Monday Musings: We find what we’re looking for…
I really believe in the essence of this aphorism. For me, it means that when we yearn for, search for, or want something, it sometimes shows up —frequently—in the most unexpected places!
I began thinking about this seriously during the Walk for Peace back in February when I drove down to Virginia to witness the event with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. One of my friends, Cynthia, collects heart-shaped rocks she discovers. I thought that was kind of fun, and she is the inspiration behind my new habit! Now I look at rocks differently/more closely, though I don’t search them out. It really just happens… and it’s no longer just rocks! I see heart-shapes in some of the swirls of paint that I create while making collage papers; I find heart shapes in flower petals or leaves when I’m out walking. It’s an amazing and delightful reminder of my
friend and the Walk for Peace.
I found the beauty securing the bouquet in place in the picture above on the first day I foraged in the Peloponnese mountains, in my first adventure creating ephemeral earth art there. Every time I see the picture or the rock (as I brought it home with me), I’m reminded of my wonderful experience.
What about you?
What do you think about holding things unconsciously in our minds, and how they show up in our lives?
I just learned it’s called the “frequency illusion,” or the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon. It’s not only things that I see, but it’s also what catches my ear, so to speak. I experience a greater awareness of certain topics.
It makes me wonder: if I started thinking of new and different things, what might happen?
If I imagine new areas of interest, not just images that catch the eye or topics that I tune in to, will I begin to be more aware of more “coincidences.” I will have to explore this… collect a bit of data. I am intrigued!
Although I am not a person who needs more to think about—even when it’s fun, interesting, or important! I am a gal who has a lot of trouble saying no to offers of new ideas and projects. That’s true of existing commitments I’ve invested time and energy in, too. They have become a part of how I see myself. Just this month, I decided to give up hosting Grateful Gatherings for grateful.org. I’ve been hosting for over a year now. I really love the material, the conversations were heart-opening, and the time commitment was certainly reasonable. It was a hard decision. I have found my life heading in a slightly different direction with other opportunities that I’ve either found, or that have found me, that are reminding me that I can (and perhaps it would be wise to) say “No” to make room for “Yes.”
I’m wondering what you’re thinking about all these musings.
When was the last time you said yes? Or the last time you said no?
And do you say “No” to say “Yes,” or is it not that important to balance out? Perhaps it depends on the opportunity. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A serendipitous cut into a potato meant for lunch!
As I pull into the access road to our home, I’m thinking of tasks to be accomplished before the end of the day—meeting the deadline for all my materials for my session on Trauma-Informed Care for the Portland institute for Loss and Transition; final edits to an email to send to a group of colleagues for training in September about trauma informed teaching; an appointment, that while brief will conclude a long-term relationship with an organization, and lastly, learning to help my husband get comfortable with a procedure for administering his own medication. I step out of the car, walk the few steps to the mailbox for Saturday’s mail (that was not a priority among all that’s going on), and I look down and see a beautiful bird that is dead. How this Blue Jay died is not obvious to me, nor how he came to lie at the foot of the three mailboxes at the side of the access road.
It will take me a good half hour to gather materials, handle them with care, and find a place for the Blue Jay at the edge of our backyard (as we border a wetland/wilderness). Honestly, I’m used to taking my time and making thoughtful decisions when I step into creating an altar. Yet, I shifted easily into a slightly faster pace—in part because flies were beginning to gather, and the reality is that there were not a lot of materials in the yard at this point in the year. I held the competing priorities lightly in the back of my mind, yet most important to me was making the time and space to honor this being’s death.
the design and its colors. It is part of the journey that I began in Greece, researching land artists around the world to develop my own voice. I think it’s an area of growth in my practice. I was initially drawn to the beauty—especially the symmetry—of Day Schildkret’s/Morning Altars’ designs—and, of course, to the ritual and to being in nature—and yet it has become an evolving practice for me… I love it!
As I celebrated Mother’s Day, I thought a lot about my mom and her influence on my life. As Father’s Day arrived, I reminisced about my dad’s curious mind, adventurous spirit, and our family travels around the world. And just this week was the second anniversary of the death of our most recent canine companion, Gus… sometimes, I still cry when I think of him. Of course, I remember him with joy too. I think that I am better able to keep continuing bonds with my parents because of how their influence shows up in some much of what I do—they feel present. With Gus, I miss his sheer delight in being loved, and while I keep him in my heart and mind, it is the very visceral experience of his being that has been lost.
different, right? (I do love the title and the ideas offered up in, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch, written by Lisa Keefauver.)
Just over two weeks ago, I brought the world of creating ephemeral earth indoors to the volunteer end-of-life doulas of Valley Health System in northern New Jersey. While several of the women initially shared that they were not artistic, by the session’s end, they were surprised and delighted by their beautiful creations. We chose different intentions for our work with fresh-cut flowers and greens and briefly shared our stories.
near Parking Lot 2 to find spaces that called to us. We had foraged along our walk during forest bath and found more in our respective spaces. We visited everyone’s altars, saw their beauty and learnged about their meaning.