I had to reblog this post; it seemed so apropos for where my thoughts are today. Perhaps yours too?
via How to Have Healthy Alone Time — MakeItUltra™
By Eric Perry, PhD-“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” ~ Aristotle When was the last time you had a day to yourself? If you are like most people it was probably a while ago. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by external stimuli. […]
Viewing
the single boat
on the lake
this early morning,
I feel the love
of solitude
as when I step into the garden,
coffee in hand,
dew spritzing my toes,
and waking up
to enter another page
of contemplative gratitude.
Staying in the moment
is going back
and taking that photo
right then and there.
There’s lots of talk about “staying in the moment,” but for me and my busyness, it’s more a matter of returning to the moment. I nearly missed this photo two weeks ago when a colorful mushroom caught my eye but I accidentally ran it over with the lawnmower before getting a photo. I was given a second chance this week.
Most of the photos I take are surprises from nature. Too often I’ve regretted not having my camera in these exact moments. Now, I always throw my camera in my bag before a drive. And when I see something that speaks to me, I stop, pull over, or turn around if necessary and return to that moment. The photo preserves the pleasure.
Weeding is about boundary setting.
With invasive plants
Controlling people
Dark thoughts.
In perusing other blogs, it’s refreshing to see so many so deeply moved by nature. Many of us have taken photos hoping to capture the moment or inspiration but the blog with this photo absolutely mesmerizes me with its level of beauty and intrigue. I could not pass up the opportunity to ensure you saw it too.
I’ve just returned from a smooth jazz festival in Cancun. Based on the line-up, I knew the music would be excellent but I hadn’t counted on it raining every day. This could have ruined a beach vacation but instead restored my hope in humankind.
Moving the outdoor stage indoors due to the rain created extremely long delays. Attendees grew agitated standing in the hot, crowded lobby waiting for a show 2 hours past due. Several shrieking whistle calls and nearly universal “Shhh!” tried to temper angry shouts from the crowd blaring out explanation of the delay. Even after the update, offer of chairs and cold drinks, some stiffly crossed their arms while drilling holes into the doors with their glaring eyes.
And then something happened. Programmed music came on and a few started dancing. And then a few more. I could feel the shift. More and more people began dancing until most of the grumbling lobby turned into a dance floor of good vibes and smiles.
Watching the people transform an unpleasant situation into an uplifting one was magic before my eyes. (After that night, attendees danced to programmed music from any delay until show time.)
I think a lot of us learned from that experience — if the people come together and choose light, it will be light. Just ask, “Do I feel better complaining or does it make me feel more miserable? Does staying angry make me feel powerful, in control? Or do I feel better being part of the solution?”
A postscript…message received from a friend this evening…
“Peace of mind is an internal matter.It must begin with your own thoughtsand then extend outward.It is from your peace of mindthat a peaceful perception of the worldarises.”— A Course in Miracles
There’s been a lot of hype about the impending total solar eclipse. I’ve never been one to do something just because “everyone else is doing it.” The same with technology. I don’t have to have the latest and greatest, or any at all because “everyone else has one.” To me, that’s a lazy excuse for not making conscious choices and for robbing myself of my individuality. I’ve felt the same about the upcoming solar eclipse.
I haven’t had a desire to view the eclipse, even when friends are traveling for optimal viewing or scrambling for special glasses. I don’t know what your plans are but you may want to take into account the less discussed ill effects of the total solar eclipse, and some protective measures you can take at the time.
According to Indian rishis, the energy field is so strong when there is an absence of lunar or solar electromagnetic radiation that these ecliptic areas of space become unique fields of electromagnetic radiation and affect man’s duality of consciousness. Exposing oneself to the vibratory effects of an eclipse is unfavorable. Be vigilant to avoid being affected by the eclipse’s inauspicious influence and adjust your actions and awareness to accommodate larger universal energies:
Someone who traveled to Ayers Rock in the Outback of central Australia to have a full vision of the sky and developing full solar eclipse said that almost immediately, and for the following year, he experienced enormous loss and difficulties. He deeply regrets viewing the eclipse and said he would never do it again.
