Hard work to achieve those lofty words.  I have determination on my side.  Determination not to get where I want to go but determination to feel on the inside what it means to let go of something and trust that the best possible outcome is coming.  Since my crystal ball isn’t revealing any dates, staying right here right now is the most peaceful spot to be in and did I mention that I am surrounded by beauty every single day?

As I look back over the last year (yup, I know I am going backwards but hang with me for a moment) I can clearly see how many good things have emerged from having our tightly held plans blow up in smoke.  For one, my daughter Kendall began her first year of college and she is only 3 hrs. away.  It has been a pleasure for me to be able to check in with her periodically during her first year.  I got to spend the winter “resting” after the crazy work of last summer while keeping tabs on Allison and her homeschooling.  Allison meanwhile made the decision to go for the GED which she subsequently passed and is now officially a high school graduate!!

In the spirit of staying in this now moment here are a few pics from the most spectacular day we experienced today, a perfect mother’s day gift!

The laundry cycle

Bleeding Hearts

One happy pony

The twisted arms of an old woman

Around the trees, a sacred gloom

Running with the midnight sky

Knowing the thing that makes you cry

Night is full with my essence

Eternal light betrays my presence

Soaring through my endless task

Shadows are my faithful mask

I like to have a walk-through when returning home.  Somewhere between the bathroom and the bedroom I became still and breathed in the scent of old wood. History, I call it, as though the wood itself holds memories from days long ago and offers them  as a welcome home gift.

Sunrise in bed

Peace,

Amy

Jordan

Jordan II

Hands with bangles

Limbs with geese

This fall, when ou see geese heading south for the winter-flying in a “V” formation- you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone- and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.  If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.  It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs- with people or with geese flying south.  Geese honk from behink to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  What do we say when we honk from behind?

Finally- and this is important- when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots, and falls out of formation ,two other geese will fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help or protection.  They will stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or dies: and only then do they launch out on their own or with another formation, to catch up with their flock.  If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

There are 5 lessons we can learn from geese- and use countless times in non-threatening and non-confrontational ways:

1. People who share a common direction and sense of common purpose can get there more quickly.

2. It is harder to do something alone than together.

3. Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as well as an opportunity to rest.

4. We need to make sure our ‘honking’ is encouraging, not discouraging.

5. Stand by your colleagues in difficult times as well as in good.

You really CAN learn a lot from a goose.

Peace,

Amy

Peace,

Amy

Dusk