in every single second.  In the trees, the wild ones, the big night sky, the wind, every snow flake, the fragrance of pine, my dog’s intent gaze, the eyes of a stranger, the touch of my beloved…  The moments of wonder stitch together in a tapestry of hours, days,  weeks, and thus this year was made.   Moments of awareness, of being here now, slowly weave together our lives.  There is so very much to treasure, absorb, experience, and be with. How beautiful.

It leaves me breathless for all that 2018 may bring…  It is a precious thing to be alive in this world.

So…goodbye 2017 and thank you!

And to 2018, sending heartfelt wishes for all of us to write on our hearts, pause in the silence of the forest, visit the area of the soul where words don’t penetrate, be peaceful and wild, and Love, Love, Love, in the wondrous moments that will create our new year!

“Write it on your heart… that every day is the best day of the year.”

-R. W. Emerson

“Pausing to experience the silence of the forest during winter months is a gift of presence.”

-Andrea Fereshteh

“Some events are in the area of the soul where words cannot penetrate.”

-Neil Cassady

“There is peaceful. There is wild. I am both at the same time.”

-Nayyirah Waheed

“What is done in love is done well.”

-Vincent Van Gogh

Sweet Breathing

Christmas at Midlife

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Christmas at Midlife by Mary Anne Perrone

“I am no longer waiting for a special occasion; I burn the best candles on ordinary days.
I am no longer waiting for the house to be clean; I fill it with people who understand that even dust is Sacred.
I am no longer waiting for everyone to understand me; It’s just not their task
I am no longer waiting for the perfect children; my children have their own names that burn as brightly as any star.
I am no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop; It already did, and I survived.
I am no longer waiting for the time to be right; the time is always now.
I am no longer waiting for the mate who will complete me; I am grateful to be so warmly, tenderly held.
I am no longer waiting for a quiet moment; my heart can be stilled whenever it is called.
I am no longer waiting for the world to be at peace; I unclench my grasp and breathe peace in and out.
I am no longer waiting to do something great; being awake to carry my grain of sand is enough.
I am no longer waiting to be recognized; I know that I dance in a holy circle.
I am no longer waiting for Forgiveness. I believe, I Believe.

-Mary Anne Perrone

Sweet Breathing

A Great Presence Stirring Beside Me

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In honor of this Winter Solstice… homage to the darkest of our days, as we welcome back the sun’s increased presence.

This Rilke poem and the beautiful art below by Sha’an d’Anthes were originally paired on Dreamwork with Toko-pa’s website.  Check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DreamworkWithTokopa/?hc_ref=ARTk9RUC0IRzfTgBfv6vMarLzO_YzVEPNZm3SHBE-xpONW_Y3tI7c-rh69H92c2fCEo&fref=nf&pnref=story

“You, darkness, of whom I am born —

I love you more than the flame
that limits the world
to the circle it illumines
and excludes all the rest.

But the darkness embraces everything:
shapes and shadows, creatures and me,
people, nations — just as they are.

It lets me imagine
a great presence stirring beside me.

I believe in the night.”

-Rainer Maria Rilke

Artwork below by Sha’an d’Anthes

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Sweet Breathing

Be Thanksgiving

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Be Thanksgiving
by Briana Borten

“This past summer I became really clear that my #1 prayer for my life is that I want to be living in gratitude all of the time. I asked myself “How can I be in every moment, action, and word, a walking thank you card to the Universe? How can I be in the spirit of Thanksgiving all of the time?”

It’s one thing to take a few moments out of the day and write down the things I’m grateful for, which can be a great practice for shifting perspective (and I do daily), but what if I lived every day like my only purpose was to express the immense appreciation I have to the Universe? That would be the ultimate Thanksgiving. How can we live in that feeling all the time? That is a question to examine in this holiday season.

Since I started asking myself that question and bringing more awareness to this idea I’ve noticed that I’m seeing the beauty everywhere and in everything more clearly. I’m taking the time to slow down and be grateful throughout the day. I give compliments more often as I’m seeing the light in others. I’m allowing myself to receive compliments fully. I’m being kinder to myself, and honoring my body with loving attention. I’m taking care of my family with joy and love and feeling more patient than ever. I’m regularly finding myself in awe of all Divine creation.

So even if it’s just for one day – what if we all tried to see the light, to be the light, and share the light with others?

To live as gratitude, in gratitude.”

-Briana Borten

Wild turkey picture taken from home…