The Goodness of Life….

collage hearts
mixed media
12/2010

I was just re-reading a quote that I used in a previous blog and was struck by the words goodness of life.

When my son was a baby and I would cradle him in my arms loving him, I would describe him as all this goodness while kissing him.

Goodness.  We can never have enough goodness in our lives.

What does goodness mean to you? How does goodness make you feel? Is it inspiring? What does it smell like? Taste like?

When I look at young children I see goodness.  They are in the beginning of their lives. No one knows what good they will do in the world, what their contribution will be.  We don’t know how they will handle the challenges that will come their way.

For the moment they are just goodness.  Sweet innocence,

with a huge dose of humor, love and just enough back talk to make you smile (but keep a straight face in front of them).  We are shaping them (children) from the moment we all imprint, whether it is your new baby, step child, student in your classroom. If we focus on seeing the goodness, the love, and the desire to learn our hearts can be in the right place to support their growth and development.

Do grown ups have goodness? Can you be a grown up and still be goodness? I think you can. It’s a sweet thing.  When you care about someone you look to see the best there is to see in them.

The goodness of life is all around us.  All we have to do is look a little closer.

recycled heart
mixed media on canvas panel
2012

Universal Law

Grace
watercolor on watercolor paper
2012

I have always been intrigued by the study of law, the power knowing it can have.  At one time in my life I pondered law school and then becoming a paralegal, thinking it a way to help people.  When I checked it all out, reading a preliminary intro to the study of law, the words were like gobble - dee goop to my brain. The words describing a/the law were like one long run on, nonsensical sentence and all of this to protect my rights or anyone’s rights…. Right. 

I believe law, knowing the law can have a positive effect when used to help those who need help, to fight for justice and correct injustice. 

We have a slippery system at best here in the U.S.A., a topic for another day.

There is another form of law that I know of, that I can practice. And feel good about.  Universal Law.  There are a few Universal Laws, but my favorite and most important law I call the law of do no harm.  In Chinese medicine this is the first rule.

Do no harm. 

Universal law is not complicated.  It clearly states what is.

Do no harm.  That can be translated to the fields of emotion, physical, and psychic wellbeing. 

Universal law is about treating other people as we want to be treated.  It is about mindfulness on a daily basis.  Not that we can always be so clear, we are each challenged because we live in villages (metaphorically speaking) and deal with alot of different people, in different levels of knowledge.

Universal Law is as you give so shall you receive.  My thoughts translate into actions so if I am giving good thoughts good thoughts are coming my way.  Some times shitty things happen though, (that’s keeping it real).

A challenge is always an opportunity to grow. It’s an opportunity to find out how strong I am. 

Universal law is easy to practice:  Do No Harm, with words, actions and motions.  Do No Harm to yourself (be kind), to others (be kind), love and love returns to you. 

"You can search the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
--Buddha

Sunset in Santa Monica...that beautiful time of day

I went to watch the sun set.  It was beautiful out at the Santa Monica bluffs.  It was weird because the sun set in the west and north up toward Malibu.  I expected the sun to be right in front of me centered in the ocean.  These are my favorite shots.  I didn't manipulate the camera too much.

Everyday, the sun rises and sets.  Everyday without fail we have the light, warmth and energy of the sun.  Just like the sun that rises creating a new beginning, we have that possibility everyday.

At the end of the day we can bring closure to the experiences we have had, reflect on what worked, what we will do the same or change when the sun rises again.

This is the Age of Aquarius.

It's the age to nurture, the age to

love, to heal, age to be,

age to flow out.   Yogi Bhajan

Writing is good for the soul – journaling as a tool

poppies
4/2012

...the details of our days do make a difference in our lives...no experience is ever just for drill...everything can be a springboard for inspiration if we are willing to be open to the goodness of life. - Sara Ban Breathnach

Recently I was talking with a friend and the topic came up about feeling frustrated about life and not having an outlet to express it.

I suggested writing a journal, painting or drawing. I think these modes of expression can have a way of calming the mind, relaxing and shifting one’s energy.  It does for me.  I find writing self-healing.

Putting pencil or pen to paper and letting all thoughts in our head escape creates a space for solutions: just reflecting on the words written down gives a moment’s pause to think about what we are dealing with or not dealing with.  It can give a perspective; distance us a little from the situation. And if we are lucky we can find a solution or two.

For me, there is something cathartic about writing.  I love the way words come out on paper.  The words have a magic I have created by choosing how I place them.

Words are powerful, they create images, tell stories, express a feeling, thought, emotion.

Words choose how one relates an experience. What is the tone of the words: are they happy, sad, angry, frustrated, clear, unclear…..

When I go back and read some of what I have written sometimes I remember what I was talking about, sometimes it takes me a few minutes to remember what was happening.

When my son’s were little I started journals for them.  I would write about what was happening at the age they each were at.  Those are my favorite journals.  For a while I did really well, but then life just got too busy.  Now I periodically update them.  I hope when they are grown men they will enjoy having my memories of their childhood.

Now I write from a biographical point of view: what is happening in my life and how I feel about it, more of a chronicle of my journey.

I have developed this habit of writing: what’s happening in my life, to do lists, mantras to get me through: for today, tomorrow, the rest of my life, writing it down empties a space in my head to think up more things.

farmer's market flowers
5/2012

You There... What have the years written into your body?

You There…

Put the palms of your hands together

fimo heart composition
2011

close to your body, thumbs touching your chest

then bow your head to the tree

whose body bears these words.

In the deep pool under the cedar

a trout rises to a mayfly and ripples spread

in widening O’s like the years

etched into heartwood grows.

What have the years written into your body?

what pattern emerged as you passed through fire?

put your palms together, lifeline to lifeline.

bow your head for the history you bear.

-       Judith Barrington

I found this poem in a yoga magazine.  I love the words.  I love the last section with the question of What have the years written into your body?

I ask myself that question: What has been written into my body? Sometimes I look searchingly in the mirror, gazing at my legs, my hips, my breasts.  I catch my reflection in a glass window and look at my form.  Knowledge and creativity have been written in invisible ink from one hip to another.  Sanskirt words remind me to honor the circle of my family. The chinese symbol Grace reminds me to be calm under pressure, keep my composure. 

My hands bear witness to the experiences I have had:  caring for a baby, caressing new life, changing diapers, cleaning up throw-up, holding a hand, hugging my child, children, touching a friend who is in a sorrowful place, holding paint brushes to express myself visually, squishing clay to get the air bubbles out. My hands bear witness to the love in my life. my hands bear witness to healing. 

My face bears witness to wisdom gained from living life.  The path has not always been straight, I have taken roads less traveled and been in unsavory places, adding to my field of knowledge.  I know enough about life to know that life is what we chose to make of it and kindness can move what nothing else can. My face bears witness to being a survivor.

I bow my head in gratitude that I can write these words.