Blissful new year 2010

Crossing the Roman timeline, closing one chapter, entering the next, another step on the road of our lives, another year, another January 1st, another ball dropping in New York city, fireworks already popping on the other side of the hemisphere, an hour or so ago, it happened in Oakland, New Zealand. Later on tonight, it will be our turn. Meanwhile, the pathways of our lives, stretch, bending into unexpected curves, intertwining, bringing some together, pulling others apart, one moment at a time, Roman standards or not, we move forward, all of us, together, in circuitous circles, today blending with tomorrow, one moment at a time, to the rhythm of the sun and the moon, often fearful, often confused, airing, searching, seeking, helplessly groping for a hint of certainty, hurting ourselves, hurting others, spinning in circuitous circles, seeking peace, seeking love, tasting bliss one breath at a time, all of us, all at once, if only we choose to awaken, if only we choose to awaken.
Be well, and if you can, embrace all of it, the sweet, the bitter, the sad, the happy, the loss, the gain, the gift, the offering, the smile, the frown, the laughter, the cry...
At times embracing, at others resisting

Back in Madison...

Although, I can't say it was voluntary. The Mexican authorities had to kick me out -almost, well... they would have had to if it had been up to me. So, home it is. "Home sweet home. No better place than home," Insists the jingle; and lets face it, home has no savage mosquitoes, no ear infection causing ocean, no lurking in the shadows scorpions, no breath stifling heat waves, no fattening fresh sea food, no rock infested beaches, no reason to dress up lightly, no good-deals' bargaining sales-folks to worry about. Home sweet home indeed.
Be well, and be home wherever you are.
Reconnecting with my surroundings -slowly

First snow storm...

Of the year, coming our way, they say, pretty bad, pretty heavy, they say, and I am watching through the cafe's window, the street made white, and snow, snow, coming, coming, inch over inch, my car getting covered, and writing wants to be about winters, about cozy places, with blankets and sweaters, hot cocoa, a steamy stew, the presence of a loved one, a fire place if possible, not that that's important, we make do with what we have, and snow goes on falling, the streets will soon be stretches of whiteness, very few cars to worry about, just me and the road, and who cares about snow, it is Wisconsin after all. Meanwhile, wherever you happen to be is where you are, is where home is, is where life is. We dream and come back. We dream, get lost dreaming and then eventually come back. Willingly, or unwillingly, sooner or later, we come back. So, be here, be now and be well.
Refusing to wear a coat, feeling alive

December 6th, 2009

Lost another mitten to a trend that is hard to shed.

Meanwhile, the day started with a water creature -unidentified - cutting its way, through the surface of Lake Mendota. A hawk was calmly gliding overhead, with the sun having yet to claim the heavens, the moon, slightly incomplete, but still as bright as Noor's reflection, and the sky, a playground for a flock of gulls.

In the distance an airplane was heading south. I followed it, a bright dot traveling on a trajectory that remained parallel to dawn's crimson hued horizon. I followed it, until it disappeared, until there was nothing left to follow.

A new day starts, a new chance to perfect the art of being. Life is our playground; relax the policy book says. Life is your playground.

Be well, and if you can let the river take you downstream.

Bobbing about in white water

Sarcadian rhythms...

of the soul, move us from darkness to light, in an unending flow of cycles, a stream that moves upward, from shadow to clarity, opposite sides of the same coin, two playful lovers, teasing each other, both following the path of completion, seeking the One, that is both of them, meeting in peace, in harmony...
The mystic within whispered in my ears, as I was driving between clusters of busyness, searching for things I had lost, "We are born with a purpose, learning is our aim, growth is our way, completion is our destination, as we move from fragmentation to Unity." Then, he span around, and went back to his whirling and swirling, making rhymes whose meanings only he could grasp.
Be well, and if you can remember, keep the doors and windows of your heart opened, be a beacon to those who are seeking the Light
Searching within -seeking Noor

December 4th, 2009...

First snow, makes both background and foreground white. The roads are clear, but the flakes are falling, falling, falling... Getting ready takes longer, start the car, let it warm up, scrape the windows, mittens, hat, coat, scarf, boots, and whatnot. It's dark still, early, quiet, not a star, not a moon in sight.

NPR feeds the mind, most of it missing its target. As for what sticks, well, there is a capsized ferry boat in Bangladesh -prayer for the victims and their families, Pakistan bombing -prayer for the victims and their families, a failed coup in Guineas -prayer for the perpetrator and his family, movie review in favor of latest Clooney film, something about flying, firing people, a man, two women -no prayers needed.

"It's a new day, the first day of the rest of your life, make the best out of it, shoot for the stars, if anything, you'll land on the moon," the dreamer shares.

Be well and dream big, especially if you feel like it.

Following a dream, at the threshold of another

December 3rd, 2009...

A full moon overhead, watched me drive through town, shaking my head, NPR feeding my already saturated ears with you know what, News from across the borderline, binding state and nation, Ben Bernanke, the articulate wife of a deployed Captain, this year's Peace Nobel Prize winner asking for more troupes, a restaurant dealing with the economic hardships of our times, expanded menu, mixing things up, breakfast, Pizza...

Meanwhile, I'm dealing with a lingering case of inner-angst, something vague, something pressing, something left undone, always undone, always seeking completion. Busyness helps. Although, one cannot go on running in circles, right? The madman says, "As without, as within..." So I look out of my window, listen to all the noise that is coming my way, and wonder, "Could I be that messed up?" The madman insists, "As within, as without." But then, he's covered in mud, so what could he possibly know... right? So, "Take a shower," I say, "Then come back, and we can talk." He shrugs, doesn't seem to care at bit, walks away. Annoying.

Now, Afghan situation/Iraq the sequel/disappointing Mr. president -I voted for him- set aside, I just dropped 24 oz of liquid coffee on the carpet, at the office, and I probably need to clean the mess up -for a start. After that? Who knows...

Be well, and as the madman said, "It is what it is; we do what we can, we do what we can."

Slowing the clock down

Interesting Tuesdays...

woke up early enough to see the sunrise -beautiful thing, highly inspiring, a narrow strip of undulating land, separating water and sky, a progression of colors from orange to blue-ish, containing a hint of green, stretching on one side towards the heavens, gradually swallowing the stars, reflected on the other over the calm surface of a lake that is barely breathing, its ripples shyly pulsating my way.

Later, there were two hawks to mark the day, symbols of more to come, clarity rushing this way, the healer's touch, and, clouds like feathers, made out of the thinnest sort of filaments, the long strokes of a soft brush, white over the brightest light blue, forming images of who knows what, riddles to be played with, explored and absorbed beneath the veil of consciousness.

Surrounded by blues, liquid and atmospheric illusion, I am truly at home. How about you? What is your color, the one that makes you smile, the one that makes you feel at home?

Be well and, if you've got too much on your plate, running hither and thither, kind of like your humble storyteller here, make sure you take time to remember where, and who, you are.

A feather in the sky, bound to land, yet, enjoying the ride