Life's Little Hokey-Pokey Dance

I've decided that whomever or whatever created the universe has a delicious sense of humor. Life often strikes me as a bit of a dance and, lately, it seems ever more like the Hokey-Pokey. All this twisting and turning about -- putting your whole self in and out. It can be a tad confusing even though there is a rhythmic organization to it. Perhaps this is "just what it's all about!"

I bring this up because life is about choices and some can directly define your life. I was reminded of this when I opened up my most recent edition of Heron Dance's Latest Pause For Beauty. The creator, Rod MacIver, mused this week:

When I started Heron Dance fourteen years ago I had a message. My answers are not so clear now. The road has a lot of twists and turns. Many setbacks were associated with my own foibles. Many of my twists and turns have to do with my attraction to complexity and poor people skills. My answers are now more in my art than my words, which is why art now plays a larger role in Heron Dance than it did in the early years.

Life is mysterious. Those who would offer to explain it to us on radio, TV, or in a book need to be considered with caution. If there is a spiritual force in the universe, and I certainly believe there is, it could well be that we are not meant to know its true nature. Perhaps we are meant to struggle with the uncertainty, the mystery that surrounds us, and embark upon a journey in search of our own answers. We grow through the setbacks on that journey. We experience life in a deep way.

When I think of words that are true—the constellation of stars I use to set my bearings—they are words of a few quiet, reflective people I’ve met over the years. Their words would not make sense shouted from the roof tops. They are words that arise out of living simply and close to the land. Or they are the words of living close to music, or art, or of serving others. The only common denominator that I can think of is that they are the words of people who have a definition of beauty and have built a life around living in close connection with that definition. Yes, they are intelligent, well-read and well-traveled, but out of those diverse experiences have evolved lives that are simple and built around a few carefully considered elements—elements that are to some extent preverbal.

And, I think he's exactly right. We may not know where we are going but the trick is to find a joyful path AND to build a community around it that buffers you during life's more uncertain moments.

Little Dinosaur's Growing Pains

"i don't know why i've been
so emotional lately," she sniffled.

"i mean, zed, my little reptilian naysayer
is usually placated with a quick belly rub
and a lemon gumdrop."

she paused for a few minutes through the tears
and, then, burst out in giggles.

"oh, i get it!" she laughed out loud.
"he's so funny!"

"jurassic park was filmed here
so my little lizard just must want to grow BIG!"

"silly zed," she finished. "it's hard to
keep him in check sometimes but
you gotta admire his great desire
to roam BIG in the world."

Sunny Delight

"wow!" she exclaimed to him,
"my body really has been craving all this sunshine.
i can't seem to get enough of the stuff."

he chuckled.

"i mean, i feel like one of those lizards
that just sits motionless in the sun
before it can move about."

"so, you're saying you're like the geico gecko?"
he mused with a grin.

"no!" she replied with a "humph".
"i'm much cuter than that! still,
i wouldn't mind getting his secret
for avoiding sunburn, baby."

Speed Racer

"what a beautiful rainbow,"
she breathed admiringly.

"oh, i know," she sighed with delight.
"it's just so big and bright and so entirely lovely."

but what delighted her more
was that the rainbow decided to jog
alongside her moving car.

at the next red light,
it sidled up next to them
and with a wink called out,
"wanna race?"

"you're on!" she shouted mischievously over the rain.

and when the light turned "green",
she hit the pedal to the metal
and raced the rainbow on down the road,
never quite seeing its end and
knowing intuitively that while the
rainbow would probably win,
she'd give it its spectrum worth!

Night Light

she sat and looked out
at a city decorated with
thousands of twinkling lights,
acting as small beacons in the surrounding darkness.

the city was restless below her,
buzzing about like summer insects
intent on keeping appointments
despite heavy traffic in the dusky skies.

she gazed up at the heavens
and saw a small planet
blazing alone in the caelum.

it smiled down at her
and winked as if to remind her that one
could know peace in the midst
of great external noise.

Pictures from Hawai'i

Colors of a Hawai'ian sunset, 2009.

Hawai'i was so lovely that I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. In the coming days, I'll post the poems which came to me during my stay there. What a lovely state with even lovelier people! Enjoy.

Sunset.

Shades of blue.

Views of Waikiki, Oahu, 2009. Taken from the top of Diamond Head.

Near Diamond Head, Oahu, 2009.

Capturing my mood on a wall.

Watching the sunset from my hotel balcony, 2009.

Reflections on 2008

2008.

2008 seemed to have a funny way of progressing.

First, it seemed to clip along at a fast pace for the first few months, then it downshifted into a slower than slow pace for the late spring and summer only to speed up again through the fall and winter.

However, whatever the pace and speed, 2008 found me in an introspective mood.

It was a year of both tough storms and cool, bright weather. And, throughout its many months, I somehow found myself -- my real Kelly, twinkly-eyed, giggling, bright soul self -- again. Best part? I rediscovered her myself with a familiar zeal which just got a little lost the past year or so.

Like any year, there are lessons embedded in every day and month. 2008 was no exception! So, in the spirit of last year, I've compiled a small list of some of the most powerful lessons and reminders from this past year:

1. Your body always knows what is right for you, even if your mind thinks otherwise. The trick is not to allow yourself to be duped by your mind.

2. Sometimes growth is painful. However, it is only painful when you cling to the past.

3. You must put yourself first always, otherwise you cannot expect to be there fully for others.

4. It is important to accept responsibility for your actions, thoughts and deeds. You cannot blame anyone else for anything. You must accept responsibility for your part in everything.

5. When you clean up your energy ("tap in, tune in, turn on" according to Abraham-Hicks), amazing things will find you. For example, by setting my intention to travel, I was able (all expenses paid) to go to Azerbaijan, Italy, Alaska, Peru, the Deep South, Hawaii and Chicago all within 4 months! I saw some incredible things and learned much more.

6. During life's tougher moments, you see clearly who your true friends are.

7. Deep love will find you when you're not looking for it and, often, presenting itself in the strangest of locations.

8. Dear friends are as necessary as breathing and 2008 brought into my life some of the dearest.

9. One's world and one's worldview are only as limited as your own limited thinking. Dare to see beyond what you believe can even exist and be. My hunch is that you will surprise yourself.

10. Times of silence and reflection are essential. Foster your internal life and help it grow.

11. Follow the synchronicities which appear in your life. Be adventurous like Alice!

12. Find reasons to giggle and do it a lot!

Again, one lesson for every month of the year.
I look forward to the lessons and surprises of 2009
and ask for blessings upon each day.

May your own year find you bright, happy and healthy.