Category: Nature

Enter the Light

Enter the Light

Dawn 2012I stood in the chilly air awaiting the dawn. Not just of a new day but a new way. As I stood beneath old growth live oak trees, present with birds and cows awakening, I glanced over the metal roof of my home and saw a huge owl cresting the roof. She flew within a few feet of me as I stood in stillness. Silent was her passing, without a whisper of wind on wing.

Owls have amazing eyesight and can see in the darkest night. A timely reminder in this time of transition and spiritual awakening on our planet.

Bundled in warm clothes in the pre-dawn moments, I contemplated this auspicious day and remembered a conversation I had in the late 1980’s with a professor in graduate school. We were on a break and several of us were sitting around a table. The conversation turned to the end of the Mayan calendar. At the time, it was still 25 years in the future. He expressed fear and asked our opinion. I told him I thought it was simply a time of awakening, of moving from darkness into the light.

Dawn 2012

Through the years I have continued to hold that belief. And this morning I felt incredible excitement that people all over the planet were welcoming the light. Over the past few years there has been an apparent increase in darkness but what has appeared to be more darkness is perhaps light exposing the worst of humanity. Now, like the owl, we see more clearly the darkness and can make conscious choices to turn to the light.

With gratitude I saluted the Light and made my way back into my cozy kitchen for a hot mocha. Yes. This is the start of a new dawn.

 

Pelicans Up-River

Pelicans Up-River

pelicanWhile we don’t have dramatic seasonal changes in coastal Alabama, if a person pays attention there are definite shifts that result from changing weather patterns. I notice these while paddling my SUP board on the Magnolia River.

When cooler nights and days became the norm and the winds shifted, pelicans moved up-river. They hang out on boat house roofs, on channel markers, piers and they have quickly learned that people = food. I’ve seen them begging fish from local residents who clean fish on their docks. This morning I saw several gathering around a pier where guys were sitting and visiting on their dock.

Another seasonal change is that the river water is clearer and quite a bit shallower as the north winds push water out of Weeks and Mobile Bays. Magnolia River, being a tidal river, flows outward and offers a challenge for me at low tide during this time of year as I paddle through large, submerged rocks.

Cormorants are constant companions as they dive for fish and do their running take-off on the water’s surface–winter visitors who fly south for a few months of warmer weather before returning to cooler climates to raise young.

No, there’s no snow and we haven’t had temperatures below freezing yet but the pelicans up-river are a sure sign winter is here.

Time and Purpose

Time and Purpose

water (2) The concept of time has been on my mind a lot lately. For many years people across the planet have had various ideas about what the end of the Mayan calendar might bring. There are all sorts of scenarios.  The one I have held is that it is simply a time of change from one era to the next–and in my mind it includes a collective leap of consciousness. Regardless of whether they just ran out of room on their stone tablets or if their wisdom-keepers truly saw a time of global awakening, because so many people on our planet have held a belief that something is going to happen, it will indeed happen…even if it is simply the equivalent of turning the page to a new year.

Personally the idea of time has taken me on a deep inner journey of late. Several articles, books and videos have crossed my desk and have created fertile ground for this adventure. Some questions have emerged:

What if I could stop the inner dialogue that constantly keeps me second-guessing myself…that keeps me in constant motion of striving to make effective use of time?

What if I could end the inner voice that berates me if I am not constantly doing what I think is expected of me?

What if I could be still and silent and allow my natural gifts and talents the space to be…with no thought to production, saving the planet, and other ideals?

water (1)What if I simply stopped doing what I thought I should do and allow myself…my Self…to live organically doing whatever it is that comes natural to me?

I have come to believe, to know even, that this is when the real magic of life will occur. If I can do that, if you can do that, will the ‘time’ change?

What would your life look like if you allowed a natural expression of your strengths, gifts, talents?

I believe the possibility of healing our planet lies in one, simple step: Individual healing…allowing our true selves to shine and reconnect with our Earth Mother, live with Her, not on Her. It’s time we remembered who we are and let go of who we are not.

Now is the time.

water (4)

Land-Locked No More!

Land-Locked No More!

Awakening in the black of pre-dawn, I stood up and immediately missed the gentle rocking of the ocean. Sitting at my desk under the open windows beside the oak tree, birds singing to me, the entire house rocked me gently all day as I processed images and video. Or at least that’s what it felt like after a week on a boat.

During the many years I spent as a land-locked diver, I would always have a deep sadness at leaving the ocean and returning to the mountains. I love the mountains but the sea remains my constant, the core of who I am. And now, after dive trips, I find myself heading back to a coast and the joy is unmistakable. And the gratitude bubbles up in waves of heart-felt love for my beautiful home and the live oaks it’s nestled under….and the Magnolia River and the bays and the Gulf of Mexico–all a part of this life I inhabit.

The sights and smells of the rivers, bays and open water of the Gulf keep me grounded in pure ecstasy and appreciation for my wonderful home….yes, the outer home but mostly this inner home of beauty I discover as I open my heart and mind to beauty, to light….to unconditional love. I am free and the coast of Alabama mirrors this freedom to me, mentors my expanding efforts to bring all of who I am to this life.

Down to the River…to Pray, to Laugh

Down to the River…to Pray, to Laugh

It was 48 degrees when I got up and started my day at 5am. I had to wait two hours until sunrise so I could go boarding. I fueled my body with a big apple and yogurt and almonds and dressed for the chill. When the light popped out I headed out as well. Down the to river….to pray, laugh, dance on my board and be fully present in this glorious autumn morning.

When I am able to be fully present, in the moment, I receive the gift of beauty, laughter, joy. Nothing else but the river, mullet, alligator gar, osprey, herons, baby fish, kingfishers, and boats filled with jacket-clad fishermen staring at me as I stroked past like I was some sort of illusion from a wacky dream. I could almost hear their low droning voices as they said, “Check that out Bob. That one ain’t right.” Or, “What the heck are they gonna think of next?” But I’m booking past them, fueled by the chilly air and stroking fast, race-like and feeling strong.

Some days are like that. And when such a day comes along, I’m happy to say thanks and keep paddling. Joy, peace, beauty…we all deserve it, we’re all worthy of good things.

What are you claiming today that supports your joy? I hope it is something wonderful…you deserve it after all.