White-Eyes

BY MARY OLIVER

In winter

all the singing is in

the tops of the trees

where the wind-bird

with its white eyes

shoves and pushes

among the branches.

Like any of us

he wants to go to sleep,

but he’s restless—

he has an idea,

and slowly it unfolds

from under his beating wings

as long as he stays awake.

But his big, round music, after all,

is too breathy to last.

So, it’s over.

In the pine-crown

he makes his nest,

he’s done all he can.

I don’t know the name of this bird,

I only imagine his glittering beak

tucked in a white wing

while the clouds—

which he has summoned

from the north—

which he has taught

to be mild, and silent—

thicken, and begin to fall

into the world below

like stars, or the feathers

of some unimaginable bird

that loves us,

that is asleep now, and silent—

that has turned itself

into snow.

Source: Poetry (October 2002).

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

Now that autumn’s around us a bit, and even the insects are singing a different song, why not turn to growth or renewal? The season of fall marks beginnings and ends, as all seasons do, really, yet in the U.S. we are moving into the academic year. With our youngest launching to university any day now, this theme is particularly on my mind. My theme is “full house”, not “empty nest”, because this is a transition, not a syndrome, I believe. As challenging as it seems, what if we considered these not-so-easy yet normal, and yes, even celebratory moments as something that’s not about us, but someone’s else’s accomplishments, dreams and aspirations?

So, here’s the image I have. Strong green plant, firmly rooted in what seems like an unlikely medium…sand. Vibrant, growing, both green AND brown. Often transitions or even gaps we sense are confusing, and unclear. So, what is a meaningful step you can take this next month to owning your life, your health, and claiming some vitality for you and therefore those you serve and love?

Like the “green” movement, aren’t we each renewable and sustainable in our own way? What will you recycle this fall?

Affirmations

Your mind believes what you put in it—-Gayle Davis, sports psychologist

Have you ever practiced affirmations? They simply state how we want to be in the world. Here are some examples. Make your own, make them brief if you like. Put them on sticky notes, your smart phone notes, , your screensaver, write them in your journal, draw them, sing them, record them. Meditate with them.

Brief examples…

I am healthy and strong.

I use my intuition to guide me.

I make good decisions.

I am calm and patient.

I listen to what my body tells me.

I am clear on what I want.

I choose to be brave.

I am loving and compassionate.

I am forgiving.

I am capable and courageous.

Others:

I use my intuition and intelligence to guide me at all times—Pamela Davis

The smallest action can make a difference. —anonymous

When your mind is busy with fearful or negative thoughts say directly to those thoughts, “You are not invited to my party!”–Nancy Belestrini

It feels good to move my body. Every muscle and cell works in harmony. I am graceful and strong—anonymous

I am calm. I keep my stability even when the people around me are out of control—anonymous

I am in charge of my own happiness and responsible for filling my own needs—anonymous

I have always been worth loving; I just did not know before. I love and accept myself now—Louise Hay

Every circumstance is a chance for you to practice being the person you truly want to be—Marianne Willliamson

Alpha Poems

Summer Crop Mathews County, Virginia — Summer’s Crop Mathews County, Virginia

I enjoy driving by this roadside farm, noticing how the view of the building and field completely changes throughout the year. This time I stopped and snapped a picture, and it seems to connect with some of my recent reflections.

My mother’s words came to mind recently— “Estelle, there’s nothing constant but change“. I used to feel irritated when she spoke this phrase; now, I hear wisdom. My mother is pretty darn healthy, coming up on 90 years of age. She’s weathered some big tides. I wrote an Alpha Poem in response to my memory.

Change comes, sometimes creaking, or crashing
Ownership generally
Not
Static
Together we can continue
Allowing ourselves to
Nestle in
Today

I share the concept of Alpha Poems with friends and clients on a regular basis. I first learned about them when our son’s early elementary teacher gave each student a poem at year’s end. Using the students’ first names, she wrote a poem describing positive attributes of each child. I appreciated this gift, keeping it on the refrigerator for quite a while. I started writing my own Alpha Poems after learning about the practice of journal writing for health, through the work of Kathleen Adams.

To write your own Alpha Poem, start by choosing a word, and use each letter of the word to form the first letter of each line. Play with using your name, someone else’s name, letters of the alphabet, emotions, concepts, relationships, sounds…anything. Allow yourself the freedom to write your own poetry, for yourself, unedited. Be curious about images, ideas, words that you see, hear or experience.

