blue
the water
flows so gently
I cross on stones
arrived
Elfje #5
Monthly Archives: April 2021
Hug
The table is set,
should I call the rest?
It’s that time again.
Time
to come together, and talk
about the weather, nay
politics, isn’t it rich?
I reminisce.
Times at the table, the sun
shining outside, cascading inside
filtered light, a delight.
Grandparents in the kitchen,
one hovering over a pot,
beans of some kind,
a roast in the oven,
and kids running
back and forth,
such fun.
All didn’t fit at the tiny table,
9 kids in all, with another,
oh, 20 plus or so,
cousins, ourselves,
we did call.
Though we didn’t all fit at the tiny table,
a much larger one
could be found on the patio,
crafted and created by my dear grandfather,
so long ago.
Memories
like this are so rich and full of life,
it’s like I can taste the food,
and feel the conversation,
at times, yes, full of strife;
and, yet love was at the center,
through tons of stormy weather.
Connections like this are rare indeed.
My invitation?
Hug
and love those closest to you,
when you feel the need.
In response to the WDYS #78 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Golden Bloggerz Award
I’ve been nominated by Gayatri Bagayatkar of, How to Teach a Difficult Child, for the Golden Bloggerz Award. I am humbled by the nomination by Gayarti. I started following How to Teach a Difficult Child some time ago, and, well, did so, because I went through many difficulties as a child and youth, and have been through many difficulties as a parent parenting children and youth today.
I find Gayatri’s site very informational, educational, and highly inspirational. If you’ve not checked it out, please do so.Â
What is the Golden Bloggerz Award?
The Golden Bloggerz Award was created by Chris Kosto to motivate and reward all the amazing bloggers that work daily to serve their audience and to recognize them for doing so.
The Rules
- Place the award logo on your blog.
- Mention the rules.
- Mention the award creator and link to their blog.
- Thank whomever nominated you and link to their blog.
- Tell your audience three things about you.
- Answer your nominator’s questions.
- Nominate 10 people who deserve this award.
- Ask the nominees 5 questions of your choice.
- Let the nominees know of their nomination by commenting on their social media or blog.
- Share links to 2-3 of your best/favorite posts.
Three Things About Me
- I believe in creating contexts where people have the access they need to development, inspiration, and transformation. I live by these three concepts; they are interwoven throughout my personal and professional life.
- Working to increase access to higher education for everyone, especially populations that have been historically denied access to higher education in the United States is something that I work on daily. Everyone should have the access they need to knowledge.
- Leadership and Spirituality are important concepts and practices; and, they are much more interconnected that some might imagine. In fact, they are really one. Through my articles and poems my main goal is to increase access to connection and knowledge. It is important for everyone to feel connected, and to also have access to the knowledge they need to develop, inspire, and transform their lives.
My Answers to Questions from Gayatri
- What is your passion and how did you pursue it ?
- I am passionate about creating contexts that facilitate and foster change. I pursue change everyday. It’s a part of who I am as a human being. All iterations of myself have been interested in creating change. And, now I get to do so across multiple contexts, which is such a joy.Â
- What is it about life that you would share from your experience to keep others motivated and going?
- There was a time when I knew that all creative potential and future possibilities already lived within me, just like they do for you, and everyone else. Then, I forgot for a moment that lasted over 20 years. Yes, a long moment. However, awake again, I am here as an example that no matter what happens in your life, you can create the change you want to see and experience in your life. You can. It is not always easy, yet, really, it’s not supposed to be. Take one step today. One tomorrow. And, keep doing that.
- How has blogging changed you or your life?
- All of YOU lovely and inspirational people have changed my life. I love the blogging community, and each of you. I feel blessed everyday to have met, and get to continually connect with, such wonderful people. I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and for that I will always be eternally grateful. I appreciate each of you.
- If you were to switch off all your devices for an entire day how would you spend the day?
- In meditation and communion with Nature.
- Do you believe in your inner strength to be the change you want to see ?
- Yes! Without a doubt. Everything we need is already within us. In fact, the whole universe lives within us. It’s just how it works. When we understand and are connected to ourselves, well, then, anything and everything is possible. This is a truth I believe in and practice each day.
My Nominations
All of YOU! Really, I choose not to select only 10 bloggers. There are many different reasons why I find each of your sites inspirational; thus, you are all inspirational to me.
Questions for Nominees
If you choose to post, and even if you don’t, please feel free to share in the comments section, here are my questions.
- What inspires you?
- How do you use that inspiration as a blogger?
- What is your favorite thing about blogging?
Favorite PostsÂ
I don’t think about my posts in terms of favorites, as each blog (article, poem, reflection, etc.) has its own place in my heart. Each post is a piece of me in some way, so they are all my favorite. Even my very first blog, which was, coincidentally just about a year ago. Okay, here are three recent posts.