As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), I have felt exhausted as the eclipse approaches and have cancelled many activities in the name of self-care. My conscience would not rest easy if I did not pass along this less-known information on the approaching eclipse.
However, as a tiny update to this post, since sharing this info with friends has created lively discussion on various interpretations on this eclipse, I have now personalized my own observance of this significant day. Moments before the eclipse began, I picked a colorful garden bouquet. Now, I am staying inside listening to the Maha Mritunjaya mantra and writing my intentions for the coming year. I will then shower away past emotional baggage during the height of the eclipse.
This is all in the spirit of “Take what you like and leave the rest.” I would love to hear how the total solar eclipse affects you and what you decide to do during this time.
Has your life felt wacky lately? Mine sure has. Broken contracts, miscommunication, garbled phone lines, and I could go on. My yoga teacher usually gives me the lowdown of what planetary influences are around the corner so I can give extra attention to staying centered and not being thrown off balance.
A few weeks ago she leaned across the table and said, “The energy around us is going to feel like a turbulent washing machine.”
“How long?” I asked.
“It started July 24th and will run through September 5th,” she replied.
“Ut-oh.” She was referring to Mercury Retrograde. I knew this meant complicated communications, travel and emotions. For the record, I don’t check daily horoscopes but use astrology loosely as a guide. When I can prepare or understand what is happening, I can accept it and more easily go with the flow.
If you are wondering what I am talking about and how it relates to gardening, well, let me say…
If you are not a current believer, think of how the moon rules the tides. Take a look at The Old Farmers Almanac that projects optimal times — for planting and other activities like fishing, pruning, camping, dieting, or even pouring concrete — based upon the moon and astrological signs. Astrology, has been around for over 2,000 years, the Farmer’s Almanac for 225. Need I say more?
For me, I schedule haircuts according to moon phases (my hair doesn’t grow as fast when cut during a waning moon). ONLY after extensive research into optimal astrological dates do I select a surgical date. Various planets rule various parts of the body. (I’ve had 2 very serious surgeries with very successful outcomes and no complications. They were both performed at optimal astrological times for those body parts.)
But, the reason I’m bringing all of this up now is to help you understand why you or those close to you might be feeling edgy lately. Does time seem like it’s rushing at whitewater speed? Have emotions been extreme with people in your life? Have communications been misunderstood, or your technology and electronics on the blink?
It has for me. So, the other night when white moonlight illuminated my bedroom, I looked up and muttered, “Aha. No wonder.” And then relaxation set in. I now understood why our phone wasn’t working for any apparent reason, WordPress wouldn’t let me upload, a contract fell through, and social plans went awry. Things are usually topsy turvy during a full moon, and heightened with Mercury Retro in the works. In just the last few weeks, three long-term couples all announced their divorce and a distant relative commit suicide while 2 others proposed it.
Then I remembered that Mercury Retrograde doesn’t have to be a Big Ouch. Just enough of an ouch to say, “Okay, so things are going to churn for awhile. Take a deep breath. Know this is just the way it is right now. Stay centered.”
From August 13th-September 5th, notice if you have more than the usual challenging situations, delays, equipment breakdowns, and cranky people. If so, remember that Mercury Retrograde is passing through then double-check details to lessen frustration from plans gone awry!
Going into the garden usually helps. A walk in nature is calming. So, if things are off kilter right now, know that shortly after the eclipse comes and Mercury Retro is over, things will soften and smooth out.
8/7/2017 Full Moon
7/24-8/11 PreShadow Mercury Retrograde
8/21 Solar Eclipse
8/12-9/05 Mercury Retrograde
When is the last time you were alone in the forest
and heard creaking wood?
What did you think? Were you no longer alone?
Have you ever looked up to see sun rays
streaming through the clouds?
What did you think? Did it give you hope?