Alpha poems are great for stress relief. They capture themes quickly and get them down on the page with only a few words. Of course, you can write long alpha poems too. Go for it!

Harvest In January

It seems incongruous, perhaps, to think of harvesting during the first month of the year. I was ecstatic to find these beautiful turnips in my backyard last week— a whole crop of them. Some, like these three, seemed perfect in their shape, color, texture, and flavor (the greens were yummy too). Perhaps one day I’ll find out the variety! My husband is a masterful gardener, and he likes seeds. Lots of them, so sometimes the seeds either bought or harvested are a surprise. I like surprises in a garden.

Since January is often defined by reflection, regrouping, planning, setting intentions, and looking forward, I pose this question: What are you harvesting today?

Journaling, Reflecting

About seven years ago, I began to journal. It’s now a life tool that I embrace in order to express, decompress, release, reflect, and learn. I journal unedited, which gives me the freedom to express whatever comes forth. Besides, if I continued to edit my writing or judge it, I’d not write anything at all! I own spiral bound inexpensive journals, pretty journals, dollar version journals. I have two journals by my bed; a general use journal to capture anything I want to put down, let go of, be grateful for, as well as a prayer journal. I journal when I feel the urge–I no longer have guilt about how often to chronicle my life. I used to be afraid of putting down my strong feelings and thoughts, I think in part, because to write them down was to look at them in all their fullness. After awhile, I learned that it helped me gain perspective on events, become aware of patterns, and befriend my journaling. This way of writing provides a timeline as well, so that I can look back, and go WOW I GOT THROUGH THAT ONE!

I enjoy all sorts of journaling references. This year, I am nearly finished with Prayers to the Moon: Exercises in Self-Reflection, by Kay Leigh Hagan. I’m also a big fan of Kathleen Adams and all of her books. She provides specific guidance on how to start the process and build a relationship with your journal, so that it’s available in joyful times and tumultuous dark times. Journals are wonderful ways to become healthier. Adam’s workbook The Write Way to Wellness is a great avenue to this, and comes with a meditation CD. There are journaling resources for families, for recovery, for teens, for children, for men, for women. If you’re interested in learning more, just start. Don’t look for the perfect book….you can simply look online and get ideas on how to structure your writing process. Here’s a great start— Kathleen Adams’ radio interview with James Pennebaker, lead researcher in the field of journaling and health.

Engage

For the past five days, I’ve heard “engage”, as I’ve listened to Barbara, owner of Next Level Fitness. I enjoyed, yes enjoyed, a free week trial workout during early mornings in local parks, with people I didn’t know yet– running, playing fitness games, and working myself into a great sweat. I was struck by the power of “engage”. Barbara refers to the importance of using the body’s core muscular strength during each exercise, how this reduces injury, supports our skeletal structure, and endurance. Throughout the week, my curiosity and awareness of this “engage” theme heightened.

What would becoming more engaged bring to your life? Consider this:

Ask a buddy to do some activity with you, or do it by yourself. Chances are you’ll find a buddy there.
If you don’t have a buddy yet, take a breath and ask someone.
Do something you will enjoy, that’s of value to you.
If you’re scared, then tell someone that too. This helps fears soften.
Get on the log. Choose a log that fits you.
Look up. My mom says this in stormy times. It helps.
Get outside. It’s nearly summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Make room in your life for a re-engagement or a new way of becoming engaged.
Be like a turtle. Eat more green food.
Get near water. Swim, or simply gaze at the reflection. What do you see?

P.S. I’m going to blog more. Hope you enjoy.

New Vista

Have you ever had the experience that trying something new can open up possibilities that astound you? Can you nudge yourself a little? What is your mantra for the year? Same ol’ or something different? What would life be like if you did just one thing that may be really exciting, fun? What if you brought a bit more flexibility, adaptability, love of self and others into your life? How can you allow for adjustments in your plan for 2011? Now that January is fully here, is there anything you’d really like to get started on? Do you have a buddy to help you? Tell someone about your dreams! What are you waiting for?

Graduation or Commencement?

Ever since our daughter completed high school in May, I’ve been playing with the words used to describe this event. What’s the difference between commencement and graduation? Are they the same? Is it a beginning, end, or both? How do we change? Doesn’t change occur in degrees? How can we pause and celebrate each component of the staircase perhaps a little more?

April Winds

When do you notice momentum occuring in your daily life? Where is your rudder? When do you let the sheet out and slow down a bit…when do you pull it in and really fly?

Tag: personal change

Growth In Stillness