“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep.” ~ Rumi Occasionally, when my body wakes at 3:00 a.m., with no intention of reconnecting with the dream world, this 13th-century Persian poet, theologian and mystic speaks into my soul, “The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” At 3:38 a.m., I am following Rumi’s advice. I put my feet … Continue reading Firefly Grief
It was probably a morning like this when Richard Rodgers sat down at the piano and wrote the song ,“My Favorite Things.” A morning where you wake up and can touch gratitude, inhale goodness and taste it’s sweetness on the tip of your tongue. A screen door creaks in the summer heat, fresh cream clings … Continue reading Mornings Like This
Autumn is our 15 year old Sheltie. She is one of the most faithful companion dogs I have ever had, and I have had some very good ones. She has outlived many other dogs, a couple cockatiels and several cats, has been a regular travel partner to the North woods, is terribly afraid of lakes … Continue reading How to Develop Heart Courage
While driving to the hospital from my little space in the woods last spring, there were many days I would see billowing smoke from the previous nights fires, evidence of the deep embodied pain triggered by the death of George Floyd. The flames of course, were not about one death, but rather from over 200 … Continue reading The Illusion of Safety
3:53 a.m. It is early, yet not uncommon for me to be up at this middle-aged happy hour. I often insert soft sounds into my ears, close my eyes and hope for another hour of blissful sleep. Other times I follow the poet Rumi’s advice and get up to hear what the silence has for … Continue reading Be Gentle With Yourself
Before the sun comes up, it is quiet. Deer wander the line of pines searching for a frosty apple or two from the small grove. A cat sits by the computer screen purring in request of a soft lap for a nap. Sirius to the East, Arcturus to the South, and a brilliant beaver moon … Continue reading Prayer in the ICU: A COVID Story
The gentle fall of a leaf back and forth, held by the air, dropped inch by inch, down the sky, into a sort of cosmic landing, as if by doing so the world is suddenly different. The early snow, its cold straight fingers, melt back underneath the tree shade loosening its wintery grip…for now. Across … Continue reading Soul Healing
Clear night skies alive with twinkling stars, glittering planets and wondering hearts are one of my favorite things in life. They radiate hope, clarity and offer the good possibility of a beautiful blue sky once the earth shifts toward the sun’s rays. Spending time under the stars energizes my spirit, even on the morning’s I … Continue reading Bits of Blue
Today, I say good bye to my dear north woods and head back to the regular rhythm of life. As I write, I hear the kingfisher, eagle and hummingbird, notice the knots of brush ahead of me, bending around each other creating their own intimate puzzle to the amusement of the squirrels, inhale the delightful … Continue reading Resting in the Silence
This weekend has given me some much needed rest and restoration. My daily rhythm has been reading, working in the gardens, showering off the sweat and grime and settling down with a creative project for the evening. It has been a marvelous respite from the daily tension of the recent days/months. These restorative moments help … Continue reading The Grounding of a Long Weekend
