*grateful

fine art print by the amazing rachel awes of all i did was listen.

 

the last two weeks have been on spin cycle for me, as i have pulled through the eye of a very unlikely and small needle in a matter of my life that has been very tough for about a year now. coming to the other side has left me feeling extremely quiet and vulnerable, capital V, and humbled. it is also as if a very bright light is shining all over the world and everywhere i turn there are unexpected colors and possibilities. it has felt like waking up...again. all i feel and can share is how grateful i am for this life, this deep process of unearthing and detangling, holding up this little light of mine and merging with aspects of spiritSelf that keep calling me forth. so...a list.

i'm bursting with gratitude for:

love

for women who know how to take care of themselves and in doing so, take care of the world

for the natural state of things

for the divine harmonies of mamuse and r.i.s.e

for campfires and the smell that stays in my hair and on my clothes

for trust that outlives the conflict

for friends living by example and risking it all for their dreams

for friends who tell it like it is

for wooden bowls and spoons to make "salad" from grass, dandelions and mud

for chiliquiles on mother's day

for wild ideas

for artists who believe in each other

for customers who tell me their stories

for the perfect ten dollar easel

for turquoise retro chairs on ebay

for long drives up highway one

for her boldness and his love of hugging her and kissing her toes

for them even when they don't say what i want them to

for kings, queens, cups and wands

for the first zucchini

the best reincarnated dog in the world

for cohousing and friends who stand at my worktable and proclaim that i live in an "oasis"

for impassioned creators who use their work for the good of humankind

for answering the call, following the smoke signals

for non-judgement when i fumble

for someone to lean into when i want so much to hold myself up the old way

for eagle feathers, storytellers, corn races, snowcones

for the writer who looks at my work and says, "I've been looking for you for a looooong time"

for eager students

for MOVEMENT, glorious movement all over this plane

for beet salad and goat cheese, arugula and course black pepper the size of seeds

for mockingbirds like nightowls, his bat drawings, and ospreys with messages

for creatures that come to greet my friend each time we speak on the phone

for tristan and iseult, psyche and eros, parisfal, and alice

for the friend who hugs me when i'm sick and doesn't fear for my germs

for Mother Ocean who breaks on the shore with no talkin' and all action

for amazing suppliers who love my business and go the extra mile

for wild ideas ideas ideas at naptime (the best kind)

for licorice mint tea and the fortunes they come with

for the hanged man

nanny mcphee, tim burton, and johnny depp

for druid circle cookies and borrowed popcorn

for laying down the sword and picking up the goblet

for romance and openheartedness

for adventure and passports

for coconut mojitos and first friday

for handholding and neck nibbles

for family bedtime stories and misbehaving

for stones that vibrate in my hand, rose quartz that reminds me to love myself unconditionally

for dreaming, scheming and allowing it to unfold

for letting go, always for letting go

for the cage and the will to break through it for something better

for salty salami and cheese on squishy rolls

for my body, this agreeable vessel which still leaps with friends for fun and gets me from place to place

and for you, inspirited readers, who come here day in and out to connect, to be inspired or be given permission, to forgive yourselves or just to have a trickster's laugh. i can no longer come here without profound gratitude for YOU.

photo by terri fischer