Raindrops

The rain had cleared leaving a vista so fresh and inviting.  Thousands of blades of grass danced playfully in the breeze, twinkling with the luscious drops that delicately adorned them.  I knelt down and watched in awe as each tiny and perfectly complete raindrop, glistened and reflected its surroundings.

Like a child I wanted to poke and see the drops merge into each other.  However, I resisted this mischievous urge and realised that when the moment is ripe, the raindrop will surrender to gravity, leaving its previous form and it will merge with another, falling off the blade into a new cycle of existence. 

Overcome with gratitude I acknowledged that nature was reminding me to have faith, and to surrender to each moment in life without trying to control the outcome.  Each stage and phase in nature, and in our lives has a beauty and a purpose which we are often unable to see or understand.  However, with faith and when it is time to let go and surrender to the unknown, we become like the raindrop... free.

Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

Remember that life is both short and precious.  You must put behind you all your worries and concerns – enjoy life.  Rather than go from day to day sleepwalking your way through life, wake up and direct your course.

How long can you go on waiting?  And what is it that you are waiting for?  For the time to be ‘right’ or for some divine guidance as to the path you should follow – or in fact your reason for being? 

Such a revelation is of course possible, though for the majority of people, in reality it is unlikely to occur the way one anticipates, if indeed it ever does.  Where does that leave you and how can you proceed?

Look around you – what are you continually drawn to time and time again? What brings you excitement, a sense of wonder or purpose and what is it that fills that ‘hole’? 

Follow your interests and see where they take you.  If you look and pay attention – you will find your answer.  You may already have an idea, yet do not recognise that what attracts you – is your answer. 

Time passes by so quickly and it is unfortunately far too easy to realise, after several years have passed, that you are still far from where you would like to be. 

Why wait any longer – if not now, then when?  Seriously, what are you waiting for? What do you think is going to happen?  Sure, life proceeds and opportunities present themselves, however how many are you missing while you wait?

As it has been said ‘seize the moment’ – on reflection it must surely be preferable to have doubts about the things you have done, rather than the inevitable ‘what ifs’ of a life lived half-heartedly through fear.

Now really is the moment.  You have no other.  The past and the future are concepts of your imagination!  Move on – break through the barriers and the blockages that are restraining you.

Take up the activities to which you are attracted.  Stop wasting time waiting.  Pay attention to the signs that indicate that a particular path – is for you.

Even if you should discover further down the line that perhaps it is not what you had expected – then at least you have explored one avenue, which may in turn set you upon another.

If you feel compelled towards achieving some desired goal, then work towards accomplishing it.  Put your focus where it needs to be.  When you lack energy, enthusiasm or interest – continue anyway.  Remember, that the alternative is a nagging feeling that life is slipping away, with you struggling to hold on, finding nothing firm upon which to grasp.

Do not waste the precious time that life has given you.  Build some foundations, develop yourself and assist others.  The change has to come from within and extend outwards.  You are not alone – your growth affects others and their growth affects yours.  Work alongside others harmoniously, for we are all subject to the frailty of human experience and deserve compassion.

No one said life would be easy.  Challenges, confusion and frustration will be encountered throughout your journey – they may even appear at times to be constant companions.  However it is important you find a way to proceed regardless.  Your happiness depends on it.  Most likely your sanity will too.

Everyone feels fear.  Whilst the cause or trigger may differ from person to person, that gut wrenching black hole which threatens to engulf you and consume your soul, is universally experienced.

The fear and dread are prompts, signalling that you need to look at some aspect of your life that requires attention.  Do not ignore them – they will return.  Usually with increased intensity until you have acknowledged, made conscious and resolved the matter.

If you should begin to doubt your ability to cope or find yourself lost in the darkness – look around you.  How do others manage to navigate their way through the shadows?  What can you learn from their experience?  What can you adapt or work with to assist you? 

Attempt these things and keep trying.  Self-discipline is essential.  You may not feel like it at times, though it is important you remember that the benefits far exceed the instant gratification your laziness may offer.

