Pause to Ponder

Our art and the sacred are closely related
—a co-creative receiving and expressing life
that are one and the same act

I smiled again first thing this morning
Yes, praying before I rose from bed
I drew from a deep place of inner peace

Not every picture of me smiling appears genuine
But when based on benevolence, stirring joy within
I can radiate hope and freshness—and so can you!

Carol and I were invited to plant daffodil bulbs
with a host of folks at Pioneer Presbyterian.
In spring blooms will be plucked to form a cross.

I admire these older people and this sweet ritual that lies at the heart of their faith community-
Answering the call to a larger experience of life

With the days growing shorter
in the season of my earthly life
I am grateful for elders who inspire and delight

Some friends invited me on a walk yesterday
into a lovely sanctuary of trees
at the heart of a woods that surrounds their home

We bathed in the richness of life found in nature—delightfully reminded of the grace
that is always within and around us

Called in our older years
to give hope to the next generation
all hands & hearts reaching for fullness of life

Two days after meeting with nine others
in a later-life wellness circle I’m still feeling the thrill of our sharing from heart to heart

A simple format around a lit candle a couple songs, two poems, and ten stories and for two hours we filled a room with life, love & laughter

The spirit of hope and wholeness is a mystery
about a power I can not explain but a single
heart-to heart gathering can speak 1,000 words

NOTE: if you are interested in learning more about a Later-life Wellness Circle just let me know.

On a fall walk with Mellie in New Brighton, Minnesota
a white squirrel appeared, paused, and scurried off

The very next day the same squirrel showed up again
pausing to gift me with a lovely photo op

More than a picture White Squirrel gave me a sign
to attune & seek harmony with the seasons of my life

A playful perspective
faces the unknown
with courage to discover

Today I’ll make
the order of the day
a healthy portion of kitty-like play

Need space for all the energies of life
to move in, through and around you?

Don’t have a wide open meadow
or a big water view readily available?

Relax, close your eyes, and see how just a few
deep, slow breaths can make a world of difference