WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
Category: Elder Journey
The Heart’s Yearning
“Perhaps it is the yearning of the heart that draws us to notice the ordinary beauty all around us. To not only notice but to allow it to expand our perception of life in the moment by opening to see beyond the narrow confines of our present cultural narrative and domesticated survival.
In The Marrow of Our Bones
“How often are we challenged by distraction missing the moments that are the very essence of life unfolding?
I pose that question to live within, not to answer. The shifts and changes continue in spite of our compelling need to control. That is the only part of this elder journey we can be certain of. “
Where The Light Shines
“It suddenly captured my attention from the sofa where I was seated in the home of a client where I was staying to care for their German Sheppard. Sitting on the mantel absorbing the morning light and radiating out into the room. A simple object that in its simplicity and beauty reminded me of an ancient art piece woven with gold, bronze and light.
A representation of light capturing natures essence in leaf, spiral, curves and spaces.
In those moments I was…..”
Ordinary Beauty
“With so much violence and unrest going on among humans, I have recently gravitated towards consciously finding the beauty in everyday ordinary experiences. This soothes my broken heart, even for just a moment in time, and releases me into a calmer more peaceful inner being and appreciation.
Knowing that beauty is everywhere reminds me to be more kind, compassionate and trusting. To see and create beauty and find joy wherever it beckons. To be in nature often….”
Time Or Moments?
“In indigenous wisdom all life is one and is inextricably interconnected. There is no separateness, only wholeness. The actions and choices we take and make create the stories that evolve. Where we place our attention grows to take over the moments – to explore, discover and creatively express. Shouldn’t we choose wisely and see through the lens of wholeness with all of our senses…right now?”
Wisdom of the Standing Elder Beings
“Stepping into an old growth forest is like stepping from chaos into an ancient , intelligent environment of cooperation, interconnection and diverse community. Almost immediately I felt the presence of indigenous energy and wished that I had moccasins on my feet instead of bulky walking shoes, or better yet barefoot to connect directly with the earth beneath my feet.
In direct communication and connection with this generative, abundant and lush world teeming with life I crossed over the stream running under the bridge at the beginning of the trailhead and felt at home….”
A Symphony of Light
“My days are filled with more wonder and awe since I’ve stepped off the fast-paced train supposedly taking me to success and freedom. I’m referring to the train that offers everything including the objectification of relationships for profit and not too much real value. The train that proposes all the ways to succeed in business and sometimes even in life, but no real tangible rewards. The train that is nonstop until you wake up one day with the word “enough” on your breath and the throb in your heart to do something different.”
Solitude
“Solitude that was so rare as we raced through our younger years was most often to be avoided at all costs. If we only knew that it was the solitude that would bring us a greater awareness of who we are in our wholeness perhaps we would have welcomed it with open arms.
Leapt at opportunities to bare our heart and soul to ourselves in quiet reflection….”
The Constant Gardener
“Nature is a wise guide in teaching us how we shall spend our time. A reminder that everything is born, unfurled for a period of time…..and then passes it’s essence to the life that is to come. “
Solitude
“Sitting out on the front porch where I am house sitting I gaze at the sky, the mountains and the valley below. This is a familiar view for me as I lived here for the first three months after moving to N. Carolina and since then often visit with my friends and do the occasional house sit.
Yet this morning it is like I have never seen this view before. For in actuality I have not seen it just like this. The light, clouds, shadows, colors and ever changing seasonal landscape. Solitude for me is home. A constantly awaking spaciousness where I am in touch with all life and am an interconnected part of it.”…..