An Almanac Minute: The Winter Solstice

Understanding My Life through the Art of Work

It’s been a little quiet on the Circle of Self Muse blog.  I’ve actually been writing a lot, daily in fact, on my http://mooncyclecircle.blogspot.com/.  I’ve been opening myself to all sorts of manifestations of the Muse as I move along the path of manifesting my work-as it evolves.  I am a survivor of 'self diagnosed' ADHD and dyslexia.  I am old enough that those diagnoses did not exist when I was a child, but I know from my experience at school, with reading and writing that I would have been relegated to the classroom of the learning disabled if they existed back in the 60’s.  My struggles with academics impacted my self-esteem greatly and caused me to doubt my intelligence, ideas and what I always felt was my ‘calling’.  In this past year, I committed to coming to terms with this struggle once and for all. 

I was in the middle of writing a vision for my work as part of my coming to terms with my work life when I came upon Jeff Goins’ book The Art of Work.  I agreed to write a book review, trying to fit my review within a thirty-day time frame, a bit of a challenge for me as my dyslexia makes me a very slow reader.  But, this book, which is so much more than about reinventing, rewriting, restructuring one’s life captured me, and I let myself take as much time as I needed to thoroughly digest the blessings Goins’ sends out to people like me who are still trying to claim for themselves what he calls their ‘vocation’. I have thoughts myself, about being too old, running out of time, having delusions about what I still could be or do.  Delving in to Goins’ guide, I now feel like I am actually ‘right on time’ for making a mark in my life.  Goins has opened my eyes to new ways of looking for inspiration about the work in my life and just how I can embrace what life presents me and use it to make changes in myself and in the world. 

Goins’ does not promise a rainbow at the end of the journey, in fact he doesn't promise an end to the journey! He also doesn’t offer any short cuts or quick-fix gimmicks.  His path to success is a path each of us will cut for ourselves—but not alone, and I stress this—this is not solitary path.  Rather he gives guidance and urgency to keep going.  To any readers out there who have never been able to focus on one thing, who have struggled with their gifts and talents and have not been able to weave them into a meaning tapestry, take heart.  The Art of Work gives me hope…and direction.  I especially invite those whose learn ‘outside the box’ or who have a history of giving their power and their gifts away (as many of those I have been privileged to work with have) to read this books. It offers hope for creating a life that matters and a workable path to success and mastery.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through Speakeasy blogging book review network.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Beauty as a State of Being

Beauty as a State of Being, In the preface, Dr. Solomon Katz describes his book as both manual and work of art.  It is both. Katz’s book is an inspiring blend of instruction manual and story. For some, this interplay of process and prose will seem distracting. However, I found the ongoing change of pace I experienced when reading chapter to chapter to be just the change of pace my mind required to stop its’ usual way of thought processing. The short vignettes (as in the interlude of stories in the middle of the book) also support using the book as a daily reader: open a page at random and take in as a daily inspiration what is revealed under the sub-headings on any page. I found them to be just what I needed to hear-that day.

I was drawn to Katz’s book, because of the title.  ‘Beauty’ is an important part of my life. I live my life with the intention to create and bring beauty to everything my life touches; some days are definitely more beautiful than others!  And so, I picked up this reader on ‘Mastering Mind and the Spiritual Path’.  Katz weaves stories of clients into the reader’s journey and I found my own fettered mind comforted by these ‘me, too’ experiences. What Dr. Katz’s book brought to me was a gentle way to begin to change my mind-the negative thinking, the positive thinking, moving gradually into moments where no-thinking ‘happened’ and beauty shown.  This is a book to savor. It is both an easy read and a slow read, depending on how deep the reader wants to go in their transformation journey.  I definitely recommend not rushing. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through Speakeasy blogging book review network.  I was not required towrite a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance witht the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Agreeing to Follow the Acronym of G.O.D.

This morning I sat in my morning contemplation. Actually, I wiggled, jittered and squirmed until, finally, I gave into my antsy-ness and got up off my prayer cushion. Then, I paced, spun, and rambled aimlessly; first through the rooms of my house-mind flitting from a decorating idea for the kitchen, to noticing cobwebs between the sofa and the drapes, to concerns about not being able to pay the painter. I ended up out of doors; perhaps my spirit was hoping for relief. I attempted to engage body and mind in a morning gratitude ceremony.  That did not work either.  I experienced no stillness, no centeredness, and no peace of body, mind, heart or spirit.  All these behaviors are the actions I have come to understand as a part of me (probably ego) is trying to keep me from becoming aware of something that will necessitate some kind of change or letting go in my life. In short: these are all avoidance (and annoyance) behaviors.  I have come to understand them as avoiding G.O.D. behaviors, as well. 

Finally, I return to my office and slump down onto the prayer cushion.  The longevity of my attempts at meditation has given me a couple of good disciplines-one of which is a commitment that whenever I am wandering about without any healthy form of relief, I am willing to draw a tiny slip of paper from my ‘god bowl’ and do whatever the paper says.  Today is one of those days, and after only a brief internal argument, I pick a tiny slip from the bowl. IT reads: ‘Art’.  “Really,” I think “this makes no sense”!  But, I am committed to follow that little piece of paper.  My art supplies are downstairs in the basement, I have to go and find the crate I’ve tucked them away in.  I head for the basement, I pass through the kitchen and notice the pan of Tapioca pudding I started still sitting on the stove. I stop to stir it, see it’s ready to have the eggs added.  That takes up another fifteen minutes.  My squirrel mind circles back around to the original mission: art supplies.  I retrieve two or three crates before I find what I think I’m looking for.  I have too many felt tip markers to carry.  This gives me the idea that the crystal bowl in the dining room-the one I was going to give to good will-would make a beautiful marker holder.  

