twists and turns galore,
heart ready to explore, with
silence at your door
Haiku #22
Monthly Archives: May 2021
Unpacking and Reconceptualizing Purpose
I’ve been reflecting a lot upon the concept purpose the past few weeks, and, whereas I’ve not come up with any real new conclusions about purpose, I do have a few reflections to share with you. Ready? Okay, here we go.
Let’s first define the concept.
purpose noun
the intention, aim or function of something; the thing that something is supposed to achieve
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
There we go.
While I understand this definition, it leaves me feeling a little wanting. Meaning, while I understand the definition perfectly well, I think it can set us up for heartbreak if we’re not careful.
For instance, what happens if the “something that is supposed to [be] achieved,” is not achieved. Then what? Hm.
I have a different way to think about purpose; and it consists of three basic concepts.
- Being present.
- Accepting what is.
- Creating anew.
When we are fully present, each moment lives and breathes with a purpose all it’s own. Thinking about purpose this way is not about “achievement.” It’s not about striving or seeking anything. It’s about being present to what is, accepting it with an open heart and mind, and then taking the actions necessary to create anew in each moment.
Thinking about purpose this way, eliminates the need for something specific to happen. Instead, each moment something unexpected can occur, and we can accept it, and create our life anew from that space.
That is powerful, empowering, and purposeful.
Sealing and Healing
Trauma and pain
go together,
and as I sit here
and type this poem,
I’m reflecting upon
this person’s pain, and
all of the memories
that are the impetus for such
agony and drain.
The memories
are like splinters
in my heart,
and run deep, just like
a fracture in the earth,
which, in times of
great consternation
split wide open,
spilling forth
the earth’s contents
from it’s very core.
And,
just like our beautiful
Mother’s fractures,
these splinters of the heart,
widen with time,
until momentum enough
is created,
and everything comes
spilling forth.
Yet,
this truth does not
live in isolation
from the sealing
and healing
of those splinters of heart,
and fractures of earth,
which gather together
over time.
Acknowledging
their existence,
and filling them,
one and all,
with love and compassion
is a remedy
that I truly adore.
Vision
Overlapping emotions
can be hard to juggle,
especially in times of struggle.
We may run, and
hide, yet still never forget
you may always abide.
In a presence within you,
which was created prior to
your becoming,
and all the little things of knowing.
There’s so much more to discover,
so let the music play, and
carry you away.
Dance and sing,
even when it stings.
For in those moments of
consternation,
you are always burning bright,
with creation
and determination.
Just as you are now,
don’t fret, rather,
be that which you see
on those long cold nights,
when you feel frightened to
the bone. Chilled by indecision,
and all those misgivings
of your past collisions.
They are a part
of this worldly subsistence,
and, in fact, can teach us quite a lot
about our own resilience,
and mutually coexistence.
Remember also, my dear,
that we all have these moments
of indecision,
so be present to all that you are,
and never fear,
because you are a part
of a much grander
vision.
Willamette Valley Wanderings and Wonderings: McDonald Research Forest
I’ve now lived in Corvallis, Oregon for almost 9 years. We moved to Corvallis in 2012 for my graduate school education, which I am happy to report has been complete for many years.
Corvallis is a small town located in the Willamette Valley, about 90 miles South of Portland, and 50 miles North of Eugene. It is a quaint little city with approximately 56,000 residents, and home to Oregon State University.
I’ve been hiking around Corvallis for years, and yet never hiked the McDonald Research Forest until about 3 years ago. There are a plethora of trails, of all difficulty levels, within the research forest, with beautiful views.
Last week, I hiked the Vineyard Mountain Trail, which is of moderate difficulty, and is about 3.4 miles, if you do the whole loop. On the hike, you get to take in the forest in all of its beauty, which includes many different types of plants, trees, and flowers, and, if you are lucky and it is quiet, which it usually is, some birds. Beautiful.
Here are some pictures from my hike last week.
As I hiked the Vineyard Mountain Trail last week, I was present to the beauty of nature; and, the beauty in being present with nature. When we are fully present, all of life takes on richer and deeper colors; the vibrancy of which is stunning. Lovely.
