::note::

here

new blue wall . the little room

the view from here:

• a visit from a partner in crime and friend
• one studio freshly painted (and truly found underneath all the stuff)
• a carload or two of that stuff to goodwill
• rediscovery of so many good things that fill my heart with joy
• many moments of laughter so loud we almost woke the baby
• juicy brainstorming for so much that is to come
• nods of "yes, i get that. totally."
• mug after mug of coffee
• a moment in the quiet overwhelmed by kindness
• a smoothie that looked like she added algae (like from a fish tank) [it was super good]
• a very specific wish or two released into the universe
• plans hatched (the midwest retreat is gonna be so good. like big. like oh this is the way life is gonna go now. hold on. it is gonna be awesome.)
• another reminder that showing up as you is the way to find others who will see you
• another reminder that it is through love (and letting ourselves be loved) that we heal 

senses . backyard spring

{see}

{taste}

{smell}

{hear}

{touch}

{know}

*****

where: my backyard
when: april 12, 2011 

several years ago, i was drawn to the creative exercise of finding the senses in a moment through writing and photography. i often return to this exercise to help me get out of my head. i find that it anchors me and reminds me to notice the beauty around me.

see past posts about the senses here.

just wondering...

manzanita beachfront . iphone with hipstamatic app

this evening, i am over here thinking about you and wondering:

how are things in your world? (really. how are you?)

choose

manzanita self-portrait . iphone with hipstamatic app

today,
as i look forward toward all that is to come, 
i choose to trust 

my song

manzanita . taken with iphone and hipstamatic app

i come to the sea
to remember
the way i want to move in this world 

to lean into
the truth of all that has existed before me

to breathe in
the joy
the light
the shadows 

i come to the sea
to listen

and it is here that i find my way back to my song 

*****

i am over here continuing to soak up the beauty that was the joy retreat and reflecting on the reasons why i want to always gather women by the sea and among the trees. and as i begin to finalize plans for next month's midwest retreat, i am smiling so big knowing i will be bringing this kind of experience back to my roots. 

joy.full

a truth i am sinking into:

when you know this is the path (that this is your path), you must show up and do the work.

(even when it is hard and might seem impossible. even when you don't think others will ever get it.)

keeping your heart open and letting hope partner with trust will be important guides along your way.

*****

each time i return from a be present retreat, i struggle with how to share all that unfolded. each retreat has been simply all that i hoped it would be plus whipped cream and cherries and the warmest hug of truth and love one could experience. (seriously, they really have been that good.) the joy retreat was oh my goodness simply fantastic. so much love and light and laughter and beauty. (thank you girls. big. thank you.)

gathering women together and providing space for them to show up as themselves feels as though it will always be my life's work. i am so blessed.

the final day of this retreat was the first time i have been the last person to leave (usually i have a friend or two with me). after walking through the house one more time, i put on my rain boots and headed out for a final walk through the sand. i had so much fun snapping away with my iphone that i feel moved to share a few of these photos with you over the next few days. i am going to pair the photos with a musing of sorts about what i am learning and leaning into as i breathe in the truth of the gifts these retreats give me.

she teaches me

eleanor jane, 9 1/2 months

each day, she moves me with her inquisitive, gentle ways. the simple joys in learning something new punctuate our days. she laughs and i feel my heart (literally, i feel it) open up more than i ever thought possible yet again. and when we explore the world, she watches, soaking it all up. those big blue eyes take it all in, and i think about how perhaps my role is to invite her to (never, ever) forget all that she already knows.