After a side trip to pick up the bowl (which did make a great container for the markers) I sat back on my cushion, with my recently retrieved sketch book and my G.O.D. journal. And I waited for inspiration.  I fidgeted some more.  

Finally, I reached over and picked up my journal and opened it revealing an entry from 9-13-13: “Our Song/Our Ode.  O.D.E. Our Divine Essence. What ode do we sing every day?” 

So…I pick up a pink marker and draw the outline of a single musical note on my sketch pad.  I hear the ode; Ode to the Soul, Song to the Soul, Soul’s ODE, soul’s song to the world.  I hear: ‘How Great Thou Art’ in my head: I write these words, in pink, on the page: “Then sings my soul, my precious song to thee: How great thou art!  How great thou Art! How great thou Art, Oh GOD. What you have created from the impulse of your being. 
…the created impulse of my being is Joy! Joy! My soul is singing!

That is how that little three letter word, a-r-t, and my commitment to discipline of doing what those little pieces of paper say, gave me back my centeredness and direction.   

This is my share about how the acronym G.O.D. works in my life!

http://www.allaboutgod.com/how-great-thou-art.htm  Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940)

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Refrain

P.S. Acronyms for G.O.D. 

                Grace On Demand

                Good Orderly Direction

                Grace Of Divine

                Go On Doing

                Great Omnipotent Dream

    Grace Of Discipline

    Giver Of Directions

               

                

Being Affirmed by Creator's Trees

This past week I gave a speech at Toastmasters, where I invited my audience to explore the practice of connecting with nature as a way of praying.  I shared my morning prayer practice (although in abbreviated form) of going out of doors and giving thanks for the world I see, and for all of creation listening and hearing me-and that I then ask out-loud about whatever is on my mind that morning. The audience was attentive, but later was some 'light-hearted' joking about praying to the trees. Of course, the doubting part of my psyche went into questioning whether I really might be delusional.

I shared my doubts, questioning that I might actually be 'stupid', with a colleague who reminded me that what I teach and share about comes from ancient wisdom, from many spiritual traditions and cultures.  "Are you calling them 'stupid'?", she challenged.  Still, my inner doubting, simmered on the back burner.  This morning, I opened Richard Rohr's morning meditation and here was another answer to my questioning:

Silence my soul, these trees are prayers.

I asked the tree, "Tell me about God";
then it blossomed.  Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Bengali polymath--poet, playwright, painter, musician

From: Richard Rohr's Meditation: Sabbath -- Mystics and Non-Dual Thinkers: Week 5; Listening Silence

Here was my confirmation-in black and white and in a beautiful chant, as if not only tree, but entire forest were affirming me.  I am humbled and grateful.

Baby Bird Lessons Day Two

The next day, in the early morning hours.  I carry my writing tools out to the back deck, and prepare to sit for my Morning Prayer and contemplation. This is my last day at Sara’s ranch,the last day of my writing retreat.  I sit in the lawn chair facing east, watching the sun begin to rise.  I’m dive bombed by mother swallow.  Looking up at the rafters, I see one small chick, pressed against the outside of her nest.  I can’t tell if this is one from yesterday, or a latecomer fledgling.  Either could be me!  This mother has the patience and faith of Job.  Both mother and chick are models for me. They reflect two parts of my multifaceted self.  This morning I sit with another example of how nature serves as our teacher, and as a mirror for our path and our growth.  I am patient and faith-filled mother swallow.  I am reluctant chick. 

Lessons From Nature

I'm on a writing retreat at my sister Sara's beautiful, remote Texas Ranch (it's a real ranch b.t.w.).  I have set an intention to receive and write inspirations for the Moon Cycles.

Every Year when the time comes to write about the 12^th (December) moon cycle, the cycle of ‘Thank Truth’ and Jamie Sams’ clan mother image-Gives Praise, a different facet of gratitude and appreciation is shown to me.  Last year, I was aware of immense gratitude for my inner gifts and talents, and my writing asked for the courage to live these more fully in my life.  This year, I am sitting at a picnic table, the heat of the hot Texas wind sharp contrast to the winter images that come with this December moon writing. 

As I write, two tiny swallows are perched on the rafters of the lean-to porch.  Mother swallow approaches again and again, chirping and wildly flapping her wings.  It’s been several hours now, and they are still perched on their I-beam ledge.  Mother bird still flapping her wings and chirping.  I wonder if I would have that kind of patience and stamina.  I wonder how those little ones feel.  Are they scared?  Is it fly or die time?  Over this past week on the ranch, I have witnessed the after effects of five or six failed launch attempts.  It’s hard not to feel sad, even understanding this is all part of the circle of life. 

I have been like those little chicks.  So afraid to take my leap of faith, not trusting that I have what I need to launch myself, I let chances go by and opportunities die.  I’ve had some failed launches, too.  I’ve gone to great lengths to insure my safety with inch by inch movements, exhausting myself and the patience of others. I’ve thrown money and resources at an idea in hopes that this would make up for my lack of preparedness, knowledge or faith, exhausting both resources and myself.  I have enough faith now, and enough awareness and skill, to take my leap.  Where am I leaping to?  I’m leaping into my own being.  I’m really leaping into myself.  I am also leaping into Creation, of which I am already apart.