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...

Rejection

A bit ago, the Arts Mill had a call for art for the BIG show. I was excited to participate-NSAA is near and dear to me. And it would be my first attempt to paint (and sell) a large canvas. I was pretty proud of the painting I created. I submitted it. It was not accepted into the show. It was REJECTED. I’m not going to pretend this didn’t sting. Or that thoughts of “well, it’s clear I’m not a painter. I wonder who I should donate my paint supplies to?” didn’t cross my mind. But I always go through the “poor me” stage. After all-being an author means that rejection isn’t new to me. When I dusted myself off from all of that, I asked the Arts Mill’s director, if I could pay her for a critique of my art now that the show (without my painting) was over. (I get critiques for my writing-why not have a critique on my painting?) She was straightforward and shared her exquisite wisdom in a gentle and kind way, which is the perfect blend for learning. The painting that came forth...

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...

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