As If For the First Time

I arrived just before sunrise.
To a beach along the ocean.
When I stepped from the boardwalk to the sand I noticed shoes. Shed at the doorway of the beach.
I did the same-left my shoes. Then joined the others waiting for day break as we stood in silence and hushed tones. Some alone. Some holding hands. All waiting in awe for the daily great event as if it would be seen for the first time.
I’ve witnessed this in other places too-sunrises, of course, but I’m speaking of the shedding of shoes.
At homes where I’m the guest we slide off shoes as we hug and hand off flowers and wine.
In remote temples in the mountains of Colorado there are shoes in a small pile at the entrance.
At morning meditations gathering along the shores of the Ganga in India.
At a hut in Costa Rica.
On the back porch of our cabin where books are read on rainy summer nights.

I think this leaving of shoes at the entrance thing isn’t just for comfort. Or only convenience or even cleanliness.
I think it’s a way to show a gentle sort of respect.
Reverence even, for what you’re walking into.
A gesture to acknowledge the sacred connection between the earth and us with nothing in-between. To honor the space where friends gather, where we are a bit more vulnerable, where heads bow, prayers are ushered, strangers meet, or the sun pushes up behind the sea to signify another beautiful day of endless possibilities. As we stand together in awe of what is unfolding before us…as if for the first time.
#gratitude
#itsthelittlethings
#beautyiseverywhere
#sacredconnection

Live Your Light

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Sunrises

In early June I had my younger brother John up to a cabin. He had come a long way to be there with me. Where he traveled from, the sun rose over the ocean every day and set near the mountains. He could see them both from his porch. Here, in northern Wisconsin, was a small lake, not an ocean. There were no mountains-just a tree line that was sprouting furled leaves not long after the snow melted. And there wasn’t a porch with a view. You had to walk, with warm slippers and hot tea, out to the end of a weather-worn pier to catch the sunrise. Which I did, while he was there. I think it was the most beautiful sunrise I experienced in 2023. I’ve learned that life is funny that way; the seemingly unremarkable moments-can become exquisite when you know…they are fleeting. Or when you face the harsh reality, that they are gone. I never made it to his porch across the world, when he was alive, to share the views he wanted to share with me. But I’m realizi...

Grateful

I’m grateful for those… Who share sunrises with me, or send them-you renew in me a sense of hope Who hike the trail with me-you help connect me to what is true Who travel with me-to the store, on a trip, in a relationship, or on the journey of this lifetime-you help me experience the comfort of companionship Who have been hurt by me-and hopefully forgiven me, you’ve humbled and softened me to be better Who have been my teacher-you’ve expanded my perspective Who have left me-in a business, a relationship, from this life-you remind me what matters to me, and what I need to care for tenderly Who work with me-on houses, buildings, cabins, businesses and financial plans-you teach me teamwork and how to think wider Who have interacted from a distance-on social media with a comment, as a stranger handing me your child to hold for a photo in India, as a reader of my book somewhere I”ve never been-you’ve shown me how connections matter Who have left this life too early-you’ve shown me what...

Third Born

This girl was the third born. The one who stayed behind when her sisters were dropped off at school and she was yet too young. Who hung out with me in the woods having warm peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices on a log when her sisters were learning to read. She was the one who spent rainy weekends with me when her siblings went off to college. Who went away with me on spring breaks to warm beaches, and stayed home with me on snow days reading in front of the fireplace. She is the one who held my dad’s hand as he was dying. Who held me close and held me up when another recently left this world. Who went with me to pick up each of our pups. The one who was by my side as our house was built, the cabin picked out, the mill fixed up. She is steadfast. Gentle. Kind to her core. She’s lifetimes wiser than me. And she is the best friend anyone could ask for. Our life was blessed 22 years ago when she brightened the world with her birth. It has been glittering becau...

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