The leaves have fallen

Fall is both one of my favorite times of year (because of the vibrant colors), and least favorites...the time after the vibrant colors of the season, barren trees revealing once again the dirt and ugliness of the forest floor, until winter brings a cold white blanket to cover it again until spring. 

Oct 20-12 - view of back yard from the loft

Oct 27-12 - one week later

Harvest Moon Meditation

Hello Fall, and hello Harvest Moon.  Although it's cloudy out tonight so that I can't see the moon, the clouds did dissipate enough last night for me to catch a glimpse of the Harvest Moon...not as bright as I had hoped, but no less powerful.  I love watching the moon it all its brightness.  I stare, captivated by its light and energy, and listen to the wind blow through the trees.  There's a running joke I have with my husband on full moon nights - that there's no way I'm getting to sleep before the wee hours of the night, so I might as well do something productive. 

Since we've put the house renovations on hold for the time being, that productivity is poured into writing, and making jewellery - two of my favorite hobbies.  I tell people that's my therapy - doing something that I love, that requires enough focus for the task at hand to completely forget about everything else - an active meditation. 

Recently I shared a few of my poems with my writing group.  Because I write from the heart, a couple of my writer friends thanked me for being so open, and leaving myself vulnerable.  My response to their comments:   If you write for your own pleasure, you have only yourself to please...if you write to please others, then you’ll please no one.  I write what I write because it pleases me to do so – it’s therapy...I don’t feel vulnerable at all – quite the opposite actually – I feel liberated. 

There comes a point in one’s life when she lets go of the fear that holds her captive – fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of inadequacy, fear of loss, fear of pain...It is in that moment that one becomes free to truly live, and it is then that doors open and possibilities become endless.

So, let go of your fears and do what you love to do just for the love of doing it...the rest will come (being the start of a new season, it's the perfect time to do so...like detox for the soul). :)

Happy Harvest!
Cheers!

PS - Check out the new issue of Sibella Poetry Magazine - now available online.  I just love the flow of this issue.  My poem "My Life, My Path" appears on page 4.  It amazes me how all of us contributing writers come together from various walks and corners of the earth to create something with common threads, never once speaking to each other during the process. 

Harvest Season - Blessings (a poem)

Fall views from the Loft

Well, Fall is officially here, and with it comes the Harvest Season and Thanksgiving - a time of reflection and giving thanks for all that we have.  Although we haven't made much progress this past year with Ridgeview renovations (in fact, no progress at all except developing floor plans and construction quotes), there has been progress elsewhere in our lives - my husband's recovery, personal growth, new (and rekindled) hobbies that bring us joy.  I had started making jewellery with positive messages back in the Spring, and over the last couple of month, have had the opportunity to donate some of my creations to various charitable fundraisers, and to hear some of the heart-wrenching stories behind those fundraisers.  It certainly makes me stop and take notice of the many things I have to be thankful for - my health and my family's health, our friends and support network, our talents......but especially each other.






Blessings

Thank you Father Sky and Mother Earth -

Thank you for the gift of sight;

For the fiery leaves on autumn’s trees;
For the birds that sing their songs of hope;
For the waterways on which we float;
For clear blue skies and the warming sun;
And the moon’s light by which I pray.

Thank you for the gift of taste;
For apples and berries so juicy and sweet;
For vegetable gardens and herbs divine;
And succulent grapes that make fine wine;
For homemade pies and family dinners
Over which we love to share our days.

Thank you for the gift of touch;

For the softness of rose petals and baby’s skin;
For ocean waves and grains of sand
That massage my feet as I walk along this land;
For fallen trees and the cushioned grass -
Perfect spots on which to rest.

Thank you for the gift of sound;
For dazzling thunderstorms and lightning bright;
For the sound of rain that soothes the mind
To wash through thoughts that are so entwined;
For clouds to watch and images they create -
Products of our imagination.

Thank you for the gift of love;

For family and friends, all those I embrace;
For precious moments that make us smile;
For the beautiful people who make life worthwhile –
May their light forever shine
So brightly from their hearts.

Thank you Mother Earth and Father Sky -

For gifts of life, love and laughter;
For all of these gifts – priceless riches.

©Linda Spencer, 2012

 

It’s so easy for us to take for granted the things that we have and things we can do and people in our lives; often it’s only when we lose something that we take notice and realize what we had.  Take a few minutes each day to pause and reflect on all your wealth – family, friends, health, the ability to walk, talk, hear, see, think, create, touch, feel, love and be loved.  Be grateful. ~Linda Spencer