It Keeps Going...and Going...and Going!

I arrived home this afternoon to my beloved who asked sweetly, "Can we do a movie night?" It's been months since we crashed, cuddled up and watched a good movie. I was all in! But...then, a personal to-do list was introduced before we settled down, in addition to tennis rackets needing strung during the movie. Wait, what? Life is so full these days, it's hard to find a moment, or a cuddle, or a...breath? 

Is it just me? Anyone else feel like an alien from another planet, looking around at the energizer bunnies pounding their drums as they just keep going and going and going? I mean, c'mon, the bunny is pink, wears sunglasses and flip flops--that's a maddening juxtaposition!

While my energizer bunny runs around before the movie, I'm out in the garden, having kicked off my flip flops (ha!), and I'm writing it out. Here's a heart-felt weekend offering for space to materialize between the drum beats or hey...all else fails, let's pull the batteries ;)

Vaiynafesh
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

A word of Hebrew origin meaning “refreshed,” literally – “exhaled”

In the beginning: darkness, expansion, heaven meets earth.
“And on the 7^th day, God rested and was ‘refreshed’”—
Creator exhaled….

A 21^st Century creator takes in and breathes the days:
emails, texts, drama,
traffic, errands, news,
to do’s, cooking, chores.

Draw in and in and in, fill to overflowing.
Try this: hold the in-breath, do NOT breathe out,
Impossible!
Wise body knows the pause of natural rhythm.

“Vaiynafesh”—
Refresh.
Roll, Ancient Syllables, from a tired and grateful tongue…
Darkness, expansion, heaven meets earth.

As tonight is breathed into existence,
this 21^st Century creator
practices
exhaling. 

Blue Pill, Red Pill?

I recently finished the novel, "Night," by Elie Wiesel. Anyone who has read this slim holocaust memoir knows it was not easy. The reading was precipitated by a personal commemoration of the author, for Elie recently died at the ripe age of 87 years. Also, my momma, who knows my heart well, gave me the book. It had sat on my book shelf for years until I was most recently ready to read it.

Now, before you go thinking this is a kill-joy blog article, no-sir-eeeee. Remember IC Truth #3: everything no matter how challenging has the ability to be transformed. Elie Wiesel is a shining North Star example of this certainty. The day I finished the book, I dedicated my morning to sitting with what I had learned. I did this in my garden of course, and as I sat by my pond, in addition to holding Elie Wiesel's story close, I noticed the hummingbirds came around, as did the nuthatches, chickadees and all other kinds of joyful critters. I smiled, and pondered these competing realities--the destruction of a race of people juxtaposed with all the beauty of this natural world. Both exist--one heart-breaking, the other heart-sustaining--such interplay is constantly present. How to reconcile these realities?

I recalled this month's Inner Constellation theme--Co-creation--and grabbed my notebook as a poem took root...

Ground to Soften
©August 4, 2016 Karla Johnston InnerConstellation.com

The novel, “Night,” by Elie Weisel—
I’m reminded my every thought of impatience, anger, intolerance,
waters the larger seed of cruelty growing in the world today.
Annihilation of Jews (and anyone not conforming to radical Islam) is happening this moment.
Tears escape the corner of my eyes, seeking ground to soften.

The other side of human possibility: tenderness, joy, understanding
water seeds of freedom,
which, in the choice to cultivate, loosen cruelty’s strangle hold.
Do I wish to be grounded in the killing field
or tend the garden of humanity with compassion and mercy?

Germination starts within,
it grows within. 


How do I reconcile competing realities? My answer--germination starts within, it grows within. More questions follow--Am I more able to Co-create and practice goodness and generosity because I live healthy, happy, strong and free? Do I have a responsibility to do so, due to my good measure? 

As this month of August stretches toward the end, I continue to answer my heart questions. Relying on Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community and my support network of family and friends, I know answers will come and Co-creation will be the result: germination starts within, it grows within. 

Bless you, wise Elie Wiesel, for your continuation of insight, compassion and hope. 

Co-Create...Say WHHHat?

Thanks to dear Mike Pape, LTMC member and sweet presence, for suggesting August's Inner Constellation theme of co-create. As I sat to write the practice blessings* to send for the week, you know how it goes...the muse slipped in. I heard a single word...animator...and the creative juices began a'flowin' until !bam!--co-creating in practice!

Animator
©2016 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

It was instructed and breathed, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”

Sacred life, nonstop
pours through these bodies
requiring nothing except to be alive.

Yesterday, I saw a baby take her first breath,
and today discussed with colleagues how to assist those taking their last.

Deep Mystery
propels body, speech, mind,
actions and consciousness….

Breathing in, I’m aware of sacred life;
Breathing out, I vow compassion, peace and understanding.


May this offering continue to water the seeds of goodness within. I look most forward to exploring co-creation this month of August and practicing the North Stars of compassion, peace and understanding along the way. 


*Monday-Friday 2-4 line email send. Short, sweet, promoting the practice of engaged compassion throughout your day. Please contact me if you'd like this gift from me to you.