Morning

With the hustle of the work week and all the duties at home and all the caring for of pets and loved ones, sometimes we dream of escaping to our own private island somewhere.  A place that we can have the whole bed to ourselves, have someone else cook our meals, read from dusk to dawn, stay in our fat pants all day if we want too or explore the world with our own agenda - and not have anyone ask anything of us.

But this morning, since I woke earlier than the rest of the house, I went for a walk, stretched, did a little meditation, and had a cup of coffee while checking my online stuff.  And as I explored the world with my own agenda, I found myself missing my snoozing loved ones.  I was excited to hear them stir.  As they all began their morning, I began to focus on my gratitude.  Thankful for a Saturday that I didn't have to wake up early to go to work.  Glad to hop back in bed, smooch, pet our sleepy grumpy bulldog who weasels his way into our bed every morning exactly at 5:30am.  Grateful for the sense of peace I get from cooking our favorite breakfast of pancakes and bacon.  Watching the dog be so eagerly and adorably attentive while I move the bacon from the pan to the plate.  As our morning progresses, I deeply realize that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  That this home and those within it make me who I am and want my love.  

I don't need to be off alone on an island somewhere, I just need to remember to take time for myself more often so that I have the best, most grateful and unhindered love to give to the world around me.

A Moment's Doubt

My fiance and I are trying to make our dreams come true.  We are having to screw our courage to the sticking place and take risks.  It's scary and makes me full of self doubt.  As always seems to happen, the Universe sent me a message when my first stumble on http://www.stumbleupon.com/ came to a page that listed 100 most famous quotes.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."    ~  Theodore Roosevelt

I don't want to live in a grey twilight.

The Gift

The weather was especially beautiful last Friday.  After returning home from work, I decided to go for a hike at a local state park.  It's a small little park with two trails, one leading to a big waterfall and the other trail to a smaller one.  I opted for the smaller falls, for there is a tree that lays across the creek at the bottom of the falls where you can sit and enjoy looking up at the falls.  I spent some time here, reconnecting with nature after a long, cold, and snowy winter.  It felt nice to be outside and to hear the sound of the water rushing down the falls and the wind in the bare trees.  This part of the trail is a major thoroughfair, so hikers wonder by quite frequently and I wanted to be alone.  I decided to hike back up to my car, daydreaming of a time when we will own our own piece of land, where I can get to know all the trees and be truly alone and in a place that's quiet.  The sun was so soft and warm, peeking through the tall trees.  I didn't truly want to leave the park yet for I didn't feel that my comuning was complete.  I was drawn off the trail path and toward a particulary large tree, that would hide me from the rest of the world.  As I approached the tree, I noticed at it's base that it had a root chair of sorts, so I asked if I could sit with him for a while.  I did.  I sat with the huge tree trunk supporting my head, the wind blowing my hair, and looking up into the sunlit sky.  I silently ask the tree if he is glad for spring?  Was it a particularly hard winter?  Did the sound of the person's chain saw echoing through the park bother him?   I had come to him for silence and an effort to clear my mind and feel the energy of the earth.  And as my questions ran out, and my mind cleared, I could hear his anwers and feel his vibration through my back.  I was re-charged, energized and at peace.   I got up to leave, standing to face the tree and give him a Namaste.  I placed my forehead to his trunk and thanked him.  As I opened my eyes for an offering of some sort, a lovely stone maybe, to give him in thanks, I noticed that he had given me a gift.  It was a dried little flower seed pod of sorts.  The one in the picture above.  I felt honored and so secure in the thought that all living things recognize and need each others love.  I wished that I could feel this peaceful, focused and happy all the time.  What a gift to achieve this in a park in the middle of a busy town.  I look forward to being in the country, surrounded by trees that have become my friends.

Newbie

This is my first blog post ever!  I am kinda late to the blogging game, but that's how I seem to roll -  as a little bit of a late bloomer!

So, if you are joining me here, I welcome you to my peaceful spot.  I hope to use it as a place to share my life's path, my spiritual journey, my road to fitness and wellbeing, as well as a place to talk about art and it's creation.  I hope that you will join me here from time to time.  Leave a comment, quote for the day, your life's path, you choose.   

So for starters, I will share my idea of a peaceful spot.  For me it's at the base of a beautiful tree on a warm sunny day, wind blowing softly on my face, birds singing, mind clear and open.  It's also Sunday mornings nestled in bed with my love, our dog, our kitty, and a nice cup of coffee. 

I would love for you to share: What's your peaceful spot?