Soul-space

Photo taken during my last trip to Highlands in Fall 2006

I'm heading off for a week's visit to one of my favorite places on earth, a place where I feel grounded and connected, where I find myself inspired (and writing poetry), where I can be with nature and wilderness and stand in awe. 

For almost a decade now, HIghlands Nature Sanctuary has been my soul's favorite place to be. I can't explain why. But it is. 

I'm going to be spending a week there contributing my distinctions in the area of publicity and media relations. So excited to be able to contribute to a place I love in this way — and so excited to be spending a week in a place that feeds me both creatively and spiritually.

I find that when I'm grounded and centered, the creativity flowers and flows. 

While I'm there, I'm sure there will be some time to reflect and notice the changing of the seasons. And to look inward and notice what leaves of old thinking need letting go.

I probably won't have internet access, but  if I do, I'll post.

If not, I'll be back with pictures and stories come Sunday, October 5.

So, tell me, where are you most grounded? What place is your soul-space?

 P.S. Had my first bongo lesson this evening with my wonderful (and wonderfully patient) teacher, Jeff Kuliga! I learned a common rhythm — the martillo (which means the hammer)  — and got some starting "language" for jamming. I have a lot to learn and practice. But it's going to be a wonderful way for me to learn more about patience and how to be okay with being a beginner in something.  Good lessons for me, indeed.

True Appreciation

  Succulents at the Madison Farmer's Market

Last week, we had the privilege of attending our daughter's birthday celebration at her Waldorf school. (She is a summer birthday, but celebrated by her class now.)

One of the things I appreciate most about the Waldorf schools is how they honor the rhythms of the year with such reverence and ritual.

As part of the celebration, my daughter sat in the front of the room, dressed in a crown and a cape. First her teacher told a story about her journey to be born. And then one by one, her classmates come forth, presented her with a hand-drawn card and said what they appreciated about her.

It was so sweet to watch each of them come up and present her with a card and say a few words of appreciation. 

There were many children who said simply "I'm glad you're in my class" or "you're one of my best friends." But a few were very thoughtful. One said, "you are very helpful." Another said, "I appreciate you because when you play like you're a bunny, you're a really cute bunny."

But several said this comment to my daughter:

"I'm glad you're alive."

I was almost in tears. It was such a simple acknowledgement. But so profoundly affirming.

I don't tell the people I care about that I'm glad they are alive nearly enough. I thank these wise first graders for the reminder to do so more often.

Tell me, who in your life are you so glad that they're alive?

Make Your World More Lovely

Have you seen this short film, "The Beckoning of Lovely"?

I loved Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life (and the fun way she left copies of her book for people to find).  I love her creativity, her sense of play, and the way that both of these create a world sparkling with possibilities. 

So much of what we create in the world — and how creative we can be — is based on how we open to wonder. And how willing we are to put those creative callings of our heart out into the world. 

As I think of it, how we are and what we create in the world comes down to how open we are. Period.

I love the idea that Amy has created the "Beckoning of Lovely" as an expanding film. Everyone is welcome to submit to the project. They are looking for submissions in these categories: 

 Music of all kinds / Bands/ Singer-Songwriters / Videos / Short films / Animation / Paintings / Drawings / Art / Illustration / True stories / Made-up stories / Poems/ Lists / Monologues / Plays / Dance / Inventions / Crafts / Photographs / Cell phone snapshots / Architecture / Design / Culinary creations / Journal pages / Collage / Sand castles /  Everything.

More details on the project and submitting are here. (Thanks to Cathy Z. for posting about this film on her blog.)

I'm committing to submitting something. Not sure what yet. But I'm open to the process of discovering what that is. (Would you like to play, too? If so, let me know!)

Tell me, what have you made? What do you want to make more lovely in your world today?