I would like to thank Gayatri Bagayatkar, of How to Teach a Difficult Child, again for the nomination. Thank you.
I’d also like to thank each of you for being, well, exactly who you are. Just as you are right now, in this moment. Exactly. I’ve met the most amazing people over the past year, each of you, and I am excited about the years to come. Thank you.
Be well, my friends.
Flush
I strum the guitar,
just as the dream begins, and close
my eyes, and look within.
The sound coming from this instrument
fills me with a knowing
that feels like the best of times akin.
Back and forth, and forth and back,
strumming,
all the while there’s more coming.
Hands slide up and down the neck,
fingers tired,
yet no one remembers,
because the music
Is simply glorious in all it’s radiance.
The vibration shakes my being,
core holding tight
to this very special delight.
Skin prickles, wakes up,
just as the goose bumps begin to flush.
Presence is Present as a Present: Amber and Jeff (2)
I sit and stare out the window,
as light, refracting,
dances and glints at me,
reminiscent of memories of another
time,
filling my face with light that
glows brightly from within as
the presence
sits upright and holds tight.
Within the temple of my senses,
the mystery I contemplate
awakens me
to the quiet immensity
of the antenna of my satellite.
I watch, listen, and learn, from
within,
the presence fills me with such
delight, and
the awakening keeps my mind clear
insight.
The outer world’s reflection
is alive with sprites,
beings in this garden
of Gaia’s night.
Behold,
the sense of alight
you feel,
as you watch,
the silent observer within,
for the next part of this
rhyme,
we may call life’s present to
sight.
Dreaming imagination,
yet steady observance
within this soul vehicle,
drifting in and out
of shades of consciousness
whilst grounding to the foundations
of the earth’s core vibration.
Within and without, such
a dance of wonder and joy
to conjure and explore. Stay and move
with the vibration that’s there, for it’s the gift
of this life’s stability and core.
Presence is present as a present,
multitudes of every giving galore.
We hope you enjoyed this second collaboration between Amber of DiosRaw and myself. Much fun.
A Blogger’s Diary 4/18/21: On Writing and Reflecting, 2 New Series, Vaccinations, and Gentle Yoga
Wow, how is it that we are now in mid-April? Phew, not sure, time is moving, well, rather rapidly at the moment. Anyway, the past week was busy for numerous reasons. Yes, lots of work, and writing, and I did get my first vaccination dose last week.Â
More on that in a moment.
Let’s first take a look at two writing reflections, and two new series, shall we? Okay, here we go.
Writing and Reflecting
Sprite
The poem Sprite, was inspired by the WDYS #77 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje. I had a lot of fun with this little poem. Sadje’s prompt reminded me of being at the coast. Many of you know how much I love the beach, or coast, or sea, or shore, or whatever the ocean is called where you live. I grew up near the ocean, and love it much.
As I was reflecting upon the picture, it reminded me about my trip to Yachats a couple of months ago, and an antique store I visited during my trip. The prompt picture looks like something that the little shop would have stocked and sold. From there, it was off and running. One insight after another; and then, the poem was finished. Super fun.
Becoming (2)
The Poem Becoming (2), was inspired by a breakdown I had last Saturday. It was a rather large breakdown, which, as you might surmise I would write, is perfectly okay, even needed and wanted. Why?Â
Because it’s part of the process of being a human being. If we hold our emotions inside all the time, and actively resist them, we are resisting life. However, when we are with our emotions as they come, we are going with the flow of life.
I actually wrote the poem in intervals during the breakdown. Writing is, at times, how I process my emotions. It reminds me I am not alone; never, in fact, alone. None of us are. We are all connected. Always have been, always will be. Lovely.
2 New Series
Alright, some of you already know about one of these new series, Community Gardening, the first post of which was published this morning. As I wrote in the first post, it occurred to me this weekend that I’ll have many more updates from the community garden, which is why a new series made perfect sense.Â
I am excited to continue to update you as we move deeper into Spring, and then Summer.
One of the things I love to do where I currently live, Corvallis, Oregon, is hike. I love hiking, especially during the Spring and Summer. The weather in this part of the US is gorgeous during Spring and Summer. Love it.
It occurred to me that a series on hiking the Willamette Valley, then, made sense. I will travel throughout the valley this spring and summer and hike, reflect, and learn more about areas in the valley I’ve not yet visited. And, we can hike, reflect, and learn together through my trips. Fun.
I’ve not come up with a title yet. If you have ideas, please let me know. I’ve already completed my first hike, which was lovely, and will create the first entry in this new series in a week or two.
Vaccinations
Yep, I got my first vaccination dose, well, two Fridays ago now. It was actually a super simple process. I am grateful to all of the people working and volunteering to make the vaccine more and more accessible. Thank you.