Alright, as I mentioned in a previously published diary entry, this post is part of one of my new spring and summer series. In this series, I will take in a different hike every week or so, and then write about my reflections.
Thus, we will get to wander and wonder throughout the Willamette Valley together. Fun.
Mystery
Darkness envelops me
as I turn the corner,
and for one moment
there is a glimpse
of the mirror
refracting back light,
which startles me
with such delight.
I continue to
wander, and wonder
what it is we see
when we empty ourselves
of the trauma and pain
of a life spent yearning
and burning with such
conviction,
it’s like someone else has given me
no restrictions.
As I pull away from the dream
I’m reminded of the pain,
and the knowing
that it’s okay to feel the burden,
which I spent a long time masking
with other versions
of a self made long, long, ago.
Another place and paradigm
fed and fueled me then.
Yet, it’s important to
look at the history,
while remembering that
all creation lives
in this stories
present mystery.
Tanka #12
A memory of
times gone by, set against the
deep blue sky, wispy
clouds remind of transience
and stunning reminiscence.
In response to the WDYS #80 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Haiku #21
sky painted colors
of nature, they mix, mingle,
and dance together
Adjoining Hands
I’ve been thinking
and reflecting
more upon childhood.
Those days, rich with innocence
and all that bliss.
Who’d a thunk
we’d be wandering and wondering
about those days
so much later,
as if time was encapsulated
in a tiny mirror, and we,
now looking back,
are trying to figure out
all that we missed.
During those days of
never ending joy, which
are quite often
remembered
With thoughts full of love,
which we can and do employ
as needed,
especially when it’s
just rightly seeded.
We reminisce.
And yet as we look into
that tiny mirror,
what we see is a mere reflection
of the love that’s
always been within.
Never wavering for a second,
that child’s love for the life lived,
is greater than any other
transient figure.
Love was there then,
is here now, and
will always be around.
Then?
When times are tough,
pull out that tiny mirror,
and gaze into
what you know is already there.
For they are still within you,
my dear friend,
and are simply awaiting
your adjoining hand.
A Blogger’s Diary 5/2/21: On Writing, Collaborations, Second Vaccinations, and Blogging
This past week, I wrote a couple new pieces, one on purpose and one on the new hiking series, called Willamette Wanderings and Wonderings, thanks, Jules, for the cool title idea.
Though I love writing poetry, and will continue to, it was fun to write a few different pieces this week. Both of these posts will be scheduled soon for next week. Awesome.
Instead of two reflections this week, I am going to write a little about two recent collaborations. Here we go.
Collaborations
This week, Amber, of DiosRaw, and I wrote, Remembering The Mirrored Child Within: Amber and Jeff (3). As with both of the previous poems we collaborated on, writing this poem with Amber was lovely. It is quite a magical experience to pick up a set of verses from a fellow poet, and then add to them, and vice versa. Beautiful.
This week also saw the publication of the interview I did with Bella from Thoughtsnlifeblog. The interview is part of Bella’s Let’s Get Inspired Series, which is, well, simply amazing.
You all know, I’ve only been blogging for one year, and Bella’s blog was one of the first blogs I began following and commenting on. Bella’s blog was inspirational for me then, and is inspirational for me now.
If you’ve not checked out Thoughtsnlifeblog or DiosRaw, please do so. Both of these blogs are inspirational, just like their creators.
Second Vaccination
I received my second vaccination on Friday, and am pleased, and also a little anxious, to report that I’ve booked a trip to Los Angeles to visit my sisters and mother, and to see my niece graduate from High School.
Part of the choice to travel now, is that I have no idea what the next 6 to 12 months will bring, which made the choice to travel now that I am fully vaccinated an easy one.
Blogging
Sometime last month I celebrated my one year blogging anniversary. It’s been such a joy to meet so many amazing and inspirational people, and to create, create, create. It’s been a blast.
I recently surpassed 400 posts, now have, well, almost 700 followers, 690 as of writing this post; and, the blog has received over 5,000 comments, has had over 32,000 views, and over 13,000 visitors. Amazing.
I want to thank each of you for supporting me; for following, liking, commenting, and collaborating. You are all inspirational, and I appreciate you.
Alright, that’s all for this week.
Have a stupendous week.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 