It has been said that the root cause of all fear, is the fear of death.  So, remember you will get old and age – this cannot be prevented, for it is part of the circle of life.  You need to learn to make peace with this otherwise you will spend your whole life fearing the inevitable conclusion.

“Do not go gentle into that Good night.

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light” – Dylan Thomas

Muster your courage and do not go gently through life.  Live your life in all its totality.  The awkwardness, insecurity, pain and suffering alongside the beauty, love and joy – the sublime nature of life in all its glory.

To spend time buffering oneself from the experiences and reality of life is detrimental to ones evolution and happiness.  For it leaves no room for growth.  Instead of the natural confidence acquired through personal effort, one may instead live consumed with dissatisfaction and regrets.

Do not learn, too late, the error of your ways.  For that leaves grief at what might have been.  Far better to acknowledge ones trepidation and proceed with fortitude.

Wake up to your predicament and reflect upon the promptings of your heart.  Follow the path that presents itself to you and above all, have faith in yourself.  Always.

In Remembrance

In loving memory of those who have sacrificed their lives so that we might live, those that continue to strive for peace who are facing their fears each day, and those left grieving their loved ones loss, may their pain subside with each day that passes.

 

The Light Beyond

My soul is full of whispered song
My blindness is my sight
The shadows that I feared so long
Are all alive with light

Alice Cary

 

The Veil Between The Worlds

On this night when all is dark and still

When during the witching hour one may at will

With silent contemplation and thoughts unfurled

Perceive the mysterious ‘otherworld’

When souls of those dearly departed

May commune with wisdom imparted

From their journey through the veil

Of this our shared and ancient tale

Arising outside of our natural order

Come promptings from this other border

Reminding us that much exists, of which we cannot see

Yet deep in our hearts we do perceive  

The Gateway

As the year grows old, the sunshine of summer begins to fade, to be replaced with darker and colder days.  The Earth recognizing its ripeness lets go of its harvest in a vibrant and majestic display, with the falling leaves signalling that the descent into the bleak desolation of winter has begun. 

The end of another year is in sight and one naturally begins to assess what has passed and what the future may bring.  At this time, autumn provides us with an opportunity to decipher the messages that nature, in her infinite wisdom, whispers softly to us.  She provides a mirror through which our own lives are reflected and ever so gently, she guides us to acknowledge our own cycles of creation.

As we hear her call, we instinctively attune to her rhythm and turn inwards to begin our own descent into the underworld realm of our subconscious, where we look within for answers to questions about ourselves and what lies beyond us, as we enquire into the transitory nature of life, and our own impermanence.

We are challenged to face our inner darkness, acknowledging what is in our power to change, and releasing that which is no longer required.  To be truthful with ourselves about the illusions we have cast by our naivety in this earthly existence, and with poignant synchronicity to the prevailing atmosphere, we must also surrender to, and accept that which we are unable to control.

As the mystery of death enters our consciousness, we are shaken out of our stupor and out of the dream world we inhabit.  Here we come face to face with our own mortality and it strikes a primal fear within, that of the unknown.  However, the contemplation of death can be used to keep us on track, for death humbles us, reminding us that life is a gift and helping us to shed the external trappings, revealing the treasure within, so that we may savour and appreciate the present.

Our emotions can threaten to engulf us and one may seek to evade the darkness through fear or denial, yet by summoning the courage to delve into and embrace the unknown, an opportunity for transformation is presented. 

“Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding” Kahlil Gibran

With the acceptance of our shadow side and the wisdom obtained from our descent into the depths of our being, we emerge, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, into a new cycle of awareness.  Our enhanced perspective provides vitality, purpose and direction.  With gratitude, reverence and a childlike wonder, we may again marvel at the beauty of life in all her varied forms.

For it is in death that we can find the meaning of life, and with grace, the gateway through which we may pass into a deeper realisation of our own being.

“You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.” Kahlil Gibran