unless we see ourSELVES

(old cameras at an antique store)

"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires ...causes proper matters to catch fire...Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. 

If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.

Do not lose heart. We were made for these times."      

                                                 -Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

It has only been fairly recently that I really started seeing mySELF. I don't mean the labels that others slap on us...friends, lovers, family members, childhood events...but also the labels we put on ourSELVES. Sometimes without even realising it. It was only after I gave birth that I really understood the importance of seeing mySELF for who I really am. And it is  a process, let me tell you! But unless I see mySELF truly...how is Tara going to see herSELF for who she is?

                                       (me...a few minutes ago...after a long long day)

So often when we speak of acknowledging our real self, we tend to speak of the negative things. Oh!...I see the gray hair(lots!), the dark circles under my eyes, the fact that I am bad at math...those kinds of things. But I also see so much more. I see small hands cupping my face, I see tenderness in the eyes of my loved ones that has inspired me to be tender with mySELF. I see paint on paper and roses in full bloom. ...I see a soul stepping into elegance and grace. I see all those pains, betrayals, yuckies and "things didn't turn out the way I wanted" as doorways of opportunity...the fabric of life. Seeing ourSELVES for who we truly are also means seeing all of our gifts and talents and treasures. It means seeing the entirety of our person. It means choosing who we want to be...in every moment, in every action. It means showing up for our lives...through the ups and downs...the grief and joy. It means living in the moment and embracing our lives...as it is. It means allowing our light to shine, "our soul to show".

(Tara's handprint-a few days ago)

This is what I wish for mySELF, this is what I wish for my Tara...and this is what I wish for you.

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* I had a day of semi-rest yesterday so I feel  a bit revived. Tara started a few classes (art + gymnastics) so we are pretty excited about that. Our morning walks have been fantastic...spring is in the air over here and everything is a lush, tropical paradise! Thank you so much, all of you, for  your loving kindness and concern.

believe...

Sometimes...in all the broken pieces of ourSELVES...we can find the most interesting beauty. Sometimes...in all of our pieces we can find magic and vulnerability and strength. After writing my last post (on courage) ...I had to try really hard not to beat up on mySELF for...allowing so much time to go by. I had wanted to open up an Etsy shop 3 years ago and if all that time  just zoomed by...well, that can happen to my whole life! I mean, it kind of all goes by so fast, doesn't it? So I had to plant some seeds of courage and take all of my broken pieces and love them, care for them and honor them. I had to be gentle with mySELF and know that everything happens exactly when it is supposed to. I had to believe in mySELF...Please join me today... and everyday...believe in yourSELF!

"Broken Open"

  "Learn the alchemy true humans know. The moment you accept what troubles you've been given, the door will open." -Rumi  

This book arrived into my life  through a kindred spirit (you know who you are!) and I have not been able to stop reading it since. It is an amazing book, a gift really, that speaks of what it is to be fully human. Lesser speaks of how we (most of us anyways) walk around denying our full humanity. As if to admit and talk about our depth of experience diminishes us. As if to talk about our troubles and fears, our deep pain and sorrows...somehow makes us less human, unworthy. As if we have to present this facade of "perfectness" to the world while inside we are anything but. This book presents us with the keys to unlock these fears, drop away these pretenses and presents the radical notion that it is exactly these vulnerabilities that gives us our depth and beauty; our soul force. We are, each of us, given different lessons to work through in our lifetime. The events differ from person to person-anything from divorce, bankruptcy, ill health, the loss of  loved ones...of dreams...of how we thought our lives should be....Sure we can become bitter, angry...close off our heart to life, to ourSELF. Yet we have a choice... it is what we learn from these experiences, how we deal with them that transform us. Like a "phoenix rising from the ashes" ...we leave the old self and become the person we are meant to be...humble, vulnerable, changed...human. I know this is all  kinda' deep for Monday morning! Sorry:)