Gentle Yoga
Well, as many of you know, I do yoga everyday. Meditation is a step of yoga, which I’ve now practiced for almost 4 years. There are 8 steps in yoga, and while I have been meditating, or practicing Dhyana for years now, I am not as well practiced at body movement with the breath.
Therefore, my life coach and teacher has put me on a very gentle path to increase the movement and blood flow in and to my upper body. It is important that the practice is gentle, as I have two shoulder injuries, which happened some time ago, yet have been exasperated by the pandemic.
Anyway, the point is that I am finding great relief in the practice; and am excited about the movement returning to my shoulders. Awesome.
Alright everyone, that’s all for this entry.
Have a splendid week.
Forevermore
It at times feels so reminiscent,
when scars bear themselves into words;
and we feel as if there tearing open again,
just as the moment that preceded it,
was left on the line drying through time.
And you watch the line,
as the moments wave in the wind,
as you pull everything together, for
one more push towards your center.
Down deep, you stretch into the darkness,
leaving fear behind; and, wondering, if this time,
you’ll have the strength to carry on; and,
in the meantime
you look back at the line, moments there, some,
yes, fair, and some quite contraire. It’s enough,
you know, to face them all, one at a time,
giving them power once more,
while you conjure up the
courage to live
forevermore.
Community Gardening: Indoor Starts, the First Peas, and a Sun Elfje
Alright, I’ve decided to turn My One Thing This Spring: Gardening, into a new Spring/Summer series. It occurred to me that I’ll have many more updates, which made making the community garden experience into a series an easy decision. Okay, here’s what’s new.
The plot is ready, and I’ve been continuing to work the soil, and have actually planted the first few seeds. A couple different varieties of peas. Delicious. Well, they will be eventually.Â
Here’s a couple pictures of those first budding peas.
Awesome. And, yep, the soil is dry, only on the top few layers though; and, the water at the community garden is now on, which is grand.
I’ve also planted seeds indoors. Many of them. 50 to be exact! Here are some of the herbs and veggies I’ve planted into an indoor greenhouse.
- Basil and Cilantro
- Mixed Hot Peppers
- Raddish
- Beet
- Various Lettuce Varieties
- Chard
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
I purchased this nifty little Green House at the local garden store for $20.
Here is what it looks like; and, here is what it looks like as the seeds begin to sprout.
Pretty cool, yes? Yes, I think so too.
Oh, and here is my latest addition. I bought these 4 beauties at the farmers market today.
I adore tomatoes. One of my favorites. Yum.
Next steps?
Sowing seeds directly into the ground, which will happen around May 4. We’re very close. Excited.
Alright, once the indoor seed starts and the tomatoes are transplanted, and I sow some more seeds directly into the ground, I’ll have another update.
Until then, enjoy the spring sun. Hopefully it is shining wherever you are. And, oh, before we go, how about a little Elfje on the sun to take us out. Yes? Okay, here we go.
Orange
Sun shines
Bright as a star
Taken into my being
Delight
Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone.
Becoming (2)
On December 3, 2020, I wrote and posted the poem, Becoming, and then about a week ago I wrote another poem, yep, you guessed it, also called Becoming. I’m sure this has happened to you, and it has for me too; yet, this time, I wanted to post the second poem as it is, title and all.
In a way, I think it is perfectly appropriate for this past year. A time of struggle, death, and extreme hardship in so many different ways; and a time of hope, life, and extreme gratitude. I am holding these concepts with you, and the space inbetween, as I present this second poem on becoming.
As I sit and ponder, and also wonder,
and, yes, sometimes feel flustered with
the emotions coming, all the while I know
I’m becoming.
Something different each day, while sitting
in the midst of the presence of the thinking
and never ending feelings.
It’s hard as the tears come,
sometimes it’s a trickle and not a flood. While
at other times, the flood would feel like a respite,
with the tsunami of tears pouring forth.
Sometimes it’s a song, or a quick flash
of a not so distant past. It feels, moves, and
pushes the limits of the pain I think is possible
to bear, and then just when I think subside is in
stride, I break again.
Darkness envelops me, and I bend over
the pain pulling me towards the floor, where
at times I feel like I’ll learn more.
Just lay there and be, and let the emotions
wash over me. One wave and then the next,
they pass through, and time becomes something
extraordinary.
And, yet, my dear, just like you, they stop coming,
all the while there’s still more incoming. I pick myself up,
wash my face, and look at the person staring back
through the picture of my mirrored life forthcoming.
He wears a smile with swollen eyes, face damp
with the salted tears of years of trying. Yet, deep down
he knows, while trying is a piece of the whole, it’s in
the doing where the scattered fragments
become one, as we march towards
our continual becoming.
Elfje #4
purple
the sunset
deep and lovely
creating wonder inside me
heart
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 