Hold happy,
Tenderly like a baby bird,
Freely like a paintbrush,
Opening like the ocean.
Let in roll and splash.
Let it rock and sway.
Let it ripple and toss
With laughter and lightness.
But most of all
Let it be fully expressed
Without letting it go.
Let happy be
A natural extension
Of all that you do
Until all you are is happy.
Witnessing
the immediate state of
the breath,
the thoughts,
the body.
Melting
conditionality,
quality,
quantity,
purpose,
direction.
Recognizing
perceptions of
loss
challenge,
failure,
imperfection,
and resistance
as a readiness
to be
seen,
felt,
and expressed
otherwise.
The next moment,
a transition,
a transformation.
Loving
and cherishing
what shows up
rather than what comes next.
A bird flies overhead,
magnificent in its form and grace,
perfection in flight.
So present in its existence, movement, and being.
So seemingly joyful and at ease, even as it efforts to ride the currents of air, finding its own way.
A feather lies on the ground,
long, lush, and of complex substance and form,
once essential to the bird’s form and function.
Even the bird,
relying so heavily on its feathers for form, movement, and survival,
molts and looses critical parts of itself to maintain its dynamic essence and functional existence,
growing into its fullest capacity.
It does not wallow in the loss of its parts.
It revels in the new found strength and skill that comes from letting go
and reforming with integrity
and wholeness
over and over again.
Imagine an artist hand-working a tapestry with such precision that it rippled with perfection, had no evidence of flaws in material or craftsmanship, and contained absolutely no mistakes.
Would the artist call it perfect? Would they feel any less insecure in the results of their work? Would they recognize their accomplishment? Could they see their work as flawless? Is there such a thing? Would they want to be? And how would this perfect tapestry be received any differently than any others?
The brave artist announces mistakes not in shame, with excuses, or expecting judgment, but with joy in knowing that imperfections are not signs of our flaws and weaknesses but demonstrations of our beauty – and our capacity for compassion and forgiveness. Imperfections provide opportunities for us to create, again and again, not for the sake of achieving perfection but as play with absolutely no desired outcome other than the act of creating itself.
We need not be embarrassed, fearful, or ashamed in our mistakes. We and others benefit every time we craft with complete vulnerability and humility. Each mistake is important as it leaves space for love to come through.
Am I’m the only one dancing?
The only one smiling for no particular reason at all?
Am I the only one pausing to catch the sparkle of light dodging in and out of the branches of the trees?
Is it my ears alone that hear the ripples and gurgling of the creek
And the silence of the snow?
Does only my heart jump and my belly jiggle with laughter as the squirrel tries to carry the nut too big for its mouth
And the duck rolls over in the pond with its rather ungraceful landing?
Am I the only in awe of the fullness of the warmth of the sun as it caresses my face?
Am I the only one that delights as raindrops dance across my head and body?
Am I the only one who feels the love of all creation wrap around me and hold me tight every time I pause to be still and rest?
Am I the only one brought to tears of joy in the beauty of it all?
Today I want to be a tree,
providing steadiness and sturdiness in the world,
receiving assuredness and ease,
knowing precisely where I stand.
Anchored in the strength of the earth.
Expanding gently, respectfully and gratefully into the air and space of others.
I want to be a source of clearing of thoughts,
feelings,
worries,
suffering,
not absorbing it as my own,
simply removing the impurities and toxins.
I want to breathe in and receive
the light
the water
the nourishment of family and friends
the success of work
the richness of creation.
to feel my beautiful roots and my capacity to grow endlessly upward and outward.
I embrace the simultaneously simple and complex nature of me
Inviting gratitude and joy as my guides
Growing ever stronger and steadier in who I am
and how I show up in the world.
When I feel rich,
My breath is full and steady,
My brain is open and organized,
My body is calm and healthy.
When I think I am rich,
There is no striving or grasping,
I am courageous and confident,
Projects move forward and my work is authentic.
When I believe I am rich,
I am grateful.
There is no rush to accomplish anything.
I am focused and clear.
I make powerful and positive decisions.
When I know I am rich,
All fears of unworthiness, lack, and disappointment dissolve.
Opportunities and answers arrive easily.
Wealth occurs naturally.
Love flows freely.
Ease in movement
Confidence in heart
Peace in spirit
Clarity in thought
Patience in receiving
Kindness in expression
Assurance in being
Joy in doing
Stillness in action
Flourishing intuition
Thriving in grace
Abundant in gratitude
Living in love
On the other side of the door
Is a bright spacious light
Guiding me into confidence,
Inviting my voice to be heard,
My gifts to be shared.
I replace worry with curiosity,
Hunger with satiation,
Hope with appreciation,
And old patterns and beliefs
With the great, beautiful unknown.
Flashes of doubt and distractions hold me back, producing a veiled illusion that I’m not ready.
I was born ready.
I am here to be curious.
I am here to expand,
To learn
To grow
To create again and again,
To step more and more into me.
The hinges are well-greased,
There are no locks.
Softly I focus my gaze,
Clear my throat,
Open my heart,
And turn the knob.
Don’t wait for them to see the richness and uniqueness – see it yourself…
Unwind your tangled perception of you…
Enjoy the where you are and the where you will be, each full of challenges and delights…
Please love yourself just a little more…you are harder on yourself than anyone else ever could be…
Do all things because they feel good and nurture you not because they are “right” or provide a shield from the deep dark thoughts and feelings that face you…
Fearlessly take the hands of hurt and pain and walk with them for a bit, let them guide you out of the darkness until together you find the space to release each other…
Take your time in the process of caring for you above all else…slow down and tend to each and every element of you as if massaging a baby tenderly with the balm of divine love…
Feel grateful for the ease and healing in every breathe…
Move your body with the joy and freedom it was designed for…
You, my friend, are made of love and all those with truest loving eyes will see that and that is all that matters…
Turn your truest loving eyes towards your own heart and hold it sweetly, love it dearly, and this will be enough.
Photo compliments of Pauline Campbell.
Monday Mindfulness 